Kristin Montpetit shared that the Holiday Party broke a new fundraising record. Then she made it even better by selling three certificates for 72 cupcakes.

Jay Pfaender encouraged members to come next week when Mike Bussey, a former club member, will be speaking about his decade working for the YMCA in Jerusalem, and his personal take on the Middle East situation.

Nancy McKillips collected happy dollars from Doug Hartford (celebrating Concordia Women’s Volleyball Team’s championship win with 35 out of 36 sets) as well as the ongoing success of the semi our club donated to Feed My Starving Children (which has packed and delivered 80 million meals!); Jay Pfaender (celebrating that we are one step closer to hosting the World’s Fair in 2023); Heather Christopherson (celebrating that People, Inc met its annual giving goal today); and Corey Edmonds (celebrating that the 20,000 gallons of water he poured into his backyard last week has finally frozen into a rink).

Valdi Stefanson introduced today’s speaker, Michael Krause from Kandiyohi Partners to talk about the Solar Energy Revolution in Minnesota.

outlined the three “E’s” of solar energy: economics, environment and equity.

First, the economics/business case:

• There has been a 54% decrease in solar costs. The industry has reached the “tipping point” at which the upfront costs can be recovered in less than two years.
• Between 2015 and 2016 there has been 43% year over year growth in the industry.
• Solar is growing 7x the rate of wind power.
• For businesses, solar is a hedge against market volatility – you can buy electricity at today’s rates and lock them in.
• Companies as diverse as Ecolab and the State Capitol have moved to 100% electricity from solar through community garden shares and credits.

Second, the Environmental impact:

• 15 of the hottest summers on record have been over the last 16 years
• Minnesota is particularly impacted by climate change due to our geography
• MN needs to reduce CO2 emmissions by 50 metric tons to meet its goals

And finally, the impact on social and economic equity:

• MN has the 2^nd worst poverty rate among people of color among the 25 largest cities
• Black unemployment is 10.7% (vs 2.9% for whites)
• 70% of currently open jobs in solar energy don’t require a 4-year degree,
• Utilities in general have jobs starting at $84,000 after just an 18-month certificate program
• MN needs 7,000 qualified utility workers NOW and the need will grow – creating unique opportunities to train and hire people of color

Minnesota is leading the Midwest in solar energy:

• Our state goal is to have 10% of electricity used come from solar by 2030
• We are 8^th in the nation in the number of solar related patents (remember our leadership in the medical device patent industry?)
• There are currently 15,000 local jobs in solar, with an average pay of $71,000
• We have had 1,000% growth in the last three years!

Of course, the outlook isn’t all “sunny.” We still need viable financing and tax equity options to incent public and nonprofit agencies to embrace solar. Our grid is like a 1960 Cadillac – a great model for its day, but needs to be updated to a “smart” grid. Utilities are still run as monopolies selling a commodity, a model challenged by individual customers and nano grids creating and selling their own power. Additionally, Minnesota regulators are overwhelmed (we are second from the bottom in terms of infrastructure investment).

Michael’s presentation was followed by a vigorous Q&A session, demonstrating the club’s knowledge of and interest in the subject. The meeting was adjourned with a recitation of the 4-way test (Jerry Faletti will read from the agenda next time, instead of trying it from memory!).

Respectfully submitted,

Michael-jon Pease

Michael Krause has been involved in solar energy and other sustainable technologies for more than 25 years.  He is a former suburban newspaper publisher, and also held policy positions with Hennepin County and in the Minnesota State Senate.  He was executive director of the Green Institute, a groundbreaking community development organization, for nine years.  In 2005, he formed Kandiyo Consulting, which provides business development, financial and project management, and policy support for green buildings, water technologies and sustainable development, as well as solar energy.

Dan McKeown and Jim Delamater reported on Foundation Month and thanked members for generously supporting the campaign and remembers members of the power one person has and the many ways Rotary foundations support the issues most dear to many – peace, justice, and a healthier world for all.  Dan announced we have 5 new multiple Paul Harris members as of this Month and the Club raised over $17,000 towards our goal of $30,000 by June 30^th.  This is $5,000 ahead of last year at this time. Members who contributed in November were included in drawings for thank you gifts including a pearl necklace, wine, tickets, and gift cards.  Bo Ahlers, Shelly Rucks, Ander Ridter, Susan Spears, Jim Delamater, Jerry Miggs, Ed McCarthy, Todd Nicholson and Claude Hone. 

