Posted by District Governor Irene Kelly (Eden Prairie AM)
Rotary International’s December theme is Disease Prevention and Treatment. While Rotary’s dedication to eradicate polio certainly supports that theme, so do many other things that we provide worldwide -- clean water, mosquito nets and medical supplies, for example.
What about our “personal” disease prevention and treatment? I’ve learned that disease is often a physical manifestation of something much deeper, like an emotional wound or a stress point. Some experts in this field help us identify the underlying cause of disease. Others offer an antidote by creating self-affirming declarations that support wellness.
All this may sound like Woo-Woo (I’ve been labeled Woo-Woo and accept it) since I have learned to stem disease (or heal) with self-affirming statements. I’m a student of Ikigai, the Japanese theory of purpose. Research shows that people who identify and live their purpose have healthier, happier and longer lives.
As I considered this month’s theme, I became introspective, pondering the District 5950 projects that prevent or treat disease, usually in third world countries. (Kudos to 5950 clubs for that work!) Most Rotarians are consummate “doers”; we are People of Action! I wondered how well we manage our own disease prevention. How often are we eating [mostly] healthy food? What practices support managing stress? How much do we exercise? How do we express our emotions?
I invite you to reflect on your personal disease prevention; the answers to these questions will offer insights into your own wellness. Remember, unless we take care of ourselves first, we’re not able to care for others. Preventing disease is a gift we give to those less fortunate. Giving ourselves a gift of wellness increases our ability to give even more.
Another key factor in wellness is an attitude of gratitude. I am so grateful for each Rotarian in 5950 and, especially in this holiday season, wish you and yours abundant happiness, blessings and wellness.
Posted by District Governor Irene Kelly (Eden Prairie AM)
Congratulations to Marianna Khauv (Monticello), chosen by the Selection Committee to be District 5950's District Governor in 2021-22. Marianna is a 24-year Rotarian who served as club president in 2012-2013 and on the district grant committee.She is currently Assistant Governor for Area 13. We are thrilled that Marianna has offered her skills and talents to lead our district.
The Selection Committee interviewed applicants in early November.Thank you to past and upcoming district governors who served on the committee, as well as a representative from small, medium and large clubs. Once Marianna’s selection is approved at the District Conference annual meeting in May her title will be District Governor Nominee Designate. Her term will follow Russ Michaletz (City of Lakes) in 2019-20 and Tom Gump (Edina Morningside) during 2020-21.
Posted by Steve Solbrack (St. Louis Park), Club Outreach
When 2017-18 RI President Ian Riseley issued a tree-planting challenge, D5950 clubs reached for their shovels. The result? The Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group’s final report placed District 5950 at 2nd in North America (following a district in North Carolina) and 13th in the world for number of trees planted. D5950 Rotarians and friends planted 28,061 trees. Worldwide, 171 districts participated in the challenge, planting 4,739,607 trees.
A recent Nature Conservancy forestry update featured District 5950’s North Shore tree planting project. “Over two days in May, Rotary District 5950 volunteers planted more than 2,200 white pine and white spruce trees on the North Shore of Lake Superior near Two Harbors. White pine and white spruce were selected for planting because they are long-lived conifers that were historically abundant along this stretch of the North Shore. These species are valuable for wildlife, water quality, and carbon sequestering and storage."
Rotary provided funding for another 20,000 trees that have been planted on 41 acres of Superior National Forest land, as well as 15 acres of state land in the Finland State Forest. "We thank Rotary District 5950 for the generous financial support to restore trees on the North Shore, and to the volunteers from Rotary and the Duluth office of Bank of America who participated in the demanding work of planting the trees.”
For the 11th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation (TRF) has received the highest rating – four stars – from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. The Foundation earned the recognition for demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. The rating reflects Charity Navigator’s assessment of how the Foundation uses donations, sustains its programs and services, and practices good governance and openness.
Posted by District Governor Irene Kelly (Eden Prairie AM)
District 5950 earned two more #1 rankings among Zone 28 districts: Highest Growth Percentage and Highest Net Gain. We were also recognized in second place for Highest Retention.To put this in perspective, our Zone represents approximately 18 districts, and each district has between 55-75 clubs.
This recognition is incredible. It's yet another time that District 5950 is ranked in the top 10 districts in the world! Many thanks to past membership chairman Steve Solbrack (St. Louis Park) and Past District Governor Bob Halagan (Buffalo) for their leadership that resulted in these membership awards. 2018-19 membership chair, Lloyd Campbell (Glenwood), accepted the awards at the Zone presentation.
