WELCOME TO EDINA  MORNINGSIDE ROTARY CLUB
 
 
We are vibrant, civic-minded business, professional and community leaders who gather for fellowship, fun, career development, and the opportunity to serve locally, regionally and internationally. We teach, we lead, and we transfer what we do onto others.
 
Edina Morningside Rotary Club #26855
 
Tuesday mornings from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
 
Edina  Morningside Rotary Club meets at Edina Country Club.
5101 Wooddale Avenue, Edina MN 55424
 
Contact us:612-270-9887, edinamorningsiderotary@gmail.com
 
PLEASE JOIN US!
Together We....
These are very strong "watch words" to help us build strength from within our Club out into the Community. 
 
Are you looking for a way to serve your community?
 
If you are, we invite you to be our guest. Please join us at Edina Morningside Rotary Club where you will find a group of people just like you ..  together we unite for the good of the community.
 
Please join us! You can help us do good in our community, in our region, in our nation and around the world.
 
President Mike Andersen
 
 
OUR NEXT MEETING
PLEASE JOIN US for our next meeting!
 
Tuesday, March 17th, 7:30 a.m., at the Edina Country Club
 
Our speaker will be Sierra Lyon, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Make A Wish Minnesota.
 
WELCOME NEW MEMBER: DAVID STIBBE
WELCOME NEW MEMBER: DAVID STIBBE
 
 
David Stibbe was inducted as a member of Edna Morningside Rotary Club on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026. David is Gifts Officer with People Incorporated. His classification is Non Profit, and his sponsor is Mike Andersen.
 
For information about Rotary membership, please contact Nathon Park.
 
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: KAELEEN LAIRD
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: KAELEEN LAIRD
 
Kaeleen Laird has been the Advancement Manager at the Pavek Museum of Electronic
Communication since May 2023.
 
In her role, she oversees fundraising, marketing, community outreach, and events. Before her time at the Pavek Museum, she worked at the Minnesota Chapters of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG MN) and
Secured Finance Network (SFNet), both in the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit sector, where she honed her nonprofit experience. Kaeleen graduated with a B.S. in Human Ecology from Kansas State University and moved to Minneapolis in 2017.

Prior to her time in the nonprofit sector, Kaeleen worked at IDS Executive Suites in downtown Minneapolis for 5 years - this is where she was introduced to Rotary! She attended her first Rotary meeting as a guest of her then boss, Melody Hach, who was the Rotary Club 9 President at the time.
 
Kaeleen's sponsor is Nina Larson Weber.
 
For information about Rotary membership, contact Nathon Park.
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: TOM ALLENBURG
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: TOM ALLENBURG
 
 
Tom Allenburg is retired from United Healthcare. He worked in Analytics & Consumer Engagement. He is married to Edina Noon Rotary member Erica Allenburg who is a member of the Edina School Board member and Edina Noon Rotary. His Rotary sponsor is Betsy Kumagai.
 
For information about Rotary Membership, please contact Nathon Park.
 
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: KARLA HULT
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: KARLA HULT
 
 
Karla Hult, a journalist and reporter, is an Emmy, Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite award-winning journalist and passionate advocate dedicated to helping those saying So Many Goodbyes. Her Rotary sponsor is Paul Nelson.
 
For information about Rotary membership, contact Nathon Park.
 
 
 
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: KRISTA BIRD WRIGHT
NEW MEMBER PROSPECT: KRISTA BIRD WRIGHT
 
 
Krista Bird Wright is Chief Revenue Officer with Higher Recruitment and is a creative problem solver and collaborator. Her sponsor is Tom Gump.
 
For information about Rotary membership, contact Nathon Park.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
March 17th, at Edina Country Club: Speaker Sierra Lyon, Make A Wish Minnesota
March 24th, OFF SITE Service Project 
March 31st, Local Grants Presentations
 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS
CHECK EVENTS CALENDAR FOR DETAIL
 
Sunday, Mar 8th, 5 - 9:00 p.m., Edina A Better Chance Annual Gala, Interlachen Country Club
 
Thursday, March 26th, 7:45 a.m., Wayfinders: Career Exploration, Edina High School Performing Arts Center, Enter Door 3.
 
Use your device camera to scan the QR code for info and reservations.
 
EDINA ABC GALA: WESTERN NIGHT MARCH 8th
EDINA ABC GALA: Western Night
Sunday, March 8, 5:00 p.m.
Interlachen Country Club
 
 
Those interested in finding out more or attending can register HERE.
 
Betsy also shared that she is baking banana bread!   The Banana Bread Sale spans February, and all proceeds are split equally between Second Harvest Heartland and Edina A Better Chance.   
 
 
Order your loaves HERE.  
GREETINGS FROM NEPAL!
Greetings EMRC from Steve and Liisa Schmitt in Nepal!  
 
 
 
You all have been busy.  It is great to see the success of the Rotaringo and all the guests.
 
