Rotary Club Of Grand Rapids

Peter Wallensteen
2016-09-15 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Peter Wallensteen, Senior Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University (since 2012), first holder of the Dag Hammarskjold Chair, Uppsala University (1985- 2012) and Richard G. Starmann, Sr. Research Professor of Peace Studies at the Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (since 2006). He was the first Head of the Department for Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala Univer sity 1972-1999, working on its creation, financing, research, teaching and outreach programs. His Peace Research: Theory and Practice (Routledge, 2011) spans his research interests and explains the rationale behind these activities.
He directs the Uppsala Con flict Data Program (UCDP) that publishes annual data on armed conflicts in three different categories, for free, at www.ucdp.uu.se. His Understanding Conflict Resolution (Sage, 4th edition, April 2015) explains the program. This book is used worldwide. Wallensteen is presently researching Nordic experiences in mediation, the notion of quality peace, the use of economic sanctions, the role of regional organizations in peace making and the United Nations’ Security Council performance. He is a member of the Academic Advisory Council for the UN Mediation Support Unit and the Advisory Council for the newly created inter-governmental European Institute of Peace (EIP).
A Rotarian since 1990, he has published more than 200 scholarly articles and book chapters, and written/edited more than 40 books, in the field of peace research. He has also been involved in the settlement of armed conflicts, notably in Papua New Guinea, Israel-Palestine, Nagorno-Karabakh, Sudan and Cyprus.

Ronald McDonald House Volunteer Opportunity
2016-09-08 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | MI
Thursday, September 8th
5:00pm-7:00pm
6-8 Volunteers
Donor Event
Serve Food and Drinks
To Volunteer
Contact: Jim Gilbert
Phone: 616-942-5540
Email: jgilbert@SwansonPhillips.com

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan Mission:
“To provide a ‘home away from home’ for families of children and youth seeking medical or mental health treatment in our community.”

Paul Harris Fellow Award Presentations
2016-09-08 00:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
We will be presenting the Paul Harris Fellow Awards for those that participated in our donation/point match program.
The highest honor for a Rotarian is to become a Paul Harris Fellow. The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. The Fellowship was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation for a contribution of $1,000 to the humanitarian and educational programs of The Rotary Foundation.
What does becoming a Paul Harris Fellow mean for you?
You join an elite group of Rotary International members, whose generous donations enable Rotarians like yourself to implement projects with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in Rotary’s six areas of focus; water and sanitation, maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, basic education and literacy, and peace and conflict prevention/resolution throughout the world.

Tyler Smies,

Executive Director, The First Tee of West Michigan
As the Executive Director of The First Tee of West Michigan, I make it my goal to treat every single person I interact with respect and courtesy. In a given day, I may interact with a seven-year-old who has never touched a golf club, a highly-skilled teenager golfer, and a high-level local executive who is interested in supporting our students. I want each of them to know that my staff and I want to get to know them better and help them in any way we can.
Before joining The First Tee of West Michigan, I interned at another chapter of The First Tee in Chattanooga, TN, as well as two local non-profit ministries (Mel Trotter and The Other Way Ministries).
I have an intense desire to help young people, and believe golf is one of the most unique and powerful ways to make an impact. I have been at The First Tee of West Michigan since our inception on June 25, 2011. That year, we served 73 young people. Nearly five years later, we serve over 630 young people, with over 55% of them receiving scholarship to participate due to their income.
In my free time, I am an assistant coach at Calvin College men’s golf team, and serve on the City Focus Team at Crossroads Bible Church. My wife Cindy and I live on the west side of Grand Rapids, near GVSU’s downtown campus.

No Luncheon to honor Labor Day
2016-09-01 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | MI

Michael Loughman
2016-08-25 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Michael has been with Holland Home since May 2011.
He is a community trustee and 2015 graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids, a program of the Grand Rapids Chamber.
He is the immediate past-president of Friends of the Opera, and is a Trustee of Opera Grand Rapids.
A passionate student of architecture, Michael is a long-time docent with Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meyer May House in Grand Rapids.
A native of Central Ohio, Michael is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

William Fetterhoff
2016-08-18 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Mr. Fetterhoff is a graduate of Aquinas College, has earned a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University and is completing his Educational Specialist degree at Grand Valley State University.
Mr. Fetterhoff has worked in numerous urban and rural districts in our state. Mr. Fetterhoff has been in the Godwin Heights school district since 2005 as an Administrator. He has served the district in many capacities including principal at North Godwin Elementary, Godwin Heights Middle School, Director of Alternative and Adult education and Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Fetterhoff is currently serving as Superintendent of Schools, a position he has held since 2011.

