Important Note: Deadline for district newsletter submissions is the 25th of each month. The newsletter will be distributed by the first full week of the month.
District Governor's Message
World Understanding Month
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Dean Dickinson |
Dear Rotarians,
In our Rotary calendar, February is World Understanding Month. The beauty of Rotary membership is that we can develop a greater understanding of this world in which we live. The world is not the big and distant place that it was 100 years ago. It is not the small, nuclear place that it was 100 years ago either. Consider my grandparents. Only one of them ever had the opportunity to travel outside of the State of Wisconsin. My Grandpa, Emil Buchholz, traveled with the Farmers Union to Washington, D.C. to lobby Wisconsin’s congressmen on important legislation. My parents have had the opportunity to travel to Alaska, and did a tour of Western Europe. Not bad but consider this, I have had the opportunity to visit over twenty eight foreign countries, most of Western Europe, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Nigeria, Mexico, and, thanks to my military service, much of Asia including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia. In March I will join with the Rotary Club of Chippewa Falls as we journey to Bolivia to visit their ongoing commitments to water projects in that country. In the span of just three generations the world has become remarkably smaller on the one hand and remarkably larger on the other.
But what of our understanding of the world; has our understanding of people increased along with our ability to travel to those far off places? In and through our Rotary involvement, programs and projects, we can develop a more one world view of this place that we call home. Youth Exchange, GSE, Ambassadorial Scholars, Peace Scholars, Friendship Exchanges, attendance at International Conventions and something as simple as reading the monthly edition of the Rotarian magazine all serve to increase our understanding of the world.
I have discovered certain truths about the world as I have observed mothers and fathers and children. Nigerian parents want nothing more or less for their children than what I wanted for mine. A better life, free of the threat of war, free of the fear that they will not be able to provide the basics of life, access to health services and a decent education. The Mexican parents want the same for their children and I have observed and am impressed by that high level of love and respect that Mexican children have for their parents. In Thailand, in the poorest areas of Bangkok, parents strive to provide…just as their counterparts do all across the world.
Looking beyond color and creed and political persuasion we find the common ground of our humanity and come to an understanding of the world that motivates us in Rotary to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. As Louie Armstrong sang so eloquently, “It’s a Wonderful World.”
Yours in Rotary,
Dean Dickinson
District Governor
Rotary District 6250
RI and District Response in Haiti
Many of our clubs and members are asking what their response should be to the disaster in Haiti. The Board of Directors of District 6250 met this past Monday to discuss the situation and to hopefully provide some guidance in this matter.
This letter, and the letter disributed from Rotary International, will hopefully provide you with some answers to your questions.
I have sought the counsel of the Board of Directors, have taken into consideration the RI letter and communications from Rotary International Board Member Tom Thorfinnson and received input from Rotarians from our district who have a history of service in Haiti.
While the immediate situation commands the attention of the world we must understand that the work of rebuilding Haiti is going to be a long term endeavor. After the rush of international aid and attention and after the initial chaos has subsided, the real work of restoring Haiti will begin. It will occur after a methodical assessment is made in order to determine how best to restore infrastructure and address both medical and humanitarian needs. That is when Rotary will do what it does best.
We must also bear in mind that Rotary is not a “first response” organization. When the media buzz has quieted and the powerful images of despair have given way to the next big news story, then is when Rotary will make its presence felt.
Accordingly, it is my recommendation that those clubs who have an overwhelming, and totally understandable desire to provide immediate financial assistance, that they do so through organizations that are recommended in the letter from Rotary International President, John Kenny. I have included at the end of this letter the address for Shelter Box USA as well as the website address where on-line contributions can be made. Our district has supported Shelter Box in the past. I can recommend them.
In taking the longer view of this situation, I will be establishing a Haitian task force as a sub-group of our District Foundation Committee. This task force will seek out opportunities for our clubs and our district to partner with some of the seventeen Rotary Clubs in Haiti and/or the 76 clubs in Rotary District 7020 as it identifies specific needs projects that our district can take on within the foundation grant process. Let me be quick to point out that our Rotary Foundation exists to deal with long term strategies that will improve health, support education and alleviate poverty. Do not make the mistake of looking too far beyond our own Rotary Foundation as you seek out ways of assisting the people of Haiti.
