JULY 14, 2015 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Mark Gordon

President Carla Hauge called the meeting to order at 12:15. Thanks to greeters Lynne Beck and Ed Coleman.

Michael-jon Pease led the club in a bouncy rendition of George M Cohan’s “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” with Dennis Boom on the piano, followed by a reflection on the spirit of Liberty.

Shelly Rucks led the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.

President Carla Hauge made an impassioned appeal for members to bring in friends and potential members.If you’re looking for a quick elevator speech to entice prospective members, she suggested her favorite: “Join Leaders, Exchange Ideas and Take Action.”

Thursday Fellowship speaker is the Honorable Bob Cardinal

Members in the news: Mark Stutrud has been honored in the Twin Cities Business Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement, Steve Young poured out 37 column inches of ink on the trend of Tribalism in the Star Tribune’s opinion section last Sunday. And if you missed, Roger Nielsen was featured as well for his solo art show and significant birthday.

New member billing is underway – thanks to all who’ve signed up for auto pay! If you have questions about your bill, see Carla, Henning or Jodi.

Andy Currie promoted the upcoming Blood Drive on Aug 11 from 10-3. You need to be at least 110 pounds to sign up, so if you’re just under that, take a second plate at lunch! Remember: the faster you sign up, the sooner Andy can shut up!

Next week’s Tuesday program: Chris Clark, Northern States Power Company

Happy Dollars: Shelly Rucks - $10 for her daughter’s last synchronized swimming competition and start of college in Boston. Lynne Beck, in honor of new grandson Jacob. Ed Coleman’s band is recording a CD today and will be onstage for the Midtown Global Music Festival. Carley Stuber - $10 in honor for her three week East coast car trip; the new Children’s Museum outpost at the Mall of America; and the upcoming groundbreaking. New membership category: friends of Rotary ($100 dues per year, plus their meal) – spouses, friends who get involved and then eventually become members. Dan McKeown’s son graduated (and is working), but one son is still working on moving out of the house, so look for the happy dollars when he and Heidi become empty nesters. Jenn Glass, visiting from the Edina Rotary- $5 to promote Edina Rotary’s upcoming Golf Outing. Jim Miller offered thanks that despite the obituary that ran in the Pioneer Press, the reports of his demise are premature!

Immediate Past President John Guthmann couldn’t give up the podium forever, so he was back to introduce today’s speaker Mark Gordon, President and Dean of the newly created Mitchell/Hamline School of Law.

Mark was a 6-year member of the Defiance (Ohio) Rotary club, so he knows how to keep to the speaker’s time. Mark praised the club’s work with Feed My Starving Children, our Century College Scholarships and our international water projects. Having travelled to these international locations with students, he can report firsthand how important those projects are and how frequently the Rotary Club logo shows up around the world associated with these good works. Mark himself has been part of international exchange programs – “they stretched my mind while warming my heart.” Somehow, he managed not to cause any international incidents, but he was embarrassed NOT to receive the highest grade on the English test!

Despite describing his role at today’s meeting is similar to that of the body at an Irish wake: necessary for the party, but not expected to do much, (especially after just two weeks on the job), Mark offered some pertinent remarks.

Legal education is important to society. Shaping the next generation of lawyers will shape the future of society and the rule of law. The opportunity here and now in the Twin Cities is the merger of two very strong institutions, building on their strengths in an era when other law schools nationwide are cutting back. The merged institution will be increasing faculty, a record number of clinics and classes and a majority of the law school alumni in the state. This school will play on the national level in a way neither school could have done on its own.

The number of students applying to law school across the nation has dropped 60% over the last decade. It’s unclear if the current model of legal education still works, so Mitchell/Hamline has the chance to develop a new model for the future build on three key elements:

• a focus on practical wisdom and hands-on learning;
• the hybrid model of online and in-class learning (which provides unprecedented access to legal education for those in other professions and those living in rural areas);
• expanded access to justice across the state.

This new school can create success because its core values so closely mirror Rotary’s four-way test. And with that, President Hauge closed the meeting with a recitation of the test.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael-jon Pease