Oct 24 – End Polio Now Walk, Mall of America, 7:00 AM LINK
Oct 31-Nov 15 – Nepal International Service Project
Dec 17 - Club Holiday Auction
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May 26-30, 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, Spain LINK
May 27-31, 2028 Rotary International Convention in Minneapolis (tentative) LINK
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Link to District 5950 Calendar of EventsThis includes July– September activities of other clubs, their fundraising and special events like preparing for the upcoming international conventions, End Polio Walk at Mall of America 10/24, and Veterans Lunch on 11/10/26.
Link to Carver County Local News Community EventsThis includes events and activities that are packed into our short summer season.It includes City Square concerts, Chaska Cubs, River City Days, County Parks events, Arboretum events, Historical Society events, and County Family Resource Center events.
INVOCATION: Jean Heyduck
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Erin Kerber will be leading anxious Rotarians selling raffle tickets at the Chaska Cubs baseball game this afternoon. July 30 is the last day for turning in ticket sales. The drawing will be on July 31.
Erin reviewed the beverage sales team for River City Days on July 24, 25 and 26.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Sharing their good moods, memories and wallet contents today: Gretchen Oppriecht, Matt Szybnski, Lindsey Hagen, Dan Keyport, and Greg Anderson.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL – Club Flag
Phil Solseng provided his detailed investigation results about the flag from Ankara,Türkiye. This was the home club for our Youth exchange student Simden Erler (2008-9). She is now working in London. The Ankara club has received several visitors from Chaska – Phil, Dan Keyport and Ken Hiller.
Photo of Simden Erler
PRESENTATION: Patti Sinykin, Executive Director of Bountiful Basket LINK
Mark Omann introduced Patti Sinykin, the Executive Director of Bountiful Basket Food Shelf. Our club has supported the food shelf for many years. Recently, we presented funds to the organization that enabled the purchase of a large refrigerator that enabled Patti and her volunteers to fulfill the needs of their expanding number of shoppers. The Bountiful Basket works in conjunction with the regional Second Harvest organization. Locations in Chaska and Cologne
From their website:
MISSION STATEMENT: Nourishing neighbors, inspiring hope, and supporting families on their road to self-sufficiency.
VISION STATEMENT: With a mindset of abundance, we envision a community where people feel cared for, and families can spend their energy fulfilling their dreams as opposed to basic needs.
VALUES:
Dignity: We treat everyone who enters our doors with respect, compassion, empathy, and without judgment.
Equity & Inclusion: We welcome and accept all, embracing diversity in every form.
Integrity: We hold ourselves accountable and build trust with all our stakeholders, including those we serve, our volunteers, donors, and community partners.
Flexibility & Adaptability: We respond creatively to both predictable and unpredictable community needs.
Nutrition: We prioritize healthy, nutritious food, using it to care for and nourish the people we serve.
Abundance: With a mindset of abundance, we remain focused on our mission and believe in the power of our community to support one another.
In 2025, 1.5 million pounds of food were provided to 20% of our neighbors who are faced with food insecurity. Outreach efforts are communicated in four languages that reflect the growing diversity of our region – English, Russian, Somali and Spanish. Volunteers, like Rotarian Vic Benetti, are key to operations that have had to overcome funding cuts and economy challenges. Patti described the process and organization that welcome registered shoppers twice a month. Supplies focus on nutrition and a wide selection of choices available to them.
Food drives and drop-off locations are examples that keep the food shelves and the needs visible within our communities. However, cash donations have a greater benefit. With more assets, Bountiful Basket expands its protective coverage to include home delivery, clothing and referrals to other services. Partnerships with schools, agencies and groups like Rotary will allow Patti and her teams to continue to provide their version of “Service Above Self.
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Photos: Selling Raffle tickets at the Chaska Cubs baseball game on July 23
Invocations can be a faith traditional prayer, or a meditation, or inspirational verse or quote. Brief 20 – 30 seconds. Light-hearted is okay. Option: focus on our Mission of Service Above Self. Need an idea – Google Rotary Invocations. Schedule Changes? – Arrange a switch and then contact Neil.
