Posted by Jeff Benson on Jun 18, 2019

Nyle Zikmund’s guest today was his son, Maddison Zikmund.  He is the Spring Lake Park-
Blaine-Mounds View Assistant Fire Chief.  Maddison has applied for membership in our club.

 

The outgoing and incoming Boards will meet on Tuesday June 25th at 11:00.

 

Cindy Carlson will pass the presidential gavel to Dennis Connolly at next Tuesday’s noon meeting.  Let’s have a great turnout to recognize Cindy’s and John Marg-Patton’s contributions and to welcome Dennis to the presidency.

 

Jennifer Fink, director of New Brighton Parks and Recreation, has submitted her application to become a Corporate Designee under Dean Lotter’s membership.

 

On Thursday, June 27th, our club will provide a hot dog lunch for volunteers at the Kaboom playground construction for the new Global Academy at 3000 5th St NW, New Brighton.  Several more volunteers will be needed at 10:30AM.

 

John and Marla Ordway have graciously offered to host the Rotary Picnic on Saturday, July 27th.  Mark your calendars now and watch this bulletin for more details.

 

After eating too much at the Rotary Picnic, you’ll want to show up for the “Walk For Your Neighbors” fundraiser for the Community Support Center at Silverwood Park on Sunday, July 28th.

 

Keep in mind that the Stockyard Days Parade has moved from its usual Thursday Evening time slot to Saturday afternoon, August 3rd.  Mark your calendars for a 1:00PM start to the hot dog preparation.

 

On August 17th, the Mounds View Police Foundation is looking for volunteers to call bingo to raise funds for the Foundation at the Mounds View Festival in the Park.  Details to follow.

 

If you haven’t signed up for a month or two of meeting responsibilities, please call Nyle Zikmund ASAP.

 

Cindy Carlson will be celebrating a big birthday later this week and because she is always eager to have others wear the Birthday Hat, it seemed only fair that she had to wear the hat for her birthday song.  See below.

Dave Hoel reported on the Pancreatic Cancer Benefit Golf Tourney last Friday.  It was the biggest event in the 7 year history of the event and Dave thanked the many Rotarians that participated.

 

Cindy Carlson introduced Forest Lake Rotarian and Past 5960 District Governor, Clare Lillis to speak to us about Human Trafficking.  The definition of human trafficking is the exploitation of a person by force, fraud or coercion for commercial sex or forced labor.  Estimates vary from 25-42 million victims of human trafficking each year and the practice is a $150 billion business globally, with $91 Billion from sex trafficking and $51 billion from forced labor trafficking.  This makes it the 2nd largest black market activity.  Minnesota has somewhere between 8,000 and 14,000 people trafficked for sex each year, with a significant number of those because Minnesota is a convenient distribution center for the trade.

 

The victims of sex trafficking are, for the most part, vulnerable youth entering trafficking at an average age of 13 years.  Victims are forced to engage in 5-48 sex acts per day and survive an average of 7 years if not rescued.  The buyers are mostly men of all ages, half of whom are married and many of whom have children of their own.  Most travel 30-60 miles from home to buy sex and most purchases are made via the internet.

 

How can we end trafficking?  The most effective strategy is to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks factors for young people and create awareness of the problem.  The demand could be reduced by educating men that prostitution is not a victimless crime.  District 5960 is working to bring 160 Minnesota and surrounding region Rotary Clubs together to provide education and support other local organizations in the fight against trafficking.  Cindy and Clare are pictured below.