District Governor's Message
Passing the Torch
Mary Kessens
The end of the Rotary Year is here for all of us. I’m sure this may have more meaning for those in leadership positions like Club President and District Governor. It’s our time to “pass the torch” to the next class of Rotary leaders. As a Rotary leader, if you have kept your eye on doing and continuing to do good works through Rotary International, I’m sure this will be a joyous time as you now are able to rely on those new leaders who will take care of the clubs and projects that you have tried to foster. As your District Governor, I find myself in that fortunate position.
During the next Rotary year, we will be ably led by Tom Marshall from the Rotary Club of Wisconsin Rapids. We are fortunate to have Tom’s leadership to enhance and expand our service to youth in District 6250. His lifelong service to schools and youth exchange will serve us well as we seek to expand our Rotary youth programs and achieve RI President-Elect DK Lee’s goal to reduce child mortality. Tom has already excited clubs to discover ways in their own communities to achieve these goals.
There is also much yet to be accomplished. Increasing our Rotary membership continues to be a challenge. Growing our support and use of The Rotary Foundation is of concern since this is the engine that fuels so many good works in the world. Millions of people in the world still do not have access to clean water, education or health care for the most basic of needs. We have much work to do in the world.
As a final reflection, I ask each of you, “How will you serve through Rotary in the coming year? What need have you been called to answer? What skills do you have to contribute? What projects excite you to action?” Because of the diversity of our membership and the needs in the world, there are places for all of use to use our unique talents. The wise person and Rotary leader knows how to make the match between skills and needs.
As for me, I will continue to promote Rotary projects with our friends in Rotary in Nigeria. We are part of Zone 28-29 initiatives to “Reach Out to Africa.” Clubs from all over the upper Midwest are initiating projects throughout Nigeria. You can find out more at our Zone 28-29 website. A current focus is to fund the current and expansion of the Wheel School for Beggars’ Children in Lagos, Nigeria. If you or your club has an interest in learning more about this project, please contact your soon-to-be-Past District Governor Mary Kessens. I know of some projects sure to excite your interest and match your skills.
Best Wishes in Rotary,
Mary
We have accomplished much in the last Rotary Year. Check out the update on District Goals at this link.
A Tribute to Governor Mary Kessens
As the final day of Rotary year, 2007 – 2008 approaches, I find it important and necessary for all Rotarians in District 6250, to express a great deal of gratitude to Governor Mary Kessens for an outstanding year of serving, not only our District, but also a variety of countries throughout the world!! Governor Mary has made a wonderfully positive impact on Rotarians and citizens from Nigeria to Argentina and during that time, has never forgotten about all that needed to be accomplished in District 6250!! She has truly made a difference in our world and I am happy to be able to call her my friend and colleague in Rotary!!
Whether it’s supporting water/sanitation, education, health care and literacy in Nigeria to engineering an outstanding Youth Protection Policy for all of our youth programs throughout the District, Governor Mary has made a difference that we shall never forget!
She has created an environment that allows us to work closely with an administrative firm in Madison that helps us to better manage such things as a unified website, newsletter, meeting planning and registration processes for a variety of events that we have during the course of our Rotary year.
She has found and appointed a variety of new District involved Rotarians to leadership positions in our program and I will say that they have truly made a difference! Governor Mary has done much to expand the horizons of our Training Committee—which has become one of the very best in the Rotary world!
Finally---and I am certain that I may have forgotten several of her accomplishment—she directed a wonderful District Conference that was informative and enjoyed by all of us. She has worked hard to increase Foundation pledges and to be sure that our Rotary membership continues to grow.
During a recent conversation with Governor Mary, she said, “None of these successes were accomplished alone. We are fortunate to have great leaders, trainers and workers who are so involved. I hope that I have given some support and motivation to the many activities when and where I could. Many other folks made them happen!!” Further, Mary said, “ I think that I am also just plain proud of all the good works that our clubs do in the District without any help at all, This is the real reason Rotary continues to be a strong influence in the world”
Thank you Governor Mary for all that you have done! I know that you are not finished! In some ways, because of your outstanding work, you have made it difficult for me to follow you, but in most ways, you have laid the ground work for continued progress! It is so comforting for me to know that you are out there and that you will always be a wonderful resource for District 6250. Thank you Governor Mary Kessens!!