If you take the long view of this process then you will do your best to insure that your club achieves the goal that you set for support of the Annual Programs Fund of the Rotary Foundation. In three years, when we hit the ground in Haiti, we will have resources available that will allow us to leverage our financial assets to make really significant improvements in the lives of those who survive this catastrophe.
Let me illustrate this point with an example. Lets say that a number of clubs in the district, rather than sending off $500 or $1000 this week, instead identify that sum of money within their balance sheet and do that for a period of three years. A great project is identified by the task force and five of those clubs decide to participate by contributing $3000 each. That $15,000 contribution will be matched by the district and then matched again by the World Fund of Rotary International and then the cash contribution will be matched at the rate of .50 per dollar of cash contributed. The sum total would result in the funding of a $52,500 project and that my fellow Rotarians…that will save lives, change lives and make a difference. This is a single illustration involving, hypothetically, just five of our sixty clubs…this example could occur several times over.
I hope that this letter serves to provide some guidance to your club in its response to what is an overwhelming human disaster. Rotary will be there for the people of Haiti, a year from now, five years from now and beyond.
Thank you for all that you do to make the world a safer, kinder more peaceful place.
Dean Dickinson
District Governor
Rotary District 6250
ShelterBox USA
8374 Market Street #203
Lakewood , Florida 34202
http://www.shelterboxusa.org
District News, Events and Announcements
Club Visioning - Impressions From the Field
District 6250 has created a stable of trained Rotarian facilitator volunteers on-call and available without fee to support a club interested in defining its own, unique future. Since 1987, I have been a member of the Rotary Club of Madison. Our District’s new Visioning initiative is the most welcome and powerful initiative that I recall. I was there – I was trained.
Even for a large club such as mine, that from time to time conducts its own re-visioning efforts to modify it’s future course of action, it will be easy and very appropriate to use a team of well trained Rotary facilitators from within District 6250 (but outside our own club) to help us sharpen our future focus. I was impressed with both the quality of the trainers, Rotarians with international training experience in facilitation, and the quality of the trainees, Rotarians, many of whom have had previous experience as facilitators.
Will your Club’s hallmark be International programs? Community projects? Fun and fellowship? Activities for families and spouses? Will you aggressively recruit new members? Concentrate on retaining members and preserving longtime friendships? Will your Club bend its efforts to support youth? Education? The community’s poor? Or civic booster-ism? Will your Club prefer to offer financial support or hands-on assistance? Will you be engaged in a single long-term project or in many projects? Do you want to cap membership or treble it?
For all that unites our district’s 60 clubs and the planet’s 32,000 Rotary Clubs, like snowflakes, are unique. The only thing sure about a club’s future is that if the members lack a common vision, they are unlikely to arrive there.
In October 2009, District 6250 summoned two dozen Rotarians from all parts of our district and subjected them to a full day of training -- led by a professional trainer with tons of national and international experience -- to equip each of them with the wherewithal to facilitate a Club’s drawing its own map to its future.
My Club, periodically, has, with the aid of a trained facilitator, re-examined the Club’s vision of its future and modified its course as merited. This has been tremendously important for every aspect of the Club’s success- -- membership, programs, community activities, and more. An outside facilitator, however, can be expensive and drawing on a member of the club to facilitate can undermine the facilitator’s neutrality and effectiveness in fostering the club’s discussion and decisions about its future.
If you are interested in learning more about club visioning for your Rotary club, click on the club visioning logo on the District 6250 homepage or contact Tom Mickelson at mickelson@farmjobsearch.net.
Submitted by Roth Judd, Facilitator
Club Vision Facilitation Team
Member, Rotary Club of Madison Downtown
If you would like more information on the Club Visioning process, visit the District Vision webpage or feel free to contact Committee Chair and District Governor Nominee Chuck Hanson or any member of District 6250's Club Visioning Committee. You can find all the names and e-mail addresses on the District website.
