To successfully plan, prepare and present a themed series of successful events takes energy, effort and, of course, money. None of these things necessarily comes easily. But the Rotarians taking up the challenge are used to facing difficult tasks and not only mastering them, but also making them look effortless.

Second-term Michigan Representative Joan Bauer co-chairs the community action committee with Mary Clark. According to Bauer, “Rotary wanted to be sure that we involve the community both in the planning stages and in the events themselves. Our aim is not only to make everyone aware of all of the activities but also to give them the opportunity to link already existing community events to the 150th  celebration.

“Mary and I held two community-wide events in November and December of 2008 to share what was being planned and to gather input. We contacted over 300 organizations and advertised in the media in an effort to reach as many people as  possible. This celebration is for everyone, and we want it to reflect the wonderful diversity of Lansing and the surrounding area. We have been collecting e-mail addresses as well as home and organizations’ addresses and are continuing to reach out to keep people informed and involved.

“The more individuals and groups who are part of this effort, the better it will be for all of us. We invite everyone to visit the website [www.lansing150.com] for details. They can also submit information about their own upcoming events. We’ll make that information available to the community via the website and help them tie their event into the 150th celebration. They can also call Martha Kliebert at the Lansing 150 office. We encourage everyone to be part of this yearlong celebration!”

These days, raising money isn’t easy. While the spirit may be willing, the bank balance may be a different story altogether. But for Irv Nichols, longtime fundraiser (52 years!), it’s a task he tackles with enthusiasm. Previously employed by the American Red Cross and the American Lung Association, in retirement Nichols hasn’t slowed down in his commitment to volunteerism. When it came time to set up the fundraising committee for Lansing 150, Nichols was the natural choice to head up the effort.

“Our committee of nine, most of whom are Rotary members, started meeting in the summer,” Nichols says. “Everyone on the committee has good experience in community involvement, fundraising, public relations or all three. Martha Kliebert, Lansing 150 executive director, keeps us organized and moving forward. We have been meeting monthly, generating leads and dividing responsibilities.

“Everyone has been receptive but many are not able to give the kind of gift they, and we, would like. However, businesses, organizations and individuals are giving what they can. We have received a $50,000 gift from the Dart Foundation, and Rotary has also contributed $50,000. We’ve also been receiving gifts in kind from many organizations, and we certainly appreciate all the goods and services they have given. All of our donors are listed on the website, and we constantly update that list as we get more contributions.”

As of February 15, the group had  generated $320,000 in cash and pledges. “It’s important to us that all the signature events will be free to the public,” Nichols explains. “We can now say we have raised enough money to make that possible. We’re continuing to raise money both to enhance the events and also to present a gift to the city in honor of the sesquicentennial. Donations of any size are welcome, and every donor will be publicly identified. There’s information on the website about how to donate.”

While money is certainly necessary, Nichols says, “This celebration is all about lifting community spirit. We’re proud of our city. We have a lovely past, but we also have a hopeful future. Lansing 150 will reflect both our past and our future.”
Erik Larson, executive director of Impression 5 Science Center, heads up the volunteers committee as co-chair with Carmen Turner, president/CPO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing. For Larson, volunteerism is part of both his professional and personal life. He mentions that his mother was a longtime volunteer who stressed the importance of community involvement. Larson started working as a volunteer at Impression 5 when he was only 14, returned to the museum as an employee after receiving a degree in biology from Olivet College, and became executive director in 2005.

A Lansing native, Larson says, “I love this town, so Lansing 150 is near and dear to me. As a committee, our goal is to recruit, retain and train volunteers and to engage the community in the events and efforts of the sesquicentennial.
“We want our volunteers to feel good about what they are doing, but we don’t want them to feel overworked. We have all sorts of opportunities available from directing traffic to working on the planning committee to participating in special events. There are also numerous regular events that will be linking to the 150th celebration.

“We’re encouraging young people to get involved in our efforts and are working with Michigan State University, Lansing Community College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School to engage their students.”

Larson adds, “The website provides a one-stop shop for information and volunteer options. There’s so much going on that everyone can find something they’d like to help us with. People can sign up online, and we will definitely contact them to accept their offers of assistance. The celebration is a grassroots endeavor and welcomes participation from as many people as possible.”

Lansing 150 is looking to the citizens of Lansing to make this yearlong celebration truly reflect the strengths of our city. A proud past and a bright future––be part of it all!