June/July - Minneapolis Club

club
OUTREACH
Club welcomes Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Paul Gregersen looks forward to hitting it
out of the park for his new Club, while never
forgetting what it was like to be a rookie.
My dad has always been the hardest worker I know. So
it should have came as no surprise when he told me I’d be
starting my first job at 13. But of course, I was caught off
guard. I’d heard of a kid or two getting help from their old
man in the job department before, but it was certainly news
to me this could possibly happen without the consent or
knowledge of said kid in advance. Dad, on the other hand,
was quite certain this was how nepotism worked in small-town
Minnesota. Moreover, he would be my boss. Again, his rules,
not mine.
Dad was the janitor at our local newspaper office. He
worked long hours for little pay and less respect. Not until I
ventured into the real world on my own, did I begin to truly
appreciate the hard work and dedication he and Mom put
forth in making the future brighter for my sister and I.
Dad arranged for me to clean a garage full of those
plastic tubes that hang next to mail boxes, used for housing
newspapers. At the staggering rate of a nickel per tube. Keep
in mind, a nickel only constituted tubes that were “done right
the first time.” Needless to say, it took a second or third time in
many instances to get the boss’ approval.
Like any boy my age, I would have much rather been
riding bikes with my buddies to the ball field, than pitching
soapy water at spiderweb infested plastic. I suppose learning the
importance of a strong work ethic is the curveball Dad threw at
me in all of this. I just didn’t realize it at the time. You’d have to
ask him whether I got a hit or struck out on that one.
However, something unexpected happened as I worked
day in and day out with my scrub brush that summer. I fell in
love with the worlds of history and journalism. During breaks,
which were generally taken when the boss wasn’t looking, I’d
poke my head into the newsroom to see what the fascinating
world of the news industry was all about, or venture down to
the basement to browse the archives from the 19th and early
20th Century. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the
beginning of my professional career.
After completing my undergraduate studies with degrees
in Mass Communications and History, I ventured into the
world of graduate school to study Social Responsibility. In the
meantime, I began my career as a print and photo journalist by
renovating an old bunkhouse into an office and photo studio.
At 24, I started a company called Bunkhouse Photography
and Media. By the age of 30, I was fortunate enough to be
working in a profession I loved and doing so on my terms. But
like many in their early thirties, I wondered what that next step
would be in my career path. Little did I know, this opportunity
from the Minneapolis Club would come out of the blue,
For the past three years, Gregersen has been invited by
Justin Morneau to serve as exclusive photographer for
his Casino Night Fundraiser to benefit the 300,000 kids
nationwide living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. When away from
his camera and computer, Gregersen can be found with his
feet up on the Section 130, row 1 rail at Target Field... or at the
cabin. He can be reached at paulg@mplsclub.org.
unexpectedly, as it did when I was 13.
I’m most honored and privileged to serve this historical
institution and its respected members as Communications and
Marketing Coordinator, where it’s my job to tell the stories of
the Club as an artist and historian, create a dialogue among
members and non-members, and spread the word of all the
good things happening inside the clubhouse and out. I will be
responsible for the magazine you have in your hands, the Club
web site, social media pages and general marketing practices
throughout the Club and beyond. My office door is always
open, please swing in and introduce yourself anytime.
Although my dad wasn’t responsible for getting me this
job, in a round about and indirect way he was. He instilled in
me a work ethic I can be proud of and he introduced me to a
profession I love. I look forward to sharing both with you.
All nine innings worth.
Doing the job right the first time.
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