This week's program: Amalia Damgaard, "Mosaic of Flavors"
Amalia Moreno-Damgaard is an internationally recognized, award-winning and bestselling author and chef, and seasoned entrepreneur. Born and raised in Guatemala City and currently living in the Twin Cities, she provides individuals and companies a taste and understanding of Latin culture through Amalia LLC. Her mission is to bridge the knowledge gap of Latin American culture in the United States through healthy gourmet cuisine and culture education, consulting, bilingual speaking and writing, and fun healthy cooking experiences. Her first book, “Amalia’s Guatemalan Kitchen, Gourmet Cuisine with a Cultural Flair,” has won nine international awards, including the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Best Foreign Cuisine Book USA.
Welcome Natalie! Natalie was inducted last week and her mother, Waseca Rotarian Julie Oslund, was her first guest. Look for Natalie and introduce yourself, she will be selling raffle tickets at the welcome table March 29th. Natalie is the proud mother of two young sons: John (5) and Jack (3) and works for Sedgwick in Disability Leave Management benefit services. Jeanne Zetah is Natalie's sponsor.
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Update by PatMulqueeny
Pat Mulqueeny gave the EP Morning Rotary an overview of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, its activities and mission, and goal of helping businesses and our community be successful. The Eden Prairie Chamber is a private, non-profit association of local business members. Pat (a Minnesota native and graduate of Mankato State University), and his 3 full-time staff persons work to serve the over 500 members (and their 32,000 area employees) of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. This includes hosting over 120 events annually, which helps members network, find new business and client connections. The Chamber also focuses on activities and opportunities that provide value back to the business community. Advocating for public policy that promotes a strong economy and community is part of the Eden Prairie Chamber’s mission. Highlights from a recent membership survey indicated that the #1 issue impacting businesses is government regulation, followed by the need for an educated workforce and #3, Minnesota’s high taxes. Overall, members appear to be optimistic about the future, with 80% expecting sales to grow, 48% planning to hire new employees, but 50% struggling to find the workers they need. Certain jobs with specific skill sets are hard to fill—such as those requiring engineering or mechanical knowledge. In communicating to the State Legislature on top priorities for this year’s session, the Eden Prairie Chamber members would like to see the state budget surplus used to reduce taxes and to improve our transportation infrastructure.
Last year, the Chamber spent 6 months working with an outside consultant, and interviewing many members of the Eden Prairie community, to develop a strategic plan. The result has put the Chamber on the path towards strengthening the organization through growth and bold leadership. Many Chamber activities involve working with students and young people to develop an understanding and interest in future business occupations. The student mentorship program allows 20 students to be Chamber members at no cost and the chance to work on projects, and participate in internships and job shadows. For the past 3 years, the Chamber and its members have participated in a Career Fair at Eden Prairie High School. At one of these fairs, an EP Chamber member business found a student who wanted to be a welder, and ended up paying for the student’s schooling to become a welder as a result of the connection. Each year, the Chamber awards $5,000 in scholarships to students to continue their education post high school. The Chamber also works to nurture young professionals as future leaders in the business community. The Eden Prairie Chamber’s Young Professional’s Group is holding a Summit with 6 other Chambers in the Twin Cities area on April 29th.
The EP Chamber seeks opportunities to showcase Eden Prairie when unique events are held in our area. A Committee was recently formed to bring community partners together to identify the tremendous opportunities that may be available to our area when the 2018 Superbowl is played in the new Vikings Stadium currently under construction in Minneapolis. In addition to networking and developing more business-to-business relationships, the Chamber works with vendors to offer discounts on products and services to Chamber members. International travel opportunities, for business and pleasure, have also become part of the Chamber’s many offerings. Next month, the Chamber will be taking a group to Cuba, and a river cruise in Europe is scheduled for this fall. Finally, the Chamber recognizes excellence among its members with several awards, including the Athena Award (to a woman in business), Small Business Member of the Year Award, and Chamber Volunteer of the Year award.
Q and A with Pat after his presentation touched on topics such as SWLRT (the Chamber supports the project, but does not support a sales tax increase as a source of funding for it); the Chamber’s relationship with the management group for Eden Prairie Center (the mall); and the Chamber’s efforts to support to other community organizations, like Rotary.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are in need of a host for the April 13th Swallowship gathering planned for 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on that day. Please contact Jan Eian if you are able to host.
