You are invited to the Rotary Club of Edina Family Picnic!

Join us for an old-fashioned picnic on Thursday, June 20, at Centennial Lakes Pavilion in Edina, 7499 France Ave. S. 

The fun will start at 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. This catered event will feature traditional picnic food such as hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken and much more!

There will be entertainment for the kids, so bring your children and grandchildren! Rotarians are encouraged to attend this family friendly event. Bring the whole family!

The picnic is free for Rotary members, $18 for each adult guest, and $5 for each child. Members will be charged for guests on the next quarterly billing.

Please register by Saturday, June 15. 

For more information, contact event chair Brad Pearson. 

Come and celebrate summer with food, fun, and festivities! We'll see you there!

David W. MacLennan has served as president and chief operating officer of Cargill since June 2011 and was elected to the Cargill Board of Directors in 2008.  He was chief financial officer from 2008 to 2011.

 MacLennan is currently a member of the Corporate Leadership Team and several corporate committees.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee, Finance and Risk Management Committee, Food Ingredients platform, and is the Latin America regional tag.

 Joining Cargill in 1991, he has held management positions within the financial, risk management, energy, and animal protein platforms, living abroad in both London and Geneva.  Prior to joining Cargill, he worked in the financial services sector in Chicago and for U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray in Minneapolis.

 Outside of Cargill, MacLennan serves on the boards of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, the Minnesota Business Partnership, and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Amherst College and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Chicago. 

Norwood Teague was introduced as University of Minnesota’s director of athletics on April 23, 2012. 

   In his short time in the Twin Cities, Teague has already begun implementing strategies that have the potential to dramatically change the landscape of Golden Gopher Athletics, including developing the department’s first-ever master facilities plan and strategic plan. Gopher teams continue to flourish under Teague's leadership. 

   Teague, who has degrees from the University of North Carolina and Ohio University, came to Minnesota after an ultra-successful, six-year run as director of athletics at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. Prior to VCU, the Raleigh, N.C., native spent time working at Arizona State, North Carolina and Virginia.

Katey Taylor is President and Co-founder of the Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation. Katey had been a “typical” stay-at-home mom until June 29, 2007. It was on that summer evening that one of her four daughters, 6-year-old Abbey, was disemboweled by a faulty drain in a wading pool. Over the next nine months Abbey would endure 16 surgeries and a triple-organ transplant, before finally losing her battle in March 2008.

Abbey's hope was that what happened to her would never happen to another child. In her name, the Taylors formed Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation in July 2008. To fulfill Abbey’s legacy, Katey and her husband, Scott, work to advocate for children and to educate parents, community leaders and others of the dangers in and around pools.

Katey has a Bachelor of Science degree in family education, child protection and public health from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. In December 2008, Katey received her Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO) certification from the National Swimming Pool Foundation. She serves on the Advisory Board of Minnesota SafeKids, is a member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

  Susan Brower became the State Demographer in February 2012. In that capacity, she travels the state talking with Minnesotans about the new social and economic realities that are brought about by recent demographic shifts. Susan joined the State Demographic Center after working as a researcher on the Minnesota Compass project at Wilder Research in St. Paul.

Mike Hansberry Program Manager 3M IBG Research and Development.  Mike has been with 3M Company for nearly 18 years. Currently, he is a R&D Program Manager in the Industrial Business Group. Each day Mike works with customers to solve significant problems by applying innovative techniques an 3M core technology platforms.

Angela Champagne-From is from Blaine, Minnesota.  She works as a paralegal at Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey, LTD. and is graduating Summa Cum Laude from Hamline University this month.  Her studies of concentration were conflict studies, legal studies and women studies.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being a newlywed, training for races and lifting weights.  

