Clubs #9 (5950-Minneapolis) and #10 (5960-St. Paul) hosted Rotary International President Holger Knaack (lower picture) via Zoom. District Governor Tom Gump welcomed Rotarians in their socially distanced rooms plus over 60 who joined online.

This joint meeting let both clubs highlight ways they have pivoted in 2020. St. Paul has a significant project in the Rondo neighborhood; Minneapolis donates their weekly lunch funds to Every Meal to feed Minnesota's children.

In his remarks, DG Tom summarized how 5950 clubs are serving their communities, working on district and global grants, bringing in new members and having fun—whether online or socially distanced.

He highlighted the district's new clubs: Rotary Club of Network for Empowering Women and the anticipated Rotary Club of Global Horizons, as well as three new Rotaract clubs: International Rotaract eClub for the Environment, the Kaleidoscope Rotaract Club serving young people on the autism spectrum and their families, and the Peace Pipe Rotaract Club. 

"This year our district focused on addressing the hunger issues caused by the pandemic," said Gump. "Supporting local food banks has been an ongoing focus for many of our clubs, with donations reaching nearly one million dollars in the last decade."  

DG Tom also drew attention to the district's efforts to address racism by partnering with the YMCA Equity and Innovation Center to create a series of nine facilitations. Many clubs started book clubs, formed racial and inclusion committees, and initiated conversations about racial equity.  Nine clubs are partnering with businesses that were burned down during the riots following George Floyd’s death, helping those businesses rebuild.

He closed his remarks saying, "As always, the best part of Rotary is the lifelong friendships that we make."