This week at Rotary
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Join fellow Rotarians and guests as we raise a glass and toast President Gary Melander
Board the boat at 5:30 and return to the dock at 8:00.
To RSVP contact President-Elect Elizabeth Simonson
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Renee Burns
A full room of Rotarians and several guests gathered at the Holiday Inn for the weekly meeting. President Gary Melander rang the bell and began the meeting with a warm Rotary welcome, as well as his familiar “How lucky are we?”
Greg Hansen gave an insightful and thought-provoking reflection. Starting with four important words, “I am a Rotarian”. The reflection was reminiscent of past Rotary Charges, intended to lift up club members and “Charge” us to remember what being a Rotarian means in full. He noted that his sponsor, the late and former Club #25 Rotarian Chuck House, stressed the importance of attendance, and for several years Greg Hansen maintained 100% attendance. Over time he missed a few meetings, his attendance dropped off, and post-COVID, he contemplated leaving the club. However, when he returned to meetings, he felt the warm welcome of the members. When asked to serve on the board, he said yes, which led to working on the Auction Committee and the appreciation for how much money is raised to be spent on good projects and causes. Be involved, stay involved, we have a great club with wonderful people, and we do good things and remember these words, “I am a Rotarian”.
Greg Hansen giving an impactful Reflection about club service and the meaning of being a Rotarian.
President Gary Melander introduced our guests who received a warm Rotary welcome. President Gary Melander also noted that this is his last regular meeting as the club President. He observed he has been a member for 26 years and has enjoyed every minute and all the caring people who are members. While he thought he knew everything there was to know about the club, this past year as President has been an eye-opening experience. In appreciation for his years of service and his leadership as President, members gave him a rousing standing ovation, which was well deserved.
President Gary Melander receiving a standing ovation from the members as he leads his last regular club meeting.
President-Elect Elizabeth Simonson also brought to our attention a service project at St. Anns from 9 am-2 pm on June 21. The project will be painting a wall, an easy but fulfilling service project. Please let Dan Maki know if you can participate, lunch will be provided.
Rob Hofmann kicked the can starting with a compliment to Greg Hansen and President Gary Melander and said he feels the same way about the difference we make as a club for our community. He went on to mention that Ian Grant, son of past Rotarians Jim and Isobel Grant, has won an Emmy for his Ukraine documentary.
Next up was information about a new Twin Ports Rotaract Club. Alex Schultz and Kadie Knudson provided an update on the effort to revitalize the Rotaract Club, starting with broader outreach to all the Universities and Colleges in the Twin Ports. For more information go to
TwinportsRotaract@gmail.comAlex and Kadie giving an update on the start of a new Twin Ports Rotaract Club
President Gary Melander called Jennifer Smith to the podium for a well-deserved Service Above Self Award. Jennifer Smith has been accounting for the Rose sale and Rotary Foundation for several years. Her quiet work behind the scenes is important to the club, and the award recognizes this. Thank you for all you do!
Jennifer Smith receiving a Service Above Self award from President Gary Melander
Chair of the Day, Patra Sevastiades, introduced our speaker, Dan Hartman, whom she has had the pleasure of working with previously. Originally from Crosby, Dan is a graduate of UMD and served on the Duluth City Council.
With a program titled DECC Update, Dan began by informing members of what has been happening at the DECC in the last six months. There are eight venues that comprise the entirety of the DECC complex, each with a separate and specific use. His vision is to brand each of these venues with their own identity and sell each to ensure the facility is as well utilized as possible. Since 2019 there has been a revenue increase of 27%, getting back to pre-COVID levels. To put in perspective the scope of the operation Dan cited some interesting figures; payroll increases have been 58% in just a few short years, equating to $2 million. The complex has approximately $30 million in deferred maintenance to contend with and along with the additional expenses, utility costs have also increased significantly.
There were 602,000 visitors to the DECC for various activities and events in 2023, the first-time attendance figures were tracked. An impressive $53.2 million in economic impact on the area comes from DECC activities. Looking ahead to 2024, they are currently $740,000 over budget for revenue and will likely end the year with $100,000 in profit, which is cause for cautious optimism. To deal with the deferred maintenance issue the DECC will be working on bonding to help pay for the repairs.
A question about having more Broadway shows at the DECC led to an education about how these shows are promoted and booked. To help with cost savings, options for new and more efficient technology are being researched and will likely continue to roll out in the coming months and years. The second part of the presentation revealed new things to be aware of, a new scoreboard for the Amsoil Arena with the current best technology and resolution available, which is to say it will be the most current for at least a few months! There will be work done in the skywalk that will feature art and artists from the area and greatly enhance the look of the skywalk. The City Side Convention Center will see rehabilitation, much needed as this facility sees the most traffic of any of the venues at the complex. The concourse along the harborside arena has beautiful views and is mostly underappreciated, it will be branded as Lounge 66, paying tribute to the year the arena was built. Cruising continues to bring visitors to Duluth, and the arena will be utilized more for concerts in the coming months.
Obviously, there are many reasons to celebrate the amazing venue that is the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and club members were definitely active listeners to the program brought by DECC Executive Director Dan Hartman.
DECC Executive Director Dan Hartman answering a question during his presentation.
Don’t miss!
President's Night Celebration!
Please join us for a lovely evening as we celebrate
President Gary Melander’s Year
Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 5:30pm
A Beautiful Two-Hour Tour on the Vista Star
Board at 5:30pm
Leave port at 6:00pm
Return to dock at 8:00pm
Cocktails and Heavy Hors d’oeuvres
$60/PERSON
Just a reminder there will not be a lunch meeting this day.