The Rotary Club of Edina's first meeting of 2018 featured a familiar face as program speaker. Longtime Edina Rotarian Thom Winninger spoke about "Discovering Your True DNA, Finding Your Call in Your Work."
Jack Kennefick was honored by Ed Padilla and The Rotary Foundation Director David Clynes as a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation.
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President Elect John Flynn very ably presided at this weeks meeting. President San Asato was home feeling under the weather. John began by thanking Steve Slyce and Marty Kupper for their leadership in putting on a great Holiday Party. He also beamed as he shared with us that his son, Ryan, recently graduated from college.
John thanked members Matt Boockmeier and Barbara Born, serving at the Front Desk at today's meeting; and greeters Bob Gubrud, Bob Solheim and Jennifer Hendrickson for their warm handshakes and welcoming smiles; Jim Ryman for writing The Barker, and Kaylin Eidsness for handling the meeting's photography.
George Lancaster shared some New Year's humor and wisdom, offered the invocation, then lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Andrea Thompson Miller welcomed guests: Jeff Shea (Steve Slyce), Nate Hatzung (Dave Hatzung), Karen Norton and Kelsey Norton (Gerry Norton), Forest Green (Royce Pavelka), Jake Swanson (Jon Barnett) and Scott Blake (Greg Yoch). She also introduced visiting Rotarians: Maryanne Herne, Minneapolis Rotary Club, and Jean Cadwallader, Cortland, New York, Noon Rotary Club.
John also welcomed Catherine Gump, wife of Tom Gump of the Edina Morningside Rotary Club, and their Rotary Youth Exchange student from Spain, Paco Tebar-Gomez.
John then reminded the membership of these upcoming events:
- Cornerstone “Make-a-Meal”—Jan. 9, 4:30 to 7 pm.
- District Mid-Term Assembly—Saturday, Jan. 27, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Crown College. All members are encouraged to attend. You must register.
- Annual Bowling Extravaganza, Saturday, Feb. 3, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park.
Greg Yoch invited all members to attend the Edina Chamber/Rotary Mixer on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Edina Country Club.
Josh Sprague encouraged member attendance at the Edina High School Interact Club’s “Skate to End Polio” event at the Braemar Arena from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
Ed Padilla and Dave Clynes, our club's The Rotary Foundation Director, recognized Jack Kennefick as a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation. Jack shared his view that making a charitable contribution to Rotary is an “efficient way to give money," and that he will “give ‘til it hurts” to The Rotary Foundation. Past president, Jon Barnett, introduced our speaker, his friend and next-door neighbor for 15 years, our own Thom Winninger. Thom is a successful business leader and speaker, author of seven books, a longtime Rotarian and a member of our club since 1993. The theme of Thom’s presentation was, “Discovering Your True DNA, Finding Your Call in Your Work.”
Thom graciously provided a copy of his book, "Your True DNA! Discovering God's Gift Within You," to members.
After years of pursing “success” in his career, on Oct. 23, 2001, Thom experienced an epiphany: “I have everything but I have nothing. I couldn’t find the meaning, I couldn’t find the purpose. I couldn’t find the joy." Thus began a journey of study and reflection resulting in a deeply meaningful new direction and purpose for his life and work.
A few nuggets from Thom’s remarks:
- If you live your life not knowing what you don’t understand you will end up with everything but fulfillment, happiness and success.
- Your true DNA (Divine Natural Attribute) is a gift unique to you
- Everyone has a gift.
- You can’t find your purpose if you can’t find your gift.
- If you have to compete, you don’t know your gift.
- There is no functional definition of retirement.
- We define ourselves by what we do, not who we are.
- The challenge for all of us is to get to know ourselves.
- The stuff I created for myself I call possibilities. The stuff that came to me I call opportunities.
- Today my purpose is to unpack truth so people can find some measure of meaning and joy—not success.
- Spend 10 minutes a day listening to yourself.
- The minute you define purpose higher than your job, and then apply it in your job. The gratification from your work changes completely.
After answering a couple questions, Thom received a warm enthusiastic applause.
Mary Hustad thanked Thom for “a very insightful program.”
John Flynn closed our meeting with a paraphrased quote from Benjamin Franklin, “Be at war with your vices, be at peace with your neighbors and let the New Year find you a better person.”
