Minneapolis Breakfast Club

What I learned on the playground by Playworks!

The early birds, Dick Anderson and Bob Alexander, gathered for coffee and conversation. Jim Erickson wanted it noted that he considered himself an early bird today as he showed up a lot earlier than usual.

President Tony Rubin called his last meeting to order, (The Minneapolis Breakfast Club shutdown over the budget caused this to be our last meeting of the year), Tony entertained us with a few jokes he had been saving (he should have kept them in a drawer).

Guests: Tony brought his wife, Alli. Jim Erickson had his externs form Carleton attend a 2nd time, Wendy Erickson, Jared Margolis, and Katherine Rigney.

Honorary Members: Mark Simon and Russ Bremner were in attendance.

Announcements:

  1. The 2019 Craft Talk Schedule is available for signup. Let Craig Blixrud know your date preference.
  2. The 2019 Directory is being updated. If you miss updating the hard copy contact Dwain Coleman and also sign up for an ad.
  3. Dave Mitchell came today and brought us up to date on his cancer treatments.
  4. Tom Ashbaugh passed the basket for the servers at the Edina CC.
  5. Jim Erickson thanked the club members that hosted the externs over the last week.

Business Networking: Personnel, Services, and referrals outside of the club needed?

Business Exchange: A real robust business exchange was started by Jerry Olson, followed by Dwain Coleman, Susanne Bonfe, Tom Ashbaugh, Paul Ralles, Chris Leonard, Dick Nelson, Bob Alexander, Tony Rubin, Dick Anderson, John Winston, Dave Mitchell, and Bill McGreavy Jr thanked Julius Webster for the work on the bathroom project that he has yet to get a contract on.

Business Updates: What’s new in your business?

Table Introductions: Dwain Coleman introduced table #4 with a theme of “Where did you grow up”, and what are your Christmas plans?

Sock Challenge: John Winston was the winner with a multi-colored stripe pair.

Pot of Gold: Jerry Olson drew 5 cards and the big winner was Erik Schindler.

Craft Talk:

Tony brought our guest speaker, Shauna McDonald of Playworks, up to the podium.

Shauna, originally from Seattle, is married to Shawn and they have a son who is an active duty Airborne Ranger.

Playworks is a non-profit organization founded in 1996.  Playworks helps schools and districts start with recess to see gains throughout the school day. Reclaim class time, get kids active, build social skills, and increase school safety with our evidence-based approach.

Unique to Playworks’ approach is to develop 3rd and 4th grade student leaders to lead playground activities that get children of all ages and skills involved in games.

The theory is that the more unstructured play that kids experience helps them develop the soft social skills such as compromise, leadership, communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution. It also helps develop friendships across the age groups and helps lessen bullying behavior.

Playworks works with public and private schools to bring their approach to the recess time.

For more info go to https://www.playworks.org/minnesota/

 

Register to Tony Rubin at tony.rubin@wellsfargoadvisors.com or 612-810-1474

Looking ahead

January 9 will be B2B CFO presented by Peter Eaton at the Edina CC

January 16 will be The Resultants presented by Jerry Olson at the Edina CC

January 22 will be Medical Weight Management also at the Edina CC