Notes from the President
Hello. As we move into spring, I’m sitting at my home watching a large snowfall event happen! Probably one of the last doses of winter that we will get, but it’s nice to see everything turn white and sparkly. At the last executive committee meeting, we discussed some decisions that have been pending for a bit. One of the biggest expenditures that we will be making this year is the purchase of new stackable chairs, which will be used in all of our spaces. The design committee has brought samples of different styles into the building, and we were able to sit in them and check them out. I’m grateful to the design committee and all those who participated in the selection of this new furniture. It’s a significant investment, and we will likely live with these chairs for many years to come! It’s funny how something so seemingly mundane as dining room seating can require a significant investment of our time and financial capital!

We also discussed the building projects that are underway. Our first floor bathroom project has been completed, and now the team has moved onto completion of work on the adjacent suite. This has been a great project to complete this winter, and I’m again grateful to the building committee team and the design committee team for all of their time and efforts.

Moving forward into the spring, our much-anticipated Akvavit Pairing event will take place. This is a fun annual fundraiser, and it is wonderful to be able to continue this tradition. We have received sponsorship from several distilleries, and I know the volunteers have put together a wonderful menu of food to sample alongside the akvavit. I love these traditional events, and again I am grateful to the city of Minneapolis for updating the alcohol permit regulations for non-profits so that we can more easily host these types of events at the DAC. 

Our board has also put together an outline of the Danish Day plan. We have assigned tasks to board members and other volunteers, and the organization for that much-anticipated June event is underway. Despite this snow that I’m looking at presently, June will be upon us soon, and the Danish Day tradition will continue. We also discussed the plans for hosting a Townhall meeting. As mentioned in a past letter, this would be an opportunity for us to host an open house type event with a structured discussion that centers around Greenland and also our role in the Minneapolis community. Stay tuned for more information on that as we announce a facilitator and develop the plan for this forum event. As always, I’m grateful to all of our many volunteers and staff who make everything function so well at the DAC! And I’m also grateful to all of you members who continue to participate and engage in our Danish community.
Pete Gantriis