President Dennis Connolly opened the meeting by reviewing some upcoming District online learning opportunities:
May 15, 2020 (Friday 9:00AM – 10:00  AM) - Suzi Howe, - Rotary International Director 2020-2022, Leadership in Action - Rotarians have the opportunity to be leaders in Rotary and in our communities.  Suzi will share a story of leadership in crisis and the critical elements that apply whether in crisis or calm.  Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscemvqzoqGN2O2VSBT7iG4Sw3pKdfCb3L .  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
May 22, 2020 (Friday 9:00AM – 11:00AM) - Dr. Ira Helfand - UN Nuclear Nonproliferation.  Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sde6uqT4tyETCmLk1iC8U9pS_QRby3Q .  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
May 29, 2020 (Friday 9:00AM) - STRIVE: Investing in Our Future - Whether your STRIVE program is already successful, needs a boost or you are interested in starting one, the May 29th Friday Feature on STRIVE will be informative. Diane Ilstrup, Rochester Rotary Club and Brent Voight , Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club will share successes, how  challenges are addressed, or what they feel are the next steps in how the program is evolving.  Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rce-uqjIoHtSPRiqR3T7g1ct5kx0VTxY_  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
Geoff Hollimon reported on the Suburban Ramsey Emergency Coalition.  The coalition is raising funds to help those in our immediate communities who are most negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis.  The coalition’s focus is on the greatest areas of need, beginning with food insecurity and housing instability.  Geoff said that our club has directly contributed $1,000 to the coalition as well as working with the Arden Hills-Shoreview and Roseville Rotary Clubs to secure a special district Matching Grant which resulted in over $3,100 in contributions to the Coalition’s Covid-19 Response Fund.  Geoff noted that the Community Support Center here in New Brighton was the first organization to send in a grant proposal for $5000.  Their proposal was accepted and they are currently completing the full grant application. The approval of their proposal virtually assures their request will get final approval and make them the Response fund’s first grant recipient. Your donations to the Response Fund would be greatly appreciated.  Personal and organizational donations of any amount may be made by check payable to the Suburban Ramsey Covid-19 Response Fund and mailed to:
       Suburban Ramsey Covid-19
       Response Fund
       c/o Carol Brown-Mills
       5845 St. Albans Court
       Shoreview, MN 55126
Carol is a board member of Shoreview Community Foundation and she’ll forward them to The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation each day. You will still get your tax receipt from the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation with tax ID # 41-6031510.
Online contributions of any amount can be made at GiveMN.org at this URL: https://www.givemn.org/story/Suburbanramseycovid19responsefund
The Coalition’s Facebook page can be accessed by clicking here.
 
President-Elect Ed James reported that our selection for our $1,500 at-large scholarship will be awarded to Kunga Sagmo from St. Anthony High School.  The selection criteria was “Service Above Self”.  She will study biology, society and the environment.  Thanks to those who helped in the selection process. 
 
There was considerable discussion about yesterday’s meeting to decide how to deal with the loss of club income due to the cancellation of this year’s Gold Plate Dinner.  The group decided that we will have a “No Plate Dinner” on Tuesday, July 21st at 12:00 (our regular meeting time).  The event will be held via Zoom.  The basic plan is to gather contributions from those who would have attended the Gold Plate Dinner, or others who have some connection with the club.  Contributors could select either a $150 contribution which would provide $75 in dining gift certificates plus a chance at several raffle prizes during the “No-Plate Dinner”  OR  a $75 contribution to participate in the raffle only.   More details are forthcoming.
 
Ed James announced that his son will be attending Brooklyn Law School.