Julie is a successful entrepreneur that's driven new business growth of over $11 billion for organizations like Best Buy and Deloitte. She has an unmatched track record of catalyzing and driving significant business gains in her 18 years as a corporate senior executive as well as the past 4 years with her own firm WOLF, building growth for companies such as Motorola, Lifetouch, Microsoft, Major League Baseball, and Target. Julie not only draws from her experiences serving as founding Principal of her globally recognized firm WOLF and affiliate PreciouStatus, she is also a senior strategic advisor for The White House Project and the Harvard School Women's Board. Currently she serves as an adjunct professor in New York University's graduate school of human resources and an educator at the University of Minnesota, Cass Business School in London, MIT, and Wharton

Being the son of an artist and an entrepreneur, John’s career has been a blend of art and commerce.  John was a double major in Studio  Art and Economics at Williams College.  While a management consultant at Bain and Company in the late eighties, John was also exhibiting sculpture in New York.  After receiving an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University in 1993 he moved to Minneapolis where he cofounded Blu Dot in 1996.  Blu Dot designs and manufactures modern furniture ranging from their own branded line to custom designed products for large retailers such as Crate &Barrel and Target.  Their designs have been exhibited at numerous museums such as the Walker Art Center and the Museum of Modern Art. Blu Dot sells its collection at retailers around the world and through their own stores in NYC, LA, Sydney and soon to be San Francisco, as well as online at www.bludot.com

Having been inspired as a GSE Team Member to Chile in 1985, Tim Mulcrone became a charter member of Chanhassen Rotary in 1987.  He is a Past President, Multiple Paul Harris Award Recipient, has served on the District’s Group Study Exchange Committee, Club Visioning Team and as Assistant District Governor of Area 6.  He has also played an active role in Chanhassen Rotary’s relief efforts in Chimbote, Peru.  Tim has taken an interest in moving Rotary closer to completing our commitment to eliminate polio worldwide and was recently asked to lead the District’s polio fundraising effort.

Julie Sampson is a consultant and trainer with TheraRising Inc. , she will be speaking about "Creating Cultures of Cohesiveness or Mistrust" - discover how seemingly insignificant interactions shape organizational culture

She has 15 years experience in training and coaching individuals, teams, and executives for excellence in leadership and communication skills.  Julie has a passion for partnering with organizations to build and maintain positive cultures of cohesiveness and trust. 

TheraRising Inc. has been featured in dozens of publications including The New York Times, HR Magazine, Harvard Management Update, Oprah Magazine, and MSNB

Dave Stead has served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League since March of 1988. During his tenure, he has been proactive in promoting the educational aspect of League-sponsored activities for Minnesota’s 500 member schools. He is a Past-President of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of State High School Associations, is Past-President of the Minnesota Twin’s Community Fund Board, and has been a member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission Board since its inception in 1987, and he has spoken at conferences and conventions, authored articles for local and national publications and is an advocate for student-centered educational athletic and fine arts activities. 

Mark Simenstad, Vice President – Head of Fixed Income Funds and Separate Accounts  at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Mark Simenstad, CFA, serves as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans vice president and head of fixed income funds and separate accounts. In this role, he oversees the investment management of all fixed income mutual funds and separate accounts. Simenstad also serves as a co-manager of the organization’s four asset allocation funds and the Thrivent Diversified Income Plus Fund. He joined the organization in 1983 as a securities analyst. He held a variety of positions, including head of fixed income research and portfolio manager, before leaving the organization in 1993.  He rejoined the organization in 1999 and assumed his new position in October of 2002. Before rejoining Thrivent Financial, Simenstad was employed by Investment Advisers Inc. as vice president and portfolio manager from 1993 to 1996. He subsequently joined Voyageur Asset Management as chief investment officer - fixed income from 1996 to 1999.  He is a chartered financial analyst and received a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., in 1981. He earned an MBA from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 1983.  

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.5 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com

It is time for district conferences!  This year the format will change from a two day event to One Day Fun Day!  Flexible meal options (a la carte or full meal plans) and early bird specials are available.  At the event there will be Relavant speakers, Awards Presentations, performance by our very own District Choir the "Rotary Rooters", Live Music, Comedy, and even a Canine Demostration!

