It seems crazy that my term is coming to an end already. Therefore, I want to take a few minutes to reflect on my time as the Minneapolis University Rotary Club president. I did not come into the role under the standard process, as many of you know. There are days I wish I had the chance to go to PET (President-Elect Training) and think more strategically about goals for the club and the mark I wanted to leave on the club during my year as President. But in the end, I wouldn't change anything. I am grateful for the club member's support, I have learned a lot about Rotary and myself, and while it is an evolving process, I think we have grown as a club, and I am thrilled for our June 1st club visioning session.
Some of our journey together was a necessary means to an end, reviewing the RI constitution, updating the club bylaws, and socializing the District's respectful behavioral guidelines. We formalized a new structure to our meeting schedule and worked with the District to secure resources to facilitate a visioning session that will lead to an action plan and a member recruitment strategy. However, some of my fondest memories are our social meetings, getting to learn more about our club members, playing jeopardy to raise funds for our refugee mentorship project, and the times I was able to join club members in person for community services events. I am proud of how our club members continue to step up when needed. I continue to be impressed with the speakers we host; they are inspirational and remind me of the excellent work we can come together and do as we put "service above self."
Thank you to each and every member who helped me learn and grow this year. From the challenges we worked through together to the one-on-one support provided, I cherish each moment and look forward to where the club will go next.
Thank you!
-- Erin
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MURC's Great History of
Supporting Life-Changing Projects
Posted by Lori Simpson
The Minneapolis University Rotary Club has been a small and mighty club since its inception more than 31 amazing years ago, as demonstrated, in part, by its contribution rates and its support of international and community projects, which are proportionally far greater than MURC's size.
Here are some facts about MURC.
--Giving:
MURC's per-capita giving in the last Rotary year, in our District 5950, is among the top five clubs.
MURC currently has eight Paul Harris Fellows, which is 2.4% of all District Fellows, even though MURC has fewer than 1% of the District's members.
--Peace Fellows:
MURC has been a leader in our District in its sponsorship of Peace Fellows.
--Projects and Volunteering:
Here is a sampling of more recent Rotary projects MURC has initiated, supported, or volunteered for:
2008-2009 - Taste of Lake Street Project - Minneapolis
2011-2012 - Minivan/Greenhouse Project - Rwanda
2012-2013 - School Science Project - Minneapolis
2012-2013 - Fence/Internet Project - Rwanda
2013-2014 - Honduras Water Project
2014-2015 - Ann Sullivan School Literacy Project - Minneapolis
2015-2016 - Wakami Village Project – Guatemala
2015-2020 - Cataract Surgery Project - Mexico
2015-2020 - Hearing Clinic Project - Mexico
2016-2017 - Audiology Equipment Project- Chile
2017-2018 - Sanitation Project – Sierra Leon
2019-2020 - Seward Montessori Courtyard - Minneapolis - Health Clinic - South Sudan
2019-ongoing - Volunteering at Feed My Starving Children and Food Shelfs- Minneapolis
2020-ongoing - Food Shelf Drive - Minneapolis
2022-ongoing - Mentor an Afghan Refugee Family - St. Paul
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UPDATE: MURC'S FOOD DRIVE
Posted by Lori Simpson
Food insecurity remains a huge problem for Twin Cities communities. Studies show that one in nine people struggle with hunger in Minnesota; one in six kids go to bed hungry every night; and 1/3 of Minnesotans lack access to healthy foods.
Minneapolis University Rotary Club has made food insecurity a focus of our community service in 2022.
In collaboration with The Food Group Minnesota, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we have established a "Virtual Food Drive" to support the Community Bridge Food Shelf and Simpson United Methodist Church Food Pantry in Minneapolis. Just under $10,000 has been donated to-date!
During May, the Food Group has matching funds available from different providers to support our Virtual Food Drive. Every dollar that we donate will be matched.
In case you missed it: The Food Group was featured on ABC's Good Morning America! Learn how The Food Group is beating inflation by bringing quality, healthy foods into neighborhoods.
All donations to Rotary International's Disaster Response Fund from March 3 to April 30, 2022, have been prioritized for use providing humanitarian aid to regions that are supporting Ukrainian refugees or other victims of the war.
Thanks to the generosity of donors around the world, Rotary International raised more than $15 million in contributions that are helping provide people with essential items such as water, food, shelter, medicine, and clothing.
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Save the Date for District 5950 Governor Lloyd Campbell's Installation
Posted by Lori Simpson
District Governor Lloyd Campbell’s Installation, Saturday, June 11, Rolling Forks Vineyard, Glenwood, MN. Join a group of us for a road trip west to celebrate with other District Rotarians.
MURC has a goal of each member contributing each year.
The current Rotary year ends on June 30th.
If you choose to give, please open an account and
choose the Annual Fund so that your donation is counted
toward MURC's contribution goal.
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The Rotary Club of Edina, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and Rotary District 5950, is hosting this two-part series. This district-wide event will focus on employment, housing, and financial services.
This event is based on an acclaimed 10-part national series entitled “Racism and the Economy,” sponsored and hosted by all 12 banks of the Federal Reserve system (see more about that program and all the videos at https://bit.ly/39Dws8O).
Join The Rotary International Convention in Houston
Posted by Lori Simpson
Discover New Horizons at the Rotary International Convention, Houston, Texas, June 4th -8th.
The event will bring in 20,000 service minded people from all continents and cultures together to share, learn and take action to bring positive and lasting change to communities around the world.
Wallin Education Partners has made a difference in our communities for 30 years, maintaining a commitment to equity in higher education through a unique model that provides financial aid and comprehensive support for students from low-income backgrounds in Minnesota. This commitment is at the center of all they do, and the result is measurable and clear – increased graduation, reduced student loan debt, and entry into meaningful careers.
Two years ago, after the murder of George Floyd, MURC led a collaboration with several other Rotary clubs, our District, and Wallin to create the George Floyd Memorial Rotary Scholarship. As part of the scholarship funding process with our Rotary District 5950, MURC committed to have hands-on involvement with Wallin's activities.
We would like to have a table of ten MURC members and friends attend Wallin's 30th Anniversary event. A table of ten is $1,000, or $100 a person.
Please grab your calendars and mark October 14, 2022, as a date with Wallin!
Please contact Jean Westberg at jwestber1@aol.com to say you'll come
or if you would like more information.
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We are a small and mighty group of local professionals and we are part of a global network of 1.2 million Rotarians.
