In review

The program speaker at the Aug. 23 Rotary Club of Edina meeting was former football player Ben Utecht. A Minnesota native who played football for the University of Minnesota, Utecht played for two teams in the NFL and won a Super Bowl ring in 2007 with the Indianapolis Colts. He spoke about The MVP Program/The Champion's Way." He is a professional singer as well as motivational speaker. 

 

New members Doug Drake and Forest Green were officially inducted into the club at the meeting.

 

Several Rotarians took part in the Air Guitar Championships at the meeting, in the hopes of being featured at the 2018 Edina Rotary Foundation Fundraiser & Gala "Rotary's Got Talent." Fundraiser Online Auction co-chair Jennifer Hendrickson gave us a sneak peek at items that will be up for bidding. Don't forget to buy your early-bird tickets before the early-bird deadline ends at the end of the month!

 

 

 

The meeting began with President John Flynn sharing two videos as part of our Be the Inspiration campaign: short snippets from Sandy Schley and Mike Eckert discussing Rotary doing good in the world and in our community. John also mentioned the upcoming first meeting of our new Rotaract Club (for those aged 18 to 30) will be held on Sept. 12 at the Mezz, and also showed some photos from 1969 Club meetings, including attendee Hubert H. Humphrey!
 
Mary Swendsen ably led us in the Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test. Then Michael Stanzak led us in welcoming guests in attendance, introduced by members John Flynn, Susan Stiles, Wooj Byun, Dick Teegen, Doug Drake, Hannelore Brucker and Jennifer Hendrickson.
 

Brad Hepp and Jody Kern officially inducted to new members into the club today (Hooray!): Doug Drake and Forest Green. Then Tim Murphy gave a special presentation to member Hannelore Brucker for reaching The Rotary Foundation Major Donor status. Way to go, Hannelore! 

Katy Campbell briefly announced an upcoming blood drive hosted by our Club in cooperation with Memorial Blood Centers. It will be held the day of our meeting Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Edina Country Club. Please contact Katy soon if you can participate; we need commitments from 25 members for the mobile vehicle to be sent.
 
The Gala is coming, the Gala is coming! John begged us to return our raffle tickets to Marty Kupper. Jennifer Hendrickson reminded us about the need for additional Online Auction items, which currently include Ordway tickets and a Minnesota Twins game suite.

To fire us up for the Gala, Jody Kern called up a motley assortment of member "musicians" led by Paul Peterson in an ear-ringing display of air guitar! Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page, do not worry: your jobs are safe! Don't forget to register now for said Gala, and plan to attend Sept. 29!
 

Brad Hepp introduced speaker Ben Utecht, former Minnesota Gopher football player and Super Bowl winner (Indianapolis Colts), originally from Hastings, Minnesota. Ben is an award-wining singer (having once shared a stage in Philadelphia with our own aforementioned Paul Peterson), and also an advocate for brain health. Today he spoke about the importance of a "winning culture" and the process to follow to be a Champion Listener, Champion Learner and Champion Language communicator.  He described the three-step process the Indianapolis Colts followed in their huddle: "Stop, Look, Care"—which helped to cultivate their winning culture.
 
While Ben's own professional football career ended after his fifth concussion, he graciously accepted the proposed offer, to tackle any member who so desired to truly experience the speed and power of NFL football, at the conclusion of his remarks.

 

Paul Peterson thanked Ben, though passed on his offer.