This Week at Rotary
Thursday, April 25, 2024
IN PERSON
5:30 PM
At
1215 Rice Lake Road · Duluth, MN 55811
NO NOON MEEETING
Join fellow Rotarians, family and friends for the best BYOB Supper Club in town!
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Anthony Nordan
President Gary Melander rang the Rotary Bell and led us in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Four-Way Test.
President Gary Melander calling us to order.
Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom provided this week’s Reflection with the oxymoronic theme of ‘Settled Science.’ In his remarks, he told us that multiple respected scholars and academics in 10 A.D., 1899, and 1923 said that we have discovered all there is to discover. This could not have been farther from the truth as we now know in 2024. Very few things in science are ever settled because, by its very nature, science is about curiosity and discovery. Phil Strom finished his comments by reminding us to stay curious and always look forward.
Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom
We only had one guest this week, our speaker, Depot Foundation’s Jason Young.
Our guest was the cause of a few self-reports as well. Two club members: Past President Dean Casperson and Rob Hofmann reported themselves for being previously on the board of directors of the Depot Foundation. Past President Bill Gravelle, who currently serves as Depot Foundation treasurer, as does Past President Barb Perrella and Karol Sowers, “kick the Golden Can”. Past President Bill Gravelle added a few dollars on behalf of Past President Barb Perrella who had NO CASH on hand…
A very patient Past President Bill Gravelle waiting for repayment from Past President Barb Perrella
Greg Hansen reminded everyone to join fellow Rotarians, family and guests for the Annual Dinner and Auction NEXT THURSDAY, April 25, 5:30 – 8:30 – Marshall School. It is one of Club #25’s biggest annual fundraisers!
Greg Hansen: “Join us next Thursday April 25th!”
President Gary Melander shared two announcements for the week. The first announcement was about the upcoming Lion’s Club pancake day on May 2nd. The Lion’s club came to our meeting about a month ago and asked if there would be anyone willing to volunteer. They also invited us to their Pancake Day to enjoy some good flap jacks.
The second announcement was that of the survey about where we may meet in the future. The survey was drafted by Club #25 board, and there were concerns that not all opinions and options were explored in the draft sent to Club #25 members. There was a suggestion by Past President Chana Stocke to form a committee to explore additional options. There was a brief discussion that followed the suggestion to form a new committee. President Gary Melander took note of the request.
After announcements Chair of the Day Rob Hofmann came up and introduced the guest speaker. Skyline Rotarian Jason Young, the Depot Foundation’s director of development, was introduced to us as a family man with two teen children, a veteran, and a certified fundraising executive. Rob Hofmann also said that Jason is a neighbor first and a colleague second. They happen to live next to one another.
Jason Young’s presentation was on the Depot Foundation and its history. The foundation was founded in 1979, after the closure of the depot as a functioning train station, to preserve an important historical building and revive it to serve the community. The foundation itself is housed in the lower level of the depot. Its focus is on arts, culture, and history. Jason then asked about history and who remembered 1979, unfortunately this author couldn’t raise their hand. Recalling that gas was .86 cents, houses were $58,000, Superman was the top movie, and a Sony Walkman was $200.
Jason Young, Depot Foundation’s director of development
Jason then moved into the history of the building and why the foundation was started. In 1892 the Depot building opened for operation, which was the same year the Historic Old Central High School was opened. In 1968, passenger rail ended service to the Depot, and the future of the building was up in the air. Within 3 years though the Depot Foundation began its work to preserve the Depot building.
Elizabeth Adams was the leading figure in 1971 in efforts to preserve the Depot building. The Depot is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On the foundation's founding documents, there are 9 people listed. Jason pointed out that the effort to preserve the Depot took more than just nine people, it took a community. Though the Depot Foundation may have started with nine civic-minded individuals, it has since grown and changed adding numerous donors who support its mission and programs. As we heard during self-reporting, a couple of Rotarians actively serve its board of directors. Currently there are fifteen board members.
After covering the history of the Depot, Jason talked about branding. The branding has changed multiple times: 1981, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2000, and most recently - 2023. The reason for the marketing and branding update is to differentiate the Duluth Depot from the “Depots” across the nation. Typing “depot” into a search bar will pop up the depot closest to the person – typically Home Depot. This change makes sure that our Depot sticks out amongst them and encourages people to come to Duluth.
To help our Depot stick out the foundation supports multiple things in the priorities laid out in the beginning. The Depot building supports multiple organizations. The Depot Foundation has also given 577 grants since 1971 to the tune of $7.6 million dollars. Those have gone out to the depot and its partners. The grants go primarily to arts, history and culture programs that are presented within the Depot itself.
There have been a couple of new initiatives from the Depot Foundation. They are Circle of Friends and Arts for All Scholarship. Circle of Friends was established in 2000 and hands out 6 awards. Arts for All Scholarship was established in 2021. They 120 scholarships and handed out $22,000. Scholarships average $183 and can be used for a variety of things. One that Jason pointed out was purchasing equipment for dancing such as dance shoes.
Jason closed by talking about an annual fundraising campaign called “Depot United Campaign.” This is going to happen in the fall and the funds raised would go to all Depot tenants. They also have an Art Print Program that has print art for purchase which supports the cause. Lastly, he closed by giving us the tag line of the Depot Foundation- Enjoy the magic. Support the Spirit.
(L to R) President Gary Melander, Jason Young (with circa 1943 LIFE Cover of his lovely aunt in the fields) and Rob Hofmann
