Elkhart Rotary Club Meeting June 3, 2019

Welcome to the Elkhart Rotary Club Meeting on June 3, 2019; Today we welcomed Scott Ford, associated vice president for economic development at the University of Notre Dame.

Incoming club Vice President Eric Garton opened the meeting in the absence of President Pete Norton who is in Germany at the Rotary International Conference. Eric introduced Tom McArthur who shared meaningful words, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Four Way Test.

Thanks to today's Fellowship Table volunteers Steve Thalheimer, Jeff Zimont, and Aaron Clow, who introduced today's guests including visiting Rotarian Doug Grant (Wawasee). Guests of Rotarians included: David Demero (Tom Shoff), Bob Thatcher (Sherm Hansen), Tami Wine (Jessica Burbrink), Lizzie Sheets (Sheila Sieradzki), and Dean Leazenby (Darin Sorg). Welcome to ALL guests, we hope you can all join us again some other time!

Announcements for June:

  • Susan Ginther announced that plans are continuing to develop for a Club outing to a South Bend Cubs game in the near future.. stay-tuned for more info.
  • Eric Garton announced that Taste of the Garden postcards are available to pickup, and sponsorship forms are also available. Thanks for your support, Taste of the Gardens is scheduled for August 25!
Howard Edwards awarded Rotarians with Paul Harris Fellow recognition, including: 
New Paul Harris Fellows: Deb Alwine, Darryl Peterson, Dennis Neat, Todd Yoder, Sheila Sieradzki, and Robert LaRoy.
Mick Faloon, PHF +1; Linda Rupnow, PHF +2; Robert Schultz, PHF +3; Geoff Church, PHF +4, and Ann McCuistion, PHF +5. Congratulations and THANKS to all Paul Harris Fellow recipients.
 
Today's Sergeant was Anthony Hunt, who provided an entertaining session of FUNdraising as Rotary fines are collected weekly and are pooled into a fund. In the spring more than $10,000 is distributed as grants to not for profit organizations around our county. Thanks, All, for your contributions!
 
Sherm Hansen introduced today's speaker Scott Ford, associated vice president for economic development at the University of Notre Dame. Ford discussed the iNDustry Labs at Notre Dame. Located at Innovation Park, it will be a hub of interdisciplinary teaching, applied research and industry advancement services along with facilities and expertise in next-generation manufacturing, data analytics, materials science and more. iNDustry Labs will serve as a front door to the University for industry partners and others in the LIFT Network to more effectively connect industry and community partners with faculty expertise, students, research capabilities and the University’s entrepreneurship and technology innovation hub — the IDEA Center. 
 
Ford discussed several slides showing the macro-trends of industry in the South Bend-Elkhart Region, as well as the opportunities for workforce development as automation continues to raise the bar for manufacturing and the jobs of tomorrow.
 
Ford described the relationship with iNDustry Labs and South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership (SBERP) and how it hopes to improve the overall economic conditions associated with industry and manufacturing.
 
    About Rotary:
    Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, community leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and act to create lasting change – across the globe, in our local communities, and in ourselves. The Elkhart Rotary Club was founded in 1917 and serves its community through volunteerism, providing grants to not-for-profit organizations, sponsoring, and participating in service projects such as ringing bells for the Salvation Army, roadside trash collection, and are the originators and sustainers of Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Elkhart Rotary Club’s membership consists of approximately 150 dedicated individuals from various professional backgrounds and diverse interests. Membership in the Elkhart Rotary Club is by invitation. We welcome guests to attend any of our meetings and hear from our great lineup of weekly presenters.
    For more information on the Elkhart Rotary Club, visit elkhartrotary.org or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com. Like and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook/ElkhartRotaryClub to stay current on meetings, upcoming events or speakers, and initiatives in the community.
     
    Upcoming Meetings and Programs:
    • June 10: Lisa Guedea Carreño - Director at Elkhart Public Library
    • June 17: Deb Alwine - Southgate Crossing
    • June 24: Lisa Koop - Associate Director of Legal Services, National Immigrant Justice Center
    Join us for our next meeting:
    All meetings are at noon on Mondays at the Matterhorn Banquet and Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St. in Elkhart IN, 46514. In months that include a FIFTH Monday, the Elkhart Rotary Club holds a dinner meeting (no presenter) at the same location.