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Melissa Caruso is the general manager of the Minnesota Frost, a member of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She is entering her third season. In her first season, she led the Frost to their second consecutive Walter Cup, the first back-to-back titles in league history. She has guided the team through two expansion drafts, while retaining seven two-time Walter Cup champions and seven Olympians in the 2026 offseason.

Before joining the Frost, Caruso spent 15 years with the American Hockey League, rising from intern to Vice President of Hockey Operations and Governance. In that role, she oversaw the league’s off-ice operations, including building the annual schedule for 32 teams and 1,152 games. A graduate of Springfield College, she lives in St. Paul with her husband and daughter.

 

We have two wonderful opportunities coming up to get involved with Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery:

Thursday, Oct. 29, 5 - 6 p.m. - Tour of Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, , sign up HERE!

Join us for an opportunity to tour the facility, learn more about the Nursery’s mission, and see firsthand the incredible work they do to support children and families in our community.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 4 - 6 p.m. - Food Service Volunteer Opportunity, sign up HERE!

Roll up your sleeves and join us as we help provide food service for the children at the Nursery. This is a meaningful, hands-on opportunity to make a difference and support an organization doing such important work. We are looking for volunteers for both opportunities! Whether you can join us for the tour, food service, or both, your participation would be greatly appreciated. Both events will take place at Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, located at 4544 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to serving our community. I hope to see many of you there!

Edina Rotary Club will host Prospective Member Day Thursday, October 29th. All Rotarians are encouraged to bring a friend or colleague that is interested in learning more about Rotary and our club to the meeting. Lunch is on the club for all prospective members on October 29th! Please make sure your guests sign in at the guest table before the meeting.

The program speaker for the meeting is scheduled to be Melissa Caruso, GM of the MN Frost.

For more information, contact Membership Director—Recruitment Mike Martiny.

Join your fellow Rotary Club of Edina members and guests for an evening of great conversation, stronger friendships and connections at our Fireside Chats. Fireside Chats are a casual and smaller gathering of like-minded Rotarians, spending an evening getting to know each other better outside of our weekly meetings. This is a great opportunity for new members to get to know other Rotarians.

Fireside chat with Kelley Burnett: Wednesday, October 28 @ 6:00 PM REGISTER HERE!
Women in Rotary with Sandra Krebsbach: Thursday, November 12 @ 5:00 PM REGISTER HERE!

We look forward to seeing you!


Are YOU interested in being a Fireside Chat Host? We are still looking for hosts! If you are interested, please reach out to Julie Westbrock at jwestbrock@trustpointinc.com.

The Edina Rotary Club’s Youth Service Committee seeks volunteers for its third-grade literacy project! 
ONE more volunteer is needed!

Wednesday, Oct 28, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Concord Elementary School, 5900 Concord Ave., Edina
SIGN UP HERE!
 
As part of the project, Rotarians read the book Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure to local students and discuss ethics with them. Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure is the story of a young entrepreneur who starts an apple dumpling business. With the guidance of a mysterious voice conveying the Four-Way Test, he turns his venture into a wonderful success and makes friends along the way.

Volunteers are needed to read the book to classes and distribute copies of the book to students. Register above to volunteer. Plan to arrive at 11:45 pm to allow time for check-in and finding the classroom.
 
 

Our weekly meeting during the second week of November will be held in collaboration with the Rotary Clubs of Area 3 for a special Veterans Day Luncheon. Registration is required for all Rotary Club of Edina members, veterans, and guests to ensure accurate catering counts and adequate seating. 

DATE: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
TIME: Seating begins at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Epicenter, Eden Prairie Schools' Valley View Campus, 11849 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
WHO: District 5950 Zone Area 3 Rotarians, Veterans and Guests

Rotary Club of Edina Pricing Information: 
Standard non-veteran Rotary Club of Edina members in attendance will be billed a $8 special meeting fee on their next quarterly bill to cover fees above our standard lunch cost. Members may bring one veteran guest at no additional cost. Non-veteran special event guest cost will be $35.00, billed to Rotary Club of Edina member's quarterly statement.

