Every year, like clockwork (or perhaps, like a well-oiled bicycle chain), Rotary clubs across the globe hit the refresh button. It's that time of year to high-five the outgoing leader for their incredible dedication and roll out the red carpet for the incoming president and their new board. Think of it as a celebratory relay race, where the baton (or in our case, the meeting bell) is smoothly passed, marking a moment of gratitude, reflection, and a renewed commitment to putting Service Above Self into action.
Our recent outstallation and installation bash on July 10th, 2025 was no exception! It was a great turnout, with everyone gathered to witness the transition. Charmaine's proud husband was even in attendance! The meeting kicked off in classic Rotary style, with President Guy Johnson ringing the opening bell for the final time in his term.
On Wednesday, June 18th, six dedicated members of the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club, along with a resident from the Beach Club residences, spent two hours making a real difference. Organized by club member Bill Sweatt, the event, playfully dubbed "Rock N' Roll Burritos with Ready Set Smile," brought together Kate Van Slyck, Adam Kooyer, Laurie Kottke, Steph Swanson, Bill Sweatt, Guy Johnson, and Dave S. to assemble hundreds of "dental burritos" for Ready Set Smile.
On June 6th, 2025, Mike Benz, Youth Exchange Chair, reported Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club's Youth Exchange Program was celebrating a new chapter as Irene, a student from Minneapolis, embarks on a month-long cultural exchange to the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.
With the support of her parents, Kwame and Alyssa, Irene is eager to immerse herself in German culture, language, and traditions while living with her counterpart, Johanna and her family. This exchange fosters a true cultural partnership, as Johanna will return with Irene to Minneapolis for a month, allowing both young women to share their experiences. Mike's update also included some kind words about Irene and her family:
"Great news from our friend Kwame. He and his wife Alyssa put their daughter Irene on a plane to the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany yesterday. Irene is a bright, enthusiastic, and adventurous student at Minneapolis Washburn High School who just finished her freshman year. One can only imagine the possibilities that this experience could open up for her.”
This program truly embodies the North Star Youth Exchange’s inspiring slogan: “We are building world peace, one student at a time.” The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club is proud to support the development of global citizens, fostering empathy and understanding through these invaluable exchanges. We extend our gratitude to our club members and the community for their ongoing support, making a difference one student, one friendship, and one journey at a time.
The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary SubClub will welcome summer with a visit to the Minneapolis Uptown Farmers Market on Thursday, June 12th. The market operates weekly through September 25th, every Thursday from 4 to 8 PM at the Girard Avenue Plaza (Lake Street and Girard Avenue South), outside Seven Points Uptown.
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Uptown Rotary members gathered for a morning of community service and camaraderie as part of our commitment to the Adopt-A-Greenway program, coordinated with the Midtown Greenway Coalition.
At last Wednesday’s SubClub meeting, held at the vibrant Chilango in Uptown, we welcomed guest speakers from the newly reimagined Uptown Farmers Market. Over beverages, about a dozen attendees gathered to hear exciting updates about the market's upcoming inaugural full season, set to launch on June 12, 2025, at the Girard Avenue Plaza.
On the morning of April 17th, 2025, members of the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club had the pleasure of touring the new facility of Ready, Set, Smile--a nonprofit dedicated to improving kids’ oral health through education and preventative care. Executive Director Tessa Trepp-Wetjen, MPA, and Dental Director (and Founder) Adele Della Torre, DDS, led the tour and shared more about the organization’s mission and hands-on approach in the community.
Ready, Set, Smile doesn’t just provide dental care--they make it fun and approachable for kids, helping to reduce fear of the dentist and build lifelong healthy habits. By focusing on education and early intervention, they drastically reduce future dental costs for families through this preventative care--reducing the chance that little problems becoming big ones.
Ready, Set, Smile has been delivering on-site dental treatment and health education to children from underrepresented communities in Minneapolis schools for the last seven years. A culturally-competent agency, Ready, Set, Smile partners with 44 preschools and school-aged children through the 8th grade to ensure all children have access and resources to live productive lives.
We all had a wonderful time riding the restored Como-Harriet Streetcar on a gorgeous early autumn evening. Children and adults alike gathered to ride the rails and learn about the history of the former bustling Twin Cities Streetcar network.
