The unprecedented events of 2020-21 have made me even more committed to introduce more people in our communities to Rotary. WE are Rotary! You are people who are caring, thinking and working to improve our communities and our world. I hope, like me, you want your family, friends and neighbors to be part of Rotary.
Our Rotary Four-Way Test is powerful! Don’t you want everyone in our communities to be thinking about whether in the things they think, say or do, they are considering:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
When we come together to learn and interact with each other and our speakers, we are better community members. When we join each other in supporting our communities with our time, talents and treasure, we make our communities better.
Our Rotary vision statement is, “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” It takes on new meaning as we address a global pandemic and systemic racism this year.
Our district has clubs for everyone: We sponsor Interact clubs in high schools for your children and grandchildren; we sponsor Rotaract clubs for the young adults in your lives; we have community based clubs and cause based clubs - including our Twin Cities Eco-Club (for the environment); The Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans; The Rotary Club to End Human Trafficking and The Rotary Club of Network to Empower Women.
My wife is now a Rotarian. My son is a member of his high school Interact club. And I am still hoping to persuade my father-in-law to join the Veterans Club. You know how much you value Rotary. Don’t you want to share our important values with your family, friends and neighbors?
Please join me, in making a 2021 resolution to GROW ROTARY!
Fifty-two new members joined Rotary on January 17 during the charter event for our newest D5950 club, The Rotary Club of Network for Empowering Women (RNEW pronounced “Renew”).
Emceed by District Governor Tom Gump, the chartering event featured Rotary International President Holger Knaack (Germany) reading the official welcome and charter document, and Zone Director Suzi Howe inducting the members and commissioning the officers. Over 190 Rotarians and friends logged on, submitting messages of greeting and congratulations from around the world.
Club President Anastasia Persico described RNEW’s mission as empowering women by:
- identifying and advocating for reduced violence, harassment/abuse and human trafficking
- promoting the education, financial training, resources and skills women need to be successful in the workforce.
The club’s 40 women and 12 men have already had a successful clothing drive and sponsored blood drives in their community.
Please join me in welcoming our newest Rotary Club and its members! If you know anyone who would like to join RNEW, please contact Anastasia at avedosolutions@gmail.com.
It takes awareness and action to make positive change. Human trafficking continues to devastate our communities and the world. With Rotarians’ commitment and willingness, we can change the future for many, and fight for the freedom of millions. It's time to act.
Every four seconds, another person has been trapped and forced into human trafficking somewhere in the world or your community. It's estimated that there are over 40 million people in modern-day slavery -- people forced to do acts against their will. Of that 40 million, 75 percent are being exploited for sex, and of that, about half are children. Human trafficking is a $150 billion per year business globally.
You can help by learning more about human trafficking at this upcoming meeting:
January 28, 2021, at 7 a.m. CST – Matt Friedman, CEO of Mekong Club, will offer a comprehensive update on human trafficking and its relevance to the private sector. Learn more about modern slavery. Registeron Zoom.
Our Rotary to End Human Trafficking mission began in 2017, and every day since, we've committedly taken action against modern slavery. With the persistence and dedication of 160 Rotary clubs and approximately 5,000 members across the world, we've sparked significant momentum forward. To continue, we need strength in numbers and advocacy. We're looking to partner with other Rotary clubs. If you're a champion already invested and passionate about this work, please connect with us.
We're here to end human trafficking. Join the fight for change and the freedom of many today. Together we can end modern slavery.
District 5950 has an abundance of upcoming events yet this winter and spring. Check out the District 5950 Calendarand register for the events that apply to you:
February 27- Pre-PETS for club presidents-elect(9-11am)
February 27 - District Leadership Team Summit (11-1pm)
March 12-20 - NCPETS (virtual) More information coming for PEs.
April 10 - District Assembly led by DG-E Marianna Khauv
May 1- District Conference celebrating DG Tom Gump’s 2020-21 year
Posted by Fred Semmer (Mpls. #9), District Grants Chair
Despite Covid, our Rotary District, its clubs, its members, the District Grants Committee members, and District Grant applicants stepped up in a meaningful way. In less than six months, the District Grants Committee distributed its entire $222,133 budget, funding 27 projects representing 34 clubs. Together with club contributions, third party organization contributions (including the Mattson Match), and the District Grant funds, these clubs will implement over $440,000 worth of projects.
Fifteen international projects support initiatives ranging from healthcare clinics and water projects to agricultural improvements. Local projects included efforts to address youth literacy, maternal health, and Covid relief to name a few. Congratulations to those clubs and individuals participating and implementing these projects.
While we have distributed our District Grant funds for this Rotary year, it is never too early to begin planning projects for the next Rotary year starting next July. If interested in learning more about District Grants, please explore the District Grant Resourceswebsite. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further questions or just want to brainstorm. Also, keep on the lookout for news regarding District 5950 Grant Management Seminars. These seminars will be conducted on Zoom, offered over several dates/times in March through May, and train you in the arts of all things Global Grants and District Grants.
Thanks again for all that you do as Rotarians, and stay safe. Contact fred.semmer@gmail.comor 858-525-2947.
Posted by Bruce Treichler (Maple Grove), Jennifer Hendrickson (Edina)
COVID cancelled golf tournaments and galas, fish fries and food tastings. Every District 5950 club had the same conversation: How do we generate donations without our traditional (fill in the blank) fundraiser? Here are two success stories that may pave the way for the future.
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The Rotary Club of Maple Grove’sannual November gala is a black-tie affair that raises approx. $50,000, funding most of the club’s charitable programs for the year.
