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 for you to join us!
Notes from Our Most Recent Meeting

Presentation: Sue Valiton, Overture International Efforts in Haiti

Erin Kerber provided a summary of our three avenues of fundraising related to the Chaska Cares Music Festival held this past September: raffle ticket sales, sponsorships, and beverage sales. She thanked all the members for selling tickets and highlighted the top eight in our Sales Department. Erin also noted the contributions from sponsors, notably the $20,000 from Michelle Kraus and the Ladybug organization. Beverage sales were helped by a beneficial relationship with Chaska’s VFW post that ensured there was no loss from unsold stock. The bottom line was a net gain for our club of about $14,000 from the event.

Matt Podhradsky followed Erin with grateful appreciation of her work to manage the finances for the CCMF and then he discussed our 2025-26 goals. He stressed the importance of growing our membership and tentative plans for our meeting speakers during a March membership drive. 

Matt encouraged each of us to bring a guest to one or more of the March meetings and to engage non-members in our activities, including the music fest. Direct funding of the Miracle Field will not be a future focus because the park’s construction will be moving ahead regardless of our activities and revenue.

Matt also presented ideas for this year’s music festival, such as moving the date to June and finding a less expensive headline group.

How members can contribute to our membership drive
How members can contribute to our music festival
New vision for our music festival
 
Announcements
  • Greg Anderson called our attention to an email from District 5950 coordinator Alexa Rundquist, sent on Jan. 13. On Feb. 11, 7:00 – 8:30 a.m., at the Minneapolis Club, the Regional Outreach Director of the Federal Reserve, and 2027-28 Rotary International PresidentLarry Lunsford will be speaking.  Remarks will also include the 2028 Rotary Convention in Minneapolis. Cost is $40, which includes parking. Click here for more information. 
  • Ryan Seibert invited our participation in a book-labeling activity supporting Hooked on Books, on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the Chaska Family Learning Center, 110600 Village Road, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
  • This morning there was a great sunrise that called up the saying about “red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.” 
 
 
Youth Exchange Student and Rotary Intern Update

Ane showed a few photos that included a friend, a soccer game, and a memory of attending a Wild game. She said that in her area of Norway, professional hockey isn’t as popular as it is here. We’re looking forward to hearing more about her homeland from Ane’s presentation next week.

International Moment

 

Ken Hiller presented information and the flag from Vadstena, Sweden. He included a photo of the city’s photogenic castle. 

Invocation Schedule
 
Jan 22, 2026 - Bob Chinnock
Jan 29, 2026
Kevin
Eide
   
Feb 5, 2026
Cindy
Anderson
 
Feb 12, 2026
Celi
Haga
 
Feb 19, 2026
Ken
Hiller
 
Mar 5, 2026
Neil
Wingert
 
Mar 12, 2026
Lindsey
Hagen
Mar 19, 2026
Pat
Wittrock
Mar 26, 2026
Jim
Halloran
 
Apr 2, 2026
Jim
Bach
 
Apr 9, 2026
Mike
Wentzell
 
Apr 16, 2026
Wayne
Ward
 
Apr 23, 2026
Sheryl
Hough
 
Apr 30, 2026
Robin
Nesburg
 
May 7, 2026
Nate
Manaen
 
May 14, 2026
Dan
Keyport
 
May 21, 2026
Erika
Kennedy
 
May 28, 2026
Peter
Ivy
June 4, 2026
Gretchen
Oppriecht
June 11, 2026
Sheryl
Hough
 
June 18, 2026
Jean
Heyduck
 
June 25, 2026
Kevin
Hegland
 
 
 
       
Coffee Schedule
January 2026
22 – Peter
29 – Lindsey
 
February 2026
5 – Ken
12 – Celi
19 – Bob
26 – Peter
 
March 2026
5 – Lindsey
12 – Ken
19 – Celi
26 – Bob
 
April 2026
2 – Peter
9 – Lindsey
16 – Ken
23 – Celi
30 – Bob
 
May 2026
7 – Peter
14 – Lindsey
21 – Ken
28 – Celi
 
June 2026
4 – Bob
11 – Peter
18 – Lindsey
25 - Ken
 
Speakers
Exchange Student, Ane
Jan 22, 2026 7:30 AM
Norway
CHS Students
Jan 29, 2026 7:30 AM
AVID
Joel Ackerman
Feb 05, 2026 7:30 AM
Red Ladder
Club Executives & Directors
Co-President
President
Treasurer
Rotary Foundation
Club Public Image Chair
Immediate Past President
Vice President
Website Coordinator
Executive Secretary / Director
Youth Exchange Chair
Programs Chair
STRIVE Coordinator
Sergeant-at-Arms