Minnetonka Rotary Spoke - June 24, 2020 (Jun 25, 2020)

Meeting Minutes - Nate R.

President Stacey Quinn / Passing of the Gavel

7:30 a.m. – meeting called to order and presided by our very own Stacey Quinn.

Invocation

Ann W. - a prayer of COVID healing

Pledge

Alex F.

4-Way Test

Jacob M.

Rotary Theme

This year’s International Theme – Rotary Connects the World.

Next year’s International Theme – Rotary Opens New Opportunities.

Guests

Alissa Silva to join us as a club member – welcome!

Announcements

Stacey Q. - Stacey’s recap of final/June BOD meeting, changes in committee members.

Alexa R. - Invitation to watch DG Tom Gump’s installation. (See below. Ed.)

Rotary Minute

Cathy C. - What is Books for Africa? It is the largest shipper of donated books to the continent of Africa. Our club works with the satellite facility in St. Paul, MN, but the main facility is in Atlanta, GA. Shipping the books in massive containers is very cost efficient to deliver millions of dollars in valuable books. Frank Babka’s input as our club leader in this effort – joined in Spring 1999, has been to Africa with the BFA organization to see our work in action.

From Cathy C. -

"What is Books For Africa? How do you answer that one?

First it is the largest shipper of donated books to the African continent. One Books

For Africa Ambassador Circles’ board member, Sir Emeka Offer’s own foundation has provided more that $1.3 million to BFA over the past several years to send well over 1 million books to schools, libraries, and universities in Nigeria and across Africa.

Books for Africa is celebrating its 31^st anniversary with 50 million books sent to Africa, and Rotarians have been instrumental in that growth and effort.

Our own Frank Babka has been the chair of our Rotary club’s efforts to help fill those shipping containers of donated books – 35,000 books in those containers, valued at $250,000. And yet the cost is between $12-$14,000.00 per container.

Books for Africa has also equipped 100 law libraries at top universities across Africa.

And yes, we have Rotarians working at the other end to ensure those deliveries."

Special Presentation of Paul Harris Fellows w/ Chris R.

Jennifer S. – new

Terry S. +1

Mary T. +3

Bill S. +3

Rick E. +5

Ryan J. +5

Nancy D. +6

Jerald S. +8

Happy Currency / Happy Bucks

Bill S. - for Alissa’s intent to join and for Stacey’s presidential year.

Darlyne E. - 26 bucks for 26 days since her bicycle crash and injuries, still recovering well!

Bob H. - 18 bucks for being “dangerously close” to retirement, but recently started a virtual panel with 18 vision-impaired clients to share experiences and ask questions.

Bob F. - 5 bucks for having his grandkids in town this past week.

Alexa R. - happy to be in ND has kids and nieces & nephews together, dad Milo to help the kids build regulation size cornhole/beanbag games. Also happy for Stacey’s presidential year.

Frank B. - happy his internet came back and able to join us. Going to Monterey, CA to visit his mother.

Jennifer S. - also happy for Stacey’s presidential year.

Betsy W. - happy for niece’s 1-year mark of sobriety.

Karen H. - 25 bucks for Stacey’s year, sad to be in and out of attendance, but happy to be able to care for her ailing parents.

Ann W. - pouring it on for Stacey’s year, glad to see the kids/grandkids for the first time since January with the virus.

Ron U. - happy that after 30 years he has purchased a new bicycle – hold on Ron!

Christine L. - 10 bucks for Stacey’s year, broken leg update – broken leg now 1.5 inches shorter than other leg, will need raised shoe to compensate, but doing well and still recovering!

Chris Carr - spending the 4^th at DL with friends and family.

Stacey Q. - also for her year and service to Rotary.

Program - Recap of Stacey’s year / passing of the gavel

Bob H. gave recap of our Polio Plus efforts this year including our Grand Slam Twins’/Target Field tour with Jerald’s tailgating hosting.

Rotarian of the Year Award to Bob Hersman! Bob is very honored and speechless, very much enjoys his Rotary golf swag gifts.

Heartfelt thank you to all the board members and committee chairs & members for their contributions throughout the year. [Reporter Nate note: internet connectivity issues during this, couldn’t recap all this fully, sorry!]

Stacey e-passed the gavel to our next president Chris Carr, thereby becoming a “Past-President”.

Next Meeting

Next meeting's program preview – week #1 with President Chris Carr the mortgage guy *gulp*.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned by Stacey at 8:30 a.m. and members go about their Rotarian ways!

Respectfully submitted by Nate R.

The Club for Building Responsible Youth