Events

Over the past 50 years, the Hmong community has transformed from newly arrived refugees to an integral part of Minnesota’s cultural, economic, and civic life. In this talk, Ka Vang shares personal stories, community milestones, and hard-earned lessons about adaptation, identity, and what it means to become American while preserving culture and tradition. The presentation will highlight both the struggles and successes of the Hmong experience—from survival and sacrifice to leadership and innovation. Most importantly, it will look ahead to the next generation and explore what the future of the Hmong community can contribute to Minnesota and the nation.

Ka Vang is a Hmong American writer, poet, playwright, and social justice champion born in Long Cheng, Laos, at the send of the Vietnam and Secret War. After immigrating to the United States in 1980, she settled in Minnesota, where she became one of the first Hmong American journalists, writing for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Chicago Tribune before taking a senior leadership position with Minnesota Public Radio | American Public Media.

She is best known for preserving and sharing Hmong stories and folklore through her writing, including her award-nominated children’s book, Shoua and the Northern Lights Dragon. Her work explores themes of bicultural identity, diaspora, and the experiences of Hmong women.

Vang currently serves as Vice President of Equity and Community Impact at Meet Minneapolis. And she is also a contributing columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune. In 2024, she was recognized by the Twin Cities Business as one of the region’s Top 100 Business Leaders and leading BIPOC executives for her impact in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Hello Fellow Rotarians!

                                       We have our May Happy Hour at Bunny's in St. Louis Park. Join us for drinks, snacks and great company! Bunny's  has once again been voted the Twin Cities favorite Sports Bar and a fan favorite of of City of Lakes Rotarians! 

Bunny's

5916 Excelsior Blvd

St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Club and Foundation Board meetings via Zoom

Join us for a high-energy, feel-good morning as we recognize the people who made it all happen—and send the year off in style with great food and even better company.

Join the conversation after our club meeting. 

The Youth Exchange Committee of the Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club invites you to a celebration for Rasmus and Nicole.  We'll also thank our host families!

As they near the end of a wonderful year with us, we want to send them home with a proper send-off — and we'd love for you to be part of it.

All are welcome. Please RSVP by replying to Heather via the hyperlink

Join us for a spectacular Italian dinner with beloved opera selections performed between courses by internationally acclaimed artists. Reserve your tickets now for one of the most beautiful nights of the year — an evening at an amazing venue, designed for good conversation, great food and breathtaking voices.

Get Your Tickets!

• Early bird: $95 per person
• After May 28: $105 per person
• Premier reserved tables for eight (available until May 15): $900

Wednesday, June 17
5:30 p.m. Social Hour • 6:30 Dinner

Hosted at the historic Minneapolis Club by Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary
729 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis

Free parking on site. Everyone welcome!

No meeting this Wednesday. Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Commodore of the Aquatennial, Marie Carrell, will speak on the event's Lakeside concerts, neighborhood markets, the Torchlight Parade, fireworks over downtown — Aquatennial is nine days of summer in Minneapolis.

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)

Start the new Rotary Year with an inspiring and practcal message from District 5950 Governor Leif Hagen. 

Leif Hagen grew up in Stevens Point and graduated from St. Olaf College in 1988 with a BA in German and French. His early career included teaching languages in Zug, Switzerland, and high school English in Gero, Japan. In 1992, he entered the financial services field as a financial planner with Lutheran Brotherhood, later joining LPL Financial in 2002. He now owns Achievement Financial in Eagan, Minnesota, offering financial planning and Medicare supplemental insurance services.

Leif has held multiple leadership roles within Rotary, including two terms as President of the Eagan Rotary Club and serving as the two-year charter president of the MN Pride Rotary Club. His Rotary involvement includes leading a GSE team to Bangalore, India hosting GSE visitors from Finland and Brazil, serving as District Conference co-chair, Assistant Governor for Area 2, and currently serving on the District Foundation grant committee. He is a Paul Harris Society member, a Major Donor, and has attended Rotary International conventions in Birmingham, New Orleans, Bangkok, and Hamburg. He will serve as Rotary District 5950 Governor for 2026–2027.

Leif lives in Eagan with his partner, Valdir Oliveira, and has three daughters — Kajsa, Svea, and Britta. He enjoys foreign languages, international travel, collecting art, and attending art shows.

