.jpg)
The last Rotary meeting of 2018 began on a warm December day. President Larry promptly began the meeting at 12:15 p.m. to a good-sized crowd, considering the date. New member Scott Chabot led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Ken Steele reciting “The Four-Way Test.”
.jpg)
We sang the national anthem and ended with Tom Davies’ thoughtful invocation.
The menu was salad, rolls, chicken with mushroom sauce, roasted potatoes, green beans and sugar cookies for dessert. The latter were especially good.
Jeff Furest introduced the guests and visitors. We had a visiting Rotarian from Eagan, Minnesota, Don Cogswell and Brian Cloutier, guest of Val Miller. They were treated to our unique Rotary welcome song.
FLOWERS
Ellen Lysik had this duty. Those present celebrating significant anniversaries received a flower: Bob Cannon, Amanda Oparka, Beth Pryor (for husband Steve) and Stephanie Mirabile, club anniversary. The remaining flowers were sold to Sam D'Angelo for Gloria Murphy, Gary Felts for Don Cogswell, Don Carnaghi to Beth Pryor.
MUSIC
Sam D'Angelo chose “Edelweiss,” the Austrian folk song, to get us ready for RI's 2019 convention in Germany (close enough) and “Sing a Song to Rotary.”
SUNSHINE REPORT
Karan Bates-Gasior shared she has been in tears all week, watching the surprise and joy expressed by her Turning Point families when they received our packages that came from the Turning Point Giving Tree project. Though she can't show their faces, Karan wanted us to know they are truly grateful.
PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Larry thanked Julie Huttenlocher for hosting the December board of directors meeting.
Items discussed were:
· Club's appreciation for those service providers we have at our meetings. Gift envelopes were given to Tina Hannenberg, our server and Gelt Felts, our pianist. Linda May was honored at our last meeting.
· Discussion about participating in the Youth Exchange program again. Julie Huttenlocher taking the lead. A decision will be made at the next board meeting.
· Gloria Murray and Kris Howell thanked for an outstanding Christmas Party.
· There is no meeting next week. Our next meeting will be January 3 and serve as our annual meeting. President Larry will present a six-month financial report, progress toward the Rotary Citation goals, new constitution and bylaws and slate of officers. We will vote on the latter three.
· That is, if we get someone to step up for the position of President Nominee. This person is president in three years. The president nominee is responsible for the fundraiser but that should not be a deterrent. The fundraiser committee have the planning down to a science.
· New membership co-chairs were announced: Ellen Lysik and Julie Miller. They will be given a $120 budget to cover the cost of invited prospective members.
· The club will support the Ann Arbor Rotary global project as part of our international service. Two representatives from Ann Arbor recently presented this project to the club.
RECOGNITION BY JEFF FUREST
Kris Howell's Christmas sweater earned her a $2 fine.
Rotarians paid a buck who were guilty of the following offences:
· Wearing red or anything remotely Christmas-looking
· Not wearing your badge and pin
· Going out of town for the holidays
Those not done with Christmas shopping – who happened to be all the men. – were fined a hefty $3 each. Pictures from the Christmas party were “sold” to Rotarians for a $1 each, including Yours Truly.
Mary Ann Hosey, who admitted to being part
of the setup crew, was singled out for the low-hanging ornaments from the ceiling. Not sure it's her fault and I didn't hear if she was fined.
SPEAKER
Clinton Township Supervisor, Bob Cannon
Marijuana: Opt in or Opt Out?
Bob Cannon began his talk quoting a former and now-deceased member of the club: Dr. Carl Becker. Dr. Becker had a habit of standing up (he was over six feet tall) when he wanted to address the club. One day he rose to announce that today would be his last meeting. Old age had forced the doctor and his wife Delphine to move in with his daughter in Rochester Hills. Before he sat down, his final words were “Medical marijuana. We need medical marijuana.” That statement made quite an impression on Bob Cannon.
First with medical marijuana approved by the voters (2008) and now recreational marijuana, (2018) municipal governments need to vote whether to opt in and regulate the manufacture and sale of both types or opt out. If a government opts out, the voters can mount a petition drive and put it on the ballot. Only a small number is required to approve the measure.
The Clinton Township planning commission has come up with two areas, known as “green areas,” where medical and recreational marijuana could be grown and sold.
The township board will vote in 2019, which way to go. Opt out and run risk of a petition or accept it and amend it.
PRESIDENT GETS A CHRISTMAS GIFT?
President Larry was presented with a Christmas stocking said to hold his gift. Since when do we give the president a Christmas gift? Seeing it was Tom Davies
who presented the stocking should have been a clue. Deep within the long sock, President Larry drew out his gavel, that he hasn't seen since his June President's Party!
50/50
The winner was Kris Howell for $55. The winning number was a dyslexic's nightmare: 195951
