Thursday, January 29, 2026

Lunch Buffet

Doors Open 11:30AM

At

 

 

Emma Pardini’s role as a Sustainability Specialist serves to educate and develop community programs aimed at improving recycling and reducing waste across Resource Renew’s 530 square mile region.  As well, Emma serves as the Vice President on the board of Reuse Minnesota and as the Sustainability Chair on the board of the Duluth-Superior EcoRotary.

 

 

By Renee Burns

 

The January 22 meeting was called to order by President Zach Walters on a cold day in the toasty-warm downstairs Charter Room.

President Zach Walters opening the meeting

 

 A good crowd appreciated the Reflection by Past President Branden Robinson with a fitting theme that touched on the need for human interaction, the great need for more kindness and compassion and the note that as Rotarians we share responsibility for instilling these values in the next generation.  Though as an editorial side note, these same values should have a place in all of us.

 

Past President Branden Robinson with a thoughtful Reflection

 

Guest introductions included Judy Sage and our Junior Rotarian Olivia from Proctor.

 

The Golden Can was kicked by Natalie Junk with an invitation to attend two upcoming events at Keystone Bluffs.

Natalie Junk offers an invitation to events at Keystone Bluffs, come one come all!

 

Chair of the Day Tammy Sundbom made an introduction of the speaker, Lynn Reins, the new CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland.  The Boys and Girls Club is particularly close to Tammy’s heart as she worked there for several years.  Tammy also gave a shout out to the Program Committee which includes her, and Allison Hanig-Landrus, Past President Elizabeth Simonson, Past President Sandy Hoff and President Zach Walters.  If you have a program in mind, let any of them know and they’ll follow up!

 

Lynn Reins, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland

 

Lynn Reins is full of enthusiasm and love for the Boys and Girls Club organization, having started working with a Kentucky Boys and Girls Club at 23 and still going strong now in Duluth.  From her appreciation of the work they do and her vast knowledge of the operations, Duluth is certainly lucky to have her!  She also noted she was a Rotarian in West Virginia where she worked before moving with her family to take this job in October 2025.

 

The clubs have 4 Priority Outcomes:

 

In addition to providing a safe, inclusive environment the clubs also have $5,000 scholarships that are renewable for up to four years, providing a significant financial benefit to the students who win them.  The Life and Workforce Readiness priority outcome is new and recognizes that not all children are going to go to college and this outcome helps prepare them for life and work in a way that recognizes there are other avenues to enter the workforce.

 

The 2025 Impact Report has powerful statistics citing the impact the Boys and Girls Club has on the communities they serve:

 

Lynn offered suggestions on ways to become involved if you have an interest; become a committee member, volunteer in a clubhouse, become a donor. 

 

President Zach Walters thanked Lynn for an outstanding program, and Rotarians provided loud applause in appreciation.

 

The meeting was concluded with the always anticipated 50/50 drawing, won by Bill Lundberg who won $57 and just celebrated his 57^th Birthday!

 

 

House Salad

Build your own Taco Bar

 

 

 Rotarians At Work

 

Rotarians at Second Harvest on Wednesday, January 14th. Our Rotary crew along with other volunteers packed hundreds of boxes of food for distribution across the northland.

 

Rotary Volunteers Include:

Megan Maki (my wife)