The Spoke

Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order by President Ron at 7:30 AM

Guests

Our speaker today, Ben Bauer, and a friend with him, Josh Reimnitz, with Breakthrough.

Invocation

Invocation by Jerald - He admits to the week getting off to an ‘imperfect ‘start, with no cream cheese for the bagel, no favorite coffee, snow on the way; BUT, we’re honoring Presidents this week, and we have much to be thankful for. With an assist from Gemini AI, we are grateful for our club, for our diversity and talents, for perspective and opportunities, and friendships. Let us be mindful of our blessings and sharing them with each other.

Pledge

Everyone.

4-Way Test

Everyone.

International Theme

Unite for Good. 

Paul Harris Awards

None this week.

Announcements

Tony N. - a word that Kathy Feste is improving nicely from surgery, and doing great with cardio-therapy. 

Jerald S. - The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics is upcoming on March 14. We now have 5 sponsors who will donate $50 for each team member. We could use a few more plungers, who in turn will find their own sponsors. If  2026 raised funds approach other years, Jerald’s team will be at $100,000 in total contributions. That’s a BIG wow!.

Bob H. - The Marsh/ Rotary Blood Drive is on March 6. Some are already signed in. Look for the email from Mike G, with the attachment of 3 ways to sign up. Blood donations have had a history of students donating as a group. It’s a fact that some of us cannot give, but we can all search out friends and neighbors, who ask their people to join us on March 6. Let’s make our goal, with The Marsh, of 50 pints.

Alexa R. - look to a fun Bingo Night out on March 24 from 6-7:30. It’s at Fat Pants Brewery in Eden Prairie.

Ron U. and Pete G. - The Prior Lake Rotary is looking for about 10 volunteers for their HUGE Fundraiser this summer. It’s a PAID position for our club foundation. You can go on-line for details, but the actual sign-up doesn’t open until April 26.

New Member Induction      

Rotary Minute

None this week.

Raffle

The winning ticket was held by our speaker, Ben, AND he drew the Joker for the Win!

Foundation Award Checks or Thank Yous

None this week.

Happy Bucks

Nancy D. - she received a surprise message for a former club President, Stacey Quinn. She was in town, meaning that she may have moved away some time ago.

Phil H. - happy for a daughter and family skiing in the Pacific NW. 60 degrees, but snow arrived later.

Mark Magney - also skiing with his many years friends despite 73 degrees! in Montana. Snow also showed up later with his family in Missoula.

Brad our speaker who promptly donated his Raffle winnings! Nice words for our club

Lenny N. - for time spent with his 87 and 85 year-old parents. Doing well and living in their own home in Ohio. Also, Twins opening day is March 26, Home opener is April 3. (I didn’t hear any comment on Pablo Gomez is out for the season; certainly not a happy buck).

Ann W. - at home recovering from back surgery; she had a nice stroll to the mailbox and back. Baby steps, Ann.

Alexa R. - for a time-sensitive lunch with Lenny (busy guy!) for Ben being here as our speaker, and for Andy and Dr. Carter serving as mentors at a S.T.E.M. program.

Program  

Speaker today; Ben Bauer, a 20+ Rotarian from Marshfield WS. Ben carries a lot of Rotary water as a past District Governor, a trainer of incoming D.G.’s, and serves as director of the Rotary Brand Center; he is the de facto the public image coordinator for Rotary. He is a long-time and frequent blood donor, and at the rarified air of 15+ gallons! 120 pints at such a young age.

Ben feels Rotary is a group of friends trying to make the community and the world a better place. In it, he helps make lasting changes for others and in himself.  Ben found his sweet spot in Rotary by first starting to help at a Camp RYLA meeting. He loves youth leadership, has been a counselor and is involved with THRIVE. Talk about Building Responsible Youth!

Brad discussed 4 main areas in his work with Rotary imaging work.
1. BRANDS; The Rotary Logo is well-recognized around the world. Each club needs to use the official newer simplified logo to be consistent with RI. It can be modified slightly club by club, and also through Rotaract, Interact.  
The logo immediately conveys reputation, values, and service. It projects a ‘vibe’; it communicates a public image, what makes us different from other organizations. People need to know and feel what our clubs are known for.

2. STORIES; facts tell, but stories compel. It isn’t just what we do, but why we do it. We should all have our story at the tip of our tongues, ready to go when asked. We need to be less humble and tell our story at every opportunity. Go ahead and brag about Rotary, and do it NOW.

3. CONTENT; what we do as a club and for our receivers; the community and the world. Clubs are made of people; certainly members, but also volunteers and partners. Ben’s Marshfield club has 55 members, but their annual winter light show has 3000 volunteers and many partners. Share the impact with others outside the club.

4. RESOURCES; there are many levels of Rotary from the club members, board, committees, to the District, and Governor, to the Region and International.  It’s an unlimited source of not only education and training, but motivation and leadership. You are always a student, always a teacher in Rotary. If want to soar high, Rotary is ready for you.

Ben, you admitted you took a hiatus from Rotary, but when you found your ‘it, you have never looked back. You exemplify ‘why we do this’ and keep doing it. You exemplify what Jerald started with the invocation today; shared vision, opportunity to serve, and very aware of the blessings we share together.

Thanks very much.

Adjournment

Submitted by Bob H.

Member Submissions

From Frank B. - 

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From Mike S. -