Posted by District Governor Irene Kelly (Eden Prairie AM)
District 5950 Rotarians, pat yourselves on the back! Because so many of you care, the lives of hundreds of women and children will improve. Rotary’s April theme is Maternal and Child Health. Rotarians in 5950 have stepped up in that arena big time by using OUR contributions to leverage dollars through our global grant process.
I urge you to read the three following examples of how 5950 People of Action Rotarians make a difference in the world. Eighteen of our 62 clubs participated in these, turning $88,900.00 in club contributions into $500,650.00 in projects through matches from contributions to TRF by 5950 Rotarians and a generous anonymous donor. That leverage averages 6:1 -- quite a return on investment!
Ellen Schreder (Brooklyn Center), in concert with the Rotary Club of Cap-Haitien, secured a global grant to provide sustainable Menstrual Health Solutions and Feminine Hygiene and Reproductive Health Education to women and girls in Haiti. With education, women and girls will learn to recognize the symptoms of urinary tract and vaginal infections caused by unclean supplies. Sustainable menstrual hygiene supplies and education will be available to females in many communities throughout Haiti, reducing the occurrence of infections and increasing women’s understanding about feminine hygiene and menstrual and reproductive health.
Sheila Loberg (Edina) and MATTER, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is working on a grant to increase access to health by equipping the maternity and pediatric wards of the Bulawayo Central Hospital. The hospital needs basic maternity ward equipment, e.g., delivery beds, infant warmers, infant resuscitators, ultrasound machine. To support sustained health in a holistic way, the grant includes an onsite hospital farm to provide nutrient-rich foods for the patients and staff.
Sandy Pappas and Ellen Kennedy(Minneapolis University) authored a grant with the Rotary Club of East Jerusalem to institute a critical outreach program to women and children in Palestine’s remote southern areas. The focus of the grant will address the crisis in high rates of stillborn births, and the increased rates of children with birth defects and disabilities often due to consanguineous marriage and child-bearing at a young age. The objective is to improve birth outcomes and long-term prospects for the next generation of Palestinians, especially those in remote areas. A mobile health unit will bring diagnosis, education, and treatment into previously unreachable areas in rural Palestine.
What does the world need that your club might support?
Posted by Russ Michaletz (City of Lakes), District Governor-Elect
Club presidents and their key strategic leaders are invited to attend one of our four District Assemblies in April/May. Unlike the District Conference which is a celebration of all District Rotarians for the passing year, the District Assembly is a kick-off for club leadership teams to strategize what they will do the coming year to "Enhance the Value of Rotary Membership" in their clubs. Please come as a club team!
We have created four identical three-hour workshops to make this opportunity as accessible and convenient to all our clubs as possible. Join us at any session that meets your needs, but please register your team members using either the District 5950 website calendar or the direct links below.
Join us for a day of inspiration and celebration! An exciting keynote speaker, lunch, engaging breakout sessions, networking in the Hall of Friendship, a cocktail reception, dinner and an awards ceremony will Feed Your Inspiration. You’ll leave inspired and energized! Register now!
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The 2019 Hall of Friendship will further the “Be Inspired” theme. Come see these areas of focus in the Hall and be inspired to go out and do the great work of Rotary.
Rotary Youth Exchange will be represented by students from 16 countries, each with a great story to tell about their experiences during this last year. Talk to these kids and you will be inspired to sponsor one next year.
Advancing better health includes the Heart Safe Program, Healthy Food books, Smile Network and PolioPlus.
Learn to help kids through Beds for Kids, Camp Enterprise, Reach Out & Read, and others exhibits. District 5950 helps hundreds of kids have a better life.
Other exhibitors include District Grants, Eco Club, International Convention, Membership and more. Come be inspired to do the great work of Rotary.
Jack Cole served District 5950 as District Governor in 1991-92. He passed away on March 18.
Jack was President of the Rotary Club of Shakopee before serving as District Governor. He was a true Rotarian at heart, always putting Service Above Self. Even his final request was to decline memorial flowers or gifts in lieu of donations to The Rotary Foundation or the Shakopee Rotary Foundation.
Shakopee is a singing club. For many, many years Jack was our fearless song leader, occasionally bringing his tuba to play. He was always fun, a bit silly, and made meetings memorable. Many members have fond memories of Jack being a stable rock within our club. He always stepped up to help, and always cared about every member. He was a very special person who will be deeply missed by our club and our community. (See full obituary.)
Posted by Steve Solbrack (EcoClub), Club Outreach chair
District 5950's newest club, the Twin Cities Rotary EcoClub, credits its quick growth to charter status by using social media tools. Jordann Hartzheim and Austin Campbell, young adults under age 30, created and managed the club's Facebook page and a Meetup group. The Facebook page has over 170 followers and the Meetup group has over 170 members. At least nine of the charter members came directly from the social media efforts. Fourteen others have previous Rotary connections.
Beyond promotion and recruitment efforts, relationship-building has been essential in the success of starting the new club. One-to-one meetings with prospective members helped recruiting new members, identify club leaders, and better understanding what new members wanted out of their Rotary experience. Many of the young adults were excited about the leadership development opportunities and were very interested in learning from and being in relationship with club members over age 40. Older members were eager to mentors these young adults.
The EcoClub consistently has fun social and recreational activities and meaningful service projects, like tree planting along the Mississippi River, snow-shoeing on cold Minnesota winter day, and a sunny gathering on an apartment building rooftop terrace. More information about the club and its non-traditional activities is available on Facebook.com/TwinCitiesRotaryEcoClub.
Posted by Tom Gump (Edina Morningside), District Governor Nominee
A group of Districts 5950, 5960 and 5580 Rotarians are working to raise RI visibility and pride through speciality license plates. Rep. Heather Edelson (District 49A), is pictured (center) with the group after its Minnesota House Hearing. She wrote in her constituent newsletter, "[the] bill to establish Rotary International special license plates recently received a public hearing in the Transportation and Finance Committee! It was an honor to be joined by fellow Rotarians who shared the important work our organization does here in Minnesota and worldwide."
Since that time, the Transportation Chair has agreed to put Rotary's bill in the Transit Omnibus Bill. We'll continue to relay progress!
Remember those Three Little Pigs who ushered in the Year of the Pig with their PolioPlus fundraising? This time they raised over $577 in 15 minutes at PETS (Presdident-Elect Training)! They're pictured with (l-r) 2019-20 AG Coordinator Jeff Hage (Monticello), Rotary International President-Elect Mark Maloney, District Governor Nominee Marianna Khauv (Monticello), District Governor Irene Kelly (Eden Prairie AM).
They are the Brewtarians, a group of Rotarians from throughout the District who gather each month with friends, family and colleagues at a different taproom. Currently representing 12 different clubs, the Brewtarians are dedicated to their One Way Test: “Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendships?” They meet on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m.
Join the more than 100 people who have become Brewtarians, including DG Irene Kelly, DGN Tom Gump and Past DG Jim Nelson. They next meet at Pryes Brewing on March 28 and Under Pressure on April 25. For further details contact Jim Hancock at hankrj@gmail.com.
Posted by Jodi Erickson (Rotary Club of Saint Paul), Camp RYLA Committee
RYLA, (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a five-day camp for high school students at YMCA Camp St. Croix. The Rotary Club of St. Paul (District 5960) has developed an experiential education program to help students develop their leadership skills. We’re looking forward to another great year at Camp RYLA and invite your club to sponsor a student.
Arrange transportation for your students to Camp and home from St. Paul on Tuesday. Non-parent drivers must abide by Rotary Youth Protection practices.
Invite your student(s) to attend a meeting to share their experiences.
The Rotary Club of Minnetonka sent five "jumpers" for a polar plunge into Lake Riley. The event benefitted the Special Olympics. "It was SO cold!!" was the reaction from Rotarian and District 5950 administrator Alexa Rundquist (center in group photo).
Send your club's Recipe4Success stories to Cheri Ashfeld.
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I urge you to read the three following examples of how 5950 People of Action Rotarians make a difference in the world. Eighteen of our 62 clubs participated in these, turning $88,900.00 in club contributions into $500,650.00 in projects through matches from contributions to TRF by 5950 Rotarians and a generous anonymous donor. That leverage averages 6:1 -- quite a return on investment!
Jack Cole served District 5950 as District Governor in 1991-92. He passed away on March 18.
Beyond promotion and recruitment efforts, relationship-building has been essential in the success of starting the new club. One-to-one meetings with prospective members helped recruiting new members, identify club leaders, and better understanding what new members wanted out of their Rotary experience. Many of the young adults were excited about the leadership development opportunities and were very interested in learning from and being in relationship with club members over age 40. Older members were eager to mentors these young adults. 
RYLA, (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a five-day camp for high school students at YMCA Camp St. Croix. The Rotary Club of St. Paul (District 5960) has developed an experiential education program to help students develop their leadership skills. We’re looking forward to another great year at Camp RYLA and invite your club to sponsor a student.
The Rotary Club of Minnetonka sent five "jumpers" for a polar plunge into Lake Riley. The event benefitted the Special Olympics. "It was SO cold!!" was the reaction from Rotarian and District 5950 administrator Alexa Rundquist (center in group photo).
