District Governor's Message
What a Year!
Tom Marshall
Dear Rotarians,
WOW!!!!! This Rotary year is just about over and what a tremendous year it has been!!! I have had the privilege to meet so many outstanding Rotarians during this year and I have made friends for a lifetime!! So many of you have touched my life in a way that will positivily impact me for a lifetime!!! You have made a difference in my life and you have made a difference for thousands of people throughout the world!!! Thank you for doing that!!! Rotary has done much this year to MAKE DREAMS REAL and we are better because of your outstanding work!!! Thank you for all that you have done! We are about to embark on a new Rotary year--beginning July 1--and Governor Elect Dean Dickinson will lead the way for all uf us to continue with our many projects and endeavors. Governor Elect Dean has already made many significant contributions to District 6250 and his love for Rotary will allow all of us to have an enjoyable and productive year! Best wishes, Dean, for an absolutely great year!!
We still have much work to do before July 1. We must continue to promote membership and to offer the opportunity for people to join us in the world of Rotary. Please do your best to bring in new members.
I have recently sent personal letters to all Club Presidents and reminded them of the need to tell their Rotarians of their Club Foundation Goals that were set at the beginning of the year. It is so very important that all of us be involved with the Every Rotarian, Every Year Annual Fund program. I believe that each of us can afford to contribute $100 a year for the program that will allow us to continue to do the many wonderful things that we do throughout the world. Please check with your Club officers and be certain that your Club has sent the money to the Rotary International Foundation before June 30th. This is so very important!
As I end my year as your District Governor, I want to tell you how proud I am of all that you have done and will continue to do. We have MADE DREAMS REAL for so many people. We have reduced the number of children who die every day and we must continue our work until not one child dies of hunger or poverty. I am asking each and every one of you to continue to MAKE DREAMS REAL in the new Rotary year. THE FUTURE OF ROTARY IS IN YOUR HANDS and the future of the children of the world must continue to be a primary focus for all of us.
On behalf of my wife, Joey--also a Rotarian--we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for a terrific year!!! I know that our pathes will continue to cross.
Thomas Marshall
District Governor, 2008-2009
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
715-423-1921 (H)
715-213-3046 (C)
* * * * Pledge Commitments Due June 30th * * * *
Our district, via the Club Goal Reports filed by the current club presidents last spring, pledged support in excess of $250,000 to Annual Programs. We are lagging in getting those pledged amounts into the foundation. We are just weeks short of the end of this Rotary year and to date have provided just 58.68% of our pledges. I would ask club presidents, secretaries and treasurers to be sure to forward their pledge commitments to the foundation as soon as possible.
All pledges, in order to be credited to this Rotary year, must be postmarked prior to June 30, 2009 and arrive at the Foundation by 7 July 09.
It is important that when the Global Contribution Form is sent that the correct designation for the Annual Programs Fund is selected on that form. Monies sent, and misapplied to the polio eradication effort or to the Permanent Fund simply do not count toward our district Annual Programs goal.
Thank you for making this request a priority in your club.
Year End CONTRIBUTION DEADLINES
CHECKS TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION LOCKBOX : Must be postmarked JUNE 30, 2009 (or prior) and received at the lockbox by Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
WIRE TRANSFERS : Must be initiated prior to June 30, 2009 and received in the bank by July 3, 2009.
CREDIT CARDS : On-line via www.rotary.org must be authorized PRIOR to midnight on June 30, 2009 (please remember that gifts received via the website will only benefit the Rotarian who logged in).
Via fax, phone or mail to World Headquarters must be received in the AR Department and authorized prior to the close of business on June 30, 2009.
Via the Bank of America lockbox must be received at the lockbox prior to the close of business on June 30, 2009. (Credit Card contributions received in lockbox batches with deposit dates after June 30, 2009 will be considered July 2009 gifts.)
RECLASSIFICATIONS or REDISTRIBUTIONS : Requests must be received in the TRF Corrections e-mail box prior to 3:00 pm on Monday, July 6, 2009.
PolioPlus contributions DO NOT count toward Annual Programs Fund Goals.
Dean Dickinson
DGE and Annual Programs Chair
District News, Events and Announcements
Vision Facilitation Services on the Horizon
District 6250 is embarking on a “vision quest”. For those of you who have an appreciation for our Native Americans you will understand that a vision quest was sought after as a spiritual encounter that prepared the person seeking the vision for something greater in life. It involved fasting, sleep deprivation and exposing oneself to the elements. With that in mind I’ll bet you’re just jumping at the chance to engage in a “vision quest”.
