Rotary Podcasts
The Ann Arbor Rotary Club enjoys great speakers at our weekly meeting. Now, we’d like to share these talks with others. Simply click on the links below to hear the speakers.
February 24, 2010
Why History Matters
We might all be rich if we had a nickel for every time we’ve heard someone say, “I didn’t like history in school and I still don’t.” Kevin Graffagnino, U-M Clements Library Director rebuts that stubborn sentiment as he explains how and why history matters to everyone—heritage buffs and naysayers alike—helping to build community ties between natives and newcomers through shared knowledge of local history, enhancing our sense of identity, and contributing to a better future for coming generations.
January 27, 2010
Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias . . . New Insights
Dr. Henry L. Paulson, M.D., Ph.D., U-M is the Lucile Groff Professor of Neurology at the U-M Medical School, Associate Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and an internationally recognized physician scientist. He reviews where things stand now regarding the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease, and discusses how scientific advances could lead to better treatments for and prevention of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
January 20, 2010
Adventures Down Under . . . the District 6380 Australia GSE Team
Every year we host an inbound Group Study Exchange Team that has come to District 6380 from another country. It’s always a valuable learning opportunity for both our members and our visitors, but we don’t always get a comparable opportunity to hear about and learn from the District’s outbound GSE Teams. Last year one of those teams had an enlightening adventure in Australia, and Canadian Rotarian Team Leader Barry Fraser and team member Susanna Thomashefski told us all about it.
January 13, 2010
The Role & Challenges of Ann Arbor’s Lead Economic Development Agency
According to the Detroit Free Press (in an article last April): “Ask most entrepreneurs and venture capitalists why they set up shop in Ann Arbor and you will repeatedly hear two reasons: the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor SPARK.” In the fourth of a series of presentations on incubation and realization of new-business spin-offs from U-M research, Michael A. Finney, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK provides a from-the-front-line insight into SPARK’s role and challenges as lead agency for regional economic development.
January 6, 2010
Great Lakes Threats and Promises…Especially the Asian Carp
Efforts to keep the Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan have been much in the news recently, and National Wildlife Federation Regional Director Andy Buchsbaum has been in the forefront of those efforts, including possible legal action to close the Chicago Shipping Canal. He explains how and why this monster fish is one of the most dangerous of a multitude of invasive species threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, but also bring good news about the promise of remedial action funded by the $475 million Federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
December 2, 2009
2009 Club Assembly
The Annual Club Assembly is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we are going as a club. Officers and Directors will be elected. The 2008-09 Annual Report will be presented, including a review of club finances and highlights of club activities and service projects. Don’t miss the treasurer’s report at 13:00!
November 25, 2009
What is the Future of Newspapers?
With the demise of The Ann Arbor News and birth pangs of AnnArbor.com fresh in our minds, what could be more timely than an expert’s view of the future of American newspapers? With almost thirty years of print journalism experience, including a long stint at The Detroit News, and a journalism professorship at Wayne State University, WUOM commentator Jack Lessenberry is ideally situated to help us understand, if not solve, all the issues imperiling the print wing of the fourth estate.
November 18, 2009
The Role of Entrepreneurship in Building a Regional Innovation-Based Economy
Thomas Kinnear, Entrepreneurial Studies Professor, U-M Business School, is the Director of the Zell-Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Ross School of Business. He discusses the vital role of entrepreneurship – and the study and teaching of entrepreneurial leadership – in this process.
November 4, 2009
The Road to Sustainable Transportation
Christopher Grundler, the Deputy Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality at the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory speaks about work being done at the lab located on Plymouth Road in Northeast Ann Arbor. A senior EPA executive with decades of experience, Chris Grundler highlights recent accomplishments and current challenges in creating a more sustainable transportation system.
October 14, 2009
Challenges & Opportunities for District 6380 in 2009-10
Do you know what RI’s Future Vision project is? Did you know that District 6380 is one of 100 Future Vision Pilot Districts worldwide? Do you know what that means for district and club projects and activities? When District Governor Judy made her official visit she answered these questions and discussed her own vision, goals and plans for District 6380 in her gubernatorial year.
October 7, 2009
Spurring Innovation & Growth through Tech Transfer
Ken Nisbet, Executive Director, U-M Technology Transfer, talks about how world-class innovations at the University of Michigan are transformed into promising opportunities for economic growth and improvements in quality of life. He explains the process of evaluating and developing these ideas, including partnership formation targeting existing businesses and helping to create start-ups; discuss exciting initiatives currently under way to help revitalize our region and our state; and welcome your questions and suggestions.
