Club Meeting Featuring Kristin Houchins, Director of Communications, Livonia

The meeting was opened by President Nancy Darga saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Invocation was given by Dave Stechholz. Sharon Pommerville led Happy Bucks. Two guests were present: Justin Daniels from the Hines Park PM Rotary Club and Jacki Graham from the Livonia Noon Club. It was great to see our member, Marlene Katafias, attending the meeting by Zoom.

Claude Kendrick gave an update on the Touch a Truck event being led by the Churchill Interact Club, and volunteers are needed for the May 2 charity hockey game to benefit “Breaking Barriers” at the Eddie Edgar Ice Arena in Livonia.

President Darga set a process for selecting speakers for our club meetings. Prospective speaker submissions must be given to the club president first, and then the president will pass on the name to the chairperson of the speaker committee.

Those attending the District Conference in Frankenmuth, May 1–3, are very excited. Bill Friske will be in charge of setting up a table to promote the 4-Way Tst soccer balls, and Tammy Bonifield and Sharon Pommerville will be in charge of creating a hospitality room featuring Michigan products.



Other upcoming events were discussed. Several club members are attending Livonia’s Day of Unity and Prayer (May 7), working with our club member Wayne Kenny along with the Livonia noon Club for the Wine Tasting event on June 26, and making gift suggestions to give the incoming Governor, Kim Spirou, at the Meet the Governor event in Ontario. Tammy will be attending the RYLA camp (May 15–17) to help build leadership skills for our student attendees.

We are looking for volunteers for the Passport to Safety event and for the next Road Clean‑up on June 6.

Today’s speaker was Kristin Houchins, currently the Director of Communications for the City of Livonia, a position she has held since May 2017. She is recognized for her extensive experience in strategic communication, community engagement, and event management.

Kristin gave an accounting of all the ways Livonia communicates to the community through 24 social media accounts, the Connection magazine that comes out three times a year, the Livonia Today magazine, and the AM1670 radio station. Kristin made it a point to say that no comments given by residents on city social media platforms are ever censored or banned. The newest offering in the works for residents is the development of a volunteer corps that will be called “The Livonia Office of Volunteer Energy.” The purpose is to get residents involved in city events and projects and provide needed help for the city. It is in the early stage of development.

Take note: If you would like to receive emergency alerts and notifications from the city, sign up by following these steps:

1. Sign up for Livonia CodeRED online and create a managed account, or

2. Via mobile phone by texting “LivoniaAlerts” to 24639 and visiting the provided link that comes in a response message, or

3. Via phone at (866) 939‑0911

Today’s meeting was followed by a Leadership Meeting (new name for Board Meeting).



Victoria Haltom