Congratulations to the September 2026 raffle winners and thank you to all for supporting the Rochester Risers Rotary Club and our efforts in serving our community.
Karl Johnson
Youth Update: C-C, MBD, STRIVE, Youth Exchange
Sep 08, 2026 7:00 AM
Deb, Peg, Julie R/McKenzie, April
Are you looking to make a difference in our local community and the world while meeting new friends and having FUN? If you are, please consider joining the Rochester Risers Rotary Club. Our Club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
On Saturday, October 24 — World Polio Day — Rotarians across our region will be putting on their walking shoes for something BIG: the World’s Largest Polio Walk.
More than 36,000 Rotarians and nearly 1,000 Rotaractors in 11 states and two countries are being invited to walk together — all with the goal of raising awareness and $1 million to help End Polio Now. Watch the Video Now
Our neighbors in District 5950 are gathering at the Mall of America. The MOA walk begins the morning of October 24, with walkers invited to do a little or a lot. Come walk for polio — and since you're already at the Mall, you might as well get your shopping on afterward!
Why walk? Rotary's decades-long effort has helped reduce polio cases worldwide by more than 99.9%. But “almost” isn't good enough. Until transmission ends everywhere, children remain at risk and Rotary's promise remains unfinished.
A club walk can be as simple or creative as you want: pick a favorite local trail, park or downtown route; invite the community; wear your End Polio Now gear; collect donations; and share plenty of photos. Every step helps tell the story that Rotary is still in this fight.
Host a walk. Join a walk. Bring a friend. Take the next step toward making polio the second human disease ever eradicated from the earth.
Join the movement. Take the step. End Polio Now.
We had a fantastic turnout at our monthly Channel One Service Project this month. Kudos to everyone who participated and helped pack food for our neighbors.
Rotary - Improving lives locally and globally!
Congratulations to the August 2026 raffle winners and thank you to all for supporting the Rochester Risers Rotary Club and our efforts in serving our community.
As Rotarians, we're always looking for meaningful ways to serve our community. This summer, there are two great ways for Rochester Risers Rotary Club Members to support local students and families as they prepare for the new school year.
Volunteer on August 4
Join fellow Rochester Risers Rotary Club Members in volunteering with United Way's Back-to-School Supply Distribution on:
📅 Tuesday, August 4
🕓 4:00–6:00 p.m.
🕓 4:00–6:00 p.m.
📍 Jefferson Elementary School
1201 10th Ave. NE, Rochester
1201 10th Ave. NE, Rochester
Please enter through Door #14 (the gym entrance closest to the parking lot).
Volunteer Registration:
Rochester Risers Volunteer Sign-up
Rochester Risers Volunteer Sign-up
Please complete the volunteer waiver before arriving and encourage anyone joining you to do the same.
Participate in the Backpack & School Supply Drive
Our club can also support local students by sponsoring a backpack and school supply drive.
Rather than collecting supplies individually, United Way uses an online platform that allows individuals and teams to purchase backpacks and school supplies directly. This ensures consistency, simplifies distribution, and helps every student receive the same quality supplies.
Getting started is easy:
Backpack & School Supply Drive
Whether you choose to volunteer, support the backpack drive, or both, your participation helps local students begin the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
Thank you for considering these opportunities to serve. I hope many of us will be able to participate and continue Rotary's tradition of Service Above Self.
Contact Lisa Schutz with question ~
It is with great sadness we share the passing of Richard Christiana MD, one of the Founding Members of the Rochester Risers Rotary Club, on July 6, 2026. Richard joined the Risers on April 19, 1988 and was a member in good standing until his resignation on December 28, 2022 for health reasons. We will forever be grateful for Richard's leadership and contributions to the Rochester Risers Rotary Club and for all his work to serve our community. Blessed be his memory.
A Memorial Service for Richard will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN. Obituary and service details can be found here.
The Rochester Risers Rotary Club is thrilled to announce that Don Supalla has reached Major Donor status with Rotary International. A Member since 1992, Don exemplifies Service Above Self, sharing his time and talents as Past District Officer, Past President (twice) and in various Director and leadership positions with the Risers over the past 34 years. Don is a Paul Harris Fellow, a Sustaining Member, a Major Donor and an example and inspiration to each of us. Thank you Don for your exceptional leadership!
When asked what motivates him to support Rotary and the Rotary Foundation:
"For me, the two things that sets Rotary apart from other service clubs is its "Service Above Self" motto and "People of Action" philosophy. I was looking for a service club that valued my time, talent and treasure. The Risers provide a nice variety and ample opportunities to put philanthropy into action...the Risers do that! Knowing that the RI Foundation has a longstanding Four-Star Charity rating provides assurance that our contributions are invested effectively, managed efficiently and are making a local and global impact."
What Don enjoys most about the Rochester Risers Rotary Club:
"Rochester Riser Rotary Club members truly embrace the tenants of the Four-Way Test and do so while having fun. Our club is a wonderful mix of professionals, supportive of one another, and with the desire and determination to make Rochester and the world a better place for all. I'm proud to be a member of a growing club, a community service organization that demonstrates that actions do make a difference and whose efforts are annually rewarded with District service awards."
As for the future of the Rochester Risers Rotary Club:
"My wish for the future of our club mirrors the wish for Rotary International...a focus on empowering young leaders, diversity and inclusion, and local and global impact. And, by collaborating and partnering with The Rotary Club of Rochester and the Greater Rochester Rotary Club, together we can continue to make Rochester an even better place to live, work, learn and play."
Congratulations to the July 2026 raffle winners and thank you to all for supporting the Rochester Risers Rotary Club and our efforts in serving our community.
It was a spectacular evening at Quarry Hill Nature Center as the Rochester Risers Rotary Club celebrated Club Leadership.
President April Sutor welcomed incoming President Karl Johnson and incoming President-Elect Mayor Kim Norton.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to April for her steady leadership this past year and look forward to supporting Karl and Kim as they begin their new roles.
Last Tuesday at the year-end celebration and new officer installation we approved additional board members for the 2026-27 Rotary year: Lisa Schutz as Secretary and Kristi LaPlante and Brenda Wichmann as co-leads of Membership.
We celebrated the outstanding contributions of our 2025-2026 Board and the exceptional achievements of our entire club which included 6 Gold District citations for:
- Outstanding service to communities near and far
- Raising the public image of Rotary through weekly bulletins, social, print, and broadcast media
- Signature program My Book Day
- Focus on youth with RYLA, Youth Exchange, STRIVE
- Polio Plus, LYFT, Crutches and other global project participation
- Club financial support for Rotary International
- Club participation in District trainings and events
- Expanding membership and our 507 Wednesday pilot
- External program presentations and rotation days
- Functioning board and teams
- Completion of projects with other Rotary Clubs
- And so much more!
It has taken all of us to accomplish so much. I’ve been blessed to complete this presidential journey with a talented and dedicated leadership team as well as past presidential advisors. Thanks so very much to:
- Administration—Amy
- Membership—Joel
- Public Image—Peggy
- Service—Danielle
- Secretary—Jeff
- Treasurer—Jennifer and Alan
- Past Pres—Jerome
- 3-Club Admin—Elaine
I wish our new President Karl Johnson success in 2026-27.
President
President Elect
Immediate Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Club Service
Membership - Co Lead
Membership - Co Lead
Rotary Foundation
Public Image
Rochester, MN 55902
United States of America