Notes from October 8, 2019

Posted by Mark Weber

David McNally - Making Your Mark: How Your Live Changes the World

Best-selling author and Hall of Fame speaker David McNally brought his insights on what determines a successful life when he spoke to the Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary Club on Oct. 8.
 
“Make Your Mark: How Your Life Changes the World” was the title of his presentation. McNally drew from his new book, “Mark of an Eagle,” as he spoke to how each of us leaves a mark on the world. Making your mark, however, isn’t a goal to be set, suggested McNally, it is a result. It is the outcome of realizing your enormous potential, the belief that there is a special purpose for your existence, and a sense of shared responsibility to create a better life and a world for all.
 
Purpose is the most critical thing we need in our lives, he said, and the No. 1 characteristic you leave in the world. Reflecting on what our purpose is – and not pegging it to fame or riches – can help us get to a place where we feel we’re winning the game of life.
 
“The goal of life isn’t to live forever,” he said. “The goal is to create something that will.”
 

 

Announcements

  • Our Oct. 15 meeting will start at 7:15 a.m. to allow more time for the Eden Prairie School Board candidates forum.
  • Rotary Youth Exchange student Clementine will be our Oct. 22 speaker.
  • Plan to bring a guest to the Oct. 29 meeting to hear Kevin Burkart talk about overcoming adversity and embracing change and innovation.
  • Rick Olson of the Prior Lake Rotary Club invited members to consider being part of a May 2020 Prior Lake Rotary tour of Eastern European cities; for more information go to http://freedomquesttours.org.
  • Please consider your Be the Bridge pledge as we attempt to reach a $25,000 goal prompted by our cancellation of the 2019 Vino Classico fundraiser.
 

Spotlight on Laurie Pryor

Club member Laurie Pryor is a state representative for northern Eden Prairie and southern Minnetonka who in her spare time cares for her grandchildren, including an infant. It’s rewarding work, and so is work at the Legislature. For example, a recent mini-session in Greater Minnesota allowed her to visit her hometown of Austin, which has found progress in becoming a larger and more diverse community with an estimated 46 languages spoken in homes, including homes occupied by immigrants from an Indonesian island flooding due to climate change. Laurie’s work in the Legislature hits high gear again on Feb. 11, when lawmakers are back in session.
 
 

Happy Fines

We’re happy and we’ll happily pay to share our stories. Elaine Larabee is happy to have finished the Twin Cities 10-Mile Race on Sunday. PG Narayanan is eagerly anticipating the Saturday kick-off to his 2020 election campaign. Carol Bomben is happy about another recent visit to Houston to visit her daughter, son-in-law, and their child, who has started kindergarten. Dan O’Brien is feeling old, having learned that a building along Eden
Prairie Road that he designed (the former American Legion, Cadillac Ranch, and Resurrection Life Church) has been demolished to allow redevelopment, but he’s happy about miracle-like movements from grandson Jackson, who six years ago was diagnosed with a rare and limiting genetic anomaly. Jay Simpson is happy about a wedding anniversary. Jacob Stonesifer is happy about landing U of M President Joan Gabel as a Scout
fundraiser speaker. Bill Gaddis is happy about his impending wedding. John Crudele is happy about the meeting attendance of a friend, Nina.
 

Visitors

Polly Bowles - Prospective Member
Debebjyoti Dwivedy - Prospective Member
Andrea Jamison - Prospective Member
Jeff Jiang - Prospective Member
Rick Olson - Prior Lake
Mary Jo Sherwood - Guest of Frank Sherwood
Nina Stultz - Prospective Member
Kayla Keddie and Kevin Gao - Student Interns