April 3 – Chaska Rotary Board Meeting via Zoom, 7 AM LINK
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 Feb – 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.
· Neil Wingert shared his Olympic Curling enthusiasm by inviting us to Watch Parties at the Curling Center. The screens that normally show the curling occurring will show the televised matches on NBC. On Feb. 12, the women compete with Sweden. On Sunday Feb. 15 the men will play Sweden. Start time – noon.
· After our Thursday meeting, Ryan Seibert sent us a flyer describing the speakers during our Membership Drive.
· Patty Synikin attended our meeting and explained how the Bountiful Basket food shelf has been critical in supporting those who are food-insecure or unable to leave their housing to obtain resources themselves. The number of clients has increased along with the intensity of ICE arrests and intimidation throughout Carver and Scott counties. She accepted a $1,000 donation from our club and encouraged our members to continue to support this lifeline organization. Our Rotary club joined two others to purchase a new freezer for the Bountiful Basket. LINK to their website. Phone: 952-556-0244. Chaska address: 1600 Bavaria Road. Cologne address: 102 Lake Street West.
HAPPYDOLLARS
Happy guy Dave Pokorney was happier than usual to donate while his wife Pam sat beside him. Apparently, he used up all the good feeling in the room, because no one else reached for their wallet!
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL: CLUB FLAG
We heard Phil Solseng talk about the Teatro del Sole Rotary Club in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. The flag could not be found, but the Youth Exchange student from there is still corresponding with Phil and his wife Claudine. Alice Grassi visited us in the 1999 – 2000 school year. She now has her own business in Palermo.
The club’s website describes a project of the club that will support awareness of the beneficial role of bees. It appears that the club adopts a queen bee, and this year they have named her “Futura”. No doubt our influence extends across the world to Sicily. LINK
YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT: ANE OTSBY
Ane’s continued attendance at her school’s basketball games has taken away some of the mystery and she is able to enjoy the game a little. She visited ice sculptures and other treats in Stillwater during the past week.
PRESENTATION: Our Community’s Experience with the ICE Surge
Kevin Eide introduced today’s presentation that communicated different perspectives of the past six weeks as the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) performed its enforcement and removal operations.
From the ICE webpage: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations’ (ERO) mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws.” Here is a link to the ICE website and their description of “An average day in the life (of) Enforcement and Removal Operations.” LINK
We heard from Grecia Lozano, the Executive Director of Latino V.O.I.C.E.S. She gave us glimpses of the impact on our communities from these “average day” actions. Gracia reflected on the fear that pervades the Latino population and people of color. Her organization has benefited from partnerships with Bountiful Basket, local businesses and the Chaska Police Department. She described the need for individuals to stay out of public view due to the threat of abduction and disappearance in the hands of ICE. The ways others can provide help are described in the messages below.
Pat Barry, the Chief Deputy in the Carver County Sheriff’s Department, described the separation between the Sheriff and ICE, and gave us examples of the problems encountered when federal ICE personnel take actions without coordination with the Sheriff’s deputies.
Chaska’s Chief Ryan Seibert stressed the need to counteract the loss of trust felt by public safety and city staff. He shared his disappointment with ICE agents’ actions that appear contrary to the norms of our police officers. Ryan shared Pat’s frustration that both of their departments have no control of ICE behaviors and consequences.
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.
