EVENING MEETING

(Replaces Regular Meeting)

Thursday, July 15, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m.

Catered Food and Beverage

 

 

Enjoy a relaxing evening touring the gardens of fellow Rotarian Betty George.  Master Gardner Tom Kasper will be on hand to answer all your gardening questions while you enjoy the gardens along with food and beverage.  This evening social from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. replaces the regular noon meeting.  Catering is by G.B. Schneider & Co.

Betty George is at 726 Minnesota Avenue.  After crossing over the Aerial Lift Bridge, turn right onto Eight Street, and then turn right again.  Street parking is readily available (spots at the South Pier Inn are very limited.)

 

By Steve Yorde

 

President Chana Stocke welcomed all to our first regular indoor meeting of the new Rotary year and called upon Assistant Governor Tricia Bunten for her first-ever Rotary Reflection.  The focus was on the role of women in Club 25 and how they influenced her to join (2001) and to become President (2017-18).

 

Assistant Governor, Tricia Bunten delivering the Rotary Reflection

 

President Chana Stocke introduced visiting Rotarians Pat Spott and Neal Roth!  She thanked Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom and Renee Mattson for their service at the Picnic.  She noted that Past President Ken Schoen is now in assisted living at the Benedictine.  Congratulations to Dan Dock who was honored with our “Service above Self Award” for 2020.  Fellowship self-reports will continue, but having a Fellowship Reporter will soon be back. 

 

Renee Mattson announced next week’s evening Garden Party starting at 5:00 p.m. at the home of Betty George.  Remember – this gathering replaces our regular Thursday meeting!  Please RSVP soon.  President-Elect Barb Perrella stressed the importance of signing up for at least one committee.

 

President-Elect Barb Perrella describing the Club committees

 

Dave Fulda of Johnson Carpet One was thanked for providing a $50 gift certificate as a committee membership incentive.  Babs and Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom were recognized by Allen Anway for dedicating “Trauma Room #3” at St. Luke’s Hospital.  Assistant Governor Tricia Bunten was presented a Paul Harris Fellowship pin with three rubies (representing a total giving of $9,000).  Geiger Yount reported that she and David celebrated their 61^st wedding anniversary and that today was the 45^th anniversary of their move to Duluth!

 

Geiger Yount contributing to the Golden Can

 

Past President Bonita Nelson, the first woman member of Club 25 (1987), introduced today’s speaker District Governor-Elect Kay Biga who is a former member of Club 25 and the founder of the Duluth-Superior Eco Rotary Club. Her number one District goal is to stabilize membership and increase the percentage of women, currently at 34%. This will be accomplished by implementing the “Women in Rotary Project.”  Jennifer Jones will be the FIRST woman President of Rotary International next year when Kay Biga assumes leadership of our District.  District 5580 currently has 2,515 members, down from last year’s 2,800.  As a result, we are raising fewer dollars and doing fewer service projects.  Club 25 has 30% women, but only 9% of the Club is under the age of 40.  Recent analysis shows that women are more likely to join a club that meets in the late afternoon.  One area of growth is clubs that meet virtually.  Another is the formation of “special interest” clubs.  Kay encouraged all of us, male and female, to join the Women in Rotary Facebook group (Women in Rotary District 5580.)  She also asked that we read the District newsletter, display lawn signs (“Women in Rotary” and “Proud to be a Rotarian”), and increase awareness and emphasis on membership.  Of critical importance is to create an environment that is welcoming to women.  If you hear offensive stories or jokes, you must call out that behavior.  All should be welcome at Rotary.  We can do more good in the world with more members!

 

Renee Mattson, President-Elect Barb Perella, President Chana Stocke, Governor-Elect Kay Biga, Past President, Elaine Hansen.  Just a few of the many Women in Rotary