PROGRAM

 

17 members, including 4 on Zoom, heard outgoing President Kelli Bourgeois review the 2020-21 Rotary year, which posed the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Bourgeois congratulated club members who earned The Rotary Foundation Paul Harris awards, mentioned a selection of the interesting speakers provided at club meetings, and thanked members who led the club’s service efforts in the year just concluding. Bourgeois cited the three new members enrolled (Ed Higgins, Josh Callahan, and Erik Johnston), the continuation under trying circumstances of the STRIVE scholarship program (under Steve Klaer’s leadership), the Dictionary Project, coordinated by Tim Blank,  Greg Schraufnagel’s successful leadership of the Golf Classic fundraiser, the launch by Kristen Stuenkel of an Operation Pollination project, the initiation of an effort through Homes of Hope Intl. to produce a Rotary Global Grant project, and the club service contributions of Past President Brian Weierke, Treasurer Wally Wysopal, Secretary Bob Tholkes, Directors John Niewald and Kim Hiel, President-Elect Don Archibeque, Gordy Back;und, Mark Grotewold, and Scott Lund. Members receiving Paul Harris awards were headed by Norma Jean Falink (+8), and Fred Bischke (+7), and also included Josh Lund (+2), Craig Malm (+1), and Kristen Stuenkel (+1). 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Golf Classic coordinator Greg Schraufnagel announced that all items (sponsors, golfers, diners, silent auction items) are still sought for the July 19 Golf Classic. The Refuge golf course in Oak Grove has been reserved. The event’s site is at Event home page - 2021 Fridley/Columbia Heights Rotary Golf Classic (fchgolfclassic.com). Classic info also now appears on the home page of the club website, fridleychrotary.org. The Director of SACA, Dave Rudolph, will be attending our golf banquet and will give a short talk. Presently, 52 golfers are expected.

 

Bourgeois reported several interesting conversations at our display table at the Columbia Heights Jamboree Arts & Info Fair on June 24.

 

Scott Lund announced that 32 members  and guests have signed up for the annual charter dinner on Wednesday evening, August 25 at Banquets of Minnesota in Fridley. Cost is $32 per person for the meal and facility rental. For $17, attendees can purchase a bottle of wine from member Roy Goslin. Contact Scott at scott.lund@comcast.net or phone 612-860-3235 to register.

 

After discussion, incoming president Archibeque agreed on the club board’s behalf to continue hybrid meetings until the board could revisit the issue at its August 4 meeting.

 

The half-yearly accumulation of Fine Jar money, by board policy forwarded to the Rotary Foundation, totaled a very respectable $305.00. Thanks to everyone, including Zoom attendees Kristen Stuenkel and Norma Jean Falink, who made compensatory donations.

 

Tholkes has prepared club business cards with the club logo and contact information. They will be available at the meetings, and by request through the club email, fridleychrotary@gmail.com.

 

PERFECT ATTENDANCE  

 

Congratulations to the four members whose combination of meeting and service-project attendance entitle them to Perfect Attendance status for 2020-2021: Gordon Backlund, Kelli Bourgeois, Kristen Stuenkel, and Bob Tholkes.

 

REMINDERS

 

Members may sign up to deliver groceries for SACA on any Saturday in July at https://sacafoodshelf.org/volunteer. If you will be driving, provide your insurance card and driver’s license for SACA to copy for its records.

 

Service project coordinator Mark Grotewold reminded that with the loosening of COVID restrictions other service projects can be planned. Please contact him with your ideas.

The club will provide an informational table at the Columbia Heights Centennial Celebration on July 17.