July 2026
In our July 2nd meeting, new members James Bell and Elizabeth Gemmell, in which they shared with the club some highlights of their life journey - with a focus on their work as lawyers. We also made bagged lunches for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
June 2026
In lieu of our June 18th meeting, we enjoyed our annual picnic at a member's house.
In our June 4th meeting, Vera Simmons (Executive Director) and Becky Magnus (Marketing Chair) of Seeds of Hope provided us an updated and look ahead on Seeds of Hope projects. We also discussed upcoming services projects.
May 2026
In our May 21st meeting, Tracy Broccolino, President of Community Action Council of Howard County, discussed Council updates and plans ahead. Afterwards, Club Treasurer Pam Kreis (left) presented a Club donation to Tracy Broccolino and Todd Stubbs, Council Community Experience Specialist.
In our May 7th meeting, District Governor Mandy Granger joined us to induct 5 new members: James Bell, Laura Cassard, Steve Cassard, Beth Gemmell, and Walt Cawley. Congratulations to our new members!
April 2026
In our April 16th meeting, club member Dennis Van Dusen talked about his work in Ukraine, drones and his AI research. We also made bag lunches and delivered them to Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
March 2026
In our March 19th meeting, Club Member Steve Springer gave his classification talk (in which new members share with the club highlights from their professional and broader life experiences). Steve shared his leadership philosophy and how his diverse experiences shape his commitment to students and community. Steve is Head of School at St. John’s Parish Day School, with a 33-year career in education and prior Peace Corps service in Guatemala.
In our March 5th meeting, County Councilwoman Liz Walsh talked with us on current county initiatives, legislative priorities, infrastructure projects, public services, and community development efforts affecting Howard County residents.
February 2026
In our February 19th meeting, new member (2025) Michael Plastino gave his classification talk (in which new members share with the club highlights from their professional and broader life experiences). Michael shared highlights from his 27 years with the Environmental Protection Agency in partnering with other federal agencies as well as state, territorial, and tribal agencies to enable more efficient and effective environmental protection through data system modernization.
In our February 5th meeting, Anna Katz from Grassroots Crisis Intervention discussed the enhancement of important services provided Grassroots, along with opportunities for volunteers to help. Grassroots is Howard County’s 24/7 crisis-intervention center for over 50 years, offering crisis hotlines, walk-in counseling, suicide-prevention, Mobile Crisis response, substance-use stabilization, emergency shelters, and the Day Resource Center with meals, showers, and support services. https://grassrootscrisis.org/
January 2026
In our January 15th meeting, we welcomed new Ellicott City Rotary Club member Steve Springer (center). Steve was a member of the Santa Monica Rotary Club in CA from 2023 through 2025.
We we also very fortunate to be joined by Stuart Harbarger, who spoke with us about how AI-enabled systems are being designed to operate in complex, high-stress environments, how humans and machines increasingly work as teams, and what these technologies may mean for everyday life in the near future.
