Our Club has built a special relationship Jefferson MS (JMS) because of its nearby location, its challenges with a diverse student population, and the economic pressures on all schools to do more with less. Principal Kirkwood has led the school for three years, and the level of his commitment is revealed by his commute from Racine to Madison and back every school day … and on some weekends for special activities. The 507 students at JMS are 37% Caucasian, 25% Latino, 16% African-American, and 14% Asian, and 13% with special needs. Our Club has provided Chromebook computers, coats and hats in a clothing drive, and lots of hands-on help in school contests, mock interviews, and more. At our Aug 18 meeting, the Club presented Principal Kirkwood for a $10,000 check to further the educational advancement of Jefferson’s students.
L to R: Sue Halambeck, Deb Dieter, John Gerold, Tony Burns
Sue Halambeck, District 6250, Grants Subcommittee Chair
Deb Dieter, John Gerold, and Tony Burns received the District Grants presented to the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton by Sue Halambeck, Grants Subcommittee Chair at the August 18, 2017 club meeting. The Grants were awarded tofurther the educational advancement of Thomas Jefferson Middle School students.
These Rotarians were at Tri4Schools early Saturday morning in Middleton supporting our August 12 for 12 Event. They assisted with registration/packet pick-up, were transition area helpers, swim course help, bike course pointers, run course and finish line helpers. Proceeds will provide support for health and wellness initiatives in the children’s schools.
L to R: Derek Moehring, Mary Beth Growney-Selene, Rockford Rotarian Elise Cadigan (friend of MBGS), Christine Disch, Jack Ferreri, Deb Dieter, Rich Cooper
Jesse Hieb is a documentary filmmaker who paddle-boarded all 430 miles of the Wisconsin River from its source in Lac Vieux Desert on the Wisconsin/Michigan UP border to its connection with the Mississippi at Wyalusing State Park. This effort was part of his documentary on the success the state has had in cleaning up the river. In the fifties and sixties, the Wisconsin River was horribly polluted, largely from the papermakers in the northeastern part of the state. Fourteen paper mills emptied into it, twenty-six dams blocked it, and forty-three municipalities discharged into it – all this makes the Wisconsin River the ‘hardest-working river in North America,’ but at a great cost. The EPA promulgated the Clean Water Act in 1970, and the paper industry chose to do the right thing and got on board with cleanup – partnering with state and local governments, environmental groups, and lovers of the river. Jesse’s story of its revitalization, his paddle trip (with GoPro, of course) down the river, and his meetings with colorful river folk all along the way is told in his documentary video, ‘Gone Paddling.’
Get ready for our 5th annual World Polio Day event, co-hosted with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We will stream live from Gates Foundation headquarters in Seattle, Washington to bring together more than 50,000 viewers around the world. Celebrities and global health experts will join us to share our progress on the road to polio eradication.
October 24 is World Polio Awareness Day and Rotary International is encouraging Rotarians and Clubs around the world to bring awareness to our efforts.
To this end, I am interested in organizing an awareness event on Tuesday, October 24 to add to the collective effort. This event would simply be a gathering of Rotarians on the Capitol Square to help make the public aware of eradication efforts over the years by Rotary. Area Clubs would be invited to show up, in Rotary clothes if possible, and march around the square to demonstrate our commitment to eradication. This would take
place from approximately 4pm - 6pm.
A permit from the Capitol Police is needed which I could procure. Posters would be printed for Rotarians to carry with Rotary District 6250 providing the financing of this and other any other costs. We would encourage this to be a time of hopefulness, pride in our accomplishment so far and the wonderful fellowship we enjoy when Rotarians gather. We want to demonstrate to our community that we are truly people of action.
We need your help at Jefferson Middle School on August. 28-29 to get teachers settled back into their rooms AND Sept. 5-6 for handing out maps to the new school and assisting with picture taking. Please respond to Debragdieter@gmail.com if you are able to assist. We will meet in the office on the Lussier side of the building.
The first meeting in September will be at beautiful Pope Farm Conservancy Park, 7440 Old Sauk Road, rain or shine! Pope Farm Conservancyis 105 acres that sits on top of three recessional moraines in the Town of Middleton, where three different watersheds come together. A 360 degree panoramic view of Lake Mendota, the Capitol and Madison’s west side can be seen to the east, the Black Earth Creek valley to the North, and the terminal moraine to the South and West.
Rotary Fellowships consist of members who share a common interest in recreational activities, sports, hobbies, or professions. These groups help expand skills, foster vocational development, and enhance the Rotary experience by exploring interests while developing connections around the world.
OVERVIEW
Help participants make lasting friendships outside their own club, district, or country
Advance Rotary’s public image and identity
Serve as an incentive for joining Rotary and for maintaining active membership
ORGANIZATION
Function independently of Rotary International by establishing their own rules, dues requirements, and administrative structure.
Are open to Rotarians, their family members, as well as participants and alumni of all Rotary and Foundation programs.
