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October 5, 2022
Regan Birr and President Kim Hiel.
 
                     
Joining the FCH Rotary breakfast meetings on Zoom:  open the link below, click on Open Zoom Meetings, and follow the prompts.
 
PROGRAM
 
19 members (including 2 on Zoom) and visiting Rotarian Mike Neeley of New Brighton – Mounds View Rotary heard Regan Birr, founder of the local chapter of the Lupus Research Foundation, describe her personal battle with lupus, a chronic disease of the immune system, the foundation’s work which is to raise funds for research and provide seminars for those afflicted. Lupus affects 1.5 million people (many more are probably undiagnosed) in the United States.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Neeley announced that he intends to transfer his membership to Fridley and Columbia Heights; he can be enrolled after his resignation is accepted and recorded by his current club.
 
The club board did not meet after this morning’s breakfast due to lack of a quorum.
 
Kristen Stuenkel reported on yesterday’s meeting of the Pollination Committee. Members Bob Olsen, Amada Marquez Simula, Kristen Stuenkel, and Bob Tholkes attended, joined by Adam Flett of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO). The group discussed repeating the successful Lomianki Park planting activity of last month in spring 2023, and sources of funding, including support of a community grant application to MWMO by Height Next Community Foundation.   
 
Erik Johnston invited members to assist at the Columbia Heights “Truck or Treat” event on Saturday, October 29, from 1 to 4 p.m.
 
REMINDERS
 
Mentors for the STRIVE program (to begin this year at Columbia Heights as well as Fridley) are sought. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103.
 
Student dictionaries will be distributed to 3rd graders at Stevenson and Hayes Elementary schools, as well as Woodcrest Baptist Academy, in Fridley next Wednesday morning, Oct. 12. Thanks to the several volunteers who have signed up to participate.
 
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/. 
 
The Pollination Committee will meet next on Tuesday, November 1 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 after-dinner musical entertainment. Doors open at 5:30, dinner at 7; cost, $40.00, billed to members' club accounts.  Members can sign up at a breakfast or contact social committee Scott Lund at scott.lund@comcast.net.
 
The Fridley Public Safety Department requests that FCH Rotary assist in spreading the word about this fall’s Public Safety Citizens’ Academy. Further information at https://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/515/Citizens-Academy.
 
Speaker on October 12: Kaycee Stanley of the Reel Hope Project, which works to find adoptive homes for foster children.