May 18, 2020 Meeting Bulletin
 
Birmingham Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
Monday May 18, 2020
 
President John Schrot opened the ZOOM meeting at 12:07pm with a roll call and dedication of the meeting to the First Responders and the youngest and newest Club members.  He reminded all of #3 of the Rotary Code of Conduct and the importance of mentoring new members.  He followed with leading the Club's reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.  Next was the reciting of the Rotary Four Way Test.
 
Bill Roy led in the singing of America the Beautiful
 
George Stern provided the week's inspiration and informed the Club of the passing of Jean Sieger, the wife of deceased former member Ralph Sieger.
 
Guests were introduced including former Birmingham Rotarian, Carol Marsh (who is now in the Frankfort Rotary Club and was taking notes on how our ZOOM meetings were conducted).  Also joining us was Roger Frank, Bryan's father.  President John also thought that Salt Water Solutions was a guest only to be surprised it was our own Mark Cooper!
 
Birthdays were recognized for Regan Gilshire (5/21) and Pat Grady (5/25).  Regan indicated it was a "milestone" but she is still a "young Rotarian at heart".  Happy Birthday was song by the attendees....
 
Regan share a short video on the heartwarming gift of giving by a little boy.  He was given a large amount of money to go toy shopping and instead decided to give it to a homeless person on the street.  He came to the realization that he had it good already and that he should give it to someone who truly needed it.  Well Done Young Lad!!
 
2 Minute Update - Mark Cooper used the time to remind everyone that once society opens up after COVID, idle buildings might not be properly sanitized.  Stagnate airflows, mold may lurk and all should be careful as they venture out.
 
Announcements included: 
 
Hope Warming - 5/19 is cancelled.  The County has stepped in to provide meals and our monthly servings are suspended until further notice.
 
Monthly BRC Board meeting - 5/20 via ZOOM
 
Virtual Happy Hour - 5/21 via ZOOM.  The theme will be "crazy looks" such at bad self-haircuts, wild beards, unkept hair....
 
Linda Hatfield gave a short membership update.  A local attorney, Pierre Yaldo has expressed interest in the Club.  
 
President John next posed the Question of the Week...  "If you were a superhero or had superpowers what would you be or do.  Unanimously it was to be a Vaccine Hero and end this current nightmare of COVID-19!!!!
 
President John suggested that without a sheriff we should all consider making Rotary themed donations.  Possibilities are donations to Polio Plus, The Rotary Annual Fund, and Every Rotarian Every Year.
 
Betsy Reich was host to our meeting Speaker Collyer Smith from the Ann Arbor North Rotary Club.  Collyer is a District Assistant Governor and leads a 2nd-5th grader literacy champions effort.   He shared "A Parents Journey into Mental Health".  His story centered on his son Cameron.  Cameron was typical child growing up and as a senior at AA Pioneer High School started to struggle with depression and anxiety.  He shared photos that didn't show the signs of the strains that led to addiction issues.  After stints in rehab and relapses, Collyer found a program in Bend, Oregon that specialized in specific treatment and therapy.  The program centered on life and coping skills.  Collyer shared his visits on parent weekends and the progress that was taking place.  Then on a weekend break back home in Ann Arbor, Cameron fell back into his old circles and ended up accidentally overdosing after a night out with an old friend.  Collyer shared his nightmare finding Cameron the next morning unresponsive in his bedroom.  A very tragic story of the struggles of mental health challenges and the importance of strong support systems.  Collyer, with the support of the Ann Arbor community, holds a marathon run event in Cameron's memory that supports mental health initiatives.  Anyone wanting information on the marathon run or information on Collyer's mental health awareness efforts can reach him via collyerasmith@yahoo.com
 
President John closed the meeting with a singing of "Smiles".  
 
"Connect the World"
 
No meeting next Monday due to Memorial Day
 
Respectfully submitted - John Westerheide, Bulletin Editor