This event is open to all Rotarians, so if you have not attended a district conference in the past, try it out this year!  Follow www.Register5950.com to register today!

http://www.allenedmonds.com

Judy Rummler is President of The Steve Rummler Memorial Foundation which she and her husband Bill established to honor their son Steve who suffered with chronic pain for 15 years and who became addicted to the opioids which were prescribed to him for his pain.  He died in July 2011 from an accidental drug overdose.

Dr. Charlie Reznikoff earned his medical degree in 2002 from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He completed his Internal Medicine residency, followed by a chief residency, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.  Dr. Reznikoff then completed an Addiction Medicine fellowship at the University of Minnesota in 2007.  He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School and an award-winning teacher of medical students and residents. 

Rebecca Lindemann is the marketing and public relations manager for Wakefield Pork, a vertically integrated, farrow (birth)-to-finish (market) pork producer based in Gaylord, Minnesota. The company has more than 40,000 sows throughout central Minnesota and northern Iowa and markets approximately 850,000 hogs annually. Rebecca is responsible for media outreach and events. She joined Wakefield in 2001.

John P. Gainor  - International Dairy Queen, Inc., President & CEO   

"International Opportunities – An Avenue for Growth - a Dairy Queen Case Study " 

Sincerely,
Scott Denfeld,Video Production Coordinator

City of Edina...For Living, Learning, Raising Families & Doing Business

Rotary Club of Edina will participate in this event and several Rotarians and their friends and family are planning on making the trip up to Duluth to participate in making our mark to break the Guinness Book of World Record!

For more information on how you can participate, contact John Flynn, Director of Community Service at 612-819-5517.

I plan on talking about private equity facts and fiction as well as how Thrivent Financial invests in private equity. I invest in smaller businesses, typically $30 - $200 million in revenue. We assist in growing the businesses which can be through appropriate sales introductions, operating assistance, etc.

Jen joined Thrivent Financial in 2006.  Thrivent Financial is a Fortune 500 financial services organization with more than $75 billion in assets under management.  At Thrivent, Jen is involved in sourcing, evaluating, executing, and monitoring partnership and direct investments.  She currently sits on several partnership advisory boards and is a Board Observer for 5 companies.  Jen is also a member of Thrivent’s private debt investment committee.  Prior to joining Thrivent, Jen worked at ING Investment Management where she was focused on making private debt investments.  Jen began her career at Arthur Andersen in their mergers and acquisitions department.  She received a BBA in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota.  Jen is a Chartered Financial Analyst. 

Fred Senn, Founding Partner, Fallon Worldwide

Fred began his advertising career by managing advertising for First Bank System. Pat Fallon recruited Fred to the agency side at Martin/Williams Advertising and then asked him to be one of the founding partners of Fallon in 1981.

Since then, Fallon Worldwide has grown to become one of the world’s most critically acclaimed and creatively driven branding companies.  Clients include Cadillac, General Mills, Nestlé Purina, Travelers, TIME Magazine, and H&R Block. Fallon Worldwide is a member of the global network of Publicis Groupe, based in Paris. The company has offices in Minneapolis, London, and Tokyo.

To mark the 25^th anniversary of the firm they founded together, Fred teamed with his partner, Pat Fallon, to write Juicing the Orange, a book about applied creativity to business problem-solving, published by Harvard Business School Press.

A native of Minnesota, Fred has directed the successful advertising efforts of the Minnesota Business Partnership, and the Minnesota Department of Tourism, as well as two gubernatorial campaigns. He is involved as an adviser or board member to several children’s organizations, and serves the Governor’s Early Learning Council.  He graduated from St. John’s University and now serves on their Board of Trustees.

In the automotive category, Fred has directed the advertising of Porsche, and BMW.  He is an amateur road racer, having campaigned a Porsche 911 for a decade and served as a high performance driving instructor for both the Porsche and BMW Clubs.

