Serving Humanity - Strengthening Youth - Enhancing Lives
Rotary Club of Elk River
Meeting Information
Be Our Guest - Join Us For A Meeting
Elk River Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online
Thursdays at 12:05 PM
Rockwoods
9100 Quaday Ave NE
Otsego, MN 55330-1076
United States of America
Phone:
(763) 441-3110
Email:
debbi@elkriverchamber.org
Join Us Online [Login to view details]
District Site
Bulletins
Venue Map
ROTARY DELIVERS "BECKY AND LIN'S APPLE ORCHARD PARK" BOOK TO ELK RIVER DISTRICT THIRD GRADERS 
LEARNING ABOUT - SERVICE ABOVE SELF 
Elk River Rotary members presenting the book "Becky & Lin's Apple Orchard Park" by Andrew J. Shoup to one of several district third grade classes that will receive the book.
The story is about Becky and Lon who become partners in an effort to bring something new to the neighborhood. Demonstrating the idea of SERVICE ABOVE SELF, they take on a major community project. And, inspired by their example, others in the community come together and contribute to their efforts to create something wonderful and beneficial for everyone.
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
The Rotary Four Way Test
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
The story illustrates how Rotary members worldwide come together to improve the lives of others. The Elk River Rotary Club provides financial support for other organizations that serve others - which is what we are all about.
BOOK WEBSITE
STRIKE OUT POLIO - BOWLING FOR DOLLARS
STRIKE OUT POLIO - JOHN OSTERMAN
October 19, 2023 - Elk River Rotary and our super dedicated member John Osterman again had his Bowling for Dollars Polio Plus "Strike Out Polio" Fundraiser at McPete's in Big Lake. Pledges were made by members and others as a flat contribution or as a per pin donation. District funds are also being used as a matching funds for all dollars raised. The total at this time raised by John and his bowling skills is $1,679.40 as a result of a 624 three game series. Total contributions with matching funds would be $3,358,80.
 
ORIGINS OF ROTARY'S POLIO PLUS CAMPAIGN
 
On 29 September 1979, volunteers administered drops of oral polio vaccine to children at a health center in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati, Philippines. The event in metropolitan Manila was arranged and attended by Rotarians and delegates from the Philippine Ministry of Health. James L. Bomar Jr., in a 1993 interview. When James L. Bomar Jr., then RI president, put the first drops of vaccine into a child’s mouth, he ceremonially launched the Philippine poliomyelitis immunization effort. Rotary’s first Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grant project was underway. Bomar and Enrique M. Garcia, the country’s minister of health, had earlier signed an agreement committing Rotary International and the government of the Philippines to a joint multiyear effort to immunize about 6 million children against polio, at a cost of about $760,000. In a 1993 interview, Bomar reminisced about the trip. He recalled how the brother of one of the children he had immunized tugged on his pant leg to get his attention and said, “Thank you, thank you, Rotary.” The project’s success led Rotary to make polio eradication a top priority. Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985 and was a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. Through decades of commitment and work by Rotary and our partners, more than 2.5 billion children have received the oral polio vaccine.
ROTARIANS VISIT FIRE HALL #3
 
 
PASSING OF THE GAVEL 2023 - 2024
Theresa Slominski (L), now past president of the Elk River Rotary Club, passes the gavel to Debbi Rydberg (R) the clubs president for the 2023 - 2024 year.
Great day of celebration for the club. 
Much done. Much more to do.
 

The 2024 TASTE of Elk River

Watch this space for details...

Date and Time To Be Determined

Thanks for your support

Do not miss this popular community event! Get your tickets now. There are several ticket outlets (see list on the right) or you can click HERE or on our logo to the right and you

will be directed to our website to place your ticket requests.

2024 TASTE of Elk River tickets $35.

First Bank Elk River

Tasting tent tickets. $20.

Tickets on the day of the

event will be $40.

The Tasting tent will be the same. 

 

Online Orders Can Be Picked Up

At The Door The Day Of The Event.

 

Keep in mind this is an 

ADULTS ONLY event

(21 years of age or older) so please do not bring children and be prepared to show a valid photo ID at the door. 

