Eden Prairie AM Rotary Bulletin - Nov. 23, 2015 (Nov 21, 2015)

Bob has been President of the Buffalo Rotary Club and held several positions in the District. In 2017-18, Bob will serve as our District President. He credits his mother, “Grandma Ann”, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, with inspiring him to help others, as she is a very caring woman who sacrificed much for her children. In 2009 when Bob attended President-elect training, and he realized the reach and breadth of Rotary, the experience changed his life. Bob has made seven trips to Guatemala and had many amazing experiences there. From “adopting” a poor family and helping to pay for their daughters’ education to meeting Maria Pacheco, founder of Wakami, an organization that trains women to make jewelry and sell it to generate income to support their families and educate their children, Bob has witnessed how the Rotary Foundation has helped to transform lives. On a recent trip to Guatemala, Bob brought his 3 sons, and showed them the work the Rotary Foundation and grants to District 5950 projects are doing in poor villages to promote economic development, nutrition and maternal health for the indigenous women in 16 areas around Guatemala City. As Bob’s son, Michael, observed, “this changes everything!”

Through contributions to the Rotary International Foundation, Rotary clubs can leverage 50% of their total contributions to the foundation for club projects. The goal is to raise $355 per Rotarian every year for the Rotary Foundation. District 5950 raises an average of $274 per person, with the EP AM club generating $410 per member. Half of all donations are reserved for award to clubs who submit project proposals, and clubs can use a progressive matching program to leverage significantly more dollars for a project then they have to raise or contribute themselves. Some of the projects the EP AM Rotary club has sponsored and won funding for includes education for children in India, food and safe drinking water for Honduras, a new van for PROP, and the purchase of a curriculum for STRIVE. Members who contribute $1,000 to the Rotary International Foundation are inducted into the Paul Harris Society. The District 5950 goal is to have 300 Paul Harris fellows, and we are on our way with 205 currently—five of which are members of the EP AM Rotary club. Bob thanked our club for its efforts and encouraged Rotarians to continue to give generously to this outstanding charitable organization that truly changes lives.

Announcements

Elaine Larabee reminded members that we are having a Fall Membership Contest. Bring a prospective member to a Rotary meeting this fall and have your name entered for a $50 gift card drawing!
Becky Deelstra explained a large print book project that we are embarking upon to provide reading materials for senior citizens.
The World Community Service committee was meeting immediately after the November 17th Rotary meeting adjourned.
The PROP holiday gift program is in need of sponsors—approximately 60 openings as of the November 17th meeting. You can sign up online at www.propfood.org, or call Cindy McPherson at 952-294-8378. The “wish lists” are for needy children and senior citizens. Want to let someone else shop for you? Donate money and PROP staff and volunteers will take care of the rest. Each gift is estimated at a suggested $40 per person.
EP AM Rotary Club Is providing drivers for Meals on Wheels the week of November 23-27.
EP AM Rotary Holiday Breakfast is December 8th. Please sign up online if you would like to bring guests—adults and children all welcome. Questions? Contact event chair, Jenifer Loon, at 952-829-1792.

Spotlight on Caryl Hansen

Long time member of the EP AM Rotary Club, Caryl Hansen, grew up on a farm between Henning and Ottertail, Minnesota. She graduated from Henning High school in 1949, and went to Minneapolis to attend business school. While in the city she visited several cousins and family members who were stricken with polio and being cared for at the Sister Kenny (now called Courage Kenny) Rehabilitation Institute. Caryl’s first job was with Honeywell, then she took a position at the Flying Cloud airport. She eventually worked for Northwest Airlines in labor relations, and later moved on to a travel agency. Caryl has been married to John

for 59 years. They met through singing—she in the Sweet Adelines and John in barbershop groups that performed on Arthur Godfrey’s program. Fun Rotary Fact: Bethany Tjornholm’s father sang with John Hansen.

Caryl and John purchased a 3 acre hobby farm in Eden Prairie that came with a pony and a few assorted farm animals. The couple has four children—Liz, Paul, Kristi and Fred, and exceptional grandchildren. Caryl joined Rotary in 1987 at the urging of Haakon Jorgensen, and she headed up our club’s Meals on Wheels committee for many years. Caryl shared a story her uncle told her about her father a few years ago while they were having a visit. Seems Caryl’s father was a bootlegger during Prohibition, hiding his stash in the hayloft. Knowing her father had saved for years to buy the farm, she noted he was a creative entrepreneur!

Happy Fines

Tony Compton marveled at the excellence of the EPHS Marching Band, which recently performed at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, IN at Lucas Oil Field.
Roger Jorgensen delighted in noting (prior to this Sunday’s upcoming Vikings/Packers game) that the last time the Vikings won the NFC North title, the Packers won the Superbowl. (Several boos followed this comment by anonymous Rotarians).
Kevin Kraemer’s middle daughter got her braces off! Smiles all around!!
Roy Terwilliger advised the club that reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated, with thanks to Mark Twain. Great to see you back at Rotary, Roy, after suffering a recent heart attack!
Yvonne Selcer’s mother, who has been very ill, was given new medication that has greatly improved her condition.
Craig Blixrud’s youngest child just obtained her driver’s license—congratulations!

Kris Howland