President Jean-Marc called on Ted Kent to introduce our Guest Speaker Gregory Carlson. Ted told us Gregory, who lives in Bismarck, North Dakota, joined Rotary in 2014. He is President-Elect of the Rotary Passport Club of Minnesota and was earlier a member of two different clubs and served in committee roles within RI District 5580. Gregory has been a Toastmaster since 2013, serving in several club officer roles and is in his 2nd year as a Division Director in District 78. He is a strong supporter of the alliance between R I and Toastmasters International. He is an NDUS Institutional Researcher – Special Projects with the North Dakota University System. He has experience in Institutional Research, Assessment, Higher Learning Commission Peer Review, Dual Credit program coordination, and college teaching.
As Greg was joined by 3 members of their Rotary Passport Club, he invited Natalie, Patrice and Amy to introduce themselves.
From the observations our guests made about their Rotary Passport experience, the following description would appear appropriate: Membership in a Rotary Passport Club provides one with a passport to visit and work with any other Rotary Club in the world and to take part in activities, programs and projects of interest and engagement to one.
The Rotary Passport Club of Minnesota was chartered in March 2020 in District 5950 and currently has a membership of 20 members. The Passport model attracted our guests for a host of reasons including the opportunity to enjoy Rotary in a more flexible format. Because meetings are fully on line, there is an immediate reduction in the weekly cost, and missed meetings can be accessed because they are all on YouTube. There is the opportunity to collaborate with other Clubs in their projects either as individuals or as a club. Our guests are great believers in technology and connecting online fits best in their family, work and personal lives. There is an easy and ready connection with Rotary Clubs in their home communities where the welcome mat is out. Rotary fellowship was obviously key to our guests as they fit into our community in typical Rotary fashion.
President Jean-Marc introduced our Club touching on the important components of our strategic plan with its commitment to youth and leadership. Peter Neufeldt spoke about our Club's involvement in the Ripple Effect program and touched on the impact it is having in Guatemala communities. Gary Carlson touched on the Club's two local Signature Projects, namely our partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association and the hosting of the Adventures in Agriculture program we host for youth in Western Canada.
Thank you, Gregory, Patrice, Amy and Natalie, for being part of our Rotary Day and sharing your Rotary Passport Club story with us.
The 2021 Virtual Convention will be better than ever, opening more innovative opportunities to learn and to engage with the family of Rotary, near and far. You’ll be able to network in virtual lounges, meet new partners in service, and join fun activities with Rotary members from around the world.
COMING SOON: More information about this year’s upgraded virtual experiences including our new fast-paced programs that will have inspiring stories, powerful interviews, and multi-cultural entertainment.
Rotary International Convention 2021
Condolences were extended to Allen Hillsden on the passing of his older brother. Please keep the Hillsden's in your thoughts and prayers;
Pamela Pidwerbesky
International Nurses Day (IND) is observed around the world on 12 May (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth) of each year, to mark the contributions that nursesmake to society. Nurses have been (or should have been) societal heroes for decades, however, never more than for the past 14 plus months of COVID 19. Let us renew our efforts to thank “our” nurses for caring and being here. Hug your favorite nurse today (within established protocol of course) – I will. Let her/him/ them know how precious they are to us and in our community.
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
35 persons attended today's meeting, which included 4 members of the Passport Rotary Club of Minnesota;
We were pleased to recognize Tania Woroby and Shannon Windrim who will celebrate Birthdays on May 7 and 8 respectively - may your celebrations be memorable and a grand introduction for the year. We also remember Chris Hefner would would have celebrated his Brthday this week;
Members got brownie points from the Sergeant if you spoke to non-Rotarians about Rotary over the past week - appears she did and used it as a trap for her friends in Rotary;
Ann Grahame told us the student Eastview selected for the virtual Adventure in Citizenship is thoroughly enjoying the experience;
Donna Parry was delighted that she received her first COVID 19 shot;
Leo Ell told us their youngest daughter, who lives in Vancouver, recently graduated as a Paralegal and is working in her new profession;
Peter Peters told us that he and Margaret became Great Grandparents on Saturday;
Hope to see you all next week - in the meantime enjoy spring.
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“The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change and the realist adjust the sails.”
William Arthur Ward
Today's guests
It was a wonderful day for Guests which included: Jessie Carlson, a guest of husband, Gary, and Alexandrea Nadeau from Winnipeg guest of her Dad, Jean-Marc. In addition we appreciated the following Visiting Rotarians: Bob Durston (Neepawa), Doug Keam (Regina) and the following members of the Rotary Passport Club of Minnesota (D 5950): Gregory Carlson (Bismarck, North Dakota); Natalie Norris and Amy Dennison (Eden Prairie, Minnesota) and Patrice White (Dallas, Texas). Thank you all for enriching our day.