October 4, 2023
PROGRAM
17 members heard Kathleen O'Donnell, Director of the Upper Midwest chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and MSS new hire Brook Lorenson provide an overview of its mission, define the widespread (2.8 million victims worldwide) neurological disorder, list its programs, services and activities, and update the state of the research into the disease's causes, available therapies, and possible cures.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Secretary Bob Tholkes announced that the new HYF Birthday Club has now enrolled 14 members. Steve Klaers turned in the first donation (an amount equaling his age in years) to the new club, for which he was serenaded with "Happy Birthday".
Social Committee Scott Lund provided details of the upcoming (November 15) annual Charter Dinner.
Klaers noted that tomorrow's opening STRIVE event, an assembly of program-eligible students at Fridley High School, will take place at 9 a.m. Contact Klaers at 612-599-8103 about attending.
REMINDERS
Coon Rapids Rotary invites members to participate in its Rapids Sampler 23 Oktoberfest fundraiser on Thursday October 5, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coon-rapids-rotary-octoberfest-sampler-tickets-706291235097.
The club board meets next on Wednesday, October 11, at 9 a.m. at Fridley Community Center.
The District 5960 Conference of Clubs takes place on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14 at St. Olaf College in Northfield.
The Dictionary Project program will be delayed to late October.
The annual Charter Dinner social event on Wednesday, November 15 at Banquets of Minnesota in Fridley will again feature the Rotary District Governor. The DG for 2023-24 is Patricia McCleese of Rochester.
The Operation Pollination program for 2023 has been concluded, and will resume meeting in early 2024.
Additional mentors for Fridley STRIVE students are sought, and potential mentors next year at Columbia Heights High School are encouraged to sign up early. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103.
Rotary International produces podcasts on various subjects, available at https://on.rotary.org/3VnjizH.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: Oct. 18- member Kristen Stuenkel, Columbia Heights Public Schools referendum; Oct. 25- Peggy Strom, The Rotary Foundation; November 1- Stephen Keeler, Club Business Session. November 8- Ryan George, Classification talk.
