banner

District Conference Registration Open!

Happy March Everyone!

Do you know what I like best about March in Wisconsin?  You can smell April just around the corner. 😊
 
March marks the anniversary of the very first Rotaract (Rotaract = Rotary in Action) club, which was chartered in 1968.  For 53 years, Rotaractors from around the world have been opening opportunities in their communities.
 
The world has seen many profound changes over these 53 years, and young people have felt the greatest impact of those changes:  the rise of technology and the information economy, the spread of education, and the tremendous influence of the internet.  When Rotaract was founded, it would have been almost unthinkable for a teen or 20-something to have been an entrepreneur or a CEO.  Today, young people have an unprecedented capacity to achieve – and Rotary needs their ideas and enthusiasm as never before.
 
While talking to Rotarians in our traditional clubs, Rotaract is one of the most mystifying items.  That’s understandable… there have been quite a few changes starting in 2020! A Rotaract club is an organization of young adults who take action through community and international service, learn leadership skills, and participate in professional development.  Rotaract is a membership type, and this membership type often meet as a club.  Rotaract Clubs can be formed anywhere and by anyone – gone are the days when they only could be attached to a University or be held in a University setting.  Now they can be formed in a community or university environment.  They are able to form with or without a sponsor Rotary club – they can even choose to be sponsored by another Rotaract club!  All members have to be at least 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit.  Each Rotaract Club can determine themselves if they wish to have an upper age limit.  If an upper age limit helps the Rotaract Club build a successful club, then the club has the freedom to set that limit within their club bylaws.
 
Rotaractors are not Rotarians in the sense that they have a Rotary ID number.  Beginning on July 1, 2022, they will have an annual dues of $5 per member for University-based clubs and $8 per member for community based clubs.  Also starting with the Rotary year 2022-2023, Rotaract clubs will be allowed to be either international or host sponsors of global grants, if they have previously partnered with a Rotary club on a global grant.  Rotaractors can hold district leadership positions, and can serve on any Rotary committee. 
 
Today, there is an estimated 250,000 Rotaractors who serve in over 10,000 clubs, in nearly every country where Rotary clubs exist.  The impact of their service is particularly impressive when contrasted with their resources.  Rotaractors achieve an amazing amount with far less money at their disposal than the average Rotary club.  Their energy and vision bring something wonderful to our Rotary family and to our communities!
Things are happening in our district with Rotaract.  We currently have two Rotaract Clubs (UW Madison and UW Platteville).  Both clubs are working hard to swell their ranks, and talks are happening around the district to create new clubs.  I encourage all of you to embrace our Rotaractors – invite them to partner on your projects, and be open to partnering with their projects.  Reach out Rotaract clubs to ask not only if you can help, but to find out how you can work together. 
 
Starting in 2021, our district will welcome Alexis Hoffman as our Rotaract Assistant Governor.  If you would like more specific information on Rotaract, reach out to our Rotaract District Chair Justin Burnett at justin.burnett@nordicwi.com.
 
For over half a century, Rotaract has given young people a way to find the same connections with their communities, and the same value of service, that Rotarians find in Rotary.  Rotaractors are connecting us to the Rotary of our future, while helping us build the Rotary of today.
 
Be well!
 
Bill Pritchard
6250 District Governor 2020-2021
Read more...
As RI’s primary rep to the UN in NYC, I have been making tons of presentations to various clubs, districts and zones as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the UN our our unique partnership with this international body.  As I am doing these programs throughout the Rotary world through zoom, (my next one is to the Spanish speaking zone 25A on Tuesday) I realized that I have overlooked my own district of D6250.  Please feel free to announce that it would be my honor to make this presentation to the Rotary clubs in D6250.  If interested please ask the clubs to make direct contact with me at: edfuta@me.com.  
 
 
Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers. 
 
These Centers were created in 2002 to identify and train highly qualified professionals to become agents of peace. The purpose of these agents
of peace is to promote national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful
resolution of conflict through their service activities.  
 
The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses. Since the program began, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,400
peace fellows who now work in more than 115 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments, NGOs, the military, education, law enforcement, and international organizations
like the United Nations and the World Bank. 
 
Each year TRF awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and 80 for certificate studies at premier universities in 7 countries: England, Thailand, United States, Japan, Australia, Sweden and the most recent, Uganda.
 
Our District has sponsored multiple Peace Fellows in the past who have gone on to do great things. If you have questions about the program, a potential candidate, interest in getting involved or would like more details, please reach out to our District Peace Fellows Chair Chris Smith casmith@wwt.net
 
Josh Mansee
La Crosse Rotary - After Hours, President-Elect 2020-2021
District 6250 Foundation Chair
608-386-2641
 
 

District Member Count: 2558

Member Growth Success:
Lake Mills +9, Sun Prairie +7, Mayville +6, Beaver Dam +6,  parta+5