Roger Dubac
2016-08-11 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Roger Dubuc is the Federal Security Director (FSD) at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) Hub and Spoke Group. He was appointed to this position in September 2015. In this role, Mr. Dubuc oversees all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security operations at the GRR Hub and 12 spoke airports located in Western and Northern Michigan and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Mr. Dubuc joined TSA in August of 2002 as the Assistant FSD for Screening of the GRR hub and spoke group. In 2004 he became the Assistant FSD for Inspections where he has served until his current assignment. Prior to joining TSA he served for 21 years in the United States Coast Guard. After graduation from Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in 1981, he served in a variety of challenging operational sea and shore assignments. This included command of Coast Guard Group Grand Haven, Michigan from 1997 to 2001, where he was responsible for directing search and rescue, law enforcement, and marine environmental protection operations for a geographical area extending from the Indiana/Illinois border to the north end of Lake Michigan.
Mr. Dubuc graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1980. He also holds a Professional Emergency Manager certificate from the State of Michigan.
Mr. Dubuc is married to the former Nancy McKeon, and they have two grown children.

20th Annual Rotary Open @ Blythefield Country Club
2016-08-08 11:00 - 18:30 (America/Detroit) | Blythefield Country Club, 5801 Northland Dr, Belmont, MI, 49306, United States
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation presents the 20th annual Rotary Open on Monday, August 8, 2016 at 12:00pm at Blythefield Country Club. A day of food, fun and fellowship will support the charities of the Grand Rapids Rotary Club.
Among the philanthropic programs supported by Rotary, this year’s event will assist STRIVE, a mentoring program, providing scholarships for high school seniors in Grand Rapids Public Schools; Indian Trails Camp, which empowers individuals with disabilities by providing enrichment services for people of all abilities; Senior Neighbor Holiday Luncheon, bringing joy and happiness to seniors during the Holiday season; and Boyden-Shearer Scholarships, providing several college scholarships to Grand Rapids areas high school seniors.
Eighteen holes of golf, lunch, Après food reception, with a carving station, a cash bar, along with silent and lives auctions will make for a fun filled day, while supporting local organizations. The fee is $200 per person. For those that don’t golf, you may still participate in the event through the Celebration Package; which includes lunch, après dinner reception and a cash bar, along with silent and lives auctions for $50 per person.
You may register for any of the above with this brochure: 2016-2017_RotaryOpen-RegistrationBrochure
Please contact the Rotary office if you have any questions at 616-459-5640 or via email at rotary@grrotary.org.

The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids is the second oldest club in Michigan, and founded as the 77th International club on March 29, 1913. Our club exemplifies the “Service Above Self” motto as our members undertake projects to feed the hungry, provide clean safe water to those in third world countries, fight disease, assist the handicapped and elderly, work with young people, combat illiteracy, fund scholarships, provide disaster relief and recognize community leadership. We strive to make a positive impact in our community, country and internationally. The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Rotary meets weekly at 12:00pm at the University Club.

David Hooker
2016-08-04 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525, United States
David provides leadership to help Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park advance its mission.
He is responsible for mobilizing broad-based support in order to present quality exhibitions,
sculpture and gardens in unique settings. David is influential in employing diplomacy and
communication skills to cultivate and enhance relationships with the Board, staff, volunteers,
donors, corporations, foundations, peer organizations and the community.
David has held leadership positions at DaVinci Capital, a private equity firm; C & H Holdings, LLC,
an automotive and real estate holding company; and Mazda Great Lakes, an automotive
distribution company serving Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. He is also a
member of the Board of Directors of Northpointe Bancshares and the Advisory Board of Custer
Office Environments.
David is currently a trustee of the Board of Grand Valley State University and a past chair, and
has served as a voluntary board member of ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Student Advancement
Foundation, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Foundation, Central Reformed Church,
Frederik Meijer Charitable Trust, and Home Repair Services.
David earned a Masters of Business Administration at The University of Michigan and Bachelor
of Arts degree from Kenyon College.
David is married to Leslie Hooker and they have three children.

