Thursday April 11, 2024

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet Lunch

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:30)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

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 It’s that time of year when Club #25 Junior Rotarians and the Rotary Liaisons “take over”. Rotarians will enjoy a sing program presented by Harbor City International School. Awards to winners of the Rotary 4-WayTest Essay contest. The awarding for this year’s Honorarium.

Chair of the day – Rob Hofmann

 

 

 

By Al Makynen

 

To get our meeting off to an upbeat start, Past President John Baumgarten came off the injured reserve list to play “America the Beautiful” (with a recently healed broken hand)!  President Gary Melander reminded all of us just how lucky we are.  At that a few got out their raffle tickets to check their chances.  Past President Branden Robinson provided a Rotary Reflection about the focus of each Rotarian to facilitate a path forward for a better community and world.

 

The Rotary crowd awaiting the start of the show

 

Branden Robinson describes how Rotarians facilitate a better world

 

The group was anxious to feed the Golden Can.  Folks were lined up on either side of the podium. Past President Bill Gravelle offered a $5 reward for anyone, no questions asked, who would return his badge.  Jerry Thoreson updated us on the work of Visit Duluth and the current plan to highlight the work of over 300 contributing photographers.  With the reminder that a picture is worth a 1,000 people.  For this work-zone advertisement, $50 was placed in the Golden Can.  Rob Hofmann announced that he has retired from his 16 years at the University of Minnesota.  He also announced he will be focusing on fundraising consulting for non-profits.  And beyond that, being a former professional actor, he is resurrecting his career in the film and theatre industry to produce local and international projects.  After these extended remarks, those at our table were convinced this was not a retirement announcement.  Doug Erickson and Nancy Erickson are relocating to Waconia, Minnesota to be closer to family.  The move is bittersweet.  We will miss them both.  Jack Seiler is back from a three-month stay in California.  Geiger Yount promoted the Minnesota Film Festival that is going on right here in Duluth.  She recommended seeing “Without Arrows” playing at the Zeitgeist Theater.

 

Nancy Erickson letting us know she and Doug Erickson are moving to Waconia

 

Jack Seiler happy to be back from warm and sunny California

 

Next week, April 11, is the annual JUNIOR ROTARIAN DAY.  Committee chair Rob Hofmann and President Gary Melander outlined the day.  To accommodate student schedules, our lunch meeting will start early.  If possible, please arrive at 11:30.  Get through the salad line and enjoy the planned musical entertainment.

 

Movie and theatre producer Rob Hofmann outlining the Junior Rotarian Day

 

Thursday April 25 is the Annual Rotary Dinner and Auction evening event (5:30 – 8:30) at Marshall School.  Greg Hansen announced this event replaces the regular lunch meeting.  Sign up can be done online, (see your emails) or on the tables. If you book a table of six there is a discount on ticket pricing ($45 vs. $50 per person).  Come and join your fellow Rotarians, Friends, and Family, for an exciting evening at the Rotary Club 25 Supper Club!

 

Keeping up the action, President Barb Perrella was up next to introduce Dr. Susan McClernon, the founding Program Facility Director for the Masters in Healthcare Administration at the College of St. Scholastica.   In addition to her current position, she has held multiple healthcare leadership positions around the country.  As a result, her remarks could be compared to a summary capstone class on the status of the healthcare industry in the United States and Minnesota.  There was no doubt about the special role Minnesota has played and continues to play in what is an applied learning laboratory with unrivaled infrastructure and investment.  We have a long list of assets that allow Minnesota to be a unique leader.   A partial list includes Mayo Clinic, Hazelton Center, Medtronic, St. Jude, United Healthcare, the commitment to 24/7 Hospital Emergency, and a new $1 billion hospital in Duluth.  One more example is MRIs.  There are more of them in Minnesota than all of Canada.  But you may still ask, why is this the case?  The short list of reasons includes:  (1) for-profit hospitals not allowed; (2) a progressive social culture; (3) early investment in biotechnology; (4) a focus on strong rural health; (5) application of a single payment rate in long term care which drove innovation; (6) investment in healthcare education.

 

There is much to be done.  This system is broken.  Minnesota, with its leadership and innovation, can drive change.  Beyond what the industry must do, we as individuals can make a difference.  With up to 80% of the cost of healthcare the result of chronic disease, through our application of self-management, including lifestyle decisions, we can reduce the onset and cost.

 

Sue McClernon describes our role in healthcare