Cindy Carlson opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Jason Miller offered an invocation.
Don’t forget the NYFS luncheon tomorrow, Wednesday, May 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Midland Hills Country Club.
Cindy Carlson is again offering us the opportunity to contribute $30 or more to renew the school scholarships we started last year for two students in Niger, Africa. The cost for a one year scholarship is $360 per student. Contact Cindy if you are interested in contributing.
MaryAnn Bawden joined Paul Fournier in attending the Community Support Center Luncheon recently. We are a founding organization of the CSC, which provides counseling and short-term financial support to prevent families from losing their homes.
MaryAnn also provided cake for dessert today!
Nils Friberg presented David Hoel with his Paul Harris Fellowship +3 pin today, signifying total Rotary Foundation contributions of over $4,000. Nice job, Dave! Nils and Dave are shown above.
You may have noticed the patch over Nils’ eye in the photo above. Nils reported that he had cataract surgery yesterday.
Gerry Tietz reported that the District Conference had great food, speakers and Rotary fellowship. Our representatives had the pleasure of dining with exchange students from Germany, Japan and Taiwan.
Beverly Aplikowski presented membership certificates to Tom Pastor and Ed James (see photo above).
Jason Slama reported that we presented 300 Spruce sapling’s to students at Bel Air and Valentine Hills elementary schools last Friday. We’ve been involved with the Fourth Grade Foresters tree give-away for several years now and it is well received by the students and teachers. Jason will need volunteers on Friday, May 5th, between 11 and 2:30 to deliver trees to two more schools. Please contact him if you can help.
Jason also needs volunteers to help with the Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 13th. We participated in last year’s collection and had a great time. Let Jason know if you can help out.
Sue Ager reminded us of the Benedictine Gala on Friday, May 12th, to benefit the Innsbruck Foundation. Tickets are still available (I think) and Sue will gladly sell you a raffle ticket.
Cindy Carlson introduced our speaker, 25 year White Bear Lake Rotarian, Fred Treiber. Fred noted that one of Rotary’s major focus areas has been sustainable water and sanitation projects in developing countries. The United Nations has also made water and sanitation one of its top goals. Fred said that 633 million people worldwide don’t have access to clean water and adequate sanitation. White Bear Lake’s last project was a District Matching Grant, supported by New Brighton/Mounds View Rotary and eight other clubs. Fred noted that conversations with Cindy Carlson and other District Grant Subcommittee members made White Bear Lake aware of the tremendous advantage of the additional matching funds available with a Global Grant. Fred was here to ask for our support for White Bear Lake’s planned Global Grant project to provide water and sanitation improvements for eight schools in Nigeria. Stay tuned for more information as the Global Grant comes together. Cindy, Fred and Co-President John are shown below.
