Rotary Club Of Grand Rapids

7.1.21 - No Luncheon - Break for 4th of July
2021-07-01 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit)

7.8.21 - Paula Jastifer
2021-07-08 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us as our new Club President, Paula Jastifer, shares her plan and direction for her Rotary year. Look for updates from our Community Engagement Committee and what you can do to guide future volunteer opportunities, along with learning about our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and why DEI is important.

7.15.21 - Scott Blakeney & Indian Trails Camp Visit
2021-07-15 12:00 - 13:15 | Indian Trails Camp, 0-1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids, MI, 49534, United States
Please join us for our annual visit to Indian Trails Camp, to learn about their history and our Club’s long-term support. Since the 1950’s IKUS/ITC has exclusively served individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, from across Michigan and neighboring states.
Scott Blakeney will be providing an update about programming, the impact of COVID and how IKUS/ITC has been able to adapt. Enjoy a tour of the campus and a delicious lunch prepared by the camp chef. If you’ve been to camp before, things may look a bit different, so come and see what’s been happening!
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Indian Trails Camp and IKUS Life Enrichment Services
Indian Trails Camp was founded in 1952 by the Kent County Cerebal Palsey Parents Club. These parents wanted a traditional camp experience accessible for children with physical and intellectual disabilities. Two teachers from Eastern Orthopedic School joined the club, along with medical professionals from Mary Free Bed. Tom Muller was president of the Club. Some financial aid was provided by the State of Michigan and Grand Rapids Board of Education.
In 1953 the first camp was held at Yankee Springs, and Wayne Muller was one of the camp counselors (and ITC Board President in 1971!). The second year camp was held at St. Mary’s Lake, and camp continued to grow. This success led the founders to search for a permanent camp home, and further organization. Grand Rapids Rotarian Fritz Meuller Jr contacted the Rotary Club regarding support, and that year the Club donated the money designated for their Christmas Party, to the camp.
Through the efforts of the GR Rotary, the City of Grand Rapids agreed to lease a parcel of land in Aman Park as the permanent home of camp. Indian Trails Camp became a reality, and the 1955 camp season was held in Aman Park (there was only one building at the park that year). Progress continued, and in 1956 ITC became a non-profit corporation. John Bertsch was the first president of the Indian Trails Camp Board of Directors.
Later, after receiving the gift of a pool, the GR Rotary conducted an $80,000 fund drive and built eight sleeping cabins. Next $115,000 was raised for renovations of the Ojibway Lodge, pool enclosure and a pontoon boat. The GR Rotary conducted another fund drive in 1980 chaired by Donald Porter. $130,000 was raised to build a sewage system, maintenance building, laundry, bathing facilities, and an outdoor chapel/ampitheater. As the kids aged Indian Trails began serving both children and adults, now 75% of campers are adults. Indian Trails continues to be the only fully accessible camp in Michigan, and one of a handful in the U.S.
Now fast forward about 30 years…
Indian Trails Camp recognized the need for year ‘round respite beyond the summer months, when campers came for a fun weekend and caregivers got much needed rest. Around 2010 we identified other service and program needs in west Michigan to further support the individuals we serve. Eventually these services grew to include: individual Community Living Support, group Community Living Support, Skill Building, and Supported Employment. Like camp, the majority of individuals that participate in these programs and services are adults.
Once these services became established, the Indian Trails Camp name didn’t accurately describe everything we had to offer. Camp leadership decided to create a “parent” brand to encompass the entire compliment of programming. IKUS Life Enrichment Services was born, using the word IKUS from the Indian Trails Camp song.
Scott Blakeney joined Indian Trails Camp/IKUS Life Enrichment Services as their Executive Director in October of 2018. Prior to ITC/IKUS he worked for the State of Michigan for 15 years, and spent 10 years in the for-profit world before being employed at the State. Scott joined the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids in 2019, and is excited to continue the longstanding tradition of serving people in west Michigan.

7.22.21 - Brad Garmon
2021-07-22 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
In September 2019, Brad Garmon was named director of the Michigan Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry, a unique position that combines the resources of the Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Economic Development Council to support and grow Michigan’s outdoor recreation lifestyle industry.
Prior to this position, Garmon served as the interim CEO of the Michigan Environmental Council in Lansing, and throughout his professional career has worked build stronger alliances between outdoor recreation businesses, community-based economic development and natural resource stewardship.

7.29.21 - Mike Wall
2021-07-29 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Mike Wall serves as the Executive Director of Automotive Analysis at IHS Markit. He brings over 25 years of financial analysis, forecasting, consulting and manufacturing experience to the firm, with a primary focus on assisting financial firms and manufacturers in their evaluation and understanding of the auto industry, as well as in-depth analysis of vehicle markets and trends.
Mike has extensive experience working with both manufacturing and financial firms. With a knowledgebase established studying and covering the automotive industry as well as experience in financial analysis and banking, Mike is able to offer clients timely and relevant insight, thereby aiding their strategic planning or investment analysis processes. Moreover, he has a deep background in the area of vehicle forecasting and market trend analysis allowing him to assist clients in their assessment of near-term risks and planning scenarios.
Mike is quoted frequently in the media on a variety of automotive topics and has delivered presentations focusing on both macroeconomic and specific market outlooks to company executives and other interested groups, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Vienna, Austria.
Prior to joining IHS Markit, Mike was the Director of Forecasting at IRN, Inc. He has also held financial and analytical positions in the manufacturing and banking sectors. Mike graduated Summa Cum Laude with an undergraduate degree in Finance from Grand Valley State University. He later earned the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.