David holds a Masters in City and Regional Planning, specializing in Housing and Economic Development, from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

Our speaker this Thursday will be John DeSanto, a long-standing insurance professional who reviewed insuring the Nortwestern National Bank building in 1982.  John is a Senior Production Specialist with Keystone Specialty Risk which is a wholesale broker focusing on Property Insurance placement and consulting services.  John has been active in the insurance business for nearly 40 years and also dedicates time to providing educational services to the insurance industry.

Through local and international service projects and activities, Rotarians give back to the communities they serve.  The Rotary Club of Edina promotes peace and good will internationally through projects in Kenya, India and Panama.  Locally, Edina Rotary members participate in projects at Jeremiah House and pack meals with Feed My Starving Children.  By fostering partnerships with YMCA and Cornerstone we support and serve our youth.  Edina Rotarians also serve youth in our community through Camp Enterprise, Rotary International Youth Exchange and STRIVE.  This is just to name a few of the more than 20 projects and services that the Edina Rotary clubs support in our effort to make a positive impact on the world around us.

Title

President and Chief Executive Officer, Regions Hospital

Quote

Transforming how health care is provided is fundamental to improving the health of our community. As a leader in the transformation, Regions Hospital is a critical community asset. We provide critical and specialty services that other hospitals do not because we believe it is essential for patients to have access to life-saving services. Regions’ critical care and surgery programs are strong because they are offered in tandem with our excellent trauma, emergency and burn center programs. Our medical community, academic and research partnerships allow us to be leaders in focusing on providing the best care through an integrated approach to hospital and clinic-based care that extends to home, as well as transitional and skilled nursing services. And, as a ‘safety-net’ hospital, we provide care to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Transforming health care will ensure our mission of providing the best care and experience for all members of our community.

Career

Brock Nelson joined Regions Hospital as president and chief executive officer in February 2003. Prior to that he served as chief executive officer of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minneapolis and St. Paul and as a vice president of United Hospital of St. Paul. He currently serves on the board of directors for The Courage Center, the Greater Minneapolis YMCA, The Capital City Partnership, Achieve/Minneapolis, the St. Paul Regional Red Cross and Omnicell. He is co-chair of the Healthy Learners board. Nelson is a past board member of CornerHouse, Phillips Partnership, Roosevelt High School Medical Magnet Program, Minnesota Hospital Association, National Association of Children’s Hospitals, the Child Health Investment Corporation, St. David’s Child and Family Services, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and the White Bear Yacht Club.

Education

B.A., Economics, St. Olaf College
Master of Health Care Administration, University of Minnesota

Personal

Born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, he is married with four children. Recipient of the Healthcare Emerging Leader Award (1989), St. Olaf College Distinguished Alumni Award and Fargo North High School Hall of Fame Award. Hobbies include travel, lake activities and golf.

Edina, Minn., Nov 8, 2012 –  The Rotary Clubs of Edina along with the Rotary clubs of Maple Grove, Plymouth, Eden Parairie, Rogers, City of Lakes, Richfeild  and Chaska will be hosting a Groub Study Exchange team from India in April, 2013. 

 Since 1965, the Group Study Exchange  program has provided inspiring vocational, educational, and cultural experiences for more than 70,000 men and women.  The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

Edina Rotary has been involved with GSE teams from Thailand, Korea, Finland and Brazil and has sent teams to Lebanon and Korea, to name a few.  For more information on GSE, click here.

Directions to Bearpath

http://www.bearpathgolf.com/directions.php

Wayne Kostroski, 2010 James Beard Humanitarian of the Year, is founder of the Taste of the NFL, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and dollars for hunger relief. Now entering its 22nd year, the Taste of the NFL has distributed more than $12 million for local and national food banks across America.  

February 2003 

Paul is a born and raised Minnesotan.  He received his BSB in Business from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and his JD from the University of Minnesota Law School.  Paul’s professional career includes working in the tax department of Arthur Andersen & Company and in the private practice of law focusing on closely held businesses.  He also served as President and CEO of Custom Rock, a St. Paul based manufacturer and architectural concrete contractor.  Paul is also actively involved with a number of business interests including serving on the Board of Directors.

