Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club's
Quarterly Newsletter
2026 • First Quarter - Issue 1 of 4
Newsletter Transition
Rotarians,
You will notice a new name at the top of this issue.
Our newsletter is now PULSE. SNAP originally represented Service, Neighbors, Action, Partnership, but it is also the name of an important nutrition assistance program serving many families in Uptown and South Minneapolis. Out of respect for that work and the people it supports, we felt it was appropriate to move in a new direction.
P.U.L.S.E. stands for Purpose, Unity, Leadership, Service & Excellence, values that shape our service and strengthen our local impact.
Same mission. Stronger signal.
Announcements
Katherine Voelkers Visits Uptown Rotary
We were pleased to welcome Katherine Voelkers, Gifts Officer at People Incorporated Mental Health Services, as a guest at a recent meeting.
Katherine reached out through our website to learn more about Uptown Rotary and explore how she might get involved. She joined us at Lakeside Center, jumped right in by drawing the number for the weekly charity pot, and brought thoughtful engagement throughout the meeting. She also expressed strong interest in volunteering with Joyce Uptown Food Shelf and Every Meal at Ella Baker School.
Several members have already connected with her regarding volunteer opportunities, and she is currently exploring membership. We look forward to continuing that conversation.
Welcome, Eileen Neely
We are proud to officially welcome Eileen Neely to the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Glenna Case conducted Eileen’s induction ceremony, presented her Rotary pin.
Eileen was first introduced to Rotary through our partnership with the Uptown Association during the Christmas tree selling event this past season. She was looking for an organization where she could make a meaningful local impact in Minneapolis and channel her energy into constructive, community-based action.
We are thrilled to have her officially join the club!
👉 Read more:
https://minneapolisuptownrotary.org/Stories/welcome-eileen-neely-to-uptown-rotary
Fundraising and Community Partnerships
Steph Swanson continues to lead the charge on Rotary fundraising efforts, and we are grateful for her steady leadership.
Recently, we have partnered with Eric from the Uptown Association to explore whether a City of Minneapolis grant opportunity could support a joint initiative. The grant parameters require a focus on the arts, and Laura Bachman of Bachman’s has already been engaged in early discussions.
If that partnership aligns for this spring cycle, we will move forward accordingly. If not, we remain committed to launching a new fundraising event this summer, along with a smaller event planned for September.
The work continues, and momentum is building.
Black History Month Reflections
As we close out Black History Month, I want to share a personal tradition that continues to shape my understanding and appreciation of history and culture.
Each February, I intentionally seek out music and film from Black artists I have not previously experienced. It pushes me outside my comfort zone, supports artists and local record shops, and gives me something meaningful to share.
This year’s picks included:
Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), directed by Questlove, documenting the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.
The Long Road to Freedom: An Anthology of Black Music, produced by Harry Belafonte, tracing African-rooted music from the 17th century forward.
Charles Bradley’s Victim of Love, a modern recording with a powerful 1960s soul sound.
A Rotary connection moment involving a 1963 recording by Eugene Rhodes, rediscovered and finally gifted to a longtime friend nearly twenty years after it was purchased.
👉 Read the full feature:
https://minneapolisuptownrotary.org/Stories/adam-s-2026-black-history-month-media-picks
Music remains one of the most powerful lenses through which we can understand resilience, history, and cultural influence. If you give any of these a listen, I would be glad to hear your thoughts.
THANK YOU!:
Thank you for reading the first quarterly issue of 2026.
This club continues to grow because of members who show up, lead, volunteer, and invest in our community. As we move into the next stretch of the year, we remain committed to purposeful service and meaningful partnership.
If you have a story to share, a service highlight, a member spotlight, or an idea worth amplifying, I invite you to contribute to a future issue of PULSE. This newsletter reflects the heartbeat of our club, and that heartbeat comes from you.
See you at the next meeting.
Adam C. Kooyer
Public Image Chair / 2026-2027 President Elect
Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club