Rochester Risers Rotary Club Bulletin of August 9 2026 (Aug. 09, 2026)

Club Vision Statement

The Rochester Risers Rotary Club is a dynamic, inclusive and collaborative club of engaged members dedicated to making a lasting impact in our community and the world.

MEETING DETAILS

Weekly Club Meetings/AM:

Tuesdays at 7 AM (except 1st Tuesday of each month). Check Upcoming Program schedule for details.

Location: United Way of Southeast Minnesota

903 W. Center Street Rochester, MN 55902

Format: Hybrid

Monthly Club Meetings/PM:

Third Wednesday of each month at 5:07PM

Location: Forager Brewery

1005 6th Street NW

Format: Casual in-person Club Meeting

Join Zoom Meeting Link

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85292429838?pwd=w47wXlyGWWhTiQ1xjbwCa1MQOwAHf0.1

Meeting ID: 852 9242 9838
Passcode:

GREETER

Nessler, Heather

TECHNOLOGY

Case, Elaine

Aug 11, 2026 7:00 AM

Karst Caving in Southern MN

Martin Larsen

Aug 18, 2026 7:00 AM

Update from the Chancellor of Univ of MN Rochester

Chancellor Lori Carroll

Aug 25, 2026 7:00 AM

Vaping: what's the big deal? Public Health issues!

PH Moua & Olivia Hare

Sep 01, 2026 7:00 AM

Board Meeting

Karl Johnson

Sep 08, 2026 7:00 AM

Youth Update: C-C, MBD, STRIVE, Youth Exchange

Deb, Peg, Julie R/McKenzie, April

Sep 15, 2026 7:00 AM

Non-profit wrench, the Auto Repair Guy

Jesse Campbell

View entire list

upcoming volunteer and Engagement opportunitieS

August 11

Adopt-A-Drain volunteer opportunity at Safe City Nights Event

August 13

Chamber Event - Info Session

August 14

Chamber Event -Weekend Kick off

August 20

Chamber Event -Business After Hours

August 21

Chamber Event - Women's Roundtable

August 24

Channel One Monthly Service Opportunity

August 26

Chamber Event - Eggs & Issues

August 27

Chamber Event - WE Forum

Chamber Event - Chamber 101

August 29

Memorial Service for Richard Christiana MD

September 12

Quarry Hill Fall Festival

September 15

Volunteer Opportunity - Mayo Clinic Employee Event/Powers Ventures

September 28

Channel One Monthly Service Opportunity

October 20

Cradle to Career 5th Annual Education Summit

The Rochester Risers Rotary Club, along with Greater Rochester Rotary and The Rotary Club of Rochester are joint members of the Chamber. All Club Members are invited to attend Chamber events.

Events Registration Link:

https://business.rochestermnchamber.com/events

Member Birthdays

Heather Nessler

August 2

Jason Wagner

August 7

Jennifer Driesch

August 7

Kimberly Keilholtz

August 14

Bill Pudwell

August 18

Danielle Knoll

August 25

Join Date

Jolene Hansen

August 9, 1988

38 years

Brianna Berg

August 18, 2015

11 years

Deb Christianson

August 21, 2007

19 years

August 2026 Calendar Raffle Winners

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.

President

Karl Johnson

President Elect

Kimberly Norton

Immediate Past President

April Sutor

Secretary

Lisa Schutz

Treasurer

Scott Joseph

Club Service

Danielle Knoll

Membership - Co Lead

Kristi LaPlante

Membership - Co Lead

Brenda Wichmann

Rotary Foundation

April Sutor

Public Image

Peggy Elliott

Peggy Elliott
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)

Karl Johnson

...

LET'S GROW OUR MEMBERSHIP!

Do you know someone who is looking to make a difference in our local community and world while meeting new friends and having fun?

Please consider inviting them to a meeting or service project activity to introduce them to Rotary.

The Rochester Risers Rotary Club is always seeking new members who share our dedication and passion for community service. What better time than during Membership and Extension Month!

ADOPT-A-DRAIN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT SAFE CITY NIGHTS EVENT
~ August 11~

The Adopt-a-Drain Program initiative is supported by the Rotary Clubs of Rochester to encourage 100 people to Adopt-A-Drain in Rochester. Rotarians are providing information at key events such as EarthFest and Safe City Nights in an effort to educate and ask fellow community members to take action and adopt a drain. There is only one more Safe City Nights event where we can spread the word - Don't miss this opportunity!

Top 3 Reasons why this project is an important and impactful service project:

1. Clean water and supporting the environment are two key focus areas for Rotary

2. The Adopt-A-Drain project provides a wonderful opportunity to be visible in our community - a great public image opportunity to demonstrate Rotary's community leadership

3. Every drain that gets adopted helps keep water in the Zumbro River Watershed clean. Lake Zumbro has excessive phosphorous that negatively impacts aquatic life and our use of the water. In the Zumbro River Watershed, what enters a neighborhood storm drain can eventually reach Cascade Creek, Silver Lake, Middle Fork Zumbro River, and Lake Zumbro.” Less than 5% of the 20,399 local storm drains are adopted

Be on the lookout for future service opportunities to promote the Adopt-a-Drain Program. We are seeking more ideas to spread the word.

Safe City Nights

August 11- Franklin Elementary School

HELPING NEIGHBORS FACING FOOD INSECURITY
~Monthly Service Opportunity~

channel one monthly SERVICE Opportunity

You can MAKE A DIFFERENCE with your effort in just two hours each month.

Join us at our next opportunity for service from 5:30pm - 7:30pm at:

131 35th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

Together we are strengthening food access and building a healthier community.

Sign up at:

helpingfeedpeople.org

and navigate to the Volunteer link

SUPPORT STUDENTS
~ Backpack and School Supply Drive~

The Rochester Risers are pleased to support local students by sponsoring a Backpack and School Supply Drive activity again this year through United Way. Please consider participating! Getting started is easy - simply click on the following link to donate.

Backpack & School Supply Drive

https://roonga.com/collection-drive/details/risers

QUARRY HILL FALL FESTIVAL
~3-Club Service Opportunity~

This year’s Quarry Hill Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, September 12.

Rotarians are needed to serve in the food tent—helping with hot dogs, chips, cookies, and popcorn. It’s a fast-paced (and fun!) role, and a wonderful way to visibly demonstrate Rotary in action to the thousands of community members who attend. There are 12 volunteer shifts, each approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The Quarry Hill Fall Festival has become a cherished community tradition, welcoming several thousand attendees each year. Proceeds from the event directly support Quarry Hill Nature Center—helping us keep admission free year-round and providing accessible educational programs for youth, families, and adults.

Don't miss out on the fun!

Here is a link to the sign-up: 2026 Quarry Hill Fall Festival Rotary Signup

SAVE THE DATE! CLUB FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

Rotarians, family and friends are needed to help serve employees at the Mayo Clinic Annual Employee Appreciation event on Tuesday, September 15.

Powers Ventures will be catering the event and hopes the Risers will join in the fun to support our local healthcare workers and raise funds for our Club. Every hour worked = funds raised to support projects throughout the year, including My Book Day.

This is a great way to support members of our community and earn funds for the Rochester Risers Rotary Club. More information will be provided as we get close to the event.

DISTRICT 5960

https://www.rotary5960.org/