Like the historic 1969 Apollo 11 spaceship blastoff video that re-launched nearly a year ago and has since appeared at all weekly meetings, the Rotary Club of Edina year rocketed to a rousing finish with the June 25, 2020 “Transition Meeting.” Led by outgoing Proud President and hard working club “host” Josh Sprague, he handed over presiding duties for “The No. 1 Club in the Universe” to President-Elect Sam Thompson. Sam is the club’s 66th President.
The full transition meeting can be viewed on the Edina Rotary Club You Tube channel. WATCH HERE
Upbeat Musical Year-End Video photo montage — 2019-20 Theme “Rotary Connects the World.” -- WATCH HERE for the photo montage only.
Weekly all-star speakers
Rotary dignitaries visiting
Guatemala mission trip
Youth Exchange students Ayosh (from India) and Rosario (from Chile)
Gala 2019 — “That’s Entertainment”
Guatemala service trip
Zoom Screen member photo checkerboard (early pandemic adopters of Zoom technology, we never missed a single weekly meeting during the pandemic. Wow!)
Holiday gift giving party
Sprague kids & spouse Kelly, who helped every week
New member planting project at Centennial Lakes Rotary Clocktower
Recognition for longtime Rotarians
There was much to celebrate, looking back on missions accomplished over the past year. Indeed, Rotary Club of Edina received the highest honor bestowed by Rotary International — a Presidential Citation.
President Josh restated his goals for the year, and shared results and achievement stats:
Grow Membership of female and age 40 and under Rotarians &
Address the Gender Gap—
Results: Despite challenging times with the pandemic, 57 percent growth for the club. 50 percent women, 27 percent under age 40. Josh noted it’s important “to show women leading at the “top of the pyramid.” On that, our club is “headed in the right direction.”
Grow giving of Edina Rotary Foundation (ERF) — Results: Best year in history with fundraising of $134,412. “Excellent year for fundraising both for Edina Rotary Foundation and The Rotary Foundation (TRF),” Josh said. “We couldn’t have done it without ‘superlative’ club support and Gala fundraiser leadership.
Enhance Value of Membership—
Results: Paid for admission to the Michael Caruso leadership conference. Provided assistance for members to travel to the June 2020 international convention in Hawaii (which was ultimately cancelled because of the pandemic).
Boost Systems—ACH direct deposit a new payment option for member dues. A club phone text notification systems was piloted.
Boost Public Image— New Instagram channel. Expanded YouTube content — more videos created in one year than last 10 years (6 for the Gala alone). The co-chairs of the well-attended specialty Human Trafficking Workshop led to broad media exposure. New Social Media manager contracted, Amy. New club administrator, Becci.
Platinum Presidential Citation — Highest honor for a club internationally.
“Another exceptional year — thank you for your time, talent and treasure,” Josh said.
#Team Rotary — Club directors. Foundation board (11 members) Josh: “Know that you are in good hands with all that goes on behind the scenes. Behind the scenes Team Rotary directors are a supportive, positive, engaged group of leaders.”
Video honors of officers & directors ceremonies—
Past President John Flynn — Director and “Spreadsheet King” going off after 5 years of service. Flynn remarked, “The entire journey was an inspiration.” He will now be an At -Large director of The Rotary Foundation
Royce Pavelka—Membership Director, 2 years. Recalled “seeing so much more going on than I knew; enjoyed getting to connect with prospective members and meet the new people coming in.”
Renee Harberts — Social Director, 3 years. “As Rotarians we love to connect, unite on common goals, common projects. My belief is people work best when they work with their friends. Social projects.
Renee. 3 private dining events “What better way to get people together than to have good food?”
Shelly Loberg — International Service Director, 3 years. Proceeding on the track to club president. “It was a tremendous learning experience,” she said. “I need to thank people who were my mentors, Gary Pedersen, Tim Murphy and Josh. A “tremendous grant effort” to procure the water well in Escuintla, Guatemala. Shelly said overall, “I have received way more than I’ve given. That’s been a tremendous lesson for me.”
Gary Pedersen — International Grants Committee, 5 years. He’s learned “how complex Rotary International is, but how focused it is on the results.” The experience gave Gary “an opportunity to see a broader view of life.” Projects in Africa, India, South 7 Central America. “There’s more to the world than just our little microcosm here. RI showed me that. Taught me a lot about people — travelled to Guatemala two times. Learning how other people live, other cultures, and discovering they are just about the same kind of people we are.”
Josh said, “Gary has “precision and resilience to stay focused on the multi-year projects.”
Jeff Ohe — Foundation Board, 2 years. Josh said he was “instrumental in creating Legacy endowment fund growth in past. Jeff said they realized, to do that we needed to strengthen and formalize the board structure and bylaws (2014) when he was president. “It’s really fun to watch it grow and cement that legacy, able to spin off money to supplement the Gala fundraiser.” Josh said Jeff was the “chief architect bringing us to that next level.”
