Dan McKeown introduced the 2019-2020 St Paul Rotary Foundation board and thanked members for their giving this past year. A number of past Rotary presidents of Club #10 attended this meeting and were noted by President John. Outgoing board members were recognized including Corey Edmunds, Jean Vukas-Roberts, Sherry Howe, Deb Katzmark, Valdi Stevenson, Bill Collins and Chad Roberts, along with the current board members who have the first year under their belts of their two year term. The outgoing officers include Chuck Standfuss, Steve Gerber, Laurie Murphy and Al Zdrazil.
President John also wanted to thank president-elect Jason Bradshaw, Jay Pfaender, the program chair, Bo Aylin as President Stunt-Double , Brianna Vujovich as the Rotary Foundation chair (and her patience with John in mispronouncing her name), Dana Bruce as director of membership, Jodi Erickson as the club administrator and Scott Van as recipient of the Fesler Award this year.
President John wanted to note members who have achieved milestones this year of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years with the club. He noted that membership increased this year with many thanks to Bill Collins, Sherry Howe, Susan O’Neil and Dana Bruce. Facebook usage has gone up significantly with the thanks of Chad Robers and Elyssa Weber. We were also able to beat Club #9 thanks to the help of Brianna Vujovich. The John-Bo meter had 18 mix-ups between the John and his stunt double, Bo so John asked that everyone try to contribute $18 to the Foundation as of 7/1/19, to start the fund raising for the upcoming year.
President John wanted to add to the member experience this year and promoted that everyone try doing a “make-up” at another Rotary club, along with doing something extra and embrace the thought of “hold my beer” during his year. He wanted to thank Corey, Deb and Cindy with helping promote this idea during his year. John always wanted to lead with conviction and ask the question, “why”. Last of all, he wanted to thank his wife, Pam and their children, Thomas, Eli and Charlotte for supporting him during his year as president of the club.
Sue Gens, introduced our new president, Michael-jon Pease. Michael-jon came to this area to study for his masters in 1992. He ended up in Lanesboro Minnesota as director of arts, volunteer within the city and a member of the chamber of commerce. He was recognized by the Minnesota State Arts Board for his abilities and eventually moved to St Paul. He is currently the executive director of the Park Square Theater.
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Michael-jon joined the club in 2011 based on invitations from Dick Nicholson and Ken Crabb. He has attended Rotary conventions in both Bangkok and Hamburg. Michael-jon, as 110th president of the St Paul Rotary club was escorted into the room by his husband, Christopher Taykalo and the sounds of the bagpipe. He was reminded by the “Ghosts of Rotary past” that there will not be a free moment, he needs to reach out to members (at least 3 times), as a president he can become a future district governor and good times are to come our way. Paul Harris may have been in Minneapolis first for club #9, but the St Paul club is a perfect #10!
President Michael-jon presented the gavel to former president, John Chandler and presentation of the spousal pendant was given by Pam Chandler to Christopher Taykalo.
Doug Hartford presented John Chandler with the Rotary Armed Services Veteran pin and Jerry Meigs presented John with a past president pin as well as a Rotary tie. Jerry commented that John followed the slogan this year of “Be the inspiration”. He was able to rise to the occasion, did an outstanding job, was forward thinking, a great leader, relevant and loyal to the Rotary 4 way test of integrity, inspiration, truth, and service to others.
The incoming Rotary board walked in with the help of the bagpipes and was introduced and Carolyn Will has become the new program chair for the club. President Michael-jon wanted to note that the St Paul Rotary club welcomed woman as leaders before Rotary International did. We will continue to mentor St Paul students from elementary through high school. We will continue to support the Rondo center and focus our attention on human trafficking and connecting the St Paul club to meeting new leaders from within St Paul. He would like the club to share the welcome to all, learn to manage change, become people of action and connecting St Paul as a perfect 10!
The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm
