Posted by Bob Halagan (Buffalo), District Governor 2017-18
One aspect of development that is not talked about enough is that if you want to really improve a local economy, get money into the hands of women.
It is well documented that when women in developing countries can generate income, they spend it on their families. That is particularly important if we want to address the need to educate girls and young women. If a mother has income, she will find a way for her daughter to get an education so that her daughter doesn’t face the same challenges she did. These young women, after receiving an education and a way to be employed, are much more likely to repay that investment to their families and their communities.
As we look for ways to do good in the world, let’s put our focus on the women in the areas we want to affect. While often ignored and marginalized in machista societies, they are the real agents of change for their families and their communities.
Instead of just talking to the males, let’s listen to the women. They will tell us stories we need to hear.
Maria Nhambu has made sharing her love of Africa and its culture and rhythms the focus of her life. Born in Tanzania, East Africa, she came to the United States in 1963. Her passion for African dance, art and culture inspired her to create and teach her dance workout Aerobics With Soul®, and fuels her work as an unofficial cultural ambassador. In that role she gives African dance presentations and speaks about Africa to groups across the U.S. and around the world.
Breakout sessions:
Not Your Parent’s Club
Unconscious Bias: Is it Limiting Your Belief and Stagnating Your Growth?
The Rotary Foundation – The Next 100 Years
Public Image – Using "People of Action" guidelines
What’s Next for You in Rotary?
Eliminating Human Trafficking
Rotary Websites Demystified
Serving Rotary Beyond Your Club: District 5950 Opportunities
A community workshop on opioid awareness and overdose prevention is planned on Thursday, May 3 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Ave. It is hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Bloomington, Buffalo, Eden Prairie Noon, Edina, North Minneapolis and Rogers.
“Even with the pervasiveness of the opioid epidemic across our state and nation, too few fully understand the impact, risks or actions they can take to address the climbing number of deaths,” said organizer Josh Sprague of the Rotary Club of Edina. “The primary objective of this workshop is to increase opioid awareness and foster a baseline of prevention within our communities.”
The six clubs and District 5950 provided funding to the Steve Rummler HOPE Network to develop a web-based teaching portal and online curriculum that can be used by anyone to facilitate workshops on the subject. The curriculum will be debuted at the May 3 workshop. Speakers at the event will include Lexi Reed Holtum, Steve Rummler HOPE Network; Dr. Stephen Delisi, Hazelden and the Betty Ford Foundation; Dr. Peter Stiles, TRIA; Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek; and Rob Reynolds, Verde Technologies.
Seating is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Josh Sprague at 612-501-0252 orjoshsprague7@icloud.com.
District Conference on May 21 at the Guthrie will be the Rotary event that everyone talks about for years!
District Conferenceis your chance to experience three great speakers, a celebration of each club's favorite project, music, a video and a flying PDG! It is a do-not-miss event.In addition to the amazing keynotes and musical acts, we have breakout sessions you can attend that culminate, if you dare, in YOU being on stage at the Guthrie!!
Rotary clubs in the northwest metro are partnering with the Rogers Police Department to fund a new regional sexual and physical assault forensic interview center. (video tour) The goal is to provide equitable access to essential services for families throughout Hennepin County and beyond in a Rogers satellite location. These services are currently provided through CornerHouse at its only location, next to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Caring for abused youth requires prosecutors, law enforcement, child and adult protection workers, trained forensic investigators, victim advocates, mental health providers and specially trained medical doctors and staff.
Helping fund the new center and its staff, Rogers Rotary is sponsoring a major music event on April 15 at the new Rogers HS Performing Arts Center. A Night of Hope and Healingheadliners are the acclaimed Jiselle McCollam Jazz Group and internationally renowned bluegrass group, Monroe Crossing. Tickets are available online.
Posted by Steve Solbrack (St. Louis Park), D5950 tree-planting project
I have been a member of The Nature Conservancy for over 15 years and am currently a member of their Global Advisory Council for Minnesota and the Dakotas. In August 2017 we met with Rotarians from eight clubs, initiating a plan to plant 25,000 trees in MN this Rotary year. The Nature Conservancy recommended Great River Greening as our tree planting partner.
As of April 1, 26 clubs have contributed $10,500 to the collaboration, qualifying us for a $10,000 match by The Nature Conservancy. The District Grant Committee also approved a $6,000 grant for the project. This $26,000 total allows us to plant all 25,000 trees this year. District 5950 has 51 of our 61 clubs participating in tree planting, with 16 doing club projects and contributing to the collaboration. The goal is 100% club participation in tree planting.
If you’d like to spend a Thursday-Friday in May planting trees on the scenic North Shore, contact me by clicking on the flyer or emailing steve@solbrack.com.
Posted by Mike DeLuca, Chair, North Star Youth Exchange
During the recent North American Youth Exchange Network Conference, our North Star program received both the Gold Award as a high-performing district, and was named this year’s outstanding district in all of North America.
Our program was credited for its growth in long-term students, explosion of interest in the new short-term program, unique one-way inbound programs that received international recognition, programs to help disadvantaged students be exchange students, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and organizational structure that is a model for many districts.
I am so proud of the hundreds of volunteers that make North Star what it is today. I thank them for their passion and commitment to making a difference in the world, one student at a time.
Posted by Tom Gump (Edina Morningside), RI Convention promotions
Are you one of the 400+ registrants for the Zone 28-29 Power Play Party in Toronto? To really embrace the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) party venue, purchase an awesome Rotary hockey jersey to wear that night. Order online or email kyle@rogersprintingmn.com. You may also wear your favorite team's jersey. Merchandise at the HHOF will be discounted the night of the event.
“Even with the pervasiveness of the opioid epidemic across our state and nation, too few fully understand the impact, risks or actions they can take to address the climbing number of deaths,” said organizer Josh Sprague of the Rotary Club of Edina. “The primary objective of this workshop is to increase opioid awareness and foster a baseline of prevention within our communities.”
Rotary clubs in the northwest metro are partnering with the Rogers Police Department to fund a new regional sexual and physical assault forensic interview center..jpg)
