About Rotary Club of Chaska
We are part of Rotary International, a secular, non-political, global network of 1.4 million committed individuals who volunteer their skills and resources to solve pressing issues and address community needs.
 
We meet each Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, 1141 Cardinal Street, Chaska. We'd love you to join us!
 
 
Notes from Our Most Recent Meeting
Charitable Giving Focus

 

Jean Heyduck, on behalf of the Charitable Giving Committee, introduced representatives from the three organizations which received grants in 2025. 

A.C.T. United was represented by Jessica Bartholomew. This group’s mission is to “ Unite communities in prevention and ignite youth leadership in the movement to end online exploitation and trafficking of children and teens.” Their model: “Our prevention programs are informed and updated by current research, direct service experience, law enforcement partners, and survivor leader expertise for best practices in prevention, intervention, and survivor support. Our strategies engage and equip the whole community. ​Our passion is prevention education that empowers youth with the education, skills, and resources they need for exploitation prevention, peer-to-peer advocacy, and opportunity for leadership development.”  Jessica’s email: jessica@actunited.org, website www.actunited.org. 

Carver County Local News was represented by Mike Huang. This online publication “strives to use print and digital tools to inform the public and tell the story of its vibrant and diverse communities. Partnerships with area businesses, governments, civic organizations and subscribers ultimately strengthen and sustain the trusted news organization that fosters community connection.”

CCLN website: www.cclocalnews.org

Beyond New Beginnings was represented by Molly Koivumaki. Its mission: “Beyond New Beginnings (BNB) Program supports and nurtures young moms and their children as they gain independence in safe, stable homes while being actively involved in the New Beginnings High School Program, post-secondary education and/or employment by empowering them to become healthy, engaged, members of a community." 

Their objectives:

·      Develop safe homes for young moms and their children both during high school and after graduation – promoting success in the next steps of their lives, whether pursuing employment or continuing their education.

·      Provide access to high-quality childcare where their children can thrive.

·      Prepare moms and advocate for them as they find employment and/or pursue post-secondary education.

·      Create a community environment where life skills are honed, and peers support each other through life’s ups and downs.

·      Empower young moms to think critically, make decisions, foster connections and build their networks to be able to support their family once they complete the BNB program.

BNB website: www.beyondnewbeginnings.org

Jessica Bartholomew of A.C.T. United
Mike Huang of Carver County Local News
Molly Koivumaki of Beyond New Beginnings
Other Charitable Highlights

Chaska High School Planters Project: Chaska Rotary provided funds that gave students a hands-on opportunity to build planters, learn about gardening, and provide fellow students with healthy fruits of their labor

 

A Nepal Service video was shown by Ken Hiller to highlight the efforts of the Peterborough, Ontario, Canada Rotary Club to support community development in Nepal. Through financial support and in-person projects, businesses run by local women are receiving assistance. Our contact is Marie Press - mariepress@Hotmail.com

 

Our club members brought boxes and bags filled with donations of food and toiletries for West Creek Apartment residents. Dave Pokorney explained the current status of the housing and its residents.

 
Chaska Rotarians in Action
Tree Planting
Tree Planting at Community Park in Chaska: We joined with volunteers from the Lions Club in this annual event to benefit our environment and neighbors in response to the destruction of trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer.
 
Cinco de Mayo

 

 

Thanks to Erika Kennedy for organizing our annual Cinco de Mayo event to honor the contributions of our Hispanic community.  Also, thanks to Erin Kerber for notes and pictures from the Cinco De Mayo Event. 

Speakers included Rico Paul Vallejos, who discussed the Hispanic Wealth Project and the Perceptions and Realities of Latino USA, and Lisa Anderson, Carver County Commissioner, who spoke about the connections she made with the Latino Community during her campaigning process.

The organization Latino Voices handed out gratitude awards to: The Chaska Rotary, Kevin Wright, Chaska Moravian Church, Officer Martin Godinez, Bountiful Basket, Virma Benke, & Carlos.

 
Christmas in May
Peter Ivy painting the town.
 
Dave Porkorney is happy with the results. 
 
Dan Keyport taking a hydration break.
 
Erin Kerber and Bob Chinnock in "American Gothic" mode. 
Up on the roof
 
Chaska’s Christmas in May  is an annual event organized by the city of Chaska that enables improvement projects for homeowners in our community.  The event combines the volunteer efforts of civic organizations like us and the Lions, as well as the Police department and high school groups.
 
Announcements
  • Mike Wentzell invited everyone to perform our club’s annual highway cleanup, at 6:30 PM, with eyes on the weather while we put our gloves on the trash.
  • Erin Kerber requested volunteers to sell raffle tickets in association with the Chaska Cares Music Fest drawing – one ticket: $20; three tickets: $50. Several community events will present opportunities to raise money for our club and the Miracle Field. Signup lists are available for Fire & Ice, River City Days, Carver County Fair, Carver Steamboat Days, Latin Music Fest, and the main event, our Music Fest. Refer to the Upcoming Events in this newsletter for specific dates.
  • Neil Wingert received his Paul Harris Plus 6 pin that acknowledged continued donations to the Rotary Foundation.
 
Exchange Student, Marcos Alonso
Marcos has had a busy couple of weeks: Tree planting, a bus trip with Ken Hiller to a Minnesota United futbol game, tennis matches and his own celebrity poster. On April 29, Marcos represented our club and the Exchange Student program and gave a presentation to the school group at LaAcademia.
 
International Moment
Robin Nesburg added the club flag from Utsunomiya, Japan. It was brought to the U.S. by Phil Solseng’s daughter, Kristine, from her 1994-95 exchange student year. We look forward to the possibility that someone will be able to explain the symbolism of the images on the flag.
Other recent flags have been added from Indore, India and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
 
Invocation Schedule
May 22, 2025 -  Vic Benetti
May 29, 2025 - Bob Moeller
June 5, 2025 - Gretchen Oppriecht
June 12, 2025 - Greg Anderson
June 19, 2025 - Wayne Ward
June 26, 2025 - Mark Omann
 
       
Speakers
Dan Keyport
May 22, 2025 7:30 AM
Destination Antarctica
Chayna Claeys
May 29, 2025 7:30 AM
Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library
Nayely Becerra Castillo
Jun 05, 2025 7:30 AM
CHS Scholarship Awards
Bridging
Jun 12, 2025 7:30 AM
Bridging
Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Co-President
Co-President-Elect
Treasurer
Membership
Immediate Past President
Vice President
Executive Secretary / Director