Even though it was a cool windy day in Duluth the Rotarians gathering for their weekly meeting warmed up the room with their smiles and conversations. I enjoyed seeing the table filled with Junior Rotarians meeting one another and learning about the Rotary Club from Jena Evans and Stacy Oltmanns. President Michelle Buria has returned from her trip to England and opened the meeting with the ringing of the Rotary bell. She asked us to stand and read the Four-Way Test, hinting that next week we may be asked to recite it from memory.

 

Reflecting on that Four-Way Test Mike Zlonis shared that for many years he viewed it as simplistic, not very helpful and even a bit corny. Then he began to realize that it is a simple but profound concept. It asks us to be concerned about the way our words and actions affect other people. For the Four Way Test encourages us to find the words and actions which benefit others and in doing so, also helps us to find happiness and meaning in life. Well stated, Mike.

 

Past President Bob Bennett welcomed our visiting Rotarian from Harbortown Jerry Fryberger. He then invited members to come forward, kick the Golden Can and self-report. First was Gieger Yount who had attended a conference on Climate Change at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter. She shared that there were two lunch tables for Rotarians sponsored by the Northfield Rotary Club. It made the conference extra special for her to meet these outstanding Rotarians. Dean Casperson had a confession that at the last Friday's Rotary Fellowship Breakfast, he had broken one of the rules and talked about Rotary. So, a confession, $2 and a smile to make amends. Dick Swenson placed $20 in the Golden Can to celebrate Dan Berglund's birthday. Duluth School Superintendent Bill Gronseth shared that Myers-Wilkins Elementary School conducted a fund drive this fall to raise $3,800 so students could be given one book each month to take home as their own. The resulting donations totaled $20,000 plus and reflected the generosity of the Duluth community. As all donations cross Bill's desk, he noted that there were many donations with names he recognized as fellow Rotarians and so a heart-felt “Thank you”.

 

Rose Sale Chair John Foucault shared that rose distribution will be Friday, October 11 at various locations and there are still some slots open. If you are able to help, please feel free to stop at any of the sites and lend a hand and enjoy the fellowship as the roses are distributed. And a reminder to club members that a $10 donation to the Duluth Rotary Foundation is equal to a dozen roses sold.

 

Jena Evans began the introduction of October's Junior Rotarians. Each school year we have a representative from the seven area high schools attend our weekly meetings for a month. She encouraged us to get to know them and share our experiences with these outstanding young people. October's Junior Rotarians are from the following high schools: Marshall, East High School, Hermantown, Proctor, Harbor City, and Lakeview Christian Academy.

Welcome, Junior Rotarians. We trust that you enjoy your time with us.

 

Chair of the Day Gieger Yount introduced today's speaker Mary Adams. Mary is familiar with Rotary as several years ago one of her daughters was a Rotary Youth Exchange student to Mexico. Mary is a tutor at Laura MacArthur Elementary School in Duluth and a member of “Better Angels”. The organization was formed in 2016 in response to the polarization that we see tearing our nation apart and is now active in all 50 states. Their mission is to bring people of opposing views together to discuss in structured workshops our differences and the areas where we find similarity. As people with opposing views come together to discuss and listen during the workshops, they have found that there are areas where they respectfully disagree but also areas where they have common ground. And they often find that they actually like each other. As several participants in the program have stated, “Talking and listening is not overrated.” To learn more about the organization, check out their website: www.better-angels.org. Thank you, Mary, for coming and sharing with us.

Speaker Mary Adams with Rotarian

Geiger Yount and President Michelle Buria

 

                                                                                                                                                                              

Rotary leaders Tom McCabe, Jerry Pelofske,

Roni Salo, & Bill Zimbinski filling backpacks

@ Northern Lights Food Bank