We were lucky to have 2 amazing Rotarians put together a scribe report for us last week. I will share both!
Stefanie Herder
Announcements:
- District Conference Reminder – May 17th-19th in Holland at the Haworth Inn & Conference Center. All Rotarians and Interact members are encouraged to attend! Conference Details
- Our very own Michelle Hanks was named the Spirit of Community award recipient at this year’s Chamber of Commerce dinner. Congrats & well deserved Michelle!
- Spring Lake Township was once again named the Township of Excellence winner at this years Michigan Townships Association annual conference. Congrats to John, Gordon, and staff!
Guests:
- State Rep Jim Lily
- Dr. Rob Davidson, guest of Michelle Hanks
May 4th Presenters:
- U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga – District Update
- Al Bonney – Rotary Foundation
U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga’s office reached out to our club to come and present since he was going to be in the district this last week. Huizenga arrived to our club after visiting the Tyson Foods Plant in Borculo. This plant has over 900 employees and produces the meat for the likes of Jimmy Johns and Chick-Fil-A. They are looking to do a $30 million expansion. Huizenga also gave the club an update on the new
Tax Reform Legislation that was passed, update on Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the Harbor Trust Fund. There was no Q&A. You can contact Congressman Huizenga or learn more about these issues at
https://huizenga.house.gov
Former District Governor Al Bonney gave a refresher on how Rotarians can use the support of the Rotary Foundation to accomplish amazing things. The Rotary Foundation is there to enable Rotarians to DO. The Rotary Foundation is one of the largest scholarship awarders in the world. Scholarships include Peace Fellows, Global Scholars, and District & Club Scholarships.
he Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.
Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation?
Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.
How does The Rotary Foundation use donations?
Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.
What impact can one donation have?
It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.
Al handed out tri-folds and a flyer about all of the ways you can contribute to the Rotary Foundation and the benefits that come with it.
Q&A
Where in the world has the greatest need when it comes to polio vaccinations? Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. The USA is a growing concern due to the growing number of parents who are choosing not to vaccinate their children.
50/50 Winner – Erie Petrus
(It would have been Jess Garrison but he was too busy selling a house)
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Phil King
Scribe's report May 4, 2018
We had two speakers for our lunch meeting Friday -- Congressman Bill Huizenga and District 6290 Foundation Chairman and former District Governor, Al Bonney.
BILL HUIZENGA spoke first and gave us a brief run-down of the accomplishments of the Trump Administration to date:
**Tax Reform** The tax reform bill has resulted in increased wages and tax savings for most American families. Rep. Huizenga used the example of the Tyson food facility (formerly Bil-Mar Foods) in Borculo. They do all the meats for Jimmy Johns and Chick-Fil-A. They are undertaking a $30 million dollar expansion and are hunting for 130 new employees to fill jobs at that facility. Over 500 companies have raised wages as a result of tax reform.
**Dodd-Frank Reform* Rep. Huizenga sits on the Federal Finance Committee. They have been trying to push this legislation for reforming rules and regulations that apply to banks and other commercial lenders. So far, this has been a hard sell in Congress, but the efforts continue.
**Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund** Rep. Huizenga used this as an example of funds that have been appropriated, but not used for their stated purpose. This fund supposedly exists for maintenance and dredging of Harbors, but the money has been applied to almost anything and everything UNRELATED to harbor maintenance, such as debt reduction and non-harbor projects, This needs to change.
AL BONNEY was next to stand behind the podium. He described how clubs and individuals can earn recognition points to support grants for club service projects. Individuals who give to the Annual Fund, the Endowment Fund and specific Term Gifts to area of focus funds can designate the points they earn to go to other members in their Rotary Club -- For example, designating another member for partial or full Paul Harris status. You have to have at least 100 Foundation recognition points to be able to transfer points to another member. Any member wishing to see their recognition points can request a copy of their Donor History Report from the Foundation at rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.
Al stressed the fact that Rotary is a way for us to do more good in the world than we could afford to do on our own. He proudly pointed out that Charity Navigator has given the Rotary Foundation the highest rating -- 4 Stars -- the last 10 years in a row, which puts it in the top 1% of all charities rated.
On the subject of Polio Plus and the worldwide eradication of polio, Al emphasized that we continue to make progress. While there once was a time when 1,000 new cases of polio appeared in the world EVERY DAY, so far this year only 8 new cases have been reported. Al says we need $1,500 per club this year to fight polio. This will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Lucky Ernie Petrus won today's 50-50 drawing.
Respectfully submitted by Reserve Scribe, Phil King
