Erin Kerber continued to distribute 3 booklets of raffle tickets for us to sell to those who hadn’t received them. Each set has 18 tickets, to be sold at $20 for one or $50 for three. (3x18 = 54 tickets). Cash, Venmo or check payable to Chaska Rotary Foundation. We need to record the date of a Venmo purchase on the ticket stub that we retain. This is a Gaming Department requirement. After the buyer scans the VENMO QR code and makes the necessary entries, Erin advised us to view the completed Venmo purchase on the buyer’s phone before we issue the tickets and record their details on the stub.
Erin thanked the crew that staffed the Pub beverage sales during River City Days. Our club received $2214 net revenue. This was less than last year, but the very hot temperatures may have contributed to lower attendance on Saturday evening. Erin was a continual example of Service Above Self throughout the weekend. Our applause wasn’t nearly enough to thank her for her leadership and contributions.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Happy people this morning: Dave Pokorney, Phil Solseng, and Erin Kerber. Gretchen Oppriecht and others contributed because of her birthday and exuberant smile!
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Phil Solseng continued this fun part of our meeting. He presented the club flag of Aro Kauhajoki, Finland. Our exchange student of 2001-02 was Arttu Hakanen, hosted by Cindy and Greg Anderson and two non-Rotarian families. Arttu has stayed in touch with them throughout the decades.
PRESENTATION: Rotary International Convention – Gretchen Oppriecht, Dan Keyport
Dan Keyport and Gretchen Oppriecht were among the 15,000 Rotarians in Calgary, Canada a few weeks ago. They presented the flag from the event, and each gave us their highlights and positive reasons to attend a convention in the future. Getting us ready for our own hosting (2028) of the international gathering, they encouraged us to go to the upcoming Taiwan (2026) and Abu Dhabi, UAE (2027) conventions.
In Calgary, there was a plenary session each morning that featured celebrities and presentations that demonstrated the good work of Rotarians globally. A “House of Friendship” held displays from clubs that showed recent projects and activities pursuing Rotary’s mission.
Other activities included a rodeo befitting Calgary’s iconic Stampede, breakout sessions that allowed a deeper discussion and understanding of keynote addresses, a focus on World Peace, and inspirations for women in science and technology.
Gretchen attended a pre-convention session to focus on youth exchange programs. One key to success would be to gain the attention of sophomores to motivate them to become outbound ambassadors of Chaska and Rotary. Dan promoted our interest in Rotary Fellowships – that provide virtual (and sometime live) gatherings of Rotarians with similar interest in a hobby, activity, or profession. LINK.
Dan also provided handouts that gave details on two International Service projects, in Cambodia and India, each with dates in 2025 and 2026.
Our thanks go to Gretchen and Dan for representing our club and sharing inspirational experiences with us!
Note from John Roebke: 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. Not a personal talent? Don't wait, tell me NOW, 612-790-7067, john.roebke@live.com. I will be glad to name another. If I forgot that you told me not a talent, please forgive me. Remind me. If not a good DATE, trade with a mate. September and the rest of the schedule will be developed when John gets back into his routine.
