Thursday, November 7, 2024

Lunch Buffet

At

Learn about the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Upper Midwest and their inspiring mission to provide a comfortable and caring home away from home that supports keeping families together and reduces stress during a child's serious illness.

 

In the next several weeks Club #25 will embark on a strategic planning process with the guidance of Ted Schick, a former Rotarian with the Cloquet club and a previous speaker at our club.  Ted has guided many organizations in strategic plan work and as a former Rotarian, has a deep understanding of the principles of Rotary.

 

Our Club strategic planning initiative aims to strengthen the club’s mission, enhance member engagement, and increase its impact within the community. Through this initiative, club members will collaboratively identify key priorities, set measurable goals, and establish action plans that align with Rotary's core values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.  Look for more information and updates on this process soon, and plan to participate!  Your voice needs to be heard as we plan for the next decade of Rotary Club of Duluth #25.

 

Ted Schick – Bio

Residing in Fredenberg Township, just north of Duluth, MN, Ted Schick is a professional speaker, corporate trainer, and consultant with his own business since 2009, Schick Corporate Learning. A retired naval officer who rose from the enlisted ranks, Ted has over 30 years of experience leading people.

 

Ted holds a BA in Business from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, received a teaching certificate from Bemidji State University, and a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

 

Ted has served his community with Spirit Mountain Ski Patrol and local animal humane societies, including Animal Allies and Friends of Animals, and he has been a mentor for Mentor Duluth. During the pandemic, he packed food at the Second Harvest Foodbank and delivered for “Meals-on-Wheels.” Ted believes in all aspects of Servant Leadership.

Ted Schick – Schick Corporate Learning

 

By Renee Burns

 

The annual Paul Harris Dinner was hosted by the Skyline Rotary Club at the Depot Great Hall and was a great success and a genuinely fun evening.  In a full room of Rotarians and their guests, Rotary Club #25 was well represented with more than a dozen members enjoying entertainment, great food and moving speeches. 

 

Paul Harris founded Rotary in Chicago in 1905 as a club where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.  A vision he achieved with amazing success.  November is the month Rotary highlights the work of Rotary International, and the evening was a time to recognize some of those who contribute to the foundation and learn more about the impact the foundation makes globally.

 

The event kicked off with a performance by young dancers with the Minnesota Ballet and a welcome from the evening’s host, Jason Young.  Rob Hofmann began the program with a thought-provoking reflection.  He reflected upon the Robert Putnam documentary, Join or Die which highlights America’s civic engagement crisis, showing how joining groups like Rotary can “strengthen democracy.” Since the 1970s, club and meeting participation has plummeted, weakening the social bonds essential for both individual health and democratic stability. Research reveals that joining even one group can halve a person’s risk of dying, underscoring the power of social connections. To restore trust and democracy, Americans must reconnect through organizations that foster genuine community.

 

Dancers with the Minnesota Ballet

 

Rob Hofmann sharing his Rotary Reflection

 

Rob Hofmann and Jason Young

 

Past President and District Governor Elect Elaine Hansen presented two very notable Rotary Foundation Major Donor recognitions to Past President and Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom Major Donor Level 2 and Jim Landwehr Major Donor Level 4, which is the highest donor level one can achieve.  Phil Strom was there with his lovely wife Babs to receive his recognition but unfortunately, Jim Landwehr was unable to attend but did share his thoughts that the Rotary Foundation is a way to give and contribute to solutions on a worldwide scale.  We are so fortunate to have such generous donors in our club.  Please be sure to give your congratulations to them for reaching these significant donor levels.

 

Phil Strom receiving his Level 2 award from Elaine Hansen

 

Phil and Babs Strom

 

We also heard from Tom Gump, Aide to Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick. 

 

Tom Gump sharing his welcome.

 

The evening’s featured speaker was Judge Dale O. Harris, who interestingly was a former student of Geiger Yount!

 

Geiger Yount and former Judge Dale O. Harris

 

Rotarians enjoying the annual Paul Harris Dinner at the Depot.

 

Jason Young, Skyline Rotary and host, Past President and District Governor Elect Elaine Hansen, Past District Governor Debra Warner and Tom Gump, Aide to RI President

 

By Jerry Thoreson

 

The heading of The Gimlet from May 1988 has familiar names, but faces? Not so much!