Due to the guidelines from President Trump and the executive orders from Governor Walz as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the in-person meetings of our club at Flaherty's Arden Bowl from March 17 and after have been cancelled until further notice. In its place we have begun e-meetings via the Zoom platform. The club had its first e-happy hour March 26 and its first weekly e-meeting March 31.
Our club has been living up to the Rotary Motto of Service Above Self during the pandemic. The money members paid for the March 17 and 24 breakfasts has been donated to The Sheridan Project and the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf to help those needy children and adults suffering from food insecurity from the pandemic. In addition individual members have sent contributions to those two charities in response to my e-mail.
Kent Peterson is working with other area charities and service clubs to develop a project or fundraiser to help those harmed in our area by the pandemic. Kent has been working with the Shoreview Community Foundation, the Arden Hills Foundation, the Shoreview Lions Club and elected officials to determine the need and a delivery vehicle. He has also contacted some other service clubs as well. Kent will keep us updated on his progress.
We were going to prepare another meal at the Ronald McDonald House later this summer. Due to the pandemic all such volunteer activities at Ronald McDonald have been cancelled and staff has been serving the meals. Colleen Lavin, our team leader for this service project, has suggested we donate the money budgeted to buy the food for the meal to Ronald McDonald House instead. Her suggestion will be voted upon at the April 6 board meeting. Members voiced their support for her suggestion as the March 31 e-meeting.
In recognition of his 49 years of service as an athletic official our own Mark Stange was scheduled to receive the Minnesota State High School League's distinguished service award at the high school basketball championship. Unfortunately, the championship tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic. Instead, Mark will receive the award next year. Mark is just another example of a Rotarian living up to our motto. Congratulations Mark! Happy dollars will be collected to recognize Mark's award.
After our first attempts at Zoom meetings I have a few suggestions based on recommendations from members with more Zoom experience that me. Please keep your microphone muted unless you are talking. Also please don't use both your phone and computer at the same time. These suggestions will eliminate feedback. I will also mute everyone except the leader during the pledge and 4-way test.