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District Governor to Speak at Feb. 11 Meeting
District Governor Tim Murphy, a member of the Rotary Club of Edina, will be the featured speaker at the Thursday, Feb. 11, meeting. In his presentation, he will answer the question, "What Does a Great Rotary Club Look Like?" 
 
Tim was President of the Rotary Club of Edina in the 2006-2007 Rotary year. He took over as Rotary District 5950 Governor in July 2015, and will serve through June 2016.
In Review
President Jennifer Bennerotte opened the meeting by welcoming us and reminding us of the importance of new members and being sponsors of new members. Josh Sprague is leading the way with six new members since Rotary International began tracking sponsorship data a few years ago. The membership pillar of the club is ex-President Scott MacDonald with at least 11 new members over the years.
 
We were greeted at the door by Sam Thompson, Renee Harberts and Lisa Walker.  Assisting at the Front Desk was Hal Harris. Ex-President Steve Slyce led the club in the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test. Visiting Rotarians and guests were introduced by Jim Ryman.
 
Doug Johnson announced that the Club has already lined up several exciting new speakers for the 2016-2017 Rotary year. He encouraged the membership to provide input and suggestions for interesting future speakers to be considered. 
 
Josh Sprague introduced Kelly Jessen, daughter of member Mark Jessen. Kelly is the at-large director for the newly formed Edina High School Interact Club. Kelly announced a fundraiser – Skate to End Polio – coming up on February 13th at the West Rink of Braemar Arena from 5 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome with tickets sold at $20 for adults and $10 for kids. Enjoy open skating with friends and family along with great music and special lighting. All proceeds go to Rotary’s polio eradication campaign. More details are available on our website.
 
Sue Spalding with the assistance of Leann Stessman honored our Club’s newest Paul Harris Fellows and Multiple Paul Harris Fellows. Our newest Fellows are Jim Ryman, Greg Yoch, Jim Roberts and Steve Buettner. Multiple Paul Harris Fellows are Don Hutchison (+1), Marie Pribyl (+2), David Clynes (+3), Ron Erhardt (+4), Mike Kallas (+4), Charles McGoldrick (+5), Jennifer Bennerotte (+6), Wayne Harmon (+6), Dan Mott (+6), Dave Kunz (+7) and Jody Kern (+8). Congratulations and thanks to all! Sue informed us of our goal this year ($80,000) and that we are currently at $48,000. Please consider making your contribution soon!
 
Stan Brown was officially inducted into the club as our newest member by Brad Hepp and Stan’s sponsor, Jennifer Bennerotte. Welcome to the Club, Stan!
 
Tim Fargo introduced our guest speaker for the day, James Eli Shiffer, Editor and Reporter at Star Tribune. James has been a journalist for more than 25 years and has worked at Star Tribune since 2005 both as an editor and reporter. He oversees a team of investigative reporters and writes a weekly column called “Full Disclosure.”
 
James’ presentation was entitled “Journey to the Dark Web: Free Speech Zone or Criminal Hideout?” James is a self-professed purist when it comes to freedom of the press and government transparency. Communication on the Dark Web is anonymous and can’t be tracked. James presented both the good uses and bad uses of the Dark Web. The good include freedom of speech in repressive countries, under-cover law enforcement efforts to stop crime and web browsing free from government tracking. Bad uses include online sales of illegal drugs, black market movie sales, porn and other contraband and last but not least, terrorist network communications. Originally developed by the Department of State and the National Science Foundation for good, the National Security Agency and Homeland Security are finding it difficult to crack. It was a very good presentation and shed light on a part of the web that most of us didn’t know existed. 
 
Dave Kunz thanked our speaker and the meeting was adjourned by Jennifer. Remember – Start with Rotary and good things happen.
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Rotary and Chamber to Host Two Events
The Rotary Clubs of Edina and Edina Morningside and the Edina Chamber of Commerce will host two upcoming events for the community.
 
A Mixer for the three organizations and any prospective members will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Ave. There will be complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. There is no charge to attend.
 
The following week, the three organizations will co-sponsor Mayor Jim Hovland's annual State of the Community address. The speech will be presented as part of the Chamber of Commerce's General Membership Meeting. It will be held 11:30 to 1 p.m. at Interlachen Country Club, 6200 Interlachen Blvd. Cost is $30 per person. The presentation will also be broadcast on Edina TV, channels 16 and 813.
 
To register for the events, visit www.edinachamber.com.
Club Seeks Applicants for Peace Scholar
The Rotary Club of Edina seeks applicants for Rotary Peace Fellowships, an international 15- to 24-month scholarship program to earn a master’s degree in international studies and peace and conflict resolution. 

Rotary’s goal is to provide educational opportunities to those who will promote knowledge and world understanding as future global leaders. Rotary International will award up to 50 such scholarships for study at Rotary Peace Centers at leading universities in Japan, England, Australia, Sweden and the United States. The Centers will also advance research, teaching, publication and knowledge on issues of peace, goodwill and causes of conflict.
 
A second program, a three-month professional development certificate course, is available in Thailand.
 
Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree, have three to five years of work or volunteer experience, demonstrate a commitment to peace and service, and be proficient in an additional language if required. Fellowship funding includes transportation, room and board, tuition, fees and a stipend. 
 
Applications are due April 1. Endorsements will then be sent to District 5950 by May 1. Required in-person interviews for District finalists will be held in Minneapolis in late May, and nominees’ names will be forwarded to the international office by July 1. Awards will be announced by Rotary International in fall 2016 for studies to begin in fall 2017.

For more information or to apply, contact Axel Steuer, 952-929-2598 or asteuer@mail.ic.edu.
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Proposed for Membership

The Rotary Club of Edina’s Board of Directors at its meeting Jan. 21 approved the applicant below for membership:

 
Bjorn Freudenthal
Classification: Design-Build Remodeling
Sponsor: Josh Sprague
 
Written objections to the applications must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, to Rotary Club of Edina, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN  55424.
 
Meeting Responsibilities
Front Desk
Harvey, Bob
 
Greeter 1
Veker, Steven
 
Greeter 3 (new member)
Mazzara, John
 
Greeter 4 (new member)
Smith, Kenny
 
Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance/Four-Way Test
Kern, Jody
 
Introduce Guests
Schley, Sandra
 
The Barker writer
Asato, San
 
Introduce the Speaker
Finsness, Andy
 
Thank the Speaker
Neal, Scott
 
Upcoming Events
Skate to End Polio
Braemar Arena, west hockey rink
Feb 13, 2016
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
 
Women of Rotary Gathering
Community Room at Renee's townhome
Feb 16, 2016
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
 
Edina Chamber/Rotary Prospective Member Event
Edina Country Club
Feb 17, 2016
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Rotary Happy Hour/Vocational Development Group
The Mezz, Byerly's
Mar 02, 2016
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Rotary Happy Hour/Vocational Development Group
The Mezz, Byerly's
Apr 06, 2016
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Past President
 
Club Service (Administration) Director
 
Community Service—Local Funding Director
 
Community Service—Programs Director
 
International Service Director
 
Membership—Recruitment Director
 
Membership—Retention Director
 
Public Image Director
 
The Rotary Foundation Director
 
Youth Service Director
 
Club Administrator
 
Photo Albums
Feb. 4, 2016 Meeting
2016 Bowling Party
Jan. 21, 2016 Meeting

Don't miss this week's meeting! The Edina Country Club will serve Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy or Turkey Chop Salad.

The Rotary Club of Edina's Administrator, Jennifer Garske, works part-time Tuesday through Friday. To contact her, call 612-875-3109 or write to jgarske@EdinaRotary.org.