Paul has been involved in a number of community and civic organizations including serving as the President of the Rotary Club of Edina and as member of its Board of Directors and Foundation Board.  He is currently a member of the Fairview Southdale Hospital Board of Directors and the Edina Community Foundation Board of Directors.

Paul and his wife Jean live in Edina and have three children; Melissa, Michael and Alexandra.

Featured Speaker - Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wickman

Deputy Commander Wickman is a highly decorated military veteran, having served both in Iraq and Kuwait as a member of the Army Reserve National Guard.  His current assignment is Deputy Commander, 1-34 Brigade Combat Team, Minnesota National Guard. 

His rise through the ranks has included military training at the Army War College, Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and Airborne School, to name a few. His civilian education includes a BA in International Relations from St. Thomas University and a degree in Minor-Middle East Politics from American University Cairo, Egypt.

Please join us on November 8^th, 2012 at the SW Metro Rotary Club’s Veteran’s Day Luncheon to hear about Lieutenant Colonel Wickman’s experiences and insights associated with the military conflicts in the Middle East.

Emcee for this luncheon will be Reg Chapman, WCCO TV

Reg joined WCCO-TV in May of 2009 following most recent assignments with WNBC-TV, New York City, KSTP-TV, Minneapolis, WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh.  Reg is a Gulf War Veteran himself and an active volunteer in many community organizations including the Urban League, NAACP and YMCA.  He has also been recognized for his work throughout his career, including an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting, several Associated Press awards and honors from the Society of Professional Journalists. He has also been nominated for several regional Emmy Awards from the National Television Academy for investigative reporting.  Reg graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism.

Please consider joining us at the Chanhassen Feed My Starving Children site on October 27th, Saturday from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. 

Please come, bring your friends, children, grandchildren and join us on the 27th for a wonderful time helping to feed those less fortunate across the world.   Please respond to this e-mail if you are planning on attending. 

Last spring we had a highly efficient and focused group who packaged over 6,000 meals.  Participants need to be in the 3rd grade or above.  I will send you directions to the Chanhassen location. 


Bradley Beard
Rotary Club of Edina

Directions to Minnesota State University Mankato at 7700 France in Edina / MSU Suites 7700 France is 2 blocks north of Interstate 494. 

Coming from the South on 169 it is best to take the Old Shakopee Road, go East and left (North) on France.

From the North on France Turn right into 7700 France Ave South (after light at 76th) visitor parking lot right by the 7700 France sign; 7700 shows at the top of the building. Park in that parking lot and come in the front entrance (east side of building) to Security at the front desk and sign in. Follow hallway on left, turn right by television on wall and follow around to the North Elevators. Go to third floor off elevators for Suites B, C & D (Reception Area), go to right and at the end of that hall, straight ahead is Suite D, go right and down the hallway and go left to Suite C and right to Suite B; off elevators for Suite A, go left and through open hall doors and first right into Suite A.

From the South on France Turn left on Minnesota Dr (corner building is Fidelity; we are building right behind 7700 shows at top of building) and get in right lane. Take first right into large parking lot (west side of building) and then an immediate right and drive around to the east side of building; park in visitor parking and come in the front entrance (east side of building) to Security at the front desk and sign in. Follow hallway on left, turn right by television on wall and follow around to the North Elevators. Go to third floor off elevators for Suites B, C &D (Reception Area), go to right and at the end of that hall, straight ahead is Suite D, go right and down the hallway and go left to Suite C and right to Suite B; off elevators for Suite A, go left and through open hall doors and first right into Suite A.

To provide high school seniors with a unique opportunity to learn about leadership, business and the free enterprise system, the Rotary Districts of Minnesota 5950 and Wisconsin 5960 will host Camp Enterprise Minnesota in late October. The cost of this unique business camp is free to the students involved. Students can register now with their local Rotary Club and find additional information available online at www.CampEnterprise.org .

