Events

Dave Snider brings a powerful story of transformation and purpose. After being sentenced in federal court in 2009 as a career offender, Dave spent over 14 years in prison—an experience that ultimately became a turning point in his life. While incarcerated at FMC Rochester, he served in the inmate hospice program, supporting
men at the end of their lives and gaining a deep appreciation for service, accountability, and the value of each life.

During his time inside, Dave also spent seven years speaking to high school and college students about the impact of life choices, learning to turn his past into a tool for growth and education. He is trained in Restorative Justice and advocates for its broader application in communities.

Dave helped shape the founding mission of the Redemption Project through his insights on reentry and was part of its first cohort. Today, he continues to invest in the program’s growth, using his journey to inspire change and help others break cycles of harm and build meaningful futures.

International Service Committee for the 26-27 Rotary Year meets the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:00PM, with a 5:30-6:00PM social. We gather at Namaste Café (2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405)

What does a city council member actually do? Who runs the city from day to day, and why can a decision that sounds simple become surprisingly complicated? Longtime Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club member and past president Brock Ray will offer an inside look at his first year serving on the New Hope City Council. Brock will share how he went from interested resident to appointed council member, explain how New Hope’s council-manager form of government works, and describe what happens beyond the meetings residents see on television.

Brock will also discuss some of the major questions facing cities like New Hope, including affordability, redevelopment, city services, public safety, privacy, and planning for the community’s future. Along the way, he’ll reflect on what has surprised him, what he has learned about making decisions as part of a five-member council, and what campaigning for local office has taught him about his neighbors. Bring your questions for a candid and nonpartisan conversation about the work, responsibilities, and unexpected realities of serving in local government.

Join us in the Oak room of the Minneapolis Club after the club meeting.

Hello Fellow Rotarian!

Our October Happy Hour will be at Wood + Paddle. Join us for drinks, snacks and great company!  

Wood + Paddle is a modern American eatery inspired by the bold, rustic flavors of the North. With a focus on seasonal cooking and local ingredients, their menu celebrates the bounty of
Minnesota—from farm-fresh produce to heritage meats. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal, small plates to share, or an expertly balanced cocktail or local beer, each dish explores regional flavors through a contemporary lens.

Wood + Paddle

4-6pm

31 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Join us for our monthly Community Service Meeting at the Good Day Cafe in Golden Valley.

We're coming together for something BIG — a bold, unified step toward a polio-free world.  We are calling on 36,620 Rotarians and 964 Rotaractors across 11 states and 2 countries to take part in the World’s Largest Polio Walk — a powerful, visible demonstration of our commitment to ending polio forever.

Doors Open 7:30 a.m., Program 8:00 a.m.

Register here https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50084/events/world-s-largest-polio-walk-in-district-5950-at-moa

This is more than a walk. It’s a movement.

Every step taken helps raise awareness and support our collective goal of raising $1 million to end polio. Together, we are “This Close” to eradication—and this is our moment to push across the finish line.

How Clubs Can Participate:

• Invite members, families, friends, and community partners
• Wear your Rotary or End Polio Now gear
• Capture photos and videos to share on social media
• Use your voice to educate your community about Rotary’s fight to end polio

Sylvia Strobel serves as the President and CEO of Twin Cities PBS (TPT), bringing over 30 years of experience as an executive and attorney in the public broadcasting sector. Throughout her career—including leadership roles at American Public Media Group, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Ideastream Public Media—she has navigated major industry shifts, digital expansions, and evolving audience habits. Today, as public media adapts to historic structural changes and shifting funding models, Sylvia offers invaluable insight into how local broadcasting organizations are innovating, diversifying revenue, and reinforcing their commitment to community education and trusted local storytelling.

Grab your rake, bring your family, and join us for one of our club’s favorite fall service traditions!

Rake, Rattle & Roll is a fun, family-friendly morning of service where members, families, and guests come together to rake yards for seniors, shut-ins, and other homeowners who could use a helping hand in the Longfellow-Seward neighborhood of South Minneapolis. It’s a great opportunity to introduce children to the fun of serving others while enjoying a fall morning together.

Please register yourself and your guests so we know who will be joining us.

What to Bring

If you have a rake, bring it along and mark it with your name and phone number. Leaf blowers are also helpful. No rake? No problem—there are plenty of leaves to bag! And don’t forget a good pair of work gloves.

We rake rain or shine, so dress for the weather. We would only cancel for lightning or more than two inches of snow—and in roughly 25 years, we’ve never had to cancel!

Stay for a Jucy Lucy!

After we finish raking, keep the fun going and join us at Matt’s Bar & Grill at 11:00 a.m. for one of Minneapolis’ famous Jucy Lucys.

Lunch requires a separate registration:  https://colrc.org/event/matt-s-bar-and-grill--after-raking-jucy-lucys/
 

We split the lunch tab evenly, so please bring cash. Space at Matt’s may be limited to accommodate its regular customers, so registering early will help us plan.

Come lend a hand, bring the family, and enjoy a morning of service, teamwork, and fun!

If you have registered for Rake, Rattle & Roll, please join us for lunch at Matt's.  We will split the tab so please bring cash. Register in advance so we can reserve enough seats. 

International Service Committee for the 26-27 Rotary Year meets the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:00PM, with a 5:30-6:00PM social. We gather at Namaste Café (2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405)

Join us and celebrate our club members who receive the COL Heart of Rotary Award, Emerging Leadership Award, Dick DeVore and Paul Harris Fellow Foundation Awards. We'll also celebrate a non-profit leader in our commuity for creating lasting impact with our Hope Award and philanthropic gift. 

