September 15, 2022
Speakers: Doug Loon, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
In-Review by Hannelore Brucker
Speaker: Doug Loon,
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
 
Right after the Dwight Yoakam music President Joe Hayes opened the meeting starting with a moment of silence remembering the men and women that perished on 9-11. He then thanked the members helping with the meeting and thanked the Gala sponsors.
 
Click "Read More" of Hannelore's meeting review and see meeting, Walk to End Alzheimer's and Fall into the Arts Festival photos. Another photo extravaganza week thanks to our stellar public relations committee - they are always on it.
Member Spotlight included participation in the Art Festival, the Edina Crime Prevention fund, the Car Show, and the Ukrainian Pool Party. Rotary in the News is the event at the Mall of America. Dan Mott’s invocation stressed the importance of kindness and the power of small group work.

 
New Member Tim Peterson, 2022-2024 DEI Chair, Sylvester Thomas and potential member Jamal Adam
 
Jim Platt introduced the guests including Ben Nicholaus from the chamber of Commerce, invited by Mike Martiny, John Crudele from E.P.Rotary, Lindsey Smaka and her global scholars Eliza Neumann, Abid Hasan, and Elodie Jones, Jennifer Mcclellan, invited by Bjorn Freudenthal, Joanie Kraus, potential member and guest of Julie Westbrock, Jim Davis, potential member and guest of Jennifer Hendrickson, Jamal Adam, guest of Sylvester Thomas, and Todd Engen, guest of David Clynes.
 
During announcements Lindsey Smaka described the program of her global scholars and Eliza Neumann explained her choice of the Capstone program which includes an educational program in Morocco. In addition, she raises funds for global scholars and founded a Women in STEM Club.
 
Julie Westbrock invited to the Gala with a promising Auction and Pay to Play. To explain the music’s wide repertoire, she gave us a taste of period pieces by guitarist Jason Wendlandt.
 
Joe Hayes encouraged volunteers for Camp E and the Alzheimer’s Walk.
 
Mike Martiny introduced Douglas Loon, seven-year President and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and his large list of accomplishments. We heard that the chamber of commerce was founded 114 years ago in St. Paul. Its mission is to be a voice at the capital, connecting to your business and the opportunity for businesses to grow. COVID was a big hurdle. The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund surplus was empty within 2 weeks due to 800,000 people being laid off. The amount of $ 2.7 billion had to be borrowed. The general tax surplus persisted. However, the concern is that the decrease of the labor force participation is down by 76,769 (in 2020 it was 70.8% and now is 68.4 %). Minnesota is known for innovation, being a corporate hub and its industry clusters. In addition, Minnesota has a hard-working, educationally skilled work force. Unfortunately, there are twice as many job offerings and the population is moving south but global migration is up. Doug hopes to improve migration, immigration, and inclusion/ diversity, and especially housing markets and childcare. He concluded with the plan to study how companies select a site, and how to support talent, strengthen communities, improve tax burdens, and closely follow elections. The questions asked covered these goals. Andrea Fahrenkrug, who was a greeter, thanked Doug for his clear presentation.
 
President Joe Hayes concluded with encouraging us to smile, love, be active and do good work.
 
Additional photos available by visiting
Rotary Club of Edina Facebook Page photo albums.