What the heck are we talking about?  Well, we are going to have a Shark Tank style breakout session at this year’s District Conference of Clubs.  We are inviting clubs that haven’t sponsored a grant in at least three years to bring proposals for 2020-21 forward.  We are going to take the top 3 or 4 grant ideas and invite them to present in this breakout to our group of “sharks”. 

 

Who are the sharks?  They are going to be representatives from clubs in our district who are active in grants and have a history of partnering with clubs to help fund their grants (that’s where YOUR CLUB comes in!).  It will be their job to not only ask questions and give feedback but will be able to commit funds to the grants right then and there!  Then, on top of the funds from your club and the others, you’ll be able to get a grant match from The Rotary Foundation!

 

To help bring this to life, an example: Let’s say a club came up with a need in their community that they’d like to address, and the total cost was $5,000 but the club only has $1,000 to contribute.  Our Shark Tank is a perfect opportunity for them to present the idea to other clubs that could partner with them!  After the clubs present at the Shark Tank, your club as a shark will determine how you want to commit funds to these grant proposals.  If clubs were willing to give another $2,000, that would make $3,000 total…and you’d be able to get a grant match from TRF for around $2,000 for the full $5,000! 

 

 

I hope you’re as excited as we are about this great opportunity.  You’ll be able to provide great feedback to clubs on their grants, and make them excited about participating in a Foundation grant…helping create new energy in the club!

 

For more questions, please reach out to Margie Horning (Margie.horning@comcast.net) or Kyle Haugen (jkylehaugen@gmail.com)

 

 

**Additional details**

Hello District 5960 Rotarians and Rotaractors. We are expecting over 300 attendees to our 2020 District 5960 Conference of Clubs, and that starts on April 30 with our CONNECT session. So how will we CONNECT? 

 

(CLICK HERE to register)

 

It starts with connecting culturally through the tours specifically setup for the Conference of Clubs. Take a guided tour through Native American history and culture through the eyes of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux people. We are offering two opportunities for tours.

 

 

 

(CLICK HERE to register)

 

The tours are strategically placed so you have time to attend the 2nd of three Grants Management Seminars. Come connect with the Grants Team and other Rotarians to get your Club qualified to do a District Grant project next year, or just to learn more. This will be held at Prior Lake City Hall.

 

(CLICK HERE to register and  CLICK HERE for map/directions)

 

Continue the connections while attending our social at the elegant Mystic Lake Center! All three keynote speakers will be present and it's an excellent opportunity to connect with them and other Rotarians and Rotaractors informally. Our Thursday evening keynote speaker, General Secretary John Hewko, will do the official welcome.

 

Continue connecting at Prior Lake Rotary's Home Hospitality! If you've not participated in previous Conferences, this is a favorite as you will share food, beverages, fun, and social time to really get to know 4-8 other Rotarians or Rotaractors in an intimate setting! 

 

And this is just Thursday! We have a host of other events Friday that will help you CONNECT, get INSPIRED, think about INNOVATION, and see Rotary's VISION! 

 

Registration is open and the early-bird ends March 15! RAFFLE EXTENDED: We extended our raffle for two tickets to Prior Lake Rotary's Lakefront Music Fest. Register for the full Conference package by February 28 February 29 (Thanks Leap Year!) to get in the raffle drawing. 

 

Speaking of raffle drawings, CONGRATULATIONS to 2019-2020 Faribault Rotary Club President Amy Amundson who won the FREE Conference of Clubs raffle!  

 

The World will be here. Will you?