August is Membership Month for Rotary International and Edina Rotary Club, and we want to ensure that our club members are engaged and committed to the club. This all starts with attracting the right members! Yes, many of us joined with the thought of networking our businesses but soon discovered that there was more satisfaction in giving vs. receiving.
 
Many of you have stated that you have stayed for the friendship and fellowship. That is great to hear! It takes all of us working together to make our club vibrant and attractive to new people so they can feel the camaraderie we have. Whether you are a Rotary “veteran” or a new member, ask yourself these questions:

At last week’s meeting District 5950 Governor Mark Hegstrom talked about vibrancy and staying relevant. We are the largest club in the district, but we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to ensure that all of our members are engaged and feel welcome!

 

I have re-instituted a gold sticker on new members' name badges so that they can be identified. Please make sure that they feel a part of our club. In this way we can continue the reputation that Bob Hildreth instituted during his presidency, that “We are the #1 club in the universe."

 

 

Another glorious midsummer day—blue skies, bird calls, puffy white clouds, and a blessed silence from both major parties! How sweet it is!!

On arrival at our Aug. 11 meeting, your writer was greeted by none other than Marty Kupper himself, in the unaccustomed role of Rotary photographer in place of John Flynn. Giving thanks for one meal at least when chewing with an open mouth need not become the subject of Flynn’s eagle eye and the resulting photo in The Barker. Phew!

Greeters at the meeting were Dave Hatzung, Kevin Strandberg and Andrea Thompson Miller. Bob Stehlik helped out at the front desk. 

President Ann Platt opened the meeting at 12:35 p.m. with a crisp bang of the gong, and Charlie Barer shared an inspiring invocation from the Costco Collection. Sam Thompson introduced guests Brett McReavy (guest of his father, Bill McReavy) and Dario Anselmo (guest of Heather Hansen). When visiting Rotarian Zdenek Kratky was introduced, he invited everyone to attend the Patrick Kennedy Memorial Golf Tournament at the Mendota Country Club on Sept. 26, hosted by his Edina Morningside Rotary Club. 

Former 5950 District Governor Tim Murphy reported on the success of Rotary’s International Youth Exchange Program, then introduced Eleanor Hastings, who shared photos and heartfelt reminiscences of her academic year in the Czech Republic.  

 

Brad Hepp then formally inducted a new member, Hannelore Brucker, whose skills on the accordion and harmonica will surely make her one of the most highly coveted guests at our next round of Fireside Chats. Hannelore's sponsor to the club is Josh Sprague.

The Oct. 1 date of our New York-themed Gala is fast approaching, and Royce Pavelka urged the members to donate items to the Silent Auction, with forms available this week. C’mon folks, whose idyllic lake house would be just right for a prize-winning family of Rotarians? 

Returning to the podium, our President Ann Platt called former President Steve Slyce up for the speaker introduction. Steve then introduced Mark Hegstrom, a former president of the Edina Morningside Club and our new District 5950 Governor. 

The theme of District Governor Hegstrom’s presentation was “How the Greatest Club in the Universe Can Get Even Better." And how might that be, you may well ask? By becoming what Mark calls “a vibrant club” that engages its members, conducts meaningful projects, is flexible, tries new and fun ideas, and has a unique identity. Rotary thrives as an organization as it engages the younger generation, the “under 40” group. What got us here won’t keep us here, and Rotary must either evolve or perish.  

Mark urged the assembly to think deeply about new forms of engagement and new types of service. The “blink” of an idea is all it takes to attract new members, so consider what images of the Rotary experience does a prospective member see at first “blink?" Mark closed with this insight—images are symbols of the substance that defines Rotary.

 

Libby Schmit thanked the speaker and presented our club's donation to Edina Give & Go in his name.

A call to the membership of the No. 1 Club in the Universe—let’s ponder deeply and creatively the symbols that will define Rotary to the next generation. 

Our President returned to the podium to thank Eleanor for the presentation of her experiences in the Czech Republic, to welcome Hannelore as a new member, to thank District Governor Hegstrom, and to announce next week’s speaker as an expert on sleep disorders. Too many sheep to count?  

 

Ann closed the meeting with a sports quote from the Pope—such a cool Pope—and tapped the bell gently to ring us out till next week’s meeting.