The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary was honored to welcome Rotary District Governor Leif Hagen to our club for an inspiring conversation about the importance of Rotary and the future of our organization.
Leif shared thoughtful insights on how Rotary continues to evolve while staying grounded in what makes it so meaningful: service, connection, and the opportunity to make a difference in our communities and around the world.
One phrase from his presentation especially captured the spirit of Rotary: “Rotary brings the world together.”
Thank you, Leif, for joining us, sharing your vision, and inspiring our members to keep building connections and making an impact through service. We’re excited for what’s ahead!
The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary's FunFest, held on July 10th, 2026 at Lakeside Center's Improving suite, brought neighbors, friends, and supporters together for an evening of food, music, raffles, and community spirit, all in support of local children and families. More than just a celebration, the event raised critical funds that will help the Foundation continue its impact through partnerships with organizations such as Every Meal, Ella Baker School, Ready Set Smile, Joyce Uptown Food Shelf, Warm Hands, Warm Heads, Warm Hearts, and Rotary youth leadership and exchange programs. Together, attendees demonstrated Rotary's motto of Service Above Self, helping create brighter futures for children throughout the Minneapolis community.
Turns out, Rotary travels well. When Minneapolis Uptown Rotary member Richard Haglund traveled to Milan, Italy as a guest conductor with the Orchestra Sinfonica Milano Classica, he did not just bring his baton. He brought Uptown Rotary with him.
During his visit, Richard joined members of the Rotary Club of Milan for an evening of conversation, connection, and international fellowship. The clubs exchanged flags and shared stories about service projects, local impact, and what Rotary looks like from opposite sides of the Atlantic.
With 36 members, the Milan club is similar in size to ours, which made the exchange of ideas and experiences immediately relatable. Richard shared highlights of our work in Uptown and our continued support of projects in Haiti, sparking thoughtful discussion and interest from the group.
“It was an interesting meeting to hear about their experiences with Rotary,” Richard said. “They would love to exchange ideas with us as they are a similar sized club.”
June 18th, 2026, Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club officially welcomed Mitch Miller as our newest member during a special induction ceremony! The meeting was well attended with a strong turnout of club members!
The ceremony included a presentation of Rotary’s values, mission, and ideals, reflecting the commitment to service, leadership, fellowship, and creating meaningful impact both locally and around the world. As part of the tradition, the club stood united with its newest member and recited the 4-Way Test. Mitch received his Rotary pin, marking the beginning of his journey as a Rotarian and symbolizing his connection to Rotary’s global network of service.
The ceremony was led by our own Magdeline Aagard, who inducted Mitch into the club and shared the significance of Rotary membership and the opportunities it creates to build relationships while serving the community.
On Wednesday, March 25, members of the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club joined Rotarians and community members from across the metro for an evening centered on connection, culture, and community impact. Hosted as part of the Rotary Community Core @ Lake Street initiative, the event brought together more than 60 attendees representing over half a dozen Rotary clubs, all with a shared purpose: to support South Minneapolis small businesses by simply showing up and sharing a meal.
The evening took place at Sanag Restaurant, where Chef and Owner Ali Hussein welcomed guests with both exceptional food and a deeply personal story.
I am closing out February with a couple of recommendations for music and movies to celebrate Black History Month! As many of you know, I shop for music more than the average person. (Shocker, I know.) I still love physical media and genuinely enjoy the tactile experience of putting a needle down on a record, flipping a cassette, and/or spinning a compact disc in a Walkman.
Each February, I make it a point to celebrate Black History Month by intentionally seeking out music from Black artists I’ve never heard or experienced before.
This article serves three purposes:
First, it potentially pushes me out of my 'comfort zone' and helps me explore and better understand Black history and culture.
Second, it gives me an excuse to support a local record shop and potentially the artist and/or the estate that benefits from their record sales.
Third, it gives me something meaningful to share with all of you.
On Thursday, November 20, 2025, we had a great turnout at Lakeside Center, in Uptown Minneapolis to celebrate Bob Barrie's induction to the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club. After a warm breakfast and good conversation around the table, we gathered to officially welcome him into the club and present his Rotary International pin!
Our club is making difference by providing food for Minnesotans--specifically for the Joyce Uptown Food Shelf which largely services Uptown and South Minneapolis. Please! We would love for you to join us at OUR ANNUAL BEER STROLL on Thirstday, November 20th, 2025 at Tap Society (details below) and enjoy a beer or other beverage with our club to support the Shelf!
Last Wednesday evening, on September 10th, 2025, the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club held its annual Benefit for Children, bringing together more than 35 guests for an evening of community spirit, connection, and good will.
Check out the Lake Street Taco tour coming up on September 6th, 2025! The annual Taco Tour on Lake Street is a delicious celebration of food, music, and community. The annual event highlights Latino-owned businesses that give Lake Street its unique flavor and character, while reminding us that every taco shared is a show of support for immigrant entrepreneurs who strengthen our neighborhood. Come hungry, bring friends, and enjoy a day where great food meets great purpose.
On August 7th, the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club had the pleasure of welcoming Irene and her exchange “sister” Johanna to share highlights from Irene's summer trip abroad and their collective time back in Minnesota.
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.
