Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club - Stillwater, Minnesota

If you are interested in speaking at our club or have an interesting program idea, please send us an email.  We will forward the information to our Club Program Chair, as well as consider posting the message on this page for members to view.

posted 6/10/09

Is there an aging senior in your life – a parent, a relative, a neighbor, a friend – who wants to remain as independent as possible – but in order to do that - needs some specific services?

Do you have employees who are less productive because they are caring for an aging parent?

I would like to recommend a very dynamic and timely speaker on the topic of services for seniors.  Mary Jo Schifsky is executive director of Store To Door, a nonprofit that delivers groceries to homebound seniors in the Greater Twin Cities area.  Mary Jo’s visit would be timely first because the services of Store To Door are expanding in your area. And second, we can all see that there are an increasing number of elderly adults, a decreasing number of care facility beds, increasing budget pressure on social services and a decreasing amount of familial support for aging.  Store To Door is unique; it is the only nonprofit in the state exclusively focused on grocery delivery for homebound seniors.  Grocery orders are taken by phone and shopped by volunteers, and delivery by a Store To Door staff person is done right into the kitchen so he can help put groceries away or loosen lids if needed.  Mary Jo will adhere to your 20 minute presentation time and will be happy to answer questions.

You may contact me or Mary Jo directly.

Ginger Sisco
Sisco Public Relations, Inc.
763-544-0629
Ginger.sisco@tela.com

Mary Jo Schifsky, Executive Director
Store To Door
1821 University Ave. W. #112
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-642-1892
MaryJo@storetodoor.org

posted 5/20/09

Tod Fyten is the President & Brewmaster of St. Croix Brewing Company.  This is his 25th year in the Craft Brewing Business.  He has lots of stories about the industry and of course his brews.  Tod has participated in the Brewers Bazaar every year.

Tod Fyten
Tel: 651-387-0708
tod.fyten@comcast.net

posted 4/21/09

Kirk Anderson is a Rotarian in the St. Croix Falls/Taylor Falls Club.  He owns a business in St. Croix Falls called Interactive Business Solutions.  Kirk would be an excellent speaker to help our club members learn about the use and benefits of new online technologies like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter.  We're never too old to learn!

Kirk Anderson
715-483-0937 office
612-598-5758 cell
www.Interactive123.com

Kirk spoke at our club on 6/16/09 and gave an excellent presentation about the benefits of online social networks for our club.

posted 4/6/09

The Boy Scouts of America will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2010.  They would like to speak to our club and tell us what they have planned for their Centennial Celebration.  Justin Williams from the Northern Star Council in St. Paul is the contact.  He can be reached via email: jwilliams@nsbsa.org or by phone: 651-254-9149.

posted 1/29/09

My name is Tyler and I work for Björn Stansvik, CEO at MentorMate in St. Paul and a fellow rotarian.  MentorMate is an IT solutions company which services includes search engine optimization and custom software development for businesses.   I have been tasked with setting up a chance for Björn to speak for the Stillwater Sunrise club at the earliest convenience.  Björn has an educational presentation that helps businesses learn to optimize their web sites to promote higher visibility for search engines and increased internet traffic.  Björn has already spoken at the Eagan club and based on the warm reception, was hoping he might be able to share with the Stillwater Sunrise club as well.  At the bottom of this email you can find a link in case you would like to view more specific information on the presentation.  You can also reach me at 612-823-4000 in the office, or on my cell phone at (559) 593-0139, I would love to chat about the program with you.

Thank you much,
Tyler J. Fremming
MentorMate
Office: 612-823-0139
Cell: 559-593-0139

tyler.fremming@mentormate.com

Presentation Overview: http://mentormate.com/SEOPresentation2009.pdf

posted 1/26/09

I’d like to recommend Charles “Chad” Weinstein, director of the Hill Center for Ethical Business Leadership, a division of the James J. Hill Library in St. Paul. The center opened in 2007 and is dedicated to helping businesses prosper through a strategic commitment to ethics and social responsibility.  Business development and business ethics are not mutually exclusive. Chad’s focus is on business performance, on going beyond compliance – which is critically important – to helping organizations find ways to truly excel by doing the right thing.  His message resonates with leaders in businesses from small companies to large corporations.

