District 6250 has a new leader at the helm of its Rotary Foundation efforts. Jodi Widuch, a longtime member of the Rotary Club of La Crosse, is stepping into the role of District Rotary Foundation Chair with a passion for helping clubs turn Foundation resources into meaningful service.
Drawing on years of Rotary leadership and hands-on project experience, Jodi shares what inspired her to say “yes” to the role, reflects on the impact of past Foundation-supported work and looks ahead to the opportunities for clubs across the district. Read on to learn more about our district's new Foundation Chair, Jodi Widuch.
I’m honored and excited to begin serving as your District Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC)! I’m looking forward to getting to know more of you, learning from your experiences, and helping the clubs in District 6250 make the most of the many opportunities available through The Rotary Foundation.
As a longtime member of the Rotary Club of La Crosse, I’ve served in many capacities; Board member, Board Secretary, President (2017-2018), and co-chair of STAR for many years, a year-long new member engagement series, along with many other projects. Every experience with Rotary has been rewarding, but one stands out. The Wheels of Hope project in 2020 has been the most rewarding to date.
Working with a passionate group of Rotarians, we raised more than $40,000 to purchase a bus for the Zabuli Education Center, a school for girls in Afghanistan. This project helped more girls get to school safely and receive a life-changing education. A Distract Grant was a critical piece of the funding mix and a powerful example of the impact of the The Rotary Foundation. Projects like this motivated me to say “yes” to serving as your District Rotary Foundation Chair.
I also want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our outgoing DRFC, Erin Luken, for her leadership, dedication, and commitment to supporting our clubs and the Foundation. Taking on this role is both a privilege and a little daunting. I’m grateful to follow Erin who has invested so much time and energy in strengthening Rotary’s impact across our district. I’m also grateful for the wealth of experience and knowledge she has shared with me.
I’m looking forward to the year ahead and to working together to turn our Foundation dollars into meaningful service and lasting impact in our local communities and around the world. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am always happy to connect, answer questions, or simply talk Rotary!
Here’s to a great year of Creating Lasting Impact!
Yours in Rotary,
Jodi Widuch