Thank you Chaska Rotary for an unforgettable and fulfilling year as Chaska Rotary’s President. I am proud the hard work of our members that helped create fundraising successes with one of our biggest Gala gives and also getting the Golf Ball Drop off the ground as a new fundraiser. At the same time our old standbys survived and thrived– we made it through a freezing Steak Fry during River City Days and also had record turn out for the Turkey Trot despite multiple years of rainy fall weather. All of those efforts enabled the Club to continue to give significantly to both local and international causes while also providing our club members the opportunity to have boots on the ground in various efforts. I’m also proud of the efforts our club put into growing membership. We are up seven new members!
I look forward to turning over the baton to Tom Croft. Next year I expect even greater success, growth and fulfillment for the club. Along with all of the old standards, we have dedicated club members looking forward to a trip to explore our club taking ownership over its own international project; we have a crew of passionate new members; and a new President with some great goals.
There are many, many thank yous, but special thanks to the following:
~Ray Schalow for his many, many years keeping us informed, groaning and laughing through publication of the Futura, and thank you to Neil Wingert for taking on the task of writing newsletter updates and announcements.
~Greg Anderson for helping us into the social media world with a great Facebook page and more notably a good lesson on which way to hold your fingers when you make the “This Close” Rotary gang sign.
~Our large troop of Sergeant at Armses for wrangling the flag poles; smiling and greeting; and arriving really early.
~All of the gala “staff” for helping make the event a resounding success. Notably- Tom Croft, Bob Roepke, Lisa Hurt, Dave Melchert, Sheryl Hough, and Michelle Kraus. And to all the members that sponsored and attended the event directly or through their organizations.
~John Zirbes for his golf ball drop excitement in selling tickets and getting the event off the ground and to Ron Cossette and Michelle Kraus for hanging out on the course and hiding the beer when needed.
~Peter Ivy, John Zirbes, Dan Keyport and crew for making sure the steak fry and wine tent went off without a hitch despite chilly weather.
~Greg and Cindy Anderson for making the success of the 5k a personal mission.
~Dan Lundahl for diligently and without complaint managing Foundation matters.
~Kevin Eide, Phil and Claudine Solseng, the Krause Family, the Anderson Family, the Miklas Family, and Ken Hiller for giving Danil a second chance and the support he needed to make his Rotary Exchange a success.
~The many folks in the club ensuring that Karl Nyline gets good support from his Rotary family as he works towards recovery from his stroke. And to everyone who reaches out with support and prayers to our current and past Rotarians and families when they meet rough seas.
~All of the STRIVE mentors, speakers, and volunteers for sticking it out and making a difference to our students while feeling like “horse whisperers” at times.
~Dick Crawford and team for spending many hours interviewing worthy scholarship candidates.
~Dan Keyport for ensuring a gaggle of great speakers.
~John Roepke for keeping the faith that people will remember their invocation and being willing to pinch hit when they don’t.
~John Hoppe for mastering the fine master process and all of the fine masters for taking their turn(s).
~Gary Goeman for faithfully recruiting members and allowing me to take credit for it.
~The Akerbergs (and Ron for helping out) faithfully putting on the party barn social that will be sorely missed.
~To the Board and Kristy for many early morning meetings and patience with mixed up dates, confusing budgets, and never enough time to get through it all.
