Rotarians Richard Yeager-Stiver, Lina Bowman and Diane Strickler along with Kevin Cox, Staff Advisor and 10 students from Grosse Pointe South's Interact Club volunteered at World Medical Relief February 4.  The volunteers sorted donated medical supplies which will be shipped to third world medical clinics and hospitals. 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of two of our Club's finest Rotarians:

Songleader extraordinaire Remie Laenen passed away Sunday, February 19

Past President (1986-87) Robert Pytell  passed away Monday, February 20

 


Click on more for details on Ray's and Bob's lives

 The Members of the Rotary Club of Grosse Pointe are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of our friend, Jane Bashara. In celebrating Jane’s life and to help comfort those who she loved, the Club, as it has done for 75 years in Grosse Pointe and throughout our world community, will endeavor to find and do more “service above self” projects to help those in need.

 Click on More for additonal information 

2011 Club Election results are reported as follows: 

President Elect:  Diane Strickler (Pres. 2012-2013) 

First VP Elect: Paul Rentenbach (Pres. 2013-2014)  

2nd VP Elect: Jon Gandelot  (Pres. 2014-2015)    

Club Board members elected-2 year term (2012-2014)

• Ted Everingham
• Amy Gennaro
• Fred Ollison

Foundation Board members -3 year term (2012-2015)

• Steve Brownell
• Lee Johnson
• Suzanne Klein

Please be sure to thank those members who ran who were not elected. Having lost 10 elections myself, I know how it feels but understand that one or two votes separated many of these excellent candidates.  These people offered up their time and talent to help the Club and make the choices extremely difficult. Please encourage each of them to run again when offered. It will keep our club strong. Their input to the Club is very valuable.

HERE

On July 29, we received word from the Rotary International Foundation that the Rotary Literacy Initiative global grant has been formally approved. It is believed to be the first Future Vision Global Grant given to a project in the United States.

For a video look at the Rotary Literacy Initiative click on the arrow below 

On June 29, 2011 Committee Chair Mike Carmody reported that the goal set in July 2009 of 3 Million pounds of clothing, food and books had been reached.  This vast collection of resources has been distributed to various community groups, shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries. The collection center in Grosse Pointe, located at the Memorial Church of Grosse Pointe 16 Lakeshore Drive, will be converted to a book collection center beginning July 1 and it will be open every other Wednesday from 7-9 PM.  

SO FAR WE HAVE RAISED 3,079,401  POUNDS

At the annual "Changing of the Gavel" Presentation, DG Kim inducted Bill Scott as the 75th President of the Club. The Club also honored some of its members for their extraordinary service above self. The Honorees were:

Infinite Sky Lifetime Service Award: Al Ceravolo & Pete Higbie

Rotarian of the Year:  Mike Carmody

Director Award: Paul Rentenbach

Sladen Visionary Award:  DG Kim Towar

Rookies of the Year:  Lee Johnson & Richard Yeager-Stiver

DGN Mary Kehoe inducted Robert Louis Ferdinand as the Club's tenth new Members since May 2010. DG Kim honored the Paul Harris recipients and videos of the 3 Million Pound Challenge and Rotary Literacy Initiative entertained and informed the guests. The Club also received the Presidential Citation with Distinction Award.  Bill Scott provided his vision for the future of the Club as it enters its 75th year.

 For info on the Sladen Scholars click  on "more" below

Click on More for photos from the Changing of the Gavel

On Friday June 17, 2011 our club was honored with the “Greater Detroit Community Volunteers of the Year” award by Matrix Human Services of Detroit.  Matrix Human Services was founded in 1906 by the League of Catholic Women.  Matrix Human Services serves their community through twenty-three service locations with a staff of five hundred employees and countless volunteers.

Having returned from DisCon 2011, I wanted to let you know that our DG Kim put on a show that will be remembered for a long time. The event was staged in the Lombard Westin outside of Chicago. Not a single detail was overlooked. She could not have represented  our club in any finer fashion.  

The two extraordinary highlights were the the flash mob in downtown Chicago Millennium Park to highlight the End Polio Now campaign of RI and the Tonight Show featuring the RI President. President Elect; Treasurer; incoming and outgoing RI Trustees; President's representative and other distinguished RI dignitaries talking about their visions for Rotary. Even President Ray commented on the fact that this not only hadn't happened at a District Conference before ( because he doesn't attend them) but likely had never happened in a public forum. Leave it to our KimPOSSIBLE to assemble such a group and then have them speak to us in depth about Rotary and its future.

Our 2011 Vocational Training Team (VTT) is bound for Australia and East Timor on April 25, 2011. They are excited about the opportunity to represent Rotary International and Super District 6400 and to meet and work with Rotary clubs in District 9550 in Australia and East Timor.

Leading the team is Grosse Pointe Rotarian Michael Carmody.  Click on more for details and team photo.

Members of the Rotary Club of Grosse Pointe and their friends gathered at the War Memorial for an evening of relaxing fellowship and friendly cards.  44 players shuffled, dealt and played the night away. Proceeds went to assist the Club in its service above self activities.  

Before a crowded  War Memorial Ballroom US Rep Hansen Clarke spoke to the club on his path to Washington and the importance of education and support along the way. He showed interest in the Club's Rotary Literacy Initiative.  His passion for the job at hand is not only evident but refreshing.  

Memorial contributions to the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund or the Grosse Pointe Rotary Foundation Evergreen Fund (at PO BOX 36366, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236) would be appreciated.

Club Members and honored guests enjoyed a wonderful chocolate and champagne holiday event this week at the Strickler's and raised more than $1,200 to fight illiteracy as part of the Rotary Literacy Initiative.