Tom Marshall
Governor Elect
District 6250
District Goals for the Year
Mary Kessens
Click here to download district goals as a pdf.
District News, Events and Announcements
Save These Important Rotary Dates!
Please mark your calendars or register for these important meetings as we prepare for the 2008-2009 Rotary year!
June 28, 2008
District Governor Welcoming Party
Kestral Ridge Golf Club Columbus, WI
Click here for more information.
RI-CAS and RI-DAS No Longer Supported as of December 31, 2008.
Statement from Rotary International - When RI purchased the Clubmate application in August 2003 and re-branded it as Rotary International Club Administration Software (RI-CAS) and Rotary International District Administration Software (RI-DAS), the intention was to provide Rotary clubs and districts with an administrative tool that would eventually integrate with RI 's online services, such as the Member Access Portal (MAP).
Since then, however, it has become clear that supporting and developing RI-CAS/DAS is diverting key resources away from other technology projects critical to the infrastructure and future direction of Rotary International. In addition, RI-CAS and RI-DAS are still only being used by a very low percentage of clubs and districts around the world, making continued support of the software even less cost-effective.
Therefore, in order to re-direct resources to more critical projects, such as a long-overdue upgrade to our membership database and enhancements to the Member Access Portal, RI will no longer distribute or support RI-CAS and RI-DAS as of 31 December 2008.
Click here to view the full announcement from RI.
Click here to view an update from RI.
Group Study Exchange India & Philippines Seeks Team Leads and Members
District 6250 is going to have two Group Study Exchanges in 2008-09 and the first of these is months earlier than our past exchanges.
Click here to read the full announcement for India.
Team lead applications are due July 15, 2008.
Team member applications are due by July 30, 2008.
Click here to read the full announcement for Philippines.
Team lead applications are due August 15, 2008.
Team member applications are due by August 31, 2008.
Please direct questions to rstroud@stroudlaw.com
District Youth Exchange Newsletter
Follow the link below to read the June 2008 Rotary District 6250 Youth Exchange newsletter. Learn about a student learning the language and culture of Russia, how Rotary Brazil selects YE students, and the upcoming International YE Conference in Los Angeles.
Click here for the District Youth Exchange Newsletter.
May 17th District Advisory Meeting Minutes
A meeting of the Rotary District 6250 Assistant Governors and District Advisory Meeting was held on May 17, 2008 in Madison, WI. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to advise the District Governor on decision making and manage the programs and projects administered by District 6250. The Advisory Committee includes Assistant Governors, Committee chairs and Past District Governors.
Follow this link to review the minutes of the last meeting.
Easter Seals and Rotary
Easter Seals was started by a Rotary Club and then became its own organization dedicated to providing services to people with disabilities. Easter Seals Wisconsin shares the following invitation with all Rotarians in District 6250.
Rotary and Easter Seals: Partners since 1919. Rotary was crucial to the start of disability services in America . Easter Seals Wisconsin i s a state-wide agency that provides services in every county. This year we are celebrating 70 years of providing high-quality services to individuals with disabilities at Camp Wawbeek. Won’t you join us? Come to Camp Wawbeek on July 29 th between 1-4 PM. The event will be held at N9888 Highway 13 in Wisconsin Dells. Snacks will be provided and tours of camp will be conducted. If you have questions, would like to support a local camper, or are seeking a presenter for an upcoming meeting; please call Lannia Syren at 608-277-8288 Ext. 120.
Past District Governors Gather in Port Edwards
On Saturday, June 7th, Past District Governors gathered for a social and Rotary information event at the historical Alexander House in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. A great deal of Rotary information was shared---both past and present---and a glance into the future of District 6250 became one of the hi-lites of the meeting.
Governor Elect Tom Marshall stated, “I feel energized and very optimistic about the 2008 – 2009 Rotary Year!! It’s so comforting to know that resources and a support system of PDGs is ready and willing to be helpful!!”
Past District Governors attempt to get together every year.
