PROGRAM

 

18 members, including 7 on Zoom, and guests Captains Matt Markham and Erik Johnston of the Columbia Heights Police Department, heard Columbia Heights Police Chief Lanny Austin, first present a talk by nationally-prominent spokesperson Charles Ramsey about the history and challenges of policing in the United States, and then describe CHPD’s partnership with the  Metro North Adult Education Center (whose clients include the immigrant populations of Columbia Heights and Fridley) to educate newcomers to this country about policing. The program is part of CHPD’s focus on training officers to consider themselves primarily as the protectors of the constitutional rights of the populations they serve.

 

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. Sponsorships are up to $1,400.00, and 7 foursomes have registered, with several others in prospect. The Refuge golf course 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.

 

At the board meeting today:   the board agreed to sign the District 5960 Pollinator Pledge.

                                            President-Elect Don Archibeque announced that board meetings will remain bi-monthly during the 2021-22 year.

                                            The fee ($15) for an informational table at the Art and Info Fair at the Columbia Heights Jamboree on Thursday, June 24, was approved.

                                            Participation with an informational table at the Columbia Heights Centennial Celebration on July 17 was approved.

                                            $500 toward funding of a showing of the Operation Pollination film “Flight of the Monarch Butterflies” in Columbia Heights was approved.

                                            After discussion, the board voted unanimously to resume in-person only weekly breakfasts as of July 7. President-Elect Don Archibeque will contact members who have attended regularly via Zoom to personally explain the decision.

                                            The board voted unanimously to hold the annual charter dinner in August, on either Wednesday the 18^th or Wednesday the 25^th, at social committee chair Scott Lund’s discretion.     

 

REMINDERS

 

Members may sign up to deliver groceries for SACA on any Saturday in June 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.

 

As more Minnesotans are vaccinated yet practice pandemic safety, District 5960 is planning an OUTDOOR, FAMILY-FRIENDLY Conference of Clubs on Saturday, June 5th, 10am - 2pm at the Rotary Pavilion in Levee Park in Hastings. Register at:  https://rotary5960.org/event/2021-conference-of-clubs/. President-Elect Don Archibeque has been invited to collaborate on an environment-themed event for the conference with the neighboring Blaine-Ham Lake and Arden Hills-Shoreview Rotary clubs.

 

Installation of 2021-22 District Governor Kenny Klooster of Mankato is scheduled for Friday, June 25, at The Blue Boat in downtown Mankato from 6 to 9 p.m. Appetizers and live music provided.