Save the Date, WNN is holding a networking event and COL members are invited.  Join us anytime between 4 and 7 p.m.  Come when it works for you and stay as long as you'd like. RSVP link: https://wnnnetworkevent.eventbrite.com

Join us at the Good Day Cafe in Golden Valley at 6:00pm for our monthly Community Service Meeting.

Join us in the Oak Room of the Minneapolis Club after the club meeting. 

Rise Early Learning Center is a high-quality affordable childcare program placing specific emphasis on supporting whole families and equipping extraordinary staff to provide better outcomes for the children they serve. COL Rotary has been a supporter of Rise Early almost since their inception. Come learn what's changing in Childcare and how this unique program is meeting the calls to replicate thier model.

Mark Ostrom doesn't just design spaces — he transforms lives.

A designer with nearly three decades of experience shaping landmark commercial, hospitality, and Fortune 50 workplace environments — including the original Rainforest Cafe and a million-square-foot expansion of the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids — Mark channeled that expertise into something deeply personal in 2019: Joy Collaborative, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that transforms spaces into immersive, personalized experiences called Joy Rooms for people facing life-limiting conditions.

Joy Collaborative fills a gap no one else does, sitting between new construction and wish-granting organizations to deliver essential design services for the estimated 25% of Americans living with a disability, and their caregivers, one in five of whom are family members left to solve these challenges on their own.

Since its founding, Joy Collaborative has partnered with organizations including Ronald McDonald House Twin Cities, MHealth Fairview, and Make-A-Wish Minnesota. Its 20th completed project brought the number of people served by Joy Rooms in the Twin Cities past 9,000.

Its newest initiatives, Joy Mobile and Joy Zone, bring sensory environments directly into communities, delivering measurable stress reduction in under five minutes. Both debuted on the national stage at the Special Olympics USA Games in June 2026. Mark's work is built on a simple but powerful belief: when design removes barriers and reflects who you truly are, trajectories change. Everyone deserves a space to be themselves.

Every space tells someone they matter. We invite you to consider joining Joy Collaborative in creating more of them — as a partner, a supporter, or simply someone who believes everyone deserves a space to be themselves.

International Service Committee for the 26-27 Rotary Year meets the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:00PM, with a 5:30-6:00PM social. We gather at Namaste Café (2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405)

2026 COL Rotary Holiday Party December 16^th 5-8 pm.

Join us for a festive holiday gathering at the Dayton YMCA!

Location: Dayton YMCA, 651 Nicollet Mall, Floor 3, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Enjoy delicious Mediterranean food from Sphere and beer and wine served by the Minneapolis School of Bartending.

We invite everyone to bring their favorite seasonal sweet treat to share as we celebrate the season, enjoy good food, and spend time together.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Renowned speaker and expert in auditory wellness, Brian Felsen, is
dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations in the
prevention, preservation, and treatment of noise-induced hearing
loss (NIHL) and tinnitus, and OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.95
compliance.
With a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic, experiential teaching
style, Brian delivers impactful training sessions that blend
scientific insights with actionable strategies. Through engaging,
evidence-based educational presentations and motivation, Brian
instills heightened awareness regarding the importance of hearing
protection, conservation, and treatment, equipping audiences with
the tools to safeguard their auditory health.
Brian is a sought-after authority in the field, committed to
fostering a culture of hearing preservation that creates a healthier
and more vibrant community.

International Service Committee for the 26-27 Rotary Year meets the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:00PM, with a 5:30-6:00PM social. We gather at Namaste Café (2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405)

Annual report and celebration of what we've achieved and where we are going into the future. 

Join us at the Good Day Cafe for our monthly Community Service Meeting.

David Daily is a licensed REALTOR® and designated Luxury Property Specialist with Coldwell Banker, primarily focused on residential real estate in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area. In 2025, he was named a Super Real Estate Agent by Mpls St. Paul Magazine, a recognition reserved for the top 5% of agents serving the Twin Cities.

Prior to real estate, David spent 20 years leading advertising campaigns for some of the world’s largest brands, including Target, United Airlines, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth Group. Today, he leverages that marketing expertise for his real estate clients, bringing the same level of patience, attention, and care to every relationship.

Known for his thoughtful guidance, strong market knowledge, and client-first approach, David will discuss the state of the residential market, trends, and answer your burning real estate questions.

Join us in the Oak Room of the Minneapolis Club after the club meeting. 

Anshu Chandra has 16 years of experience providing eye care in Haiti. She leads a permanent clinic in Fond-des-Blancs, supports mobile clinics, and helps train local eye care professionals, including the Haitian ophthalmology residency program in Port-au-Prince. She holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and completed her residency at SUNY College of Optometry. She has provided care in Nepal, Haiti, Peru, Lebanon, Tanzania, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Indonesia, and India.

www.globaleyeproject.org

International Service Committee for the 26-27 Rotary Year meets the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:00PM, with a 5:30-6:00PM social. We gather at Namaste Café (2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405)

Jioin us in the Oak Room of the Minneapolis Club aftter the club meeting. 

Wood-n-Hearts corporate mission is to provide furniture to Veterans who have been displaced and are in need of assistance.  We all share in the responsibility to make sure people who have served our country are given the assistance they need.  Having a nice bed to sleep in and a place to put their clothes will help them feel as if people really care about them.  Wood-n-Hearts wants to inspire others to join in on our mission to support those who have served and are in need.  

International Service Committee for the 26-27 Rotary Year meets the second Monday of the month from 6:00-7:00PM, with a 5:30-6:00PM social. We gather at Namaste Café (2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405)

Join us in the Oak Room of the Minneapolis Club after the club meeting.