Volunteer Opportunity at the Duluth Air Show:
From Ryan Kern:
We need help driving US NAVY BLUE ANGELS vehicles from the Duluth Airport to Monaco Air (FBO) down the runway. We are short drivers and need about 12 more. It should only take about 60-90 minutes to do it, but we need to make sure we have enough people. Each person who helps will get a FREE Airshow ticket just for helping each shift. If you’re willing to do multiple shifts they will get multiple free tickets.
We need help on:
- Wednesday, July 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
- Monday, July 7th at 12:00 noon
- Tuesday, July 8th at 12:00 noon
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Al Makynen
For just the second time in over a hundred years of recorded club history, the bell was whacked three times by President Elizabeth Simonson. She really wanted to get our attention and get the meeting started! Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen provided a Rotary Reflection on the motto: “Service above Self.” One of the highest forms of executing on that motto is club service where members volunteer to provide servant leadership and lead us to improve the lives of others.
Jerry Thoresen placed $43 in the Golden Can in recognition of the anniversary of when he and his wife said “I do.” Greg Hansen deposited $40 ($20 each) in recognition of his completion of the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon and for winning the second-place prize in the Duluth Harbortown Rotary Raffle. Our own TV personality, Michelle Buria contributed $20 for her multiple appearances as the financial wizard every other Wednesday on the WDIO program, “The Lift.”
Jerry Thoreson announcing his Back to the Future anniversary
Greg Hansen contemplating his W2-G for winning the second-place prize of the Harbortown Raffle
Our very own Michelle Buria a television personality on WDIO program “The Lift”
Dr. Steve Hadley requested, with the Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth having dissolved, that any of us who know a Kiwanian invite them to one of our meetings as a guest and encourage them to join us to continue our good work in the community. President Elizabeth Simonson has reached out personally and directly to the President of the Kiwanis Club to invite their members to consider joining our Club.
Geiger Yount of the Caring Committee requested everyone sign the condolences card for our former member and Past President Bill Zimbinski on the death of his wife, Cynthia, on June 20th. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by her funeral at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 2 at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Avenue.
The main event for the day was the Changing of the Guard. But before that could happen, President Elizabeth Simonson divided the room into two teams to play the ever popular game “Know Your Incoming President”, a.k.a. President Elect Zach Walters. There were ten questions that we were to quietly discuss and come up with the answer. For several of the questions a better name for the game would have been “Clueless”. For those who missed the group exercise, below are the highlights.
Where was Zach Walters born? Madagascar
How many professional boxing matches was he in? 30
How many did he win? 24
How many of the wins were by knockout? 19
Where and when was this first fight held? Wade Stadium 2002
What non-profit organization is he the Principal Officer? Jungle Boy Boxing Gym
Before the oaths of office were taken, President Simonson expressed her gratitude for her ability to serve and extended thanks to all of the Board of Directors who helped make her year as President a success. Additional reference was made to Past President and Treasurer Elaine Hansen who is now serving as Governor for District 5580. A high honor for both her and for our club. To Judy Rogers who has applied her baking talents to making our meetings all the sweeter. And to Jeff Fifield who worked before every meeting to make sure things were set. Four officers: President, President Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer were scheduled to take their oaths of office. One, President Elect Dan Maki was out of the country fishing in Canada. Leaving the country is almost a good enough excuse to miss a Rotary meeting. Zach Walters was sworn in as President, Patra Sevastiades was sworn in as Secretary, and Jennifer Smith was sworn in as Treasurer.
Patra Sevastiades taking the oath of office for Secretary
Jennifer Smith being sworn is as Treasurer
Our new President Zach Walters took the podium and gave us just a taste of what our 115th year will be like. He first recognized the work of Past President Elizabeth Simonson in her work to transition the meeting location to the Kitchi Gammi Club and the strategic planning work to recharge the committees. As part of her role as Past President, Elizabeth Simonson will take on the newly established position of Committee Captain which entails getting all the key committees reorganized and reenergized.
President Zach Walters and Past President Elizabeth Simonson draw the last 50/50 ticket for the Club year.
He described his journey from being introduced to Rotary while at Woodland Hills, his boxing and coaching career, being on the board at Woodland Hills with a number of Rotary members, to being invited by Dean Casperson to join our club. President Elect training introduced him to the depth and breadth of Rotary and what it is doing in the community and the world. An organization united for good. With an emphasis on making peoples’ lives better through multiple initiatives including providing access to clean water to the eradication of Polio!
President Zach Walters describing his Big Ideas and Dreams
President Zack Walters proclaimed himself to be an idea guy and a dreamer. His strategy is to have a dream and to run with that dream. One focus will be to expand and enhance the member’s experience. The rest was left to us to imagine the possibilities.
President Zach Walters striking the Rotary Bell. Just once.
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