Club Conversation, Visioning Part 3 – Michael-jon Pease, with the help of members of the visioning team, rolled out the vision document to the club.
Bill Collins and Susan O’Neil presented the draft Mission/Vision/Values and Purpose Statement. Many thanks to Bill, Susan and to Joe Kovarik and Ken Crabb who led this effort! Bill set us up for 45 minutes of twisted words by encouraging members to memorize the purpose until it falls “trippingly off the tongue.” From Bill to Todd Nicholson to the king of tongue twisters Joe Kovarik, hardly a mouth in the room could wrap itself around a three-syllable word after that encouragement!
President John Chandler called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m.
Dr. Ken Crabb led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered an inspirational minute about civility in discourse on this mid-term election day.
Thanks to greeters Laurie Murphy and Jason DeKeuster!
Sherry Howe introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.
President’s Remarks:
· Thank you to our Rotation Day Hosts: Beth Burns (Friends of the St. Paul Library), John Andrews (Boy Scouts) and Heidi Fisher (Epilepsy Foundation)
· Rotary Milestones and November birthdays were celebrated with gusto and a rousing round of Happy Birthday led by Susan O’Neil.
Foundation Month – Elmer Andersen Day
Dan McKeown, our Foundation Board President, presented an overview of the St Paul Rotary Club Foundation. Our Rotary Rose Sale in September and Holiday Gala Silent Auction raise about $27,000. Together with the Foundation’s charitable payout, there is about $44,000/year for our club’s charitable purposes.
Corey Edmunds reminded club members to RSVP for the Dec 6 Holiday Gala and Silent Auction and contribute their donations for the silent auction. John Chandler modeled that behavior by handing over a gift certificate!
Club Conversation, Visioning Part 3 – Michael-jon Pease, with the help of members of the visioning team, rolled out the vision document to the club.
Bill Collins and Susan O’Neil presented the draft Mission/Vision/Values and Purpose Statement. Many thanks to Bill, Susan and to Joe Kovarik and Ken Crabb who led this effort!
Mission: St. Paul Rotary strengthens our entire community with service and fellowship.
Vision: To see a stronger and more vibrant St. Paul community with global connections.
Values:
· Everyone is welcome at Rotary.
· We recognize and work with community partners.
· We promote the interests of our members.
· We address local issues.
· We build life-long connections.
· And, we have fun.
Statement of Purpose: To serve the St. Paul community and the world by enriching people’s lives through benevolence, fellowship, and fun.
Quick reactions:
· The mission and purpose statement need to be better aligned – the mission focuses on the local community and the purpose statement talks about enriching the world.
· Rotary does have an international aspect, but there is so much that needs to be done in our local community – we need to focus there.
· Great work on the language – this feels like a good direction!
· It would be great to have the statement express more passion – something that really grabs you.
· It’s great to have this grounding as we move forward.
The conversation continued with the major areas of the club’s work. After the presentation, each table turned into work teams to outline future steps for the vision. Ideas were shared and members were encouraged to volunteer for the work team whose work interested them most.
CLUB SERVICE
· Strong mentorship program for new members
· Build strong relationships through small group encounters / opportunities
· Annual forum for members to choose / create projects that respond to big community issues
VOCATIONAL SERVICE
· Early career mentorship for Rotaractors (college age Rotarians)
· STRIVE* program in two high schools
· Members know every Rotarian in the club
· Challenge the community to use the 4 way test
YOUTH SERVICE
· Reach in to diverse communities: mentor, train and empower young leaders
· Continue CAMP RYLA w/ALL Rotarian counselors
· Rotaractors transition to club based on strong relationships with members
COMMUNITY SERVICE
· Choose projects that attract significant club participation
· Create citizen awards program
· Bike pathway from Minneapolis to St. Paul
· Welcome packets for all new St. Paul citizens
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
· Co-create projects with partners from our local immigrant community and locally-based international non-profits
· More members actively participate
· More Rotarians have ability to travel overseas
FUNDRAISING AND PR
A fundraising team meeting will take place during our regular meeting time at noon on Dec 4 at the M Street Café. Members who would like to help strategize fundraising ideas for the coming year that align with our new vision, - or, if you'd like to sign up for any of the other planning teams - please email John Chandler (john.m.chandler@comcast.net ) and Michael-jon Pease (pease@parksquaretheatre.org) so they can reserve a big enough table!
A PR team meeting time will be sent out.
Jay Pfaender promoted next week’s meeting program by Chris Wright, CEO, MN United (and former Timberwolves CEP, so bring both soccer and basketball questions!)
The meeting was adjourned with the Four Way Test.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael-jon Pease, President-Elect