Thursday, September 25, 2025

Lunch Buffet

Doors Open 11:30AM

At

 

 

“Sport has the power to change the World” Nelson Mandela said. At the Duluth Salvation Army, we are working to change the world one life at a time, through basketball. The vision of RBA is to help youth build character, teamwork and leadership so they can succeed in education, careers, their community and beyond.

Kris grew up in Duluth playing every sport she could. She earned her degree in Sports Management from Bemidji State University. She has over 20 years of coaching experience in a variety of sports from kindergarten through varsity. Kris went to Russia, Moldova and Ukraine on 3 Salvation Army Summer Service Corps teams during college and was a member of the 2016 mission team to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. In 2018, the Rookie Basketball Association was recognized nationally when awarded Program of the Year by the Jr NBA in Chicago. Kris is a member of The Salvation Army’s Sports Mission Steering Team which lead the first Salvation Army European Sports Mission conference in the Netherlands in 2023. She has been the director of Duluth’s 38-year-old Rookie Basketball Association since 2012.

Renee Burns has a question:

 

 

 

By Tacitus

 

Who, what, when, where, and why?  These are the questions answered when you attend a Club Meeting.  Past President Branden Robinson provided the Rotary Reflection on the Pledge of Allegiance which contains a subtle word construct: “with liberty and justice for all” (note the use justice, not equality).  With insights from the Rotary Reflection and from our speaker we were better armed to correct injustice.

 

Self-reports came fast and furious with significant dollars for the Golden Can.  President Zach Walters was proud to pay $20 in support of two of his boxers on the fight card for a tournament in Hinckley. Jay Ott has sold his business of 37 years and has retired.  He was flush with cash.  Jerry Thoreson was grateful to Past President Michelle Buria for her assistance in his retirement planning and contributed $500 to the Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation via the Golden Can.   Michelle Buria matched his $500 contribution.  And not to be left out, Dan Maki announced Michelle Buria had given him his first job and made a third gift of $500 to the Club Foundation.

 

Free at last! Jay Ott celebrating selling his business and retirement

 

Jerry Thoreson donating $500 to the Golden Can in honor of Michelle Buria

 

Dan Maki thanks Past President Michelle Buria for giving him his start in the business

 

Past President Gary Melander, Chair of the 40^th Annual Rotary Rose Sale, asked all present who needed their Rose tickets.  Rob Hofmann and Al Makynen were at the ready and delivered tickets to all who had their hands up.  Rotary Rose Day is Friday, October 17. Distribution is a great fellowship event. Check your calendar and be ready to sign up next week.  The rose order must be placed early.  To get a good count, turn in your sold tickets early and often.

 

Gary Melander making sure EVERYONE has their Rotary Rose Tickets

 

One of our newest members, Christa Scheider, expanded her biography from when she was initially introduced. Christa will serve as this year’s Club #25’s Youth Exchange Officer! At work she provides Retirement Solutions at Northshore Bank.

 

New Member Christa Scheider

Chair of the Day Tammy Sundbom

 

Chair of the Day, Tammy Sundbom introduced Dori Rapaport, Executive Director of Justice North which provides civil law services in an eleven-county region. Dori Rapaport has a law degree from Hamlin University (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law) and previously served with AmeriCorps in Colorado and then worked with Indian Legal before coming to Justice North (previously known as Legal Aide Service of Northeast Minnesota) in 2017. A connection was pointed out to Bill Burns (who was present and a guest of Renee Burns) as being a founding and continuing board member since 1971.   With 46 staff in five offices and a budget of $6 million, 3,600 individuals are served annually.  Although an individual facing a criminal charge is provided a public defender if they cannot afford an attorney, no such provision is made to assist people in civil proceedings.  In addition to staff, over 150 volunteer attorneys from the private bar on a pro bono basis assist in the removal of legal obstacles to allow people to move forward.   Some 2,000 calls for help are received monthly. Cases that can be served by the private bar on a contingency basis are referred.  With the current level of federal, state, and private funding only 50% of the eligible persons are able to receive service.  We can help by sharing awareness.  If you know someone who needs civil legal assistance and cannot afford an attorney have them call Justice North at 877-696-6529.

 

Our speaker Dori Rapaport Executive Director of Justice North