Events Calendar
February 2008 Speaker Series
February 6
Speaker: Judy Vindici, Development Director, Starr Commonwealth
Topic: Changing the Lives of Troubled Youth
Founded almost a century ago by a visionary young man named Floyd Starr in a ramshackle barn on forty acres in Albion, Starr Commonwealth has long been one of the nation's most respected child and family service agencies. Using a strength-based, peer empowerment model, Starr now provides a broad range of programs from residential treatment for delinquents to specialized foster care and supervised independent living, with three regional facilities in Michigan and two in Ohio. As another group dedicated to "helping youth succeed," Ann Arbor Rotarians should find special meaning in the Starr Story. Host/introducer: Todd Roberts.
February 13
Speaker: John King, U-M Vice Provost for Academic Information
Topic: Education in the Digital Age
Everyone seems to think that new information technologies such as computers, the internet, and the World Wide Web will transform education. Very few people have a clear idea as to how such transformation might occur - or the extent to which it already is occurring. Vice Provost King, who deals with these issues every day at U-M, will discuss the causal mechanisms driving such transformation and the implications of these changes for the University and for higher education generally. Host/introducer: Maurita Holland.
February 20
Speaker: Rick Stites, President, West Washtenaw Business Association
Topic: Business on the Boulevards, Working for a Better Community
The West Washtenaw Business Association has been serving businesses - and helping member businesses serve their customer communities - on the west side of Ann Arbor and out Jackson Road since 1959. It's been working to make our community a better place not just for businesses but everyone. WWBA President Rick Stites will tell us what the Association is doing currently to meet these objectives and what's on tap for the future. Host/introducer: Dan Romanchik.
February 27
Speakers: Scott Westerman and Doug Brouwer
Topic: Mission to Haiti
Late last year our fellow Rotarians Scott and Doug and several other members of their church traveled to Haiti for an eight-day medical services mission. They gave service at a hospital and two traveling clinics and visited the only Haitian degree-granting nursing school. Interacting with more than 250 "patients," they heard interesting and sometimes dramatic stories and observed first-hand what life is like in the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, including the effects of Hurricane Noel. Having returned deeply affected by the overwhelming challenges of just surviving in such a poor and riven country, they will share their impressions with us in words and photos. Host/introducer: Paul Glendon