My City January 2023

According to Coheen, “The RMFGF provides and expands a social network that changes when a person retires. We offer mutual support, friendship and a sense of purpose through community engagement.” Today, the RMFGF boasts a membership of nearly 100 men of ages ranging from 57 to 102 and on January 7, will acknowledge its 60th anniversary with a big blowout extravaganza to be held in May. “It just goes to show the sustainability and our ability to adapt to modern times,” says Coheen. “The club has shown that it has the quality of persistence.” As evidence of that persistence, the club has weath ered a bevy of challenges over the years, possibly none bigger than the pandemic lockdown and quarantine, when the physical meetings were abandoned. “We start ed using the Zoom platform,” says former president and current Zoom Host, Tom Cerny. “I believe we had be tween 30-37 members at our first virtual meeting.”The virtual attendees grew meeting by meeting, even though most members came of age before the era of personal computing. In fact, the group’s three oldest members, age 100, were all in virtual attendance by Thanksgiving 2020. The decision to go virtual also offered unexpected opportunities. Presenters could come from and speak from anywhere on the globe, home-bound or hospi tal-bound members could easily attend, “snowbirds’’ and travelers could attend remotely from their locations, and members who were unknown to each other could meet for the first time. When the pandemic subsided and in-person meetings could resume, the RMFGF con tinued using the virtual meeting format and currently offers a hybrid experience. Official meetings take place at 9am every Monday from September to May in the Flint Institute of Music’s (FIM) Anderson Room. The time is structured with the first hour devoted to fellowship and conversation. The official

health updates, reading of the previous meeting minutes and an attendance report. On the first Monday of each month, the group makes it a point to acknowledge any birthdays or major member news. At 10:30, a formal professional and informative presentation is given by a guest speaker, followed by a Q&A session. The meeting officially ends at 11am; however, many remain to ask questions, engage in conversation and more. Former RMFGF president Tom Cerny has been attending meetings for 18 years. “I was brought to my first meeting by a friend from church,” says Cerny. “I was hooked by two things: One was the friendships I made and the second was the engaging programs/ presentations.” Presentations are given by professionals from all areas of interest including archeology, history, science, engineering, sports, medicine, art and others. The group has hosted war veterans, writers, coaches, business executives and local professionals including Sheriff Chris Swanson, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, Coach Tom Alward, and Dr. Tracee Glab of the Flint Institute of Arts. Presenters are not compensated but are instead presented with the “famous” RMFGF ballpoint pen, and a certificate of appreciation. RMFGF members also enjoy the annual December Holiday Luncheon, February Ladies’ Day, and a field trip in June. Past field trips include a Detroit River cruise, tour of Ford Field, and an architectural tour of Detroit buildings. As a way to make an even bigger impact in the com munity, the RMFGF has helped the North End Soup Kitchen since 1990 by donating food and funds totaling nearly $60,000 to date. ß Continued on pg. 105

meeting is called to order at 10am, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance,

THE “FAMOUS” RMFGF BALLPOINT PEN IS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER PRIZES IN GENESEE COUNTY!

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