Rotary Club of Edina senior active members who are veterans will not pay for lunch and may invite one non-member veteran as their guest at no cost. RCE members who wish to invite more than one veteran guest will pay $35.00 per additional veteran or non-veteran invited. Senior Active non-veteran members will be billed $35.00 for meeting fees. Please contact Erica Allenberg with any question or concern.

Pre-registration is required. If you're registering yourself as a veteran and/or your veteran guests, in "Comments", please enter the veteran's branch of service, rank and conflict served, i.e. Army, Sgt. 1st Class, Korean War. See Rotary Club of Edina pricing information above.

REGISTER HERE!
RSVP for this event by October, 30th!
 
Featured Guest Speaker, Jeff Griffith, The Medal of Honor & American Battlefield Trust
 
Contact Rotary Club of Edina President Elect Erica Allenberg for last minute available seating. 

At the October 22, 2026, Rotary meeting, four members became Paul Harris Fellows and 12 members were recognized for reaching new recognition levels by continuing their generous tradition of giving to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). The awards were presented by Rotary Foundation Director Bob Scott to:

New Paul Harris Fellows: Kam Aggarwal, John Harmon, Marhya Molepske, Ben Pohlman

Multiple Paul Harris Fellows (New Recognition Levels): Nikki Ahlgren, Barbara Born, Bob Clayburgh, Michael Eckert, Dan Hunt, Mark Jessen, Susan Johnson, Richard Kleber, Raj Kumar, Chris Laskowski, Rob Olsen, Geetu Sharma

Congratulations to our new Paul Harris Fellow honorees!

It is time for Edina Morningside Rotary Club Online Gertens Fundraiser! This group will receive 30% of all plant sales and 15% of all plant card sales. Proceeds will go toward Rotary International-End Polio Now.

For every 90 dollars spent, $30 goes towards Polio Plus, and then is matched 2:1, turning that $30 dollar donation into $90 toward polio eradication.  

ORDER HERE. Enter Store 775 to access form and orders must be completed by 10 PM on Wednesday, October 29th.

Or point your phone camera at the QR code below and it will take you directly to our site!

Pick up your order Tuesday, December 1st, 8:00 to 9:00 AM at Edina Country Club. Thank you for your support!

 

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 

Guy Marzano
Classification: Building Materials Professional
Sponsor: Sandra Schley

After earning a B. S. In Biology at the University of Akron in June 1973, Guy served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the U. S. Air Force from 1973 through 1985. He was stationed in Illinois, Florida, the Netherlands, Indiana, and California and was awarded the Meritorious Service Metal upon retirement. He earned an M. A. In Educational Psychology from Ball State University while he was in the USAF. After retiring from the military, he earned a second M. A. (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of North Dakota In Counseling. Guy has been a Rotarian for over thirty years. He is the Past President of the Rotary Club of Minnetonka, the Rotary Club of St. Louis Park, and the Rotary Club of Service to Minnesota Veterans. He has chaired Club membership, fundraising, and other committees. He was Chair of the District 5950 Visioning Team and is currently on the District Membership Committee. He was the Minnetonka Rotarian of the Year in 2012 - 2013. Guy future goal is to be of Loving Service for as long as possible.

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee recently approved the following applicant. Written objections to the applications below must be submitted before Midnight, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to Rotary Club of Edina, PO Box 24481, Edina, MN 55424 or emailed to administrator@EdinaRotary.org. 

Anne Marie Leland
Classification: Education 
Sponsor: Erica Allenberg

Anne Marie Leland is Director of Community Education and Strategic Partnerships at Edina Public Schools, where she leads early learning, school-age care, youth enrichment, adult programs and the district’s grants office. Her 30-year career has been built on service to students, families and communities, with a focus on educational equity, early childhood, and pathways to opportunity for young people and adults. She has secured more than $15 million in grants to expand access to preschool, summer learning, youth programs, and career training for adults. She serves on the boards of Think Small and Edina Give and Go. Dr. Leland was Community Education Director for Faribault Public Schools (2012–22), where she built strong partnerships with Somali and Latino families. While there, she served as Secretary of the Faribault Rotary Club and Vice Chair of Rice County United Way, and supported Faribault Youth Investment, River Bend Nature Center, and Growing Up Healthy.