If you would like to request a club visioning event for your club, you can download the request form and fax it to Morgan Data using this link: Club Vision Facilitator Request Form. The District 6250 Club Visioning Committee looks forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Hanson (District Governor Nominee) and District 6250 Club Visioning Chair
Tom Mickelson, Member, District 6250 Club Visioning Committee
Hotel Reservations Available for 2010 District Training Dates and District Conference!
If you plan on attending any of the 2010 District Training Sessions or the 2010 District Conference, make your reservations now to secure special pricing.
Registration for these events and complete details will be available soon.
District Team Training Seminar, Friday and Saturday, February 19-20, 2010
Click here for more information and to register!
Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells
Rate: $115
Reservations: 800-867-9453
Reservation Code: #158208, Rotary 6250DTTS
President-Elect Training Seminar, Thursday and Friday, March 18-19, 2010
Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells
Rate: $99
Reservations: 800-867-9453
Reservation Code: #158118, Rotary 6250PETS
District Assembly, Saturday, April 24, 2010
Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells
Rate: $109
Reservations: 800-867-9453
Reservation Code: #158194, Rotary District 6250
District Conference, Friday and Saturday, May 20-22, 2010
Radisson La Crosse and La Crosse Convention Center, La Crosse
Rate: $129-139
Reservations: 608-784-6680
Reservation Code: Rotary District Conference
2012-2013 District Governor Nominee Announced
The District Governor Nominating Committee announces the selection of Rob Stroud of the Rotary Club of Madison to be District Governor for the year 2012 - 2013.
Rob joined the Downtown Madison Rotary Club in 1980, sponsored by his father, and became a third generation Rotarian, following his grandfather, father and uncle. The international aspect of Rotary appealed to Rob, and he agreed to host a Rotary Exchange student from Brazil shortly after joining Rotary, the first of many Rob and his family have hosted.
After serving as his club's youth exchange officer for several years, Rob agreed to host a visiting Group Study Exchange team member from India. The experience turned out to be so rewarding that in the following year, he assumed responsibility for making all of the hosting arrangements for a GSE team from the Philippines. This led to promotion to Chairman of the GSE committee, a position Rob held for more than twenty years. Rob was the team leader for the GSE team that visited District 2250 (Norway) in 2004. Rob attended the Rotary International conferences in Seoul, Korea and Chicago.
Click here to read Rob's full bio on the District Governor Nominee-Nominee page.
Rotarians at Work Day May 1, 2010
March 1 is the date when District Governor Dean needs to know your club’s commitment to participate in RAW. Please send your plans to Sandy Ott sandyott@charter.net today.
The La Crosse Valley View Rotary will work on the outdoor needs around the Myrick Hixon EcoPark: landscaping, gardening, and demolishing old animal exhibits. Rotarians will provide lots of sweat labor and the individual expertise of its members.
Contact person is president Tom Kelbel at tkelbel@centurytel.net
The Rotary Club of Lake Mills is sponsoring a public garden for individuals or groups to have a garden of their own to rent for the summer. The club is paying to have the ground prepared on land owned by the Rock Lake Activity Center of Lake Mills. About 25 club members will be involved.
Contact person is secretary Pat Forest at bwforest@charter.net
District PR Plan is Supported with Grant from Rotary International
By Bob Boelter, District PR Chair
2010 Advertising Campaign
The district successfully received a Public Relations grant from Rotary International for $9,000 with a $5,500 District match, which is similar to last year. The grant is to be used for print advertising between January 1 and June 30, 2010.
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(129A Globe INBus ad) This is an example ad from the 2010 RI “Humanity in Motion” ad series which will be used in the District 6250 campaign |
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(129C Puzzle Snipe InBus ad) This ad show how the Rotary at Work day will be supported in April, 2010 issues |
When the grant request was written, regional business publications were approached with a request that they match every paid ad insertion with a donated insertion, which has the effect of doubling our budget and exposure. All publishers agreed to the donation.
