It is my pleasure serving as the President of the Rotary Club of Prior Lake this year. This club continues to be very active both locally, and globally. The Rotary year, which starts July 1, started with a bang with our 14th annual Prior Lake Rotary’s Lakefront Music Fest. We welcomed sellout crowds both nights and the weather cooperated, for the most part.
It was another very successful event, and we were happy to share that success with a very important group – our community non-profit volunteer groups. On September 13, at our regular morning meeting, 33 groups were in attendance to receive donations for their volunteer hours. In total, $107,760 were donated to these groups.
Each group shared what the money would be used for. It was great for our members to hear the impact our event has within our local community and beyond. Examples of what the money will be used for included sending high school students to leadership camp, taking veterans snowmobiling, fishing contests, building beds for children, purchasing playground equipment, and helping with food insecurity in our schools.
On August 26, we held our 4th annual Prior Lake Rotary’s Pedal Prior. And we had our most successful event with 163 riders! The ride through beautiful Prior Lake and Scott County started and ended at Lakefront Park. For the second year, Pedal Prior was part of the River, Lakes, and Fields bike series, as we partnered with Stillwater Sunrise and Northfield Rotary Clubs. For the first year, we selected the Three Rivers Park, and specifically, the Adapted Sports Program, to be a beneficiary of the funds raised.
Another offshoot of our Music Fest is attracting new members. Our membership has grown from 84 to 110 since 2019. In fact, we were recently notified by Rotary International that our Club was in the top 4% of Clubs in North America for membership growth during the past 5 years! This year, we welcomed the following members: Scott Anderson, Cathy Reynolds, Adam Tomczik, and Andrew (Drew) and Melanie Brudevold. Drew and Melanie make it 9 couples who are Prior Lake Rotarians. We are always looking for more people of action who want to do good and have serious fun! Contact us at priorlakerotary@gmail.com if you are looking for more information.
Group photo of the community non-profit volunteer groups at the September 13 Rotary meeting.
Doing Good; Serious Fun!
Prior Lake, MN 55372
United States of America