Join us the first three Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m. for fellowship and engaging speakers in person or online.  Learn how.

Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club unites a dynamic network of leaders dedicated to fostering meaningful connections, mutual support, and impactful service that enhances lives locally and globally.  Welcome.

Upcoming Speakers

July 16, 2025
Victoria Marley - Hospitality Minnesota


Victoria Marley

ProStart Minnesota: Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation

July 23, 2025
Mark Shockey


Mark Shockey

Nothing Compares to the Way Rotary Clubs Serve Others Every Day, Both Locally and Globally

August 6, 2025
Scott Mayer


Scott Mayer

Dinner Du Nord: Activating Downtown Minneapolis

Upcoming Events

Our Impact

By the Numbers

What's Happening at City of Lakes?

 

Our club proudly sponsors the Annual Community Forum, a signature service event open to all community members. Each year, this forum brings Rotarians and the public together to explore timely and important topics shaping our world.

This year's forum is titled “Making Sense of AI: Risks, Rewards, and Responsible Use” and will examine how artificial intelligence is influencing decision-making, communication, and innovation across sectors. Four distinguished panelists will discuss how to evaluate new technologies responsibly, and ways to identify credible sources of AI information.

An in-person only pre-forum workshop is available, providing a fast-paced overview of how AI can help organizations save time and resources.

This event is hosted in collaboration with the Roseville and Saint Paul Rotary Clubs. We will not have a club meeting Sept. 11, the day prior, freeing members' time to attend.   Registration details are coming soon. 

 
Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary is now meeting at the Minneapolis Club—in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
 
If you’ve been curious about Rotary, now is a perfect time to visit.
 
The Minneapolis Club isn’t just a beautiful venue—it reflects the caliber of experience we offer:
 
 Energizing speakers and thought-provoking programs
 A welcoming network of leaders and changemakers
 Opportunities to give back locally and globally
 Complementary parking 
 A culture of belonging, purpose, and fun
 
Our club has a 40-year legacy of community impact—and we’re excited to bring that spirit into a new season at a venue that’s as dynamic and inspiring as our members. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, find meaningful ways to contribute, or simply meet good people doing great things, you’ll find a place here.
 
We’d love to welcome you on any Wednesday morning that works for you.  To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3A1XDba  Let’s accomplish great things together!
 
 
Opera Night, presented in June by the Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club, was a truly elegant and unforgettable evening. Set against the warm, refined backdrop of the Minneapolis Club, guests enjoyed exceptional food and wine, engaging conversations, and awe-inspiring performances from world-class artists—thanks to our collaboration with the Lakes Area Music Festival.

The program featured five  internationally acclaimed performers who brought brilliance, passion, and grace to every note:

🎼 Tracey Engleman, Soprano – Lauded by The Boston Globe for her extraordinary range and praised by The Wall Street Journal for “crystalline purity,” Tracey captivated with both vocal and dramatic finesse.

🎼 Nathan Romportl, Tenor – A versatile artist known for his broad repertoire and powerful stage presence, Nathan’s voice carried warmth and intensity throughout the night.

🎼 John Taylor Ward, Baritone – A founder of the Lakes Area Music Festival and a regular on the world’s most renowned stages, John delivered an unforgettable performance filled with nuance and expressive depth.

🎼 Abi Levis, Mezzo-Soprano – Named “Debut Artist of the Year” by the Joy in Singing Foundation, Abi dazzled with fearless artistry and breathtaking range.

🎹 Celeste Marie Johnson, Pianist – Principal Coach and Chorus Director at Minnesota Opera, Celeste brought it all together with masterful accompaniment and poise.

A heartfelt thank-you to our performers, the Minneapolis Club, the Lakes Area Music Festival, and everyone who made the evening possible. It was a night of music, connection, and elegance—Rotary style.

Learn more about our partners:
🔗 lakesareamusic.org
🔗 mplsclub.org
 
Do you know aspiring Masters Degree students who wish to study abroad in one of Rotary's seven areas of focus?  These areas are Promoting Peace, Fighting Disease, Providing Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Saving Mothers and Children, Supporting Education, Growing Local Economies, and Protecting the Environment. 
 
