OUR IMPACT
Total Monetary Donation Impact
$
0
Value of Volunteer Time
$
0
Hours of Fun!
0
Give Back. Take Action. Create Change.
We are a group of dynamic and energetic individuals who share one goal: to give back!
South Metro Minneapolis Evenings (SMME) Rotary Club is a vibrant Rotary Club chartered in May 2010 in the Rotary District of 5950. Our club is focused on helping aspiring community leaders in the Twin Cities get involved in local communities, become engaged in global initiatives, and build relationships and life-long friendships!
We are just one of thousands of clubs world-wide. We belong to District 5950, which serves Minneapolis along with Central and Western Minnesota. Our District is one of the top districts in giving to The Rotary Foundation, which funds all the grants provided to clubs to complete the work we do. District 5950 is also home to Minneapolis #9, which was the 9th club formed in Rotary International history.
WHY
ROTARY
Meet some of our tenured Rotarians and read about what drives them to be better individuals and contributors to our local and international communities.
WHY
ROTARY
Meet some of our tenured about Rotarians and read what drives them to be better individuals and contributors to our local and international communities.
“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
CONNECT
We meet bi-monthly, on the second and fourth Tuesdays, in Bloomington, Minnesota—near the MSP International Airport and Mall of America. Our meetings are not limited to just members. Everyone is welcome!
There’s also no membership requirement to volunteer with us at any of our events! Check our calendar to see what meeting date or volunteer opportunity works best in your busy schedule. We look forward to seeing you!
APPLY
After you’ve been fully and formally introduced and have a proper feel for our club, complete your application! We’ll review and reach out to discuss if we’re a match!
SUPPORT A PROJECT
The success of SMME and magnitude of our impact on local and international community projects is not possible without contributions received from both grants and generous donations from you! Please consider making a small donation toward our cause today—if you’re unable to donate monetarily, consider volunteering with us at one of our events!
All links below open in a new window to an external site.
Pictured: Elimu Hub in Kenya, a project in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kikyu (District 9212) and the Braeburn School in Nairobi
2024-25 LEADERSHIP TEAM
President
Ryan Fagan
I’ve been a member of SMME for seven years and am a returning member to the board. I joined the club to help increase my impact on the community, gain new friends and experiences, and give back. It’s always enjoyable to share memorable experiences with a great group of people! For my day job, I work in merchandising for a major national retailer and in my leisure time I like to travel with my wife, do fun things with my kids, etc.
President-Elect & Public Image Chair
Shane Lueck
I’ve been involved with Rotary since 2006, first as an Interact-er in District 5580, then as a volunteer with RYLA (a youth leadership initiative), and now finally as a Rotary member. For me, it’s a great outlet to meet amazing people while also fostering an environment of giving back and getting involved in the community. I have a master’s degree in multicultural teaching and learning, and currently work in communications at the University of Minnesota. Outside of that, you could probably find me taking in a live theater show or spoiling my dog, Armani.
Treasurer
Angela Schwartz
I have been involved in Rotary since becoming an exchange student through Rotary Youth Exchange in 2010. I am an AP/AR Supervisor at a local agribusiness and have been there for almost 5 years. I have 2 wonderful cats and enjoy working on various house projects in my free time.
Membership Chair
Peter Pelto
I was introduced to the Rotary in High School where I was a Junior Rotarian at the Cloquet, MN Rotary Club. I was reintroduced to the Rotary a couple of years ago by a friend and joined SMME early in 2022. I appreciate the Rotary’s commitment to community service and look forward to working for the good of our community at SMME.
President
Stefi Jessen
I have been involved with Rotary for a year and have truly enjoyed the friendship, service opportunities, and experiences since joining. I have a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and work with pediatrics. I love going on adventures, spending time with family and friends, knocking things off my bucket list!
President elect
Krysta Peterson
I joined Rotary in 2011 after moving to a new city. It was a great way to meet people and continue to give back to the community. Rotary has provided leadership opportunities and travel for global projects. I work at 3M and enjoy getting outside and exploring new foods/cultures!
Treasurer
Robert Timmerman
I have been involved with SMME Rotary since 2020. I enjoy collaborating with groups of people who are passionate about giving back to the community, both locally and globally. Our club brings in some great speakers and as a lifelong learner, I enjoy the variety of information presented and the opportunity to make new connections.