NO EXCEPTIONS
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Get Your

Tickets Here

When Announced

 

Click on the image below

andyou will be directed to our website. Page down and place to order. 
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Ticket Outlets

  • Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce Office
  • The Bank of Elk River
  • First Bank Elk River
  • Northbound and Westboound Liquors
  • All Elk River Rotarians
  • Willy's On The Water - Big Lake
  • Online at: TASTEOF
  • ELKRIVER.
  • com

 

Join us for an evening of fine foods, wine &

spirits, music, and fun on

DATE and Time To Be Determined

at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds

12800 Orono Road in Elk River, Minnesota. Your admission gets you samples from all food and beverage stations along with a souvenir tasting glass and other entertainment at the event.

 

The Elk River Rotary Club has invited many of the finest food, wine and liquor vendors from our area to participate. Those participating are generously giving of their time, talents and resources to bring you an exceptional evening of taste sensations.

 

Bring your friends and family (must be 21 or older) to experience a truly spectacular event. It's a tremendous opportunity to see old friends and meet many new ones. Get your tickets today at www.elkrivermnrotary.org or at these locations - The Elk River Chamber of Commerce Office, The Bank of Elk River, First Bank Elk River, Northbound and Westbound Liquors, and any Elk River Rotarian.

A significant portion of this years' TASTE proceeds

will begiven to The Elk River YMCA

 
 

The Elk River Rotary thanks you for your support.

(If you are so inclined to assist in our fundraising efforts we will gladly accept additional sponsors, gift certificates, merchandise, professional services, event tickets and cash for our

Taste of Elk River Silent Auction.

Please contact: Director/TASTE of Elk River

 Dirk Barrett 763-954-1471 or dirk@weberinteriors.com

Our TASTE of Elk River Sponsors

 

SIGNATURE AND PRIVATE TASTING TENT SPONSOR
2e9ead83-148a-4691-a4b9-b9494f584b71 image

ENJOY A SAMPLING OF EXTRAORDINARY WINES UNDER OUR PRIVATE VIP TENT, ALONG WITH AN EXQUISTE FOOD SAMPLING , LIVE MUSIC, AND COCKTAIL SURPRISE.
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GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

American Family Insurance - 

Bonnie Koste Agency, Inc.

BOB FM 

Cornerstone Auto Group

Edward Jones - Tove Lichty

Elk River Heating & AC

Hudson Hardware of Zimmerman

Landform Professional Services, LLC

Metal Craft

Mosford, Barthel &Company PLC

Pearl Vision

RE/MAX Results

SPIRE Credit Union

State Farm - Wayne Swart

The Bank of Elk River

Bronze Sponsors

BeeHive Homes

Beaudry Oil & Propane

Connexus

Elk River Liquor Stores

Franklin Outdoor Advertising

Gateway Financial Strategies

Kiser Construction

North Central Insurance Agency

Plaisted Companies. Inc.

Weber Interiors

 

LOCAL HEROS SPONSOR

Elk River Printing

Hardon Companies

Home Run Human Resources

Kennedy Vision

Raplphies's Minnoco

 

Projects and Organizations Supported by

Elk River Rotary

Magnus Veterans Foundation, Youth in Government, Boy Scouts,

Great River Young Life, CAER Food Shelf, Sherburne County United Way,

Sprark2Hope, Community Table, Elk River High School Grad Party, Spectrum High School Grad Party, Open Doors for Youth, Ivan Sand School, 728 Boys and Girls Club, The Reel Hope Project, Elk River High School DECA, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Thumbs Up, Rivers of Hope, Granny's Closet, Scholarships for students at Elk River High School, Ivan Sand School and Spectrum High School, Main Street Family Services and more!
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks to: American Family Insurance - Bonnie Koste Agency, Inc. *
BOB FM * Cornerstone Auto Group * Edward Jones - Tove Lichty *
Elk River Plumbing and Heating * Hudson Hardware of Zimmerman *
Landform * Metal Craft * Mosford, Barthel and & Co PLC * Pearle Vision * RE/MAX Results * SPIRE Credit Union * State Farm - Wayne Swart * The Bank of Elk Rive * BeeHive Homes * Beaudry Oil & Propane * Connexus * Elk River Liquor Stores * Franklin Outdoor Advertising * Gateway Financial Strategies * Kiser Construction * 
North Central Insurance Agency * Plaisted Companies Inc. * Weber Interiors * Elk River Printing * Hardin Companies * Home Run Human Resources, Inc. * Kennedy Vision * Ralphie's Minnoco * Sherburne County Fair Board

We are excited to announce that military members and visitors to the Magnus Veterans Foundation (MVF) can now easily move within its 38 acres.

