March 7, 2024

For Those Attending in Person

Lunch Buffet

Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45

Link Sent Thursday Morning

At

 

 

“A Picture Is Worth 1,000 People.”

Jerry Thoreson, Managing Director

 

 

Managing Director (and Club #25 member)

Learn about Destination Duluth’s mission to curate and create content that inspires, educates and connects people to Duluth, showcasing its unique quality of place.

Now in their 11^th year, Destination Duluth’s recently passed 650 million online impressions of their all-positive Duluth and North Shore content, which has influenced many to visit and move to Duluth.  In 2022, Destination Duluth was ranked 3^rd in the country for social media engagement in the tourism sector by shareablee.com.

 

 

 

 

By Renee Burns

 

A quite full house of chatty Rotarian’s sprang to attention when President Gary Melander rang the bell and called the meeting to order, welcoming members, Zoomers and guests.  After reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the Rotary “Four Way Test”, Jeff Wencl was welcomed to the podium to provide the Rotary Reflection for the meeting.  We were reminded that as a 15-year reservist he greatly relates to the concept of Rotary service and veterans service and the program is timely to remind us that it is important to integrate veterans back into our community and make them feel welcome and supported.

 

President Gary Melander welcomed our two Junior Rotarians and introduced Steve Nelson, a guest of Jim Schwartz and soon to be welcomed into the club as a new member! 

 

Guest of Jim Schwartz, and soon to be new Rotary #25 member, Steve Nelson

 

Self-reporting: Jay Ott informed us that after a trip with grandchildren to Disney World he was left with $2 - which he generously donated the remaining dollars to the Golden Can. Past President Michelle Buria reported she is a new member of the Essentia Corporate Board and Jim Schwartz reported one granddaughter was honored at the East High School banquet as the Captain of the Ski Team and a younger granddaughter was named Rookie of the Year.

 

Jay Ott with his last $2 for the Golden Can!

 

Greg Hansen was next up to remind us to reserve April 25 for the annual Rotary Auction.  The event will take place at Marshall School and as always, a wonderful time and NOT to be missed, so mark your calendars now!  He also asked for volunteers to work the event and for everyone to think creatively and dig deep for donations.  We were reminded that donations of experiences are always highly valued.

 

Greg Hansen giving us the scoop on the upcoming Rotary Auction

 

President Gary Melander gave us the sad news that former Rotarian Tom McCabe has passed and a eulogy will be given in coming weeks.  We all will remember Tom for his booming voice and wonderful smile.

 

President Gary Melander and Treasurer Elaine Hansen again engaged the club members in discussing a potential move from the Holiday Inn to the Kitchi Gammi Club.  President Gary Melander asked for members thoughts and concerns and assured everyone in attendance that a survey would be distributed to ALL members.  Generally there were pros and cons stated for both locations, with a particular point of discussion being should the club move from what is considered the “downtown” to a location not strictly in the downtown core.  Gaining new members also resonated with those present, with some feeling we might see more new members because of the unique location and feeling we would lose potential members if we departed a convenient downtown skywalk connected location.

 

Chair of the Day Tammy Sundbom introduced our speaker, her good friend Jenna Graen, a 21-year veteran of the Duluth Air National Guard, with the Veteran Resilience Project which has recently expanded to include Northern Minnesota in their service area.  Jenna noted the sad statistic that there are 100 veteran suicides in Minnesota per year, a statistic which unfortunately is likely underreported by as much as 20%. 

 

VRP’s efforts to help veterans cope with trauma use a technique called EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a therapy that involves recalling a stressful past event and “reprogramming” the memory in light of a new, positive belief, using rapid eye movements to facilitate the process.  She stated the trauma they treat isn’t strictly that of combat; it can be any trauma a veteran, service member, or their spouse experienced in their life. 

 

VRP was founded by an EMDR therapist in 2012 and works to coordinate care by connecting an EMDR certified therapist with those in need.  They also work to educate the community on the effects of PTSD and trauma by providing wellness training for businesses and organizations that support military employees.  The service is completely free and available to all Minnesota veterans, no matter the disposition of their discharge from the military or the number of years of service. 

 

They work to break down the physical and sometimes mental barriers of seeking help.  EMDR shows results in 12 60-90 minute sessions or less.  Individuals in the therapy see results much sooner than traditional talk therapy.  If you are interested in VRP you can support and help by becoming a board member, military service not required, volunteering or through financial support.  Visit www.veteranresilienceproject.org

President Gary Melander, Jenna Graen – Veteran Resilience Project, Chair of the Day Tammy Sundbom

 

Hard at work greeting and selling 50/50, Past President Barb Perrella, Dan Maki and Brian Fulda