Tim Hileman - Indian Trails Camp Picnic - RSVP required
2016-07-28 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | Indian Trails Camp, 0-1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids, MI, 49534, United States
Indian Trails is a remarkable facility that brings adaptive recreation to the lives of each camper. It is simple in theory, but daunting in task. Indian Trails offers a barrier-free camp setting in which those with disabilities can participate in all manner of activities the outside world is ill-equipped to provide. It is a place filled with fun, recreation and friendship. Campers learn perseverance, team-work and self-reliance. They leave for home loaded with love, respect and memories.
The history of the partnership between Indian Trails Camp and the Grand Rapids Rotary Club is one of energy, commitment and loyalty. Since 1953 Rotarians have invested their time and money toward the success of the camp, helping Indian Trails become a community and state treasure, and one of only five camps in the nation serving the most disabled group with barrier-free camping facilities.
Indian Trails Camp, located six miles west of Grand Rapids, has been providing camping experiences to individuals with disabilities since 1953. Campers return year after year to suspend personal obstacles long enough to enjoy those activities we all remember as part of a treasured camping experience – swimming, canoeing, archery, music, competitive sports, challenge course, dances, and most of all, the opportunity to make friendships and build relationships that affirm and encourage greater self-discovery.
Indian Trails’ campers range in age from 5 to 70+ with such disabilities as: spina bifida; cerebral palsy; traumatic brain injury; congenital anomalies; down-syndrome; autism; multiple sclerosis; arthrogryposis and cognitive impairments.

Jonathan White, Ph.D.
2016-07-21 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Dr. Jonathan White is professor of interdisciplinary studies in the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University. He has also served as a consultant to the United States Department of Justice; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the Department of State Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program; the Australian Federal Police, and the Turkish National Police. Jon has worked with law enforcement agencies throughout the world in the fields of counterterrorism and religious violence, and he taught classes on terrorism at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
The author of several dozen scholarly articles and papers, Jon’s books include – Terrorism: A Theological Construct, Terrorism: An Introduction, Defending the Homeland, Terrorism and Homeland Security, and The Prussian Army: 1640-1871. He is ordained in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and served many part-time pastorates in West Michigan before retiring from the ministry in 2012. Jon began his professional career as a patrol officer in the Jackson Police Department and rose to the position of Assistant Administrator. He served in the training division of the Michigan State Police prior to joining the GVSU faculty in 1983. He is the founding director of GVSU’s School of Criminal Justice and was promoted to Dean of Social Sciences. He was inducted into the Michigan State University’s School of Criminal Justice “Wall of Fame” in 2007.

Dana Friis-Hansen and Ron Platt
2016-07-14 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club
Dana Friis-Hansen is Director and CEO of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, taking the helm in July of 2011.
Prior to joining GRAM, he most recently served as the Executive Director of the Austin Museum of Art.
Friis-Hansen is an accomplished curator, writer, and editor with dozens of exhibitions, catalogues, books, articles, and published papers to his credit.

Ron Platt is Chief Curator at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, where he plans and
organizes the Museum’s program of changing exhibitions, leads the presentation
and growth of GRAM’s permanent collection, and works with donors, the art
community, and the public to broaden GRAM’s audience and mission.
Ron’s specialty is modern and contemporary art, and he has organized numerous
one-person and thematic group exhibitions, artist’s residencies and
commissioned projects over the last twenty-five years. Prior to joining GRAM in
2014, Ron has held curatorial positions at the Birmingham Museum of Art, the
Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina, and at MIT’s List
Visual Arts Center. He received a BA in American Studies from University of
Maryland and an MBA in Arts Administration from Lesley University in
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ron puts the G in LGBTQ!
Among the more than fifty exhibitions he has curated are Nature/Nurture:
ArtPrize Seven at GRAM, Under the Skin: Tattoos and Contemporary Culture,
Dawoud Bey: The Birmingham Project, and one person shows by Dona Nelson,
Luca Buvoli, and Tom Friedman.

