Richfield Rotarians Lynne Alexander, Chip Groth, John and Barb Devlin, HaeKyung Thompson, and Tommy Thompson joined other Area 3 Rotarians to honor our nation’s veterans.  Tommy Thompson (right), one of two World War II veterans recognized, enjoyed visiting with a member of the Shakopee American Legion Color Guard.

In his keynote speech, Major General Robert Shadley (Ret.) recognized veterans as “ordinary, yet extraordinary human beings willing to sacrifice their lives in defense of our nation.”  He encouraged businesses and organizations to employ veterans, citing leadership characteristics learned in the military:  competence, character, chemistry (team players), and curiosity.  He added, “If you hire a vet and use their assets, they won’t let you down.”

Thank you to Tommy and all other veterans for your service to our country.

We were saddened to learn that former Rotarian Herb Perry died on October 13 following a heart attack, at age 81.  Herb’s business partner posted a notice on Herb’s Facebook page, along with information about Herb’s life.  Herb spent 35 years serving clients in both the Las Vegas area and his home state of Minnesota. He grew up near St. Cloud and was married for 59 years to his wife, Darlene, who died in 2016.  He is survived by his daughter and an adopted daughter, a boat person from Cambodia who he and his wife adopted during the 1970's. 

Herb spent winter months in Las Vegas and summer months in Richfield.  He was a volunteer deputy sheriff for many years in Hennepin County, MN. He was also public affairs director of CBS radio for 20 years at KXNT radio in Las Vegas and hosted the Sunday public affairs show.  

He was an AIDS activist. His 25-year-old son was one of the disease's first victims due to a lab accident, where an open wound was exposed to contaminated blood. His only son died 25 years ago. 

Our sympathies are extended to Herb’s daughters.

Chris Walsh, a member of the Webb Group at Remax Results in Edina, was inducted into Richfield Rotary, and Chip managed to “pin” Chris without drawing blood!  Chris commented, “I love living in Richfield and Rotary is a great way to become more involved in the community.”

There were lots of Happy Dollars in honor of Chris Walsh and HaeKyung Nielsen’s upcoming wedding.  There were other reasons for happiness too!

• Jean Fox shared the thrill of watching her Son- in- law Paul became a US citizen.  Jean noted that the ceremony included people from all over the world, and especially appreciated the presiding judge’s “beautiful message” on the importance of immigrants.  
• Jay contributed $30 happy dollars in honor of his 30th wedding anniversary.
• David Butler was pleased to announce that, after a five-year battle, the City Council gave final approval to construction of the Richfield Band Shell.  If he looks tired, it’s because he still needs to raise another $30,000 to finalize the project!  David warns, “I may be calling you….

• Chip provided a list of Richfield Rotary projects and activities, many of which take place or commence in the fall.  He noted that our next club assembly will focus on how to support these and other projects and activities.

• Kirsten Nelson (right) provided a brief update on the Richfield Rotary CORE Group and invited club members to participate in a planning / fellowship meeting on the evening of July 27.  (See separate article below on Richfield Rotary CORE Group News.)

• There will be no morning club meeting on August 17.  Instead, our club will join the Edina Noon club for lunch and a presentation by Neel Kashkari of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve.  

• President Chip encourages club members to attend the upcoming District training on September 15.  (See separate announcement under Upcoming Events)

Program:  HaeKyung Nielsen, "A Korean Wedding"

HaeKyung Nielsen was born in Korea but was raised in the United States.  Although her mother wanted HaeKyung to become “Americanized,” HaeKyung developed a strong interest in other languages and cultures.  In preparation for her upcoming wedding in August, HaeKyung set out to learn more about Korean weddings, and plans to incorporate some Korean traditions into her own celebration.

