Welcome to the Futura! Learn about upcoming speakers and events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
March
3 -Outgoing Student Exchange Testimonials
10 - Julia Moschioni, Student Exchange Testimonial
17 - Al Norby; Love, INC
24 - Bayza Weeks, Dunwoody College of Technology
Upcoming Events
March
17 -Board Meeting
Last Week's Presentation: Rotary Leads the Way in May
Invocation: Amanda Bloomgren
Gretchen Oppriecht handled her laser pointer with professionalism and no Rotarians were harmed during the presentation of over a dozen projects and events that reflect the close ties we have with our community and its diverse population. Our challenging goal is to perform service projects, celebrate established holidays, collaborate with other organizations, and creatively build our Rotary “brand”.
Aquatic Safety Month. Team Leader – Gretchen Oppriecht. Idea: provide 50 swimming lessons. Partners: Rotary District 5950 Grant ($5,000); Marshall Grange, Chaska Community Center.
Mental Health Awareness Month. Team Leader – Lisa Anderson. Partners may include: NAMI, Carver County Health, Carver County Crisis Line, Project Hope, Rod Franks, Richard Scott.
Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Team Leader - Nate Bostrum. Purpose: Generate awareness of and appreciation for Asian American/Pacific Islander culture, history and contributions to our economy & culture. Potential Partner: Arboretum Japanese Garden “Learning Tour”. Partner: Marianna Khauv, District 5950 District Governor.
Teacher Appreciation Day, May 3. Team Leader: Sheryl Hough. Ideas: In the works.Partner: Eastern Carver County Schools ISD 112.
Cinco de Mayo, May 5. Project Team Leader - Erika Kennedy. Purpose: Generate awareness & appreciation for Mexican history, culture, and economic impact. Goal: Increase income and business activity for Latino-owned businesses in the Chaska community. Restaurant Partners: Patron, El Paisano, Los Gallos, etc.
National Nurses Day, May 6. Team Leaders – Gretchen Oppriecht & Michelle Kraus. Partners: Ridgeview 212 Medical Center Nurses, Carver County Public Health Nurses. Strategy: Provide Gratitude Baskets or Gift Bags.
Chaska Cleanup and Shredding Day, May 7. Team Leader – Gary Hardel. Project Idea: Provide paper shredding service. Partner: City of Chaska, Jonathan Association.
Christmas in May, May 7. Team leader - Matt Podhradsky. Purpose: Three selected homes benefit from upgrading work done by volunteer teams. Partner: City of Chaska and many citizen groups.
Mother’s Day, May 8. Team Leader – Erin Kerber. Purpose: Emphasize professional & personal & parental growth resources/opportunities that are available for Moms. Professional partners: Bus Stop Mamas, Launch MN. Personal/Parental Partners: Connected Families, The Firefly Sisterhood, Eastern Carver County Women of Today, Bountiful Baskets, LOVE Inc., Beyond New Beginnings, Southern Family Alliance.
Minnesota Fishing Opener, May 14. Team Leader – Michell Kraus. Strategy: MN State Fishing Opener Weekend - provide fishing equipment, lessons, opportunities for underserved youth and families. Partner: “Fishing With Friends” (City of Chaska).
Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, May 15. Team Leaders – Peter Ivy + Nate Bostrum. Idea: Sponsor a “Not Me!” sexual assault prevention course for both Parents & Kids – (Online & In-Person possible). Additional Strategy: May 12 Club Guest Speakers – Sheriff Jason Kamerud & Chief Ryan Siebert.
Taste of Chaska, May 18. Team Leader – Keith Payne. Goal: provide local economic boost among vendors. Strategy: Gift cards as raffle prizes, generate list of potential new club members. Partner: Partners: Rotary District 5950 Grant applied for ($500).
Memorial Day, May 30. Team Leaders – Kevin Hegland, Nate Bostrum. Idea: Provide Chaska Rotary Club sign in Veteran’s Park in commemoration of Rotarians/Veterans Service. Partner: Scott Bradley, Flags & Honor Minnesota. Partner: Gary Van Eyll – Chaska American Legion Post. Strategy: May 26 Rotary Meeting Guest Speaker – Scott Bradley, Introduction by Kevin Hegland.
Club Announcements and Updates
Finemaster and Happy Dollars: Ken Hiller brought chuckles to the meeting as he shared slides of high school yearbook photos of our club members. Following the long tradition of yearbooks, graduates were labeled with “Most Likely To …” Rotarians privileged to garner Ken’s attention and pay the nominal fine included. Pat Schaffran, Keith Payne, Mike Fahey, Gretchen Oppriecht, Dui DeBower, Dave Pokorney, Sheryl Hough, Steve Mueller, Steve Wein, Andy Haugen, Ray Schalow, Char Weber, Mark Omann, Dan Keyport, Peter Ivy, Michelle Kraus, Paul Maahs, Erin Kerber, Wayne Ward, Matt Podhradsky, Bob Lindall, and Greg Anderson. Happy Dollars were stuffed into the blue pig by Gary Cooper, Bob Lindall, Mike Fahey, Steve Mueller, Ray Schalow, Sheryl Hough, Mark Omann and a few others.
Bob Kuhlman, the Director of The Moravian Care Foundation received a $20,000 donation from the mother of club member Ron Cosette, via the happy hands of Gretchen Oppriecht. The Foundation helps enrich the experience of residents by providing funds to create facilities, build programs and support capital needs. By supporting the Foundation we help put the ‘home’ in Auburn Homes & Services. Our club has also helped Auburn continue to realize their mission of providing care, service and ministry to the elderly. For more information on how you can support Auburn Homes & Services through a donation, please contact: Bob Kuhlman, Foundation Director, phone 952-361-0460, Email: bkuhlman@auburnhomes.org
Zach Saueressig invited our support of the annual La Fiesta fundraising event for the alternative learning program LaAcademia. It will be held March 18, 6-8 PM. Volunteers and participants are needed to help the school’s Parent Teacher Organization with this event. Proceeds help fund theExchange Teacher program. They specifically need folks to help facilitate carnival games, food sales, tickets, raffle, and silent auction. Zach Saueressig is available to answer any questions, comments, or concerns you have. His phone: (651) 398-8457.
Gretchen Oppriecht welcomed Zoom attendee Jodi Hesse as the club’s newest member. Hopefully she’ll attend in person next week to receive her pin, tell us about herself, and be immortalized with a photo.
Keith Payne again asked us all to participate in the preparation and production of the Pond Hockey tournament on January 26-29 in 2023. Dennis Loving asking for Committee leaders and members. Non-Rotarians are invited to participate.
Erin Kerber will be hosting former Exchange Student Julia Moschioni March 5 – 12. Please contact her if you have an idea where you could spend time with Julia and provide her with more good memories of Chaska and Rotary.
Volunteer/Sponsorship Opportunities
We are looking for volunteers and sponsors for these upcoming events:
Scholarship Committee - contact Gary Goeman for more information.
Swimming Lessons & other "Lead the Way in May" events (May '22)
Chaska Rotary Pond Hockey (Jan. '23) - contact any board member if interested.
All help and contributions would be greatly appreciated!
ith professionalism and no Rotarians were harmed during the presentation of over a dozen projects and events that reflect the close ties we have with our community and its diverse population. Our challenging goal is to perform service projects, celebrate established holidays, collaborate with other organizations, and creatively build our Rotary “brand”. 
Committee leaders and members. Non-Rotarians are invited to participate. 
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