However, from the time the grant request was made until it was approved, one publication ceased and two others went on-line only with a significant drop in readership.
Alternatives were sought and the now revised media plan includes four ads in In Business magazine, four ads in the River Valley Business News supplement to the La Crosse Tribune; two ads in the Chippewa Valley Business Report and two ads in the North Central edition of Business News.
The advertising will appear from February through May, 2010 using RI’s “Humanity in Motion” materials. This helps build on momentum from the advertising efforts in 2008 and 2009 by keeping Rotary’s name and youthful image in front of a targeted audience in a consistent manner.
Be sure to make your club’s members aware of Rotary’s advertising effort.
The PR committee will continue to provide support and counsel to clubs in the district.
Rotarians at Work Day
Image advertising support – A snipe will be added to the ad insertions scheduled for April that promotes “Rotarians at Work Day”, May 1, 2010 (see sample). Readers will be invited to visit the district website to see examples of what projects Rotarians will be doing in various communities, and in the reader’s community in particular on that day. There are three levels of publicity support envisioned for Rotary at Work.
Media Relations – Level One – Regional Business Publications - The selected publications carrying Rotary ads will be asked to provide editorial support or a background article about “Rotarians at Work Day”. They can choose to focus on one or two clubs as an example or they can aggregate all the activities in their circulation area.
Media Relations – Level Two – General Media - News releases about “Rotarians at Work Day” will be sent to major broadcast and print media in the district with telephone follow-up.
Media Relations – Level Three – Club Generated - Each club in the district will be asked to contact their local media about their project for “Rotarians at Work Day”. They can use the district’s release and ads as part of a press kit to put their club’s activity into context with Rotary’s broader purpose.
Sharing the Great Story of Rotary - Meeting Attendence
The monthly attendance report (found under clubs at the district website) provides us with a measure of our clubs health. How healthy is a club when over half of the members do not attend club meetings? How healthy is your club when compared to the district attendance average which stands at 67% through December. I understand that RI has lowered attendance standards...I understand but do not, with all due respect, agree!! When not attending becomes the habit, rather than the habit of attending, we will lose members. I have made the case that we need to be Rotary Clubs rather than simply another civic club. If we do not share the great story of how Rotary is making a difference in the world then how can we expect our members to stay committed? At the present time the district has suffered a loss of 66 members. That is 66 fewer hands to do the work, 66 fewer contributors to our Rotary Foundation. We have just five months left in this Rotary year.
Can I ask each of our clubs to bring just 2 new people to membership in these last few months? That would reverse the losses and give us a net increase of 1 net new member for the year...We can do this...I know we can, because Rotarians can do anything they set out to do!!
Dean Dickinson
District Governor
New Rotary Foundation Grant Deadlines Approaching
The District 6250 Rotary Foundation Grants Committee has established new deadlines for submission of Matching Grants and District Simplified Grants for the 2010-11 Rotary year. Competition has increased for the District Designated Funds and there is a possibility that the matching funds from Rotary International (the World Fund) will again be limited. The changes will help the District better service the needs of the clubs.
The deadline for submission of 2010-11 Matching Grant proposals to the District 6250 Grants Committee will be April 1, 2010. Since these proposals will be for the Rotary year starting July 1, 2010, all signature blocks requesting officer signatures, such as District Governor or Club President, should indicate Rotarians serving in those positions for the 2010-2011 Rotary year. Remember also that District 6250 will only be able to do matching grants with clubs or districts who are not involved in the Future Vision Pilot. Review the rotary.org website for additional information. The District Grants Committee would then notify clubs of District Designated Fund approval within 30-60 days.
The deadline for submission of 2010-11 District Simplified Grant proposals to the District 6250 Grants Committee will be September 1, 2010 . District Simplified Grant dollars, totaling $23,436, will be allocated first to eligible projects received by that date. If any funds remain, they may be allocated to eligible projects received after 9/1/2010.