Rotarian of the Year — A surprise award presentation for the longest continually serving female in the club, Jean Morrison. Josh said the award is bestowed for outstanding service above self — leadership, fellowship, service. “Jean will meet for coffee and conversation with anyone who asks to share her professional knowledge and friendship,” Josh said. Her first connection was as a Rotary youth exchange student in France. Jean said, “I always wanted to give back to Rotary for how it positively changed my life,” Jean said. Camp Enterprise leadership, creation of an annual Thanksgiving meal basket program and holiday giving party, and new this year during the pandemic a Helping Hands outreach program are all projects she has created and supported. Jean is “an unwavering asset to us,” Josh said.
Transition — “Presidential Pinning Ceremony” exchange of official pins signified by jewels.
Sam Thompson is now the club’s 66th President and his vocational classification is Business Intermediary, consulting with businesses in transition.
“He’s a person of integrity, is extremely diligent, kind and has a heart for service,” Josh said in turning over the gavel.
Sam offered thanks and appreciation awards to Josh:
“I am a firm believer we are placed in situations for a reason,” Sam said. “Josh — you were well placed. When we couldn’t meet (during the pandemic), you connected with technical skills (Even on the fly, Josh toggling between video feed and live Zoom meeting corrected a “frozen screen” on this day).
“RI is people of action, and Josh Sprague is a man of action,” Sam said. “In all of my professional life, I’ve never known anybody who can work as quickly and effectively as you do. You’ve had a tremendous year!”
Sam noted standout moments of the past year: 30 people to Guatemala mission trip, new Mentor monthly meeting, first ever car show, promotions and the fundraiser, systems behind the scenes, social media— “Getting us out there.”
Sam — Recognized Josh with “just a few awards.”
A replica Hollywood Oscar “Host” award golden statue because Josh started every meeting by welcoming everyone as “your host.” Sam said, “Thanks on behalf of the two boards and all the membership.”
Also presented to Josh: A “Rotary Connects the World” theme year Globe. Josh accepted, saying, “I always wanted to hold the world in the palm of my hand.”
Plaque and gavel.
Card with members’ “digital signatures” and personal well wishes notes.
PROGRAM YEAR HIGHLIGHTS.
Look for the full Annual Report in July, including:
EDINA ROTARY FOUNDATION (ERF):
A record-setting year raised $134,412
2019-20 Projects Made Possible by ERF:
Cornerstone: $782
Feed My Starving Children $3,600
Holiday Gift Giving Program $979
New Member Project $178
Sip & Serve $250
Thanksgiving Basket Program $8,880
VEAP Student Hunger Program $1,000
Warm Hands/Warm Hearts $500
TOTAL COMMITTED PROJECTS: $16,177
2019-20 Youth-Committed Projects
Camp Enterprise Student Fee $1,400
Camp RYLA $1,500
EHS Scholarships $3,000
Exchange Students $6,547
Interact $1,000
Leadership Ethics Seminar $823
Literacy Program (Andy & Elmer’s) $0
Rotaract $813
TOTAL YOUTH COMMITTED PROJECTS: $15,083
2019-2020 LOCAL GRANTS
ACES $5,000
Better Futures $2,000
Boulder Options $2,000
Cornerstone $2,321
Edina Education Fund (COVID-19)) $5,000
Edina Education Fund (ERGS) $20,000
Edina Give & Go $4,000
Fishing for Life $2,,000
Gilda’s Club $2,500
Hope Academy $5,000
MDA $2,000
Oasis for Youth $2,500
Open Arms $2,800
Rotary Club of MN. Vets $3,667
Sheridan Story $1,915
VEAP $3,600
Edina Community Foundation $2,500
Wallin Education Partners $2,500
TOTAL LOCAL GRANTS: $71,703
INTERNATIONAL GRANTS
Liberia Orphanage Farm $2,500
Kenya Dental Clinic $2,000
South Sudan Feminine Hygiene $2,500
Peru Sanitation $5,000
Iowa Medical & Dental $3,437
Malusi Medical Pod $3,000
Escuintla Hospital Water Global Grant $25,000
Coban Guatemala Water Global Grant $8,000
Chile Hearing Clinic $2,000
TOTAL INTERNATIONAL GRANTS $55,937
TOTAL TRF GRANTS:
2020: $141,659 (2nd highest in the last 10 years)
Really incredible support and still climbing every day.
Member Volunteers for the meeting included:
Michael Hynes and Sharon Chandler, greeters. Jennifer Hendrickson, co-host. Shelly Loberg, invocation. Katy Campbell, “The Barker.” The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, along with Rotary International’s “Four-Way Test” of “Things we say, think and do.”
Announcements: July 9th — Returning to “in person” meetings at Edina Country Club is expected. Also, look online for the June 25 online Zoom installation ceremony of District Governor Tom Gump, member of Edina Morningside Rotary. DG Gump takes control of the cockpit from outgoing DG Russ Michaeltz. “Retention Russ” has had a banner year at the helm. Focused on member retention and there were several new clubs chartered including the Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans.
Closing Quote by President Sam:
“When obstacles arise you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”
- Zig Ziglar
The theme for 2020-21 is “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” “What better theme for this year, said Sam. “We want to get right with all that’s going on in our world. We’re going to listen, to learn, act and take leadership.”
Many thanks, and best wishes to all who serving Rotarians. See you on July 9th.
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