How about if I told you that our “vision quest” involves being trained as a Vision Facilitator who will assist our clubs in identifying their own vision, their own mission and their own values as a club? The Vision Facilitators walk clubs through a form of strategic planning that prepares the club for greater, more fulfilling service in Rotary. This program works!!
This is a call to those who may be interested in being trained to serve as a Vision Facilitator. The training will take place on Saturday, October 24 th at a place to be announced. This training is extensive. It requires six hours of your time. This training is so good that we will be seeking CEU credits and can assure you that it will enhance your own workplace experience. You may think me disingenuous but we must limit this training session to just thirty people. We are going to allocate training slots geographically so that once trained, you will work in a team in areas proximate to your own homes.
Click here for Vision Facilitator Questionnaire
Click here for Vision Facilitator Job Description
Completed questionnaires must be e-mailed (rotarydistrict6250@morgandata.com) or faxed (608-204-9818) no later than July 31, 2009.
Sincerely,
Dean Dickinson Logan63@aol.com
Chuck Hanson CEH@haleskemp.com
Tom Marshall tom@webmonger.net
Group Study Exchange - Japan and Uruguay
During the 2009 - 2010 Rotary year, we will once again be having two Group Study Exchange Teams going to two different countries. Our first exchange will be with Japan and the departure date has been set for October 16th. The team will return home on November 12th.
We are currently looking for four team members and a team leader. Team members must not be Rotarians and be between the ages of 25 and 40. They must live or be employed in our Rotary District. They also cannot be in any way related to a Rotarian. There are no other requirements. The team leader must be a Rotarian and there are no age restrictions.
Interviews for the team leader will be happening in the very near future and any Rotarian in our District is eligible to apply. The application for team leader or to be a team member may be obtained by going to the RI website at Rotary.org
The second Group Study Exchange will be in 2010. This exchange will be with the country of Uruguay. This will be an agri-science team so all team members must be employed in some agriculture related career. More details about this exchange will be forth coming.
If you are or know of anyone who may be interested in either of these exchanges, please contact Tom Marshall AND Rob Stroud at the email addresses listed below. Obviously, we are most interested in moving quickly for the Japan exchange.
Rob Stroud - rstroud@stroudlaw.com
Tom Marshall - Tom@webmonger.net
Foundation and Membership Seminar - November 7, 2009
Save this important date:
Foundation and Membership Seminar - November 7, 2009
Wilderness Territory – Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center
45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI
800-867-9453
Saturday, November 7, 2009
8:00am -3:00 pm
Get energized about the work of The Rotary Foundation!!
Charge up your club’s membership growth efforts! Theme “25-45-Facebook-Retention”
Draft your next grant in support of your club’s local or international projects.
Train your club’s Membership Chair and Rotary Foundation Chair.
Develop a club plan to raise funds for The Rotary Foundation.
Develop a plan to recruit/retain the 25-45 year old age group- Use Facebook if appropriate.
Send as many club members as you want-FREE of CHARGE
Your District Membership and Foundation teams are planning a dynamite seminar for your edification and enjoyment.
For more information contact:
- Tom Mickelson, District Membership Chair, 608-516-9414, mickelson@gdinet.com
- Mary Kessens, District Foundation Chair, 608-516-1306, Kessens@gdinet.com
Rotary Membership Tips
Read some great tips from the Zone 27 Membership Newsletter
Click here to read these great membership tips!
Rotary Youth Exchange – Thank You for Your Support!
The Rotary Youth Exchange District Staff would like to recognize and thank the many clubs and Rotarians who have participated in events, hosted events, hosted students, and volunteered during the Rotary year of 2009-10. Without your support, this program would not survive. Because of your generosity, students from all over the world are able to live in our district and become part of our family.
There are some special people, we would like to recognize for their time and commitment to our program:
Michelle Matthys from the Janesville Noon Rotary Club : Michelle is a new Rotarian and a new YEO (Youth Exchange Officer). She was in charge of organizing the September Inbound Orientation Weekend at Camp Rotamer, Janesville. With the help of Janesville Noon President, Bill Boyd, and other Rotarians, Michelle and her team served our group 5 meals during the weekend. It was amazing how well everyone worked together and had a great time doing it. Michelle is very organized and she contributed to the success of that weekend. We look forward to her continued support and many more weekends at Camp Rotamer.
