The Futura
Chaska Rotary
Volume 2 | Issue 42
 
May 18th, 2023
 
 
 
Welcome to the Futura!
Learn about upcoming speakers, events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
 
May
25 -
Chaska Fire Department 
 
June
1 -
Tawanna Black, Center for Economic Inclusion
Upcoming Events
 
Highway 41 clean-up on Wednesday, May 24, at 6 PM.
 
 
Club Announcements
 
Invocation: Andy Haugen
 
A Chaska Rotarian experienced a sudden heart problem while attending a
gathering at the Event Center. Fast-thinking and coordinated response using
the wall-mounted Automated External Defibrillator (AED) probably saved his
life. Everyone should have training to use this device and be confident to
follow the directions it provides. Try to be aware of the nearest AED when
you are in public facilities. The Event Center device is on the wall outside the
restaurant. To learn about training: www.redcross.org
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Wentzel reminded us of our Highway 41 clean-up next Wednesday, May 24, at 6 PM. We’ll meet at the Crown of Glory Church, and after we’re done, we’ll gather at the Schram Brewery around 7 PM. Non-picker-uppers are welcome too.

Bob Chinnock announced the last STRIVE meeting this morning and preparation for the Scholarship awards on June 8.
 
 
 
 
FINEMASTER
 
George Glaros is one of our newest members, and he performed his first Finemaster with skill, humor and an appetite for Italian cuisine. Tables were given two opportunities to show their good taste and avoid a fine. Most were not provided dessert for their efforts!
Happy dollars were given by Dan Keyport, David Brecht and Cele Haga – one of the aforementioned responders.
 

ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT - Natasha Palmelund
 
Another “wonderful” week passed in the life of Natasha as she participated with the Track Team and prepared for the high school Prom this weekend. We watched an endearing video of her asking her friend from Spain to attend the event. Her sign communicated their thoughts about boys and fast-food chicken, and a special memory for them both.

 
There are only 3 weeks left in her school year, and Natasha is excited about her Exchange Student bus trip starting on June 12. She’ll fly to Boston, join the group to visit that city, followed by New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Florida/Disneyworld.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PRESENTATION: Laura McCallum – Freedom of the Press
 
 
Greg Anderson introduced Laura McCallum, the Politics
and Government Editor for the Star Tribune. Despite the
pressure of covering the final week of the Minnesota
legislative session, Laura and her husband James, Chaska residents, scheduled time to visit with our club. She incorporated three decades of experience in newsroom processes and journalism within radio, print and digital media in her presentation that focused on freedom of the press.
 
 
Laura noted that May 3 was World Press Freedom Day and the increasing
challenges to that freedom - arrests, deaths and disinformation on social media.
We learned of Russian detainment of reporter Evan Gershkovich. She shared data
from Reporters Without Borders that evaluated press freedom within different
countries. The USA index was only “Satisfactory” because its media outlets are
controlled by just a few individuals and corporations. Laura also stressed the value
of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act which allows citizen access to
government data in all its formats.

In her Question/Answer time, Laura discussed the Tribune’s difficult decision to
sometimes present only one side of an issue when there is clear falsehood of the
opposing argument. Artificial Intelligence is becoming an issue in its use as a
resource in providing content and headlines. When comparing print and digital
media, Laura is guided by the time of day when online sources are typically
accessed. Finally, she promoted Minnesota Public Radio as an honest and
reputable resource for news reporting.
 
Contact: Laura.McCallum@startribune.com
Office: 612-673-4781 Mobile: 651-428-6217
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Upcoming Invocation
 
May 25 - Nate Bostrom
June 1 - Dan Keyport
June 8 - Rick Ness
June 15 - Paul Olson
 
Reminder that if you plan to participate by Zoom (live at 7:15 a.m.) the link to join is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87341495653?pwd Nm1BUGxWblV1UXpRQ1Z1QlUxWmRYZz09
 
Chaska Rotary Meeting ID is: 873 4149 5653 and the Passcode is: chaska
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile