Minnetonka Rotary Club
The Spoke
The Spoke
 
Weekly Report
(Various - Photographer)
April 1, 2020
Video Conference Meeting - COVID19 Edition #3
(Mike Glover - Editor)
Editor Notes
 
Reminder - Due to the present public health concerns and Governor Walz Executive Orders regarding social distancing, President Stacey Q. cancelled our in person Wednesday morning weekly meetings until further notice. Ed.
 
April 1, 2020 - President Stacey Q. convened the first video conference member meeting on Wednesday April 1, 2020 at 7:30 a.m.   Approximately 30+ members attended, most with a video link. Ed.
 
Continuing the Spoke - For the near future, in the absence of reporting on weekly meetings, The Spoke will instead feature weekly member submitted notes, comments, thoughts, pictures, ideas and other items focused on Rotary ideals, members activities and community issues.  This includes Happy Bucks (put your dollar in jar to contribute when we meet again soon), announcements, Rotary Minute and other meeting like thoughts.  Please share what you can by sending them to The Spoke editor by email at michaelcglover@comcast.net. You can share anonymously if you like. Let the editor know.
 
"It's more important to be useful than to be important."  Joe Soucheray.
Ed.
 
From the Members
Ron L. with Piper, a dog.
Garden at Nibakure Community Village,  Rowanda. See story below.
Sunshade and picnic area at NCV, Rowanda.  See story below.
 
From the Archives
Exchange students!
Links and Libations 2018
Ann W. and a small child at Unmapped Brewing. 
IMPORTANT UPDATE to Upcoming Events Below
 
Important - Check with meeting leaders to confirm date, time and location information for all events below. 
 
Upcoming Events
BOD meeting
Hopkins Commons
Apr 17, 2020
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
 
CANCELLED due to Virus - ICA Foodshelf
ICA-Ktel site
Apr 18, 2020
11:30 AM – 1:45 PM
 
ICA Foodshelf
ICA-Ktel site
May 02, 2020
11:30 AM – 1:45 PM
 
Mtka Foundation Meeting - Call-in
Call-in Number to be provided by Nancy D
May 14, 2020
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
BOD meeting
Hopkins Commons
May 15, 2020
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
 
View entire list
Meeting Report
Welcome
 
President Stacey Q. welcomed everyone to the first, but not last, video conference weekly Minnetonka Rotary Club meeting.  She announced that during the COVID-19 virus and Governor Walz's emergency order(s), the club will postpone in-person meetings. Instead the club will conduct meetings via video conference every week or every two weeks on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 a.m.
 
Invocation
 
Mac H. delivered the invocation.
 
Announcements
 
Mark Magney - Announced Pau, the club's exchange student, return home to Spain on March 29-30, 2020. His trip involved four flights and 24 hours in-transit. Pau notified Mark M. and Carolyn A. that he arrived safely. Pau reports his parents are happy to have him home. 
 
Stacey Q. - The club forwarded approximately $5,700 Funds raised for polio eradication to the Rotary headquarters.
 
Stacey Q.  - Wished Christina L. a happy birthday and get well in the hospital and home as she recovers. See below.
 
Happy Bucks
 
Sam S. - Announced that Ron L. recently had a kidney remove and is recovering at home.  See below.
 
Floriane N. - From Rowanda, updated the club on the status of her school, the government lock down  but she is safe. She prays for this pandemic to go away quickly. See below.
 
Jerald S. - Regina R. is well but staying "hunkered down" at her home.
 
Nancy D. - Reporting in from her car accepting donations for the Hopkins Dow Towers residents.  She announced that MRF approved and delivered an additional $3,000 to IFC.  IFC's Patty S. accepted the gift and applied it toward a multi-thousand dollar matching grant.
 
Stacey Q. - Announced that the MRF and international foundation would meet via phone or video conference and that Ron U. agreed to preside over the cllub's international foundation efforts.
 
Ron U. - Reported on the MRF international projects including a water project in India.  He also remembered the swine flu and the nation's response.  Finally, he reported on a church finding a basement stash of personal protective equipment and donated it all to a local hospital.
 
Bob H. - Informed us he is particpating in an online Bible study class.  He also reported that he broke his ankle while in Arizona, returned home early and is healing. He mentioned his children in Seattle and New York. The situation in New York City is tragic.  He also reported the Hopkins Eye care is "open" for limited services and by appointment.
 
Jennifer S. -  Happily reported her son returned early from his UofM foreign study experience in Spain.  She is thankful to have him home.
 
Nancy D.  - She brought her 94 year old from Rochester home to live with her for the present time.  Anne W. and her husband John will soon be living down the hall after selling their home.
 
Lenny N. - He reports his family in Ohio trying to stay safe.
 
Pete G. - Reported on the continuing health needs and challenges of his daughter in Georgia after suffering a tragic horse riding accident. His wife is living in Georgia to care for her. The health care facility is under lock down as well. 
 
Chris R. - Reported on the Rotary Foundation year end and how members can make their donations on line or by check.  He was happy to see everyone, via video, at this meeting.
 
Mark Marlin - His wife is busy training for local health care professionals.
 
Carolyn A. - Announced her business has been closed for weeks but relayed a story about on a dog saving dog lake rescue.
Continuing Announcements
 
Volunteering - Jennifer S. 
 