A few facts about Korean weddings today:

• The couple doesn’t meet each others’ parents until marriage is being considered.
• No engagement ring
• Large, formal engagement photo that is painted and presented to the parents of the bride and groom
• Weddings are often held outdoors and incorporate Buddhist elements even if the couple is Christian.  The parents determine the guests.
• The Pyebaek (family ceremony) is complex, with vows that must be memorized.  The couple has a year to prepare.
• Very expensive!  The average cost is $100,000, compared with $35,000 in the U.S.  Features adding to the cost include multiple events, each requiring a separate wedding dress.  Dresses include white (signifying purity) western-style dresses and the traditional Korean gown, called a Hanbok.  HaeKyung will be wearing a Hanbok at her wedding.
• The reception is more of a family dinner, with a money tree in lieu of gifts.  Dishes, etc. are passed down within families.
• After the wedding, the bride remains dressed in the traditional Hanbok until the mother of the groom certifies that she can properly take care of her son- usually @ 2 days.  
• Duck carvings serve as an ongoing barometer of the marriage relationship.  If the ducks are facing each other, all is harmonious.  However, if one or both ducks are turned away, one or both members of the couple are dissatisfied, which prompts them to work to resolve the problems.

HaeKyung - May the ducks in your marriage always be facing each other!

Thanks to all who helped to make the 65th Richfield Rotary Celebration on January 6 a great success!  Proceeds from the silent auction and wine raffle drawing totaled about $1000.  

The near-capacity crowd enjoyed mingling and bidding, followed by a delicious dinner catered by Beautiful Day Catering.  

Left:  District Governor Mark Hegstrom and his wife Connie enjoyed dinner with President Chip Groth and his wife, Deanna.

Above:  Elected officials and representatives of MIRA and Richfield Schools responded to a "mannequin challenge," while Mike and Jorina Andrews looked dignified, as usual!

Kirsten Nelson emceed an enjoyable program, which included highlights from Richield Rotary history, punctuated by music from Shar Salisbury and back-up singers Barb Devlin and Steve Larson.  

District Governor Mark Hegstrom awarded an honorary Paul Harris Fellowship to Hennepin County Commissioner and former Richfield Mayor Debbie Goettel.   Debbie stated, “I am honored to receive this award, and want to express my appreciation to the Richfield Rotary for its community involvement, support and service.” Debbie added, “While I will be undertaking a new role, I am not going away.  I will still be a part of the Richfield community.” 

The party was a great way to celebrate our club's contributions to the community, kick off the next 65 years of Richfield Rotary service!  

Click here to read “Richfield Rotary Through the Years,” prepared by Barb Devlin.

Special thanks to the planning committee (Barb Devlin, Jean Fox, Chip Groth, and Kirsten Nelson) and to Dave Kostik for making arrangements for us to use the City Bella Community Room.  

If you haven't already done so, District Governor Elect Bob Hallagan asks you to please respond to the District 5950 Rotary Survey no later than Wednesday, January 11.  It will take you only 10-15 minutes, and the results will help inform decisions at both the Club and District levels.  Click here to link to the survey.

Thank you!

Rebecca(Becca) Erickson, Co-founder and Executive Director of Emerge Mothers Academy, is a former Target Executive, parenting-mentor, wife and mother of three.  Becca is passionate about effective parenting, co-parenting and single parenting.  Through her own journey she has seen the value of completing an education and committing to personal growth, even as a single mother. 

Emerge Mothers Academy offers parent support services to mothers in partnership with other local service sites [Hope Academy, Banyan Community, Open Door, NLFS First Care] .  Becca will tell us how Emerge Mothers Academy works with moms to help change patterns of generational poverty, encourage positive parenting, personal growth, emotional maturity and financial independence. 

Thanks to Chip Groth for organizing a wonderful Past President’s gathering!  The tour of the James J. Hill House was terrific, followed by a delicious lunch at Moscow on the Hill.  Of course, all of this was to thank Anthony for his leadership last year.  Jean Fox took some great photos - enjoy!

Breakfast Buffet:  For just $10, you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet prepared by Beautiful Day Catering.

Come and Join Us!!

Richfield High School Principal Latanya Daniels brought 12 High School Juniors and Seniors to the annual District 3 Ethics Luncheon held at Edina Country club. Students enjoyed a delicious lunch and important conversation with Rotarians and listened to a powerful presentation by Dave Irvin who talked about what happens when good people make bad decisions. 

