Jennifer Bennerotte opened the meeting for Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 indicating today is a Prospective Member Meeting and that a number of members have brought prospects for membership.

 

We were greeted at the door by Wade Thommen, Ann Platt and John Mazzara. The front desks, which included a Prospective Member check-in, were worked by Wayne Harmon, Sue Johnson, Barbara Born and Jennifer Garske.

 

Jennifer did a scrapbook baby photo contest to identify the names of a few Edina Rotary members she displayed in cute baby photos. After a number of photos were not recognized, Mike Kallas correctly identified the baby photo of Jeff Ohe and was awarded a prize.

 

Mike also conducted the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test.

 

Jennifer then introduced the guests, including one of her own, Cathleen Olson. A total of 11 people were introduced, mostly prospective members who will hopefully qualify for membership in the future. We are having a successful recruiting year under the leadership of Josh Sprague. Josh brought two guests as did Tim Fargo, Kaylin Eidness (one was her husband) and Frank Cardarelle. 

 

Mark Jessen reminded members of the upcoming members’ bowling event at Park Tavern, 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan 30. 

 

Josh reported that the Edina High School Interact Club is planning, along with some other volunteer organizations, a "Skate to End Polio" from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the west rink of Braemar Arena. Edina Rotarians can buy tickets at the Thursday meeting, Feb. 4, from Interact members who will be in attendance. All proceeds go towards Rotary’s polio eradication campaign.

 

Steve Slyce, one of our most recent past Presidents, introduced and inducted new member, Katie Wanninger Smith. Katie was accompanied by her sponsor, her father and long-time member, Les Wanninger. Welcome, Katie and thanks, Les.

 

Member Ron Erhardt introduced our speaker for the day, Andy Zarras, Delta Airlines Vice President-Airport Operations in Minneapolis-St.Paul, responsible for all Delta customer service functions at MSP International airport. 
 

Zarras began his airline career in 1984, joining the New York-JFK Cargo division of Northwest Airlines. Throughout his career, he has held various positions with increasing levels of responsibility, including Director—Worldwide Cargo Operations. Prior to his current position in Minneapolis, he was the Vice President of Airport Customer Service for Detroit. As the Vice President of Delta's Minneapolis-St. Paul hub, Zarras is responsible for an organization of over 2,000 employees. 
 
He is an active supporter of the Twin Cities area and all of Minnesota. He was recently appointed as a trustee on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Zoo. Zarras holds a bachelor’s degree from Dowling College in Oakland, New York.

 

His speech was entitled "Leading in 2016," discussing the key attributes to being successful in 2016. Additionally, Ron Erhardt commented on Delta Airlines “enormous profits” and asked him to tell us what Delta is going to do with all that money.

 

Andy said people often say to him, “What is your job, Andy? 

 

He said his job is directed to a condition that he considers the most important to his and his company’s success … PEOPLE. 

 

First, he described that his role as being responsible for all customer service functions at MSP international airport means that it involves all people who greet or meet customers, including TSA (but not the employment for this government agency), baggage handlers, and so on, but not those on the planes. The idea is that if he and the company take good care of the PEOPLE who take care of the customers, then the customers come back.

 

A crucial aspect to success is the company’s “Flight Plan” which includes the key objectives that Delta has developed, things like on time performance, safety, baggage delivery, debt reduction, etc. He and his counterparts have a list of 20 objectives and a scorecard that feed into the Flight Plan. For him, it is in real time and he can report on his performance on these objectives at any point.

 

To have success with PEOPLE, you have to be enthusiastic, positive, show love and caring. One must always be nice, energized and never have bad days. One must stay the course, show you empathize with the PEOPLE, be personable and lead by example. At Delta, leaders serve others and may, as an example, serve food to those down the line. It’s referred to as “servant leadership.” He serves coffee to his secretary, Marcie, every day.

 

Various rewards make the difference. There are many personal thank you’s. Every February 14th bonuses are given out. This year, everyone will get a bonus of 21.4 percent of their annual other compensation. That has to be a motivator!

 

How you get it done is just as important as the actual results. Being positive and showing you care are part of that. Internal questionnaires are used on everyone and the evaluation of you by subordinates has a significant effect on your personal outcomes.
Though Andy didn’t directly deal with Ron’s question, i.e. “…do with all that money.” We can see that 21.4 percent bonuses might be part of the answer.

 

Dan Mott thanked the speaker and Jennifer Bennerotte adjourned the meeting.

Give to Rotary -- the Edina Rotary Club Foundation and the Rotary Foundation. What's the difference?

 

I know ... it can be confusing. With Rotary, there are two ways to give and to support Rotary projects and our club encourages both. 

 

The Edina Rotary Foundation.  This is our local club's foundation and is used to support local projects (Fraser, YMCA, Erik's Ranch & Retreat and more). We raise funds for our club foundation through the gala that we hold each fall. 

 

We also use some of these funds to support our own international projects, such as the Moses Miracle and safe water projects. Often, when we fund an international project, we ask for matching funds from the District and from Rotary International.  So where do those matching funds come from?

 

They come from us, when we donate to the Rotary Foundation. In the second half of our Rotary year, we raise money for the Rotary Foundation.  Each year, we hope that every Rotarian will donate to this foundation. This year, we are hoping to raise $80,000 and even more important, to have 100 percent member participation.  Donations of all sizes are welcome and encouraged so that we can reach our goal.  The Rotary Foundation funds projects around the world and one of the biggest projects is the fight against polio. So, we need your support of this fundraising campaign, too. 

 

The Rotary Foundation recognizes Rotarians at special giving levels.  Once you have donated $1,000, you are recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. (Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary).  And with each additional $1,000 that is donated, you are recognized as a Paul Harris + 1, +2, +3, etc.  To be in the Paul Harris Society means that you commit to donating $1,000 each year.  It's really easy to do and can be charged to your credit card or taken out of your accounts automatically.  

 

We are here to help make your giving options easier, so don't hesitate to reach out and ask any questions that you have about the Edina Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Foundation. It's twice the giving, for twice the support and twice the impact around the world!

 

Thank you for your generosity.