May 5th was the first time the six-passenger electric cart was used to transport more than 50 visitors and veterans for a MVF event. The cart was donated in January 2022 by the Elk River Rotary with support from Rotary District 5960 and many other supporting Rotary clubs.
The MVF, located in Dayton, provides a variety of services to veterans.
We are proud to partner with the Magnus Veterans Foundation to serve to change lives. Rotary rocks!

May be an image of 2 people and outdoors

 

United We Shiver Fundraiser Saturday February 5th Big Lake. Elk River Rotary provided hot chocolate to the visitors. Rotarian John Osterman was Master of Ceremonies. Thanks to all the participants and volunteers. A tremendous community supported event.

Rotary District 5960 and 10 Minnesota and Wisconsin Rotary Clubs celebrated donating a six-passenger,

electric, all-season transportation cart to the Magnus Veterans Foundation (MVF) Jan. 12, 2022. 

CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE VIDEO OF PRESENTATION
Rotary District 5960 and 10 Minnesota and Wisconsin Rotary Clubs celebrated donating a six-passenger, electric, all-season transportation cart to the Magnus Veterans Foundation (MVF) Jan. 12, 2022.  The MVF, located in Dayton, MN, provides a variety of physical, psychological, social and other health-related services at no cost (free) to veterans.  The modified cart is needed to move veterans and guests throughout the 38-acre site. Elk River Rotarians Casey Mahon and Heather Kliewer (sitting in the front seat of photo #1), with the support of President Tove Lichty (second from left) led all aspects of the initiative, which raised more than $11,000 for the purchase and upkeep of the cart.
Rotarians and staff and volunteers of the Magnus Veterans Foundation celebrate the presentation of the cart
Jan. 12, 2022 at the MVF site.

The Elk River Rotary Club announces it has awarded $19,400 to 17 community non-profits.  Community Aid Elk River (CAER) received $10,000 as the Signature TASTE of Elk River recipient and a total of $9,400 was awarded to the following community non-profits.   

Anoka Rotary Club
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Elk River
Boy Scouts of America​
Community Table
Elk ​River YMCA Youth in Government
Girls on the Run
Granny's Closet
Great River Faith in Action
Greater Minnesota Family Services
Magnus Veterans Foundation
Open Doors for Youth
​Rivers of Hope
Serve Minnesota
Sherburne County Area United Way
Thumbs Up
728 Cadets
 
This year there were 28 applications with total requests of $54,310. The donations are part of the club’s annual service project’s goals. Each of the awardees will invest their donations for services, projects or events that benefit the greater Elk River community. The awards are aligned with Rotary International and the Elk River club’s focus on promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, supporting education, growing local economies, protecting the environment and saving mothers and children.

___________________________________________________

ROTARY WORLDWIDE FOCUS

Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action in our world's most persistent issues.

Our clubs work together to:

Promote Peace - Fight Disease - Provide Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene - Save Mother's and Children - Support Education - Grow Local Economies -
Protect the environment
 
ELK RIVER ROTARY MISSION
 
Inspiring leaders with passion to serve humanity: strengthening youth for tomorrow's leadership: enhancing lives in our world. 
_____________________________
 
John Osterman's Bowling for Dollars 
  Event Generates Thousands for Polio Plus
 
image-
 John Osterman put down 651 pins to raise funds for Rotary Polio Plus!   John shared that he really enjoyed the crowd and social event and told us that around $2200 was raised and with club and Rotary District and International matches, funds could be up to $9,600!   Thank You John... for being such a fabulous bowler
 and a great Rotarian! You ROCK and "ROLL".
__________________________________________________
 

The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do is a test used by Rotarians world-wide as a moral code for personal and business relationships. The test can be applied to almost any aspect of life. The test was scripted by Herbert J. Taylor an American from Chicago as he set out to save the Club Aluminum Products Distribution Company from bankruptcy. It was later adopted by Rotary International, the global federation of Rotary service clubs.

 

Our club is a proud part of this community and of Rotary International. Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million members who believe that great things happen when dedicated minds come together. We are a community and business leaders representing different professions, experiences, and perspectives but with a shared desire to connect with others to address the challenges affecting our community and communities around the world.

The women and men of the Elk River Rotary Club have served our community and the mission of Rotary International since 1960. 

The club meets weekly for a high-spirited lunch hour seeking to improve our community with a variety of interesting and informative programs.