Join us at our Rotary Club of Edina booth for a spooktacular alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating with a HalloBoo Trick-or-Treat Trail. Volunteers will hand out candy bars and treats at this indoor alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating and answer any questions participants’ parents or guardians have about Rotary. (All participants will receive chocolate candy bars. Those 5 and older will receive a Rotary flashlight.) Volunteers should wear their Rotary T-shirt or a fun, not-too-scary Halloween costume. This is a low-stress, fun community service activity benefitting Edina’s youth.

We need ONE more volunteer  (5:30 to 7:15 p.m.). 

Sign up HERE! 

Contact Public Image Director, Sandra Krebsbach

Sign up today to help Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) serve the hungry in our community! Volunteers welcome participants to the VEAP pantry, explain the process and respond to participant questions, keep the shopping area clean and tidy, sort through food donations, stock shelves, load groceries into vehicles and overall help VEAP promote a positive shopping experience for participants. VEAP staff explain the process before every volunteer shift in the pantry. 
 
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2:15pm - 5:15pm: Sign up here!

Join us at "The Mezz" on Monday, November 9, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Lunds & Byerlys, located at 7171 France Ave, Edina.

This gathering is a casual, vocational and business network opportunity centered on featuring an Edina Noon or Edina Morningside Rotary member's career story. Guests are welcome. Personal food and beverage choices are available to order and purchase. Featured speaker is Dr. Rassacin Ly, D.C., a Chiropractic Doctor at Chiropractic Healing Arts Center. Registration is not required. 

 

We are doing a winter clothing drive in conjunction with the Edina Country Club Thursday, November 19th. Bring your gently used or new coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, gloves/mittens, winter hats and blankets to ECC. These items will be donated to Involve MN who feeds over 5,000 meals each week to the local area unsheltered using a special van to visit encampments and other areas where they gather. Involve MN is a Minnesota based non-profit collaborating with community, business and government to provide for the unsheltered and vulnerable people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Your friends and family are welcome to participate.

Questions? Please reach out to Ann Platt at  952-292-6043 / 952-837-1877 or Jack Kennefick or 612-220-4972.  Thank you in advance for your participation.

Camp Enterprise is scheduled for November 5-7, 2026 at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, MN. The Rotary Clubs of Edina have administered this amazing leadership development program for high school juniors and seniors for almost 50 years. It is one of our signature programs each year. We support over 120 high school students, 16 college counselors, and numerous speakers and volunteers. Every year, we need 80 volunteers for a number of different roles to make Camp E a success. We already have volunteers signed up for some of our needs. Thank you to those of you who have already committed.

The most immediate needs include:

·  2 Mentors - If you are a fun Rotarian this is for you!  The most important volunteer role at Camp E, working with a student team throughout the 2½-day program.

·  1 Venture Capitalist - If you have limited availability the Saturday morning, November 7th role may be right for you. This will entail judging student business presentations and making a mock $5 million investment.

·  2 Essay Readers - Another commitment of Saturday morning only. You will be assisting with scoring student essays for scholarships.

·  Registration, set-up, and takedown volunteers – This will be shorter time commitments for those who may not be able to participate for the full program.

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER FOR CAMP ENTERPRISE HERE!

Reach out to Michael Birdman (EMRC), Chairperson 2026 or Brent Lundell (ERC), Co-Chair 2026 with any questions. You can also contact us at camperotary@gmail.com or 763.442.9273. 

The Rotary Club of Edina is grateful to the businesses and community leaders who are helping make our Foundation’s Service is FUNdamental fundraiser possible. And thank you to all of our corporate sponsors for investing in Rotary’s work to support our community and causes around the world.

LEVEL I - The Headliner $25,000 

- David Clynes (The Bill & Lois Clynes Foundation)

LEVEL III - The Main Event $10,000

- Dr. S.K. Dash 

- Paul Mooty (Faribault Woolen Mill)
 

 

LEVEL V - The Celebration Sponsor $5,000

- Julie Westbrock (TrustPoint Wealth Management)
 

 

- Michael Stanzak (Key Cadillac)
 

 

- Anonymous Donor
 

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee and Board of Directors welcome Carol Chen as a member of the Rotary Club of Edina. Carol is Director of Marketing Automation Technology at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Her work includes building training pathways, governance frameworks, and enterprise communication systems that reduce dependency on tribal knowledge and support sustainable adoption. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, golf, fitness, healthy living, and arts and cultural events.

