President Tricia Bunten opened the joint meeting of Club 25 and the Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth, with an Easter greeting to all. There was some conjecture at the head table about the length of time this joint Spring meeting has taken place, hosted by our Rotary Club. It seems to be something beyond 40 years as a durable and much appreciated tradition.
Past President John Baumgarten accompanied a rousing National Anthem, followed by a very appropriate invocation about new beginnings, by Beth Storassli. Kiwanian President Gary Madison recognized Kiwanians with birthdays, followed by the traditional Kiwanian serenade, smilingly endured by all.
President Tricia reminded all Rotarians to send committee selections for 2018-2019 to the Rotary Office. Tricia also invited all Rotarians, guests and friends to the Rotary 25 Dinner and Auction at Marshall School on April 19th. She noted that this event will replace the regular meeting that week.
Chair of the day and Past President Bob Bennett came to the podium to introduce today’s program speaker, one of our newest members, Sara Cole. How often has it been said that some of our very best programs are presentations by our own members? It was certainly true today, as Sara enthusiastically and passionately shared a topic, obviously near and dear to her, the past and future of the YMCA, both locally and nationally. Sara’s own values of servant leadership were taught by her parents, who urged her and her siblings to be active and engaged citizens. She carries these values into her role as President and CEO of our Duluth “Y”, and expands those values into a more contemporary environment of diversity and inclusiveness.
The YMCA’s innovative future is focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Their commitment to youth development begins with their support of “personal empowerment, exploration and learning. One example of this is the creation of programs emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Food access is an issue that first caught Sara’s attention working for the Y. In her past position in Rochester, NY, she made a significant impact on the community’s ability to access food on a regular basis. As an example she shared a story of a child who rode his bike several miles to find breakfast because “there was no food at his house”. As food access is also an issue in our community, she hopes to do the same at the Duluth Y. Sara’s goal for Duluth, which is in sync with YMCA’s across the nation, is to create a Y that makes a difference for all community members. Sara’s enthusiasm was contagious, as she introduced the vision of a new Y in Hermantown and her hope to make the Duluth Area Family YMCA a place that helps those in Duluth and surrounding areas.
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President Tricia Bunten and Speaker Sara Cole