President Todd Nicholson called the hybrid meeting to order at 12:15 pm. Lynne Beck was scribe. The greeter was Rita Dibble. The A/V Tech Team was Ken Crabb and Michael-jon Pease.
Al Zdrazil gave the Inspirational Minute about how things make people angry and when we are angry, we seldom make rational decisions. Then he read a poem "Road to Order" that made us think about dealing with anger. He then led the club in the 4-Way Test. Bob Cardinal introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. Jim Miller introduced Jim Olsen, a retired nonprofit development professional and Carolyn Will introduced Clarence White, a poet, Assistant Director of the East Side Freedom Library, and friend of the speaker.
Carolyn Will introduced the speaker Michael Kleber-Diggs, a poet and writer who recently won a national poetry award for his anthology "Worldly Things," published by Milkweed Press. He was born and raised in Kansas, and now he and his wife and daughter live in St. Paul. His work has appeared in numerous literary magazines and a few anthologies. Michael teaches poetry and creative non-fiction through the Minnesota Prison Writers Workshop.
He shared a sampling of his inspiring poetry which spreads a message of radical kindness. The poems were:
- "Source of My Confidence"
- "Love Letter to My Grandmother"
- "Fathers"
- "Every Morning"
- "The Grove"
He writes about where he lives, the world he inhabits, and the world he wants to live in.
After he read the sampling of his poems, Michael answered some questions from Rotarians. His ideas come from his experiences, when he is captivated by something. It takes an average of 2 weeks to write a poem, although it can take longer. He enjoys working for the Minnesota Prison Writers Workshop. He teaches inmates in prisons around the state. He feels purposeful and helpful working with the very talented writers. He sees the future of poetry as visual, digital, and popular. He predicts that it will reach more people through new forms and content.
Todd explained the use of the Square Payment System. Now flex members can pay ahead of the meal.
Michael-jon announced that the Next Meeting will be the 501 Inspirational Lounge on Tuesday, August 3rd at - Club from 5:00-6:30 pm. It will be a Roast/Toast for Past President Jason Bradshaw.
Todd said the next Hybrid Hotel Meeting will be on Tuesday, August 10th at 12:00 pm. The speaker will be Bridgitt Looney from Securian on the topic "Returning to the Workplace after COVID-19."
Bob Cardinal asked for Happy Dollars. Carolyn is looking forward to her family reunion. Linda Mulhern's daughter is leaving for Finland for 2 years on a Fulbright Scholarship to study sustainable supply chains.
The meeting closed at 1:15 pm.
Lynne Beck
Scribe