JUL 29, 2014 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Sheriff Matt Bostrom
President John Guthmann, perhaps emboldened by Pretender-to-the-Throne Doug Bruce’s March 4 “experiment” with a 12:17 start time for the meeting, flexed his executive muscle by flouting Immediate Past President Jim Kosmo’s 12:15 start time mandate. Chronologically, it was downhill from there.
Maybe Rotarians were distracted by warm thoughts of the 116th Anniversary of Will Kellogg’s invention of Corn Flakes (beware the NSFW story as to the societal ill that might be cured by Corn Flakes, or so Will’s brother hoped), because there was no hue and cry for the untimely start.
According to President John, Kate Smith opened the meeting by channeling Jerry Faletti in a patriotic song. Bob Jones (piano) played along. Not really kidding there, P.J. did reference Kate Smith.
Ken Peterson delivered an inspiring invocation. Your Scribe stood, head bowed, and holding a lunch plate in each hand.
Corey Edmunds introduced the week’s guests. There were a lot this week, including: Jason Stern (from the Minnesota Wild), vintage St. Thomas Graduates (Sam Anderson, guest of Doug Bruce); a Rotary Exchange Student (Olivia Harrison and her mom, guest of Mary Britts); a “so glad I got to come to this on my summer break” daughter (Laura Hauge, guest of Carla), a lawyer (David Holk, guest of Ed Coleman) and Three Nittany Lion Rotarians (State College PA, guest of YourScribeMissedTheName).
President John thanked Bob Cardinal and Susan Spiers for their service as door greeters. Next John introduced your Scribe (Joe Beckman), noting that your Scribe’s puerile attempts at humor would no longer be necessary in view of President John’s considerably risible way with words. (NSFW use of “risible” in a sentence at the 3:03 mark courtesy Michael Palin.)
Reminders included:
- The Blood Drive is August 12 at Crowne Plaza in Kellog Suite 1, sign up at www.redcrossblood.org (enter zip code 55101) or 1-800-RED-CROSS.
- Jay Pfaender promoted next week’s program featuring Securian CEO Bob Senkler
Monthly Birthday Cake to Rotarians celebrating another birthday this month. Your Scribe was relieved to note that nobody from Warner Brothers showed up to enforce its copyright or demand royalties.
Dan McKeown talked up the roast of Jim Kosmo. The roast will occur at what President John termed (no kidding) the site formerly known colloquially as the “White Bear Sand Dunes.” Fittingly, the roast occurs on the 146th Anniversary of Henry David Thoreau being jailed for tax resistance. Per Dan, Jim’s had 20 careers, and we can expect at least that many jokes during the festivities. Register online!
Joe Kovarik gave props to Susan Spiers who earned a sapphire pin for her financial support the Rotary Foundation. Way to go, Susan!
Mary Britts introduced our Youth Exchange member, Olivia Harrison a St. Paul Central sophomore. She will be guests of, no kidding, banana plantation operators in Ecuador. Her goal is to become fluent in Spanish, more independent, and learn to like to eat bananas.
Jon Cieslak handled this week’s “Happy Dollar.” The grateful Rotarian had just come back from Italy where he attended the 2013 under 23 International Rowing Championships. His granddaughter was in seat #3, and he kicked a buck for each of the 8 rowers in the boat plus one for Coxswain. Next to this happy Rotarian was a less than happy Rotarian who missed his 20 seconds of fame (and chance to contribute his $1) due to the meeting falling grossly behind schedule.
Jeff Otto introduced our speaker, Sheriff Matt Bostrom, noting that “in my day, policemen were respected. . . and called policemen and not cops” Your Scribe, the offspring of one of “Chicago’s Finest,” noted he’s been using that phrase a lot himself lately, and immediately felt old.
Sheriff Bostrom was less sensitive to semantics, noting “It is the [adjective] before ‘cop’ that is the issue.” He then began an open and honest discussion of improving quality in the Sheriff’s department by honest feedback and performance appraisals. Such appraisals do not just contain criticism, but also praise.
The County Sherriff’s office is the police department for many smaller communities, and even some smaller municipalities. While data suggests that policing is community based, there remain concerns regarding potential racial profiling. Reducing both instances of possible racial profiling, as well as the perception that racial profiling is somehow an accepted way of doing business is one focus of the office.
The talk closed with some discussion of the “personally worn cameras.” Sheriff Bostrom termed them “very exciting,” and noted officers tend to be more in favor of them, as they more often help an individual taken into custody to understand his/her behavior (and sometimes state of sobriety, or lack thereof) and thus provide valuable perspective.
Your Scribe was relieved to learn after the meeting that the Sheriff had no first hand familiarity with either of his teen sons. That’s probably a good thing!
Joe Beckman, Scribe
p.s. The meeting end
ed at 1:08, and these minutes were turned in at 2:42 (they were due at 2:00). This delay was due entirely to Ed Cook, who put undue pressure on your Scribe to perform this week by gratuitously remarking that these minutes are, “So cleverly written.” Thanks, Ed. (Not kidding)