Please send your Happy Buck and Polio Pitcher donations to Mac H. as follows:
Mac Hardin
Minnetonka Rotary Club
12926 Rutledge Circle
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Rotary International Foundation
Please send your end of year donations to Chris Rosenlund as follows:
Chris Rosenlund
8672 Meadowvale Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:30.
Guests
Our speakers today,
Rena Youngquist, Jasper Haskins and Karmynn Alexander, with Hearo Band;
2 guests who are looking at our club Olivia Stansberry and Ric Nelson;
Dana Anderson from Team Tucker; and,
Mary Timmons, Asst. Governor with District 5950.
Invocation
By Frank B. - the Artemis space capsule went behind the moon, and the 4 astronauts were as far from earth as any human has ever been. The views of Mother Earth were spectacular, but they are on their way back home. We are all getting some perspective on what a beautiful planet/home we have.
Pledge
Everyone.
4-Way Test
Everyone.
International Theme
Unite for Good.
Paul Harris Awards
None this week.
Announcements
Bill S. - our annual Club Event is on May 5 at The Bear Cave. Bill wants each of us to supply 2 names with emails to invite. Our next planning meeting will be on April 20 at The Bear Cave. We will start assembling volunteer duties for this fun night.
Bob H. and Alexa R. - Our Highway 7 clean-up was planned for Saturday May 9, but the hot news today is that the Postal Service Food Drive is also planned for May 9. That is a fixed date, but we may do both, because the food help is much heavier in the afternoon. We may choose a different date for Highway 7. Stay tuned for more clarity on these 2 events dates.
Beth Y. - the Visioning Effort for our club is ongoing with a committee. The entire club may begin to have some input once the details start to settle. Also, there will be a social opportunity at the Gopher Ace Hardware store near Ridgedale on April 21 from 6:00 to 7:30. Contact Beth for more details.
James W. - the MS 150 2-day bike ride is planned for June 13-14, and they are seeking riders, volunteers, and donations. Also, there will be a 10-mile practice ride coming up on Sat April 11. Also, James said he and his family are volunteering to house an exchange student for a 3 month stay, and North Star still needs another 2 families to house the other months.
Nancy D. - Our club did win a slot in the Community Garden Lots process. So, we will start the process of tilling and planting and tending. All the proceeds will go to ICA as we harvest later on.
Annika - The Club Women’s night out is coming up on May 13 at Station Pizza in the Mtka Mills area.
Ron U. - read a few thank-you notes from recipients from our foundation.
New Member Induction
None this week.
Rotary Minute
None this week.
Raffle
Char M.'s ticket was drawn, but uncertain of any cash going her way.
Foundation Award Checks or Thank Yous
Char M. introduced Dana Anderson from Team Tucker, accepting a $1500 grant from our club foundation. She told us how they help support kids in tough family times with money, gifts and help. They have 214 families in Team Tucker, and Amy from Kiddie Wampus is VERY generous with gifts, wrapping, and staff help with over 60 of those families. TT even helped with many families getting to and from, as they were afraid to be out in public earlier this year. They will have their annual gala at Maetzold Field in Hopkins on Sept 12.
Happy Bucks
Lenny N. - a bunch of Mtka Rotarians at the Twins home opener, and for a visit to Ohio to see Mom and Dad.
Bill S. - for Easter at Annika’s home as she hosted both sides of the family.
Terry J. - for the beautiful sound of birds singing in the Spring.
Tracie S. - she’s happy to hear that our club has a Pottery studio, and she’s eager learn more and start creating.
Ryan R. - for 10 days in Florida with family. Also, his daughter will be a counselor at the Rotary sponsored Camp Riley event coming up soon.
Ann W. - thanks for Mike filling in to lead the Rotary By-Laws effort, as Ann’s back was not in a cooperative mood.
Char M. - for 12 kids with her for Easter, and for some fun things for them from Kiddie Wampus.
Tony N. - his daughter has been accepted to Medical School in or near Chicago.
Amy S. - for her two kids, one for an internship in Manhattan, and the other for going to law school, where a stipend will cover a lot towards her degree.
Bob H. - for terrific service at Jerald’s auto body, for an upcoming trip for golf with old friends at Hilton Head, and for a very attentive grandson Nolan who reminded Bob not to hog his new baby brother Louis from the other grandparents.
Ron U. - for a dad joke about the real home of Jesus.
Mary Timmons - from the District. She tells us that we are well known as a strong club in the district. We are generous with $, our time, and our leadership. She says were lucky to have Alexa as a member. People are joining Rotary, chiefly as a happy place to be with friends, in addition to our Service above Self. Mary says we should say HAVE FUN as the 5th rule of the 4-Way Test. Thanks for coming, Mary.
