1. Want to boost your member engagement? Get involved in a grant – local or international. There’s nothing in the world like being involved in making someone else’s life better. Here are some options (I will try to continue to list grant opportunities)

·        Ecuador – Check this out. Maybe your club would like to be involved in something like this. Or maybe just discussing it will give them renewed sense of all the good Rotary does around the world. https://www.rotary.org/en/small-rotary-club-ecuadors-andes-delivers-big-water-project

Apr 30^th – Suzanne – Lake Ave Project 

 

Children

1.     Naomi Trelouw - This comes directly from Ruth Peterka. “I just wanted to share with you a potential speaker for clubs.  The Reel Hope project is a nonprofit group that makes "reels" for kids in foster care in the state of Minnesota to help share their stories in hopes that the kids become adopted and find a forever home.  They have a great website with tons of information, and you can watch several of the reels.  After they spoke to our club, one of our members initiated a matching donation challenge and we were able to sponsor 2 reels/kids plus a little extra.  Pretty great way to make a huge impact on a kid's life.  The contact I have used is : Naomi Trelouw.  Her email is: naomi@thereelhopeproject.org. I know they are a group that is willing to travel pretty much anywhere and are very interested in speaking and connecting with Rotary clubs. Just an idea for others that our members were excited about.”    

 

Peace

1.      Dr. Ann Frisch – I don’t know if I can possibly give enough accolades to Ann and all she has done for peace around the world. Perhaps it is best to let you know this.  “In 2017, Frisch was chosen by Rotary International as a People of Action: Champion of Peace in recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments. Frisch is one of only six Rotarians throughout the world to be given this honor. She attended an awards ceremony at the U. N. European Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.” Did you even know that RI has a seat at the UN? We do. Anyway, this impressive woman lives in our backyard and is happy to come out to our clubs and speak. I know because I asked her.  She said yes!!!! We are truly blessed. Please reach out to her.  afrisch09@gmail.com 

Poverty 

1.       Darcy Ellarby - Darcy recently joined the board of directors for an amazing nonprofit organization operating in Ghana in West Africa called Africa Youth Rising.  Rather than reacting to the results of poverty, AYR is taking a much needed and novel approach to examine the root causes of vulnerability.  AYR works to address these needs long before families destabilize and children end up in youth homes or suffer life-long consequences of malnutrition and lack of education or medical care. AYR's executive director is in Ghana and is able to zoom in as well for presentations.  

 

Ethics

1.       The 4 Way Test/Virtues Project - George Wickstrom - George is passionate about making the world a better place by entering each encounter consciously thinking about the 4 way test. This seems like a good idea. He would love to come and present to your club. You can reach him at WickstromGeorge@yahoo.com

Environment

1.      Citizens Climate Lobby – Alan Anderson – luckyduck49@gmail – Remember, the environment is now one of our pillars. Get in on what should be the 100^th floor but is currently the ground floor and find out what you can do to make our world healthy and beautiful for generations to come.

 

Club Function

1. What Drives Our Members? – have someone from the visioning team talk to your club about the benefits of “visioning” – drop a line to the team lead John Channon -  jchannon@focalpointcoaching.com

2. Kyle Haugen takes on all things public image. He's a fabulous speaker - inspirational and motivating. Take him up on one of his three prepared programs or challenge him with your specific request. He didn't know that I was going to add that last bit.' Reach out to Kyle.

A.     “Rotary- Doing Good, Serious Fun” - Doing good and having fun should be what Rotary is all about…but what is “Serious Fun”?  And are we really doing as much and having as much fun as we could?  Let’s talk about why “Doing Good, Serious Fun” should be a Rotary mantra to live by, how it fits with Rotary President Jennifer Jones’s theme of “Imagine Rotary” and how we can engage our members to maximize the good…and the fun!

B.     Principles of Effective Fundraising - Club fundraisers are more than about raising money, they should engage your members and the community as well.  Learn principles that enhance your member participation and increase your fundraising results.  Whether it be making $5,000-$10,000 in a small event or $1,000,000 in a major music festival (an actual Rotary example we'll talk about!), the principles are the same...and will lead to more impact in your community!

 C.   The Importance of Telling Our Rotary Story - Every Rotarian has a Rotary story, and telling our Rotary stories is the best way to show non-Rotarians who we are and what we do. Rotary Public Image Coordinator (Zones 25B &29) Kyle Haugen will share motivational tips on how to develop and tell our Rotary stories, which will lead to more understanding of our organization and get people excited to join us!

Leadership

1.      Dave Webb – Homerun Leadership - Consider inviting Keynote Speaker and Best Selling Author of Homerun Leadership to your next Rotary Club meeting. Dave Webb is currently a member of the Roseville Rotary Club and has been a Rotary Member for the past 25 years. Dave is willing to drive to join you, in person or on zoom, for your next Rotary meeting. Dave’s specialty is helping leaders and leadership teams use a simple 4 step, science based, leadership framework that he puts on a baseball diamond for leaders to follow and produce the best team decisions. Leaders especially appreciate developing a common language with their teams, using a simple 4 step framework, to make great team decisions. drdavewebb@homerunleadership.com .     

 

General Speakers

1.      Deano Pape - Deano Pape is president of Austin Rotary and has a talk that he is happy to deliver to area Rotary clubs called The 100 Hour Day: Welcome to Your Cell phone. He does an exercise with the audience that measures their technology consumption and discusses the effects of our social media and cellphone engagement. He also tailors his talk to specific requests, such as effects on our personal relationships, productivity in the workplace, education, political polarization, and/or post-lockdown uses of technology and where we go from here. You can reach out directly to him at deanopape@gmail.com. 

2.      Annie Nolte-Henning - Annie is Director of the Americas for Alight (previously the American Refugee Committee) - she is knowledgeable and inspiring. If she can't come and talk, she has a staff that can. Very cool. Give her a ring 402.297.2368

3.      Bill Goodwin - This one comes to use via our own Kathy Hughitt. She has heard Bill speak on leadership but states that he is capable of speaking on multiple topics. Kathy says he is very engaging. Bill is also one of our Lakeville Rotarian. bill@prioritylivingmn.com 

4.      Frank Bures - a frequent writer for our Rotary magazine and the author of a new book, “The Shape of the World,” which includes essays and thoughts around some of his topics for the magazine (culture, language and humanity). Frank spoke at the Rotary Club of White Bear Lake on “The Good Enough Life.” Frank lives in Minneapolis and can be reached at frankbures@yahoo.com.