Jan 23, 2027 – District 5950 Mid-Term Assembly, Plymouth Community Ctr LINK
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May 26-30, 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, Spain LINK
May 27-31, 2028 Rotary International Convention in Minneapolis (tentative) LINK
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Link to District 5950 Calendar of EventsThis includes November - March District activities like Goal Achievement Roundtables, club fundraising and special events like the Veterans Lunch in Eden Prairie on 11/10/26, President-Elect Education and Mid-term Assembly on Jan. 23.
Link to Carver County Local News Community EventsThis includes events and activities and the new Carver County2026 Election and Voter Guide.It also includes Chaska City Parks + Rec events, County Parks events, Arboretum events, Historical Society events, and County Family Resource Center events.
INVOCATION: Celi Haga
Announcements
Matt Podhradsky was pleased to announce that Ridgeview will be a sponsor for the next Chaska Rocks music event in 2027.
Cindy Anderson, Erin Kerber and Gretchen Oppriecht are asking us to staff the club’s holiday beverage booth at the Holiday Market at the Solseng’s Sun Meadow Farm on Nov. 13-15. The sign-up for two-hour shifts was still incomplete by the end of today’s meeting.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Happy Dollar fever is still running rampant among those who were exposed to the idea of generous giving: Matt Pohradsky, Jean Heyduck, Celi Haga, Dan Keyport, Gary Hardel, Ken Hiller and Erin Kerber.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Dan Keyport relayed information from Rotary Global Travelers. They have scheduled a South Asia trip to India and Nepal, April 5-27 next year. The trip includes a distribution of Polio vaccine at one of the destinations. Cost: $8,950 per person plus air. LINK to detailed itinerary. Contact Dan for more information.
Emma told us of her trip to Sever’s Corn Maze in Shakopee (LINK), pumpkin work and volunteering at Feed My Starving Children.
PRESENTATION: Carver County Drug Treatment Court LINK
Mike Wentzel introduced two speakers from the Drug Treatment Court program – Mikaela Hunley and Samantha Cully. All three provided information and perspectives about the efforts made by ten specialists working in Carver County’s program.
Starting in 2000 the program has facilitated access to substance abuse and mental health treatment for approved participants who have been arrested related to their use of drugs. There are five phases within the program, and completion takes 18 – 24 months. Ten agencies collaborate in the treatment process, and their mutual goal is to improve public safety, reduce recidivism and lower the cost to society.
Video clips presented program descriptions, participant testimonials and program outcomes. Our county’s results have been good:
81-100% reduction in crime for graduates
$3.5 - $5.4 million saving in prison and jail costs
1-year recidivism rate = 7%
After completing four phases of the program, usually ;lasting 12 months, the final phase includes attending monthly meetings, drug and alcohol testing, random checks by law enforcement or probation, structured sobriety and accountability group meeting, peer support contact, counseling sessions and contact with the Courts specialists. More detailed information can be found at the Court’s website: Drug Treatment Court | Carver County, MN
Left to right: Mikaela Hunley, Samantha Cully, Mike Wentzel
Mikaela Hunley’s contact information:
Mikaela Hunley Drug Court Coordinator 604 East 4th Street Chaska, MN 55318 mhunley@carvercountymn.gov (952) 361-1332
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? – Arrange a switch and then contact Neil.
