Minutes of August 18, 2022 Meeting by Ted DeVantier
Photos by Ellen Lysik
OPENING ACTIVITIES
President Scott called the meeting to order with a ring of the bell. Tom Walsh led the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob Lee started the national anthem, a capella because our pianist was absent. Val Miller led us in “The Four-Way Test.” Bob Lee gave the invocation.
Today’s lunch: baked chicken, roasted cauliflower, parmesan roasted potatoes, salad, and spumoni ice cream for dessert.
PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCOTT HAD A COUPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reminders of the upcoming sock hop; flyers were available to distribute. Raffle tickets will be available soon. Sam Wireman is heading up that effort.
ED MASTRY TOOK CENTER STAGE TO INTRODUCE OUR GUESTS
Present was our speaker, Rebecca O’Connell, soon-to-be new member Alyssa Gehrig, and Michele Chabot, guest of President Scott.
Guests were welcomed with a worse than usual -- no piano player rendition of “Glad to See You Here at Rotary.”
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES & FLOWERS
SAM HAD THE FLOWERS
No member birthdays today.
Tom Walsh got the first one for partner Deborah’s birthday. Mary Ann Hosey took one for her spouse Tom’s birthday. Val Miller bought one for her guest Alyssa. Ellen Lysik for Julie Miller for all her work at BRAVO. President Scott bought one for his wife Michelle, Sam for our speaker and then Larry Neal bought the last one for our server Tina, usurping the role usually played by our absent piano man.
MUSIC
Bob Lee led the music, a big task for this group without a piano player. He chose easy songs, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “R-O-T-A-R-Y.”
SUNSHINE OR GOODWILL
Bob Lee said his daughter was recovering from COVID just in time for a big stage event.
* * * Val Miller plugged the upcoming Sock Hop fundraiser. Every Rotarian needs to sell tickets. Think about family, friends, co-workers. It will be a great success if everyone participates. Raffle tickets will be available soon. They are $10 each, 3 for $20, and a book of 10 for $50. President Scott said that two corporate sponsors had already been secured.
* * * Bob Cannon talked about the recent water issue. A boil advisory is in effect. Clinton Township residents are being asked to not water lawns and avoid other outdoor use in order to provide more water pressure for surrounding communities.
* * * Eric Pierson mentioned the Pierson golf outing coming up September 15 at Gowanie. Let Eric know if you want to play or just come for dinner. No Rotary meeting that week.
RECOGNITION by ERIC PIERSON
Eric first fined Bob Cannon for “political showboating.” Bob said it was just responsible community leadership. Ed Mastry paid for extending Bob’s remarks with questions. Ed paid more for seeking help from Larry Neal with his new computer. Larry Neal wouldn’t confirm — turns out it’s confidential information — who does or does not have a library card, which was necessary to get assistance through the library. Larry paid $3 for trying to keep that a secret.
Bob Lee paid a fine for his absent sister Sarah. As bulletin writer she mistakenly referred to a Dr. Wiseman or maybe it was Fineman. (Wireman)
Ken Steele paid for addressing Ryan Murphy as Dr. Benedict, a traitor to previous golf arrangements.
Ryan Murphy paid $4 for backpacking in Alaska. Val Miller paid the maximum for her multi-week Alaska trip. Scott Chabot went to Mackinaw. Since the President can’t be fined, the $1 fine went to Sam Wireman, maybe because he’s next in line for the job, (a dangerous precedent) or just because he was nearby.
Scott had one more announcement: Happy Hour gathering at Ernie’s on the 31st.
SPEAKER/PROGRAM
Scott introduced our speaker Rebecca O’Connell. Rebecca is a governmental affairs and policy professional at Lake Trust Credit Union. She serves on numerous policy advisory boards and committees, was formerly a chief of staff in the Michigan Senate and came today on behalf of the Coalition for Responsible Lending.
Rebecca described the growing problem of payday lenders. These paycheck-advance enterprises portray themselves as helping out with immediate cash but actually trap people in a cycle of debt. They target those that are least able to afford or understand the system.
Several alarming facts:
In Michigan, the normal interest rate cap is 25%. Through a loophole, these lenders charge what they can, in Michigan the average is 370%. In Texas, its over 600%.
70% of those taking advances or loans take a new loan the same day their loan is paid off.
75% of a lender’s revenue comes from people caught in this cycle, taking 10 or more loans a year. These lenders get first access to individuals bank accounts. They pull money before the person has a chance to pay rent or buy food, creating a need for more loans. Bankruptcy is a common result.
Nationwide there are more payday lending stores than McDonald’s.
18 states have passed strict laws limiting interest rates. A federal law now bars making these loans to active service members.
The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Lending is working to educate lawmakers but the lenders also lobby against any reforms. There are currently no pending bills at the state level.
To read more see https://www.responsiblelending.org/research-publication/power-steering-payday-lenders-targeting-vulnerable-michigan-communities
AUGUST 31 HAPPY HOUR UPDATE Sherwood Brewery 45689 Hayes Road, Shelby Township $10 for light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar 4 to 7 p.m. open to all club members and their friends, family, spouses Contact President-Nominee Kathleen Best 586-215-3080 or best.kv4@gmail.com
*
September 1
No Meeting - Happy Labor Day!
*
September 15 NO MEETING
(golf outing at Gowanie)
*
September 19
PACKING PARTY FOR OUR TROOPS Juli Elkins spoke to our club about helping
our military overseas with care packages for the troops.
There is a dropoff date of September 19
and a volunteer event on October 20.
* * *
DICK PIERSON GOLF OUTING - SEPTEMBER 15 Don't forget to sign up for this fun event! Gowanie Country Club -
18 Holes, Lunch, Dinner and fun! Hope to see you there.
NO MEETING THAT DATE.
* * *
FUNDRAISER RAFFLE TICKETS We need every Rotarian's support on selling at least two or three books to help support this year's beneficiaries. Please talk to President-Elect, Sam Wireman on getting these raffle tickets for sale. The more we all can sell, the more RI and our beneficiaries win! Tickets and Tables of 10 for the fundraiser can be purchased online on our Club Website. Donations can now be accepted on the event page too: https://www.mountclemensrotary.org/event/rock-around-the-clock-a-50s-sockhop/
Purchase tickets for our September 30 fundraiser online
through PayPal. You will receive an email confirmation.
Please visit the Events section of our Mount Clemens Rotary Club website
to purchase individual tickets or a table for 10 attendees.
President Scott called the meeting to order with a ring of the bell. Tom Walsh led the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob Lee started the national anthem, a capella because our pianist was absent. Val Miller led us in “The Four-Way Test.” 
Bob Lee led the music, a big task for this group without a piano player. He chose easy songs, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “R-O-T-A-R-Y.”
Scott introduced our speaker Rebecca O’Connell. Rebecca is a governmental affairs and policy professional at Lake Trust Credit Union. She serves on numerous policy advisory boards and committees, was formerly a chief of staff in the Michigan Senate and came today on behalf of the Coalition for Responsible Lending.
