Learn about upcoming speakers, events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
June 2024
June 13 – Presentation – West Creek Apartments, Dave Pokorney. A special $10 raffle will be sponsored by John Roebke that will provide a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Lake Waconia and other treats!
June 20 – Club Committee Meetings
June 27 – Presidents’ Year in Review – Kraus, Payne
July 2024
July 4 – no meeting
July 11 – Club finances - Heyduck, Kerber. Happy Hour.
July 18 – Presidents’ agenda, committee meetings
July 25 – Chaska Human Rights Commission – Sarah Carlson
Matt Podhradsky returned to his gavel position from one year ago and led our meeting.
Thanks to Cindy Anderson and her family for helping with the Wednesday night Meat Raffle!
Andy Haugen reminded volunteers of the Prior Lake Music Fest.
Erin Kerber let us know about a Rotary scholarship designated for a master’s degree for someone unaffiliated with Rotary.
John Goodman provided an impromptu farewell and encouraged us to view the graduation ceremony and his presentation at it. He successfully survived 13 graduation parties over the past weekend!
FINEMASTER – George Glaros
George let the D-Day anniversary pull donations from our wallets as we paid tribute to the immense impact of that day. Happy dollars came out from Mike Wentzell and Greg Anderson.
EXCHANGE STUDENT – Viola Bavastro
Viola has been finishing her Senior Project of creating a blog that describes the perceptions of hers and of another exchange student (lifeofanyearabroad1.blogspot.it). She’s been busy packing, getting ready for her family to arrive from Milan, and anticipating the graduation ceremony on June 7. Viola thanked us for our friendship and the opportunity of learning to be an American. Her farewell cake and arrival of her father (Luca), mother (Raffaella), and brother (Carlo) were desserts we could all appreciate. Her host families were able to join us for this happy but bittersweet occasion. Photo (left to right):
Haugen host family (Harper, Deann, Finley, Andy); Viola, Raffaella, Luca, Carlo; host mom Jen Hansen.
PRESENTATION: Mary Hernandez, Pat Simmons – Legends of MiCASA
Greg Anderson introduced Mary Hernandez and recalled her friendship over the past two decades, and her contributions to the community as a founder of Mi C.A.S.A. (Comunidad, Apoyo, Solidaridad y Amistad) Mary introduced Pastor Pat Simmons, who explained the purpose of Legends of Mi CASA – a soccer/futbol experience for Hispanic youth. Pat and Mary related the value of Mi CASA in providing a reassuring cultural foundation for immigrants who otherwise might feel lost. This futbol camp offers an alternative of belonging and support versus gangs that corrode our communities. Previous participants and certified coaches help develop the skills and confidence of the players. The impact of the activities were explained in the slides shown by Pat:
“Our camp acts as a catalyst for empowering the community –
Providing job opportunities for local youth.
Promoting educational and environmental projects.
Cultivating partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
Highlighting Mi CASA’s positive influence on Latino students and wider community.
Enhancing our community by promoting leadership, teamwork and a sense of altruism.”
To financially support Mi CASA or volunteer, phone 952-245-0697, Email info@micasamn.org. Website: www.micasamn.org. Pat Simmons phone: 952-451-0940, email pastorpat@smlcb.org, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Bloomington, MN.
Update from our May 2, 2024 Cinco de Mayo breakfast
Our festive and well-attended Cinco de Mayo breakfast was organized by Rotarian Erika Kennedy. The speaker - Johan Gomez Sang - is the Fundraising Chair for Latino LEAD, a network of leaders working together to empower the Latinx community of Minnesota. From their website (link):
“Our work is advancing Latinxs into positions of leadership and influence by providing professional development, ensuring that Latinxs are using culture as an asset for their advancement.
Our work is activating our network and its allies to promote equity in their communities and beyond, and doing our part to provide resources according to our community’s unique needs.
Our work is to highlight a culture of achievement in Minnesota’s Latinx community — telling bold stories of our success and impact as one way to elevate our community and its influence.
Our work is to aid in the development of an infrastructure and secure the space to thrive – one that encourages personal, professional and communal growth for Latinx people.”
Certificates of appreciation from Latino Voices were presented by Grecia Lazona to
Julie Janke, Chaska Police Community Partnership (Ryan Seibert accepted);
Jennifer Welvaret, Chaska Human Rights Commission; and
Steve Curtis, Southwest Chamber of Commerce.
Group photo, left to right:
Johan Gomez Sang, Erika Kennedy, Grecia Lazona, Ryan Seibert, dancer Elba Castillo, Evelyn Hasan (Latino Voices), Jennifer Welvaret, Brittany Haanan (Chaska Human Rights), Mary Fuentes (Latino Voices), Melanie Coleman (Latino Voices), and Steve Curtis.
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LATE BREAKING NEWS! June 7, 2024
Congratulations were made by all the speakers at the graduation ceremony of Chaska High School Class of 2024! Chaska Rotary was represented by our Exchange student Viola Bavastro, and our interns John Goodman and Sophia Pesina.
Viola
John
Sophia
Upcoming Invocation
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.
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