We are well in Nepal and have started a substack feed to keep all updated on status and to share more about what we are learning during our Peace Corps assignment.  Substack is a free "blogging' type site, that we will keep as free, so our updates can be freely  accessed and shared.  One can establish a no cost account and subscribe to get automatic update notifications.
 
Please post the substack link, as you see it appropriate, to newsletter, website or share at a meeting (including any extracts from the substack feed).
 
We miss you all and continue to be your Rotary friends in service.
 
 
 
HORNET CARES FUND
EDINA HORNET CARES FUND
 
 
Supporting our schools' families and staff during times of uncertainty - The Hornet Cares Fund provides direct support to Edina Public Schools' families and staff facing temporary hardship, helping ensure stability, dignity, and continued access to school and community resources. Together, we can bring much-needed help to our friends and neighbors who are in need.
 
Here is the link to the website and information explaining the fund. 
 
There are volunteer opportunities listed on their webpage as well as a link for giving financially.
 
 
WELCOME NEW MEMBER: CHRISTIAN BARTLETT
WELCOME NEW MEMBER CHRISTIAN BARTLETT
 
 
Christian Bartlett was inducted as a member of Edina Morningside Rotary Club on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. Christian is a personal banker Old National Bank in Eden Prairie, MN.
 
On his LinkedIn page, Christian describes himself as: Relationship Banker | Supporting Minnesota Individuals & Businesses | Personal Trainer | Sports Journalist. Christian became interested in Rotary and began attending meetings of Edina Morningside Rotary Club in December, 2026. In a few weeks, Christian determined that Edina Morningside Rotary Club would be his Rotary home. He continues to attend meetings and other club events. His application for membership was approved by the board. Christian's Linked In page is www.linkedin.com/in/christian-bartlett1.
 
Christian's membership sponsor is Jim Bizal.
 
For information about Rotary membership, please contact Nathon Park or Peter Williams, Membership Committee Directors for Edina Morningside Rotary Club.
PLAY ROTARINGO!
ROTARINGO - A GREAT SUCCESS!
 
Thanks to all who volunteered, played and supported Rotaringo!
Thanks especially to Loic Talhouarne and Christophe Perrin who brought this idea to us!
GET INVOLVED! JOIN A COMMITTEE
Deepen your Rotary involvement - join a committee. 

Find the committee that matches your interest. Please contact the committee chair for information.
Thank you for your dedication to Rotary!
ROTARY APPAREL: ORDER YOUR OWN
PROMOTE ROTARY WITH YOUR OWN APPAREL FROM LANDS END BUSINESS
 
Looking for Rotary-branded apparel for yourself? Or a gift for someone?
 
Visit the EMROTARY online store.
 
 
 
Check out the pullovers, zip ups, vests and more.
 
There is no minimum purchase for Lands End brand. Minimums may apply for other brands such as Adidas, Nike, North Face and TravisMathew. If your order includes these special brands, you might consider a group order with your Rotary friends.
 
DONT FORGET TO APPLY THE LOGO!!
When placing your order, remember to click APPLY LOGO and choose the location for the embroidered logo (left side, right side, back). 
 
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact club admin Mary Brindle.
RECENT PHOTOS
March 3rd Meeting
 
Thank to Mary Brindle for a great presentation!
 
 
 
 
 
February 24th Meeting
 
Great to see Jenn Glass!
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you to our speaker on February 17th, Jackie Boucher of Children's Heartlink. 
 
And a big welcome back to Dick Crockett - we were all so happy to see you at the Club Meeting this week!
 
SPONSOR OUR WEBSITE!
We invite all EMRC members and friends to sponsor our club website.
You pay just $5 per quarter.
 
Include your company logo on our club website and we will link the logo to your website.
 
Contact Mary Brindle, Club Administrator, for details.
 
Facebook Page
Club Board of Directors
President
Mike Andersen
President Elect
Carolyn Jackson
Treasurer
Brad Johnson
Secretary
Erica Stern
EMRC Foundation Liaison
Bocar Kane
Membership Co-chair
Nathon Park
Membership Co-chair
Peter Williams
Community Service
Judy Gelston
Community Service
Sadia Ali
International Chair
Jim Bizal
Fundraising Chair
Jim Bizal
Director
Cathy Hogan
Club Service
Mary Brindle
Executive Secretary / Director
Mary Brindle
Rotary Foundation
Norm Siekman
Club Links
Rotary Links
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Mark Shockey
    March 1
  • Guy Logan
    March 2
  • Bob Seeger
    March 7
  • Paul Nelson
    March 8
  • Rob Laughlin
    March 10
  • Jim Bizal
    March 18
  • Hein de Hoog
    March 25
  • Jim Warner
    March 26
  • Mark Hegstrom
    March 29
Anniversaries:
  • Doug McElrath
    Karen McElrath
    March 2
Join Date:
  • Rassacin Ly
    March 12, 2024
    2 years
  • Steve Schmitt
    March 21, 2017
    9 years
  • Loic Talhouarne
    March 25, 2025
    1 year
  • Sophia Pham
    March 28, 2023
    3 years
  • Rob Laughlin
    March 29, 2005
    21 years