Paula shared that in 1995 our club sponsored the Aitken's rotary club. She thanked Paula Persons for providing the club history she's been sharing. The June Birthdays and anniveraries were celebrated. Please RSVP by June 14 for the June 25, 2024 annual Change of Gavel event at Cragun's Golf Resort Pavilion. Adam, Michelle, and Heather will work on next years budget.
Aaron Antony led the ditch pickup with 16 volunteers Monday night. They met at Safari North and pizza & beverages followed at the Welcome Center. An award was given for the most interesting object found and this years winner is Aaron. No one is sure what it is but the shape invited much silly explanations.
Pete Nelson provided a Rotary park update. The solar project will likely go forward from the park board because of much support offered by the Brainerd Public Utilities. We also learned that we will likely proceed with the bird viewing deck this year as additional approvals from state authorities are not needed.
Michelle Francis announced a task force was being formed to develop club criteria to nominate and approve honorary rotary memberships. Please contact her if you are interested in helping in this area.
Nick Barth was our monthly Rotary Notary. He attended the University of Anchorage, and opened a wine bar in St Peter, hosted and organized wine events, owned a bar, was a brewer and now works for Bernick’s. He has many interests including rock climbing. Since July 2023 he lives in Baxter MN and is married with 4 children attending the area schools.
Speakers: Carol Johnson shared updates on Brighter Days and Camp Journey and introduced our speaker Carolyn Kinzel, president, founder and executive director.
Their mission is to provide a private and compassionate space for individuals anticipating or enduring the death of a family member; to offer access to professional resources; and to instill hope by providing connection to others through peer-based events and activities.
Their values include: Respect for each other and for anyone that visits our center; Integrity in the work we do and the words we speak; Compassion for each person, and for every circumstance; Confidentiality and respect of every individual’s right to privacy.
Camp Journey this year will be held on Saturday Sept 14, 2024 (approximately 8am to 5PM) and at no cost for clients. It will be a family day camp including grandparents. So far 25 individuals signed up, about 5-6 families. This year is a pilot and then they will grow it next year. Usually they hold 150 people. The goal is to transition the kids to an overnight camp. They also run a camp in twin cities.
They need volunteers for camp and are looking for sponsors. For more info use this
LINK to see their web page (https://brighterdaysgriefcenter.org/) or reach out directly to Carolyn at Carolyn@brighterdaysgriefcenter.org
Additional ditch pick up images:
Greeters:
6/18/2024: Donald Ryan, Dave Schaeffer, Lee Seipp
6/25/2024: NO CLUB Meeting
Upcoming Speakers:
Jun 18, 2024: Mark Harlow - Harlow Nature Photography
Jun 25, 2024: Paula Chapulis & Adam Rees - NO Noon Meeting - Change of Gavel ceremony & dinner
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