Monica Opalinski, originally from New Jersey, has been an Eden Prairie resident for 30+ years. An entrepreneurial spirit from a young age she started her first business, Pampered Paws, in the early 90’s. After 26 years she dissolved her business and set up her existing clients and her employees with a new service. This coincided with the birth of her first grandchild, whom she is lucky to be able to spend several days a week with since he was born. In March of 2023 Monica opened Opal Upcycle which offers upcycled and recycled home furnishings. Opal Upcycle’s mission is to fix the damaged, broken and outdated furniture to give it new life and keep it out of the landfill.
Rodney Provart - Executive Director of the Open Hands Foundation
As the Executive Director of the Open Hands Foundation, Rodney Provart oversees the operation of Hope House, a teen emergency shelter located in Chanhassen. Hope House strives to offer more than just a roof over the head; it provides endless support and resources for teenagers facing homelessness. Open around the clock, the House has professional staff available at all hours, extending beyond shelter to empowerment—a symbol of resilience and community solidarity.
Hope House is a lifeline for teens grappling with abuse and neglect, offering assistance and a refuge from challenging circumstances. Graduates of the program can transition into a supportive transitional program, equipping them with essential skills for their future careers. Despite its impactful work, the shelter has had to turn away twice as many teens as it could host over the past three years. With the necessary funds and support, Hope House II can become a reality, connecting seamlessly with the original House.
The proposed Hope House II, designed specifically to cater to the needs of teens, signifies a step toward expanding outreach and awareness in schools, county offices, youth centers, and community enters. Thanks to the generosity of Rotary members, Hope House acquired a new van, facilitating the mobility of teenagers. Hope House II can become a testament to the community's commitment to addressing homelessness, providing a haven for those seeking refuge and a pathway toward a brighter future. Together, Hope House and Hope House II embody a narrative of positive transformation through compassionate outreach in the lives of those they touch.
Future Meetings
January 16--Monica Opalinski: Opal Upcycle— "Upcycled & Recycled Home Furnishings”
January 30—Club Assembly. Dan O’Brien said that he (Dan) will be passing his presidential duties to Bill Gaddis at this assembly as Dan will be heading south for the rest of winter. Bill will continue as President of EPAM Rotary for the rest of Dan’s term.
February 6—Rob Thompson, Director of Communications & Development: Performing Institute of Arts High School
Please contact Lyndon Moquist with any Program ideas.
Appreciation Announcements
Thank you to Lori Thune and her team for the successful and fun Bingo fundraiser! Gross intake was $1350. Net: $750. Initial expenses included bingo cards and daubers which will not have to be purchased again for quite some time, so Bingo fundraisers from here on will be mostly profit.
Kudos to Frank and Mary Jo Sherwood for a fabulous Holiday party!
Thanks to Janna and other volunteers for providing bell ringing services for the Salvation Army!
Announcements
Blake Cadwallader spoke about the Christmas meal for Onward Eden Prairie. Plans are proceeding for a tasty meal for the residents!
Carol Kampman spoke about the new QR code for accessing members’ photos and information.
Janna Berkholtz and Tim Conners, co-chairs for upcoming Eco Expo on April 20, 2024, spoke. Eco Expo will be in the Eden Prairie Mall again this year. Janna and Tim said that, in 2023, we had 46 exhibitors and sponsors and about 3000 attendees, and we net $11,000 for the club’s foundation. At the Eco Expo, we make money via sponsors, exhibitors (who pay for tables), and raffle tickets. Expenses for Eco Expo include venue rental from Eden Prairie mall, tables & chairs. and marketing. Some new ideas/possibilities for this Eco Expo include test driving Electric Vehicles (EVs) and having the EP High School chamber orchestra play. Janna and Tim said that volunteers will be needed both for planning the event and for the day of the event. Of special note, help will be needed to help the Family Fun Zone, and leads will e needed for Volunteer planning and Website updating.
John Goergen spoke about the need for Meals on Wheels drivers for dates in 2024. The specific dates needed were shown at the meeting, but they have also been sent in an email to all members. Delivering Meals on Wheels has been a long-standing service provided by members of our club. It takes about two hours per delivery. Contact John for more details if you are able to help.
Sharon Borine reminded members that there is still time to contribute to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) before the end of this year.
Happy Fives:
Lori Thrune saw “The Beauty and the Beast” performed at Stages Theater and said it was great! Lori is also happy to have her mother-in-law, Jean, visiting here through the holidays. (Jean, a fellow Rotarian, was present at the meeting. It is always good to see you at our meetings, Jean!)
John Goergen recently received new hearing aids. He is happily surprised with how well his wife speaks now! John is also happy to have buckthorn removed—professionally--from his backyard.
Aaron Casper is happy that his children are all back home to celebrate the holidays together!
Jean Cadwallader is happy to be a great grandmother again! She has a new great grandson.
Craig and Patricia Neal, Co-Founders of the Center for Purposeful Leadership (CPL)
Craig and Patricia Neal, Co-Founders of the Center for Purposeful Leadership (CPL), have a vision: a just, inclusive, and interconnected world that works for all people, regardless of status, gender, or nationality. The pair wants to cultivate and inspire purposeful leaders who foster thriving cultures of trust, inclusion, and collaboration to create sustainable collective impact. Currently living in Boston, the duo has been married for 43 years, and underlined the importance of keeping work life separate from home life as part of a working relationship. Craig and Patricia both outlined formative moments in their lives that helped shape them into the leaders they are today: Craig attended the March on Washington at the age of 17, met Margaret Wheatley, and enjoys men’s work in the wilderness, while Patricia enjoys Whole Person Leadership for Women and doing the Sprint Triathlon every year, starting at age 60! Wow!