(I may have missed 1 or 2 happy bucks; they were coming fast; ed).
Program
Speakers; the above mentioned 3 Mtka HS seniors with their HEARO BAND project. Many, many people wear hearing aids, and one of the students has a significant need. It’s a problem to keep them secure, safe from damage especially in sports. This group of 5 students, (Matthew and Jacob not here today) is starting a business to make and promote protective headbands while wearing hearing aids. Their motto is Hear Without Fear.
They have been busy with exposure on Shark Tank, the Vantage program, Children’s Hospital Audiology, Closing the Gap Conference, and the Minnesota Cup of the Carlson School, where their product will get exposure. They have gone through the R and D phase in MN and TX and now a start-up in June.
Their key word ‘Passion’ is at the center 3 other key words; Inspiration, Innovation, and Resilience. New designs and products are coming along. Many questions and ideas how are club members might offer some help filled the room.
Thank you all (5) for your creativity and dedication to serve this population. There are so many more aids, and ‘buds’ wearers that the sky seems to be the limit. Congratulations on your enterprise.
Adjournment
Submitted by Bob H.
Member Submissions
From Mark Marlin:
Dear Friend,
Every day, children, teens, young adults, and their caregivers are learning how to carry the weight of grief while finding their way forward.
At The Grief Club of Minnesota, we witness their courage as they share their stories, support one another, and rediscover hope. As we reach more grieving kids and families, our community continues to come together in meaningful ways to surround them with care and support.
Because of the generosity of those who believe in our mission, all services are provided by skilled licensed counselors at no cost to the families we serve, helping remove barriers to high quality mental health care.
In this edition of The Club Connection, we’re sharing what’s coming up, including our summer grief camp, school staff trainings, upcoming golf event, community gatherings, and ways to get involved.
Whether you are a grieving family, community partner, supporter, or sponsor, we invite you to be part of the healing.
All Star Day Grief Camp
This popular camp for grieving youth blends counselor-led support with engaging, camp-style fun. The morning centers on reflection and connection, while the afternoon features “All-Star” outdoor activities and inspiring athlete stories. Campers build coping skills and form meaningful peer connections in a supportive environment.
Hit the course for a great cause! Gather colleagues, friends, or neighbors for a round of golf, lunch, fun games, and prizes while supporting grieving kids and families across Minnesota. Your participation helps create connection, and hope for families navigating the death of a loved one.
Sponsorships and Foursomes are available and selling fast!
The pizza truck is coming to our parking lot! Join us for a relaxed evening of fresh, wood fired pizza, games, connection, and community. Grief Club families are invited to bring loved ones, community members are welcome to join us, and learn more about how we support grieving kids and families.
In response to growing requests from school communities, The Grief Club of Minnesota will offer two trainings designed to help school staff strengthen their ability to support grieving students. Led by founders Cara Mearns-Thompson and Sarah Kroenke, who bring more than 50 years of combined experience, the sessions will share practical strategies for responding to student grief and fostering supportive school environments.
Mark your calendar for an inspiring evening celebrating hope, connection, and the power of community, all in support of vital grief resources for children and families. We will be accepting sponsorships along with live and silent auction donations to help make this meaningful event possible.
All are invited to an evening of reflection, love, and light as we gather to remember family and friends who have gone before us and honor those who have supported us along our grief journey.
The evening will feature a dedication program, outdoor tree lighting, music, mingling, warm beverages, sweet treats, and cookie decorating.
We are grateful to be a trusted resource for providers and partners throughout the state who support families navigating grief.
There are many ways to receive support and to offer it to others. Whether you attend an event, become a sponsor, share our mission, or make a gift, you help ensure that no one has to navigate grief alone.
Thank you for being part of a community that shows up with compassion when it matters most!
With hope, Sarah Kroenke Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Grief Counselor The Grief Club of Minnesota
From Alexa R. -
From Frank B. -
Frank, I wanted to follow up and say THANK YOU for the opportunity to present this morning. Shannon and I had a great time and we really appreciated the engaging questions afterwards. We can tell you have a thoughtful and passionate group which is what is needed to drive community impact! You inspired us to check out our own communities' local Rotary chapters.
I wanted to follow up with a few resources from our presentation today since members were requesting more information and we didn't have our business cards on hand. If you are open to it, do you mind sharing the following resources with your members so that they can reach out with their follow ups? A few members that we spoke to afterwards are so well connected in relevant statewide organizations, we would love to connect and get further information!
