Josh Sprague and Tom Gump kicked off the meeting with the usual fan fair. (I expect one of the meeting there might be actual fireworks). Many items were covered including the 62 year history of our club. With the the founding of the Morningside club, our club has sponsored or co-sponsored 5 clubs in total! Camp Enterprise was recently completed and the usual success with 104 high school students and 80 volunteers. The Youth Exchange program currently has two students participating being hosted by many different Rotary families. The Interact Club of Edina at Edina High School will have their Skate to End Polio on February 14. Coming in 2020 the 2nd Annual Edina Car show will take place at 50th and France in conjunction with the Morningside Club and the 50th and France Business Association.
Jennifer Bennerotte gave us an update on the history of our annual signature projects by starting with a recap of recent projects completed. Our clubs are jointly investing our time and money into a new youth program. In February, Edina High School students can register 2020-21 school year for the Rotary Scholars Program. Students who self select to participate in the program will be focusing on classes that align with our core values and participate in an international project. We have committed to funding this program for four years. Upon graduation the students will walk through with a special set of cords signifying their participation.
Joe Christensen reminded us of our meeting with a Christmas theme on December 12th, please dressed in festive clothes and bring your family. The meeting with have wonderful Christmas cookies, an appearance from Santa and the chorus from the French Immersion school will entertain us. This should not be confused with the club’s Christmas party the evening of December 19th.
Bob Solheim reminded of us the Thanksgiving basket program which has been in existence for 20 years and we have delivered 1,500 meals. The annual visit from the turkey happened to show up again to promote the basket program and she had a guest. Her guest was her friend she met in France, Maurice. (His accent was a mix of France and Fargo) There was a big push to not eat turkey at Thanksgiving, vegan options were recommended along with crepes. Jean Morrison and David Hatzung each gave an outstanding performance as Madame Turkey and Monsieur Maurice.
In introducing our speaker, Tim Murphy shared the great news his daughter is pregnant. Former District Governor Tim also recognized all the other members in attendance who have served in district leadership positions.
Jennifer Jones, Rotary International Vice President and is one of fourteen Rotary International trustees. Jennifer is also President and CEO of Media Street Productions located in Windsor, Canada. She is also working to raise $150 million dollars for Polio Plus to maximize the matching contribution from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
She gave an inspiring talk about her experiences representing Rotary International. For the 12th year in a row RI is rated 100% on Charity Navigator. This rating confirms our donations are being used most effectively. Jennifer thanked us for our generosity over the years.
Rotary International's signature project is worldwide eradication of polio. The cases have increased, but part of that is our increased ability to identify cases so we are still making very positive strides toward our goal of zero cases worldwide. When we first started their were 350,000 cases of polio each year and now we are down to 107 cases. RI was also able to announce that type 3 of the virus is completely eradicated, so just type 2 is left. A reminder that even though we are nearing the finish line we still need large volumes of funding to continue to keep the disease in check through vaccination clinics and outreach programs in difficult to reach regions of the world. Jennifer reminded us that RI also is fighting poverty and hunger and providing sanitation and clean water throughout the world.
Jennifer still wears her Camp Enterprise hoodie!!
And how do you donate to the RI Foundation? Here is a note from Susan Stiles seen here with David Clynes and Jennifer Hendrickson:
There are many ways to give:
Monthly
Annually
Simply writing a check or setting up an automatic deduction from an account. Or, you can donate via appreciated stock, RMD (required minimum distribution) from an IRA if you are over 70 ½, or from your Donor Advised Fund. Foundation checks can be made payable to The Rotary Foundation. You can give Sue or Becci your check at the meeting or mail it to:
Susan Stiles
6550 York Ave S, Suite 412
Edina, MN 55435
Online donation can be made at www.rotary.org/donate
Our club number is 2112
You determine if you want the donation for 2019 or 2020 tax year.
You determine if you want your donation to go to the Annual Fund or PolioPlus or a combination.
The Rotary International Foundation levels of giving are:
Paul Harris Fellow is a recognition of cumulative $1000 donations.
Paul Harris Society is your acknowledgement that you intend to donate $1000 per year.
Major Donor is achieved with cumulative gifts of $10,000 Major Donor 2 is cumulative gifts of $25,000 or more Bequest Society is a legacy gift of $10,000 or more If you are a new member, we will match your $333 gift with 667 in points to earn your first Paul Harris Fellow pin!!
Respectfully submitted,
Will Steinke
Newer member, Eli Groenendyk, lead us in the Invocation.
Can you feel the love? A great program right to the end, Edina Morningside Rotary Club, Tom Gump thanking the speaker, Jennifer Jones.