Our District Assembly will be held on April 9th. Sign up by March 31.
Our club delivers Meals on Wheels the week of April 11-15.
EP A.M. Rotary’s next Board Meeting is April 19.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
Mary Brown (sponsored by Janet Palmer) and Natalie Norris (sponsored by Jeanne Zetah) were both inducted as new members to the Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary Club this morning. Mary is the new Development Director for PROP and will be part of PROP's corporate membership.
Natalie became interested in Rotary through her mother, Julie Oslund, a fellow Rotarian from Waseca who was visiting our club today and was able to witness daughter Natalie’s induction. Congratulations and welcome, Mary and Natalie! We look forward to learning more about you both at upcoming vocationals.
VOCATIONAL: Spotlight on Craig Blixrud
Craig was born and raised in Minnesota. He began his college education at the University of Minnesota Morris where he became involved in the College Union Board at the urging of his orientation mentor. In his sophomore year, Craig became chair of the Board (the position paid $100 a quarter—quite a bit of beer money in those days) and sealed his fate as a great leader when he hired a polka band for one of their campus activities. Craig said the country kids loved it! Craig later moved to the U’s Twin Cities campus to pursue mechanical engineering. He had a 20-year career with Honeywell, moving from one interesting job to another with the company. Craig and his wife Susan have lived in Eden Prairie since 1980. They have 4 children and one granddaughter. Craig now works in residential real estate.
HAPPY FINES
Elaine has been so busy preparing people’s taxes for the “Big Day” she forgot to shop for the raffle prize today –so the winner received cash. She was very happy to report her daughter Andrea received a summer job offer from Courage Camps—a group that recently presented at our Rotary meeting. Congratulations, Andrea!
Roger offered some happy bucks for Wisconsin, the KU Jayhawks, and the Women’s Gopher Hockey Team.
Jane’s 5th grade daughter, Madeline, just completed her debut as Dorothy in her school’s production of the Wizard of Oz. A star is born!
Pat Mulqueeny gave the EP Morning Rotary an overview of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, its activities and mission, and goal of helping businesses and our community be successful. The Eden Prairie Chamber is a private, non-profit association of local business members. Pat (a Minnesota native and graduate of Mankato State University), and his 3 full-time staff persons work to serve the over 500 members (and their 32,000 area employees) of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. This includes hosting over 120 events annually, which helps members network, find new business and client connections. The Chamber also focuses on activities and opportunities that provide value back to the business community. Advocating for public policy that promotes a strong economy and community is part of the Eden Prairie Chamber’s mission. Highlights from a recent membership survey indicated that the #1 issue impacting businesses is government regulation, followed by the need for an educated workforce and #3, Minnesota’s high taxes. Overall, members appear to be optimistic about the future, with 80% expecting sales to grow, 48% planning to hire new employees, but 50% struggling to find the workers they need. Certain jobs with specific skill sets are hard to fill—such as those requiring engineering or mechanical knowledge. In communicating to the State Legislature on top priorities for this year’s session, the Eden Prairie Chamber members would like to see the state budget surplus used to reduce taxes and to improve our transportation infrastructure. 
Mary Brown (sponsored by Janet Palmer) and Natalie Norris (sponsored by Jeanne Zetah) were both inducted as new members to the Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary Club this morning. Mary is the new Development Director for PROP and will be part of PROP's corporate membership. 
Craig was born and raised in Minnesota. He began his college education at the University of Minnesota Morris where he became involved in the College Union Board at the urging of his orientation mentor. In his sophomore year, Craig became chair of the Board (the position paid $100 a quarter—quite a bit of beer money in those days) and sealed his fate as a great leader when he hired a polka band for one of their campus activities. Craig said the country kids loved it! Craig later moved to the U’s Twin Cities campus to pursue mechanical engineering. He had a 20-year career with Honeywell, moving from one interesting job to another with the company. Craig and his wife Susan have lived in Eden Prairie since 1980. They have 4 children and one granddaughter. Craig now works in residential real estate.