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

Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club is a vibrant community of energized people, working to create change both at home and around the world. Welcome.

Upcoming Speakers

October 9, 2024

Justin Grammens

AI: Shaping the Future of Business and Community

Betsy Hodges

What’s In It For You: DEI In A Time of Distrust

Special Offsite MeetingLifetime Work Minneapolis with John Griffith

LifeTime Fitness Expands its Business

President’s Welcome Message

I am thrilled and honored to step into the role of President for our Rotary Club this year. I am eager to share my enthusiasm and vision for our club's future.

Embracing Rotary’s Core Values
At the heart of Rotary are the values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. These principles guide us in everything we do and inspire us to make a tangible difference in our community and beyond.

The Benefits of Rotary
Being a member is not just about what you can give; it's also about what you can gain. Here are some of the many benefits you can expect:

Belonging: Build relationships with a diverse group of like-minded professionals who care about each other.
Leadership Development: Hone your leadership skills through various roles and responsibilities within the club.
Community Involvement: Make a direct impact on your local community by participating in meaningful projects and initiatives.
Global Reach: Be part of a global network with the power to address significant challenges worldwide, from eradicating polio to providing clean water.
Personal Fulfillment: Experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing you are making a difference in the world.

Our meetings are open to all, and we would love for you to and see firsthand what belonging to our club is all about. Come meet our members, learn about our projects, and discover how you can be a part of something truly special. Join us.

Shaun Irwin

Our Impact

By the Numbers

I feel fortunate to be a part of such a great community of caring, compassionate individuals who, together, make a difference to each other and the community.

Jodi M.
Member since 2011

Virtually every member of our club has a passion for one or more areas of service and there is absolutely nothing more satisfying than having the opportunity to help others when you do it with a group of your best friends.

Gary M.
Member since 1987

Every Peer Group, Strategy, Planning, and New Membership meeting has taught more about the meaning of Service above Self. I hope to take these invaluable life lessons from Rotary and give a little to a world that has given me so much.

Sangam N.
Member since 2019

Exciting News!

One of our very own Rotary members, Scott Benson, who is also a talented trial attorney, is stepping into the spotlight with the lead role in a new adaptation of the classic operetta, The McAdo, or The Town of Ballydew! This fresh take on a beloved production is sure to be a treat, and we couldn’t be prouder to support such a multitalented member. Scott joined the Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company in 1990, and this is the second time being the McAdo with GSVLOC.

The women of the club will take in the November 9 performance for their annual theatre outing- an evening of fun, friendship, and entertainment. This annual event strengthens the bonds that make our club so special.

The show is staged at the Howard Conn Fine Arts Center November 1-24. See Scott’s performance dates with the rest of the Gilbert cast and buy tickets here https://gsvloc.org/on-stage/

Rake, Rattle and Roll

Join us for our annual morning of service on Saturday, November 2 from 8:15-11 as we come together to rake yards for seniors, shut-ins, and others in need in the Longfellow-Seward neighborhood. It’s a wonderful way to give back and enjoy some fresh air. It's real work, but so fulfilling to know you are helping people in such a hands-on way.

All are welcome--Rotarians, neighbors, friends and family! Meet in the parking lot at Bradshaw Funeral Home at 3131 Minnehaha Ave in MPLS. Bring your rake and your enthusiasm! Please contact us here with any questions https://bit.ly/3X5cOJa

Join Us For Foundation Fest

Join us for Foundation Fest on Wednesday, October 23 at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. Everyone is invited - members, service partners, prospective members, and anyone passionate about giving back to the community.

We’ll kick off the evening where you’ll hear about the incredible work our community, international, and vocational service partners are doing and how our members and contributions have helped. After the presentation, we’ll move to the lounge for networking, drinks, and conversation with our partners. Enjoy delicious beer and food pairings crafted by Utepils Brewing and the Woman’s Club chefs as you explore four interactive stations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to support our community while having a great time! Please RSVP here Foundation Drive Kickoff | Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club (colrc.org)

Start Belonging This Autumn

As the summer draws to a close and the busy holiday season is still weeks away, Autumn presents a unique opportunity to refocus on what truly matters— belonging to a community that helps you build meaningful relationships while giving back.

Our club is a diverse group of business and community leaders where you feel you belong and can make positive changes locally and globally. By joining now, you’ll have the chance to be part of something bigger than yourself—helping to shape the future and leaving a legacy in our community.

Don’t wait until the new year to make resolutions to get involved. Contact our membership chair Brian https://bit.ly/3X5cOJa and we’ll accomplish great things together!

End Polio Fundraiser Underway

Our club's PolioPlus initial campaign raised $115,000 in 1987. And since then, we've held the Minnesota/Iowa Football fundraiser annually. Other rivalries are also in play like Oles vs. Gusties, and Spartans vs. Wolverines. The funds we raise will be sent to Rotary International and matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation to generate up to $150 million. Cheers to Kurt Nelson and Bill Jackson for leading the charge!

As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary International has helped reduced cases by 99.9% since the first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Rotary members have contributed $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. It's crucial to continue to keep working on eradication because if the work stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.

Minding the Gap: Constructive Conversations in a Polarized World

At our 18th Annual Community Forum, Willam Doherty, Ph.D, co-founder of Braver Angels, led an interactive session on how to have constructive conversations in a polarized world. We are sharing a video of the forum to benefit everyone searching for solutions.

Dr. Doherty is internationally recognized and has worked with therapists, legislators, lawyers, mediators, and clergy for years. Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential election he co-founded Braver Angels, a citizen initiative bringing conservatives and liberals together to counteract political polarization.

Bringing his experience, Dr Doherty helped us focus on new understandings and strategies for initiating conversations that focus on our shared humanity and that respect the integrity and worth of every individual and their views. This community forum was open to all community members and Rotarians and was presented by Rotary Clubs of St. Paul, Minneapolis City of Lakes, and Roseville.

Opera Night - Four Distinguished Musicians, One Unforgettable Evening

MCOL Rotary sponsored Opera Night, featuring acclaimed performers from the nationally recognized Lakes Area Music Festival. Over 80 Rotarians and guests enjoyed the beautiful harmonies represented in this photo of Scott Brunscheen, John Taylor Ward, and pianist Wesley Frye. They were joined by soprano Vette Keong.

The music was complemented by MCOL Rotary members serving a classic, coursed Italian dinner in the elegant Woman’s Club lounge. Our thanks for an unforgettable evening to members Carol Russell and Cindy Lennie who led this event, our volunteer servers, the Woman’s Club culinary team, and the distinguished musicians.

Be the Change

Elevate Your City, Elevate Your Self