It started out with Jim joining his church, St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Edina, on a youth mission trip in 2006 as an adult leader. It only took being at the school for a couple of days and we were all hooked. By the time we left later that week, we had plans to start a 501c3 back in MN to help the school. That turned into leading mission trips back to the school almost every year since and helping lead our board of directors so many years later. Our mission teams are now made up of people from the church, Jim's Edina Morningside Rotary Club, friends, relatives, and complete strangers that have gotten connected with Jim.

You can find out more about the school and joining a mission trip at www.hcefoundation.org or just call Jim to discuss.

Voyageurs National Park holds a special place in Jim's heart. What started out as a place that his grandfather, Uncle, and Dad went fishing so many years ago turned into a National Park. Jim started going to the area on camping and fishing trips as a teenager and end eventually found out that there was a nonprofit partner to the park. That is when he was asked to join the Conservancy as a board member and now also serves as the treasurer. He continues to camp and fish in the park every year and has introduced the area to many other people.

You can find out more about the conservancy at www.voyageurs.org or just call Jim to discuss.

The West Metro Episcopal churches wanted to work on affordable housing in 2009 and Jim was asked to attend a meeting. That now has turned into helping over 65 families secure stable and affordable housing. We partner with Habitat for Humanity because of the excellent track record they have in this field of nonprofit work. Jim is the committee chair and he and his employees work on projects every year.

Call or email Jim to find out more about this opportunity.

Jim has been a member since 2015 and is very involved. He is the fundraising committee chair, runs the annual golf fundraiser every year, and is on the international grant committee. This organization is all based on service above self and giving back to local and international causes.

If you are interested in getting involved in rotary, visit www.rotary.org for more information and join Jim at a meeting as a guest.