March 2, 2023

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet Lunch

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

Vice President of Policy and Strategy, Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

 

Chair of the Day Renee Mattson

 

By Steve Yorde

 

President Barb Perrella brought together attendees on a cold, blustery February day which some had wondered whether the meeting would even be held.  White-outs were prevalent in areas mostly east and south of Duluth.  Yet, our fearless leader “plowed ahead” and welcomed all who were gathered in the Holiday Inn for an interesting program about the goals of Northspan’s Welcoming Community initiative in northeast Minnesota.  President Barb Perrella led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Rotary’s 4-Way Test, “of the things we think, say and do.”

Rotarians Pledging Allegiance

Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom’s Rotary Reflection followed up on what we do as Rotarians each week by welcoming visitors, students and guests.  But do we sit at the same table with the same group of people each week?  Do we engage with those we don’t know?  Are we open-minded, positive, accepting and tolerant with those who are new to our community?  Do we invite them to consider Rotary?  He cited Rotary’s name and challenged us to do one thing each week…rotate!

President Barb Perrella then introduced our guests, including Judy Rogers who shared her famous pizzelles, Amber Lewis (Northspan speaker and spouse of Skyline Rotarian David Lewis), Andy Thielen (Wayzata Rotarian and former member of our club), Alex Tessier and Patty McGaffey of Oneida Realty, guests of Steve LaFlamme.

Jerry Thoreson contributed $100 to the Golden Can in recognition of Destination Duluth’s 2022 data. "The purpose of Destination Duluth is to inspire and educate people about the quality of place of Duluth, thereby shaping the city and region's positive growth," according to Thoreson. In 2022, they had a record-breaking 100 million views on Facebook and Instagram and their website, averaging 250,000 views per day.  Compare these numbers with 2021 results: 52 million views, averaging 1 million per week. Their posts encourage visitors to stay in our hotels, shop in our businesses, and see attractions like Bentleyville (their Bentleyville posts had 3 million views). Destination Duluth's ultimate goal is for people to choose Duluth as their #destinationforLife.  Thank you and congratulations, Jerry!

 

Chair of the Day Elizabeth Simonson

Chair of the Day Elizabeth Simonson introduced Elissa Hansen (president and CEO of Northspan) who in turn introduced her colleague and co-presenter Amber Lewis.  Northspan is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization that provides business management consulting services to clients in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.  They presented population data showing that between now and 2028 (and 20 years beyond to 2048), the population of Northeast Minnesota will change dramatically.  There will be fewer White and more Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian and Native Hawaiian populations.  This data set the stage for Northspan’s “Welcoming Community” initiative which will advance our region’s efforts to be more inviting and welcoming, and more responsive to seeking inclusion, equity and civic engagement.  It was noted that communities focusing on these “welcoming initiatives” are more economically competitive and their populations are growing! 

To increase the sense of belonging of underrepresented community members and trust between people from different backgrounds and lived experiences in Northeast Minnesota.

 

Rural Duluth and Grand Rapids were cited for their respective broadband initiatives.  Community advisory groups began meeting, often in small groups in breweries, to define “what is welcoming.”  Recommendations included positive interactions with neighbors, public and civic representations of diversity, creating spaces of belonging and inclusivity, and clean and well-functioning community infrastructure.  Northspan’s action plan includes community meetings and education, a recognition that we must recognize that diversity will continue to grow, and an understanding that a more generous, inclusive, welcoming and engaged community will help eliminate “opportunity gaps” and enhance efforts to strengthen local economies.

 

The 50/50 drawing was won by Jay Ott.        

 

(L to R) Elissa Hansen with Amber Lewis from Northspan