Please encourage them to apply for our district $30K Global Grant scholarship by October 15.  Our club has sponsored several grant recipients and we're ready to help new candidates. 
 
Candidates must  either live or have grown up within District 5950 (roughly Minneapolis, surrounding suburbs, and Greater Minnesota communities to the west and northwest).  Per IRS rules, candidates may not be a Rotarian or the spouse, child, or grandchild of a Rotarian.
 
Visit  https://www.rotary5950.org for the application. 
 
Our Vocational Service Team offers an opportunity for a member to meet with a group of accomplished Rotarians from relevant fields to help scale their business or organization and address challenges.  All information shared in this Board of Directors for YOU program remains confidential.  
 
COL Rotary continues to offer members innovative programs that enhance the value of Rotary membership.  Questions? Contact Vocational Service Champion Russ Michaletz. 
On February 15, 1985, a group of forward-thinking leaders came together to charter the Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club. Forty years later, our club continues to unite a network of community and business leaders. 
 
Click the button below to see photos from our Anniversary Party at The Minneapolis Club.  This is the face of Rotary today: dynamic, welcoming, and fun.
 
Our online conversation with decision strategist Annie Duke drew a strong audience—and for good reason. Annie shared sharp, practical wisdom on how to make better decisions under uncertainty.  
 
Annie is a champion poker player, decision-making expert, speaker and author of best sellers Thinking in Bets, and Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away. 

The conversation was hosted by our member Kurt Nelson, PhD, a behavioral scientist and master of asking the right questions.  If you'd like to learn more, go to Kurt's Behavioral Grooves podcast with Annie https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/leaving-the-matrix-annie-duke-and-insights-into-how-you-can-improve-your-thinking/

Thanks to everyone who joined us for this thoughtful, high-energy session.
 
Our club proudly supported 3000 Acts of Kindness which provides hope, help, and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness.  Coated in Love founder and COL Community Service Team Chair Danielle Igbanugo broke the last year’s attendance record of  3,000 guests —making a real difference in their lives. 
 
Guests at the Minneapolis Convention Center were treated to lunch, complementary haircuts, new coats, hats, boots, toiletry kits, and access to over 50 social service agencies.  Community organizations provided resources and information to help guests potentially find housing and rehabilitation solutions.  
 
Our club provided a $5000 grant, outreach to 150 social service organizations, member Rob Scarlett acted as an interpreter, and 12 volunteers took on three-hour shifts to help set up — Lynn Otis, Cindy Lennie, Tina Sheriff, Russ Michaletz, Scott Benson, Hugh Haman, Sheila Gothmann, Maria Bavender, King Bavender, Gayle Noakes, Greg Alm, and Bill Jackson.
 
We’re already planning even more support for the upcoming December 8, 2025 event at the convention center.  If you’d like to get involved, please contact Danielle.
 
We couldn't be more appreciative of Danielle who reminds us, "Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see."  Learn more about her non-profit here http://www.coatedinlove.org/ 
 
Click to see more pictures.
 
Rotary Club members John Vandermyde, Heather Heefner, Lakka Benti, and Lars and Chanda Olson along with son Jorgen visited Edison High School to introduce students and community partners to the exciting opportunities available through Rotary Youth Exchange. They shared insights about the life-changing experiences students can have by studying abroad, immersing themselves in new cultures, and building lifelong connections around the world. 
 
High school visits like this have generated so much enthusiasm that our club is hosting  two year-long inbound students and two year-long outbound students.  We are also sponsored one student in the new short-term summer program. We are contributing to a more peaceful world one student at a time. 
 
Annually students interested in a short-term summer exchange should submit their applications by March 1, while those considering a year-long exchange have until November 15 to apply.
 
For more information on how to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange, visit https://northstarrotary.com/  
 
Don't miss this chance to explore the world!