There are still opportunities available to engage with our community of nonprofits from a distance.

Below are several links related to the groups we support on a regular basis. 

Resource West:  https://mailchi.mp/0c4687d01ddf/video-message-from-resourcewest-4885606?e=f94320a36d

Loaves and Fishes:  https://loavesandfishes.org/

ICA:  https://www.icafoodshelf.org/

ResourceWest Donate Button

Loaves & Fishes Donate Button

Minnesota Governor Walz - Emergency Executive Order 20-20 Directing Minnesotan to Stay at Home - Ed.
 
Here is a link to what Governor Walz ordered on March 25, 2020 regarding allowed and not allowed activities:
 
 
Relevant to our club, please note section (bb) on page 9 related to "Charitable and social services organizations." 
Member Submissions
 
From Marie Levitus to Nancy D.
 
"Hello Nancy
Thank you for the nice note. Ron is indeed recovering nicely - perfect time to be resting at home with the rest of the world also home.
 
Here's a picture of Ron and his grand dog, Piper [See above. Ed. Piper is from MT and came with our youngest daughter over 2 weeks ago. We are lucky to have both of them here during this time.
 
Stay well and hello to the Rotary family."
 
From Chris R. 
 
"Minnetonka Rotarians!  I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well in isolation.
 
We're nearing the end of the Rotary Year and for those of you who planned to make your donation to Rotary International via check, now's the time to get it in.  So if you can wedge a few minutes in between binge watching Tiger King and Tik Tok Videos (if you haven't downloaded this app yet - you've been warned!), here's how you can get your check in before the deadline:
  • Mail it to me
    • Make your check out to Rotary International Foundation and mail to:
      • 8672 Meadowvale Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
  • Send it directly to Rotary International:
    • Make out your check as above, and put your member # on the memo line
      • The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693
  • Send your contribution electronically, via the Rotary International Website
If you don't know your number, it's on the Minnetonka Rotary website or just email me and I'll get you the correct information.
 
Stay safe and healthy!"
 
From Glenn J. 
 
"The ICA Food Shelf has suspended our volunteering due the virus containment (see below).
 
I have cancelled April’s Saturday Volunteering on our club Calendar.  We will see what May brings.
 
FYI – Your Club has donated an additional $3,000 to ICA along with $8,100 you and the club donated to Empty Bowls.
 
Stay Safe"
 
From Floriane N.
 
"Greetings from Rwanda.  Like the rest of the world, Rwanda is on total  lockdown for the last two weeks.  Schools closed three weeks ago and no one is allowed outside. If one is caught going against government’s instructions without written proof or giving a very good reason, they pay a fine and can be locked up if necessary.  Only a few markets, supermarkets and pharmacies are open.  The police and the military are seriously enforcing the government’s restrictions.  Which is good! Some of the people in the rural areas haven’t understood the seriousness of this pandemic.  It’s actually scary when you see it.
 
At NCV, it’s very quiet.  We had been preparing and working hard to bring the kids back to school this month but with the COVID-19, everything is uncertain now. Only the staff working on the farm (greenhouses, orchard and outdoor vegetables gardens) are working to maintain the crops and  staying onsite. They are not allowed to go outside the compound. We had been growing some wonderful vegetables with the goal to feed nutritious meals to the kids.
 
On the farming side of things, we have lots of good various vegetables growing. Please follow this link to see our farm pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qWTmRsUteKfZrVsa6
Having a very good yield this season on our farm, has a negative and a positive side.  We were prepared to feed the kids very good food from our own yield but now that they are not in school, we have to sell some of the yield to the local market and distribute some to a few of the poor families around our campus. We will probably have to do this distribution even further with this Covid-19.  Many people are starving and have no food.  It’s frightening.   We have lots of African eggplants, cabbage and onions. Two weeks ago, we planted lots of peanuts, lots of beans (3 types) and they are starting to sprout.  It’s good to share with those less fortunate than us. “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”! I will keep you posted on any new development once we know what’s happening with this COVID-19!
 
We have also decided to start a pig farm with two animals hoping to make some good money from them when they start reproducing down the road for sustainability.  As you know, fundraising has become a serious issue for many NGOs.  We are also scrambling to stay afloat.  Here is a link with pictures for our pig farm: https://photos.app.goo.gl/kLX5oXkjv833YHfX9
 
Last but not the least, here is a link also for the playground funded with our club’s help: https://photos.app.goo.gl/egb5R4GwitFDhUEP8
 
I will plan to attend the Zoom meeting. It will be nice to see people on my screen but from 10,000 miles away.
 
Enjoy the pictures!" [See above.  Ed.]
 
From Nancy D.
 
[See below for] a link to .......  Future Roots whom we have supported financially through our Foundation:
 
 
Regarding Christina L.
 
Christina L. recently suffered a fall at home. Unfortunately, her injury required surgery and a short hospital visit. However, she is home now or should be soon.  Please wish her the best with a call, email or card. Ed.
Club Information

Minnetonka Rotary Club

Minnetonka

The Club for Building Responsible Youth
We meet Wednesdays at 7:15 AM
Eisenhower Community Center
1001 Highway 7 in Room 233
( above portico entrance )
Hopkins, MN  55305
United States of America
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