Our speakers are Tom Swain, author, and Lori Sturdevant, columnist. Tom will be sharing his experience with the people and events that shaped the State and City of Saint Paul. From business to athletics, politics to education, Swain has been a key player.
He has been mayor of Mendota, a University Vice President, an executive with St. Paul Fire and Marine, chief of staff to former governor Elmer L. Andersen and a member and chair of numerous nonprofit and civic boards.
Lori Sturdevant is an editorial writer and columnist for the Minneapolis–St. Paul Star Tribune. Her many book collaborations include A Man’s Reach by former Minnesota governor Elmer L. Andersen (Minnesota, 2000). She is the author of Her Honor: Rosalie Wahl and the Minnesota Women’s Movement and The Pillsburys of Minnesota.
President Carla Hauge brought the meeting to order at 12:19 p.m. on a cloudy spring day at the Prom Center in Oakdale. Today was the Camp RYLA 2016 Closing Celebration! RYLA campers led the assembled Rotarians in singing The Star Spangled Banner accompanied by Bill Givens on the piano. A RYLA camper (Abdi) provided today's invocation. Today's Greeters were Mary Britts and Matt Halley.
Mindee Kastelic facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. There were many visiting Rotarians from all around the State befitting the Camp RYLA festivities! RYLA parents were recognized and applauded. All other RYLA celebration visitors were asked to stand and were recognized.
President Carla asked that a bit of Club 10 business be conducted. Patrick Brown rose to provide a Feed My Starving Children project wrap up. Patrick was Doug Bruce's Co-chair this year. Feed My Starving Children is in its seventh and final year. Club 10 started FMSC as a “Centennial Project”. Over 163,000 meals were packed this year bringing the seven-year total to over 1,000,000 (one million) meals! RYLA campers also participated packing 33,945 meals. RYLA rocks!
Carla then turned meeting management over to RYLA campersBritta and Isaiah. There were presentations by all teams, especially team cheers, slogans and shirts: Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple Teams all presented. Campers commented about their experiences, about developing trust, becoming family, the unbreakable bonds formed and the life changing experience that is Camp RYLA. There were brief reports about the team initiatives; the RYLA High problem-solving exercise; and, the RYLA Olympics.
John Bradford conducted a live auction to raise RYLA funds. Camper Emy Dominquez from the Purple team also reported on guest speakers Marianne Badar Ohman ("Understanding Yourself & Others") and John Crudele (Leadership) and stated: "Thank you, Rotary, for making this possible."
Brian Vance rose to speak about his experience. He thanked his fellow Junior Counselors and Adult Counselors for a great experience. He also advised the campers to get some needed sleep.
Brianna Vujovich was recognized for her efforts. She, in turn, recognized the adult counselors and junior counselors and reminded the audience that the attendees are the Rotary Youth Leadership Award recipients. It is an honor to attend RYLA. President Carla recognized Club 10 Board member Steve Gerber, Board Co-Camp Director.
Carla thanked Camp Director Brianna for being 2016 Camp RYLA Director and noted that a donation in her name would be made to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Reading Together" program. President Carla also noted that this was the 60th anniversary year for Camp RYLA. She then led those assembled in a recitation of the Four-Way Test ("Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?"). The meeting was brought to a close at 1:11 p.m.
A dynamic meeting with an engaging program from Peter Pearson's little brother Tim and Cameron Potts from Deluxe.
Michael-jon Pease led the club in America the Beautiful, with Doug Hartford at the ivories.
John Andrews, Boy Scouts of America, offered an inspirational minute.
Al Zdrazil, MN Attorney General Office, Retired, introduced guests of Rotarians.
John Chandler and Dion Powers for greeting us all so warmly, and to Michael-jon Pease for serving as scribe.
Sign up for the District Conference May 12-13 at Mystic Lake Casino – we need club representatives to vote for us since President Carla can’t attend.
John Andrews presented Elmer L. Andersen Awards to Shelly Rucks and Sarah Kolar.
Al Zdrazil collected happy dollars fromDoug Hartford (Pat’s cataract surgery went well), Linda Mulhern (her daughter scored her first goal in Finland and even the Zamboni driver congratulated her!), Al Uniacke (for the opening of the Sue Hammersmith and Al Uniacke Science Tutoring Room at the new Metro State Science Center), Chuck Standfuss (in honor of our new member from Protocol 46), Captain Jim Kosmo (in honor of the wonderful St Paul Rotary Foundation annual report and our scholarship winner Margaret, who got a great job in Des Moines after graduating thanks to our investment.
Program:Peter Pearson introduced his little brother Tim (with Flow Nonfiction) and Cameron Potts (with Deluxe) who spoke about the brand revolution at a 100 year old company.
Please join us as we “Celebrate Our Gifts to the World” at the Districts 5950 and 5960 Conference on May 12 and 13 at Mystic Lake Conference Center. For the best rates, sign up by April 15 at: http://www.rotary5960.org/dc2016/REGISTRATION.cfm
On Thursday golfers from both districts can play golf (Click Here for Golf Registration/Information)to End Polio and everyone can attend the Welcome Reception to enjoy time with old and new friends. Friday keynoters are Ross Bernstein and Chris Heeter (with her dog TuuWeh). With special guest speaker for North Star Youth Exchange, Barbara Nieviadonski. Entertainment will include Twin Cities Jazz Cats and Stevie Ray.
There are over 30 breakout sessions that fit within 8 categories: Rotary, Health and Wellness, Technology, Fun to Learn, Business, Personal Interest, Life and Variety, and Service. Sample topics include: Developing Rotary FUNdraisers, Social Media, Organizing with Confidence, Not Being Another Fish in the Dark ‘Net, Guatemalan Cooking, How Good Leader Work Less, Computer Tips, Tips for a Powerful First Impression, and lots more which will be listed on the conference website.
If you’d like discounted rates to stay at Mystic Lake Hotel, book by April 12 by calling 800-548-8536 (reference 5950-5960 District conference) or booking online http://usmlc.webhotel.microsdc.us/ and using the conference block code: 1604rotary If you stay for the weekend, you can enjoy some great hotel entertainment on Sat. night, a Friday Night Dance Party, Bingo and casino games every day, plus the pool, fitness center and more.
How would you like to play golf to end polio? Well, that would take a lot of golf! But you can do your part by signing up and playing in the Rotary 5950/5960 Joint District Conference Golf Tournament to End Polio!
This fun event will be held Thursday, May 12, 2016 at The Meadows Golf Course, at Mystic Lake (this is where the District Conference is being held). We have arranged for this shotgun event to start at 11:00 am. We will wrap up the awards and fellowship afterwards in time to join everyone at the District Conference Welcome Reception. Your golf registration fee includes a ticket to the Welcome Reception. (No, you don't get a discount or money back if you don't go to the Welcome Reception.) You may ask - do I need to be a good golfer to participate and still have fun? Good news: you do not have to be a great golfer! For the "Fun Golfer," you can compete in the Scramble Format - that means you take the best shot, and everyone picks up and shoots from there, this process is repeated after each shot.
The "Serious Golfer" may prefer to have the challenge of playing The Meadows with his/her own ball (Own Ball Format). Each foursome plays one or the other: Scramble Fun Golfer or Own Ball Serious Golfer. We will have awards for each category winner. Of course, the big winner is Polio Plus - proceeds from this tournament will go to Polio Plus! We need 100 golfers, the golf registration fee is $150. Do you have a business you would like to promote? Please sign up for one of the sponsorship packages and email me your company logo. We will promote your business on the website and inside the District Conference Program. Click the link below and sign up today! Thanks!
Thanks to a recommendation from Jodi, I have used Volunteer Spot to set up all of the volunteer opportunities for our upcoming meetings. So the answer to "how do I get to help out at the meeting?" is "follow this link and sign up."
Or call me at 651.767.8497 (for those of you who prefer the phone).
You do not need to create yet another login and there are no passwords to remember! Just follow the link, confirm your email and start signing up for meeting teams. Volunteer Spot will send you reminders, and will let me know where the needs are for upcoming meetings. Attention new members: serving as a greeter and taking the microphone, either to offer the inspirational moment or to introduce guests and visiting Rotarians, is an excellent way to network and get your face in front of the club!
We are in particular need of scribes (note takers). There are three simple steps to taking the notes:
1) use the word document agenda you'll receive as your template - half of the information is already there!
2) Fill in a paragraph or two on the speaker and
3) email your notes to Jodi by end of day Wednesday.
(And you thought I was making it look like hard work!)
Thank you for whatever you can do to to make our weekly meetings a great experience!
Tom will be sharing his experience with the people and events that shaped the State and City of Saint Paul. From business to athletics, politics to education, Swain has been a key player.
Chuck Standfuss, Scribe
