Events

As part of the upcoming Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Dakota County Historical Society is offering a 14-part presentation series that can be taken as a whole, or individual sections. Each program is designed to explore a different aspect of our government to show why, and how, it was set up that way and its impact on today. This series is presented by educator and historian, Frank Sachs.

January 15, 2026 - The Federalist Papers: Road to Ratification and How These Papers Helped Define the Constitution
What they were and how our government was to work according to the founders. Much is known and discussed about the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, but why are the Federalist Papers often neglected, or treated as an afterthought? After all, it was these papers and their three authors who sold the new government to the people and explained how it was to work, yet they go largely ignored.

Fees/RSVP: $10 per person, $5 for DCHS members, less with package deal!
Learn more and register here: https://www.dakotahistory.org/events/1046-america-s-250th-lecture-series-at-lawshe

Help pack undies at The Drawer, followed by Happy Hour!
500 E Travelers Trail #575, Burnsville, MN 55337
DIRECTIONS
* From Hwy 13 heading south/west: Left turn at Portland, right turn onto Travelers Trail, right turn into first parking lot.
* From 35E: Exit at County Rd 11, head north on County Rd 11, turn left at roundabout onto Burnsville Pky, turn right onto Portland, turn left onto Travelers Trail, right turn into first parking lot.
* From McAndrews: Turn north onto County Rd 11, turn left at roundabout onto Burnsville Pky, turn right onto Portland, turn left onto Travelers Trail, right turn into first parking lot.

Ready to strengthen your club? Rotary research has shown that the number one driver of member satisfaction is the club experience! Members value aspects such as:

• meeting enjoyment
• confidence in club leadership
• satisfaction with club service
• finding meaningful friends
• comfort with other club members

Join this interactive workshop designed to reveal the key to member satisfaction and building a thriving club culture.

More information and registration link can be found here: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50084/Events/club-experience-workshops

First Fridays is an annual lecture series showcasing collections from various units across Archives and Special Collections. The series runs each academic year from October to May (skipping January). Each event takes place in Elmer L. Andersen Library, Room 120, and presentations begin at noon. A tour of the archival caverns takes place after the event concludes.

https://libnews.umn.edu/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=566

Join Kick-Starters and friends to bag groceries to benefit The Open Door, our local food pantry which provides nourishment to those with food insecurity. This event has traditionally been one of their most successful fundraisers each year! Our club will cover the 11am-1pm and 1pm-3pm shifts which appear as two separate signups. Please include your T-shirt size in your response. Thank you!

Join Kick-Starters and friends to bag groceries to benefit The Open Door, our local food pantry which provides nourishment to those with food insecurity. This event has traditionally been one of their most successful fundraisers each year! Our club will cover the 11am-1pm and 1pm-3pm shifts which appear as two separate signups. Please include your T-shirt size in your response. Thank you!

An innovative exploration by Ben Bauer, Rotary Region 36 Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator.

An opportunity for all District 5950 Rotarians to learn more about AI and how we can enhance Rotary using this powerful tool. Ben’s knowledge of Rotary and his extensive work with Rotarians allow him to engage participants at all levels of understanding. 

This event will be hybrid - please indicate when registering if you will be attending online. 

Register here: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50084/Event/how-intelligent-rotarians-use-ai

As part of the upcoming Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Dakota County Historical Society is offering a 14-part presentation series that can be taken as a whole, or individual sections. Each program is designed to explore a different aspect of our government to show why, and how, it was set up that way and its impact on today. This series is presented by educator and historian, Frank Sachs.

February 19, 2026 - The Bill of Rights (Part 1): The Historical Origin of the First Ten Amendments to the Constitution
How the Constitution was ratified without a Bill of Rights and why it became essential to add one. Learn who did the choosing and how the States were convinced to adopt it and how was that accomplished?

Fees/RSVP: $10 per person, $5 for DCHS members, less with package deal!
Learn more and register here: https://www.dakotahistory.org/events/1046-america-s-250th-lecture-series-at-lawshe

Celebrate Rotary’s Birthday at our Minnesota Capitol. Join Rotarians and Youth Exchange Students from Districts 5950, 5960 & 5580 to speak up in favor of Rotary and our service projects.

Register here: https://rotarymidwest.org/rotary-awareness-day/

First Fridays is an annual lecture series showcasing collections from various units across Archives and Special Collections. The series runs each academic year from October to May (skipping January). Each event takes place in Elmer L. Andersen Library, Room 120, and presentations begin at noon. A tour of the archival caverns takes place after the event concludes.

https://libnews.umn.edu/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=566

The Eagan Funfest Ambassador Scholarship Program is hosting a bowling fundraiser for friends, family, and other royalty! Join us on Sunday, March 8th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Cedarvale Lanes in Eagan for a fun afternoon of bowling.
The cost is $20/person which includes 2 hours of bowling. Please bring payment to the event.
Our silent auction is back again this year! So get ready to bid on your favorite items.
Thanks for supporting our scholarship program!

Learn more here!

