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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for World Affairs Council of Western Michigan
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250611T173000
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SUMMARY:Annual Meeting of Members\, June 11th
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThere is no cost to attend. RSVPS are requested for attendance. RSVP to ek@worldmichigan.org \nThe following matters will be presented for approval: \nThe election of the following directors and/or nominees: \n  \nThe 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): \nDarin Blocker\, Middle Market Commercial and Investment Bank\, Multinationals\, JP Morgan Chase \nMadison Bush-Elsayed\, Low Carbon Energy Supply Chain Manager\, Offshore Wind\, BP \nJason Reyes\, Director\, Global Business Conduct and Rules\, Legal Division\, Amway \n  \nThe 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: \n  \nMichael McNinch\, Senior Vice President\, Fifth Third Private Bank \nEric Post\, Partner Varnum LLP \n  \nThe Board strongly recommends the approval of the Members of each matter being put up for vote at the meeting. \n  \nThere 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\, \n  \nEach 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. \n  \nEach 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. \nAdditional 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. \nVarnum LLP \nBridgewater Place\, 17th floor \n333 Bridge Street NW Grand Rapids\, MI 49501 \nPark in the Bridgewater Place garage off Bridge Street NW. Parking vouchers will be provided. \n 
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/annual-meeting-of-members-june-11th/
LOCATION:Varnum\, 333 Bridge Street NW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49501\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250618T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250618T134500
DTSTAMP:20260501T213004
CREATED:20250317T201029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250528T151322Z
UID:10000063-1750248000-1750254300@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:Vandenburg Prize with Ambassador Nicholas Burns
DESCRIPTION:  \nVandenberg Prize with Nicholas Burns\, \nAmbassador of the United States to China \nJune 18 @ 12:00-1:45 P.M. \n  \nVandenberg Award Recipient: \nNicholas Burns\, U.S. ambassador to China (2021-2025) \n  \nHillman/Orr Award Recipient: \nMike DeVivo\, professor of Geography at GRCC \nPolly Diven\, professor of Political Science at GVSU \n  \nThe World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM) announces the recipient of its fifth Vandenberg Prize—which goes to a national or international leader who has been influential in developing global understanding and collaboration on the world stage.  The first five prizes were awarded to Ambassador (ret.) Jon M. Huntsman\, Jr. (2020); General (ret.) James N. Mattis (2021);  Ambassador (ret.) Marie Yovanovitch (2022); U.N. World Food Programme Director David M. Beasley (2023); and Ambassador Bridget Brink (2024). \n  \nThe recipient of the 2025 Vandenberg Prize is Nicholas Burns\, former U.S. Ambassador to China (2021-2025). Ambassador Burns served as U.S. Ambassador to China (2021-2025)\, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2005-2008)\, U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005)\, and U.S. Ambassador to Greece (1997-2001). He is a graduate of Boston College and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. \nAmbassador Nicholas Burns served as U.S. Ambassador to China from 2021 to 2025\, helping to shape the increasingly important and complex bilateral relationship with China. Prior to his work in China\, Ambassador Burns was a Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group for 12 years following an extraordinary career in the U.S. Foreign Service. His expertise in diplomacy and national security extends to every region of the world. \nAmong the many other highlights of his three-decade diplomatic career\, Ambassador Burns served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2005–2008\, US Ambassador to NATO from 2001–2005\, and U.S. Ambassador to Greece from 1997–2001. He was the Department of State Spokesperson from 1995–1997 and served on the National Security Council from 1990–1995\, including as Special Assistant to President Clinton and Senior Director for Russia\, Ukraine\, and Eurasia Affairs\, as well as Director for Soviet Affairs in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Additionally\, he served in the American Consulate General in Jerusalem from 1985–1987 and at the U.S. Embassy in Egypt from 1983–1985. \nAmbassador Burns will also resume his role as the Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is also Director of the Aspen Strategy Group and serves on the board of several non-profit organizations\, including the Council on Foreign Relations\, Special Olympics\, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund\, and the Atlantic Council. \nRaised in Wellesley\, Massachusetts\, Ambassador Burns has a BA in History from Boston College\, from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1978. He earned his MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1980. \nThanks to longtime World Affairs Council corporate supporters Amway and Bank of America for sponsoring this event. \nHe will receive the Vandenberg Prize on Tuesday\, June 18th\, from 12:00-1:45\, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The Vandenberg Prize is named after Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg (1881-1951) who was the inspiration for founding the Council in 1949 by Grand Rapids attorney (and later Federal Judge) Douglas Hillman and businessman Edgar Orr. \nIn addition\, the Council will present the annual Hillman-Orr Award to a West Michigan individual or institution that mirrors the intent of the Council’s founding leaders to bring global awareness and international understanding to the West Michigan community. \nHillman and Orr were inspired by the life and work of Senator Vandenberg\, an isolationist who became a strong advocate of internationalism in the wake of World War II. Vandenberg forged bipartisan support for the Marshall Plan and NATO and was appointed one of the first U.S. delegates to the brand-new United Nations. Senator Vandenberg has always been considered the “patron saint” of the Council. \nNote on Parking \nThe event will take place at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Guest parking is free and plentiful next to the visitor’s entrance. \n  \nTickets \nTickets available below. Individual tickets cost $175 and sponsored tables of 8 cost $2\,500. \n 
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/vandenburg-prize-with-ambassador-nicholas-burns/
LOCATION:Frederik Meijer Gardens\, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49425\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vandenburg Prize
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