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!

Legacy Foundation Dinner Featuring David LaMotte

November 21, 2024

David LaMotte, Musician, and Rotary Peace Fellow

David LaMotte of California received an M.A. in Peace Studies at Queensland University, Australia. In a brilliant, clear, and excellent presentation, he shared with us some valuable insights. He contrasted a “hero story” (about the hero) with a “leader story” (about people who lead others to do great things).

 A leader invites someone into the “movement.” LaMotte would assert that Rotary, polio eradication (of which our two Livonia Rotary clubs received recognition  certificates), and countless Rotary club and district projects are “movements.” Movements are underlaid with committees of faithful volunteers who lend support.

He used the verb “approach” as a participle, approaching.” Leaders are approaching conflict (not avoiding it) in ways that are constructive. He then talked about relationships as very important since relationships always “pre-date” community. Community means “let’s be neighbors.” Rotarians are doing this all the time.

David used the powerful leadership example of Rosa Parks. (After the presentation and dinner were over, complete with presenting awards, I spoke briefly to David and showed him on my cell phone camera some recent pictures of Rosa Park’s burial crypt in Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit. He told me that the next time he is in town, he would like to see the Rosa Parks’ Chapel and her entombment spot). Mr. LaMotte talked about “change,” not a particularly popular topic. He asserted that “change the world” does not mean “save the world.” He added that “change the world” does not mean “fix the world.” He noted that everything you do changes the world, a thought worth pondering. Hence his book, "You Are Changing the World, Whether You Like It Or Not."

David will be again speaking at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, next June. Attending the Legacy Dinner, among over 300 District 6400 Rotarians and spouses, were LAMR members Bill Friske, Nancy Darga, Erin Dobbins, Claude Kendrick & Jeanne, and Dave Stechholz & Janet, and Laurie Pohutsky from our sister Livonia Rotary (Noon) Club.

David Stechholz

Club Meeting, Featuring Linda Hollman - Livonia Cares!

November 20, 2024

President Dave Stechholz opened the meeting at 7:30 am with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by his singing the Presbyterian Thanksgiving Song, a brief prayer and then Happy Bucks. It was good to see the return of John Clay, Bob Carris, and Larry Stephens.

Pres. Dave reviewed upcoming events: the District 6400 Legacy Dinner in Southgate, the

decorating of our Rotary tree at the Rec Center, participating in the Christmas parades in Garden City on Nov. 30 and in Livonia on Dec. 8, and coming to our breakfast meeting at George’s Senate Coney Island restaurant on Nov. 27 at 7:30 am. It is also time to sign up for a time slot as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at Joe’s Produce on either December 14 or Dec. 21.

The organization, All Four One, is sponsoring a toy drive for children with terminal illnesses at Detroit Children’s Hospital of Michigan. You can drop off your toy donation at the Livonia Senior Center.

The Membership Committee, under the chairmanship of Mike Ladwig, met to formalize the new LAMR - Volunteer Corps group and to discuss adjusting club fees just for new members; hoping to increase membership in the long run.

Our speaker for this meeting was Linda Holman, the Director of Outreach, Assimilation, and Women’s Ministry at Christ our Savior Lutheran Church and President of Livonia Cares. Accompanying her today were Cares Board members Tom and Mary Cesney.

Livonia Cares is a Fatih-based group of more than 30 local churches and agencies, formed in 2011, whose purpose is to identify those in need of basic life support resources such as food, shelter, car repairs, etc. Livonia Cares is partnered with St. Vincent DePaul who evaluates individual’s and families’ eligibility to receive help from Livonia Cares.

Livonia Cares admits that they are a small organization with limited funds but has been instrumental in helping people and families get back on track and regain self sufficiency and independence. Our Rotary A M Club has given Livonia Cares grants in the past and has just approved and sent them a $1,000 grant to continue to serve needy Livonia residents.

Unfortunately, Livonia does not have homeless shelters but Linda provided Rotary members a valuable list of shelters in and around Detroit and suburbs and other resources for persons in need. Those wanting to refer people for assistance can contact Linda at lindah@christoursavior.org, their Livonia church or St. Vincent de Paul of the Catholic Church at (734)427-5220. If you would like to personally support this organization, you can become a Cares member or make

donations.

Hope to see you all at breakfast next week on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 AM.

Victoria Haltom

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the

Livonia Senior Center Complex

15218 Farmington Road

Livonia, MI 48154

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

All Are Welcome!