As part of the upcoming Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Dakota County Historical Society is offering a 14-part presentation series that can be taken as a whole, or individual sections. Each program is designed to explore a different aspect of our government to show why, and how, it was set up that way and its impact on today. This series is presented by educator and historian, Frank Sachs.

March 19, 2026 - The Bill of Rights (Part 2): How They Came to Protect Our Civil Liberties and Government Interference in Our Personal Lives
Learn what each of the first ten amendments to Constitution, our Bill of Rights, protects. First see what significant personal rights are protected and articulated in the first three amendments, then learn what rights of the accused are protected by 4-8, and what 9 and 10 protect for the states and how they came to apply to us.

Fees/RSVP: $10 per person, $5 for DCHS members, less with package deal!
Learn more and register here: https://www.dakotahistory.org/events/1046-america-s-250th-lecture-series-at-lawshe

First Fridays is an annual lecture series showcasing collections from various units across Archives and Special Collections. The series runs each academic year from October to May (skipping January). Each event takes place in Elmer L. Andersen Library, Room 120, and presentations begin at noon. A tour of the archival caverns takes place after the event concludes.

https://libnews.umn.edu/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=566

As part of the upcoming Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Dakota County Historical Society is offering a 14-part presentation series that can be taken as a whole, or individual sections. Each program is designed to explore a different aspect of our government to show why, and how, it was set up that way and its impact on today. This series is presented by educator and historian, Frank Sachs.

April 16, 2026 - Supreme Court from 1789 – 1986: Marshall, Taney, Warren, and Burger
In this session we will discuss what the Constitutions says about what the Supreme Court is supposed to do. How it has evolved over time. Then we will discuss famous cases and incidents of several of the Courts beginning in 1801 with The Marshall Court through the Burger Court in the 1970’s including cases from The Taney Court, The Fuller/Harlan Court, The Hughes Court vs. F.D. Roosevelt, The Warren Court and conclude with The Burger Court.

Fees/RSVP: $10 per person, $5 for DCHS members, less with package deal!
Learn more and register here: https://www.dakotahistory.org/events/1046-america-s-250th-lecture-series-at-lawshe

SAVE THE DATE

The District All Club Education Assembly is a chance to inspire and prepare club leaders before they start in their new roles.

More Information to Follow

First Fridays is an annual lecture series showcasing collections from various units across Archives and Special Collections. The series runs each academic year from October to May (skipping January). Each event takes place in Elmer L. Andersen Library, Room 120, and presentations begin at noon. A tour of the archival caverns takes place after the event concludes.

https://libnews.umn.edu/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=566

Help pack undies at The Drawer, followed by Happy Hour!
500 E Travelers Trail #575, Burnsville, MN 55337
DIRECTIONS
* From Hwy 13 heading south/west: Left turn at Portland, right turn onto Travelers Trail, right turn into first parking lot.
* From 35E: Exit at County Rd 11, head north on County Rd 11, turn left at roundabout onto Burnsville Pky, turn right onto Portland, turn left onto Travelers Trail, right turn into first parking lot.
* From McAndrews: Turn north onto County Rd 11, turn left at roundabout onto Burnsville Pky, turn right onto Portland, turn left onto Travelers Trail, right turn into first parking lot.

As part of the upcoming Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Dakota County Historical Society is offering a 14-part presentation series that can be taken as a whole, or individual sections. Each program is designed to explore a different aspect of our government to show why, and how, it was set up that way and its impact on today. This series is presented by educator and historian, Frank Sachs.

May 21, 2026 - Supreme Court from 1987 to Present: Rehnquist and Roberts
During this presentation we will discuss The Rehnquist/O’Conner Court and how it provided middle ground and achieved strong acceptance by the nation.  We will discuss how the Scalia/Ginsburg Relationship provided spirited debate of the issues, and how The Robert Court changed after they departed giving way to the... The Thomas/Alito/Trump Court – by taking a hard right.  We will conclude with a look at what the future might hold.

Fees/RSVP: $10 per person, $5 for DCHS members, less with package deal!
Learn more and register here: https://www.dakotahistory.org/events/1046-america-s-250th-lecture-series-at-lawshe

As part of the upcoming Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Dakota County Historical Society is offering a 14-part presentation series that can be taken as a whole, or individual sections. Each program is designed to explore a different aspect of our government to show why, and how, it was set up that way and its impact on today. This series is presented by educator and historian, Frank Sachs.

June 18, 2026 - Voting Rights
Believe it or not, how regular people voted was not something the Founding Fathers thought much about, or planned for, when writing the Constitution, or adding the Bill of Rights. So, voting in America has not always been straight forward, nor is its impact always clear. This presentation addresses how the process of voting was originally conducted, who it was intended for, and where it might be headed in the future. And what is “Ranked Choice Voting?”

Fees/RSVP: $10 per person, $5 for DCHS members, less with package deal!
Learn more and register here: https://www.dakotahistory.org/events/1046-america-s-250th-lecture-series-at-lawshe