Dave Irvin had a privileged upbringing and as an adult was a father of 4, coached a youth hockey team and held an executive position. On a dare, one day he tried cocaine, and gradually became dependent. Because he could afford it, he started buying cocaine for himself and friends in larger quantities. He thought he was just being efficient and helpful to his buddies and never realized he had moved into the classification of dealing. He was finally caught when he was set up by a friend who had been recently arrested for cocaine use. 

When he was arrested he immediately thought "what will I tell my family, what will I tell my work colleagues, and well now I can finally quit." Rather than fight the arrest conviction he decided to take full responsibility for his actions and ended up serving a year and a day in a federal prison in Duluth. He remembers the officer telling him after the arrest that "you may not believe it now but this will be good for you" 

The loss of dignity and respect was devastating but he is now rebuilding his life, renewing friendships whenever possible, gainfully employed (although not at his former executive position) and is seeking to make amends. 

Barb and John Devlin attended the April 9 District Assembly, led by incoming District Governor Mark Hegstrom of the Edina Morningside Rotary Club.

Mark’s used a stool to encapsulate his key messages.  Mark reminded us, “Each of the support legs to make our clubs successful, vibrant, and to better serve humanity.”

Some highlights of Mark’s remarks:

“A club in motion has emotion.  Vibrant clubs are active; they do things.”

“Vibrant clubs have fun while engaging in service.”

“Clubs can convey vibrancy through publications, websites and Facebook pages that include pictures of members doing things and having fun.”

The break-out sessions included a grant-writing session led by (L to R) Don Stiles, Todd Bollig and Irene Kelly, attended by Barb Devlin.   John attended sessions on visioning and engaging members.

The May 12-13 District Conference will provide another opportunity for members to learn more about and contribute to Rotary.  

At the request of outgoing Treasurer Jay Clark, Barbara Devlin conducted a financial audit of the Richfield Rotary Foundation from August 2010 to September 2015.  A copy of the audit report has been shared with current and past club presidents, and incoming Richfield Rotary Foundation Treasurer Chip Groth.  Other club members may receive a copy upon request to Barbara Devlin. 

Thank you to Jay Clark for his five years of diligent service as Foundation treasurer!

Thought for the Week:  Jay Clark

Program:  David Feinwachs and Diane Peterson - “HMO Fraud in Minnesota” 

Thanks to Chip Groth, Pat Dale, Barb Devlin and Jean Fox for representing Richfield Rotary at the One Rotary Summit, held on September 15, 2017. 

District Governor Bob Halagan set the stage for the summit, which focused on ways to grow our membership, particularly among women which are under-represented in many Rotary clubs.  The DG’s goal is for District 5950 membership to reflect the proportion of women in the State as a whole (50.3%).  Halagan noted, “This goal can be reached by adding 1000 female members as a District, which equates to 5 per club.”  

Halagan observed, "By adding and diversifying our membership, Rotary can grow the Foundation, add energy and ideas for new projects, and strengthen our public image,”  all goals of Rotary International.  

The opening session was followed by facilitated small-group discussions focused on processes and structures to increase membership and participation.  While specific suggestions varied, key themes that emerged included:

• Be inclusive. 
• Be intentional.
• Be flexible.
• Be welcoming.
• Share great ideas.

District 5950 will prepare a detailed summary of the ideas generated, which will be share with each club.

Barb and John Devlin will be out of town from September 30 - October 26.  A big thanks to Denny Fox, who will do one e-Spokester before he and Jean leave for vacation on October 10, and Chip Groth, who will do the remaining e-Spokesters until my return.  (Chip is being trained in by helping with this issue of the e-Spokester!)

The following people were elected to the Richfield Rotary Foundation last week at our club meeting.  This re-establishes the 3 classes of members as per our by-laws so that we have a rolling membership.  These elections should be held at the end of June each Rotary year.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

CLASS ends June 30, 2016

David Melcher

Pam Serdar

CLASS ends June 30 2017

Lynne Alexander, President

Steve Larson

CLASS ends June 30 2018

Jay Clark

Marlene Evenson

PAST PRESIDENT ends June 30 2016 

John Devlin

EX OFFICIO 

Current President  Anthony Bradford

President Elect  Chip Groth

President Elect Elect Pam Serdat

Treasurer Chip Groth

Associate Treasurer Laura Briggs

Chair of The Rotary Foundation Steve Jedlund

Richfield Rotary Club recognizes every member who is willing and able to attend regularly.  Participation in club projects and outside Rotary meetings and activities count as make-ups for missing regular meetings.  Over the last seven weeks we have five members with perfect attendance:  President Anthony , Chip G, Barb D, John D and Jean F!  Close behind are David B, Pam S, David M and Tommy T with only one missed meeting. 

