Meeting Minutes - Bob H.
Meeting called to order by Pres Alisa at 7:30 AM.
Guests
James Walton, who’s been here several times, and has now submitted an application to join us. Hooray!
Amy Rogers, a frequent visitor, recovering from knee surgery.
Tracy from Carpet 1, who’s also been here a few times.
Invocation
Invocation by Mac. H. Praying in public isn’t common, but we do it in Rotary every week. Prayer is simple; tell God what we have; and what we want . We are grateful for the long time work and friendships in this club and we humbly ask to continue serving our community and the world, through Rotary.
Pledge
Everyone.
4-Way Test
Everyone.
International Theme
Everyone. “The Magic of Rotary”
Paul Harris Awards
None this week.
Announcements
Mark Marlin - Summer Fest is coming up on June 28, and we are quite short of volunteers. We need help at all shifts. Go to our website, click on the calendar and pick one, or more, shifts to serve. The event is at Mtka City Hall from 4:00 to 10:00.
Cathy C. - Pizza Night at Mark Magney’s home on Thursday, July 19 at 5:00. A $25/person donation is asked, unless you pre=paid by buying in at last year’s Links and Libations. Mark’s address is; 21195 Radisson Road, Excelsior MN . It’s right near the Christmas Lake and Highway 7 stoplight.
Mike G. - Our main fundraiser, Links and Libations will be on Thursday, Sept 11. This is an All Hands on Deck event. Many volunteers are needed, especially for publicity, social media, and silent auction Sponsors are needed and a vibrant interest in selling raffle tickets. Next meeting on Monday, June 23 at Tuttle’s Bowling.
Bob H. - he’s playing golf on Friday, June 20 for Tee it Up for the Troops. He’ll play from dawn to dark, and will match any club donations. This event will support wounded veterans with many needs Several gave today, and you can call Bob if you’re interested. 952-484-5065.
Chris Rosenlund - Our Rotary International Foundation (RIF) annual donation will end in a few days. It appears we will meet our goal. Contact Chris to make sure you’re IN (Every Rotarian Every Year) to be counted for 2024/25.
New Member Induction
None this week.
Rotary Minute
None this week.
Raffle
A sure win today by Jennifer. She had 20 tickets for only 11 cards. Over $100 went her way today.
Foundation Award Checks or Thank You's
None this week.
Happy Bucks
Annika S. - for her bachelorette party coming up at a cabin ‘Up North’ The wedding is sometime in August.
Mac - for a recent trip to Florida, St. Pete/Clearwater Beach to be exact.
James Walton; he’s been involved with a fundraiser (EMS 150?) for 9 years. They raised $11,000 this year. Also, looking forward to seeing James on a regular basis; his Mtka Rotary application is in the works!
Mark Marlin - home from a Europe trip with 16 Rotarians and International service projects. They saw 9 countries. Also, Mark officially retired. Congrats on all of that.
Jennifer S. - $25 back to the club for her raffle win, and a family trip in Italy and Croatia. Also, she had a memorial for her mother in Illinois, and her final rest is in Minnesota this week. Our condolences, Jennifer.
Glen J. - for some time at the cabin with family. The grandsons in the car quieted down quickly after a risk of fines was issued.
Jim M. - his 2 sons are now in Spain visiting their sister.
Cathy C. - recent eyelid surgery has left her a little puffy. The eyelash irritation should be much improved.
Lenny N. - he’ll be going on an Alaska cruise with family soon.
Ron U. - he and Mary celebrated their ‘Annual Anniversary’ with an option for renewal” 35th this year. He showed a video of he and Mary mentoring at Forest Hills school, and some love from the kids. Congratulations on the anniversary and the mentoring.
Program
Frank Babka and Anne Wengronowitz gave their vocationals today.
Frank Babka.
Frank reminds us to become our best selves, everyone else is already taken; what is significant and unique about you?
Frank comes from descendants of early Pioneers. He grew up in a few rural M idwestern towns, and schooling was all very good. He described the many jobs of his first 37 years; farm and ranches, his family publishing business.
He began dispatching semi-trucks, which led to 14 years at Cargill. These were very hectic, long days, and often 7 days/week. He was an agri-business transportation specialist, with trains and ships.
His family business was sold, and Frank was able to choose between Cargill and Philanthropy. At a young age, he retired and he chose to give back in a big way. Since 1998, Frank has devoted himself to donating and also hands-on work with countless organizations, both home and abroad.
Most of his work is with small, well-led companies, whom he knows personally. They are creative and efficient, and he knows his generosity will be used very close to home. The areas of interest with Frank are education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, housing, environment, human rights. He is most-supportive of low income needs; the very basics of life both local and world-wide.
Frank has volunteered as a speaker at over 180 schools and 3000 talks. He is a literacy tutor and English Iinstructor. A large interest of Frank is CARE; he attends the annual meeting, and has been in over 25 countries , and he helps on the ground as well as financially. He has consulted at both the state and federal level, as an advocate for child and maternal health.
Frank gets his Rotary background from his father, and he credits our club as a wonderful way to find what’s going on around us. He finds time to play the drums at local bars and other spots.
Wow, Frank! What a great choice you made at age 37, and the good you have done all these years. You are an inspiration for us to ‘find our best selves’ and make the most of our talents. Thank you, we’re very glad you’re one of us.
Ann Wengronowitz.
As a Charter Member of our club in 1989 or so, Ann has given her vocational a few times before. She chose to do a slide show of the important people and places in her life.
The most recent photos show of her 43rd wedding anniversary with Jon, her 2 daughters Angela and Jessica, and her 2 grandchildren, Luke and Lauren.
She preceded those with pictures of her birth family, where she was one of 9 siblings. As both of here parents are of similar family sizes, the list of cousins and in-laws is almost countless. The modeling she received form her parents was of always being involved in the community in some way.
Ann has been a financial planner with Northstar and created her own business called Confidaire. She and her associate Emily now have a group of 6 or 7. Ann is involved with that. but also finds time for some travel.
Photos of Hawaii, NYC, Arizona and life at their cabin were plentiful, with her favorite spots she’s been to. She’s met some ‘famous people’ along the way, even Elvis in Branson, MO. Who knew?
As one of our charter members, Ann’s service to our club is deep and long. She was our 5th president and kept us growing in the right direction. There isn’t an area that Ann hasn’t led, including several fundraising chairs.
Both Frank and Ann have given our club terrific leadership in their own personal styles. All of us know and are grateful for that long dedication; the club, and especially you newer members, can look to these two as examples of how our club rolls and what it means to be a Rotarian.
Adjournment
Submitted by Bob H.
Member Submissions
.png)