Carla Hauge presented the report from the Nominations Committee for 2017 Board Members and Officers.  Carla explained that the committee choose to present a specific slate of members verses our previous voting process.  This reflects both the learnings of past nominations as well as reflects the smaller Club size.  Members must still review and accept the nominations by returning the ballots that are being mailed this week.  Nominations include: Directors:  Corey Edmunds, Sherry Howe, Deb Katzmark, Chad Roberts, Valdi Stefanson, Jean Vukas Roberts.  Officers:  President – Jerry Faletti, Vice President – Trixie Golberg, Secretary – Linda Mulhern, Treasurer- Jason DeKeuster, Sergeant-at-Arms Todd Nicholson and Director Emeritus – Joe Kovarik.

Jay Pfaender, Drake Bank,  introduced the first of two programs:

Claude Hone marked the 75^th remembrance of Pearl Harbor by sharing his personal recollections of that day and the sacrifice he witnessed and admired that day and the days that followed.  Members expressed their admiration and appreciation for his service and meaningful commemoration.

Tom Horner, Making Sense of Politics:  What Voters Said, What They Meant and the Impact on Minnesota. Mr. Horner expanded on an editorial he co-authored in the Star Tribune last month. His observations included understanding that Trump voters endorsed less government, more opportunity for people to make it on their own, belief that those on the bottom have a chance to make it to the top. He doesn’t see Trump voters as voting based on “ism” or bias but clearer for his supporters issues of bias, race and sexism were not “deal breakers” which has implications as well.   

He and his follow co-author presented the case that the Trump campaign presented a  distorted view of American exceptionalism. Mr. Horner believes that America’s true exceptionalism comes from principles, different from how any other country was formed:   Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  American is at our best when we come together and it is what unites us makes us exceptional. 

The opportunity for the new administration is to break the mold of governing and be innovative not just mush together the two sides. We need new answers.  He shared examples and illustrations on the complexity of the policy issues and the opportunity for substantive new direction setting.   

For example, in housing policy. Too many jobs being creates now don't support stable housing which is critical to health, education and community.  Housing policy impacts economic security for both wealthy and low income.  Need to be able to think differently about housing and there is money to do it if we have the will.  He has concerns over appointments that are about ideology not depth in policies and impact.

Mr. Horner examined Minnesota’s apparent divide as well and shared examples of the great variations in how things such as education policy and trade policy can effect each part of our state very differently.  We must seek common ground.  Minnesota’s growth is dependent upon the growth we are experiencing amongst populations of color and immigrants.  This is a positive for our state and we must embrace the strength and opportunity it brings our communities and the state. 

Looking at jobs,  he noted that more jobs are “lost” to robots verses overseas relocation of corporations and trade.  In Minnesota 1 in 8 jobs are manufacturing this is a unique advantage for our states and cities can embrace and support this through how communities set themselves up to be attractive to both employers and employees and support job training. He shared Detroit Lakes as an example of a community’s ability to drive it’s future.

Mr. Horner further explained that in general public policy is challenging. When you look at things closely you realize things are there for a reason.  We need to figure out the problem quickly. For instance in health care, we like “guaranteed coverage” but need to then have a mechanism to make people purchase or model is not sustainable.  We've added high cost people to the system.  People with chronic illnesses are as much as 8 times more expensive than those without one. 2.2% of individuals drove 50% of health care program costs. We know we must invest in prevention as many conditions are behavior based and preventable.  We will either need to decide if we  will have a public system or not,  we can't live with the in between. Reforms need to acknowledge how many people are on public programs already.  There is no significant means to shift to private payers to cover the costs. The health care system itself also needs to change.  Every economist says 30% of the health care services are unnecessary.

Minnesota’s  budget surplus is good but unfortunately the sources of the surplus are not sustainable.

As citizens, most importantly we must be discerning consumers of the media. There are things that are just “nonsense” and we have to speak up.  Look to media to provide context.  Hold media accountable as well as policy makers.  Have courage in our conviction that Minnesota is better than disparaging attacks and valuing that our states growth is coming from communities of color and immigrants. We have to educate ourselves and understand policies and issues.  In closing Mr. Horner recommended the book “The Warmth of Other Suns” to members for valuable insights into race and the Black American migration history in this country.

President Whitaker thanked our speaker, reminded members of this week’s Holiday Gala and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Trixie Golberg