Derek Aten and Michael Sytsma
2016-07-07 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Derek Aten, Comerica Bank Vice President, a graduate of Central Michigan University (B.S.B.A.) and Grand Valley State University (M.B.A.), joined Comerica in 2011 and has been in banking for over 15 years. He serves in Comerica’s Business Banking Group in Grand Rapids, working with companies that operate in a diverse range of industries.
Derek currently serves as President for the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and is its second-youngest President in the Club’s 103 year history. He has served on numerous committees and for five years chaired its STRIVE Program, which provides mentoring and scholarship opportunities for at-risk high school students. Derek has also been involved with The First Tee of West Michigan, which teaches inner-city youth the game of golf and core life values such as sportsmanship and honesty. He served on the organization’s original Board of Directors.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Derek enjoys the company of family and friends, coaching youth sports, golfing, traveling and cheering on the MSU Spartans. He and his wife of 14 years, Jennifer, reside in Grandville with their children, Elyssa and Dylan.

Michael Sytsma, Senior Vice President, Chemical Bank.

In Celebration of the 4th of July - No luncheon scheduled
2016-06-30 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | MI

Charles C. Stoddard
2016-06-23 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Charles C. Stoddard was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1945; Charles grew up in East Lansing. Following graduation from Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, he attended Michigan State University where he was president of the Senior Class. He graduated in 1967 with high honors majoring in Humanities. In 1969.he received an MBA degree from Harvard Business School.
He began his banking career at age sixteen as a teller in the summers with Michigan National Bank. He is a second generation banker as his father Howard founded Michigan National Bank in 1941. After graduate school, Charles worked for Citibank in New York City for three years and an investment firm in Los Angeles for two years. Moving to Grand Rapids in 1973, he spent fourteen years with Michigan National Bank, including nine years as President of Michigan National -Central. In 1987, he founded Grand Bank where he was CEO and Chairman. He retired in 2002 when Grand Bank merged with Macatawa Bank.
Charles has been actively involved in the community. He served on numerous boards, including the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids (President), Young President’s Organization (President), Blodgett Hospital, Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids Foundation, Economic Club of Grand Rapids (founding member), Grand Rapids Service Corps, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Gerald R. Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America (President), Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, Porter Hills Foundation and Forest Hills Fine Arts Foundation (Treasurer).
In 1985, he and his wife along with four other couples started a private K through 12th grade school for children with learning disabilities called Lake Michigan Academy. He co-chaired a two million dollar capital campaign to purchase a building for LMA at 2428 Burton, Grand Rapids.
In 2004, Charles founded Grand Angels (www.grandangels.org) to make private equity investment. Its mission is to invest in star t-up businesses in west Michigan as well as provide mentoring.
He has been active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as the Bishop (similar to a pastor) of the Grand Rapids Ward, and as Stake President (stake is similar to a diocese) of the Grand Rapids Stake presiding over thirteen congregations in west Michigan. He also served as a Mission President (2006-2009) presiding over the Santa Rosa California Mission.
Charles and Jan have four children and six grandchildren: Stephen (married to Kim Huber and have three daughters, and live in Heber, Utah); Howard (married to Kimberly Anderson and have a daughter and live in Driggs, Idaho); Deborah (married to Randy Wright and have two sons and live in Maui, Hawaii) and Philip (lives in Augusta, Michigan).
Charles and Jan live in Hickory Corners (Gull Lake), Michigan and Park City, Utah. He enjoys travel, tennis, golf and collecting humorous stories (which resulted in eight volumes of “Grand Groaners”). He has written an autobiography called “Isn’t Life Grand?”

Dan Gaydou
2016-06-16 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Dan Gaydou is the President of the MLive Media Group, Michigan’s largest multi-media news and marketing solutions company which produces MLive.com on the web as well as newspapers: The Grand Rapids Press, The Flint Journal, the Kalamazoo Gazette, Jackson Citizen-Patriot, Muskegon Chronicle, Saginaw News, The Bay City Times and the Advance Weeklies. Prior to his current position, Dan was President of Booth Newspapers and Publisher of the Grand Rapids Press.
Dan lives in Rockford and has served the community as Chairman of the Board for Spectrum Health, the Right Place Economic Development Corporation, the Gerald R. Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Michigan Colleges Foundation. He most recently served as chairman of the board for the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. He is a trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation.
Mr. Gaydou is a graduate of the University of Michigan, is a Certified Public Accountant and has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Baker College of Flint and Hope College. He has been married to his wife, Lou Ann for 43 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

