Speakers Bureau

 Jim and Sue Bodenner

Jim and Susan Bodenner are passionate about the plight of developing countries, especially when it comes to the need for potable drinking water in underserved communities.

Four years ago the residents of Bishop Hills Elder Care Community in Rockford, Michigan contributed $400 to help fund a pilot program designed to test the effectiveness of a practical BioSand Water Filter in the Dominican Republic.  The pilot was so successful that during the past 8 years, Rotary Club resources across the United States and Canada contributed over $1 million and today 25,000 filters have been installed in the Dominican Republic.

The success of the BioSand Water Filter has been dramatic and this simple affordable technology has now been expanded to include other countries.  “It’s a story that is worth hearing about,” say Jim and Sue, “and we’re on a mission to share it.”   Jim has spoken twice about the BioSand Water Filter at the United Nations and the project has attracted international attention. 

Jim is the Executive Director of the Safe Water Team, Inc. (“SWT”) which is a non-profit organization committed to the formation of innovative partnerships including a partnership with the United States Navy’s Project Handclasp program to encourage the use of a plastic version of the filter – the HydrAid filter.   SWT’s mission is to scale-up the global use of the filters  through “Access, Advocacy and Aid”.  

SWT is promoting access of the filters through the creation of a network of HydrAid distributors and their advocacy of the technology is playing an important role in mobilizing awareness, donations and use of the filters as part of a humanitarian Aid effort in countries such as Haiti. Jim holds a masters degree in business and a law degree from Northern Illinois University.  Jim

In addition, Jim and Susan own and operate Bishop Hills Elder Care Community in Rockford, Michigan.  Susan, who holds a masters degree in social work, is Bishop Hills’ administrator.  Like Jim, she is an evangelist for clean drinking water in developing countries.    

The Bodenners are past members of the Rotary District 6290 World Community Service Committee and the Rockford Rotary Club.  Jim is a Past President of Rockford Rotary and founding director and past Vice Chair of the Rotarian Water and Sanitation Action Group.   Sue is the president nominee of the Rockford Rotary Club.

For more information or to schedule the Bodenner’s for a speaking engagement, contact Jim at 616.866.8180; bodennerj (at) gmail.com; www.safewaterteam.org