Welcome

Our Mission

To help all, especially the young gain a greater understading of the world and its people through hosteling.

Rebuilding Hostelling International’s Michigan Council

Yesterday - February 24, 2010 - the law offices of Evans & Pletkovic offered their unique modern space, tucked in Huntington Woods, for our first meeting of 2010.  2009 was a tumultuous and successful year for the board.  We were sad to see our President Sue Trudeau leave, grateful for Sally Janecek for filling her shoes as Interim President, and finally grateful to Blaine Franz – from the Hostelling International USA office – to guide us through to this day.  We are financially sound, up to date with all our reports to the National Council, and excited to start the new year with a full board.

Yesterday, the following members were officially appointed to the board in an interim capacity per our Bylaws:

Michael Willinganz, President & Director

Michael Dwyer, Vice-President & Director

Mollika Basu Biernat, Treasurer & Director

Jay Biernat, Secretary & Director

Janel Yamashiro, Director

Melissa Smith, Director

Gwen Bowlby, Director

Nate Hill, Director

We had great discussions about furthering our mission through leveraging social media, our successful travel presentations, our hikes/bikes/canoe outings, and hostels in Michigan.  Our official minutes will be posted to the site shortly, as will nominations for the board, and we will be announcing our Annual Meeting in May.  The annual meeting will be a celebration of all that has been, all that is, and all that will be for the Michigan Council.  Thank you for your continued support of the organization.  We look forward to seeing you soon.  Please e-mail us with nominations, with a brief bio – either for yourself or another person – at hiusamichigan@gmail.com.

Best,

Mollika Basu Biernat

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Hostelling International travel is transformative! Our programs can educate, empower and excite new and veteran travelers.

The Michigan Council of Hosteling International is a 70+ year old non-profit serving members and budget travelers across the state of Michigan. HI-Michigan is a council of the national organization, Hosteling International-American Youth Hostels (HI-USA). HI-USA belongs to the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) a word-wide network of 4,000 hostels in 60 Countries.

Vision Statement

Hostellers become caring world citizens who are catalysts for intercultural exchange and understanding, and who are stewards of the earth.

Programs

We provide programming to the community through travel education workshops and youth intercultural programs. Additionally, there are social activities for members and the public which include hikes and fund-raising events.

To read more about the national and world organization, go to www.hiusa.org.