Reflecting society in 1905, Rotary was limited to male members and remained so officially until 1989, when the Council on Legislation, Rotary’s parliament, voted to eliminate the male-only provision, opening up membership to qualified women across the world. However, the forward-thinking Rotary Club of Edina welcomed its first female member, Chrysanne Manoles, a year earlier in 1988. Manoles continues to be active in Rotary. In Manoles’ honor and to celebrate the work of women in the community, the Rotary Club of Edina established an annual women’s leadership award in 2008. The 16th-annual Women in Leadership Award winner, Diane Osborne, will be honored at the Rotary Club of Edina’s May 11 meeting.
Osborne, Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care Unit at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital, started a program to honor organ donors and their families. When the time comes for the donor to travel to the operating room for the donation, there is an “Honor Walk” – an activity to honor the donor one last time whereby all present in the ICU line the hallway in silent tribute as the patient is wheeled by in their bed. While the donor is in the operating room, a flag flies outside the hospital so that all who pass by the busy intersection of Minnesota Highway 62 and France Avenue see the flag and know someone is giving the ultimate gift.
Following Osborne’s receipt of the award, the club will hear from a dynamic female leader.
Stephanie A. Urchick, 2024-25 Rotary International President, OR will be visiting our club during our regular noon meeting this coming Thursday, May 11. She is the selection of the RI Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2024-24, a decision that would make her only the second woman to hold that position. For additional about Stephanie click HERE.
Join your fellow Rotarians for a Pickleball Social on Wednesday, May 10 from 3 to 5 pm at Lifetime - Edina Southdale. Cost is $25-$30 per person depending on number of participants. Social to follow at Lifetime Rare Sushi from 5:30 to 6:30 pm food and drink purchases on your own. RSVP Karlen at karlen@encompasslawmn.com. Registration is closed. Contact Karlen Padayachee at 612-708-5130 or karlito.padayachee@gmail.com for possible openings.
The Rotary Club of Edina Spring Fireside Chat schedule will begin Thursday, May 11. Club member hosted these small and casual social gatherings give experienced and freshman Rotarians the opportunity to get to know each other and learn about Rotary. Usually held in the host member's home as a come and go timed gathering, it's a nice way to conversationally and personally connect with your fellow Rotary friends. You're invited to attend all the scheduled chats or pick one that works best with your schedule. To allow the host to prepare, please register for each gathering you plan to attend. Please let Kayla Beehler know if you any questions or would like to added to the Spring or Fall Fireside host schedule.
The schedule so far is:
Thursday, May 11th from 7pm – 9pm: Julie Westbrock’s House REGISTER
Thursday, May 18th from 7pm-9pm: Paul Mooty’s House REGISTER
Wednesday, May 24th from 5:30pm-7:30pm: Kelley Burnett's House REGISTER
Tuesday, May 30th from 7:00-9:00pm: Geetu Sharma House REGISTER
May 2023 Event - Thursday, May 18, 5:30-7pm. In partnership with Tomme Beevas and Pimentos Jamaican Kitchen, Black Business Networking will encourage us to continue to expand the efforts of our club's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The 2023 networking event will be held Thursdays Jan 19, Mar 16, May 18 from 5:30-7pm at Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, 2524 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404. This week's featured business leader is Damon Jenkins, Senior Vice-President and Twin Cities Regional Market President for First Independence Bank (bio below). Click HERE for a Kare11 interview and background on First Independence Bank. Meeting details are:
5:30-6:00 Social & networking time — the rum punch will be flowing! 6:00-6:15 Introductions around the room, including each attendee's business background 6:15-6:45 Featured Black Entrepreneur presents their business story to the group 6:45-7:00 Q &A session and wrap up
Have you heard? This year there is a challenge between The Rotary Club of Edina and Edina Morningside Rotary Club to see which club will get the highest percentage of members to donate $25 or more to The Rotary Foundation. We would like to get 100% participation during this campaign and show EMRC we are the "Best Club in the Universe". Please Read More on how you can participate.
The Spring edition of Rotary District 5950 Flip digital magazine is ready for review. In this edition you will find program information on the District Annual Meeting, District Assembly, District Rotary Social, District Governor Installation, and District service opportunities. Click HERE to browse and find your district service calling.
On Saturday, June 10, 2023, 9 am to Noon, fellow Rotarian John Mazzara is sponsoring a FREE Shed Event in the parking lot of Re/Max at 7700 France Ave S. Bring your paper documents only for disposal. Please feel free to invite a friend, a large truck has been ordered. Go to the South side of the Building and look for the inflatable Re/Max Balloon and ShredIt truck. Let John know you're coming at john@johnmazzara.com. Flyer with details HERE
GO FUND ME LINK HERE Grant recipient, Involve MN, had one of their outdoor grills stolen from its parking spot at the Women's Club in Minneapolis. The grill was used to cook for and feed the Minneapolis/St. Paul unsheltered population in places they gather like light rail stations, parks and minimum shelter camps. Involve MN along with our club's Community Service Committee is urgently hoping to raise enough money through the Go Fund Me page to purchase another grill to continue their mission and sharing the word of need for help with friends and family. All donations are tax-deductible, will go directly to the organization and you will receive a receipt for your donation.
You Tube link to WCCO news story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HE2b3g2Itw
The City of Edina seeks input from Rotarians to help shape a local ordinance on carryout bags.
In February, the City Council directed staff to draft a possible update to the City Code to include the requirement that customers pay a fee for any plastic, paper, compostable or reusable bags received when making a purchase. The non-taxable bag fee would be collected and retained by merchants to use at their own discretion. Businesses would report annually to the City how many and what type of bags were distributed. READ MORE for additional details of this request for input.
The foundation of the Rotary Club of Edina recently awarded a grant of $3,000 to Breanna’s Gift.
Breanna’s Gift is an arts program that brings the joy of dance, visual arts, music and performing arts to children facing cancer and other serious illnesses. In-person classes are offered at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul and Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis. Art Takeout is used at many children’s hospitals and healthcare facilities, including Mayo Eugenio Litta Children’s Hospital in Rochester and Crescent Cove children’s hospice in Brooklyn Park.
Not Available at Press Time - Check Your Reminder Email on Thursday
DEADLINE for newsletter story and event submission is Monday Noon for Tuesday publication.
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.