Our weekly meetings and activities are essential to everyone and each one of us has an important role to perform.  Thanks for being here.  Be sure to let club secretary John Devlin also know when you attend other clubs and participate in club projects . 

Summer is a busy time for all of us; even so we are averaging 68% attendance.  WOW!

Happy Dollars

Paul Harris Society Awards

Holly Callen (District Paul Harris Society Chair) presented Paul Harris Society Membership pins to Lynne Alexander and Jean Fox. The Paul Harris Fellow designation is given to individual Rotarians who have committed to give $1000 or more to the Rotary Foundation each year as long as they are able to do so.

Program - Lung Cancer Awareness

Curt Anderson, Tricia Wilkinson, and Molly Flaig From A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation presented our program on Lung Cancer Awareness.  Both Curt and Tricia are lung cancer survivors.

On Thursday, August 20, District Visioning Team leaders Gayle Noakes (left) and Russ Michaletz facilitated a joint visioning session that included 5 representatives each from Bloomington Daymakers and Richfield Rotary Clubs and the President of the Bloomington Noon Rotary Club.  President Anthony Bradford, John and Barb Devlin, Jean Fox, and President-Elect Chip Groth represented the Richfield Rotary Club.  District Governor Tim Murphy also attended.

Club Similarities and Differences

Representatives of each club shared highlights regarding club membership; priorities; community, international, and vocational service activities; and fund-raising.  

Similarities noted among clubs included a focus on youth (especially teens); active member engagement in projects (“sweat equity”); international project focused on India; all have membership and fund-raising as priorities.

Differences include Richfield’s efforts to reflect the community’s diverse demographics in membership recruitment, service priorities, and club activities.  Differences in club size also create differences in communication and fund-raising strategies and results.

Areas of Consensus 

Following small group discussion and sharing, the whole group identified the following areas of consensus:

• No merger of clubs at this time
• Pursue opportunities for collaboration among clubs such as periodic joint service projects and meetings.  JSchedule periodic multi-club social / networking events  A representative of Bloomington Daymakers will convene
• Expand cross-club communications to increase awareness of make-up, networking and service opportunities across clubs.

Small group reporters included Barb Devlin (far left), Mark (center) and Jason (right) from the Bloomington Daymakers Club.

Next Steps

• Club presidents will ask their respective club service chairs (David Butler and/or Marlene Evenson for Richfield Rotary) to discuss possible collaborative service projects.
• Jean Fox volunteered to meet other club representatives to plan some joint meetings.
• Mark from the Daymakers Club will convene the club social chairs to plan one or more joint club social / networking events.

Special thanks to Daymakers President Stephanie Smith for making the meeting arrangements, to Gayle Noakes and Russ Michaletz for facilitating, and to District Governor Tim Murphy for his attendance and support. 

Bloomington Daymakers President Stephanie Smith and Richfield Rotary President Anthony Bradford are planning opportunities for members from both cubs to interact and get to know one another.   

To get things started, Anthony is seeking 3-5 members to attend the Daymakers meeting on Friday, August 14, 7:29 AM at the Bloomington Hilton, 3900 American Blvd. West.  Volunteers to date include Jean Fox, Steve Larson and Pam Serdar.   Let Anthony Bradford know if you would like to attend as well.

Those attending should be willing to give a mini-classification talk of up to 6 minutes that includes 1-2 minutes about each of the following topics:

• yourself / background
• Your profession and / or major volunteer work
• What attracted you to Rotary and why you stay active

Visual aids are encouraged.  As an example, Stephanie’s role as a Mom is represented by car keys for driving around her son Caleb; her work in sports medicine is represented by a stethoscope, and her commitment to Rotary is signified by an End polio pin.