Eleven members and prospective member Sarie Cudahy of Columbia Heights heard Ashley Moore, Executive Director of Citizens Against Sex Trafficking describe its efforts to educate, spread awareness, and collaborate wherever it can to reduce the increasing prevalence, especially through social media, of all of the many types of sexual exploitation in our country. CAST defines sexual exploitation as any action that causes harm sexually for gain.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: February 18- STRIVE presentation, Steve Klaers & others. February 25- Columbia Heights and Fridley’s experience with Immigration and Customs Enforcement: member roundtable. March 4- Keith Ternes, Over-55 Auto Safety
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The meeting approved the following club officers for the 2026-27 Rotary year: President- Paul Nealy; President-Elect- Erik Johnston. Secretary- Bob Tholkes. Treasurer- Will Rottler. Club committee heads will be named for service on the board as directors.
The STRIVE field trip is scheduled for today to Minneapolis College (a.m.) and RAO Mfg. (lunch and p.m.) in Brooklyn Center is cancelled and will be rescheduled. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103 about participating in either or both sessions. Additional mentors for Fridley STRIVE students are sought.
The next service opportunity comes up Friday, February 13, for food distribution at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 755 73rd Avenue, Fridley. 1st shift (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) will do sorting, 2nd shift (4-8 p.m.) distribution, handing out food, loading food into carts, and taking to cars. Directed parking for volunteers. Contact coordinator Rich Coleman at 763-412-6517 with questions: RSVPs helpful, partial shift availability OK. Our club aprons will be on hand.
The club board at its meeting yesterday approved a sponsorship of the Springbrook Spree fundraiser on Saturday, March 28, 5-830 p.m. The sponsorship includes two complimentary tickets for a dinner. The tickets are available from secretary Bob Tholkes on a first-come, first-served basis at fridleychrotary@gmail.com.
The Columbia Heights Monarch Festival, at which the club staffs a table, is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at Kordiak Park, 1845 49th Ave NE, Columbia Heights.
REMINDERS
The Rotary billing invoices for the quarter ending Dec. 31 were emailed last week and were due January 15. Treasurer Rottler is available by phone for help with online dues payments. Contact him at 763-670-4259. Payments can be turned in at meetings or mailed to FCH Rotary, 3966 Reservoir Blvd., Columbia Heights 55421.
The District 5960 2026 Conference of Clubs will be held April 17-18, 2026 at the Hilton Doubletree hotel, St Paul (East). Register at https://www.ismyrotaryclub.org/Register/Index.cfm?EventID=77878439
The board approved participation in Rotary Youth Exchange in the 2026-27 Rotary year if a member will fill the duties of the Youth Exchange Officer. Contact
fridleychrotary@gmail.com or contact President Paul Nealy for further information.
The annual Golf Classic fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, at The Refuge, 21250 Yellow Pine St NW, Oak Grove.
Rotary International announced that the May 27-28, 2028 (changed from 2029) RI convention will be held in Minneapolis. It will be organized cooperatively by Districts 5580, 5950, 5960, and 6250.
