This Week's Program:
This week we will hear from Stephen Yoch who will discuss his book on George Washington - but not the man on the dollar bill, but instead a younger more active, more vulnerable, and in Steve's view a more interesting Washington than we have all grown up with. Steve's book has received very positive reviews and he has been on numerous TV and radio interviews of late. Steve is a Minnesotan who lives and works here in the Twin Cities. His book will be available after the meeting for $20.
Last Week's Program:
The meeting began with an invocation by James Williams (thank you James for filling in) followed by the card game by Steve Beachler (John S. won this week! New deck on the 17th), and because of the length of announcements no trivia this week (okay, the reason was I forgot but we did run out of time).
Our guests this week were our speaker Beth Bailey, Andy Thielen (member of the Wayzata Club), and Bala Guntipalli who has submitted his application for membership - welcome Bala!
Remember the membership contest - 1 point for bringing a perspective member to a meeting, 5 points if that person joins and 3 points if you get a person to join without coming to a meeting. Steve Beachler has 12 points, Glen Norton and Steve Juetten each have 1 point.
President Juetten read the riddles: 1) Light, 2) Tongue, and 3) Carrot.
The meeting then was turned over to member Sharon Sund to introduce Beth Bailey. Beth is the Director of Community Mediation & Restorative Services. "Mediation is a voluntary process that brings people together in a safe and neutral setting with one or more mediators. The meeting is an informal discussion in which both participants are given time to describe their concerns. The mediators facilitate the discussion, ask questions, and write up an agreement the participants reach. The mediators are not judges and will not impose a solution. The agreement is the responsibility of the participants themselves. Because the agreement reflects decisions made by the participants, mediated agreements enjoy high rates of compliance." The presentation was video taped by Cable Channel 12 and can be viewed by clicking below.
Meeting Survey:
The results of the survey, recent action by the Board of Directors based on the survey and the next steps.
Results of the Survey:
1) How many meetings per month? 9 members said continue meeting every Thursday, 18 members said change to three meetings per month and 6 members suggested something different. Based on this the Board approved moving to three meetings starting in October (1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursdays). Along with this, on some of the "off" Thursdays - 4th and 5th (if a month has five) - we will plan some after work activities.
2) Meeting time (Noon or morning)? 19 members said continue at Noon and 15 members said change to a morning time (7 or 7:30 start). Based on this the Board approved staying a Noon club.
3) Location? 11 members said stay at Crowne Plaza and 25 members said let's look for a new less expensive location. Based on this, a "committee" of volunteer members spent a couple of weeks looking into options. Thank you to those members that have volunteered: Peter Bartling, Jim Bird, Dwain Erickson, Ben Rischall, Sharon Sund, Jeff Wosje, Murray Death, Ricardo Ortizcazarin and James Williams.
Based on the following review, the Board voted to stay at the Crowne Plaza. Along with this, starting with the next quarterly invoice (October) the per meal cost will go from $17 to $20. It is important to understand that the committee and Board are aware that the cost needs to be controlled. Further it is important for the members to understand that the fee charged needs to include something extra to cover costs for 1st time guests and guest speakers and for ease of accounting it needs to be a whole dollar amount.
Crowne Plaza - Cost $19.47 (charge $20). We know what we are getting at Crowe Plaza.
Grizzly's - Cost $18.88 (charge $20). Sandwiches every meal.
Jake's - Cost $22.55 (charge $23). Space is not large enough for our group.
Green Mill - Cost $18.00 (charge $19). Pizza 1st Thursday, Tacos 2nd Thursday and Sandwiches 3rd Thursday - every month).
Fundraiser:
Jim Crenna continues to work on the fundraiser and will provide periodic updates to everyone. The Parade is Saturday, September 26th this year. Ben Rischall has agreed to be the small prices coordinator - please get gifts of ranging in size from $25 to over $100. Please contact Jim if you have any questions or ideas. Please thank Jim for all the work tha the does for the fundraiser!
Please contact Jim Crenna for Adoption forms! Please have your mailing lists ready and let's make this the best fundraiser we can!
