Dave Pokorney invited us to participate in Dan Keyport’s Herf event on September 8. A Herf is a gathering to “relax, unwind and smoke premium cigars.” However, the main theme is relaxation and camaraderie, so cigar smoking is not a requirement to attend. Proceeds benefit the University of St. Thomas ThreeSixty Journalism program that promotes multimedia storytelling by diverse Minnesota high school students. Link to learn about this program.
Cindy Anderson provided booklets that described the 2023 Studio Tour and Art Wander that is organized by the Arts Consortium of Carver County. The artists showcase their work in studios on September 22, 23 and 24 throughout the area in Mayer, Cologne, Waconia, Chaska, Carver and Chanhassen. She also announced our Fall Social on September 23 at Phil Solseng’s “Tin Shed” located at 16315 Jonathan Carver Parkway. Link to Art Wander information. Link to the Consortium web page.
Vic Benetti provided registration information for the Community Foundation for Carver County dinner on September 20. However, the event is fully booked, so tickets are no longer available. Link to more information.
Matt Podhradsky was glad to announce that all the sponsorships have been taken for the Chaska Cares Golf Classic on September 8. The Chaska Town Course shares its proceeds for the day to support Chaska Cares.
Keith Payne shared good news that the fundraising for the Miracle Field has reached $1,200,000. Rotary’s theme for this year is “Create Hope in the World” and lapel pins were made available. Keith asked us to be ready to help at the Music Fest on October 7, and to use our individual social media avenues to publicize the event.
ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT - Viola Bavastro
Viola Bavastro, our exchange student from Milan, Italy, shared some of her first week’s moments. She attended Rotary’s student orientation at the Mall of America and she will start at Chaska High School next week and will join their Dance Team. Viola’s urban home in Italy is very different from Chaska’s neighborhoods and open natural spaces, so she has enjoyed comparing our reality with her media-based expectations.
FINEMASTER: Keith Payne
Keith Payne relied on our Four Way Test and invoked an honor system of donations based on our incorrect assessment of Company names. He showed us photos of establishments and the strange and humorous choices organizers had chosen. John Roebke had many Happy Dollars to share, thanks to his wedding anniversary.
Nate Bostrom introduced Alfonso Cornish, a partner in a nationally ranked venture capital firm - Gener8tor. He is a member of the Plymouth Rotary club. Link to his bio.
From its website – “We are a nationally-ranked venture capital firm and accelerator that brings together startup founders, investors, corporations, job seekers, universities, musicians and artists. The gener8tor platform includes more than 75 programs spanning startup accelerators, corporate programming, speaker series, conferences, skills accelerators and fellowships. gener8tor believes that everyone deserves opportunities, regardless of race, place or gender. And that is what we consider our mission.”
Since its founding in 2012, gener8tor has worked with over 1,000 startups and has raised over $1.37B. Al described his company’s goal to diversify venture capital companies and recipients beyond the historical bases in California, Washington state and Massachusetts. He summarized different systems of venture capital and investment that have embraced the value of diversity, and that his company’s employees and funded startups also mirror that strategy. Five platforms have been created: Investment Accelerators, Free-to-Participate Accelerators, Corporate Programming, Skills Accelerators and Creative Accelerators. For more information about the company and its philosophy and successes: www.gener8tor.com.
Chaska Rotary Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: August 18, 2023
Attendees: Cindy Anderson, Nate Bostrom, Gary Cooper, Gary Hardel, Jean Heyduck, Erin Kerber, Michelle Kraus, Keith Payne, Matt Podhradsky, Pat Schaffran
Absences: Kristy Miklas, Bob Chinnock, Andrew Haugen, Steve Mueller
Approve the Minutes of the July 21, 2023 Meeting – Approved as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report – Kristy Miklas – proposed budgets need to be accepted. Members with significant past due balances were contacted by Executive Secretary. XXXXX was not aware and brought her balance up to date. XXXXX and XXXXX did not reply to emails. It was suggested that we use Clubrunner in the future to send out messages that invoices will be coming soon so they are not missed. Also send details of any prior amounts due. Treasurer’s report was approved as submitted.
Membership Updates – Kristy Miklas
1.a.i) Ken Hiller requested a leave of absence Sept 1-Dec 31, 2023.
“We are selling our house as of August 31 and will move to temporary housing with our son in Crystal. We hope to move into our new home in Chaska by the end of the year. During that time, I plan to tune in on Zoom. (If I do attend a meeting in person, I will not take breakfast.)”
1.a.ii) Mike Senden has resigned effective immediately.
“I am writing to you to inform you that I am dropping my membership to Chaska Rotary. I have not been able to attend or participate like I wished I could. Rotary is a great organization and I believe in its mission and values, but at this time I must step away.”
1.a.iii) Any other changes in membership status over last month – Terminated XXXXX membership since he has not attended in over a year (or ever, really…nobody seemed to know who he was) and has not paid any bills for nearly 2 years. He owed over $1800, which have been written off.
Rotary Business
Jean Heyduck is joining the Board. Motion made and approved to accept Jean Heyduck to the Board.
Review 2023-24 Rotary Club of Chaska Leadership Plan – Review updated leadership plan.
a. Need Alumni Coordinator & President-Elect
b. Need dates and dollars for individual areas? It was requested that the leaders of each area provide these details.
c. What fundraisers, community projects, or vocational services are we missing?
Items Needing Action
Christine Ottum Rasmusson
Asking for donation help from the community for an upcoming music/educational trip for her daughter entering 8th grade at CMSW.
“She has an incredible opportunity to go to Nashville this fall with her band ensemble. I have also been chosen for a chaperone slot. The financial obligation is $4000 for both of us, which we have paid a portion of, and received some donations, but are in need of some additional help. This is not something I've done before, so I'm a bit late, as final payment is due by the end of this month. If there is any information you may have for me, or can share this with the club, or pass on to others that may be helpful, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Funds are not available from Rotary at this time. Other sources will be suggested for her.
Habitat Solar Twin Cities
Steve Solbrack is following up with us regarding collaboration with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to put solar panels on two new Habitat homes in North Minneapolis the spring of 2024. They are still seeking another six Rotary clubs to participate in funding for the project. If your club is interested in pledging $500 or more toward the project let me know.
If you would like someone to talk to your club or to your Rotary Foundation committee let me know.
District has asked clubs to participate in an environmental service project for 1st quarter.
We will pass on this request. The board prefers to keep projects closer to home. We have met the environmental service project with our tree project.
Uganda Water Project - We will pass on this request.
Items Needing Action
Chaska River City Days Wine Tent Review (Cindy)
River City Days Final Numbers attached. $1,044 net profit from the event. However, excess beverages can be used for our next event.
What do we want to do for RCD in 2024? The wine tent seemed like a lot of work for little profit. It was discussed that if we do this again in 2024, we need to collaborate with the Lions Club on division of beverages and setting prices. Or we could consider a different activity, such as Bingo. Matt will talk to the Lions Club as a first step.
Pond Hockey Rink Materials/Boards (Robert)
Rotary has just under $8000 in expenses, with $200 monthly storage fees. Hockey report attached. We are working on selling the available boards. They will be posted on Facebook Marketplace.
Chaska Rotary Music Fest Update Oct 7th (Matt/Michelle/Keith) The club will staff one beverage tent with beer, wine and seltzer from Schram. A second tent will offer canned beer. There will also be two beverage carts selling beer. J Carver may also have a presence.
Fall Social Update (Cindy)
Date? Time? Budget? The Fall Social will be held on September 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Solseng's tin shed. There will be an opportunity to sign-up to attend at meeting, as well as information in the Futura or emails. The event will be open to Rotarians and significant others.
Fundraising Update on Miracle League Field (Matt) The club has $900,000 in verbal commitments and funds raised. An additional $600,000 is needed. The next fundraiser for this project will be the Chaska Cares Golf event in Sept.
Rotary Job descriptions (Michelle) Michelle and Keith want to compile a set of job descriptions for all positions. Erin will distribute her example for leaders to complete theirs.
Strive (Bob) Tabled to next meeting.
Other Business?? Discussed applying all Happy Dollars from one month to the Strive scholarships. Also discussed naming the scholarships after a Rotarian who has been instrumental in the scholarship effort for one-year periods.
Next meeting – discuss the future of the George C. Klein award.
Chaska Cares Music Festival & Fundraiser, Saturday October 7, 2023
Our club is partnered with Chaska Parks and Recreation to provide our community with a music festival in October at the Athletic Park baseball field. Starting at noon and ending at 10 PM, seven music sets will be performed. Folk, rock, and Americana tunes will attract a variety of attendees and the proceeds will support the building of a Miracle League field and Universal Playground for children of all abilities.
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