Posted by District Governor Irene Kelly (Eden Prairie AM)
There are so many ways that Rotarians serve youth: STRIVE, Rotary Youth Exchange, elementary school reading, Camp Enterprise (and the list goes on). One extremely valuable program sponsored by my own club has gotten little attention … student internships.
Over the last 10 years, our Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club has impacted nearly 30 youth through our student intern program. High school seniors are selected to assist the club with a variety of duties including weekly meetings, service projects and social media postings.
These bright students serve our club and learn about Rotary as they are mentored by and network with Rotarians. In exchange for a weekly commitment of time, interns gain invaluable experience interacting with community leaders, intimate exposure to one of the best-run nonprofits globally, and a chance to grow leadership skills in an extremely supportive environment. If your club is interested in this way of impacting youth, reach out and we can share details. What better way to serve youth than by getting to know and learn from them!
Our first-class Rotary Youth Exchange program also offers significant service to youth. I attended the final orientation for outbound students this past weekend. Courageous young people have chosen to travel to another country, live with people each has only met “virtually” and move into a new culture that most likely expands one’s comfort zone. What amazing youth!
As I perused the crowd, it occurred to me that they are truly setting a course to world peace. As we learn about each other’s culture and get to know one another, differences are mitigated and similarities expanded. Has your club had the experience of sponsoring an exchange student? If not, please consider it. Club members grow as much as the students who participate.
Rotarians serve youth in so many ways. I’d love to hear about your club’s youth service; post it on our 5950 Facebook page.
Posted by Kim Ross (Eden Prairie AM), District Conference chair
District Governor Irene Kelly is extending the 2018-19 theme “Be Inspired” tor her district conference where we're encouraged to “Feed Your Inspiration.” The day will include inspiring speakers, interactive breakout sessions, networking, fun, and food.
Join us on May 17, 2019 at the Minneapolis Event Center (in the St. Anthony Main area across the river from downtown Minneapolis). Registration opens at 10 a.m. and award festivities end around 8:30 p.m. Rotarians have several registration options shown at right. Register today!
This year’s Hall of Friendship will inspire you to go out and do the great work of Rotary as you learn more about what other clubs are doing and opportunities for clubs to collaborate. The Rotary Youth Exchange will be well represented with students from 16 countries. Each of theses students has a great story to tell about experiences during this last year. If your club has not sponsored an exchange student recently, talk to these kids and you will be inspired to have one next year.
The Twin Cities Rotary EcoClub hosts Rotary Night at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on Tuesday, May 21. All District 5950 Rotarians are welcome at no cost. Meet at the Bee and Pollinator Center from 6:30-7:45 pm.
Ping Honzay, MN Landscape Arboretum Bee and Pollinator Center Education Program Coordinator, will take us through the fascinating inner workings of a honey bee hive from spring all the way through a cold Minnesota winter. EcoClub members and other Rotarians will receive free daily admission to the entire arboretum and are welcome to arrive early and stay late to enjoy one of the top botanical gardens in the U.S.
Registration is required. Register by marking yourself “Going” on the Facebook event page. Everyone registered will receive detailed information the day before the event.
Posted by Rosie Cataldo, Director of Development and Grants
Rotary’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force continues forging valuable partnerships. We’re gaining momentum - in the name of prevention. The Super Hero Kids Foundation is a local nonprofit which gifts assault and safety prevention programs to schools and nonprofits. It is thrilled to partner with Rotary.
Formed in June 2017, the Foundation raises funds to deliver empowering training that’s uniquely designed for each stage of independence, from pre-K through college-age students. Thanks to the collaboration with metro area Rotary chapters, more students have been able to receive our life-changing training.
“We are grateful for the relationships formed within metro area Rotary clubs. The full impact of the training cannot typically be measured; however, last year’s training resulted in six metro kids speaking up and six perpetrators being apprehended. The ability to interrupt potential pain, which is inevitable for a handful of kids in each classroom, is an immeasurable gift. This speaks volumes and propels us to spread this prevention training,” said Rosie Cataldo, Director of Development and Grants for the Foundation.
Super Hero Kids was initiated by local businessman Al Horner, a former Navy SEAL. He formed Not Me!, a women’s assault prevention training program, in 2004. Since then, there have been over 30,000 trained participants - including parents - who inquired about training for children.
In 2011, development began and training content has been refined using input from physicians, emergency room nurses, teachers, psychiatrists and other professionals personally committed to the safety of children.
Posted by PDG Tim Murphy (Edina), Zone 28 End Polio Now Coordinator
The $264 given by D5950 members far surpasses our 2018-19 goal and boosts the district to #3 in the world for PolioPlus giving! With two months left in the Rotary year, we will grow that total. Last year's total was $215,463.56 which ranked #1 in our two zone pair (28-29).
Congratulations to District Governor Irene Kelly and PolioPlus Chairman Tim Mulcrone (Chanhassen) for these stellar numbers!
