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 March 17, 2021 - President Chris Carr called the next weekly meeting by Zoom video for March 17, 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
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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
Called to Order by Presiding Officer, Chris Carr at approximately 7:30 a.m. after Mike Glover’s short overview of the Trial of Derek Chauvin. Jennifer St. Clair rang the Rotary Bell.
Guests
Mary Lahammer, political reporter with TPT.
Invocation
Ron U.
Pledge
Karen H. filling in for Scott Nagel
4-Way Test
Sam S.
Rotary Minute
Letter to Editor in March Issue of Rotarian. Writer from Miami hosted student from India. Over course of 3 weeks during pandemic calls from other parents trying to get their students home. Rotarian in Miami picked up students fed them, and then got them to the airport to return home overseas. Speaks volumes of the the values and integrity of Rotary members.
From Cathy C. - March 10, 2021, TRULY A ROTARY MINUTE
In the March issue of Rotary there is a letter to the Editor. It truly defines the character of Rotary.
The letter writer shared a recent experience that made me so proud, but wouldn’t have expected less.
The writer is a past president of the Rotary Club of Miami and once hosted a Rotary Exchange student from India, which was one country I also did the same, so it rather struck a note with me.
She shared that over the course of three weeks during the coronavirus pandemic last spring she received desperate calls from three host parents who were trying to make airline reservations for their students – who were from Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru – to return home. The Miami airport had flights to those South American countries, but unfortunately, the students’ connecting flights required an overnight stay in Miami.
This Rotarian volunteered to pick up the students, take them to her home, and return them to the airport the next day. Mindful of the virus, she sprayed their suitcases with a disinfectant, washed their clothes as they showered, fed them dinner, and prepared her guest room. Got them to bed, and then up at 5 a.m., gave them a quick breakfast, gave them snack bags and headed back to the airport. The students were delightful as they shared stories of their time with their host families and the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Of course she got heartfelt things from the students, their parents, and their host families, but she found pleasure in being part of their final leg of their Rotary Exchange journey.
And she closed with “This is what Rotary is all about”.
Announcements
Alexa R. – Tim Murphy had heart attack over the weekend, had three stents put, put in drug induced coma, but still in significant distress. Road to recovery is anticipated to be long. Prayers every day at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Ron U. – Acknowledgement for Chris Carr’s excellent interview with the Sun Sailor. A good boost for the club.
Patti S. – reminded club about the Rotary Magic show for Thursday, March 11.
Chris C. – discussed upcoming Polar Plunge.
Lenny N. – Polio Plus has raised to date $4129.50. Fundraiser goes until April, looking to get to approximately $4500 or more.
Happy Bucks
Bill S. - $20 for membership meeting, trip to Mexico, family recognition.
Sam S. - Happy to receive 2d shot and heading to Arizona to visit family. First time to visit father since December or 2019.
Alexa – 73 cents for Anne.
Darlene E. – last therapy appointment at Courage Center; got J & J shot on Sunday.
Floriane N. – support for Tim Murphy; received her first COVID shot in Rwanda.
Lenny N. – Grandaughter will be 16 this Sunday; spouse recovering from slip/fall and broken wrist.
Char M. – Training for St. Patrick’s Day $17 bucks.
Jacob M. – Happy for speaker Mary Lahammer.
Jerald S. – good membership meeting; for Tony Newman being interviewed as part or Jerald’s son’s documentary.
Mary S. – Happy for second COVID shot.
Bob H. - Happy to have Mary Lahammer as speaker.
Ann W. – happy for weather of past weekend.
Ron U. – got to visit with grandson he has not seen in a while due to pandemic.
Frank B. – Acknowledgement of Cornell University and Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a Cornell alum along with Frank.
Chris C. – $11 Nate R. running meeting while Chris’ family is out of the country; one for meeting in Cabo; St. Patrick’s Day recognition since Chris is 2% Irish.
Program
Speaker/Program: Mary Lahammer, political reporter with TPT; introduced by Jacob M.
Ms. Lahammer has deep roots in the western suburbs. Her father, also a political reporter is her mentor.
Interesting issues this legislative session:
Two former Iron Range Democrats now caucusing with Republicans
There is a large rookie class with increase in the number of women and persons of color in the legislature. As a result nearly every piece of legislation will be reviewed through a lens of equity and equality.
Minnesota is the only legislature in the entire nation, state or federal with a split legislature requiring that all legislation will have to be passed on a bipartisan basis including the budget. Minnesota currently has a budget surplus.
Issues the legislature will address:
Law enforcement
Tax conformity with the U.S. Tax Code
Schools and sports.
While it was seen as unlikely a short time ago, it now appears the legislature will approve recreational marijuana.
Ms. Lahammer then took questions from the audience.
Next Meeting
March 17, 2021 at 7:30 a.m. by Zoom.
Adjournment
The meeting was then adjourned at 8:30 a.m.
Member Submissions
1. 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
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.
2. From Nancy D. - Minnetonka Rotary Foundation meeting February 2, 2021 - Community updates from ICA, Resource West, and Relate Counseling
MRF had an opportunity to hear from Dan Narr, Executive Director of ICA Food Shelf, Tarrah Palm, Executive Director of Resources West, and Becky McNattin of Relate Counseling during our monthly meeting. The information they shared was sobering but also presents a challenge to us.
From Dan Narr: ICA has ample food supplies and is doing another mass food distribution on Feb 20. They have great volunteer support. They are ordering more food from Great Harvest and other suppliers as food rescue using volunteers is much more challenging in these times. Rent and utility assistance requests are up 800%. ICA receives assistance from Hennepin County and the City of Minnetonka but the City of Hopkins has no further funds. Clients are looking for employment assistance and there is a FT employment counselor on staff. Any job leads would be greatly appreciated.
From Tarrah Palm: The pandemic crisis and its fallout highlights problems that were already present. RW is helping families new to the system navigate options including unemployment insurance. Government safety nets are not enough to meet the need. Families will take years to get back to their “normal.” Academic support for students is crucial. Helping families stay in stabile housing is critical.
From Beck McNattin: Relate Counseling had planned for an increase in services prior to the pandemic. Since schools are meeting virtually, teachers are less able to see the needs of students and referring for help. They have expanded their program to 6 school districts (was 3) and are using more interns to meet needs. They are working to help families access health insurance but no one is turned away for lack of funds. All therapies are delivered virtually – office, home, or front seat of a car.
Following these presentations, MRF voted to create a $6000 challenge grant for Empty Bowls. This annual event benefits both ICA and Resource West and they can jointly decide how best to use the funds. We will address issues raised by Relate Counseling at our March 16 meeting.
Club Information
Minnetonka Rotary Club
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
