🌟 Livonia A.M. Rotary Shines at PELS in Kalamazoo

Club members Erin Dobbins, Tammy Bonifield, Bill Friske, Bob Carris, and Dave Stechholz represented the Livonia A.M. Rotary Club with distinction at the annual President Elects Learning Seminar (PELS) in Kalamazoo this past weekend.

President‑Elect Erin attended to prepare for her upcoming year of leadership and to ensure she is equipped to serve as the best Club President she can be. Tammy Bonifield participated in multiple capacities—District Treasurer, 4‑Way Test soccer ball booth operator, and on‑call support for District Governor‑Elect Kim Spirou. Her versatility and commitment were on full display throughout the weekend.

Assistant Governor Bill Friske attended to support his incoming club presidents, helping them get the most value from their PELS experience.

Bob Carris made the trip on Friday to assist Tammy in the booth, and Dave Stechholz followed on Saturday to lend his support as well. Their teamwork ensured the booth ran smoothly and made a strong impression.

⚽ Our New 4‑Way Test Soccer Balls Make a Big Impact

The debut of our new Rotary 4‑Way Test soccer balls was a major success. Over the course of the conference, we introduced the project to more than 350 future club presidents representing seven Rotary districts. The enthusiasm and interest were overwhelming, reinforcing the potential of this initiative for youth engagement, fundraising, and international outreach.

🌍 A Special Guest: Rotary International President‑Elect “Yinka.”

We were honored by the presence of Rotary International President‑Elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, known affectionately as “Yinka.” He attended the entire weekend and graciously autographed two of our soccer balls. These special items will be auctioned at a future date, with all proceeds going toward Polio eradication—a meaningful connection between our local project and Rotary’s global mission.