Josh Sprague, 2019-2020 Rotary Club of Edina President. John Flynn, 2018-2019 Rotary Club of Edina Past President.
We were greeted at the front door on a rainy day by Ann Platt and Mary Hustad. Rotarians and visitors were promptly assisted by Jim Ryman and Becci Michalski the front desk.
President John Flynn began his final meeting as club president at 12:30 pm with Rotary Moments videos by Dennis Hykes, Jeff Ohe, Dick Teegan and Bob Solheim. John shared that during this year, more than 70 fellow Rotarians gave inspirational greetings via Rotary Moments.
Wednesday June 26 was Charter Night for our Edina sponsored Rotaract Club. After Matt Boockmeier led us in the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way test, President John introduced family members and guests which included former Edina Rotarian Jim Perkins visiting from Florida.John gave a special thanks to the ECC staff who have served us each week and to Becci Michalski for filling in so well for Jennifer Garske as our Club Administrator. He also thanked Rotarians for their hard work this past year including Doug Johnson on Programs, Patti Ellingson Solheim for tax and accounting work, and the Gala Committee lead by Jody Kern, Jennifer Bennerotte and Kip Peterson. The Gala provided $128,000 in revenue for club projects.
Brad Hepp inducted Robb Bredding as our newest and 179th member of Edina Rotary. Robb was proposed by Paul Mooty and holds the classification Business Advisory.
Board members next gave a series of brief reports on their activities during the 2018-19 Rotary year.
Shelly Loberg – International Service - $210,000 clean water project in Guatemala
Kenny Smith – Community Service - Local Projects
Brandon Azbill & Paul Peterson – Community Service – Local Funding
David Clynes – The Rotary Foundation - $125,000 contributed YTD; 78% participation by club members YTD
John thanked the current Board members for their good work and then welcomed the 2019-20 Edina Rotary Board of Directors.
| 2018-19 | 2019-20 | |
| President | John Flynn | Josh Sprague |
| President Elect | Josh Sprague | Sam Thompson |
| Treasurer | Sam Thompson | Michael Stanzak |
| Secretary | Michael Stanzak | Joe Hayes |
| Past President | San Asato | John Flynn |
| Club Service | Marty Kupper | Fred Sylvester |
| Community Service | Paul Peterson | Kelley Burnett |
| --Local Funding | Brandon Azbill | |
| Community Service | Kenny Smith | Kenny Smith |
| --Local Projects | ||
| International Service | Shelly Loberg | Shelly Loberg |
| Membership | Royce Pavelka | Royce Pavelka |
| Social | Renee Harberts | Renne Harberts |
| Public Image | Dan Hennen | Jennifer Hendrickson |
| The Rotary Foundation | David Clynes | Susan Stiles |
| Youth Service | Kip Peterson | David Aase |
John presented the 2019-20 Edina Rotary Foundation Board Members:
| Josh Sprague | |
| Sam Thompson | |
| Michael Stanzak | |
| Joe Hayes | |
| John Flynn | |
| Jennifer Bennerotte | At Large |
| Ann Platt | At Large |
| Jody Kern | At Large |
| Jeff Ohe | At. Large |
| Gary Pedersen | Past International Service |
| Brandon Azbill | Past Local Grants |
| Paul Peterson | Past Local Grants |
| Shelly Loberg | International Service |
| Kelley Burnett | Local Grants |
In his closing remarks, President John said he felt humbled and honored to serve as Edina Rotary’s 64th President. This was met with a standing ovation by everyone present. He then flashed a photo on the screen of him and his late father, Robert ‘Mick’ Flynn. Mick Flynn served as our 38th Edina Rotary Club president in 1992-93. Mick and John Flynn become the first father-son duo to serve as Edina Rotary Club presidents. Congratulations, John and Mick, for this historic achievement.
John then introduced Josh Sprague as the 65th President of Edina Rotary Club. Josh was sponsored by Sandy Schley, joined Edina Rotary in 2008 and holds the classification Luxury Real Estate.Josh introduced his family – wife Kelly and children Charlie, Johnny, Kelly and Nick. When prompted by Dad, each child perfectly recited the Four-Way test.
Josh then announced R.I. President Mark Maloney’s theme for 2019-20, Rotary Connects the World.
He encouraged each Rotarian to make a connection this coming year.
He encouraged each Rotarian to make a connection this coming year.