It was a very festive atmosphere for the final meeting of the Rotary year—the transition meeting—with balloons, flowers, posters and an in-and-out microphone!

Outgoing President Jennifer Bennerotte welcomed fellow Rotarians to the meeting sporting a #1 baseball jersey representing the sixth-grade team our club sponsors. She reminded us to keep Joel Jennings in our thoughts and prayers.

 

New members Jack Atnip and Kevin Strandberg were inducted to the club by Past Presidents Brad Hepp and Steve Slyce.

 

Outgoing District Governor Tim Murphy spoke about joining Rotary 21 years ago and found that he was rubbing shoulders with individuals of significance. Tim thanked Jennifer for what he said was an extraordinary year. He also presented her with a Gold Presidential Citation that is given to a very few Rotary Clubs by the Rotary International president.

 

Jennifer gave special shout outs to our Rotarian of the Year, Marty Kupper, calling him her right- and left-hand man. Marty was accompanied by his wife and two daughters. Also, Josh Sprague was lauded for his efforts to establish a Rotary Interact Club at Edina High School. Rotary Rookies of the Year were Royce Pavelka and Greg Yoch. Jennifer Garske was honored with a Paul Harris Fellow for all her above-and-beyond efforts as club administrator.

 

President Jennifer thanked all the outgoing Club and Foundation Board members and introduced the new members. Rotarians who have fulfilled their commitment on the club and foundation boards were honored. They include: Jeff Ohe, Past President; Barbara Born, Club Service Director; Gary Pedersen, International Service Director; Josh Sprague, Membership Director—Recruitment; Mary Swendsen, Community Service Director—Local Projects; and Foundation Board members Joe Christensen, Sandy Schley and Paul Mooty. Thank you for your service!

 

Incoming members of both boards were welcomed to their new roles, including: Deirdre Kvale, Club Service Director; Ed Padilla, International Service Director; Kip Peterson, Community Service—Local Projects Director; Greg Yoch, Membership Director—Recruitment; and new Foundation Board members Scott MacDonald, at-large member; and Gary Pedersen, International Service. Jeff Ohe will continue on the Foundation Board, now as an at-large member. And Josh Sprague will stay on the Club board and join the Foundation Board in his role as Club Secretary. Good luck to all the Rotary directors and officers in the new year!

In keeping with the jersey theme Jennifer, a bit emotionally, read a letter that was written by a former player to the person who was next in line to wear her number. After that she told us how proud and honored she was to serve as our President this past year, and how she will miss being in on the little things. She thanked us all.

 

Jennifer then introduced our next President, Ann Platt, and presented her with a #1 baseball jersey of her own.

 

Ann said she was excited and honored to be our President and introduced this year’s Rotary theme: “Rotary Serving Humanity." She then presented Jennifer with a Past President's pin, a special plaque and a poster that all members in attendance had signed on their way into the meeting. This was followed by a standing ovation for Jennifer.

 

Ann outlined a few of her goals for this year. She wants us to develop greater friendships with fellow Rotarians through working together on various committees, increase our membership, including many new female members, and collaborate with other local and international clubs, the Edina Chamber, Explore Edina and the Interact Club.

 

President Platt then closed the year and began her term with a resounding ring of the bell!

 

 

 

 

 

 

"A heartfelt thank you for the beautiful flowers you sent for Babby’s memorial service! What a fantastic celebration of her life, and she had a big life touching so many. Thank you for your friendship to her."

 

-- The Anderson/Schwarz Family