Events

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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