Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Members of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (the “Council”) will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Varnum. Social time immediately precedes (5:00) and follows the meeting.
There is no cost to attend. RSVPS are requested for attendance. RSVP to ek@worldmichigan.org
The following matters will be presented for approval:
The election of the following directors and/or nominees:
The election of the following nominee to the Board as a Class 2 Director for a full three-year term. Such term to commence on July 1, 2025 (with the possibility of election for a full three-year second term in 2028):
Darin Blocker, Middle Market Commercial and Investment Bank, Multinationals, JP Morgan Chase
Madison Bush-Elsayed, Low Carbon Energy Supply Chain Manager, Offshore Wind, BP
Jason Reyes, Director, Global Business Conduct and Rules, Legal Division, Amway
The re-election of the following members of the Board of Directors, who have agreed to serve a second term as Class 3 Directors, for a three-year term commencing on July 1, 2025:
Michael McNinch, Senior Vice President, Fifth Third Private Bank
Eric Post, Partner Varnum LLP
The Board strongly recommends the approval of the Members of each matter being put up for vote at the meeting.
There will also be a short presentation on the Council and its 2024-2025 fiscal year, including information on its current situation and some financial information, at the Annual Meeting,
Each member of the Council as of the close of business on May 27, 2025, has one vote on all matters coming before the meeting. There are no proxies and people must attend in person to vote on the matters presented.
Each matter to be presented for approval has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of the Council. The new nominees for Board members have been chosen initially by a duly constituted Nominations Committee of the Board, prior to approval by the full Board. If a member has any questions about the Annual Meeting, or wants additional information on any matter, including copies of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, or further information on the new nominees to the Board, he or she should contact the staff of the Council by email to ek@worldmichigan.org.
Additional nominations may be made by a petition bearing the signatures of at least twenty five (25) members in good standing. The name(s) of such additional nominee(s) shall then be included on the ballot. Only persons nominated by either the Board of Directors or through the aforementioned petition procedure shall be eligible for election at the Annual Meeting of Members.
Varnum LLP
Bridgewater Place, 17th floor
333 Bridge Street NW Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Park in the Bridgewater Place garage off Bridge Street NW. Parking vouchers will be provided.