The Neals’ work is centered around one question: Who are you going to be when you do what you do? The couple originally promoted this in 1995, when they were first founded as Heartland Institute and Heartland Circle, while later became the Thought Leadership Gatherings, explaining that leadership is an inside game - it starts with you! Currently, they run a free Monday morning zoom session teaching how to create community, collaboration, and connection in a virtual space. All the work is based around the Convening Wheel Model to reach the highest possible outcome and generate authentic engagement, as well as the Mindstep Model to figure out what is close to your heart and what thread you’re following to your future. Craig and Patricia also explained the difference between ‘management’ and ‘leadership’ to the club: management is getting things done, but leadership is aspirational - it’s stepping forward every day to make a difference.
With CPL, the Neals wanted to remain cutting edge, so they delved into exploring and explaining purpose. What is purpose? According to them, it’s the belief that your life matters and that you make a difference, it’s the key to thriving leadership, meaningful work, and successful collaboration. It energizes us to create something completely new! Craig and Patricia invite all Rotarians to join their Monday morning sessions for a dose of community and collaboration.
Vocational: Aaron Casper
Aaron Casper was born in St. Paul, but grew up in Wisconsin and became a Packers fan. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1989 with a Political Science degree, and has been working as a benefits consultant for 25 years in the public sector, primarily with K-12 school districts and municipalities. Casper met his wife at the Applebee’s in Eden Prairie, and they have 4 children, all of which attended Eden Prairie Schools. His twin daughters are seniors at Hope College in Michigan, and 1 daughter is a junior at the University of Minnesota, while 1 son is a freshman at Eden Prairie High School. Aaron Casper is a dedicated member of Grace Church, Boy Scouts Troop 695, the Fire Department, and Board Chair of the Eden Prairie School Board, which he was elected to in 2019.
Future Meeting
January 16: Monica Opalinski, Opal Upcycle—“Upcycled & Recycled Home Furnishings”
January 30: Club Assembly
February 6: Rob Thompson, Director of Communications & Development—Performing Institute of Arts High School
Please contact Lyndon Moquist with any program ideas.
Duty Roster for next meeting—January 16, 2024:
Greeter: Sharon Borine
Check-In: Aaron Casper
Inspiration: Roy Terwilliger
Door Prize: Mark Lewis
Vocational: Tim Conners
Appreciation
Thank you to Nathan Nyren for his work securing an interim host family for Exchange Student Ama!
Announcements
Swallowship will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 5:00—7:00pm at Unmapped Brewing Co, 14625 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka,
Eco Expo will be held April 20, 2024 at Eden Prairie Center Mall. Janna reviewed plans.
Drivers for Meals on Wheels are needed for the following dates in 2024. Please contact John Goergen if you can drive on any of these dates: January 30, February 27, March 26, April 23, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 15, December 3 and December 31. Thank you for your support of this important service!
Happy Fives
Irene K. enjoyed having her children/grandchildren from North Carolina for the holidays! Also, Irene wishes to acknowledge the great job that Mark Weber at Eden Prairie News did in covering the Lake Street Project.
Dan O’Brien had a wonderful Christmas with his family! Dan’s family enjoyed their Polish tradition of greeting oldest to youngest members with wafers.
Mary Jo S. expressed appreciation for Irene and Lori jumping in to help prepare for the Rotary Holiday Party!
Patrick D. has enjoyed teaching skiing at Buck Hill for many years. On December 21 he was able to be part of an interesting tour of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank!
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Monica Opalinski, originally from New Jersey, has been an Eden Prairie resident for 30+ years. An entrepreneurial spirit from a young age she started her first business, Pampered Paws, in the early 90’s. After 26 years she dissolved her business and set up her existing clients and her employees with a new service. This coincided with the birth of her first grandchild, whom she is lucky to be able to spend several days a week with since he was born. In March of 2023 Monica opened Opal Upcycle which offers upcycled and recycled home furnishings. Opal Upcycle’s mission is to fix the damaged, broken and outdated furniture to give it new life and keep it out of the landfill. 
As the Executive Director of the Open Hands Foundation, Rodney Provart oversees the operation of Hope House, a teen emergency shelter located in Chanhassen. Hope House strives to offer more than just a roof over the head; it provides endless support and resources for teenagers facing homelessness. Open around the clock, the House has professional staff available at all hours, extending beyond shelter to empowerment—a symbol of resilience and community solidarity.
Craig and Patricia Neal, Co-Founders of the Center for Purposeful Leadership (CPL), have a vision: a just, inclusive, and interconnected world that works for all people, regardless of status, gender, or nationality. The pair wants to cultivate and inspire purposeful leaders who foster thriving cultures of trust, inclusion, and collaboration to create sustainable collective impact. Currently living in Boston, the duo has been married for 43 years, and underlined the importance of keeping work life separate from home life as part of a working relationship. Craig and Patricia both outlined formative moments in their lives that helped shape them into the leaders they are today: Craig attended the March on Washington at the age of 17, met Margaret Wheatley, and enjoys men’s work in the wilderness, while Patricia enjoys Whole Person Leadership for Women and doing the Sprint Triathlon every year, starting at age 60! Wow!
Aaron Casper was born in St. Paul, but grew up in Wisconsin and became a Packers fan. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1989 with a Political Science degree, and has been working as a benefits consultant for 25 years in the public sector, primarily with K-12 school districts and municipalities. Casper met his wife at the Applebee’s in Eden Prairie, and they have 4 children, all of which attended Eden Prairie Schools. His twin daughters are seniors at Hope College in Michigan, and 1 daughter is a junior at the University of Minnesota, while 1 son is a freshman at Eden Prairie High School. Aaron Casper is a dedicated member of Grace Church, Boy Scouts Troop 695, the Fire Department, and Board Chair of the Eden Prairie School Board, which he was elected to in 2019.