Carol Chen
Classification: Marketing Technology
Sponsor: Jean Morrison 

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee and Board of Directors welcome Ellen Kennedy as a member of the Rotary Club of Edina. Ellen is the Founder and Executive Director of World Without Genocide. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters-Edina, and co-chairs a social justice committee, and is on a social justice committee at Mount Zion Temple, a Reform Jewish congregation in St. Paul. Ellen was a member of Edina Noon Rotary Club from 2002-2011, and served as president, 2009-2010.

Ellen Kennedy
Classification: Human Rights
Sponsor: Josh Sprague

At the August 13, 2026, Rotary meeting, five members became Paul Harris Fellows in recognition of their contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). The pins were presented by Rotary Foundation Director Bob Scott to Ram Gada, Wei Huang,  Feroza Mehta, James Olcott and Tanwi Prigge. Congratulations to our new Paul Harris Fellow honorees

Solar Lights near Chisizya Hospital

This update was provided by Savanna Wilson of Revolved, a non-government organization working throughout the world. Revolved exists to strengthen promising work in overlooked places. They invest in community leaders around the world who are quietly making a difference and offer the support that unlocks their full potential.

Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Edina, Chisizya Hospital in rural Zimbabwe is now a little brighter and better equipped to serve its community. This August, the Club’s support helped install solar lighting around the hospital, improving safety and access, particularly during nighttime emergencies. Rotary Edina also provided a comprehensive toolkit for Knowledge, the man who takes care of maintenance at the hospital, giving the local team the ability to make repairs and care for the facility long into the future. For a small rural hospital serving thousands of people, these practical improvements make an enormous difference. Knowledge couldn’t have been prouder of his new tools, and the Chisizya community is incredibly grateful. Thank you, Rotary Club of Edina, for making this possible.

A huge thank you from all of us, and from the Chisizya community, for your generosity and support.

Many thanks,
Savanna

Club Leadership
President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Past President
Club Service (Administration) Director
Membership Director
Vice President
Public Image Director
Youth Service Director
Social Director
Community Service—Grants Funding Director
Community Service—Projects Director
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
International Service Director
The Rotary Foundation Director
Annual Gala Co-Chair
Annual Gala Co-Chair
Club Service Projects Chair
Executive Secretary / Director
Club Young Leaders Contact
 
WELCOME TO ROTARY CLUB OF EDINA!
The Rotary Club of Edina meets...
 
Thursdays - Doors Open 12:15 p.m.- Program Begins -12:35 p.m.
Edina Country Club
5100 Wooddale Ave
Edina MN 55424
 
952-215-7924
 
 
Check out our speaker list, and join us for a meeting anytime!
Meeting Duties
Oct 29 - Caruso
Administration
Martiny, Mike
 
Front Desk Assistance
Johnson, Susan
 
Podium-Intro Guest-Speaker
Hayes, Joe
 
Photographer
Brucker, Hannelore
 
Nov 5 - Georgiou
Administration
Scott, Bob
 
Front Desk Assistance
Hykes, Dennis
 
Podium-Intro Guest-Speaker
Walker, Ph.D., Lisa
 
Photographer
Hendrickson, Jennifer
 

Speakers

Melissa Caruso, GM of the MN Frost
Oct 29, 2026
Women's Professional Hockey League
Dr. David Schultz, Hamline University
Nov 19, 2026
"Thoughts on the Mid-Term Elections"
Upcoming Events
Newsletter
Meeting Duties
Oct 29 - Caruso
Administration
Martiny, Mike
 
Front Desk Assistance
Johnson, Susan
 
Podium-Intro Guest-Speaker
Hayes, Joe
 
Photographer
Brucker, Hannelore
 
Nov 5 - Georgiou
Administration
Scott, Bob
 
Front Desk Assistance
Hykes, Dennis
 
Podium-Intro Guest-Speaker
Walker, Ph.D., Lisa
 
Photographer
Hendrickson, Jennifer