Speakers Dr. Edwige Mubonzi and Pastor Kubisa Muzenende
Dr. Mubonzi fled the Congo 2 years ago and is seeking asylum status in the U.S. Dr Mubonzi is a general practice medical doctor from the Democratic Republic of Congo who worked treating female victims of rape in the ongoing civil conflict alongside Nobel Peace Prize nominee and mentor Dr. Denis Mukwege. She is working in the U.S. to raise awareness of the current realities in the DRC. Pastor Muzenende is the founder of Let Africa Live, an NGO providing job skills training and psycho-social support to victims of war. They both currently reside in St. Paul and partner with Rotary in their mission.
Announcements and Reminders:
Signup for the Mystery Trip on 10/3 via ClubRunner or contact Dave Anderson.
Don't forget to bring in your bottle of wine for the Wall of Wine and silent auction items for Vino Classico!
Congratulate Irene Kelly for her great job leading the District 5950 Training at the Arboretum last Friday. Nice work!
BUY YOUR TICKETS: Sat. Oct. 10,from 6:30-9 pm at Eden Prairie Comm. Ctr. for wine & beer tastings plus food, Silent Auction, Wall of Wine raffle and FUN! Proceeds benefit EPAM Rotary Foundation projects for youth, community and international service projects. Tickets available from EPAM Rotarians, at EP Liquor Stores or on Eventbrite.
BRING IN YOUR BOTTLE OF WINE FOR WALL OF WINE RAFFLE or $15 to Elaine Larabee to buy it. (31 of 73 in)
NEW:Beacon Bank ... Boulay ... Choice, Inc. ... Jamison Optical ... Northwestern Mutual-Brian Kelly ... Rotary eClub of the Southwest RETURNING: Walmart ... Eden Prairie News ... Scheels ... Metro Sales ... Endurant ...Lifetouch ... Northern Capital Life & Health ... M & A Executive Search ... Alliance Benefits ... DSO Architecture, Inc ... and two Anonymous Donors Individuals:
NEW Pat Jensen, John Estall, Irene Kelly, Craig Blixrud, Carol Bomben and Cynthia Minnihan, RETURNING: Becky Deelstra, Justin Stueve, and Curt Tryggestad
Representative Loon introduced and thanked Zachary Robins from Winthrop & Weinstine for his efforts in helping set up the crowdfunding bill in the MN Legislature. The bill received strong bi-partisan support.
Mr. Robins said that the bill got a late start (April 2014) but picked up steam quickly. The bill was co-sponsored by Representative Loon and Senator Bonoff.
The Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934 govern sales of stock and most investors cannot participate in most of the offerings. In 2008 and 2009 venture capital and bank financing was hard to find for startups. The 2012 Jobs Act opened the door to crowdfunding but only for accredited investors. States took initiative to allow anyone to participate in crowdfunding. As part of Omnibus Jobs Bill, Minnesota became the 25th state to allow offering of debt or equity stakes via the state portal http://mnvest.org/. In July 2013 the MN Department of Commerce began drafting rules which should be out soon and the mechanisms in place late in 2015.
The portal allows companies to raise up to $2M with a review or audit or $1M without reviewed or audited statements. Investors can also set up portals to make investments. This bill will provide opportunities for banks and software companies as all offerings will need escrow accounts.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Get your Vino sponsorships or prospects to Becky. They are also looking for silent auction donations (“sports tickets are very popular”). Donate your wine or cash to “Wall of Wine” and sell tickets. Also looking for volunteers to set up and work at the event.
Rotarians were encouraged to attend IVC Fundraiser on Sept. 24
District 5950 Fall Training September 25th at MN Landscape Arboretum
We still need host families for Youth Exchange December to March and March to July.
There will be a meeting for outbound YE students on Monday September 28th at EP High School.
Steve Tasler shared information about the Bare Bottom diaper drive to benefit PROP. Donations can be left at Klein Bank, Prop or the EP Chamber of Commerce.
Farryl Kluis exchanged Rotary Flags from Faribault, MN club.
President Jan read a thank you note from Meals on Wheels. Our club donated $500 for purchase of bags to deliver food.
Mystery trip scheduled for October 3rd from approximately 1:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is approximately $17.50 per person.
SPOTLIGHT ON Dave Sundet
Dave grew up in Edina and attended the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation he began working for Goodall Manufacturing. The company's founder designed the first flat blade lawn mower. The company also began selling commercial jump starting equipment for school busses and later for use by tow trucks and other applications. Dave has traveled to all fifty states.
HAPPY FINES
Jan Eian – Great kickoff to 2015/2016 Strive year! There are 47 students this year.
Pei Ling going on her first business trip without children.
Jenifer Loon – first time strive mentor and loving it!
Dennis Kim – in honor of soccer captains and Jane McGinity's work with YE.
Jon Melander – son playing football for St Thomas and the Tommy/Johnny game is this weekend.
VISITORS:
Visiting Rotarian: Farryl Kluis (Faribault)
Prospective Members and Guests (Rotarian Sponsor): Steve Tasler (Mark Weber); Aaron Glass (Craig Blixrud) and TaraSchini(Matt Crane)
Students: Natalie Page, Alex Modeas and Jake Leibold(interns) and
EPHS Boys Soccer team co-captains Mike Watson and Andrew Donohue and
Girls Soccer co-captainsMaddie Milbrath, Meghan Verkinderen and Brianna Lupo
Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club meets on Tues. mornings from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
at Biaggi's Restaurant, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(unless location change is noted)
Dr. Mubonzi fled the Congo 2 years ago and is seeking asylum status in the U.S. Dr Mubonzi is a general practice medical doctor from the Democratic Republic of Congo who worked treating female victims of rape in the ongoing civil conflict alongside Nobel Peace Prize nominee and mentor Dr. Denis Mukwege. She is working in the U.S. to raise awareness of the current realities in the DRC. Pastor Muzenende is the founder of Let Africa Live, an NGO providing job skills training and psycho-social support to victims of war. They both currently reside in St. Paul and partner with Rotary in their mission. 