September 23, 2009
Zero Trends – Health as a Serious Lifespan & Economic Strategy
Dee Edington, Director, U-M Health Management Research Center, a world leader in pioneering health maintenance research, discusses how health choices influence productivity, vitality, and health care economics throughout our lives. Learn what makes a “healthy person” and how work, social, and family environments interact to affect health management and your quality of life.
September 9, 2009
Orchestrating Leadership in the World of Music
As summer draws to a close, Rotarians’ hearts quicken in anticipation of the skillful efforts and triumphant glories of a team of talented players on six upcoming Saturdays – not the Wolverines (although they quicken our hearts too), but the Ann Arbor Symphony, led by Arie Lipsky in his 10th season as Music Director. Learn the secrets of his success in making the A2SO the musical leader and best.
September 2, 2009
Think Local First . . . and Watch Out for “Local Washing”
Think Local First was formed in 2004 to advocate for small, independently owned businesses about their importance in keeping our community a unique, vibrant, interesting place to live and visit. Ingrid Ault, Executive Director, will discuss its mission, goals and strategies, with a focus on combating large companies’ marketing efforts to co-opt the term “local.”
August 26, 2009
Lessons Learned, Challenges Accepted from the Wider World of Rotary
Earlier this year President Lou and John White attended a Rotary large club conference and brought back a bundle of “peer learning” from other members of an elite group of the hundred largest Rotary clubs. Then Lou took his presidential preparations to another level by attending the International Rotary Convention in June. He and John will tell us how we stack up in the wide world of Rotary and which of the big ideas they picked up will be put into practice in our club.
August 19, 2009
An American in Sweden, or What do you mean there’s no Ikea Here?
Two years ago Matthew Rouser, a 2004 Northwestern University grad, piano tuner and two-year Teach for American classroom veteran, was awarded an Ambassadorial Scholarship from District 6380 for Urban Planning graduate study in Sweden. Now in the post-scholarship phase of his ambassadorship, he will share the highlights of this adventure and his plans for a life based on Rotary principles of service.
August 5, 2009
Induction of our Newest Rotarians – the Class of August ‘09
Meet another sterling group of community leaders, the Class of August 2009 who will become our newest club members. Current members who are their sponsor/mentors will introduce them and the rest of us will have the opportunity to extend a warm Ann Arbor Rotary welcome.
July 29, 2009
Improving Michigan ’s Football Fortunes in 2009
A hallmark of Rich Rodriguez’s highly successful career has been quick, dramatic turnarounds after tough first years in new assignments. The Wolverine faithful fervently hope this trend continues when the Big Blue suits up for its second season under his leadership. Coach Rodriguez will discuss his plans and the team’s prospects for the coming season and the longer term.
July 22, 2009
Promoting Successful Parenting and Childcare, with Rotary’s Help!
Washtenaw Success by 6 is a partnership among Washtenaw County , Washtenaw Intermediate School District , the United Way and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Director Sian Owen-Cruise will discuss its work to expand parenting and childcare support services throughout the County and, as part of the Great Start Collaborative, to help create a single statewide system supporting young children and their parents. Announcements and other club minutes precede the talk, which begins at 34:00.
July 8, 2009
Barking Dogs to Estate Disputes…Community Based Mediation in Ann Arbor
Belinda Dulin, Executive Director of The Dispute Resolution Center since 2007 speaks about how alternative dispute resolution has grown tremendously as a process for settling disagreements outside the court system. She reports that our courts increasingly use mediation to control dockets and help people resolve lawsuits expeditiously and economically.
July 1, 2009
Inauguration Day–Celebrating ’08-09, Previewing ‘09-10
President Jim Cook presides for the first half of his last meeting as president, then passes the torch to new-President Lou Calloway, who recounts his experiences at the International Convention and share his vision, hopes and plans for the Callaway presidential year.
June 24, 2009
Aging in Place/Universal Home Design . . . Making Your Home More Livable
“Universal home design” may conjure up images of institutional-style grab bars and uninspired, sterile design, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Rotarian and Interact Guru Ed Wier shares ideas on how to make your home more safe, comfortable and convenient – while still looking great! Ed will highlight a variety of home products and design features to help make your home more livable now and in the future.
June 17, 2009
From Hippie to Hip-Hop . . . Ozone House Turns 40
Katie Doyle, Executive Director, Ozone House Youth & Family Services talks about Ozone House and its mission. In the sixties, young people ran away to Ann Arbor to join the burgeoning counter-culture, but once here they had nowhere to go. Ozone House was founded in 1969 to be a safe place for runaways to “crash.” Forty years on, it has helped thousands of local homeless, runaway and at-risk youth, many who run from dangerous and troubling circumstances. Learn how this venerable organization has developed over the decades to meet the changing needs of local area adolescents and their families who have nowhere else to turn.
