COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEES
As Rotarians, we strive to improve our local communities in a variety of ways. Our Community Service committees are responsible for leading local service initiatives to create a better place to live, work, and play.
Adopt-A-Stream (Bug Count)
A citizen-scientist project of the Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay, Adopt-A-Stream collects benthic macroinvertebrates (water bugs) twice a year. In June and October, volunteers of all ages collect data on the types and quantities of insects in our streams to track the stream's health and water quality trends over time. Want to know more? Check out The Watershed Center for more information.
Christmas Baskets
Each year, our Club's Rotarians adopt dozens of families to help provide Christmas gifts for those who aren't able to afford them. In the last ten years, the program has collected more than $120,000 directly from Club members and distributed it to over 500 families, helping more them 2,000 children wake up with presents under the tree.
Good Works
Annually, the Good Works Committee reviews requests made to the club for small grants from various entities. The committee meets to review grant requests twice a year and has funded projects for organizations from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to the Women's Resource Center and the Father Fred Foundation.
JJ Becket Access-ABILITY
Formerly the committee for the handicapped, the primary focus of the JJ Beckett Access-ABILITY Committee is to assist individuals to overcome limits caused by a disability and improve access to a fuller life. This committee is named in honor of Jim Beckett, who established this long-standing club committee.
Water
The purpose of the Water Committee is to integrate Rotarians into regional water-based activities, primarily through partnerships with area nonprofit organizations and government agencies. This committee works with partner organizations in a variety of ways with Rotarians’ time, energy, and talents. Uniquely, it is a committee made up of representatives from both local Rotary Clubs. Projects range from work bees to protect our region’s water resources to various strategic initiatives, including Kids Creek Restoration and Kids’ Free Fishing Day held annually in June.
Life Leadership
This committee identifies high school and first-year college students in Grand Traverse County as applicants to the annual District 6290 leadership conference. Those students who demonstrate qualities and interests in leadership are sponsored to go to a transformational three-day event of motivational speakers and panel discussions.
Young men and women throughout the district and internationally enjoy the educational aspects and the opportunity to make many new friends. Selection is made each April for the June conference. Typically, our club sponsors ten participants to attend the conference of nearly 200 attendees. To learn more, go to the Rotary International Life Leadership Conference.
Young men and women throughout the district and internationally enjoy the educational aspects and the opportunity to make many new friends. Selection is made each April for the June conference. Typically, our club sponsors ten participants to attend the conference of nearly 200 attendees. To learn more, go to the Rotary International Life Leadership Conference.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Rotarians participate on an annual basis in December with filling kettles for the Salvation Army. Committee members will sign up members, organize assignments and participate in the collection at public locations.
Chair: Haider Kazim