These new deadlines will help in four ways:
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Allocations of funding by the District Grants Committee well in advance of deadlines will allow the clubs to adjust their budgets for their projects.
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Advanced deadlines at the district level will encourage early submittal of matching grants to The Rotary Foundation so World Fund dollars can be used to match DDF and club cash contributions.
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If club projects do not qualify for Matching Grants, there will be sufficient opportunity to adjust project proposals for submission as District Simplified Grants.
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Earlier submission deadlines for District Simplified Grants will allow the District Grant Committee to allocate more equitably DSG funds to clubs who request them.
If you would like more information on the Matching Grant or District Simplified Grants, see http://rotary6250.org/district/district_grants.shtml or rotary.org. You can also contact Theresa Carroll, District Rotary Foundation Grants Sub-committee Chair at badgerterri@yahoo.com or (608) 314-4567, or Mary Kessens, District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair at kessens@gdinet.com or (608) 516-1306.
Foundation Raffle
The District Foundation Committee is happy to announce a Foundation Raffle intended to reward those of our district membership who are sustaining members of the Rotary Foundation. Each Rotarian who contributes at least $100.00 to the Annual Programs Fund (EREY) in Rotary year 2009-2010, on or before May 1 st, 2010, will have his/her name entered into a raffle drawing. Additional tickets will be entered for each subsequent contribution of $100. Three winners will be drawn on Saturday evening, May 22, 2010, at the District Conference Celebration Dinner. The prizes?
3 rd Place 26” Flat Screen T.V.
2 nd Place 36” Flat Screen T.V.
1 st Place 42” Flat Screen T.V.
The more you contribute the greater number of chances you will have to win one of these great prizes but donations must be in increments of $100 to qualify for a raffle ticket. If you are making a contribution through a billing statement from your club you will want to ask your club treasurer to remit your contributions to the Rotary Foundation so that they arrive not later than May 1st, 2010.
This raffle is conducted in compliance with Wisconsin Raffle Rules and Regulations.
There is no cash value associated with these prizes and they may not be redeemed or exchanged.
Winners need not be present to win but are responsible for the delivery of the prize to their home (so plan on coming to the conference and make it easy on yourself)
Dean Dickinson
District Governor
Rotary District 6250
Mary Kessens
District Foundation Chair
Rotary District 6250
Annual District Business Meeting
With the incorporation of the district we will, in accordance with our by-laws, conduct a business meeting at the District Conference in La Crosse on Friday, May 21 st. at 10:30 A.M. Each club in the district is a shareholder in the ownership of the district and accordingly is entitle to proportionate representation at the conference. A club is entitled to send a delegate to the meeting for each twenty five members of the club, or major fraction thereof. This means that a club with thirty seven members is entitle to one delegate, a club with thirty eight members is entitled to two delegates. No club is entitled to less than one delegate. One delegate from each club will be selected to serve as a “super” delegate and will vote on those issues where each club must cast a single vote. The call for club delegates will be made in January.
Group Study Exchange to D2790 in Japan: One team member reflects
By Michelle Sturz
As is true of many of the team members, I applied for the GSE experience within a week of having learned about the opportunity, which sounded simply too good to pass up. A few months later, I was on an airplane bound for Japan with four people I had only met 10 weeks earlier! Little did I know at the time what a great decision this would be or the impact it would have on me. But then again I learned so much about myself and others along the way.
The Adventure Begins
From day one, the learning process began, from the technical and language skills to the teamwork required of four strangers coming together to prepare for a 4 week journey to another country.
As a team we worked hard to prepare a presentation that would ultimately be given to 14 different Rotary clubs in Japan, had our presentation translated, ordered uniforms, created business cards, arranged travel, began learning about the language and culture, and determined one another’s strengths and the roles we would play along the way.
“The adventure begins!” At the beginning of each new leg of our journey Peggy Zalucha, our team leader, would say these words. I found this to be a way for us to come together and rally. And so, the adventure began!
Click here to read the rest of Michelle's story.
