The Futura
Chaska Rotary
Volume 2 | Issue 46
 
June 15th, 2023
 
 
 
Welcome to the Futura!
Learn about upcoming speakers, events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
 
June
22 -
Jessica Bartholomew, ACT United
29 - Matt Podhradsky, Year in Review
 
July
6 -
Holiday Week, No Meeting
Upcoming Events
 
 
 
Club Announcements
 
Invocation: John Roepke
 
Matt Podhradsky officially welcomed Kaylee McClellan Kraus as our newest member. Kaylee recently married Michelle’s son, so once again, we have two Kraus family members in our midst! Kaylee was raised in the Carver – Chaska region and now works for Ameriprise Financial based in Edina.
 
Matt asked us to set aside time during the last weekend in July to participate in our Wine Booth at River City Days.
 
Erin Kerber asked us to search our community for host families to care for our next Exchange Student. In August, we’ll say “Buongiorno” (good morning, good day, hello) to a young woman from Italy.
 
Congratulations to Sienna White and Natasha Palmelund for their graduation from Chaska High School. Check the June 15 issue of the Chaska Herald to catch a glimpse of Sienna in her cap and gown!
 
Here is the link to the recorded ceremony: https://vimeo.com/812512507
 
 
FINEMASTER
 
Greg Anderson’s finemaster action was the epitome of the word “Trivia” with questions related to Father’s Day. Apparently, the significance of this day to us hadn’t gone past the gift of a new tie or “Best Dad” coffee mug, so all the tables humbly paid for their incorrect answers.
 
Happy Dollars were energetically given by Michelle Kraus and John Roepke.
 

ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT - Natasha Palmelund
 
Natasha Palmelund is with her East Coast Bus Tour!
 
Here are a few photos of Natasha enjoying her time with friends.
 
 
 
And here is a photo of Sienna and Natasha sumo wrestling at the Chaska Senior Party after graduation.
 
PRESENTATION: 
Stephanie Koehne, ALIGHT Ukrainian Sponsorship
 
 
Ken Hiller introduced Stephanie Koehne, who spoke to us via Zoom. Steph is the Sponsor Program Lead for ALIGHT, a Minnesota-based humanitarian relief organization which was formerly known as the American Refugee Committee. This group had its start when volunteers deployed to the Cambodian-Thailand border 40 years ago. It currently supports activities affecting over 3 million people in 19 countries – providing health care, clean water, shelter, and economic opportunity.
 
From its web page – “Alight exists to inspire and unleash the abundance in every person. We build a meaningful life for and with the displaced.” Steph focused her presentation on the relief efforts for Ukrainians hoping to live in the United States. The program “Uniting for Ukraine” manages efforts by Europe and the USA to create safe havens and a pathway to escape the effects of the war with Russia. Sponsors are necessary for refugees to enter the USA. Our citizens must agree to provide day-to-day support and provide them with information and tools to start a new life.
 
Rotary clubs and families are important partners with Alight’s Ukrainian sponsorships. A video clip included comments from a Minnesota couple and their supported family that highlighted the mutual benefits resulting from their experience. Steph encouraged our club to become a sponsorship group.
 
To learn more about ALIGHT, becoming a sponsor, or to provide financial support –
www.wearealight.org
 
 
 
Upcoming Invocation
 
June 22 - Kevin Eide
June 29 - Gretchen Oppriecht
July 6 - Joe Hoppe
 
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
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