Each year the Rotary Club of Saint Paul presents a "Teacher of the Year"award to a deserving educator. This year the award for outstanding performance in K-12 education will be given to Mary Schmidt, a teacher at Nokomis Montessori.
In a letter supporting Schmidt's nomination, Melissa McCollor, Principal, writes "Mary Schmidt is one of the most committed, compassionate and enthusiastic teachers I have had the opportunity to work with. Her strength as a teacher is not only in delivering high quality instruction to her students daily, but also in influencing her colleagues to do the same."
The luncheon will also honor students from fourteen middle schools with the "Rotation Forward Award." This program is designed to recognize students for a special effort or accomplishment they have made, not necessarily within the classroom or by academic performance. Saint Paul Public School Superintendent, Valeria Silva, will also speak
Club 10 went on the road to the Securian Center and was visited by co-authors Tom Swain, a Saint Paul leader for many years, and Lori Sturdevant from the Minneapolis StarTribune. They came to discuss the book they have written, Citizen Swain, reporting the exploits of Mr. Swain from the early 1950's to the present in leading the development of the political, cultural and athletic environments of this great City. Read on to learn more about one of Saint Paul's staunch supporters!
President Carla Hauge brought the meeting to order at 12:17 p.m. at the Securian Center River Room on a sunny, spring day in downtown Saint Paul. Past President and District Governor Joe Kovarik led the assembled Rotarians in singing When the Saints Go Marching In! accompanied by Jerry Falletti on the guitar. Nancy Brady provided today's invocation. Bo Aylin facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. Today's Greeters were Debbie Lee and Linda Mulhern.
President Carla invited Steve Gerber to the podium to give a final Camp RYLA report. He also proposed a fund-raising "Walk for Water" that he wants to organize. He put out a call for volunteers to discuss the concept. Please contact Steve if you are interested.
Jim Delamater presented Paul Harris Awards to Sarah Kolar (multiple award pin) and Dion Powers (first award). Rotarian birthdays were recognized for the months of April and May. Candy was distributed since the cake tradition has been ended. Bo Aylin collected Happy Dollars. David Laird gave a Happy Dollar (or more) in thanks for and recognition of the seven-years' leadership of the Feed My Starving Children project by Doug Hartford and Clyde Nelson.
Past President Howard Guthmann introduced today's speakers, Tom Swain and Lori Sturdevant, co-authors of the book, Citizen Swain. Ms. Sturdevant is a senior editorial writer for the Minneapolis StarTribune (celebrating her 40th anniversary at the StarTribune today). Mr. Swain served three stints at the University of Minnesota as an interim vice president. Mr. Swain is 94 years old and has held sixteen salaried jobs in his career. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1942. He was the Athletic Department's first Athletic Advisor (the only one at that time).
Mr. Swain became head of the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce and Saint Paul Convention Bureau in 1951. Howard was involved in the Junior Chamber at that same time. In 1955, Mr. Swain was appointed to the Minnesota Centennial Commission (1958). He recounted several great stories involving Governor Orville Freeman, an appearance by Judy Garland at Statehood Day in 1958 and two gubernatorial campaigns that he managed for Elmer Andersen in the early '60's. For more details, you will need to read the book! After Elmer Andersen lost out to Karl Rolvaag in 1962 by ninety-one votes, Mr. Swain went to work for St. Paul Companies. While at St. Paul Companies, Mr. Swain and Howard Guthmann partnered on a political campaign to make Saint Paul public schools an independent school district (one of the last of the large cities to become independent). Mr. Swain was also instrumental in organizing a Saint Paul Minuteman event to bring the St. Louis Cardinals here to play the Philadelphia Eagles in a football exhibition game in the late '50's. The strong attendance by Minnesotans at this neutral site game was key to bringing the Vikings NFL franchise here.
President Carla thanked Lori Sturdevant and Tom Swain for their presentation and noted that a donation would be made in their names to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Reading Together" program. (Mr. Swain interjected that Saint Paul public libraries are open twice as many hours as Minneapolis public libraries.) President Carla 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?"). She then rang the bell to close the meeting at 1:20 p.m.
The board of directors has approved the following for membership. If no written objection stating reasons is received by the board from any member of the club within 10 days following publication of the name, the prospective member, shall be considered to be elected to membership on June 1, 2016.
Name: Bob Stephenson
Title: Business Department Manager
Organization: Protocol 46
Proposed by: Chuck Standfuss
Classification: Cyber-Security- Sales Management
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!
The luncheon will also honor students from fourteen middle schools with the "Rotation Forward Award." This program is designed to recognize students for a special effort or accomplishment they have made, not necessarily within the classroom or by academic performance. Saint Paul Public School Superintendent, Valeria Silva, will also speak
Chuck Standfuss, Scribe