Posted by Ellen Kennedy (Mps. University), Peace Fellows Program
Claire Brady and Kelly Meza Prado have been chosen for $30,000 Rotary scholarships to study for masters’ degrees abroad. The scholarships are funded by District 5950 and Rotary International. They are pictured with District Governor Irene Kelly after their selection.
Claire Brady (left) is a graduate of Minneapolis South High School and Wesleyan University, where she graduated with Phi Beta Kappa and honors in Political Science. She previously received a Fulbright Fellowship and worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency and at the Environmental Law Institute. She is the founder and executive director of Our Climate Voices, which advocates for community engagement on climate issues. She plans to study at the London School of Economics for a Master of Science degree in Environmental Economics and Climate Change.
Kelly Meza Prado (right) is originally from Peru. She studied in Victoria, Canada in the IB program at the Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific and at St. Olaf College in Northfield where she graduated cum laude with a BA in Economics and Environmental Studies. She is a research manager at the University of Minnesota - Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where she examines changes in land use, the emergence of new pollutants, and other risks that may jeopardize drinking water sources. She expects to study for a Master of Science degree in Water Management and Governance at the Delft Institute for Water Education, The Netherlands.
The Rotary Club of North Minneapolis took to the streets on September 21 to rally for peace on the U.N.’s International Day of Peace. With the help of the Unlimited Next Level (U.N.L.) Drill & Dance Team they occupied the corner of Emerson and Broadway for a boisterous call for peace. It was met with enthusiastic honks and shouts of support and solidarity from passersby.
The Rotary Club of Eagan’s annual Veterans Day Recognition honored close to 40 veterans. Special recognition was given to James “Jay” Murphy (US Army Air Force in WWII), Greg Oxley (US Air Force in Vietnam) and Wendell “Buzz” Hahn (US Navy in Korea). Hahn died one week before the ceremony and was honored with a moment of silence. Each honoree was presented with a plaque and $100 check to be given in their name to the charity of their choice. Eight Eagan Rotarians were also recognized for their service. “It is my pleasure as a veteran to recognize the contribution made by military in wartime to this country,” said Steven Ditschler, Eagan Rotarian, Air Force Veteran, CEO of ProAct and program emcee.
Send your club's Recipe4Success stories to Cheri Ashfeld.
Social media is a great toolfor member recruitment and engagement. ClubRunner offers an introduction video that discusses many social media considerations. The video would help your PR, Marketing, or Social Media committees, or anyone who would like to learn how ClubRunner works in tandem with social media accounts. View the video.
Tracking guestsgives your club a great list of potential members. ClubRunner has a new guest report in the Attendance 3.0 module. It provides an annual summary of all guests entered into the club attendance system. 1. Log in to the Administration page. 2. Along the top gray tabs click Attendance > Meetings. 3. On the left side, click the Guests Report link. To see a list of every guest ever input into the system, click the blue Export All button to download a master.CSV file (MS Excel compatible).
What about our “personal” disease prevention and treatment? I’ve learned that disease is often a physical manifestation of something much deeper, like an emotional wound or a stress point. Some experts in this field help us identify the underlying cause of disease. Others offer an antidote by creating self-affirming declarations that support wellness.
Another key factor in wellness is an attitude of gratitude. I am so grateful for each Rotarian in 5950 and, especially in this holiday season, wish you and yours abundant happiness, blessings and wellness.
Congratulations to Marianna Khauv (Monticello), chosen by the Selection Committee to be District 5950's District Governor in 2021-22. Marianna is a 24-year Rotarian who served as club president in 2012-2013 and on the district grant committee.She is currently Assistant Governor for Area 13. 
A recent Nature Conservancy forestry update featured District 5950’s North Shore tree planting project. “Over two days in May, Rotary District 5950 volunteers planted more than 2,200 white pine and white spruce trees on the North Shore of Lake Superior near Two Harbors. White pine and white spruce were selected for planting because they are long-lived conifers that were historically abundant along this stretch of the North Shore. These species are valuable for wildlife, water quality, and carbon sequestering and storage."
For the 11th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation (TRF) has received the highest rating – four stars – from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. The Foundation earned the recognition for demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. The rating reflects 
Send your club's Recipe4Success stories to
