It is with considerable sadness we announce the 2022 Rotary International Tri-District Conference, IMPACT!, will not happen this spring. A perfect storm of challenges made it prudent to not proceed. If you have already registered, you will receive a 100% refund. Please remember to cancel your lodging reservations directly with the hotel. It is our hope this event -- or one like it -- will occur at some point in the future, but no decision has been made yet regarding that hope. Stay tuned -- and long live Rotary!
TOPIC: Rotary's Impact, Present and Future, on the Globe, Our Districts, Communities and Ourselves.
SYNOPSIS:
Suzi Howe, a member of the Rotary Club of Space Center in Houston, Texas, dedicated her career to education and has provided extensive leadership as a Rotarian. She is a recipient of the Service Above Self Award, the Rotary Foundation's Distinguished Service Award, and Citation for Meritorious Service. Howe became the Rotary International Director for Zones 25B and 29 in January 2020.
Neel Kashkari + Alan Page (Invited)
President of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve + Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, Retired
Thursday, April 21st / 6:00 PM
TOPIC: Access for all to Quality Public Education in the State of Minnesota
SYNOPSIS:
Together, Justice Alan Page and Neel Kaskari will present Minnesota’s statewide education disparities and their implications on the workforce and economy. During their presentation, they will educate you on the Page Amendment, a proposed amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution that would provide all children with a civil right to quality public education.
A catalyst for transformative changes that will improve educational and economic outcomes for all Minnesotans, the Page Amendment is a shared effort between former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and the Minneapolis Federal Reserve. To fight generational poverty and racial inequity in adulthood, the Page Amendment would ensure the state mandates quality public education be offered to all people. Page and Kashkari will demonstrate how this amendment puts citizens in a stronger position and ensure the government is protecting their rights, not a system.
Clare Richards
Impacks + St. Cloud Rotaract Club Founder
Friday, April 22nd / 7:00 AM
TOPIC: Cracking the Code to Rising Stars: How to Find, Motivate, and Create Engaged Young Leaders
SYNOPSIS:
It seems the #1 desire most business owners and nonprofits share is a longing for an engaged and passionate group of young people to be change-makers within their organizations. While this may be a common desire, it’s uncommonly difficult to achieve. In 2015, Clare Richards and her husband founded the St. Cloud Rotaract club, a nonprofit service-oriented group of people ranging from 18-30 years old.
In that process, she has learned some hard lessons about getting young people engaged and active. In this presentation, she will share the top things she’s learned throughout the process and give the audience some solid tips to implement within their organizations to increase participation and passion among young people.
Dr. Christopher P. Lehman
Professor of Ethnic Studies at St. Cloud State University
Friday, April 22nd / 12:00 PM
TOPIC: Slavery’s Reach: The North State State and Beyond
SYNOPSIS:
In his book, “Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North State State”, Christopher Lehmen examines the invitations many high profile Minneostians offered to Southern Slaveholders from the 1840s through the end of the Civil War. These relationships provided a financial foundation for many towns, counties, and significant institutions in Minnesota. But what about the rest of the free states?
Dr. Lehman’s extensive research of obscure records, censuses, newspapers, and archival collections show how residents of our three districts - including Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Southern Ontario - played a mutually beneficial role in building the wealth of southern slaveholders. He will present key findings from his book and teach us how we can deal with these troubling findings of our history.
Karen Kendrick-Hands + Ian Riseley (Invited)
Co-Founder of the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) + Rotary International President 2017/2018
Friday, April 22nd / 6:00 PM
TOPIC: Make Every Day Earth Day
SYNOPSIS:
It’s Earth Day 2022! How can our Rotary Districts, and we as individual Rotarians, best take action to address climate change? Karen Kendrick-Hands will be sharing her experiences working to ensure a stable climate for future generations. Supporting the Environment became the seventh Rotary area of focus on June 25, 2020.
Kendrick-Hands has been instrumental in leading the charge for Rotary’s newest Area of Focus: Protecting the Environment. As a member of the Rotary International’s delegation to the United Nations’ 2021 Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Karen Kendrick-Hands will present her reflections on the event and Rotary’s response to critical challenges of climate change.
Peter Kyle
2020-22 Rotary International Director Zones 33 + 34
Saturday, April 23rd / 7:00 AM
TOPIC: Promoting Peace Through Rotary’s Peace Advocacy - Panel
SYNOPSIS:
As Rotarians, we create environments for peace. According to the Rotary International site, today, over 70 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children. As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.
To help us in our commitment to peacebuilding, Rotary International Director for Zones 33 and 34, Peter Kyle, will present an overview of Rotary’s Peace Fellows and Global Scholars programs as an introduction to a panel discussion. Past Peace Fellows and Global Scholars representing our three districts will describe their experience and its impact on themselves and beyond.
Andrea Walsh
President and CEO of HealthPartners
Saturday, April 23rd / 12:00 PM
TOPIC: The Current State of Healthcare
SYNOPSIS:
Healthcare workers have manned the frontlines for almost two years during the most unprecedented pandemic of our lifetime. From nursing assistants to medical doctors, they’ve all felt the extreme physical and mental burden that 202, and beyond brought. It can also be said that the general public bore many burdens, especially when it comes to their health. Under the leadership of CEO Andrea Walsh, Minnesota-based HealthPartners adapted to meet the changing needs of patients and members.
While the COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges to health care, it also sped innovation that’s helping to make care and coverage simpler and more affordable – the things consumers want most. Working alongside many partners in our region to improve health, HealthPartners CEO Andrea Walsh will share perspectives on what’s changing and why, and where health care is headed next.