Patrick Fleming and Janet Johnson from the Madison South Rotary Club : Patrick and Janet organized the November Madison Hockey Weekend sponsored by the Madison South Club. We truly appreciate your hard work each year. The hockey weekend gives students from our district an opportunity to visit Madison Downtown and to see a WCHA Men’s Ice Hockey game.
Harriet Statz from the Waunakee Rotary Club: The Waunakee Rotary Club hosted the Winter Meeting in January. Harriet organized the weekend with the help of her fellow club members. The students had an option to cross country ski or ice skate that weekend. For many students, this was their first time trying these winter sports. It was neat to see how quickly they learned something new. For dinner, potluck was served. It was impressive the number of Rotarians and their families who came and had dinner with us. Harriet also played the piano for the final song of the talent show, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” She shows genuine interest in youth exchange and we look forward to working with her in the future.
Dave and Lisa Muehl from the Madison Breakfast Rotary Club: The Madison Breakfast Rotary club sponsored a weekend event in April. Dave and Lisa let us stay one night at their barn at Badger Farms in Deerfield. The venue was perfect for our group. Large screen TV, surround sound, full kitchen, Dance Dance Revolution, and more. The members of the Madison Breakfast club also served Potluck dinner for us. The food was great and the fellowship was unsurpassed.
The Rotary Clubs of Wisconsin Rapids: Thank you for working with us at the District Conference. Your support of the Talent Show was wonderful. We are so thankful for the use of the library, bus services and hotel accommodations. A special thanks goes to Linda Buchs-Hammonds for representing Youth Exchange in the planning process. Last but not least, we sincerely appreciate District Governor, Tom and Joey Marshall for their support over the years.
From the District 6250 Youth Exchange Committee
Judy Levine, Chair
Toni Pabon, Inbound Coordinator
Linda Buchs-Hammonds, Assistant Chair
Doug & Sharon Richmond, Outbound Coordinators
LeRoy Kemnitz, Information Coordinator
Harry Van Camp, Co-Rebound Coordinator
Nominations for District Governor Nominee Reopened
We are still seeking a Rotarian who will immediately step into the position of Governor Nominee and then assume the position of Governor Elect on July 1. Interviews for this very important role will take place in the near future.
All candidates must be a Past President of a Rotary Club. Please think of your Rotary colleagues and let us know if there is anyone whom you would like to recommend for the position.
Nominations or questions should be directed to Nomination Chair Hal Keitel or District Governor Tom Marshall.
District Governor Nomination Form
Here is the contact information:
Hal Keitel |
Tom Marshall |
Rotary Friendship Exchange Team from Sweden to Visit District 6250
District 6250 in cooperation with Rotary Friendship Exchange is hosting seven Swedish Rotarians and four of their spouses September 20 th of this year. Five exchange members visited the cities of Vaxjo, Karlskrona and Falkenberg in Sweden in May of 2008 and the Swedish group visiting here is from that same area.
The visiting group wll begin their stay in the Madison area with Rotarians from Waunakee then move onto LaCrosse and finish their stay in Menomonie. We’ll have them with us for 11 days.
While in the Waunakee area we’ve planned to visit Madison attractions including the University and Madison lakes. In LaCrosse their visit coincides with Oktoberfest, a week-long festival. In Menomonie they’ll visit local points of interest as well as a side trip to Minneapolis to visit the Swedish Cultural Institute there.
We look forward to showing our guests the great hospitality of District 6250.
Later in the Rotary year our District is hoping to arrange an exchange with a club in Argentina or Brazil. If you have an interest in traveling and/or hosting as part of a Rotary Friendship Exchange, contact Bill Erickson, Exchange Chairman at billjneteric@tds.net or call (608)849-7445.
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.
Matching Grant Alert
If you or your club are planning a matching grant in Rotary Year 2009-10, it is imperative that you submit your grant to The Rotary Foundation as soon as possible after July 1. After you have gotten approval of the district grant committee, you can obtain the appropriate 2009-10 signatures now. Funds for matching grants are limited in the coming year are expected to be spent by September 2009. District Designated Funds (DDF) may be available to fund grants, but it is important that we are aware of matching grants from our district early in the Rotary year. Contact Sandee Macht, Theresa Carroll or Mary Kessens for additional information
LaCrescent Club News
Click here to read the LaCrescent club newsletter.
