At 12:20 pm on June 29th at the Intercontinental Hotel, Jason Bradshaw presented his last meeting as the president of Club #10. Jonah Yang provided the inspirational minute of a quote by George Washington about teachers and leaders moving forward while teaching our youth about leadership. Ed Coleman introduced many visitors including many from the Nicholson families, Jason Bradshaw’s wife and parents, along with District Governor Ed Marek, future governor Kenny Klooster and John Crudele from the Eden Prairie Rotary club. Al Zdrazil was the greeter and Linda Mulhern, the scribe. We were also lucky to have our own Rotary band provide music prior to the meeting.
John Chandler recognized John Guthmann and Jim Kosmo for their work on the St Paul Rotary Foundation Board. He named the current board which includes Carla Hauge as president, John Chandler as vice president, Sarah Kolar as secretary, Jerry Faletti as treasurer as well as Chuck Whitaker, Todd Nicholson, Linda Mulhern, Michael-jon Pease and Jason Bradshaw.
President Jason also named past presidents that attended the meeting including Jerry Meigs, Jay Pfaender, Ken Crabb, Bob Jones, Nancy McPhillips, Tom Farnham, Joe Kovarik, Al Zdrazil, Doug Hartford, John Andrews, Doug Bruce, John Guthmann, Chuck Whitaker, Jerry Faletti, John Chandler and Michael-jon Pease. He also wanted to honor the Officers of the board this year, Dion Powers, David Dominick, Ed Coleman, Jerry Meigs and Michael-jon Pease. Directors on the board were thanked as well which included Dick Nicholson, Heidi Fisher, Brianna Vujovich, Laura Nichols-Endres, Nancy Brady and Bill Given.
As President Jason, said in one word, WOW! It was quite a year, both interesting as well as tough, but also strange and different while being a leader in a crisis. He said that he was able to focus better and the board was exceptional, especially when meetings changed to a Hybrid format due to Covid. The club was not able to work on all of the projects that it would have liked to have done, but the board was able to create new club experiences thanks to help of Heidi, as well as Paul and Ken with our Zoom meetings to work in the new format. We now have better attendance for members with the Hybrid format. Carolyn was extraordinary working on programming especially for presenters willing to speak to the club via Zoom. We have a number of new Paul Harris fellows, the Winter Spark raised money and we were able to meet virtually with the Nagasaki club. A new women in leadership award has been set up in honor of Carolyn Brusseau and two winners were named this spring. Our membership is up 10% thanks to Dana and is above our pre-Covid levels. Thanks given to the officers on the board and to Jodi Erickson who could make it happen when asked.
Bree Bradshaw presented Martha Nicholson with the pin give to the “first spouse” of the St Paul Rotary President each year and Michael-jon Pease presented Jason Bradshaw with his “Past President” pin.
President Todd talked about the calm leadership of Jason and his ability to keep the club “humming”. We were the first Rotary club to set up Hybrid meetings. President Todd presented a plaque to Jason for his service.
He presented the new board which includes Ken Crabb as director emeritus, Dave Dominick as president-elect, Heidi Fisher as secretary, Paul Meekin as treasurer, Laura Nichols-Endres as sergeant-of-arms. The directors include Kathy Bjerke, Paul Brault, Ken Schaefer, Jeff Baidoo, Rita Dibble, James Grayson, David Kline, Andrew Peterson, Jennifer Evers, Carolyn Will and Aaron Gjerde.
President Todd would like to set up teams on the board including Community-Outreach, Membership, and Programs and Club experiences. He would like to set goals in writing so the club can determine accomplishments and goals achieved, in other words, “don’t bitch without a pitch”. In September the board will meet to set the goals and how to run them efficiently for the upcoming year. He would also like to clarify by-laws and document club activities. He has a goal to get club members engaged to become involved in at least one board. He would also like to reconnect with members, “open the bar” and have fun. The new Rotary motto for the year will be “Serve to change lives”. He would like to see that we can provide great opportunities for the community through Camp RYLA, Strive, Rotary Youth Exchange and Education Day. Most of all he would like to have a productive and enjoyable Rotary year for everyone.
Upcoming events include the 5:01 meeting at the University Club for a discussion on Rondo. There will be a meeting on 7/14 at the Rondo Center. The Dana Bruce toast will be on 7/15 from 5-7 pm on the Paddleford.
President Todd ended the meeting at 1:15 pm with the Four Way Test and the meeting was adjourned
Linda Mulhern
Scribe