Ken Krayer
2016-06-09 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Ken Krayer is the Executive Director of Design West Michigan. As a unique extension of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, Design West Michigan acts as an on-going catalyst for the region’s design network, bringing in key design thinkers for public presentations and demonstrating the value of design through case studies, business and design interactions. Ken comes from a rich background of design and design management as well as art and design education. In addition to his position at Design West Michigan, he is also a faculty member at Kendall College of Art and Design in the Collaborative Design, Industrial Design and MA in Design programs. He consults in the area of product design and strategy. He serves on the board of directors for Creative Many. Creative Many is a statewide organization that develops creative people, creative places and the creative economy for a competitive Michigan through research, advocacy, professional practice and communications.
He has held positions as Chair of the Product Design Program at College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Director of Design for Haworth in Holland, Michigan, Director of Design for Details, a division of Steelcase in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was an exhibit designer for A + O Studio in San Francisco, California, and design intern at Studio Dumbar in Den Haag, Netherlands.
Ken received his masters degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Design, and his BS in Art Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Industrial Design Society of America, the Design Management Institute, Design West Michigan and is the founder of the Society for Experimental Form. His work is held in the permanent collections of The Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Erie Art Museum, and several private collections.
www.kenkrayer.com
http://www.designwestmichigan.com/

Susan Shannon and Sheriff Larry Stelma
2016-06-02 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club
Susan Shannon has spent thirty years in leadership positions in government and non-profits in Grand Rapids and Seattle. She is currently the Executive Director of the Children’s Assessment Center which investigates and treats children who have been sexually abused. Prior to that she served as Economic Development Director for the cities of Grand Rapids and Seattle. She has been a member of Rotary in both Grand Rapids and Seattle.

Lawrence A. Stelma – Sheriff Stelma is the Kent County Sheriff, where he is responsible for all law enforcement activities in the unincorporated area of Kent County, the operation of the Kent County Correctional Facility, security of the court houses and judges, and prisoner transportation. His responsibilities include investigating crimes against children, as well as securing suspects in jail and through the judicial process. He has served within the Kent County Sheriff’s Office for over 44 years, starting as a deputy and working through the ranks to Sheriff in 2000. He became a board member at the Children’s Assessment Center in 1999, where he has served on the board at large and the finance committee and also provides on-site investigators at the Center. He has also served on multiple local, state, and national boards for various law enforcement initiatives, the community, and school and faith based organizations.

In Honor of Memorial Day - No Luncheon Scheduled
2016-05-26 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | MI

Reds, Whites & Brews 2016 - A Spring Celebration to Benefit Indian Trails Camp
2016-05-19 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit) | Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Reds, Whites & Brews, our annual Spring Celebration, will be held on Thursday, May 19th at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids, benefitting our Camper Scholarship Fund. This fund helps us provide another best day to all who come to us, regardless of their financial ability.
Tickets are available at http://2016redswhitesandbrews.eventbrite.com or call us at 616.677.5251.

The 2015 event was held on May 21 at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids, and our generous supporters raised over $17,000 for camper scholarships! Stay tuned for information on our 2016 event! With your help, IKUS will continue to provide enriched life experiences through recreation, advocacy, and meaningful relationships for individuals with disabilities.

Karl Nelson and S.T.R.I.V.E. Banquet
2016-05-19 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Karl earned is BA in Business Education and Mathematics – Ferris State University and his MA in Educational Leadership at Michigan State University. He is currently in the 3rd year as a doctoral student in the Education Leadership program at Michigan State University
Karl has been a teacher and coach at Creston and Ottawa Hills High Schools. The Athletic Director at Creston and Byron Center High Schools. He was also a Principal at Creston and Byron Center High Schools and is currently the Principal at Union High School.
He used to golf and run before the MSU program, but now just tries to find time to be with his two teenage daughters, Lexi 16 and Ally 14, and his beautiful wife Kristyn.
Today we also celebrate and recognize the students that have participated in the STRIVE Mentoring/Scholarship Program and their parents, mentors and schools for their support.
**********************************************************************************************************The mission of the STRIVE Program is to mentor high school students to achieve academic success, graduate from high school and continue their education in college, university, trade, technical or career school
In pursuit of this mission, the STRIVE program provides positive role models for students to promote self discovery, the importance of High School Graduation, development of good values, development of life skills, and individual responsibility in STRIVING for excellence in life.
STRIVE is a partnership among Junior and Senior students trying to make a difference in their lives, parents who are willing to support and encourage their students, high school administrators, faculty and counselors, Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation

Kyle Caldwell
2016-05-12 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Kyle Caldwell is the executive director of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Caldwell joined the Johnson Center in August 2015. In this leadership role, Caldwell is responsible for the administrative and development functions of the organization while providing vision, passion, and guidance to one of the nation’s largest centers for philanthropy.
Caldwell comes to this role having lead and worked in a wide variety of organizations in government, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
As a champion of the nonprofit sector, Caldwell has been a staunch advocate for nonprofits and foundations to exercise the full expression of their rights and responsibilities. He has also taken on leadership roles in helping develop strategies and programming initiatives that strengthen the philanthropic sector. Most recently, he served as the Director for the Pathways to Opportunity Program at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation where he helped evolve the Foundation’s approach to addressing poverty to focus on education.
Caldwell serves on a number of national boards including Points of Light, Independent Sector, Nonprofit Votes, and the National Council of Nonprofits, which he currently chairs. At the state level, Caldwell serves as a member of the Michigan Community Service Commission. He earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication from Western Michigan University. Both WMU and Lansing Community College (where he earned an associate’s degree in photojournalism) have bestowed Caldwell with exemplary alumni awards.
Personal Statement
I am a proud life-long resident of Michigan and have spent nearly all my life on the “West Side.” My wife, a retired teacher, and I relocated to the Grand Rapids area to join both our children who are currently Lakers studying communication and fine art. In a previous life, I was a professional photographer. This experience helped me to observe human behavior and better understand the power of story.

Birgit Klohs
2016-05-05 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Birgit Klohs is President & CEO of The Right Place, Inc., a position she has held since 1987. The Right Place, Inc. is the regional economic development organization for the retention, expansion and attraction of businesses to the West Michigan Area.
Ms. Klohs, a native of Germany, came to The Right Place, Inc. from Grand Valley State University (GVSU), where she served as Assistant Director of the Office for Economic Expansion. Prior to her association with GVSU, Ms. Klohs was affiliated with Prince Corporation in Holland, Michigan.
Her economic development career began in 1977 as an Industrial Consultant with the Economic Development Corporation of Berrien County, Michigan. Following her experience in Berrien County, she joined the Michigan Department of Commerce as an Account Executive for the West Michigan region.
She is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where she earned her B.A. degree in Corporate Finance. She is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma; and completed the professional economic development finance program through the National Development Council. She also attended Harvard University’s program on negotiation.
Ms. Klohs is a frequent speaker at national and international economic development conferences and seminars. She has lectured in France, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, China, Australia and Israel. She is involved in numerous local and state-wide activities.
Ms. Klohs enjoys cooking, gardening, reading and travel.

