We are happy to have Russ Carlson and Norm Okerstrom with us on Thursday, Feb. 7. Russ and Norm are members of the Rotary Club of Plymouth and serve as Co-Chairs for their Signature service project ‘Heart Safe Plymouth’.
The ‘Heart Safe Plymouth’ initiative is part of the State’s larger effort to encourage communities to be better informed and prepared to respond to Cardiac Emergencies…Specifically, SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States killing more than 360,000 individuals each year. It is also the leading cause of death on high school campuses and the number 1 cause of death of high school athletes. Each year more than 7,000 seemingly young, healthy kids die suddenly from Cardiac Arrest.
The next Rotary Vocational Development Group will be Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Once a month, Edina Rotarians have a chance to connect with other club members, and any guests, at the happy hour. This Rotary event is held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Mezz at the Lunds & Byerly's in Edina. The meeting will feature a brief presentation from a featured Rotarian, plus time for introductions, networking and questions. The Rotary Club of Edina and EMRC collaborate on this event.
The goal of the Rotaract Mentorship Program is for Rotaractors to obtain support and information related to their roles and to foster an understanding related to the Rotaract/Rotary experience. Each Rotaract member will be paired with an Edina Club Rotary member. The Rotarian mentor has experience in a similar role to the Rotaract mentee and shares specific Rotarian knowledge and information to enhance the Rotaract member's overall club experience. During the last few Rotaract mentor/mentee exchanges the following perspectives were shared.
Rotaract Mentee, Marge Kajer, wrote:
Like many of the members of the Edina Rotaract Club, I am a recent college graduate. This new chapter of our lives that we have begun to establish – fondly and colloquially referred to as ‘adulting’ - can be daunting. And although we are done with the exams, grades and group projects, we realize that our education never stops. My most recent lesson, and perhaps the most valuable, is that there is always something to learn from our encounters with others. Cue Edina Rotaract Club and the Rotary Mentorship Night. It was inspiring to see so many Rotarians - a business owner, a journalist, a realtor- eager to engage with our Rotaract Club. Individuals across sectors and industries came to share advice, stories, dialogue and questions. That evening I learned to never stop asking questions. It was an opportunity to connect in a meaningful and impactful way as well as a reminder that our possibilities are endless. We can steer this new chapter in whatever direction we choose, and as we go, this community of support, wisdom and guidance will be there along the way.
Mentor, Katy Koch Campbell, shared her perspective.
“What’s a great question you ask?” My new Rotaract Club friend posed this, curious about my experience interviewing people in my career writing for newspapers and magazines. Great question! What a meaningful conversation this inspired at our table at the first mentorship night. Another Rotaractor at the table, age 22 and a recent college graduate, said he has a question he likes to ask when it appears a buddy is not in a good place: “What’s keeping you up at night?” We all savored the depth and importance of that one. His question for our table was, “What’s a good question to break the ice in a social conversation?” One suggestion was to ask a knowledge question in an area of known expertise, which would presumably be within a person’s comfort zone. What was my “great question?” I shared a favorite that had been asked of me once during a job interview. “What books are on top of your nightstand, waiting for you to read?” What are your great questions, Rotarians?
The next meeting of the Rotaract Club of Edina will be Wednesday, Feb. 13, at The Mezz in Lunds & Byerlys on France Avenue in Edina. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.
Our speaker will be District Governor Irene Kelly. Irene will offer insights into the world of Rotary while inviting Rotaractors to consider the importance of passion and purpose … personally, professionally and in Rotary.
I wanted to congratulate all our current members. We are now officially chartered as a Rotaract Club by Rotary International. Come celebrate with us! I hope to see you all on Wednesday!
The Interact Club of Edina will host a “Skate to End Polio” 8 to 9:30p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Braemar Arena.
The fundraiser will follow the varsity playoff game at the arena, 5701 Ikola Way. Participants will enjoy open skating, great music and special lighting at this Valentine’s Day weekend event in the Backyard Rink. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for children. They can be purchased the day of the event or in advance by contacting Rotarian Josh Sprague, josh@joshsprague.com. Tickets will also be available at the 12:15 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 7 and 14 meetings of the Rotary Club of Edina at the Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Ave.
Rebecca Michalski was recently named Administrator of the Rotary Club of Edina.
The Club Administrator is the club’s primary point of contact with Rotary International and District 5950. Michalski succeeds Jennifer Garske in the position. Michalski has more than 20 years of experience as an executive assistant and office manager, in addition to work in the advertising and finance fields.
The Program speakers on the January 31st Rotary Club meeting of Edina were three Daughters of The American Revolution: Terry Anderson, Gigi Hickey and Wendi Moffly.
Nate Wenner spoke the invocation and in face of anxiety and fear told us to be grateful for Love, Friends, Nature, and Opportunities to “give back” Les Jones introduced the guests: - Greg Gable guest of Royce Pavelka - Mary Lee Jennings and Wendi Moffly, guest of husband and father Joel Jennings - Hokyu Lee, guest of Wooj Byun and visiting Rotary Margaret Johnson, Edina Morningside, Secretary Steve Slyce inducted new Rotary Member Joe Mahoney The following events were announced: Bowling Night 2-2-2019 by Sutton McGraw, Happy Hour/Vocational Development Group by Jennifer Hendrickson, CPR Training following the meeting on 2-7-2019 by Marty Kupper.
The Edina Country Club will serve Buffet - Hungarian Beef Tips or Salmon Cakes at the Feb. 14 Rotary Club of Edina meeting.
The Rotary Club of Edina's Administrator, Becci Michalski, works part time and will respond to your inquiries within 24 hours. Contact her at rmichalski@EdinaRotary.org
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We are happy to have Russ Carlson and Norm Okerstrom with us on Thursday, Feb. 7. Russ and Norm are members of the Rotary Club of Plymouth and serve as Co-Chairs for their Signature service project ‘Heart Safe Plymouth’. 
The next Rotary Vocational Development Group will be Wednesday, Feb. 6. 
The goal of the Rotaract Mentorship Program is for Rotaractors to obtain support and information related to their roles and to foster an understanding related to the Rotaract/Rotary experience. Each Rotaract member will be paired with an Edina Club Rotary member. The Rotarian mentor has experience in a similar role to the Rotaract mentee and shares specific Rotarian knowledge and information to enhance the Rotaract member's overall club experience. During the last few Rotaract mentor/mentee exchanges the following perspectives were shared. 
The Program speakers on the January 31st Rotary Club meeting of Edina were three Daughters of The American Revolution: Terry Anderson, Gigi Hickey and Wendi Moffly.