The Elk River Rotary Club currently has a focus to enrich our community and support our youth.

We have just one primary fundraiser - The annual TASTE of Elk River. The club has donated tens of thousands of dollars to encourage the growth and improvement of many local organizations. The members have also volunteered many more hours to improve our environment with our annual Elk River cleanup. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Elk River Rotary Club and Rotary International please visit a meeting! We meet Thursdays from 12:05 until 1:05 PM at Rockwoods in Otsego. If you would like to become a member, please contact Julie at 763-441-6092

 

Elk River Facebook Connections

TASTE of Elk River Facebook

Image

Elk River Rotary Facebook

Links to:

New Member Orientation Connection

New Member Application - Contact Heather at heather.kliewer@caerfoodshelf.org

   Elk River Rotary

PO Box 8

Elk River, MN 55330

Our Mission

Inspiring leaders with passion to serve humanity;   strengthening youth for tomorrow's leadership and enhancing lives in our world.   

 

 

PEOPLE OF ACTION
Our club offers opportunities for members - and those interested in making a difference - to get involved. Through meetings, social events, and volunteer projects, our members learn about the issues facing our community and communities all over the world, partnering with local, national and global experts to exchange ideas about potential solutions and to draw up action plans to respond. Along with these opportunities to serve, members also are able to regularly network, resulting in lifelong friendships and business connections. 
 
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Solving real problems takes real effort, commitment, and vision. Rotarians work to protect communities from preventable disease, keep women and children healthy, improve education and economic outcomes, create safe water and sanitation infrastructure, protect the environment, and make the world a better place. 
The Elk River Rotary is working with the following organizations to positively impact our community: CAER Food Shelf, Magnus Veteran's Foundation, Community Table, Open Doors for Youth,
Thumbs Up 5K, The Reel Hope Project, Rivers of Hope, YMCA Youth in Government. 
The club also participates in the annual Elk River Clean Up and providing Dictionaries to 3rd graders in the Elk River School District. 
We also support projects sponsored by Rotary clubs across the state that make a difference here in MN and around the world, including Rotary's partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF to end polio, once and for all.
GET INVOLVED
Impact starts with our members - people like you who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. 
Becoming a member enables you to meet Elk River's leaders and to affect change both here and around the world.
See above for meeting time and location. 
Club Officers
2022 -2023
President 2023 - 2024
Debbi Rydberg
President Elect
Heather Kliewer
Immediate Past President
Theresa Slominski
Treasurer
Neil Gagnon
Secretary/Bulletin Editor
Theresa Slominski
Director / Youth Services
Molly Hanson
Membership
Julie Fish
Director/Taste of Elk River
Katie Harstad
Director/Foundation
Tove Lichty
Internet/Web
Bob Maxwell
Program Coordinator
Buck Tyler
ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING FUND REQUESTS - SEE INFORMATION BELOW
 
Elk River Rotary Club Board of Directors consider requests for charitable donations from September 1st through November 30th each year, and generally awards are given by December 31st. Our club supports numerous service projects each year, and also makes cash donations to non-profit and other eligible organizations. It is our priority to give donations that help our community members meet their needs.
Donation criteria:
• Requests must be received in writing September 1 – November 30
• Charitable donations must be used for services/projects/events that benefit the
communities served by the Elk River Rotary Club (generally, zip code 55330)
• Please include a description of the value of the service the organization or project provides to the local community
• Financial requests over $1000 should be sponsored or supported by a member of the Elk River Rotary Club
The Elk River Rotary does not generally support the following:
• Religious or fraternal organizations
• Political organizations, campaigns or projects
• Memorial or endowments or multi-year pledgesent
• Fundraising efforts to benefit other organizations
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, creed, color, sex, or national origin
Rotary focuses its efforts on the following causes and issues that impact our world:
Promoting peace
Fighting disease
Providing clean water, sanitation, and
hygiene
Saving mothers and children
Supporting education
Growing local economies
Protecting the environment
The Elk River Rotary will evaluate requests as consistently and objectively as possible, consistent
with the expressed priorities of the club. The Rotary Club requests recognition through acknowledgement in writing to  the club, and if possible through a verbal or print announcement
through the recipient organization.
Requests should be mailed to:
Elk River Rotary
PO Box 8
Elk River, MN 5533
or complete the online form from the link provided below.
If your organization is seeking monetary donations from the Elk River Rotary Club please complete the form below. 
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