August 25th, 2024: The air in Falcon Heights buzzed with the familiar aroma of mini donuts, roasted corn, and livestock. It was the Minnesota State Fair, "The Great Minnesota Get-Together," and for a group of international visitors, it promised to be an unforgettable, albeit very hot, day.
A group of adventurous members from the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club recently enjoyed a delightful sunset cruise on beautiful Lake Minnetonka. The outing was arranged by the ever-fun and spirited Captain Bill Sweatt, whose infectious enthusiasm helped make the evening truly memorable.
On August 3, 2023, we enthusiastically welcomed Kate Van Slyck as our newest club member. Her induction was conducted with fitting ceremony and great fanfare by our very own Glenna Case, marking a memorable moment for the club. Kate committed herself to Rotarian ideals, including "Service Above Self," and other core values such as fellowship, integrity, diversity, and leadership. We are very excited to have Kate join our ranks!
Minneapolis Uptown Rotary plans to support an outbound student from Minneapolis Southwest High School for Rotary Youth Exchange in the 2023-24 school year.
The May 2022 issue of Rotary magazine included a story called "The Business of Healing" by Frank Bures. "The city of Minneapolis was reeling after George Floyd's murder. Rotary clubs helped small businesses recover - and changed themselves in the process."
Jennifer E. Jones will become the first female to serve as president of Rotary International in its 117 year history when she takes over for the 2022-23 rotary year.
On Saturday June 26, Uptown Rotary joined other District 5950 Rotary clubs and the Lake Street Council to host open houses at businesses in the Uptown area of Minneapolis affected by the civil unrest along the Lake Street corridor in May 2020.
Josh Hillger's highly successful year as President of Minneapolis Uptown Rotary came to a close this week, punctuated by his first, last, and only in-person club meeting.
As we continue to diversify Rotary adding more women and minorities to better reflect our communities, it is exciting to see progress — even during a pandemic!
We’ve increased the female percentage of District membership from 30% to 32.25%, adding over 80 additional new women members, primarily from the District's new clubs:
The Twin-City Eco Club is 52% women and added four members during the Pandemic.
The Rotary Club of Network for Empowering Women has a membership comprised of 69% women and has added 12 members since its chartering earlier this year.
The Rotary Club to End Human Trafficking is 61% women and has added 15 female members during the Pandemic.
Minneapolis Uptown Rotary's Guy Johnson, current Assistant Governor for District 5950's Area 1 City Clubs, will be the District's Assistant Governor Coordinator for the 2021-22 Rotary year.
In July 2019, Tess Tierney became a Rotarian and joined Uptown Rotary Club. Welcome Tess! She works in Food Science & Regulatory Affairs for Bellisio Foods, and is passionate about volunteer service.
On October 18, 2018 Minneapolis Uptown Rotary welcomed and pinned its newest member, Bill Sweatt. Glenna did her usual wonderful job of swearing him in. Welcome Bill.
Guy's growler party was a huge success. Wonderful host and hostess. Great conversations. Perfect snack food. Delicious beers. I am sorry for those who missed it.
As we transition from Guy's wonderful stories, nutrition nuggets, and exceptional guidance over the past year, we are grateful to Ed for his willingness to take over the reins or reign of our wonderful group. The pictures say it all. Thanks Guy!!!!!
MPLS Uptown Rotary congratulated retiring District 5950 Executive Secretary Diane Confer at our club meeting on Thursday June 16. Also in attendance was outgoing District Governor Tim Murphy from the Edina Rotary Club.
Erik Brown is soliciting Rotarians to 'Walk the Hood' with him
to visit area businesses and invite them to Rotary. The next date is
November 21. Don't miss this monthly opportunity.
On the morning of April 17th, 2025, members of the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club had the pleasure of touring the new facility of Ready, Set, Smile--a nonprofit dedicated to improving kids’ oral health through education and preventative care. Executive Director Tessa Trepp-Wetjen, MPA, and Dental Director (and Founder) Adele Della Torre, DDS, led the tour and shared more about the organization’s mission and hands-on approach in the community.