Jim Jarecki
2016-04-28 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
With 21 years of experience in professional baseball, Jim Jarecki has helped make the vision of the West Michigan Whitecaps a reality starting with the team’s inaugural year (1994). As Vice President of Whitecaps Professional Baseball, Jim is responsible for creating and upholding the “Fifth Third Ballpark Experience,” which includes fun and exciting family entertainment-for each and every fan that enters through the gates. He has facilitated numerous events at Fifth Third Ballpark, including the 1995 and 2003 Midwest League All-Star Games, five Midwest League championship series, the Detroit Tigers exhibition game in 1999, Fantasy Camps and facility events. Prior to the 2006 season, Jim oversaw the $1.4 million dollar renovations at Fifth Third Ballpark of the suite level and outfield bleachers.
At the conclusion of the 2006 season, Jim received the Midwest League Executive of the Year award, which was voted on by league owners and General Managers. During the 2008-’09 off-season, Jim oversaw the $1.5 million renovation to the ballpark which included playing field, new box seats, ballpark roof, backstop netting, structural repairs to concrete and asphalt, and suite renovations.
The Whitecaps received the Bob Freitas Award for Best Franchise of the Decade from Baseball America in 1999. In 1998 and 2000, Jim and the Whitecaps were recognized with the Midwest League Stadium Operations Award. After the 2007 season, the Whitecaps were awarded the Midwest League’s Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy for best promotion of baseball and entertainment. Following up the Midwest League award, the Whitecaps took it one more step in December and accepted the Promotional Trophy for the entire Minor Leagues at the Winter Meetings in Nashville. In addition, the Whitecaps were named MiLB’s Team of the Year following the 2007 MWL Championship.
Jim’s experience in professional baseball and includes operations, marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, promotions and media relations. He started with the Chicago White Sox in telemarketing and his minor league experience has included working with the Oklahoma RedHawks as an intern and the Beloit Snappers as Assistant GM. Jim is a 1989 graduate of Northern Illinois University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. In 2003, and again in 2005, he was named to the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders” and is currently on the Comstock Park DDA board, Wolverine Worldwide YMCA board, Midwest League Schedule committee, and MiLB’s Licensing Committee.
A native of Woodridge, Illinois, Jim remains a Chicago sports fan to the end. He continues to play and coach youth basketball in the off-season and attempts the great game of golf when time permits during the season. Jim resides in Grand Rapids with his wife Christine, daughters Addison and Kelsey and son Carson.

William Coderre III
2016-04-21 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
William C. Coderre, III, CFRE
Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes
Committed to improving the lives of children in Michigan, Bill Coderre has served Junior Achievement with distinction for 33 years. Bill has been President of Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes since 1999. Bill’s early involvement with Junior Achievement began as a participant in the JA Company Program at Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island in 1978. Wanting to give back to JA for all that he received as a student Bill joined the JA staff in Providence, RI in 1983. His passion for JA became both a vocation and an avocation. JA of the Michigan Great Lakes serves over 60,000 students annually and is one of the top performing JA areas in the country. Bill and his organization have received many awards for their performance including the Charles R. Hook Award as the top JA President in the United States in 2007. Bill has been active at the state, national and International levels with Junior Achievement most recently serving as a member of the JA Worldwide Member Council. Bill is actively involved in his community currently serving on the Grand Rapids Economic Club essay committee and as Treasurer of the Saint Thomas the Apostle Education Foundation. Bill was elected by his JA President peers to serve as Chairperson of the JA Presidents Roundtable for the next two years.
Bill is married to Cheryl Coderre a Kindergarten Teacher at Saint Thomas the Apostle School and invites JA into her classroom each and every year as well as a SLD Reading tutor.

Service Above Selfie Contest Winners and Celebration Event Announced
2016-04-16 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Detroit) | Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton W, Grand Rapids, 49503, United States
Rotary is about helping our communities and families in need through community service – and created a fun way to put extra money behind those efforts.
We asked people in our community to take a “selfie” when participating in a community service project between January 1 and March 1, 2016, and then post it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn with the hashtag #serviceselfie or #rotarygr. Rotary – Grand Rapids will share the photos at www.serviceselfie.com and a list of finalists in were chosen in early March.
Those top three choices will receive a cash prize (1st Place – $2,500, 2nd Prize – $1,500 and 3rd Prize- $1,000) that will be donated to the nonprofit group hosting the community service event.
This years winners are:

1st Place – Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities

2nd Place – Help Pregnancy Crisis Aid

3rd Place – Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

The awards will be presented at the season Griffins season finale game on Saturday, April 16 at 7:00pm. Tickets will be $18, and there will be a post-game open skate included and may be purchased by clicking Griffins.
You may also purchase tickets:

Visit griffinshockey.com/promocode
Enter in the code: rotary
Select your seats and make your purchase!

Come cheer on the Club as we celebrate the conclusion of the Club’s Service Above Selfie social media campaign, which reached over 93,000 people and had over 50 entries. At intermission, the Club will present a check to Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, the winning organization of the Service Above Selfie contest.
If you have any questions about the Service Above Selfie contest or Rotary Night with the Griffins, please contact Neil Marchand atmarchandn@millerjohnson.com or (616) 831 – 1764. See you at the game!

