President Jerry Faletti called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm. Jerry Faletti, guitar; Ed Coleman, drums; Joe Kovarik, ukulete; and Bob Jones, piano led the singing of When The Gov Goes Marching In to the tune of When The Saints Go Marching In. For the inspirational minute, Nancy Brady read a poem by Maya Angelou dedicated to hope for peace, written for the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations. Cindy Shiely introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. The greeters were Dick Nicholson and Scott Van; the scribe was Lynne Beck. Jerry announced that the Chuck Whitaker Roast is Wednesday, August16 at the White Bear Yacht Club. The Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury game is Tuesday, August 22, and the “Old Timers” Banquet is Wednesday, August 23 at the St. Paul Pool & Yacht Club.
Linda Mulhern introduced Linnea Anderson, our Outbound Youth Exchange Student to Italy. She lives with her father, mother and brother in St. Paul and just graduated from Great Rivers School. She is interested in fashion design, sings with a Swedish youth choir, and loves to travel. When she returns from Italy, she will attend Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Jay Pfaender said that next week’s speaker will be Caryn Sullivan, columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. She is also an attorney, author and inspirational speaker.
Cindy Shiely collected Happy Dollars, including from Carla Hauge, whose daughter Luci’s fast pitch softball team are National Champions. There were 84 teams competing for the title.
Doug Hartford introduced the speaker, Rotary District Governor Kyle Haugen. He is an Agent/Registered Representative of Haugen Agency, Ltd, providing insurance and financial services to individuals and businesses in Prior Lake and the broader Twin Cities. A third generation Rotarian, he is a founding member and was president of the Rotary Club of Prior Lake. He is a longtime member of the club’s Rotary Foundation and International Service Committees. Kyle is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society member, and Rotary Foundation Bequest Society Member.
As district governor, his role will be to provide resources and opportunities to clubs. He believes in IR President Ian Riseley’s theme: Rotary: Making a Difference. His commitment to service was shown through his trip to Haiti in August 2010 with club members to provide earthquake relief. Kyle told the story of a young 14 year-old Haitian boy he met who was very talented. It is unfair that he, and other children around the world, do not have the opportunities that we have in America.
Kyle is impressed with what the Rotary Club of St. Paul has done locally and in other countries. We need to ask ourselves: What more can we do? What needs are not being met? He discussed the importance of environmental sustainability. Kyle challenges every club to plant a tree for each member in the next few years. Another area the district is concerned about is human trafficking and sex slavery. Rotary Clubs are looking at ways to create awareness about these crimes, especially during the 2018 Super Bowl.
Another district priority is membership. Membership recruitment and retention is a problem. We need to engage our membership by personalizing the experiences. It is not good enough to just attend meetings. In addition, we need to have more female and members under 40. Currently only 30% of the members are female and 4% are under 40. To create new energy, we must find ways to attract more females and members under 40.
Kyle emphasized that the Rotary Foundation is one of the best charities in the world. Nobody takes better care of your money. It is in the top 5 charities for financial management. Rotarians have a say where their money goes through grants. Our projects, such as Polio Plus, make a difference. People around the world have better lives because of Rotary.
Vice President Jerry Faletti led Rotary members in the Four Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm.
Lynne Beck
Scribe