KIWASSEE KIWANIS
  MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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Fiscal year end committee reports were the agendas for the September 20 and September 13 meetings. Member Alex Rapanos gave a review of the 2016 Kiwanis International Convention at the September 6 meeting.

The August 30 meeting had former Dow High Key Club member Trish Abalo giving a presentation about the service project she has been working on in Malawi. At the August 23 meeting, Dow High Key Club members Anna Mylvaganam and Samantha Damocles shared experiences of being officers at both the local and District levels of their organization. The highlight of the August 16 meeting was having member Brian Goodwill, Captain of the local Salvation Army, giving a review of their SHARE summer day camp. David Skolnik, Lieutenant Governor of Division 19 of the Michigan District of Kiwanis, also spoke. At the August 9 meeting, Terri Trotter, President & CEO of the Midland Center for the Arts, talked about the activities of the Center and gave a preview of programs for the upcoming year. The launch of the ticket sales for the 2016-2017 Travel and Adventure Series highlighted the August 2 meeting.

Susan Putman, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, gave an overview of the work of her organization at the July 26 meeting. One activity is a Bids for Kids fundraiser being held this week. Member Doug Snoody reviewed the Kiwanis Youth Protection Guidelines at our July 19 meeting. At the July 12 meeting, Paul McDonald, the Community Relations Officer for the City of Midland Police Department, spoke about many of the challenges facing police with special emphasis on the efforts the City is doing to reach out to children. Our July 5 meeting was our annual meal at the Pinecrest Farms long-term care facility.

At the June 28 meeting, member Ray Senesac presented a summary of an analysis of our organization by students of Northwood University. June 21 was our annual Steak Fry and Fellowship meeting at Emerson Park. At the June 14 meeting, Nancy Money, Executive Director of Midland Area Homes, talked about the mission of her organization. Click here to view presentation. Heather McLaughlin, speaking for the Fun Committee, told about some of their projects at our June 7 meeting. The first is a potluck preceding the Tunes by the Tridge on July 14. Also, Roger Briggs, President of the Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation, gave an update on the Foundation's purpose and activities.

At the May 31 meeting, recognition was given to those members who had made significant contributions to recent projects. Roundtable discussions were held on possible future efforts. Member Kathy Allen, Executive Director of Personal Assistant Options, spoke about the mission of her organization at our May 24 meeting. A variety of items were on the agenda for the May 17 meeting. Two special fund contributions were made. There was an update on the bridge project at West Midland Family Center. There were presentations on Midland's participation in the America In Bloom project and a project by Center State Theatre on Hometown Anonymous - the presentation of unique experiences by locals on immigration. Our May 10 meeting was our annual Pig Auction held at the local Salvation Army. Jim Rajewski served as Pig Master. City Manager Jon Lynch presented Midland 101, an update on the City of Midland, at our May 3 meeting. The presentation can be viewed on YouTube or pdf.

At the April 26 meeting, presentations were made on four special projects up for consideration for special funding this year. Members will vote on two of them at the next meeting. Some of the problems facing youth if marijuana were legalized were discussed by Michelle Beeck and Jennifer Jarosiewicz of The Legacy Center for Community Success at our April 19 meeting. Members of the Dow High Key Club showed medals they won at the last Michigan conference. Our April 12 meeting featured Carol Rumba, Director of Creative 360. She spoke about their Express Yourself Artshop program. Chair Larry McCoy gave an update of the work of the News and Publicity Committee at our April 5 meeting.

Lynn Pottenger, Chair of ACT (Agape Community Transformation) Uganda, spoke about the work of her organization at our March 29 meeting. Our March 22 meeting had two topics: One was plans for our this year's Flag Project. This year in addition to having flags on individual properties, we are also having a "mass planting" on City property along Jerome Street where Highway M20 enters downtown Midland. The other topic was the announcement of our annual Kiwanis Night at the Loons. The Great Lakes Loons are Midland's minor league baseball team, now in their 10th season. This year's night will be July 30 at 7pm. Jen Dore, Corporate Accounts Manager, Nick Knieling, Group Sales Manager, and Paul Barbeau, President, spoke about the Great Lakes Loons and their impact on the community. At our March 15 meeting, Stephen Wooden. Program Manager for Institute for Energy Innovation, spoke about a program currently underway to bring solar energy to Michigan homes and businesses. Click here to view his presentation. He was introduced by Taitia Shelow, head of Communications & Investor Relations for Midland Tomorrow. At our March 8 meeting, members of the Dow High School Key Club set up stations in the meeting room to give individual talks on their activities. Jennifer Heronema, President and CEO of the The Legacy Center for Community Success, at our March 1 meeting, talked about studies her organization has done with local youth on the development of their external and internal assets.

At our February 23 meeting, Michelle Bahr, Director of Special Education of the Midland County Educational Services Agency told about the special education services her agency oversees. Beverlee Wenzel, Executive Director of The Rock talked about the current activities of her organization at our February 16 meeting. The February 9 meeting was our annual Valentine Party. The Midland High School Meistersingers led by Jennifer Breneman provided entertainment. A review of our Travel and Adventure and Nuts and Candy fundraisers was the main topic of our February 2 meeting. We also had a chance to hear Lauren Davis, a former singles champ and a current participant in the Dow Corning Tennis Classic, talk about some of her experiences.

The mission of For A Brighter Tomorrow was the topic for the January 26 meeting. Co-founder Lori Wood was the speaker. A review of the activities of Senior Services was the program for the January 19 meeting. Speaker was Tina Podboy Laughner, Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager. The Whispering Pines housing community for underprivileged was the topic of the January 12 meeting. Dave Vercellino, Associate Pastor of New Life Vineyard Church and Gail Crosby, Licensing and Volunteer Director of West Midland Family Center spoke about the efforts of a group called Friends of Whispering Pines. The program for the January 5 meeting was about the Midland County Juvenile Care Center. Michele Bell, Midland County Director of Court Services and Program Development, and Diana LaRue, Midland County Day Treatment Supervisor, spoke of their duties and the many services created to meet the needs of the youth aged 12-17 in the juvenile care system.

09/20/2016