Victoria Texas Club Works to "Stamp Out Polio"
Victoria (TX) Rotary Club started a project in April to sell Challenge Stamps to raise money for the Rotary Foundation to meet the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation challenge grant. This is a part of Rotary Foundation End Polio Now campaign. We’ve sold over 300 sheets so far, 157 of them to our 85-member club.
We started with our club and our district, District 5930, and feel we are now far enough along the learning curve to go nationwide. We started with a stamp similar to one from a successful Dutch project; they have sold over 10,000 sheets of stamps. We redesigned the stamp on our second order and now have one with wider customer appeal. I took them to our recent District Assembly and sold 33 sheets during breaks. I estimate over half the Rotarians who saw them bought some. I did pick-up on a reluctance to buy because even though ALL the profit was going to the Rotary Foundation our club was getting Foundation credit. To address this our Board has approved giving clubs or individuals who buy 30 or more sheets of stamps $3.33 per sheet Rotary Foundation credit—we feel there is too much administrative burden on lesser amounts.
The stamps sell for $10.00 per sheet of 10 US first-class stamps and can be purchased on-line or by mail by going to our website, http://www.victoriarotary.org/stamps. As the chart below shows we clear between $3.26 and $3.94 per sheet, so participating clubs would get most of the credit. For our effort we get Foundation credit for what we sell, the excess from bulk sales, and for the stamps not sold in bulk.
Sheets |
Mail order profit per sheet |
On-line order profit per sheet |
Rotary Foundation Credit to Buyer |
1 |
3.26 |
3.63 |
0.00 |
2 |
3.61 |
3.64 |
0.00 |
5 |
3.75 |
3.59 |
0.00 |
10 |
3.85 |
3.62 |
0.00 |
30 |
3.88 |
3.61 |
100.00 |
50 |
3.87 |
3.59 |
166.67 |
100 |
3.91 |
3.61 |
333.33 |
150 |
3.92 |
3.63 |
500.00 |
300 |
3.94 |
3.64 |
1000.00 |
Please make your clubs aware of this project, so they may participate. They may use sales as a supplemental challenge-grant project or as a primary project depending on club enthusiasm. I know if they order a single sheet and see the stamps they will want to participate. We feel that it is a win-win project with the potential of selling as many as 200,000 sheets of the stamps—this is a projection comparing the populations of the Netherlands and the United States. The success of this program depends on a high sales volume. Rotarians attending the Rotary International Convention may stop by the Rotary on Stamps Fellowship booth to see the stamps.
These stamps are sold through our charitable foundation, Victoria Rotary Foundation, Inc., making any individual donation a charitable donation. This gives some tax benefit to those who itemize on their tax return.
Quoting from the stamp, please “Join the Challenge” and “Stamp Out Polio.”
Yours in Rotary,
Jack N Whitmire
Treasurer
Victoria Rotary
Medford Morning Rotary Club Receives Award
At the 2009 Medford Area Public Schools "Evening of Excellence" award ceremony, the Medford Morning Rotary Club received the award for the 2009 Business Friend of Education. District Administrator, Steve Russ, presented the award to Rotary Club President, Greg Ellis. The school district presented this award in recognition of the club's active participation in the youth exchange program. During the 2008-09 school year, the Medford Club has two outbound students--one in France and one in Taiwan. The current inbound, Mareike Rupertus, is from Germany.
RI News
Rotary Navigating the Global Network
Click on this link to view this valuable newsletter full of best practices and suggestions on connecting with Rotary's network of 32,000+ civic organizations. |
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Ambassadorial Scholarship Applications Available
Dear Club Presidents,
Your club has a unique opportunity to support a graduate student abroad through RI’s Ambassadorial Scholar program. Applicants are reviewed, selected and funded by the District . All you have to do is encourage students to submit application information prior to August 1, 2009, to study in 2010-2011.
The Foundation of Rotary International sponsors one of the largest international scholarship programs in the world. Scholars study in a different country, where they serve as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill. Since 1947, more than 47,000 scholars from 110 countries have received scholarships of more than $476 million through The Rotary Foundation.
The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.
July-August 2009
Applicants should complete the 2010-11 application available on the RI website, carefully researching possible institutions of study. There is no need to apply for or take language tests at this time. Applications must be submitted to local Rotary clubs by August 1, 2009. Applications should be submitted to Marsha Barwick by August 7, 2009.
Downloadable Form: http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/139en.pdf
August/September 2009
A selection committee comprised of individuals throughout District 6250 will review applications, interview applicants and select award representatives. Clubs and individuals will be notified.
February 2010
All 2010-11 scholarship recipients will receive a packet of information from the Foundation. This material outlines the steps they’re required to complete in preparation for their term.
Please share this information with your Rotarians help us appoint outstanding candidates to represent District 6250 abroad. Please refer questions and applicants to me. Thank you for your consideration and assistance.
Yours in Rotary,
Marsha Barwick
District 6250 Ambassadorial Scholar Chair
1226 W. Jefferson Street , Marshfield , WI 54449
Day Phone: 715.389.3430, Fax: 715.387.9080
Member Access to RI Website
Do you have questions about what you can find on the Rotary International website and how you go about getting access. Check out this fact sheet with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the RI site.
Update on Annual Giving
Paul Harris Fellowship Changes Effective July 1, 2009
At its April, 2009 meeting, the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees made the following decisions that will impact Paul Harris Fellowship recipients. These include:
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Foundation Recognition Points (FRPs) may only be transferred for transactions of 100 points or more;
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Individual Foundation Recognition Points will expire upon death of the donor or the death of the surviving spouse of a Major Donor (US$10,000+);
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The individual donor will be the only person authorized to transfer Foundation Recognition Points. If it is a club account and then only the Club President may authorize the transfer of points; if it is a district account then the district governor may authorize the transfer of points;
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Paul Harris Fellow Medallions will be available for purchase from Rotary’s Distribution Center or International Office at a cost of US$15 each (includes shipping). PHF certificates and PHF lapel pins will still be provided gratis by The Rotary Foundation.
Since the subject of Foundation Recognition Points is oftentimes difficult to understand, a fact sheet has been created. It may be viewed here. For additional information, please contact David Warren, Annual Programs Chair at dave@davesace.com.
Significant Changes Made to Foundation Grants
At an April meeting of The Rotary Foundation, significant changes were made to level of Rotary Foundation grants available in the 2009-2010 Rotary year. All Rotarians are urged to review carefully the follow newsletters and items regarding The Rotary Foundation. More information can be accessed at rotary.org. Items of particular note for our District 6250 include:
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The Rotary Foundation Matching Grant budget has been reduced to $9.5 million and is expected to be allocated by September 2009
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Volunteer Service Grants and Cultural Scholarships have been eliminated.
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3-H Grants have been reduced to the alliance projects with USAID in three countries.
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Starting in 2010-11 Rotary Year, GSE partner Districts will spread exchanges over two years.
Because of these changes, any clubs who submitted matching grant applications in the last half of this year or who anticipate submitting grant application after July 1, 2009 should investigate the impact of these changes on your specific grants. Any new matching grant applications can be moved through our district processes as soon as possible and should be ready for submission to The Rotary Foundation as soon after July 1, 2009 as possible. Funding for international matching grant projects may have to be adjusted to secure funding.
District Simplified Grants will not be affected by these changes.
These Zone Foundation newsletters give further explanations.
- Zone 27 The Rotary Foundation Update
- Zone 27 The Rotary Foundation Newsletter
If you have questions, contact Sandee Maacht, District 6250 Grants Sub Committee Chair or Hal Keitel, District Foundation Chair.
Click here to read the Zone 27 newsletter to track our district’s results compared to other districts in our Zone. Also, more new information is being distributed about The Rotary Foundation Future Vision Plan. See how this will impact our grants and work through The Rotary Foundation.
Foundation Reports
Each club in District 6250 has established a foundation goal and the question is how are the clubs going about the achieving those goals? Have each of the clubs done an every member enrollment? Successful clubs take the time to ask each member to make a pledge commitment to the Rotary Foundation. Fulfilling that pledge might involve a quarterly billing by the club secretary/treasurer or participating in the direct deposit transfer from the Rotarians checking account to the RI Foundation account or it might mean a monthly charge to a credit card. Successful clubs establish a process that allows their members to both make and fulfill the commitment.
Click here to view the updated Club Goals Report!
Attendance Report
New Reporting Tool for District Attendance
Check out the new reporting tool for District Attendance for 2008-2009. http://www.rotary6250.org/clubs/monthlyattendance.shtml Clubs can view each month’s attendance in a visual graph. Also Club Secretary’s can request access to update their information directly online!
A big THANK YOU goes out to District 5340 for sharing this web functionality!
Click here to submit your club's attendance report
Click here to see the full Attendance Report.