Leadership Changes for Long Term Youth Exchange
A few changes are occurring to our district's youth exchange team. As you may know, Jean Hathway has retired as the Inbound Coordinator. We so appreciate what she has done with the Inbound program. Our students have been well-served by her. Toni Pabon has decided to take on that position so we are looking for someone to be the district youth exchange registrar (to register students and staff for all their events and to arrange for supplies for many of their events) and/or to help with the district database data entry for youth exchange. (We are planning on putting the district website online so some of that data entry will be done by other people).
Harry Van Camp, the current District Chair is stepping down as district chair. He will continue with the youth exchange team working with Pam Buchda on building our Rebound program to help keep these students involved with Rotary. Harry is a tough act to follow. I will be taking over as District Chair and am very excited about it.
So..., we need a new youth exchange Registrar and Information Coordinator.
With so much of the registration and data being unified, it is possible that the two positions can be combined. If you are interested, please contact me. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated and you will be giving so much help to the district youth exchange program. You will be part of a great, fun team.
Please let me know if you are interested.
Yours in Rotary Service
Judy Levine
District 6250 Youth Exchange Information Coordinator and
2008-2009 District 6250 Youth Exchange Chair
Office: 608 661-7816
Home: 608 271-5472
Cell: 608 220-2949
5406 Dorsett Drive
Madison, WI 53711
Club News, Events and Announcements
Do you have an upcoming Club Event or accomplishment that you would like to announce? Send your pre-written article to: rotarydistrict6250@morgandata.com.
Zone 27/28 Newsletter - Great Membership Tips!
Click here to checkout great membership and retention ideas!
Bob Travis - 58 Years of Service Above Self
Bob Travis, a charter member of The Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien, has certainly
set the bar high in regards to Service above Self. Bob has not only been a Rotarian for 22 years in Prairie du Chien, but he has also served in other clubs as a Rotarian since 1950. Bob has been putting others first and serving them for over 58 years. At nearly 85 years old, he outworks most of the younger Rotarians at every club event or fundraiser that he is a part of. Whether it is serving up some brats at a fund raiser, watering the Rotary Flowers that span for over ½ mile or simply serving on the board, Bob always stands out. His fine work as the Youth Exchange Officer for many years has allowed our club to have experiences with these young men and women from other countries that many can only dream of.
Bob Travis and his wife Linda have decided to take another adventure in this life and are moving to be closer to their children and grand children. There move will take them to
The Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien would like to wish Bob and Linda the very best as they make this move. They will both be missed by our Rotary club as well as the entire community of Prairie du Chien. We would also like to extend an invitation to Bob and Linda to stop by and join us for lunch any Friday that they are back in the area. Although the official roster of Rotary International will list Bob as a Watertown Rotary Member, he will always remain a Prairie du Chien Rotarian in our hearts. Thank you Bob for everything!
Joe Ruskey
RI News
Governor Elect Presents at Rotary International Convention
Governor Elect Tom Marshall presented a seminar, titled Rotary Youth Exchange----Early Returns---at the Rotary International Convention—on Friday, June 13 th in Los Angeles, California. Governor Elect Tom will focus on working with youth exchange students who return home prior to the completion of their entire year of exchange. Tom has served for 32 years as District 6250’s Outbound Coordinator. , if you are coming to LA, bring a book! See the story below!
RI Public Relations Department Announces New Opportunity for Rotary Speakers
A new United Nations-Rotary Speakers Programme has been developed to provide Rotary clubs and districts an opportunity to tap into the expertise available at the United Nations. The program, now being piloted in the United States, makes UN experts available to speak at district conferences, special club meetings, or other Rotary events with more than 100 participants.
Up to two UN Speakers can be invited to a key district or club event to address topics such as the UN Millennium Development Goals, Peacekeeping or Humanitarian Affairs to inform, educate, and inspire Rotary members.
If your U.S. club or district is interested in participating, consider opening the meeting or conference to the general public and inviting local media to cover your event. Read more here
Please contact us with any questions or concerns at ers@rotary.org
Ask Mary
Do you have a question for our District Governor Mary Kessens? If so click here to email your questions to Mary Kessens.
Update on Annual Giving
Foundation Reports
Click here to view the updated Club Goals Report!
Attendance Report
Click here to submit your club's attendance report
Portage Increases Membership by 9.8% Year to Date!
Click here to see the full Attendance Report.
