PROGRAM

 

Ken Johnson, Postmaster of the Minneapolis district of the United States Postal Service, reviewed USPS’s challenges, multiple recent changes, and future outlook, noting that 2021 revenue from package handling for the first time; that 40% of the volume of letters and flats has been lost since 1984, and that USPS now anticipates breaking even in 2022. He fielded complaints about service standards and staff training.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Bob Tholkes presented President Kim Hiel with the fruit of his exchange of club banners last week with the Salida, Colorado, Sunrise Rotary Club.

 

Members Kristen Stuenkel, Amada Marquez Simula, Bob Olsen, Michael Oakley, and Erik Johnston attended the service activity of September 10, joining Heights Next Foundation and several community members to plant pollinator perennials at the Columbia Heights Blooming Sunshine pollinator garden at Lomianki Park. Olsen brought three monarch butterflies for children attending to release. A short program provided Rotary information, and coverage in the Minneapolis Northeaster is expected.

 

The Pollination Committee met Tuesday, Sep. 13, with members Kristen Stuenkel, Bob Olsen, and Bob Tholkes joining Columbia Heights High School Blooming Heights coordinator Wes Nujteren and Adam Flett of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. Pollinator garden maintenance was discussed. Tholkes informed the group that the Rotary bench planned for Lomianki Park will be installed in 2023 by the City of Columbia Heights. Information about the club’s Operation Pollination activities is to be provided to nearby clubs.

 

An acknowledgment of the club’s donation to the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation has been received.

 

Dictionaries for distribution to 3^rd graders in our service areas have been ordered and will hopefully be received and placed by the end of the month. Volunteers will be sought when distribution dates are confirmed.

 

District 5960 Rotarians are invited to attend its One Summit on Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 at the Family Means Center, 1875 Northwestern Avenue So. in Stillwater, and opportunity to share information about Membership, Public Image, DEI, and The Rotary Foundation. Register at https://rotary5960.org/event/one-rotary-summit-9/. 

 

REMINDERS

 

Longtime member Lois McCarron’s funeral service took place today at St Timothy’s Catholic Church, 707 89^th Ave NE in Blaine. The club provided a floral tribute.

 

President Kim Heil last week emailed a Rotary Visioning Survey to all club members. Please respond! Let her know at Kim.Hiel@fridley.k12.mn.us of any difficulty in accessing the survey.

 

All members in Rotary District 5960 are invited to attend an All Club Luncheon at which 2023-24 Rotary International President Gordon McInally and Rotary Foundation Trustee Greg Podd will speak in person. The luncheon will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America on Friday, September 16 from noon to 2 p.m. Register at: https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=e7277ad7-e6ba-40e2-9a56-72c985c69540.

 

The Pollination Committee meets next on Tuesday, October 4 at 7:30 a.m. on Zoom. The Zoom link is https://colheights-k12-mn-us.zoom.us/j/81399260157. Contact organizer Kristen Stuenkel with any questions at stuenkek@colheights.k12.mn.us.

 

The annual Charter Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, November 2, at Banquets of Minnesota in Fridley, and will feature Rotary District 5960 Governor Dayna Quigley and post-dinner entertainment.