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Mark Kenney

Hello Fellow Rotarians,As we return from what for many was a week away from our regular routines, I am reflecting on the importance of vacations and the importance of routine as well. Some people thrive on routine, while others crave spontaneity. I tend to enjoy both! I find a sense of inner peace with the predictability that comes from routine. But I also find much value and lift in breaking out of that routine from time to time.As we launch out into this new Rotary year, I encourage you to make our Wednesday meetings an important part of your regular weekly routine. Our time is valuable, and I promise to do my best, along with our team, to make our meetings interesting, informational, and inspiring. We have the opportunity each week to sit together, dream together, and work together all for the purpose of making a positive difference in our community and our world. See you Wednesday at noon!Better Together,Mark
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![]() It was a great evening last Monday July 7th for fun and fellowship at Stone Orchard to start off the new Rotary year with Mark Kenney as President!
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- Program: President Mark Kenney
- Honored to be the incoming President of the Faribault Rotary
- This is a remarkable club
- Positive anticipation starting a new year
- Humble and inspired to be the new president, thanks everyone for the support. Grateful to lead and serve alongside such a dedicated and passionate group of individuals.
- Joined Rotary in 2018 to make connections in the community – he was invited by Keith Kramer!
- Everyone has different backgrounds, generations, faiths, political views, occupations, and others BUT everyone sets aside those differences to come together to serve our friends and neighbors in this community
- Let’s be people that continue to trumpet the good. Bringers of solutions, not problems.
- Stand for: service above self, Commitment to our community, and the power of unity
- Phrase that has stuck with him: Better Together
- Together we have ability to make profound differences – not just here but around the world. This club has a proud history of doing that.
- Two themes for this year: Unite for Good and Better Together
- Goal for this year is that these are more than catchy phrases, but call to action this year.
- United For Good – every action we take is rooted in a desire to do whats right and what makes an impact. 4-way test can be the guide to do that.
- Better Together
- Rotary Visioning can help guide us to what our goals will be moving forward.
- Foster open dialogue in this club to do what we all want to do, have everyone’s voice and perspective heard.
- Wants to create an environment for all Rotarians where we follow the 4-way test in all aspects. He discussed each of the areas of the four-way test.
- Would like to strengthen connections in this club and other clubs
- Challenge to each one of us this year, everyone invites at least one new member to this club. Be intentional about asking others to join us and growing this club.
- Talked about broader initiatives that the Rotary might have on the horizon and how he is exploring those initiatives hoping they will come together.
- 4-way test will be our greatest strength to be Better Together.
- Encourages everyone in this club to become more involved in the efforts this club is doing, and we can multiply our impact.
- Better Together this year will include 3 things – Collaboration, Engagement, and Champions of Innovation.
Good Day FRYS! An exciting membership memo here for you today but better do your reading as the monthly in-person report will be highly condensed to allow for all the festivities of the day. E-tab sales increased 6.8% in May, touching $125K; however, the gross profit margin slumped to a 5-month low at 13.6%, resulting in just over $17K in gross profits à the lowest total since January 2025. Paper tab sales posted a large increase in sales over May, totaling $100K for a 35% increase over April à the $100K in was the highest total in paper tab sales of the fiscal year and largest sum since March 2024. More importantly, the gross profit margin more than doubled month-over-month from a record low of 9.8% to a quality 20.6%, delivering gross profits of $21K to FRYS. The positive momentum continued to Bingo as it reached $22K in sales for May, the highest monthly total in FRYS history! Although the gross profit margin at 18.8% was not the highest in Bingo history, gross profits from the game were still a respectable $4K. Wrapping it all together, net income blossomed to $13K May, a welcomed rebound from the net loss of $3K that FRYS posted in April. Those funds will be used to help finance the new septic system at the Rotary Camp...speaking of which. The new septic system has been installed at the Rotary Camp. The system required an electrical connection, which prompted FRYS to install an additional outlet out at the Camp and explore the notion of installing fans inside the building for better air circulation. The electrician was unsure if fans are possible due to the rafters but no final verdict on that front has been established.
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- David spoke about working at the INN and being a part of several wedding receptions in his 9 years there
- David spoke about being intentional about how we serve our community
- The septic system is complete at the camp
- Motion was brought forward to approve $10,000 of gambling funds towards the septic system installation (Greg Ciesluk and Kay Hoagland)
- Motion to reimburse David Connelly for the purchase of Rotary wrist bands
- Kay Hoagland (3), Murray Hanson (7), Bob Speckhals, and Dave Beranek were recognized in person
- Several other members were recognized who were not present or online
- The club welcomed Kristen Gleason’s daughters, along with Ellie’s family and the Cunningham’s oldest son, to the meeting for the day
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Our annual cash raffle comes to a close tomorrow with the drawing of winners during our noon meeting. All proceeds go to support our youth programs and college scholarships awarded through our club's STRIVE program.
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Your ticket stubs and money must be turned in to me at my office today at Richie Eye Clinic or at Wednesday's meeting. We have just 8 days left until the Cash Raffle drawing.
Please reply to this email to tell how many you have sold and when you will be getting them to me. Of the first 765 reported only 20 were unsold. There are still 135 tickets to be returned!
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![]() Thank you Ellie Holmquist for accepting the position of Faribault Rotary Club President for the year 2027-28. |
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![]() Joel gave his classification talk recently. I asked him six follow up questions to help summarize his presentation for those of us who were present and for our club members who missed the meeting. If you have not had a chance to welcome him to our club, please do so.
Joel - Principal at FHS Elisa - Executive Assistant to President of St. Olaf Will - 2nd Lt in the US Air Force Lauren - Junior at St Thomas Abby - Junior at Purdue
Faribault Faribault HS US Air Force, St. Cloud State, University of MN
Special Ed Teacher High School Athletic Director Coach
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![]() Greg Ciesluk recognized STRIVE student Adyson Bauer with a scholarship. |
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Dan Moline

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All Rotarians, their families, and guests are invited to the 84th Faribault Rotary Christmas Concert tomorrow Wednesday December 11th (11:15 am- 12:45pm) at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. The joyful sounds of the holiday season will be brought to us by the Faribault High School Choir.
Our host for the last three years, Dr. Martha Brown, asks that you arrive at 11:15 am for lunch before the concert begins. The cost of the meal is $15 for guests and anyone not on the meal plan.
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Board Meeting
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10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. -
Rotary Red Cross Blood Drive
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11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. -
Club Visioning
River Valley ChurchJul. 29, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. -
New Member Orientation Session
The InnJul. 30, 2025
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. -
Board Meeting
Inn at ShattuckAug. 20, 2025
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. -
New Member Orientation Session
The InnAug. 27, 2025
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. -
Annual Faribault Rotary Picnic
Rotary CampSep. 03, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Serve To Change Lives
Faribault, MN 55021
United States of America