Notes from December 29, 2015

Posted by Jenifer Loon 
 
ROTARY WORKSHOP by EP AM Rotary Club
Our program this morning consisted of individual table discussions to encourage members to think of why they joined Rotary, what they like about Rotary and our club, and how we can encourage others to join.  President Jan Eian has established a goal of 100 members in the EP AM Rotary club by 2020, which means we need 80 
members by June to stay on track with our goal.  Four questions were asked of each table to prompt the morning’s dialogue.
 
1) What brought you to Rotary?
2) Has Rotary met your expectations?
3) What would you change?
4) If you were talking to someone about Rotary, what would you say?
 
The club watched two short videos that highlighted what to say, and what not to say, when encouraging someone to join Rotary.  Each member was also given a sheet of all activities and functions of the club and asked to indicate their interest in on-going, or new activities, they intend to participate in.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • Dan O’Brien informed the club that 40 EP AM Rotary members have contributed to the Rotary International Foundation, to date.  Our goal is every member, every year.
  • Registration is open for the District wide mid-term assembly on January 16th.  All members should have received an email from Irene Kelly about the assembly on January 31st with the details.  
  • Our club served as Meals on Wheels drivers December 28 to January 1st.
  • Jeanne led the club in a discussion/demonstration of “My Rotary”, the Rotary website which also allows access from members to our EP AM Rotary page and information about our events, etc. If you need assistance accessing the site, please contact Jeanne Zetah.
  • Our next Swallowship is January 14th from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. 
  • The next board meeting is January 19, 2016.
  • Craig Blixrud brought his daughter Rachel who is attending the University of Minnesota and son Alex, who is attending Gustavus Adolphus College, to the meeting with him this morning.
 
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
Nick Eyvindsson was officially made a member of the EP AM Rotary Club this morning. Roger Jorgensen sponsored Nick for membership, and encouraged Nick to attend after meeting him at a Swallowship event.  Nick is a chiropractor in Eden Prairie.  While becoming acquainted, Nick learned that Roger’s grandfather was the first sports chiropractor who worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Congratulations and welcome, Nick!  We look forward to learning more about you at an upcoming vocational.
 
 
YOUNGER MEMBER POLICY - NEW INITIATIVE FROM YOUR BOARD
The Board has initiated a new policy to help encourage younger individuals to join Rotary.  For persons up to age 35, and for a maximum of two years, these members will pay full dues, but only pay for those breakfasts they attend, with a required 50% participation rate.  Many younger persons interested in Rotary have found the annual costs to be prohibitive, so this change is to help remove that barrier from Rotary membership for new, younger members.
 
 
HAPPY FINES
  • Dave Anderson noted that Jared Chester was up front with the children during St. Andrew’s Christmas pageant. (Jared’s son was the pageant director, so he was offering moral support, according to Jared).
  • Dan O’Brien’s son-in-law was recently signed by the Twins! Congratulations!!
  • Elaine Larabee and family travelled to Phoenix to spend the holiday with Kevin’s mother and sister.  Her son, Joey, was just accepted to Colorado College—Dad, Kevin’s alma mater.  Congrats!
  • Craig Blixrud was happy to have two of his children at Rotary this morning, and offered that son, Alex, is looking for a summer job.