Service Above Selfie Contest - Winners Celebration with the Griffins
2016-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton W, Grand Rapids, 49503, United States
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Griffins have teamed up to offer a special discount to the Griffins’ season finale game on Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $18, and you will be able to participate in the post-game open skate. To purchase tickets, please go to:
http://www.ticketingcentral.com/V2/Home.aspx?I=%2fUQKJwAAAAAWMs1kAQAAAAB2%2fv%2f%2f%2fwZST1RBUln%2f%2f%2f%2f%2fC2dyYW5kcmFwaWRzAP%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f
Alternatively, you can do the following:

Visit griffinshockey.com/promocode
Enter in the code: rotary
Select your seats and make your purchase!

Come cheer on the Club as we celebrate the conclusion of the Club’s Service Above Selfie social media campaign, which reached over 93,000 people and had over 50 entries. At intermission, the Club will present a check to Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, the winning organization of the Service Above Selfie contest. The finalists were:

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities (first place) ;
Help Pregnancy Crisis Aid through the Aquinas Campus Ministry and the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids (second place); and
Habitat for Humanity (third place).

If you have any questions about the Service Above Selfie contest or Rotary Night with the Griffins, please contact Neil Marchand at marchandn@millerjohnson.com or (616) 831 – 1764. See you at the game!

Homer Mandoka
2016-04-14 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Homer A. Mandoka has spent his life dedicated to public service. After earning his Associate Degree in Law Enforcement from Kellogg Community College, Mr. Mandoka spent the next 15 years as a police officer for the City of Bronson, Michigan.
In 2002, he was elected to the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribal Council and appointed as Sergeant-at-Arms. Over the years, Mr. Mandoka served as Treasurer and Vice-Chairman of the Tribal Council. In 2010, Mr. Mandoka was appointed at the Tribal Council Chairman and in 2012, was re-elected to his 5th term on the Tribal Council. He is one of five members on the Tribal Council.
As the Tribal Chairman for the Tribe and the FireKeepers Development Authority, Chairman Mandoka and fellow council members has guided the Tribe in strengthen self-sufficient through a number of economic endeavors including the expansion of FireKeepers Casino Hotel.
Chairman Mandoka guided the Mishkoswen Project, which added a recreation park and six homes as homeland development on the Pine Creek Reservation. At one-time, the Tribal lands only consisted of five dilapidated homes, an office and a church. Recent enhancements have included the addition of 26 homes, modern roadways, weather alert systems, and fire hydrants.
Chairman Mandoka also made significant contributions to land acquisition transactions. These included the purchase of a parcel of land in the City of Grand Rapids to better serve Tribal Members with a modern Health Clinic.
Other significant milestones met under Chairman Mandoka’s tenure included a $97 million early buy-out of the Full House casino management contract. Completion of the outside management agreement buy-out was part of a transformational $385 million refinancing package. The package saved the Tribe $100,000 per day. That particular bill was burned last year, 14 months early.
Chairman Mandoka facilitated the legislative passage of the State of Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA), which Governor Rick Snyder signed into law on February 20, 2013. It continues to be a historical achievement for those in Indian County.
The Native American Financial Officers Association honored Chairman Mandoka as the 2013 Tribal Leader of the Year and he received the Sara Simmons Advocacy Award by Safe Place.
Chairman Mandoka and his wife, Kathy, reside in Bronson, Michigan. They have five children, Austin, Haley Irwin, Phillip and Logan.

Spring Break - No Luncheon Scheduled
2016-04-07 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | MI

Andy Page
2016-03-31 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | Mary Free Bed YMCA, 5500 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, United States
As an executive professional in the Health & Wellness Industry for more than twenty-three years, Andrew Page has drawn on two things that have been guiding forces throughout his career: helping people and working with kids. A passion for fitness combined with a concern about weight epidemics afflicting many young people in our country have fueled a career including eight years as the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland and the 2007 recipient of the Spirit and Vision award given by the Boys & Girls Club of America.
In August 2011, Andy brought his experience in fund development, program and service implementation, board development, community outreach and supervisory responsibilities to the David D. Hunting YMCA as the Executive Director, and was promoted to Vice President of Operations and most recently named the Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. He currently provides oversight to six YMCA branch locations, Camp Manitou-Lin and Activate.
Andy graduated from Spring Arbor University with a degree in Health Services Management and is married 26 years to his high school sweetheart, Karen. They have two children, Kylie and Jacob.
