WELCOME to the newsletter of the Rotary Club of Livonia AM. Our club meets weekly to socialize, discuss the needs of our community and the world around us, and take action to address those needs. Please consider visiting our club or joining us on a service project.

All Are Welcome!

Meeting Notice and Club News

Coming Up This Week

Club President Nancy Darga invites you to a Hybrid Zoom meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 7:30 AM.

Our speaker this week will be Brian Yopp, Deputy Director, Motor Cities Heritage Area, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

MotorCities National Heritage Area

We tell the story of how southeast and central Michigan "Put the World on Wheels.” MotorCities links the world’s largest collection of cultural and labor organizations, museums, archives, factories, auto collections, and events to preserve the story of how tinkerers became titans and how auto and labor helped build the middle class while transforming manufacturing worldwide. We are proud to promote this story to advance the region's economic and cultural development.

RYLA at Camp Copneconic

May 15-17, 2026

Club member Tammy Bonifield served as a volunteer mentor at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) this past weekend. Tammy is pictured here with Livonia students Emma, Claire, and Michelle. At RYLA, the students learn leadership skills, teamwork, communication, problem‑solving, and how to put Rotary’s values into action through hands‑on activities and guided discussions. Tammy will tell us all about her adventure at the meeting this week. More Photos

Picnic Table Assembly for Rotary Park

May 23, 2026 (Tentative)

The Livonia Noon Club has invited us to help to build picnic tables for the newly rebuilt shelter at Rotary Park. The estimated shipment date is this Wednesday, May 20th so we have a tentative build date of Saturday, May 23rd at 9:00 AM.

Club Meeting Featuring Laura Mack, Director, Face Addiction Now (FAN)

May 13, 2026

President Nancy Darga opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Greg Greene gave the Invocation. Greg also ended the meeting with a final joke: “They won’t be making yardsticks any longer.”

In between, 21 of us (12 LAMR Rotarians present, 7 guests, and 2 LAMR zoomers) had an eventful meeting, beginning with many Happy Bucks collected by Sharon Pommerville and the singing of “Happy Birthday” to five May-birthday Rotarians. Our Club is still celebrating being the 2026 Dick Hedke Award Club – banner, bell, and much joy!!

Club News

Claude Kendrick mentioned that there is a Touch-a-Truck planning meeting next Tuesday. Look for a few Sign-Up Geniuses that Claude will be putting out.

Tammy Bonifield explained about the Churchill and Stevenson High School Interact Clubs and the wearing of stoles for graduation, and what is required.
RYLA– Hooray! Three students are attending.

Susan Paluchniak noted that we need volunteers for Saturday morning, June 6th, Passport to Safety annual event at the Police Station.
The Wine Tasting fundraising event at the Livonia Spree is on Friday, June 26th.
Rotary Day of Service will be held by our two Livonia Rotary clubs on Saturday morning, May 23rd at Rotary Park. Bring tools, gloves, etc. We’ll be putting together the new picnic tables for the yet-to-be-completed Rotary Park Pavilion #1. (It is also the morning of the Livonia Memorial Day Observance).
It was announced that Ted Davis, Director of the Livonia Parks & Recreation Dept. is moving on to a new position with the Farmington Hills Park & Rec. We are still hoping to have a date for honoring former Director of the Livonia Senior Center, Carl Peters, at one of our meetings.
The America 250 - Livonia Event is scheduled for July 8th and will be at City Hall
.
It was happy reported that Victoria Haltom’s surgery went well and that Marlene Katafias is coming along in her recovery.

Today's Speakers

Our Speakers today were Laura Mack, Director, Face Addiction Now (FAN) and a Wayne Rotary Club member. Lauren Rosseau, President of NOW NW Wayne County Chapter, and Heather Rozenboom and Dale Ferguson, who gave their personal testimonies.

NOW helps individuals and families with alcohol and drug addictions with a plethora of programs and opportunities. Substance abuse affects one in three people in America. They gave out a lot of

written materials. NOW receives no governmental funding and relies on donations from civic organizations and private individuals. Among the things that are offered are public forums, exercise programs, Silver Lining Scholarships for those coming out of dependencies, and the

Horizons Recovery Program (a 65-bed unit).

Closing

The Rotary Four-Way-Test of the things we think, say, and do was again recited.

From

Dave Stechholz

Practical AI for Rotary — An Online Learning Burst with Chris Hardy

May 20, 2026

Following its wildly popular debut at District Assembly, we’re excited to offer an online Learning Burst on Zoom featuring the one and only Chris Hardy!

If AI has you curious to learn more, this session will help you:

Understand how AI works in practical, everyday ways
Discover useful tips for using it effectively
Learn what to watch for as you explore new tools

🗓 Date: Wednesday, May 20

🕖 Time: 7:00 PM (Eastern)

📍 Location: Zoom — Register here

After registering, you’ll receive your personal meeting link — please note that it’s unique to you and should not be shared.

Upcoming Club Meetings

05/20/2026 - Brian Yopp, Motor Cities Heritage Area, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

05/27/2026 - Jack Smiley, President, Michigan Land Conservancy, "Sibley Prairie Initiative", Invocation by Victoria Haltom, Board Meeting to Follow.

06/03/2026 - Club Assembly, Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz.

06/10/2026 - Isolina Carlini, Classroom English and Language Arts (ELA) Teacher & Robotics Administrator, Livonia Public Schools, Invocation by Bob Carris.

06/17/2026 - Paul Sincock, Plymouth Rotarian and District 6400 Membership Chair, Invocation by Greg Greene.

06/24/2026 - Nancy Darga, "My Year as Club President", Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the

Livonia Recreation Center

32001 Five Mile Road

Livonia, MI 48154

Every Wednesday, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

ALL are Welcome!

Visitors and friends are welcome to sign on and participate with our meeting on ZOOM.

Please introduce yourself to the
group when recognized at the
start of the meeting.

Upcoming Events

06/06/2026 - Livonia Passport to Safety, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Signup Details to Follow.

06/26/2026 - Livonia Spree Wine Tasting Event, Eddie Edgar Arena, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Details HERE.

06/30/2026 - Meet The Governor, Harrow, Ontario, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Details to Follow.

11/12/2026 - District 6400 Foundation Dinner, Crystal Gardens, Southgate, 5:30 to 9:00 PM.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

06/15/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

09/21/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

12/21/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

03/15/2027 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.