Membership Chair
Kristen Schlough
I have been involved with Rotary since 2012 through Interact Club, Roteract, and now SMME Rotary! Volunteering has always been a passion of mine, and I am so happy to have found a club where friends can get together and practice “service above self”. I have a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Global Studies, and I am currently studying herbalism. In my free time I like to paint and experiment in the kitchen!
Grants & Foundation Chair
Richard Crabb
I joined SMME Rotary in 2011, less than a year after the club was chartered. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that our Rotary club can have on the community and the world through my 10+ years with the club, and I’m proud to call myself a Rotarian. Outside of our club, I own my law firm, which keeps me busy. In my spare time I play wiffle ball, and I also enjoy golfing and cheering on Minnesota sports teams!
Service Chair
Hassan Barzani
I have been an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America Program since 2005 and a member of SMME since 2022. I’m a brother of Pi Kappa Phi Male Fraternity and Alpha Phi Omega CO-ED Service Fraternity. I am also part of the Gopher Chapter of Toastmasters International since Summer 2023. In addition, I volunteer with Doors Open Minneapolis and Adopt A Stop Metro Transit. Finally, I love God, sports, friends, family, traveling, education, working, and volunteering. Rotary and Toastmasters are my other families in the Twin Cities!
Fundraising Chair
Larkin Scholla
I joined Rotary just over seven years ago and have never regretted it! I’ve held various positions over my tenure, but I’m excited to sit as the Fundraising Chair for 2024-25. Outside of Rotary, I’m a finance manager and I’m also on the social media staff for Secondhand Hounds, a local animal rescue.
Grants & Foundation Chair
Kerrie Leinmiller-Renick
I’ve been a Minnesota resident since 2017 and a Rotary member just as long! Starting in the non-profit field, I wandered my way to corporate life at General Mills in innovation. Not at Rotary, you can find me playing DnD, doing martial arts, and petting the heck out of my pup, Albus.
Public Image Chair
Shane Lueck
I’ve been involved with Rotary since 2007, first as an Interact-er in District 5580, then as a volunteer with RYLA (a youth leadership initiative), and now finally as a Rotary member. For me, it’s a great outlet to meet amazing people while also fostering an environment of giving back and getting involved in the community. I have a master’s degree in multicultural teaching and learning, and currently work in communications at the University of Minnesota. Outside of that, you could probably find me taking in a live theater show or working on making my dog Instagram famous
Community Service Co-Chair
Peter Pelto
I was introduced to the Rotary in High School where I was a Junior Rotarian at the Cloquet, MN Rotary Club. I was reintroduced to the Rotary a couple of years ago by a friend and joined SMME early in 2022. I appreciate the Rotary’s commitment to community service and look forward to working for the good of our community at SMME.
Community Service Co-Chair
Mike McKeen
I’ve been in SMME for over 7 years and am a returning member to the Board. I joined the community to be around like minded people that give back. It’s always enjoyable to share memorable experiences with a great group of people! I’m a consultant for IT businesses for a vocation, but spend as much time as available goofing off! Sometimes that means a road trip with wife and kids and sometimes that means racing for hours (or days), but it’s always in the spirit of fun and camaraderie!
PINTS FOR PEOPLE
Our 11th annual event was held September 27, 2024 at Centennial Lakes in Edina. Follow us on Facebook or check back for updates and announcements about the 2025 event.
SMME partners with Edina Morningside Rotary Club to co-host our annual Pints for People Charity Beer Tasting. This event is our major fundraiser, and all proceeds go toward our club foundation to fund projects that empower youth and alleviate homelessness and hunger.
The event includes sampling craft beer, cider, and seltzers from local breweries, a silent auction including items from local businesses, games and food.
WHERE TO FIND US
South Metro Minneapolis Evenings Rotary meets bi-monthly on the second and fourth Tuesday from 6:30PM to 7:30PM at the Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis in Bloomington, Minnesota. We partake in ‘Happy Hour’ before our meeting, starting at 6:00 PM—come see us!
Not ready to see us in person? No worries—contact us for more information.
GET IN TOUCH
Have a specific inquiry about membership, looking for volunteering opportunities, or requesting funding for your project? Fill out one of our forms from the options on the right, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
For general questions or comments, please fill out the form below. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