June 10, 2009
A Rotary Vocational Training Project in Brazil
Ann Arbor Rotarian Victor Rosenberg reports on his visit to a joint project of our club and the Rotary Club of Guaxupe, Brazil, that is training local youth to work in local industries; share his observations about the role of the Rotary Club in the town of Guaxupe; and compare that with our club’s role in our community.
June 3, 2009
Not Your Mother’s Library Any More – Universities & Libraries in Google-Time
Paul Courant, Univ. of Michigan Librarian & Dean of Libraries talks about the digital technologies that are revolutionizing those most staid of institutions, the library and the university. Soon it will be possible to find and read on-line almost everything ever published. Is this good news or bad? (Hint for possible correct answer: Yes.) Dean Courant discusses what this implies for reading, learning, and the survival and behavior of institutions that collect and preserve our scholarly and cultural heritage.
May 27, 2009
The Sandwich Generation – Adult Children Taking Care of Parents
According to a recent survey, over 40% of baby boomers who have living parents are providing care for them. Many in so-called middle age also are in the middle of a generational sandwich, working full-time, raising children and caring for aging parents. Given our Club’s demographics, there will be plenty of ingredients for this sandwich in the room when Gloria Brooks, president and CEO of Arbor Hospice, discusses how to talk with parents about future needs; identify, monitor and evaluate signs of trouble (both with parents and with one’s own “caregiver burden”); and deal with wellness, health care, insur-ance, housing and legal issues.
May 13, 2009
Finding a Place Called Home
Ellen Schulmeister, Executive Director, Shelter Assn. of Washtenaw County says that the Shelter Association has been helping the homeless for 25 years, but these days help provided at and through the Delonis Center is not just a bed for a night. It’s about helping people find jobs, save for apartment deposits, alter self-destructive habits, and generally prepare to find a place called home. The goal is to end homelessness in our County one person at a time. Hear how the Shelter is working toward that goal while demand for its services (up 25% in the past three years) and pressures on available resources steadily increase.
May 6, 2009
Prisoner Re-Entry, Improving Public Safety by Reducing Recidivism
Mary King, Parole Officer/Community Coordinator talks about a statewide collaborative effort working with the Corrections and other State Departments and community groups to prepare prisoners for release while still in custody, guide “going home” transitions out of prison, and provide services and supervision for parolees after they come home.
April 29, 2009
Deborah Loewenberg Ball, Dean, U-M School of Education
Despite much talk about the need for quantitative skills, U.S. students trail their peers in other nations, and huge race-related and poverty-related disparities persist in this country. Against this background, Dean Ball will discuss what sorts of math skills matter most for American youth, why we continue to have so many problems in improving our mathematics literacy, and what we know and don’t know about how to solve our problems.
April 8, 2009
John Hieftje, Mayor of Ann Arbor
Leading a city like Ann Arbor is no picnic even when times are good. When they are not so good, the challenge for elected and administrative leadership surely must be greater. Mayor Hieftje updated us on how the city is faring in the current economy, touching on a number of topics.
April 1, 2009
Rotary Ambassadorial Adventures at U-M and EMU
This year, District 6380 has hosted six Ambassadorial Scholars. Meet five of them and hear about their experiences in Michigan and their plans for living out Rotary values after they complete their studies.
March 25, 2009
New Members
The Ann Arbor Rotary Club welcomes 12 new members.
March 18, 2009
Cavalcade of Rotary Presidents
The presidents of the Saline, Chelsea, Dexter, and Ypsilanti Rotary Clubs talk about their clubs and the projects they are currently working on.
March 11, 2009
Sex, Religion, Race and Much More: Ann Arbor Public Schools, 1960-71
How the Ann Arbor public schools coped with some of the tough issues of the 1960s.
The 1960s profoundly affected life and learning in the Ann Arbor public schools. Rotarian Scott Westerman worked for the Ann Arbor Public Schools from 1960 to 1971, the last four years as Superintendent. With the help of Ann Arbor News headlines, he discusses the major controversies and challenges the school system dealt with in those years.
February 18, 2009
Why Detroit Will Never be the Same
Folks connected with the American auto industry (aren’t we all?), are experiencing the curse of living in interesting times. Few have had a clearer view of the gathering storm than Peter Brown of Automotive News. In July 2008 he wrote: “Everyone has known for years that oil prices would rise . . . someday. Unlike the finance people the product folks at some companies – especially the Detroit 3 – didn’t hedge. The bucks were in trucks.” The price of gas has dropped since then, but things are even tougher today for the Detroit 3.