“It was suggested that we just ask club members for a check,” said gala committee chair Tom Pellegrino, “but could a new event format work? The need to bring people together during this time of isolation was greater than ever. Fortunately, we had many talented and committed Rotarians on the committee.”
What evolved instead was an entirely virtual gala with a video program about the many accomplishments of the Club of Maple Grove, and a virtual silent auction where viewers could bid on items and experiences from the comfort of their own homes, plus a direct ask for donations. (Items were supposed to be limited to 50, but members kept adding and the final count was over 100 items.) Much of the program was pre-recorded in a television studio.
The “virtually” unattainable goal was to get 400 people registered and to raise $75,000. However, with the sheer determination and hard work, 413 people registered and profits topped $90,000!
Lessons learned: - Fixed-price baskets supplemented traditional auction items, helping people discover a new way to contribute. - Start at least three months early and stick to an established timeline. - No one could resist the positive flow of our initiatives to the community and the world! Watch a complete recording of the event.
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The Rotary Club of Edina also needed a creative solution to raise money for the Edina Rotary Foundation. Gala Committee co-chairs Catherine Gump and Bjorn Freudenthal persuaded 14 Rotarians to host small-group dinners in their homes. With the theme “Around the World,” each dinner featured cuisine from a different country: China, East Africa, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Finland, India, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Norway and Spain.
“Members are passionate about international service projects and our global Rotary connections, “Gump said. “When COVID prompted the change to small gatherings, our ‘Around the World’ theme was perfect. Members’ creativity and passion for the country evenings they hosted made the events truly memorable. Our hosts brought the world to Edina!”
The dinners were held on two different nights. Each evening kicked off with a virtual presentation that included the countries competing against each other in a trivia contest. The virtual presentation also included a video highlighting some of the service projects and grants the club supported.
Money was raised through event sponsorships, ticket sales to the dinners and donations. After expenses are paid, the fundraiser will net at least $95,000 for club service projects in the community. Nearly half will be given away in the form of local and international grants.
“It was amazing how our membership stepped up and provided donations to our gala during this very challenging time,” said Club President Sam Thompson. “It was very fun for members to host and provide the cuisine. It was a memorable two nights of giving!”
District 5950 is excited to announce Madeline Sladek is receiving a Global Scholarship Grant for Study beginning Fall 2021. Sladek will receive $30,000 from Rotary for a Masters degree that focuses on Economic and Community Development in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Sladek will graduate in spring 2021 from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Business from the Carlson School of Management. She studied marketing and entrepreneurial management with a minor in business analytics. Sladek studied abroad in Denmark during her junior year and was inspired by Denmark’s unique view of business and the environment.
Sladek got involved with Rotary through the Camp Enterprise program, where she worked as a counselor helping high school students develop entrepreneurship skills. “Rotary has such a great network and it’s wonderful to be able to have a host club in Denmark, and also stay connected with the Minnesota host club,” Sladek said.
Sladek’s long-term goal is to create her own company that works to increase access to renewable energy for underserved populations. She will use Rotary funds to pursue either a Master of Science in Global Development from the University of Copenhagen, or a Master of Science in Management of Innovation and Business Development from the Copenhagen Business School.
Assistant Governors (AGs) are a critical link between Rotary District leadership and individual clubs. AGs are typically past-presidents and are assigned to about five or six clubs. The goal is to establish a rapport with these clubs through regular meetings with the presidents and presidents-elect as well as attending periodic meetings, fundraisers and activities. AGs make sure clubs are informed about District events, and that they have the resources to be successful in membership, the Rotary Foundation and public image. In addition, AG’s can also help develop and monitor goals, club visioning, and preparation for NCPETS.
Guy Johnson (Minneapolis Uptown) will serve as District 5950 AG Coordinator beginning on July 1, succeeding Jeff Hage who will become Public Image Chair. The AG team includes many new club advisors:
Next year will be of critical importance to our District as we transition to a post-COVID environment and continue to grow membership through enhanced recruitment/retention and the chartering of cause-based clubs. The new AGs are ready and eager to assist District clubs to meet these challenges. Please join me in welcoming the entire team and wishing them success in the coming year. If you are interested in filling one of the open positions, please email guy@nutritionsolutions.net.
Posted by Bob Keller (Veteran’s Club), Foundation Chair
The Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans partnered with other 5950 clubs to secure a $20,000 grant used to update and furnish a family room at Haven For Heroes in Anoka. Haven For Heroes is a stand-alone, non-profit, substance- and alcohol-free board and lodging facility that provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
The club partnered with companies who helped provide labor and materials to repair the century-old building. Club members, families and other Rotarians pitched in during service days.
Veterans Club foundation chair Bob Keller presented a plaque for the completed family room to Bart and Ellen Ward of Haven for Heroes. In return, Mr. Ward contributed $250 to the Veterans Club.
As part of our alliance with Toastmasters International, we’re offering a series of leadership and communication courses to Rotary and Rotaract members. The first two courses, now available in multiple languages in the Learning Center, discuss fundamental leadership skills like motivation, integrity, and team inclusiveness. You’ll also discover how ethics, decision making, goal setting, and delegating help you develop the skills necessary to lead a team effectively. Watch this video to learn how to find the courses in theLearning Center and how to get the most out of them.
Our Rotary Four-Way Test is powerful! Don’t you want everyone in our communities to be thinking about whether in the things they think, say or do, they are considering:
February 27- Pre-PETS for club presidents-elect (9-11am)
The Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans partnered with other 5950 clubs to secure a $20,000 grant used to update and furnish a family room at Haven For Heroes in Anoka. 
