Rotary Club of Edina wins awards at District Conference May 2
Not only did Rotarian Wooj Byun win a Service Above Self Award (see story above) at the District 5950 Conference May 2, the Club also won four other awards! Rotary Club of Edina was honored with Awards of Excellence in Community Service, Membership Development, Public Relations, and Youth Service. Congratulations to all the Rotarians who helped make a difference! Click on the link below for more on the awards.
Rotary Club of Edina members who attended the District Conference May 2 at the Radisson Blu at the Mall of America in Bloomington show off the awards the Club won. Shown here are (left to right) are Jennifer Bennerotte, Wooj Byun, Barbara Born, Steve Slyce, Ann Platt, Scott MacDonald, Josh Sprague, Brad Beard, and Doug Johnson.
Rotary Club of Edina members were thrilled to pick up four awards at the annual District 5950 Conference, this year held May 2 at the Radisson Blu at the Mall of America. Rotarian Wooj Byun received a Service Above Self Award, and the Club won Awards of Excellence in Community Service, Membership Development, Public Relations, and Youth Service.
Rotary Club of Edina President Steve Slyce is congratulated by District 5950 Governor Diann Kirby as he accepts one of the awards at the conference.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
President Slyce expressed that "Mike Kallas and his outstanding local grants committee (Community Service Award) did a fabulous job of soliciting, reviewing, recommending, and publicizing our many grants that were awarded. In addition, Camp Enterprise (Youth Service Award), headed by John Flynn and many Rotary volunteers, was tremendous this year. We are so proud of our leaders, volunteers, and Club. We want to make a difference, and I believe that we have."
Congratulations to all involved. For more information on the awards see below.
Community Service: The Rotary Club of Edina raised more than $100,000 at its annual fundraiser and gala. About half of the money is used for committed projects. The other half is given to other organizations in the form of grants.
This year, the club’s Community Service Committee set out to simplify, streamline, and set standards for local grant applicants. The committee created a new timeline and standard review process. The Committee also added significant weight to those requests where the Club had a good likelihood of obtaining additional funds from District 5950 or from other clubs. The Committee also worked with the Club’s Public Relations Committee to better share the process with the community and future grant applicants.
Congratulations to our Membership Director Mary Hustad and her committee for their great work! Membership Committee (Recruitment) members are Barbara Born, John Flynn, Dave Hatzung, Joe Hayes, Brad Hepp, Bob Hildreth, Melinda Inman, Jean Morrison, Bob Perkins, and Mary Younggren.
(Above) Accepting the award on behalf of the Club and Membership Committee was Josh Sprague, who will be Membership Director in the 2014-2015 Rotary year. He is shown here with District 5950 Governor Diann Kirby.
President Steve Slyce noted that "Our Club is making a concerted effort to maintain and increase our membership. In addition, we are seeking individuals committed to the Rotary four-way test, as well as members that want to make a difference. Our Club has a history of outstanding members and that tradition continues. Thanks to all for their excellent work in keeping our Club strong and growing."
In the presentation of the award, the following comments were shared by the District 5950 representative:
"The Rotary Club of Edina’s Membership Committee envisioned an event exclusively for prospective members. A date was identified and publicized. A Club meeting featuring a top speaker and program was selected. Committee members contacted each member of the Club several times and encouraged them to bring prospective members to that meeting. The meeting was a huge hit. More than 21 prospective members attended. Of those, five pursued membership immediately and another 14 are in the investigation process."
PUBLIC RELATIONS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Public Relations Committee members include Jennifer Bennerotte, Michael Braun, John Flynn, Mark Jessen, Kaylin Martin, Club Secretary Ann Platt, President Steve Slyce, and Skip Thomas. Doug Johnson is the director of the PR Committee and a member of the Rotary Club of Edina Board.
Pictured here Rotary District 5950 Governor Diann Kirby with Doug Johnson, P.R. Committee Director, accepting the award on behalf of the Club and the P.R. Committee.
President Slyce commented that "With over 160 members and growing, it is critical that we have great communications and public relations. We are proud of our efforts in the area of social media, club photography, news releases...well, just about everything. Our goal is to be able to share information about special events, meetings, etc. and to highlight the great news about what our club is doing to make a difference!"
The award presentation at the District conference is as follows:
"The Rotary Club of Edina’s Public Relations Committee has substantially increased its efforts in growing awareness of the Club’s activities and projects. Committee members are charged with taking photos at weekly meetings and at activities and projects. These are then posted to the Club’s website and Facebook.
The Committee also ensures the website and Facebook account is updated in a timely manner with speaker and event information as well as Rotarian accomplishments. The club has seen tremendous growth of its Facebook page. In June 2013, the page had 121 fans. Today, it has 175. Weekly reach has mushroomed, thanks in large part to the many photos being posted there. Average daily reach is now close to 200 people.
Prior to the Club’s Thursday meetings, the Public Relations Director writes and sends press releases to the local media announcing the meeting’s programs. Press releases are also issued when grants are distributed or when the club has a major activity planned.
The weekly program is summarized in the club’s weekly newsletter, The Barker. The weekly program is also videotaped and posted to YouTube and then aired on local government access channel, Edina Channel 16. The Committee has produced two brochures this Rotary year."
Great job, Doug and the entire PR Committee!
YOUTH SERVICE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
At “Camp E,” each student participated in leadership training, team-building exercises, case study work, and one-on-one coaching to develop their presentation skills. Students had mentors who are members of local Rotary clubs, all who volunteered to share their life and business experience with students at Camp E. This was to help students prepare a business plan, and then present that plan to a venture capital panel at the conclusion of camp.
Each day was a mix of working on a team, listening to guest speakers and discussions with business specialists.
The goal of Camp E is to develop tomorrow’s leaders by providing students access to established business leaders and an inside look at how the free enterprise system works.