STARTING A NEW FELLOWSHIP
If your recreational or vocational interest isn’t represented by Rotary’s current Fellowships, contact rotaryfellowships@rotary.org for information about starting a new group.
Posted by Dave Clemens, District Friendship Exchange Chair
We had a successful experience hosting 8 Rotarians in our district. We had traveled to Gujarat, India in January, and they came to visit us late in May. They enjoyed visiting Chicago, Dells, La Crosse area and Madison area. Many homes were opened in our district, while our Rotarians hosted and showed them around.
We are looking for persons interested in hosting a group of Rotarians from Peru. It may be a small group, from 4-10 persons, arriving on Tuesday, August 15 and leaving on Thursday, August 31. If you and your club would like to be a host for a day, a few days or more, let me know. Please send an email to Dave Clemens,drdave@dellsdental.net, and let him know of your commitment. You will be expected to pick them up from the previous club, provide a room, meals and entertainment, then make sure they make it to the next community on their itinerary. It is great fun, which we want many clubs to enjoy. Don't miss this chance to enjoy the fun of a Friendship Exchange.
Posted by Jolene R. Bortz, Past President, Rotary Club of Oakland-Uptown
Announcing an upcoming trip to Accra, Ghana, West Africa in October 2017 to participate in a polio immunization exercise, attend the 12th Annual West Africa Project Fair, and engage in a hands-on work project. Attached is detailed trip information. Please feel free to share this information with the Rotarians in your club as soon as possible as we have a limited amount of space and expect this trip to be filled in the next week or two.
Trip Dates: October 03 – 12, 2017 Travel to: Accra, Ghana, West Africa Per Person Price: $1,689, double occupancy
Program includes: Hotel accommodations, transfers, most meals, polio immunization exercise, hands-on community service field work, West Africa Project Fair registration, special Rotary and fellowship events, sightseeing, etc.
In October 2017, North American Rotarians will travel to Accra, Ghana for a life changing experience. Have you ever heard a Rotarian speak about their personal experience participating in a polio eradication exercise, a cleft lip/cleft palate mission, or work on a humanitarian grant? These trips have a profound effect upon the individual. For those of you who have gone on one of these trips you know, and for those of you who have yet to enjoy this experience, you should.
The experiences you have stay with you forever. You get up early in the morning, travel with local Rotarians to a village, health clinic or impoverished neighborhood, and for the next few hours, you change. Small children come up to you to say thank you. Mothers and fathers smile at you knowing that you are giving their child a chance for a better life. You meet with the leaders in the village to learn of their needs and their hopes. It is hot; it is dusty; it makes you uncomfortable; it is exquisite.
The West Africa Project Fair is endorsed by Rotary’s Reach Out to Africa Committee (ROTA), who is trying to generate greater connectivity between the African and North American Rotarians to generate greater support of the projects of Africa. This committee needs your help, leadership and motivational skills, as Governor, to generate awareness, interest and action to support these projects. Further, projects fairs are an expanding program, encourage by Rotary and The Rotary Foundation as an extraordinary opportunity for clubs to find viable, qualified humanitarian projects
The hope is that you, as a North American Governor, will inspire two or three Rotarians from your District to make this trip, attend the Fair, select one or two of the prequalified projects, and bring them back to your District. Not only will your representatives be offering significant project support, but they will enjoy a profound “Rotary Moment.” The Ghanaian Rotarians have prepared an extraordinary week of activities.
If possible, please announce this program in your District over the next month, post the attached on your website, include it in your newsletter, and ask your Rotarians to represent your District and take a trip of a lifetime. Ideally, you should make the trip and ask them to join you! Encourage your members to participate – help Rotary Make a Difference.
Let us know if you have any questions. We hope to hear from you soon.
A $1000 District 6250 Membership Grant is now Available!
District 6250 has an exciting new program that we heard about from a District in Australia. They have seen great success with membership growth with this grant program. Not only have they increased membership, but their new members have developed many new and innovative community programs. In their district, they had 17 clubs that recruited 4+ members in under 6 months. Each of these groups of new members have given their club a project that has engaged their community and given their club an opportunity to increase its public image. That is growth and publicity that D6250 needs to allow us to change even more lives in our own back yard and all over the world.
The District 6250 Board has agreed to allocate $5000 for these membership grants. This is a new endeavor that, if successful, will help grow our clubs and expand our reach.
The first 5 clubs to recruit four or more new members between July 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018 will be eligible for a $1000 grant for these new members to use for a project of their own. These members must remain for 4 months for the club to be eligible. Once you have met this criteria, please contact one of our membership co-chairs.
Please let me know of any events or special situations in our fellow Rotarians' lives where a card, flowers, or a plant would be appropriate for their situation.
If you are volunteering with youth (one-on-one)? Mentoring, Youth Exchange, RYLA, Academic Decathlon, High School Business Plans, Etc... You must have an annual background check completed. This only applies if you are working with youth one-on-one. If you are in a group more than 2 people, you don't need a background check.
