Greeters Mike Sitek and Raj Kumar.
David Clynes promoted Skate to End Polio event on Feb. 14
Buy your tickets now.
On the 1st Rotary meeting of February we were warmly greeted by Mike Sitek and Raj Kumar, as always Becci Michalski was warming the front desk with today’s helper Robb Breding. President Josh Sprague opened the meeting with another installment of Rotary Connects the World. This week’s addition featured Fred Sylvester who is our Board's Club Service (administration). Fred via video discussed what Rotary means to him, well done Fred.
Mike Kallas, Rick Carlson and guest, Lauren Altschuler
Jennifer Bennerotte delivered the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test. Mark Jessen served as this week’s club photographer. We had a great showing today of guests and visiting Rotarians with John Solberg introducing the following guests:
- Sharon Barczak, guest of Bjorn Freudenthal
- Ram Gada, guest of Dr. Sita Dash
- Sandhya Joshi, guest of Joe Hayes
- Lauren Altschuler, guest of Rick Carlson
- Mike Hynes, guest of Renee Harberts
- Barb Sommer, guest of Wooj Byun
- Andrew Fahrenkrug, guest of Jennifer Shinners
- Patti Mazzara, guest of John Mazzara
- Nili Verma, guest of John Mazzara
- Pat Corcoran, prospective member 3rd visit.
Visiting Rotarians were Paul Popehn from #9, and Anoop Mather from Shoreview welcome everyone.
Royce Pavelka pins new member, Scott Colesworthy
David Aase, Youth Service Director introduces new member, Deitrich Nissen
Next on our day’s agenda were two new member introductions and classification talks. First Royce Pavelka introduced Scott Colesworthy, Scott and his family live on Lake Minnetonka. His hobbies include sailboat racing, hiking & downhill skiing. David Aase introduced our next new member Dietrich Nissen, where David is a 3rd generation Edina and a University of St. Thomas grad. Welcome both of you to the "#1 club in the Universe".
David Clynes made a brief announcement for Skate to End Polio Feb 14th from 8:00 to 9:30 tickets are still available. Shelly Loberg our International Services Director gave us an update on approved contributions and the need for a Shelter Box district Volunteer. If you are interested, please contact Shelly.
Dr. Sita Dash, President Josh Sprague, Speaker Preeti Mathur and Anoop Mathur
Dr. Sita Dash introduced our speaker Preeti Mathur. Preeti is from Hyderabad India. The book she has written “From Seven Rivers to Ten Thousand Lakes. An overview of Indian Americans" was the theme of her discussion today. She talked about the Genesis and goals for the book how they came, when and why. Currently Minnesota is the 17th largest population in the country of Indians. Of that population, 80% have college degrees, speak English fluently. They are skilled doctors, engineers and scientists. They are considered the “Model Minorities” Their contributions to Minnesota include: Sharing and show casting Indian Culture, giving back through Philanthropy & volunteering, and contributing through business & careers. They came primary for Education with 11.3% working in the medical field. Preeti currently resides in She had her 144-page book available for viewing and sale after the meeting.
After answering some questions, Barbara Born thanked Preeti for her presentation and that our club will be making a donation in Preeti’s name to Shelter Box.
Josh closed meeting with a quote from Gandhi.
Mike Opitz
John Flynn,Past President 2018-19; Bill McReavy, Jeff Ohe, Past President 2014-15; Gerry Norton
Dave Phillips, Jim Platt and Terry Stevens, Past President 2007-08
Scott MacDonald, Past President 2012-13; Steve Slyce, Past President 2013-14
Harold Hanson and Katy Campbell