April 3 - Chaska Rotary Board Meeting via Zoom, 7 AM LINK10
June 13-17, 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan LINK
May 22-26, 2027 Rotary International Convention in Dubai, United Arab Emirates LINK
May 26-30, 2029 Rotary International Convention in Minneapolis LINK
Link to District 5950 Calendar of Events This includes Jan – June activities and meetings related to Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus, President-elect Education, activities of other clubs, special events. Note: Rotary Awareness Day 2/23/26. Incoming President Learning Seminar 3/12-14/26. Grant Management Seminar 3/26/26
Link to Carver County Local News Community Events This includes events and activities such as the Landscape Arboretum, regional parks, Carver County Public Health, local entertainment, non-profit and church events, and winter events.
Bob Chinnock reminded us that Tax Season was approaching and that today Erin Kerber was going to talk to the STRIVE student about financial management.
Matt Podhradsky started to get revved up about our Membership Drive in March.
Ryan Seibert wished Happy Birthday to Peter, Sheryl, Matt S., and Bob L. Then Peter Ivy was recognized for his 26 years as a Rotarian. Ryan cooled down our excitement but refocused it on philanthropy. He will be jumping into the waters of Lake Waconia at Lola’s Restaurant on Feb. 14 and earning pledged money for the Special Olympics. LINK.
FINEMASTER
Vic Benetti brought his Finemaster out of its closet and required a joke to be offered from each table. Those that couldn’t channel the spirit of Peter Ivy had to pay a fine. The same punishment fell upon those whose efforts didn’t result in a satisfactory chuckle. Only a few folks were able to secretly tap into Siri’s Book of Rotary Jokes and walk away with dollars still in their wallets.
HAPPYDOLLARS
Happy Dollars were provided by Gretchen Oppriecht, Sheryl Hough, Erika Kennedy and John Roebke.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL: CLUB FLAG
We virtually travelled across the dateline and landed near Osaka, Japan to learn about the Hagoromo Rotary Club. Their flag may depict a heavenly woman coming to earth wearing a cloak made of feathers – a hagoromo. Look for her in the skies near Sakai City, southwest of Tokyo.
YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT: ANE OTSBY
Ane’s past week included another entry into her “I’m Still Trying to Figure Out Basketball!” efforts. She displayed a lot more confidence in her participation in the school’s Academic Team Quiz Bowl. Ice fishing did not push her “Gee, I really want to do THAT again” button.
ROTARY INTERN: Gonzalo Romero
Gonzalo had fun going to a surprise birthday party of a friend and confessed he relaxes playing a guitar.
PRESENTATION: Joel Ackerman - RedLadder TradingLINK
Gary Hardel introduced Joel Ackerman, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit C.A.S.E.S. Institute and its RedLadder Trading program, His background also includes experience as a Principal Management Scientist at Honeywell, a director of the nonprofit Caring Bridge, and Founder and CEO of CommunO2, focused on helping people and communities “thrive in place.”
From the RedLadder website – “RedLadder revolutionizes charitable support. RedLadder is a unique online marketplace where you can trade items you no longer need or want for items you do want. Each trade escalates into significant financial support for your favorite charities. RedLadder is an exciting way to support your favorite charities and make a difference!”
“At the heart of RedLadder lies the principle: “My junk is someone’s treasure.” Through our innovative platform, anyone can kickstart a trade sequence of new and used items, or a “trade ladder”, in support of their favorite charitable organization or actively contribute by trading items on existing trade ladders. As these ladders grow in value, they culminate in a significant monetary donation for the chosen organization.”
Ideally, each trade increases the trading value by 20%. An artificial intelligence suggests the point at which the article is sold for cash. A human enters the process to make the final “sell” decision. The charity receives half of the income, and the other half supports the RedLadder process. A local warehouse is used as the physical drop-off and pick-up point.
Joel provided an example of a collectible blue plate eventually becoming a donation to Caring Bridge. The RedLadder website contains Joel’s 3-minute video explanation of the trading process.
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.
