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Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club is a vibrant community of leaders, giving generously of our time, talent and funds to benefit those in need both at home and abroad. Welcome.

Upcoming Speakers

September 30, 2020

COL Membership Committee

Keeping City of Lakes Rotary Vibrant, Expanding Our Reach

October 7, 2020

Chief Judge Todd Barnette

Chief Judge of Hennepin County District Court

October 14, 2020

COL Rotary Foundation

Evening Meeting — Foundation Drive Kickoff

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Members gather at the greenway

COL's 1st Annual Reinvented Golf Event 3.0 was held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Minneapolis Hiawatha Golf Club. In addition to golf and social time, four bags of canned and packaged food items and $160.00 in cash was collected for our partner, Community Emergency Services (CES).

Roughly 20 participants took part, including 11 COL active members plus COL alumni King Bavender, Michael Anschel, and Cliff Jacobson, along with six family and friend guests. Each team was rewarded handsomely with a wide variety of shot making.

The foursome including King Bavender, Cliff Jacobson, Keith Johnson and Bob Baker took home the Tournament's inaugural traveling trophy.

Group Photo COL Members (Left-to Right): Michael Anschel, Kurt Nelson, Christine Hutcheson, Keith Johnson, Ross Naylor, Richard "Double Black Diamond" Mosman, Bob Baker, Jim Eaton, Tom Tamura, Adekunle Samuel, and Greg Beckstrom.

Food & School Supplies Drive

Lead by Jean Johnson, the Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club wrapped up a very successful food drive for Community Emergency Service (CES) and a school supply drive for FAIR School. 26 Club members participated and all donations were delivered to CES on Tuesday morning, September 15. In addition to checks, the delivery included 1,156 pounds of food and pet supplies, as well as several bags of school supplies. Thanks to all who participated!

Click "Read More" to view pictures from the collection and delivery!

COL Rotary Sponsors Grant to Help The Sheridan Story

Posted by Jonathan Hobbs

Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary, in partnership with the Burnsville, Minneapolis South and Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Clubs, applied for and received in July a Rotary District 5950 grant that will enable the four clubs to jointly provide funding of $16,000 to the Sheridan Story. These funds will be used to purchase enough food for nearly 4,000 meal bags (3-4 meals per bag), which will be distributed this summer to needy children and families impacted by the pandemic and recent civil unrest.

This funding will be announced and presented to Rob Williams, Executive Director of The Sheridan Story (and past City of Lakes Rotary Hope Award winner), at the City of Lakes Rotary Club meeting on August 5. A multi club volunteer event (compliant with social distancing guidelines) at Sheridan Story’ Roseville facility is being planned for late August or September. Details to come.

Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary and Minneapolis Uptown Rotary have partnered with Sheridan Story for several years, sponsoring and volunteering efforts to provide food for students at Jefferson Elementary in South Minneapolis.

More information about Sheridan’s challenges this summer is located here.

Unconscious Bias Resource Guide

Posted by Carol Russell

The Rotary Club of Harlem , The Rotary Club of Topeka, and The Rotary Club of Minneapolis recently held their first ever joint meeting for an important conversation on Unconscious Racial Bias and Accountability. The attached resource page was created with the hopes that each member will seek to deepen their understanding on the concept of unconscious bias and how it plays a role in the context of our society.

Download the Resource Guide

Keith Ellison: Let's Put a Red Light on Sex Trafficking

Posted by Suzen O'Brien

Our Club has sponsored ACT United and their work with Prevention of Human Trafficking for the last 3 years. Last year, Jessica Bartholomew, the Executive Director, was awarded our Rotary of Hope award for her outstanding youth programs. We are happy to see our Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison highlight the importance of this prevention work.

Read the article

Statement on recent events

Our hearts are heavy because of the recent events in Minneapolis – the tragic death of George Floyd, the damage to many local businesses and neighborhoods, and the pain and suffering seen on the faces of people speaking out against racism and inequity.

At Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism. Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership and working tirelessly to advance peace are central tenets of our work. After the events of the past several weeks, it is clear that we have work to do to create more just, open and welcoming communities for all people.

We know there are no easy fixes and that challenging conversations and a lot of hard work lie before all of us. Rotary's strength has long been our ability and commitment to bringing people together. We will tap into that strength now as we stand with those who are working for peace and justice.

We are people of action. We will do our part to listen, learn and act to ensure that we continue to contribute to making positive change in our communities and throughout the world.

Duties: September - October 2020

Posted on Sep 15, 2020

September 30, 2020