PROGRAM

18 members and guest Janet Staeheli of Roseville heard Metro North Adult Basic Education of Columbia Heights director Kathleen Moriarty provide an update on the organization’s services and programs, facility, clients, volunteers, and funding. Despite offering predominantly online classes, ABE necessarily maintains a waiting list of clients.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kristen Stuenkel attended the virtual RI Operation Pollination meeting last week, meeting participants both near (Minnesota) and far (Australia).

Golf Tournament organizer Greg Schraufnagel reminded of the date for the club’s sole fundraiser (July 17) at The Refuge Golf Course in Oak Grove. A club business session is planned for April 26 to provide a an organizational kickoff.

REMINDERS

The late distribution of club invoices for the Rotary quarter ending March 31 pushed the due date for member accounts to April 13, after the end of the quarter. Payments received by that date will be considered on time. Payments by check can be made at the breakfasts to secretary Bob Tholkes, mailed to FCH Rotary at 3966 Reservoir Blvd, Columbia Heights, MN 55421, or made by phone to treasurer Greg Schraufnagel at 612-242-4748.  

The club board meets next on Wednesday, April 5 at Fridley Community Center at 9 a.m. Members are welcome to attend.

Craig Malm has 4 free tickets for Springbrook Nature Center’s Spring Spree on April 15. Let organizer Scott Lund know at scott.lund@comcast.net if you can use them.

STRIVE will visit Hennepin Technical College, including its Professional Peace Officer Education Program, on April 19. Members are invited to accompany the group. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103 if planning to attend.

Social Committee Scott Lund has supplied a date, Tuesday, April 25, for the free spring mystery evening outing. Details are leaking out...will require business casual dress and will meet in Maple Grove.

The annual district 5960 conference is scheduled for April 29, 2023, a joint conference with Districts 5580 (northern Minny and NoDak) and 5950 at Madden’s Golf Resort on Gull Lake in Brainerd. Registration is now open.

The Pollination Committee will meet next on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:30 a.m. on Zoom. The Zoom link is https://colheights-k12-mn-us.zoom.us/j/86557933324. Contact organizer Kristen Stuenkel with any questions at stuenkek@colheights.k12.mn.us. Members are welcome to attend.

Craig Malm will be seeking volunteers this spring to help distribute 160 bikes collected by Allina Health to students at Stevenson Elementary in Fridley.

Additional mentors for Fridley STRIVE students are sought, and potential mentors next year at Columbia Heights High School are encouraged to attend the ongoing mentor meetings with Fridley STRIVE students. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103. 

Rotary International produces podcasts on various subjects, available at https://on.rotary.org/3VnjizH.  

UPCOMING PROGRAMS: March 29- Blaine Gundershaug of Thrivent will provide an update on the current economic and investment landscape. April 5- Betsy Hoium, daughter of member Vern Hoium, will describe the satisfactions and challenges of the hospital chaplain. April 12- author and former Fridley school official Dave Webb will talk about his book, Homerun Leadership. April 19- Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association leader Paul Kaspszak will speak on dramshop issues.