Here are a couple of testimonials from those who have heard Chad speak:

“I found Chad Weinstein’s talk to be engaging and informative.  He is genuinely focused on the business performance side of ethics.  He’s a practical thinker about how to align social responsibility and business performance.”
Chuck Rauenhorst
Rauenhorst Recruiting Company
Minneapolis

“Chad Weinstein’s very valuable message and insight was one of the program highlights of our Rotary year.  It was thoughtful, appropriate and well presented.”
Gregory D. Palmer
Vice President, Citizens Independent Bank
Hopkins

A description of Chad Weinstein’s presentation and background is below.   He would tailor his remarks for your Rotary audience and time frame.

Please feel free to contact me about scheduling a presentation from Chad or you may contact him directly at cweinstein@jjhill.org 651-265-5459.

Ginger Sisco
Sisco Public Relations, Inc.
763-544-0629
ginger.sisco@tela.com

Doing Good, Being Great:
Aligning Business Performance with Social Responsibility
A Presentation to Business Leaders

Charles A. Weinstein, Ph.D., Director
Hill Center for Ethical Business Leadership

The business press is suddenly full of stories about “corporate social responsibility” or “corporate citizenship.”   Many business leaders find it understandably difficult to apply these concepts profitably and successfully, especially to small and growing businesses.   The keys can be found in understanding how your business relates to those it touches: customers, owners/shareholders, employees, vendors, and the communities in which you do business.   A smart, socially responsible business leader can prosper by strategically investing in these relationships.

This presentation moves beyond the buzzwords and the hype to understand the business case – and practical applications – for thinking socially and commercially at the same time.   Using real-world examples drawn from his own consulting and research, Weinstein illustrates how business leaders can achieve both measurable commercial results and measurable social benefits through appropriate strategic alignment, creative implementation, and steady, effective leadership.

The presentation requires approximately 20 minutes, followed by questions and discussion.

About the Speaker

Charles A. “Chad” Weinstein is director of the Hill Center for Ethical Business Leadership, an organization dedicated to helping businesses prosper through a strategic commitment to ethics and social responsibility.   The Hill Center provides consulting services; www.einsight.org., a unique online resource center featuring the einsight e-Quiz; and the Hill Leadership Working Group, a professional development opportunities for leaders at any level of an organization.

Prior to founding the Hill Center in the summer of 2007, Weinstein spent over 15 years as a consultant and manager, most recently as Vice President of Client Services at Guildeline, Inc.  Weinstein has served clients in a wide variety of industries, including consumer products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, mining and mineral extraction, and high-tech manufacturing.  He has also held leadership positions in firms in the information services and industrial safety industries.  Weinstein holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in business ethics (philosophy) from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.

For more information, contact Charles Weinstein at 651-265-5459, or cweinstein@jjhill.org.  Find out more about the Hill Center at www.jjhill.org/ethics.

The Hill Center for Ethical Business Leadership is a division of the James J. Hill Library, and is supported by fees for services, a generous grant from Halloran Philanthropies, our sponsors, and donors.

posted 12/18/08

I’d like to introduce myself and my St. Paul-based international travel company, PLAY it Forward Adventures.  I’m currently seeking opportunities to present the PLAY it Forward concept in travel to Minnesota-based Rotary and Rotaract Clubs in 2009.

PLAY it Forward Adventures combine volunteering with active outdoor adventure in such places as Guatemala, Peru, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro) and Argentina.  To give you an example of a PLAY it Forward travel experience, 10-days in Guatemala includes hiking, biking, kayaking and building a home for a Guatemalan family in 2.5 days.  Our adventures are designed to challenge travelers physically, mentally, culturally and emotionally, in an attempt to shift their perspective in any number of ways.

The PLAY it Forward vision is to improve quality of life across the globe.  This applies not only to the people we help, but also to American travelers looking for a meaningful experience.  Our mission is to provide all-encompassing travel experiences that empower people and enrich lives.  Many of our travelers walk away with a renewed sense of “life” and feel inspired to make changes in how they currently live.  Our overall philosophy on travel is to “give back in the places you play.”

All adventures are rated on a scale from 1-5 in the categories of physical fitness, culture shock and comfort making it easier for each traveler to select the appropriate adventure for their interests and skill set.

Attached you’ll find our 2009 Adventure Schedule complete with destinations, trip descriptions, dates and prices.  Details are still being finalized on Peru/Machu Picchu and Argentina but will be announced in upcoming PLAY it Forward e-newsletters.