Join the Vocational Services team monthly in the Oak Room at the Minneapolis Club after our club meeting. 

Join us for our monthly Community Service meeting at Pinstripes.

As our new Presiden, Brian Kimmes shares inspiring moments from the Rotary International Convention in Taipei and how the global energy, ideas, and connections will shape his vision and priorities for an impactful year ahead.

Please join us after our morning meeting to help begin planning this year’s Foundation Drive Kickoff Event, coming up on October 21.

We are always looking for new ways to celebrate the impact of our Foundation, connect with one another, and introduce guests to Rotary. We’ll discuss what we can carry forward—and what new ideas might create an event that inspires our members to donate and brings some new folks into the fold.

I’d love to have your ideas and energy in the room!

We will be returning to Gary Stang's house.  Gary was a long-time member and now his son Jack is a new member to COL.

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)

Connect with young artists and experience a glorious campus!

The address for MCAD is: 2501 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

For parking, there is a small lot on the south side of the main building. There is ample street parking as well. 

Join us for our monthly Community Service Meeting at Pinstripes in Edina.

Heather is a safety professional with 30 years of experience in aviation, dedicated to enhancing safety and fostering a strong safety culture across the industry. She spent 17 years as an air traffic control specialist before transitioning to academia, and now serves as an Assistant Professor in the Aviation Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she teaches Flight Instructor, Human Factors, and Air Traffic Control courses to the university's 1,000+ aviation students. She holds a B.S. in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota, where she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace, and an M.S. in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, graduating with distinction. A three-time NAFI Master Aviation Educator, she has logged over 1,100 flight hours across 61 aircraft types and has trained thousands of pilots through her FAA safety seminars, including her Operation Raincheck program, which has reached over 2,700 participants — work that has earned her the FAA Administrator's Safety Award and District FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year award. Alongside her teaching and research, she also works as a Flight Test Engineer on a NASA-funded project developing a protein dispenser for use in microgravity.

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

Please join us as COLRC member, Sandy Christensen, shares photos and reflections of her recent WWII History and Normandy Tour.

Jenny Kedward is a wasted food prevention specialist for Hennepin County. She has been talking trash professionally for two decades and is passionate about waste management and consumption. After many years of focusing on recycling and composting, she now gets to focus her work on preventing food waste and feeding people. She chose to get her bachelor’s degree in Biology to fully understand the world she wanted to protect. Kedward is trained in social marketing and behavior change and uses her enthusiasm to educate residents on using the food they have and buying the food they’ll eat. Through changing consumption habits and developing a more mindful system, she believes we can protect our air, water, and land for future generations.

Scott Swenson joins us to build excitement for the upcoming Rotary International Convention in Barcelona. A Rotarian since 1989 (Eagan Rotary, twice President), he's now District 5950 Governor Nominee and a Rotary Foundation Bequest Donor. He helped found the Eagan Kick Start Club and Interact Club, and has served on District Membership and Foundation Committees. Retired after 45 years in banking.

Please join for the fun celbrating the city of Minneapolis and their restaurants!

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

This ISC meeting is on Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6126013730

Evening Event:  Come to a live, behind-the-scenes Behavioral Grooves podcast experience, “Resilience in Our Uncertain Times” instead of a morning  meeting. Get your tickets here 

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3082/Events/resilience-in-our-uncertain-times-community-forum

Join us  for our annual volunteer food packing event at Every Meal on Wednesday, September 30th from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. There is no scheduled morning meeting that day.

Every Meal provides food to students for the weekends when they are not in school. These events are fun, and you feel good knowing this contributes to feeding our youth in need. There is a registration link in the Club Calender along with a map. You must register on the link so I can get everyone registered with Every Meal. This is family friendly and children at least 8 years old are welcome. I look forward to seeing everyone at Every Meal!

Past Presidents: All Aboard Schmitt Happens!

Thursday Oct 1
5:30 boat push off until 7 PM boat docks
Setups, bottled water and beer and wine available
Potluck – Bring food/snacks to share 
Check 394 road construction for potential delays/detours

Please RSVP to Maria if you have not done so already.

Contact Doug if you have other questions.

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.