Local Rotary clubs work to organize Camp Enterprise Minnesota

Edina, Minn., Sept. 19, 2012 – To provide high school seniors with a unique opportunity to learn about leadership, business and the free enterprise system, the Rotary Districts of Minnesota 5950 and Wisconsin 5960 will host Camp Enterprise Minnesota in late October. The cost of this unique business camp is free to the students involved. Students can register now with their local Rotary Club and find additional information available online at www.CampEnterprise.org .

During the three-day autumn camp, scheduled for Thursday, October 25^th through Saturday, October 27^th, presentations will be made by business executives and entrepreneurs who share their experiences with the students and answer questions about a variety of fields and interests. In addition, students will participate in a series of customized teambuilding experiences facilitated by YMCA leadership.

The students break into teams and focus a majority of their time at camp on a business case study which culminates in team presentations to a board of directors. At the conclusion of camp, five students will each be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship awards are based on the students’ entrepreneurial essay, case study work, leadership, overall participation, and camp staff and counselor recommendations.

About 120 students from Minnesota and western Wisconsin are expected to participate in Camp Enterprise, representing more than 50 high schools. Each student is sponsored by a Rotary Club. Camp Enterprise utilizes the YMCA Camp Ihduhapi facility on the shores of Lake Independence, located west of the Twin Cities near Loretto, MN. It is rustic, but a perfect setting for this experience. Everyone stays in either a male or female dormitory/cabin with his or her counselor. Meals and general sessions are in the main building, staffed with cooks from Camp Ihduhapi. Rotarian mentors and staff oversee all of the camp activities.

--MORE--

Students interested in attending should contact their local Rotary club to request a sponsorship and then register. Registration is available online at www.CampEnterprise.org.

Camp Enterprise of Minnesota has been organized by the Rotary Club of Edina since 1980. When the Edina-Morningside Rotary Club was chartered in 1990, they became equal partners in the project. The educational enrichment project has now grown to involve Rotary Clubs across Minnesota and Wisconsin. There are approximately 25 such programs nationwide.

The Rotary Club of Edina meets Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Ave. For more information about the Rotary Club of Edina, visit www.EdinaRotary.org. The Edina-Morningside Rotary Club meets Tuesdays at 7:15 a.m. at the Edina Country Club. For more information about the Edina-Morningside Rotary Club, visit www.EMRotary.org.

For more information on Camp Enterprise Minnesota, contact planning committee chairman Paul Nelson of The Edina-Morningside Rotary Club, pnelson@shawlundquist.com. Additional information can be found online at www.CampEnterprise.org.

Dear District #5950 Rotarians:

We are embarking on another exciting Rotary year, filled with anticipation of growing clubs, rising membership and increased Rotary Foundation giving.  I am very honored and excited to serve all of you this Rotary year and, considering our legacy of service, I expect we will have great success.    

 Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka has chosen our annual theme, “Peace through Service.” This theme fits so well with our international mantra of “Service above Self.”  I am asking each of you to personalize this theme to your Rotary actions and continue your great work so you too can experience “Peace through Service.”  As we go through this Rotary year together, I also ask you to reflect on when you were first invited to join Rotary, and consider offering someone else the gift of Rotary by inviting them to join, as well. 

 I want to thank all of our club and district leaders for your countless hours of Rotary service. We simply could not do all the great deeds we do—locally and internationally—without the significant contributions each of you make.

Our district has several critical committees who serve our clubs. Sandy Schley will be leading us through the Future Vision process. Heather Voorhees will lead our public relations/communication area. Bruce Hedblom will be leading the Humanitarian Services area and Tom Thorfinnson will lead Club Support. Our clubs will be well served by all four of these very special leaders.

Our District Conference celebration will take place on April 19, 2013. I know we will have much to celebrate, so get this on your calendar as a ”must attend” event.

Edina Rotarian Jennifer Bennerotte was recognized as the Edina Chamber of Commerce's Business Person of the Year at the Chamber's Annual Meeting on May 23. Jennifer is only the third Edina City employee to receive this award, and the first City employee who is not a City Manager. Congratulations to Jennifer on her outstanding service! Well-deserved!