Reminder - Due to the present public health concerns and Governor Walz's many Executive Orders regarding physical distancing, our in-person Wednesday morning weekly meetings are moved to Zoom until further notice. Ed.
Member Submissions - See the end of The Spoke.
Next Meeting April 7, 2021 - President Chris Carr called the next weekly meeting by Zoom video for April 7, 2021 at 7:30 a.m. Ed.
Please see Chris Carr's upcoming email with the dial in / login instructions and links. Ed.
New Pictures - Send to michaelcglover@comcast.net . Ed.
From the Members and Archives
Rotary ...
themes from ...
... the past!
IMPORTANT UPDATE to Upcoming Events Below
Important - Check with meeting leaders to confirm date, time and location information for all events below.
Important - Check with meeting leaders to confirm date, time and location information for all events below.
Happy Bucks and Polio Pitcher Donations
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 - Jerald Stiele
Chris called the meeting to order at 7:30 am
Guests
Michael Mader with Hippy Feet.
Invocation
Invocation by Frank B.: Hope and pray that going into 2021 that it’s a good year. Seeing signs of improvements with many challenges ahead.
Pledge
Pledge of Allegiance presented by Bonnie W.
4-Way Test
Four Way Test presented by Mark Magney.
Rotary Minute
Rotary Minute presented by Cathy C.: Rotary International is working on a new vision plan which also leads to the development of a new action plan. This action plan will last through 2024. While demographics and technology has changed, the purpose of rotary is still strong and remains unchanged. With the new plan, we can honor the past and embrace the future. This new plan will guide the mission at the corporate level. At the local level, we are encouraged to create our own aligning auction plan. We have work to do. The world is changing and we must remain relevant and change alongside changing trends.
From Cathy C. - March31, 2021 ROTARY MINUTE
Rotary worked on a new Vision Plan back in 2017, and that led to the development of a new Action Plan that will extend to 2024.
Why? Because the world today is not the same it was when Rotary began in 1905. Demographics have shifted, the pace of change has accelerated, and technology has created new opportunities for connections and service. What hasn’t changed is the need for the values that define Rotary: fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership. RI feels with the new plan, we can honor our past and embrace our future. We can evolve, and keep Rotary relevant and thriving.
RI actually used the input and feedback from Rotary members, former members, Rotaractors, alumni, Youth Exchange students, Rotary staff, and the general public. In all, over one million people across the world were asked to share their insights with the Strategic Planning Committee through surveys and focus groups. The result is a statement that hopefully inspires and engages, while setting the pathway for the future of Rotary. The new Vision and Action plan have been both formally approved by the Rotary Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.
This Action Plan is intended to guide activities at the corporate level, but as clubs and districts are the core of Rotary, we are strongly encouraged to develop our own action plans and align them with RI’s new plan. The world is changing rapidly and to continue to thrive in the years ahead, we must evolve also. This plan is intended to help us honor our past and embrace our future by guiding our organization, members, and supporters towards projects, opportunities, and activities that support our vision. Next week I will share what we are suppose to do to support this new Action Plan.
Announcements
Char M. - $4224.50 for polio! We have until the end of April to make the $5000 which would turn into $15,000.
Alexa R. - Thursday, April 8 - Rotary Social/Networking Event. Saturday, April 10 – in person Rotary Assembly. Saturday, May 1 - District Conference (family friendly.)
Chris Carr - Had board meeting last week. Plenty of money in the bank. Planting the seed – starting to plan hybrid meetings. Stay tuned!
Sara E. - Happy Hour at Tuttle’s, Thursday, April 15 at 5:00 pm.
Nancy D. - Foundation Updates – working on ICA Van.
Bob H. - Center Drug in Hopkins is giving out the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Happy Bucks
Nancy D. - Younger sister who fel and cracked both bones in her wrist has ungone surgery and can now tie her shoe with one hand!
Frank B. - Has lived in present apartment for over 25 years. They are replacing patio windows – lots of hammering. Was a blueberry farm beforehand. Loves his place!
Mac H. - Tony helped him get a new battery in his car. Changing the battery is the last thing Mac can still do by himself on his car.
Char M. - Second vaccine yesterday! Everything was organized and went smoothly!
Bob H. - Battery from Tony about four weeks ago. Didn’t have skill level like Mac to put it in himself 12. And, played golf this past Monday!!
Cathy C. - Today at noon, Cathy gets her second vaccine! Granddaughter had it two weeks ago and has had a tough time – deep sleep.
Bill S. - Completely clean – has had both shots!
Ann W. - First vaccine last Friday. The end is in sight. Covid sucks!
Sam S. - Having lunch with Lenny Newman later today. 42nd anniversary of his blind date yesterday 12.
Lenny N. - Having lunch with Sam Stern. Lenny and his wife getting his second Covid shot next week. Baseball opens up Friday!
Mike G. - ICA had their mobile giveaway last Saturday. Was very well organized and gave out food to just about 300 people.