  
How do you learn best?
As we come off of a great month of learning and engaging with Black history, it got me thinking about ways that some of us learn. The 4 most prevalent are, Visual (Spatial), Aural (Auditory-Musical), Kinesthetic (physical or hands on) and Reading/Writing.
I found this to be helpful when sharing with others how best to enter a conversation about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). It’s my experience that Rotarians have an advantage here; we are traditionally open to new experiences and learning about others, one of the very reasons some of us become Rotarians. Below are a wide variety of ways to engage with DEI in a way that most pertains to you.
  1. My Rotary: learn about Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion priorities; including what you and your club can do in these priority areas. Learn More
  2.  A first of its kind, Rotary has developed an Accountability and Inclusion DEI Series. Most recently: Exploring the Black Experience in Rotary. Check out the other series topics including videos from past events here.
  3. Enter the United Way 21 Week Equity Challenge! It is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and communities.
    1. Participants will receive an email at the beginning of each week from Monday, February 1st through Monday, June 21st
    2. The experience is intended to deepen understanding, suggest ways to take action, and help launch what we hope will be a lifelong commitment to improving equity and inclusion in our communities.
  4. Save the Date: District Conference April 18-24, 2021. On April 24, we will have a facilitated discussion about thinking critically and understanding others. Join us for a great session of discovery.
  5. Sometimes, the only way to know how welcoming your club actually is, is to ask. Commit to learning more by asking current members about their experience: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/enhancing-club-experience-member-satisfaction-survey
 
Kaylynn Stahlbusch (She, Her, Hers)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (DEIC)
Connect with me on My Rotary
 

 

"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world, it will be known by the results it achieves."

- Paul P. Harris, Founder of Rotary International

Rotary’s public image is vitally important because it is how we are perceived by the world. The colors and logos we use represent Rotary. Rotary International has been working feverishly to ensure that every District is using the Rotary branding center so we look unified and deliver the same message. The District 6250 Public Image Team’s mission is to assist you with all aspects of promoting your club and enhancing your club’s public image. 
 
The 6250 PI Team has identified four PI Champions. The PI Champion is an essential connection between Rotary District 6250 and its clubs. This Rotarian is an individual with marketing, and public relations experience and has helped create awareness for their own Rotary Club’s activity. They are self-motivated and always on the lookout for an opportunity to tell the Rotary story. They effectively communicate and share results with the PI team.
 
Looking for a specific Rotary PI resource? Need some help with Public Image in your club or your area? Connect with one of our super talented and wicked smart PI team members. We're here to help! To learn more about the Champions of the Public Image 6250 team and their specific expertise are listed in the read more. 
Read more...
 
With the recent news from Central States Rotary Youth Exchange that Youth Exchange is being put on hold for another year, I'm sure there were a lot of disappointed Rotarians. We all miss the Exchange students and can't wait for that to come back to our clubs. Though we might not see a student for another year - we have to start mentally preparing for the upcoming year. The Youth Exchange committee will be keeping up with your club YEO and YEC to keep you in the loop with upcoming planning needs.
 
In addition to Exchange, Interact is still active across our district and doing amazing work in their local communities. I am working with each club to gather information about their social media presence so it's easier for you to keep up with all of the great work they are doing!
 
We have a fun night planned at the District Conference to keep your club in the know about different activities to not only stay focused on Youth Exchange in the 2021-2022 Rotary year, but also different and new ways to interact with our RYLA students and the Interact clubs that are in our district. It's going to be informative and you'll see how our clubs have adapted this year to be safe, yet keep our youth programs running smoothly.
 
Don't forget that RYLA is on the books for May 16th and 17th and the Committee has been working hard to put on a Virtual Event this year!  

RYLA is going virtual in 2021! 

As much as we wish we could see you all at Camp Upham Woods this year, we're playing it safe as we make it through the pandemic.

Participants will attend sessions virtually over two days in May, 2021:

  • May 16th, 2:00-5:00pm

  • May 17th, 6:00-8:00pm

Details have been released on the District 6250 website: https://rotary6250.org/page/ryla.
 
Laura Lee
Email

 

Read more...

Great Work in our Clubs  | Sparta Rotary Donation

On Tuesday, March 2, the Sparta Rotary Club presented a $2,000 check to the St. Clare Health Mission to go towards the Rotary Mobile Medical Clinic. Once completed, the project will bring medical care to the underserved and underinsured in Monroe, Vernon, La Crosse, and Trempealeau counties by providing a full family practice on-site clinic, preventative care, vaccinations, youth sports physicals, mental healthcare, pharmacy, and health assessments. Pictured left to right is Josh Mansee from the Rotary Works Foundation, Rotary Assistant District Governor Patt Boge, Rotarian Toni Wissestad, Rotarian Mike Huber, and Executive Director of St. Clare Health Mission Jason Larson. Sparta Rotarian Toni Wissestad, a longtime nurse and retired coroner of Monroe County, was one of the original nurses to work with the founder Sister Leclare Beres, FSPA. Sparta Rotarian Mike Huber, currently a paramedic, is designated as the medical volunteer from Monroe County to work in the Mobile Health Clinic.

UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS
PETS - 2021
Virtual
Mar 11, 2021 – Mar 13, 2021
 
Grant Management Seminar Session #2
Zoom
Mar 17, 2021
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
District 6250 Board Meeting - Zoom
Zoom
Apr 13, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
District Conference 2021
Virtual
Apr 18, 2021 – Apr 24, 2021
 
View entire list
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile