Welcome to the Futura! Learn about upcoming speakers and events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
January
13
Ellie Krug, LGBTQ Advocate
20
Katie Schaumann, Southern Valley Alliance
27
Chris Farrell, American Public Media
Upcoming Events
January
20 - Rotary Board Meeting 6:30 a.m.
29 - Waconia Rotary Gourmet Wine Dinner and Auction
Last Week's Presentation
Invocation: John Roebke
Amanda Bloomgren introduced Russell St. John, the Board Chair for Beyond New Beginnings (BNB) and Jill Engeswick, the BNB Secretary. Together with Sue Schmidt, the Lead Teacher for New Beginnings, they founded BNB to literally go beyond the school district’s New Beginnings academic program for pregnant and parenting teens. Russ is a member of Chanhassen Rotary. Their Mission: Beyond New Beginnings (BNB) Program supports and nurtures young moms and their children as they gain independence in safe, stable homes while being actively involved in the New Beginnings High School Program, post-secondary education, and/or employment by empowering them to become healthy, engaged, members of a community. Beyond New Beginnings is a supportive housing program for young moms and children. At a Rotary meeting in April 2019, Russ St. John learned of this need for stable housing for these young women. Sue Schmidt, the lead teacher at New Beginnings and Jill Engeswick, a retired NB educator, joined forces with Russ and began the process of forming a nonprofit organization called Beyond New Beginnings.
Russell described the issue of homelessness and its detrimental effects on young mothers/mothers-to-be. Mitigation of those impacts creates a set of objectives:
Develop safe homes for young moms and their children both during high school and after graduation - promoting success in the next step of their lives whether pursuing employment or continuing their education.
Provide access to high-quality childcare where their children can thrive.
Support and advocate for moms as they find employment and/or pursue post-secondary education
Create a community environment where life skills are honed, and peers support each other through life’s ups and downs.
Empower young moms to think critically, make decisions, foster connections and build their networks to be able to support their families once they complete the BNB program.
Build on the skills and services that students have had at New Beginnings.
Support will be available through mental health services, public health, social services, career development, money management, parenting, and nutrition.
Jill Engeswick described the residence provided through the Carver County Community Development Agency, donations of furnishings, East Creek childcare services, and internet/video security. Support from individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations has helped BNB achieve many of its objectives. Further financial fundraising will be needed, and Rotary has been asked to continue our resources, perhaps with a multi-club grant from the Rotary Foundation.
Finemaster and Happy Dollars: Dan Keyport gave us minimal synopses of “classic” books, and our literary Rotarians had to deduce the book title. Examples included Grapes of Wrath, Ulysses, War and Peace, and The Odyssey. Dan then shared a video of his close personal friend Chuck Norris (?), congratulating Dan on visiting 100 countries. Dan then donated a Happy Dollar for each passport stamp! We were stunned speechless at this awesome start of a new year of Finemasters!
Happy Dollars also came from Rick Ness, Sheryl Hough, Matt Podhradsky, John Roebke, Gretchen Oppriecht, Lisa Anderson, and Mike Fahey.
Five members of the Waconia Rotary shared the breakfast and meeting with us this morning. We were invited to reciprocate by attending their club’s Gourmet Wine Dinner and Auction on Jan. 29. Contact Melissa Soupir 612-867-7322.
Gary Cooper has been told STRIVE meetings are “on hold” while the high school comes to grips with the Omicron virus.
We continued to collect funds to support the His House laundry voucher program.
On behalf of the Rotary Foundation, Dan Keyport presented Bob Chinnock with the Paul Harris Plus 3 award for his donations.
During our Holiday celebration on Dec. 16, Lisa Anderson was presented with her Rotary badge, so she is now eligible for all the privileges and fines that the rest of us enjoy!
Volunteer/Sponsorship Opportunities
We are looking for volunteers and sponsors for these upcoming events:
Swimming Lessons (May '22)
Pond Hockey (Jan. '23)
All help and contributions would be greatly appreciated!
ehalf of the Rotary Foundation, Dan Keyport presented Bob Chinnock with the Paul Harris Plus 3 award for his donations.
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