Ron U. - Wondering if there is anything to clean up on Hwy 7 since no cars this past year. Ha ha.
Patti S. - Report on Gethsemane food distribution -just under 300 cars/people served and over 14,000 pounds of food given out! Heading to California later today for some girl time with sister, daughter and daughter’s friend.
Chris Roselund - Made another trip around the sun yesterday! Son had surgery and getting back in shape to head to Canada to play hockey. Going on a road trip to visit his brother.
Program
Michael Mader with Hippy Feet.
In 2015, Michael was going into his senior year of college. Michael was your traditional college student who didn’t necessarily prioritize college. Went to school to get a degree, get a job and make money. In October 2015, he suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a longboard accident. This forced him to drop out of school and he could no longer provide for himself. He literally needed help with everything. This made him realize that if he didn’t have this support system, he could have ended up homeless.
Michael wanted to take his good fortune and create something to give back. He started writing a business plan for a sock company with a “buy one, give one” concept. He went to his college advisor who told him to drop out of school – that there was no way could he start a business and finish school. He then went to another professor who helped him. This professor encouraged him to enter the “Wisconsin Big Idea” tournament and – he won! He won $27,000 in seed funding for his new business. He also graduated college that spring.
Michael (ed.) later met Sam who was on Love Your Melon’s board. They kept talking and has now been Michael’s business partner for five years. Together, they launched Hippy Feet in 2016 – just 11 months after his accident. Michael spend many hours working to get into the market going to countless trade shows, outdoor markets and anywhere they could get exposure. They gave out 20,000 pair of socks and then wondered if they were really doing enough. He wanted to work with homeless youth and give them employment opportunities. Worked with YouthLink and began to employee youth facing homeless between the ages of 16-24. They focus on youth because they are living through the “opportunity zone” and hopefully stop the cycle with employment. On average, Minnesota has approximately 19-20k people experiencing homelessness every night with over 50% of those being youth.
One year ago, Hippy Feet had approximately 10 days on money left and were close to having to declare bankruptcy. In March, they realized they needed more products to offer. They started selling hand-beaded friendship bracelets at $25 and sold over 2000 over seven month. This kept them afloat. They have also starting making custom socks. When the pandemic hit, they lost 13 accounts. Thankfully the new products helped them turn their business around and even grow by 115%. They are currently focusing their efforts on e-commerce. Their goal is to double their business
over this next year.
Questions:
Ron U. – What are your other products? Spring/Summer release of new ankle socks and floral socks. All products: https://hippyfeet.com/collections/all. Use the code Behippy10 to get 10% off your order.
Frank B. – Where did you grow up? Born in Minneapolis, grew up in Woodbury. Spent a lot of time out in Afton. Loves to trout fish.
Patti S. – How is the business set up? General Benefit Corporation. Allows you to focus on mission over profits.
Next Meeting
April 7, 2021 at 7:30 a.m. by Zoom.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:30.
Member Submissions
1. From Alexa R. - Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Speaker - Dr. Michael Osterholm - April 15
Hi all! Registration is now open for the joint meeting of the Eden Prairie Noon and AM clubs April 15 at noon. We’re excited to welcome Dr. Michael Osterholm as our special speaker. As you may know, Dr. Osterholm leads the Institute of Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and was a member of President Biden’s COVID-19 Transition Advisory Committee.
2. From Patti S. and Ron U. - Fundraising - Entertainment Package
Tickets: All links can be found right on the club’s website: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3776. You just have to scroll down a bit and hit the “read more” button. All the link are then displayed.
Stevie Ray’s Improv Comedy Show All done. 5 stars!
February 11, 2021 | 7-8 pm
A whole hour of interactive family fun and laughter.
Spend an hour with Certified Meditation and Mindfulness teacher, Betsy Weiner as she guides you to bring more peacefulness, calm, and relaxation to your life.
All levels welcome and no prior experience necessary.
3. From Alexa R. - April 28, 2021 for a Webinar - Protecting the Environment – Opportunities for Rotary and the Planet
Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment.
We are committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. We empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
Please join us on April 28, 2021 for a Webinar - Protecting the Environment – Opportunities for Rotary and the Planet
Join us for a webinar featuring Ian Riseley, Past Rotary International President in 2017-18, and chair of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Environmental Issues Task Force. He will share some of the background behind the decision for the Environment becoming Rotary’s new area of focus. Ian will inspire us with ideas for impactful and sustainable projects to protect the Environment.
Karen Kendrick-Hands, co-founder, past-chair, and projects director for the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), will discuss how Rotary’s newest cause, the Environment, creates opportunities for Rotary and the planet. She will review the eight action themes of Rotary’s TRF Policy Statement for Protecting the Environment, including which activities are fundable with Global Grants, and which are NOT. This is the practical information that YOU will need to plan successful environmental projects
Where?
Virtual Webinar Hosted by:
Rotary Zones 25B & 29 Regional Rotary Foundation Team
Registration is required, The link for the webinar will be sent out to all registered attendees one week before the event, one day before the event, and one hour before the event
