Kevin Hegland introduced Tami Reuter, Chief Development and Marketing Officer of MRCI. Tami previously presented to us via Zoom back in the days of COVID – June 10, 2020. In 2022, we had an update from MRCI’s Outreach coordinator Tina Stofferahn. Bob Roepke is on their board of directors.
The organization had its inception in the days following the Korean War. A group in Mankato wanted to provide rehabilitation to wounded veterans so they could work in agricultural activities. MRCI has since developed into a service that supports “people with disabilities and disadvantages in building independence at home, at work and in the community through personalized support and real opportunities.”
Tami showed a video of parents with their adult son who has developmental disabilities and their positive thoughts about MRCI’s impact on their lives. We heard examples of the changing path of employment by an MRCI client as he moved through jobs at Michael’s, McDonald’s and Scheel’s stores. Community and day activities are coordinated by MRCI that include working with Meals on Wheels, training on the skills needed to work in teams, and specialized driver training classes.
Tami provided a booklet with a menu of MRCI services and a sheet listing way to engage with MRCI to keep it an active and beneficial partner within our communities. She is looking for ways to provide her message within the schools in our district.
Tami's contact information: phone 507-995-4507, email treuter@mymrci.org.
Announcements
Jean Heyduck stood in for Celi Haga and gave congratulations for birthdays (Kevin H., Neil, and Mike) and Rotary anniversaries (Ken, Dan, Jean and Lindsey).
In a pre-meeting discussion, Sean Haga told us about the Chaska High School’s mock election and the results of the student voting for the three main Minnesota positions (the outcomes were similar to the general election).
Erin Kerber asked for volunteers to fill in the open slots for staffing the club’s holiday beverage booth at the Holiday Market at the Solseng’s Sun Meadow Farm on Nov. 13-15. The sign-up to donate bottles also added contributors.
Dan Keyport described the community benefits from Chaska 100 membership and noted that there are raffle prizes awarded to donors at the reception prior to the lighting of the city’s holiday tree at the Event Center on Nov 22.
In case you missed his introduction a few weeks ago, our newest member is Daniel Bauman (right). He works as a financial advisor.
Tom Moorse, past club President (2015-16), attended our meeting and received many greetings from those of us who were around during his term.
Youth Exchange Update
Emma has had a bout of illness recently, so she was smiling, but didn't have much to share with us. Hopefully she’ll be back to normal soon, and we’ll get to hear about her reaction to our election processes and compare them to Germany’s.
Phil Solseng gave us insight into the club flag from Charoen Nakorn, Thailand. We’ve had two students from the Bangkok area. The last was Jirawal (“Boss”) Jaroenwat in 2016-17.