Read the team blog at www.japan2009gse.blogspot.com
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.
Prairie du Chien Club Takes the Polio Challenge
The Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien took the Polio Challenge from the Gates Foundation to another level this year. With the understanding that Polio may be eradicated from the United States and all but four other countries, Prairie du Chien Rotarians understand that job still isn’t done. We as Rotarians gave our word that we would eradicate polio. Following the 4 way test, we have to live up to ‘Is it the truth?’. Until we eradicate this crippling and deadly disease from ALL countries, it won’t be the truth. Prairie du Chien takes this mandate very seriously and did all they could to help RI and all Rotarians worldwide achieve their ultimate goal.
The Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien is a small club with about 40 dedicated members. They understand the importance of helping our neighbors down the street as well as across the world. They are involved in many projects ranging from local scholarships to the Orphan Train Project. The members understand that even though they are a small club, they can still have a large impact worldwide. The Polio Challenge allowed them to have this large impact.
When district governor, Dean Dickinson, came to speak to the club, he spoke about the Polio challenge. Prairie Rotarians knew that this was a challenge that they couldn’t let go unanswered. Immediately following Dean’s talk, a few of the Rotarians challenged the entire club with matching dollars up to $2000. Over the next few months, other Rotarians in the club donated $1700 towards this challenge. With the local matching funds available, this allowed Prairie du Chien Rotarians to donate a total of $3400. This far exceeded the $1000 that RI was asking from each club.
As we all know, for every dollar Rotary International raises, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match it with $1.78 (if Rotary raises $200 million, the Gates foundation will donate $355 million). Therefore, the donation of $3400 from the Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien will actually result in a total of $6052.00 being contributed towards the PolioPlus effort to eradicate polio! If 40 members can achieve this level of contribution, think what that would equal with all Rotarians worldwide.
We sometimes forget how effective we can be as Rotarians. With a few challenges from club members, Prairie du Chien was able to achieve a donation that will make a difference. Regardless of the size of our clubs, we as Rotarians do make a difference. Prairie du Chien Rotary now challenges all clubs to help us eradicate this disease.
Mayville Rotary Club Sends Their Thanks
Hello District Governor Dean Dickenson -
I wanted to get a card out to you, but of course, in all the hustle & bustle of office things, & Rotary things, & family stuff ...it didn't happen. So please accept this short email as a Big Thank You for the delicious dinner & Rotary Round Table Session at Old Hickory Club. I think it was a great idea you came up with!
Bringing a few local Rotary groups together, helped us to "connect" & be with our "neighbor Rotarians." But also, the "brainstorming" & what each group was doing was just so encouraging. Since we are somewhat "all in the same boat," (size wise) it was good to hear suggestions - of how the different groups are struggling with (i.e. membership) & how they are trying to remedy the issues at hand. Impressive, also were the various goals & incentives each group has. I came back with greater enthusiasm & pride for being a representative of this great organization of Rotary.
The best objective about this "small gathering together" though, was learning of the many worthwhile community & Int'l projects that are happening - NOT JUST IN THE BIG CITIES, and NOT JUST SOMETHING ONE READS ABOUT OTHERS DOING IN A MAGAZINE ... IT IS SEEING LITTLE CLUBS SERVING & DOING MANY BIG THINGS TOO! Often times, we see ourselves as "only one" & we don't think we can accomplish much ... well after meeting with other small clubs ... one feels empowered! Yes, we are only one small Rotary Club but with willing hearts & helpful hands - WE TOO CAN BE PART OF THE BIG PICTURE! We all can carry our share of the load for the betterment of our communities & the world.
Thank you again for the delightful enjoyable evening. Thanks for your time & dedication to Rotary and your service to others.
