Dr. Sita Dash and Skip Thomas greeted members and guests at the July 30, 2020 meeting. Robb Breding was ZOOM greeter.
The masked, President of the ER, 66th President, Sam Thompson, called the meeting to order on July 30, 2020 at 12:30 LIVE from the Edina Country Club with everyone following strict Covid-19 protocols. Thirty-two (32) members were in attendance at the ECC and 36 were registered for Zoom. Zoom attendees reached from the Twin Cities and Nisswa, Minnesota. Zoom updates and features are being added each week so that we have better interaction with the Club at the ECC – this week we are able to chat over Zoom, audio interactions have been upgraded and sound is significantly better for all. This week the Invocation was actually transmitted from Zoom into the ECC! Well done, Josh and Chris.
Past President, Josh Sprague, Becci Michalski, Chris Laskowski, CVision Productions
Sam presented information on the exciting “Around the World” cultural event for the Fall Gala. The success of the Gala dictates the grants that we can provide locally and international grants. Last year provided over $140,000 to the Rotary Foundation that locally funded 33 local grants and 10 internationally. Invitations will be going out in mid-August. Sam presented the top-10 reasons to attend the gala – they were hilarious and true! Member milestones (birthdays and anniversaries) were presented and celebrated. The Sheridan Story meal prep was recently completed at their site with Club Members participating!
- From Zoom: Bridget Hallstrom did the invocation, 4-way test and pledge of allegiance.
- Chris Brown, a guest of Sutton McGraw was introduced.
Past President, 2016-2017, Ann Platt; Rev. Dr. Arthur Rouner; Sandra Krebsbach and Renee Harberts
- In person: Renee Harberts – announced Happy Hour Vocational Development August 5th at the Mezz. Bill McReavy will be the guest presenter.
- Thursday, September 17th noon meeting will be the Human Trafficking Prevention Workshop with a focus on our own community. Steps to prevent HT. The panel will be fabulous!
Social Committee Chair, Susan Johnson, worked the front desk and made announcements.
- In person: Susan Johnson, Social Director, announced upcoming events
- Edina Chamber and Rotary mixer – September 9th Wednesday 4:30-6:30 pm at Pinstripes. (check out the Chamber site and be sure to register!).
- Sept 26 – virtual walk Centennial Lakes, Pinstripes – walk for Alzheimer’s.
- Numerous other fun things are in the planning stages. People interested in joining the committee – please sign up.
In person: David Aase, Youth Services Director, reported on adaptation related to Covid. Camp Ryla, Camp E. Youth Exchange will be modified. 2021 Youth Exchange will be virtual. Ethics Seminar will still happen in person with Social Distancing, masks, etc. ER High School Global Scholars program is attracting a great deal of attention and signups with the students: 7 students for 2021; 19 for 2022, 8 for 2023. More to come…..For more info, ask David. Anyone interested in the committee – come join.
Hannelore Brucker, Lt. Brian Tholen and Speaker Chair, Don Hutchison
Hannelore Brucker, MD. introduced the speaker. Lt. Brian Tholen – Member of the Edina Police Force and field trainer for the Negotiation Team. The topic was Workplace Violence: prevention, awareness and survival. He provides training for police and other groups. He commented that “It’s a difficult topic and especially at this time in our society”. The City of Edina is offering training to businesses in Edina. This is an awareness program – a video was shown to demonstrate the point. As violence in society is on the uptick, so is violence in the workplace. We compared culture change of wearing seatbelts for safety to this issue. We are learning new habits in prevention, how to build obstacles in the workplace to decrease threats: name tags, locking school doors, etc. Creating obstacles is the first intervention. Build inconveniences for any attacker. The public is encouraged to be involved (safely) in curbing the problem by becoming more aware, having a plan (run, hide, fight), trusting your intuition and instinct (e.g. if something is bothering you or doesn’t seem right) and to make physical changes to employee safety – securing building.
Here are the Take-Aways from Lt. Tholen’s excellent presentation.
There's one, make that three, in every crowd. Bill McReavy, Paul Mooty, Gerry Norton
Brad Hepp, Wade Thommen, Doug Johnson, Mike Kallas
Past President, 1980-81, Dan Hallberg and Sutton McGraw and positive ECC server!