Sincerely,
Jodi Nelson
Founder
PLAY it Forward Adventures
651.493.8817
www.pifadventures.com

Melanie Sorensen spoke at our club on 2/24/09 and gave an excellent presentation about their program and their trips.

posted 10/15/08

I’m contacting you in regard to the speaker schedule at your regular Tuesday Rotary Club programs. My client, Partners for Affordable Energy (PAE), is currently performing community outreach across Minnesota discussing statewide energy policies and the local issues they affect. PAE Executive Director Christina Pierson would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with your members to present educational material on the status of Minnesota energy policies and seek input on their concerns, hopes and initiatives in the Stillwater area.

Energy production and distribution is a mounting political and economic concern in Minnesota and nationwide. A major purpose of Christina’s outreach is to discuss future steps and policies toward meeting the needs and expectations for energy and the environment in Minnesota. PAE advocates for balanced, responsible approaches to Minnesota energy policy formation in order to sustain and grow our economy and preserve our environment while keeping our energy affordable and reliable.

Background information about PAE and Christina Pierson is attached in the Word document in this e-mail, and you can also visit PAE on the Web at www.PoweringOurLives.com. And I think Christina might even be included in a database of available speakers for Minnesota rotaries. I’m not sure if that is run by each district or if it’s accessible to all.

Nonetheless, thank you both for your attention to these issues. I look forward to hearing from you about future speaking possibilities and your interest.

Stephanie Bornetun
On Behalf of Partners for Affordable Energy
Himle Horner, Inc.
Phone: (952) 897-8215
Fax: (952) 831-5116
StephanieBornetun@HimleHorner.com

posted 9/25/08

Hi, my name is John Regan and I am a speaker.  I would like to come speak at one of your meetings.  I talk about the following four topics; Change, Generations, Stress, and Goals.  I have spoke at over 15 Rotary clubs in the area with great reception to my talks.  If you are interested or your club is interested please give me a call.

John Regan IV
IV Communication
651-303-5199
jreganiv@hotmail.com
http://ivcommunication.com

John was a speaker at our 10/7/08 meeting and gave an excellent presentation on generational differences in the work place.

posted 9/4/08

Afton-Lakeland's sixth grade teacher Derek Olson was named MN 2008 Teacher of the Year

http://www.stillwatergazette.com/articles/2008/07/23/news/news310.txt

http://www.stillwater.k12.mn.us/Stillwater_Area_Public_School_teacher_named_Minnesota_Teacher_of_the_Year

Depending on Mr. Olson's schedule, he would be an excellent guest speaker.  Email  (651-351-6549).

posted 8/28/08

I have a new presentation about how to become a better decision maker by using Critical Thinking Skills. I thought this might be of interest to your Rotary Group. Description of presentation follows.

Help. The News Is Driving Me Crazy

Everyone strives to make better decisions but it’s often difficult to do. One major reason is that much of the information we get is from the media and it’s often over dramatized, mis-interpreted, over-simplified or simply incorrect. Consequently, media stories can take us down the wrong path. Just reading more is not the answer. To make better decisions, you need to use a Critical Thinking Process that will give you more accurate, more reasoned information.

This presentation shows how to do that. It presents an overview of how the media delivers information. Then exposes the audience to a practical, six-step Critical Thinking Process and how it’s used to help make better decisions. The presentation concludes with the major mistakes we make when confronted with new information.

Plus, I use a special audience response system that gives audiences an opportunity for active participation and contribution. I ask a question and the audience responds using a hand held keypad. My computer then instantly gathers all responses and graphically displays the results in seconds. This gives the audience the opportunity for active participation. 

If you are looking for a speaker that will give your audience something to talk about for a long time, please give me a call at 612-978-7222 or e-mail me at jim@zitek.net for more information or to book a specific date. You can also get additional information about the presentation and Jim Zitek at www.zitek.net

Jim Zitek
Direct: 952-893-8632
Mobile: 612-978-7222
Jim@zitek.net

Jim gave an insightful presentation at our 11/11/08 meeting.

posted 8/15/08

My name is Matt Hill, and for the past year I have been the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, 2007-2008 for District 5960. I have recently returned home after living and studying at the University of Leiden in The Netherlands for the past year. I am interested in speaking to your club about my experiences abroad and my time living in Dutch society.

While abroad I completed a Masters of Science in Public Administration, put on an international student conference, and had many wonderful and interesting experiences in my host country. I would be more than happy to speak to your club not only about my time in Holland but also about the new insights and perspectives I gained as a Rotary Ambassador. You can have a look at my blog that I wrote during the year here to get an idea about some of my presentation subjects.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at either 651-343-3491 or email at hill0680@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks,
Matt Hill
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar
2007-2008
hill0680@gmail.com
hillinleiden.blogspot.com
651-343-3491