Polio Survivors Conference:
District 5950 Rotarians have a unique opportunity to participate with the Courage Kenny Foundation in co-sponsoring their second polio survivors conference, "Life After Polio: Realities and Practicalities," on Friday, October 2 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park. District 5950 Rotarians can volunteer as hosts at this day-long conference and promote Rotary's 30-year effort to eradicate polio. Volunteers are needed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to serve in a variety of capacities, but the basic need is for friendly faces and willing hands to assist our friends and neighbors who managed to survive polio but now may live with health challenges. Tim Mulcrone has made arrangements for Rotarian volunteers to wear knit polo shirts with the RI logo. If you would be available over lunch hour, lunch will be provided - BUT we need to know what hour you are available and what size shirt you need. If you can help out in this way, go to: www.rotary5950.org and follow the link to register. Contact Carol Parish if you have any questions about details.
Heart Safe Plymouth: We have trained over 3,083 People and counting!
Please consider helping Norm, Russ, Don and Steve with Heart Safe events. Contact them or talk to them at meetings to find out when upcoming events are scheduled. They are doing great work, but can always use help from members.
Dr. Abul Sharah
Dr. Sharah, Bloomington Rotarian, has developed the International Village Clinic in India - he presented a program to us a few months ago. He is having his fundraiser to support the clinic on September 24, 2015 at te Knights of Columbus Ballroom in Bloomington.
Information Brochure
West Metro Rotaract Club
They have officially been chartered! The first president is Tim Janssen. The next meetings are September 15th and 29th, at 7:00 PM at Coopers Pub, West End, St. Louis Park. Tim can be reached at timothygjanssen@gmail.com. Please pass this information on to your colleagues, friends and others who may have interest. Remember they will be assisting us with our fundraiser so let's support them when we can.
Fall District Training:
The District is holding its training on Friday, September 25th. The meeting will be held at the MN Landscape Arboretum from 8am to 1:30 pm. The topics they are going to cover are:
1) Membership w/focus on retention, engagement and recruitment.
2) Public Relations w/focus on social media and updating rotary's message.
3) The Rotary Foundation w/focus on how fundraising supports programs.
As a club we have already paid for ten spots with our dues. Please let me know if you are interested in going by Tuesday, September 15th.
ClubRunner Member Profiles:
Preview your member profile on the ClubRunner website for accuracy and update any missing data. Contact President Steve Juetten or the Secretary/Club Administrator Murray Death with any questions you may have. To assist, Dwain Erickson and Diane Moyer can shoot smart phone photographs of members whose photos are missing in the Club Membership roster. Is your photo missing??
Youth Exchange News:
Guan-Yu Chen (Albert) is here! He attended our meeting two weeks ago and is settling in with his new family. Jason and Jill have been extremely effective and instrumental in managing our Youth Exchange program for the Club. Thanks to them for their service! And please circulate this hosting opportunity to your friends and families in the Wayzata School District. We continue to look for host families for Albert. Anyone who has hosted in the past can relate what a wonderful experience it can be. It would be wonderful if a Plymouth Rotarian would step up to host!
IOCP is Looking for volunteers:
IOCP has a couple of upcoming needs for Rotary volunteers. One is an immediate one-time opportunity unpacking/labeling Chrome Books at Wayzata Central Middle School for the CONECT homework clubs. This opportunity would be for five people for about 1 1/2 hours sometime late in the wak of Labor Day (the date and time will be announced soon). Two is the need for Homework Help volunteers who work with kids once a week starting in October and going through the school year (more information coming soon). If you are interested in either, please contact Jill Kohler.
General Information:
Website: We have gone back to an updated ClubRunner Website. Please go online and see how it looks. We are always open to ideas and suggestions. Just remember that not everything that people suggest is possible and sometimes it will take time to add to the site. www.RotaryPlymouth.org
Amazon Purchases: Please remember to select RCOP Foundation when you make on-line purchases at Amazon.Smile. The Rotary Club of Plymouth Foundation is registered with Amazon and may be chosen when you make purchases through Amazon.Smile. Amazon will donate .05% of your total purchase to RCOP Foundation. The AmazonSmile web site provides all the same products as the regular site, but in addition allows you to designate a charity which Amazon will support. Please tell your friends and associates who shop through Amazon Smile! The contribution comes out of Amazon's pocket - not yours! Click here to get started:http://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-3054927 You Shop/ Amazon Gives!
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Riddles/Questions
1) What always murmurs but never talks, Always runs but never walks, has a bed but never sleeps, Has a mouth but never speaks?
2) What do thief's get for stealing calendars?
3) What happens when you throw a blue rock into the yellow sea?
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Rotary Core Values: Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, Service, Leadership
The 4-Way Test: Of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Rotary Theme: "Be a Gift to the World"