Many members of my club joined because of their connection(s) with Youth Exchange:
One new member was a Youth Exchange student many years ago.
Another member joined because he learned about Rotary when his family hosted an exchange student.
Several members joined when their children participated in an exchange.
I met our current Club President when we were hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student from the Czech Republic; he and his family are from the Czech Republic and Slovakia!
It is fun to see young people return home after their Youth Exchange programs. They are more mature, smart and organized. They start Rotaract and Interact clubs. They are Rotary's future.
My family has hosted five Rotary Youth Exchange students, so we now have five “bonus” kids and families! When we first starting hosting, my wife and I were both working full time and our son was eight. Of course, there was a little extra driving here and there; but our schedule was not really affected and we had so much fun with these wonderful kids.
As you look at ways to increase membership in your clubs and truly make your clubs VIBRANT, think about becoming active clubs in North Star Rotary Youth Exchange! I truly believe your clubs will gain more -- more new members, more new energy, more new ideas, more new connections - than you will give in your time and funds.
Posted by Ellen J. Kennedy (Mpls. University), Peace Fellows Program
Christie Nicoson, one of our recent Peace Fellow graduates at Uppsala University, has accepted a position in the PhD program at Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Her appointment is in the Department of Political Science and is in connection with Lund's Agenda 2030 Graduate School. The Agenda focuses on UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include Rotary's six major Areas of Focus.
Christie has received a full-time paid position for four years, plus opportunities to teach. She will work on climate adaptation impacts on local-level peace and the influence of gender and intersectionalities, with case studies in Southeast Asia. Congratulations, Christie!
Nineteen 5950 Rotarians and eight family members from six of our clubs just arrived in Coban, Guatemala for a District Grant Water project. We will install 659 single-family water filters in outlying villages surrounding Coban. The project is a collaboration with St. Patrick’s Church in Edina and a Benediction Monastery in Coban (Monastero Benedictino la Resurreccion). This project is one of approximately 45 grant examples of our clubs “Doing Good in the World”. Participants represent the Rotary Clubs of:Edina, Edina/Morningside, Eden Prairie AM, Eden Prairie Noon and Bloomington.
"Bert" stowed away all the way to Guatemala (above) with John Crudele (Eden Prairie AM)!
One of the lesser-known Rotary acronyms is COL -- the Rotary Council on Legislation. The Council meets once every three years. This year Past District Governor Jim Nelson (City of Lakes) represented District 5950 when COL met from April 13-18 in Chicago.
Representatives of every Rotary District approve changes that will influence Rotary's future. Three changes that have direct impact on the clubs are:
- A $1.00 dues increase for each year for three years, starting July 1, 2020;
- A Rotarian can no longer be Club President for more than two years; and
- Small clubs (under six members) can be terminated upon the request of the Governor and approval of the Board.
The Rotary Club of Eagan held itsannual Public Safety Officer Recognition Program, honoring Officer of the Year, Officer Joe Moseng and Firefighter of the Year, Fire Chief Mike Scott. (pictured l-r: Mayor Mike McGuire, City Administrator Dave Osberg, Fire Chief Mike Scott, Officer Joe Moseng, Police Chief Roger Neu)
The Rotary Club of Apple Valley invites you to come out to Target Field to enjoy the company of fellow Rotarians from all over Twins Territory and at the same time raise money for Polio Plus. Social hour is from 5-6:30 p.m. at Town Ball Tavern right behind Section V down the 3rd Base Line, Club Level, by Gate 3. Brian Bessler from the Apple Valley Rotary Club will donate $5 to Polio Plus for each ticket purchased. Donations will also be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Click here or on image to order tickets.
Send your club's Recipe4Success stories to Cheri Ashfeld.
District 5950 has compiledClub Runner and RI Guides and placed them under the Club Support tab on the district website for you. This is a great spot to send new members but also assist all members with common Club Runner questions.
Looking for great trivia to ask at an upcoming Rotary meeting? Check out the History of 5950web page under the About 5950 tab.
The District website is full of useful tools, The Club Support tab also offers a District Speaker Referral list of suggested club speakers. Any Rotarian is able to add a speaker that their club has vetted and enjoyed. Check out the list for upcoming meetings.
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Over the last 10 years, our Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club has impacted nearly 30 youth through our student intern program. High school seniors are selected to assist the club with a variety of duties including weekly meetings, service projects and social media postings.
Join us on 
The Twin Cities Rotary EcoClub hosts Rotary Night at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on Tuesday, May 21. All District 5950 Rotarians are welcome at no cost. Meet at the Bee and Pollinator Center from 6:30-7:45 pm.
The $264 given by D5950 members far surpasses our 2018-19 goal and boosts the district to #3 in the world for PolioPlus giving! With two months left in the Rotary year, we will grow that total. Last year's total was $215,463.56 which ranked #1 in our two zone pair (28-29).
Christie Nicoson, one of our recent Peace Fellow graduates at Uppsala University, has accepted a position in the PhD program at Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Her appointment is in the Department of Political Science and is in connection with 
