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 April– August activities and meetings related to Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus, President-elect Education, activities of other clubs, special events. Note: Education for Rotarian Leaders, April 25.
Link to Carver County Local News Community Events This includes events and activities such as the Landscape Arboretum, regional parks, Carver County Library, Public Health, Chaska Historical Society, local entertainment, non-profit and church events, and Spring events: Bike rodeo, Vehicle Fair, Movie Mondays, Taste of Chaska.
Thursday, April 23rd- Our normal weekly meeting will be held at the new Chaska Public Safety Facility (285 Engler Blvd) from 7:30-8:30am. Chief Seibert will give us a personal tour of the new facility. Coffee will be served if Chief can figure out how to use the new coffee maker.
Thursday, April, 23rd -We come back together in the evening! Meet at 6:00pm in the parking lot of Crown of Glory for our annual Highway Cleanup! Happy hour to follow for the cool people.
Saturday, April 25th- Meet at McKnight Park (2905 McKnight Road) in Chaska at 8:00am for our annual Tree Planting in partnership with the City of Chaska and the Chaska Lions. Feel free to bring your favorite shovel. We will have extras if you don't have one. Child Labor Laws do not apply at this event.
Thursday, April 30th- We will honor Cindy Anderson at our annual George C. Klein award ceremony during our normal weekly meeting. Please report at 7:15am. Breakfast will be catered. Sorry, no frozen smoothie fruit.
Saturday, May 5th- Christmas in May started 30 years ago by members of the Chaska Rotary. This is an opportunity to represent our club and help our community members rehabilitate their homes. Meet at 7:00am at the St. John's Lutheran Church Gym (300 E. 4th Street). Please register as a volunteer. This is Pokorney's only opportunity to boss us around, so please attend.
Save the Dates
Saturday, June 20th - Our very own Chaska Rocks Music Fest!
Friday, July 10th - Prior Lake Music Fest (Full)
July 24-26 - River City Days Beverage Tent
Matt Podhradsky welcomed new member Sarah Carlson. Badge, secret handshake and official cheer to be conducted at a later date.
HAPPYDOLLARS
Gretchen Oppriecht will have many memories of her last Knowledge Bowl competition at the Brainerd state tournament. The Chaska High team came in 2nd but missed 1st by the last question of the match. Matt Szybnski donated to express his valuing the Youth Exchange program. Erin Kerber was happy to confirm we’ll have a student (Emma) from Germany in the fall. Erika Kennedy was appreciative of the contributions of Latino Voices to the community, although there will not be a formal Cinco de Mayo program this year. Jim Halloran was glad to have opened the new My Appliance Source in downtown Shakopee. LINK
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL: Flag Presentation
Phil Solseng noted the attractive design of the PM Azalea club in Durban, South Africa. That club also gave us two students – Russell Cunningham, 2004 and Thali Gulube, 1993.
YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT: Ane Otsby
Ane has joined the Flag Football group at school, and is living with her best friend’s family now.
PRESENTATION: Allison Streich, Carver County Community Development Agency
Gretchen Oppriecht introduced the executive director of the Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA). LINK to its website. With three current or former Commissioners of the CDA within our club (Greg Anderson, Sarah Carlson, Gretchen Oppriecht) it is not unusual that the mission and values of the CDA are aligned with Rotary’s – “The Carver County Community Development Agency provides affordable housing opportunities and fosters economic and community development in Carver County.”
From its website and Allison’s presentation, we learned of the agency’s objectives:
Increase commercial development in Carver County
Develop and implement a county marketing strategy
Continue to develop workforce and senior housing to align with Carver County’s vision of creating “Communities for a Lifetime” in Carver County
Proactively plan and strategize for future growth
Facilitate and complete a county-wide housing and economic development study
Educate community citizens on what we do and the services we provide
Create partnerships and collaborate with entities with similar objectives
Specific examples include partnerships and connections with Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), Beyond New Beginnings, Southern Valley Alliance, Bridges, Bridges RTC, and the Community Land Trust, including West Creek Apartments. Allison described many of the housing projects and support programs that are benefitting low income, special needs and other groups and families that have been enabled to contribute to our community.
INVOCATION: 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. Schedule Changes? – contact Neil Wingert.