Sincerely,
Mari Fleischer
Mayville Rotary Club President
Long Time Fort Atkinson Rotary Club Member Honored
Steven Zimmerman, a long time member of the Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson, son of Past District Governor, Bob Zimmerman of Wisconsin Rapids, was recently honored by the Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of the 2009 Economic Contribution Award. Steve’s involvements include working extensively with youth which lead to the formation of the Fort Atkinson Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America, the United Way, Council for Performing Arts, American Heart Walk, Relay for Life, the Capital Funds Campaign for the Hoard Museum, and the Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson where Steve has held every office. In presenting the award, Steve’s commitments to “service above self” were recognized by the Wisconsin State Legislature, by Senators Scott Fitzgerald and Fred Risser, President of the Senate and by Michael J. Sheridan, Speaker of the Assembly and Assemblyman Andy Jorgenson.
District Rotary wants to extend our congratulations to Steve for representing the best of Rotary Service in his community and to PDG Bob Zimmerman and Mrs. Zimmerman on having raised such a fine son.
Lake Mills Rotary Serves 37th Annual Scholarship Brunch
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The Rotary Club of Lake Mills 37 th Annual Scholarship Brunch is set for Sunday February 28, 2010 at Pine Knoll Supper Club. Brunch will be served from 9am to 1pm. The all-you-can-eat brunch menu is pancakes, special recipe Rotary eggs, hash browns, sausages, toast, juice, milk, coffee and deserts. Local Rotarians along with the help of the Student Rotarians volunteers from Lake Mills High School and Lakeside Lutheran High School, do the cooking, serving and cleanup. Ticket price is $8 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 12 years old and free for under 6 years old. Advanced Tickets are available from any member of Lake Mills Rotary and locally from Rotarian Brad Glassel at 114 South Main Street, Lake Mills (ph 920-648-3141). Tickets are also available at the door. All proceeds go towards scholarships for Lake Mills area students.
South Central Wisconsin Clubs & Kids Against Hunger Provide Haiti Relief
As word of the devastation in Haiti spread, folks from all around south central Wisconsin sprung into action. Summoned by a call from Kids Against Hunger – Rock County Rotary, Inc., a cooperative effort of the Beloit, Edgerton and two Janesville clubs, volunteers and donors alike joined to package over 27,000 highly nutritious emergency meals. Over 200 people aged 5 – 85 worked in hour long shifts over the course of one weekend to accomplish their goal.
When combined with almost 50,000 meals currently on hand, more than 10,000 pounds of food are now ready to be shipped to the affected area. Negotiations are ongoing with the US navy and other agencies to secure the most favorable rates and efficient transfer.
The Rotary based organization has packed over 350,000 meals since being formed in 2008. Serving local food pantries and international recipients, the group has experienced rapid growth. When asked why Kids Against Hunger – Rock County Rotary, Inc. has enjoyed such enthusiastic support, Dave Warren, the groups Vice President replied, “It’s got something that appeals to everyone. It benefits both the local and international community. It offers both service and donor opportunities to Rotarians and the general public alike. It brings together volunteers of all ages, races, religions, political and socioeconomic backgrounds and it does this all while promoting the good works of Rotary.”
For more information on Kids Against Hunger – Rock County Rotary, Inc. visit www.rotarykidsagainsthunger.org or read their latest newsletter http://www.janesvillerotary.org/files/KAH%20News%20012810.pdf.
RI News
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
Encouraging News from Nigerian Polio Plus Effort
POLIO UPDATE
A recent report from the Nigerian National Polio Plus Committee carries some very encouraging news.
“2009 ended on a good note for Nigeria as the number of polio cases dropped dramatically in the last half of the year. Of the total 388 polio cases reported for the year, 360 occurred between January and June 2009. Of the remaining 28 cases-
- 20 were recorded in the 3 months period July-September
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6 were recorded in the 3 months period October-December
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2 were reported in November and No case yet in December
May the year 2010, therefore be a year of fulfillment of the vision that polio can be eradicated.”
The numbers being reported in the other three countries yet endemic, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India are down dramatically in 2009. We are winning the war against polio. We must remain vigilant and relentless in the assault against disease that cripples, more often than not, children. I hope that this news provides encouragement for our clubs to meet their polio plus campaign commitment. The war will not end until the world is free of polio.
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.
