The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment. Supporting the environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peace building and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development. This week's Risers program - Quarry Hill Nature Center has an environmental focus. And, look for information later in the newsletter on the May 1 Rochester 3-club tree planting project and the District's June 5 Conference of Clubs gathering at Levee Park in Hastings.
April 13 Program - Quarry Hill Nature Center
Join us via Zoom on Tuesday when Pam Meyer, Executive Director of Quarry Hill Nature Center, will be our featured speaker. At Quarry Hill's core are educators, dedicated to opening eyes and minds through natural science discovery. For decades, Quarry Hill staff has provided hands-on, experiential learning to thousands of children and adults. 2020 challenged the way the Nature Center looked at teaching, and it opened a range of new opportunities for learning. Learn how Quarry Hill navigated the new educational landscape and learn about the fun, innovative ways Quarry Hill continued to bring green time through screen time to area students. Presentation includes a fun virtual tour of the Exploration Hall!
On May 1 the Risers will be joining Rochester's other Rotary Clubs, community organizations and government agencies in a tree planting activity. This year, 1000 tree whips and 21 special trees will be planted. Combined with the thousand planted last year, Rochester's landscape will benefit greatly by the addition of these 2021 new trees. The exercise is being done to help promote Rotary International's newest avenue of service - the ENVIRONMENT.
The Rochester 3-Club Tree Planting Project is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, in the public area south and west of HyVee Crossroads. There are three planting sessions scheduled throughout the morning and afternoon. There are two separate volunteer sign-ups. The first, done by clicking the link below, is seeking a limited number of Rotarians to serve as session hosts (1 per session from the host club), greeters (5 per session) and photographers (2 per session). The Risers are responsible for Session 2 (midday) but you can sign up to volunteer for any session that works best with your schedule.
Here is the link to the club members who want to volunteer as session host, greeters or photographers on May 1st.
A second volunteer sign-up, the one for the actual planting of whips/trees, will be shared next week. That sign-up will be open to both Rotarians and community volunteers. Forty (40) volunteer planters will be needed for each of the three sessions. Rotarians can sign up for whichever session works best for them. Please feel free to invite family, colleagues, neighbors and friends to join you. The planting sign-up will be available early next week.
There is an expectation that members and/or the three Rochester Rotary clubs will contribute toward the purchase of the trees. If you'd like to order one of the special trees ($125) in honor of an individual or group, or purchase one or more bundles of whips at $10/bundle, please let April Sutor know ASAP.
Feel free to email Patricia McCleese, Project Coordinator, at rotary5960mccleese@gmail.com or April Sutor, Risers tree planting project liaison, at ASutor@familyservicerochester.org. Thanks in advance for your help with this important community environmental project.
Urban Forest Master Plan Virtual Meeting - April 20
As we learned from Alison Litchy at our last meeting, urban forests and community health are inextricably linked; the better an urban forest, the greater a community’s health. The Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) project provides a forum for community engagement, a shared vision, and a strategic, long-term road map for the management of Rochester’s urban forest resources. Community members are encouraged to join for an informational and engaging virtual public meeting. There will be an opportunity hear the UFMP progress and timeline, learn about initial findings, and provide invaluable input to finalize the Plan’s vision, goals, and short- and long-term strategies for the management and enhancement of Rochester’s urban forest.
Noon Session: Tuesday, April 20th │ 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
The purpose of the District Conference of Clubs is to engage members at all levels, from our most senior leaders to the newest club members. It should inspire all to become more involved and give them a vision of Rotary beyond the club level and to provide a memorable, fun fellowship experience. In considering the purpose of the conference, the ongoing pandemic and the upcoming new focus area, we are pivoting to a different Conference experience. One that will allow engagement, provide fellowship and introduce and celebrate our 7th Focus Area: The Environment.
The upcoming tree planting project is Rochester's direct response to District Governor Marek's request that clubs plan and implement an environmental project in their area. The Rochester tree planting project will be highlighted at the June 5th, World Environment Day, at Levee Park in Hastings, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you'd like to join me in Hastings, please let me know as car pooling is an option.
Risers President-Elect Sherden is already working hard to assure a smooth July 1 leadership transition. Beth, Paul (President-Elect Nominee) and Don have met regarding the transition and a meeting with the Hilton Garden Inn catering rep is schedule for early May. Risers should be on the lookout in May for an electronic survey regarding meeting format preferences and information regarding a possible virtual club visioning session to be scheduled in the next month or two. Beth's Board and leadership team is complete, including her recent announcement that Matt Cantlon has agreed to serve as the Risers President-Elect Designee! Congratulations and thank you, Matt.
KIM NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!
Please, whenever you complete Rotary-related service projects or activities above and beyond our regularly scheduled meetings, send your hours to Kim Keilholtz atkimdtm@msn.com. Eligible hours include those spent delivering Meals on Wheels, volunteering at Channel One, tree planting, Adopt a Family shopping, Samaritan Bethany tree decorating, Salvation Army bell ringing, STRIVE mentoring, house painting, District workshops and meetings, newletter prep, etc. Those members who have accumulated hours since July 1 and not submitted them to Kim should do so now. Thank you!
Meals on Wheels Request
Our club's Meals on Wheels Coordinator, Joanne Rosener, has a need and a "Service Above Self" opportunity. With COVID, our service opportunities are somewhat limited. Meals on Wheels, however, is one ongoing service activity our Club is doing. Due to some changes in availability of members, we need two persons to assist on the second Thursday and one person on the third Thursday starting January through June. If you can help, contact Joanne at joanne.rosener@gmail.com.
If taking on an ongoing assignment is not something you can commit to, please consider signing up for one shift. See below for dates. All shifts start at 11:15 AM and finish at approximately 12:30 PM.
May 13
June 10
GRR April Tools Day
The Greater Rochester Rotary Club is inviting you to participate in April Tools Day! On April 17 GRR will be collecting unwanted tools to be refurbished and provided, free of charge, to non-profits in need of tools. GRR is partnering with St. Joseph's Tool Chest, another non-profit, who will provide the refurbishing service. We are asking Rotarians to spread the word about our event!
What: Your unwanted tools
Where: 125 LIVE parking lot
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
When: Saturday, April 17th
WE WANT: Yard and garden implements: rakes, shovels, hoes, and shears. Shop tools: pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, saws, and wrenches. Power tools: drills, saber saws, table saws, routers, drill presses, and chainsaws. Hardware: nails, screws, nuts, bolts, etc. We will even take industrial machines, bicycles, and sewing machines. Emergency generators are much needed.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT: Electronic equipment like computers, TVs, printers, cell phones, etc.
Peggy Elliott Wants You to Know...
Free Virtual Human Trafficking Forum
The Rotary clubs of Arden Hills - Shoreview and New Brighton-Mounds View invite you to attend a free, virtual forum on human trafficking...
Perspectives on Legalizing Marijuana for Recreational Use
The Saint Paul Sunrise Rotary is excited to present their 15th Annual Community Forum.
As we consider whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use, this forum will help answer our questions. Our expert panel will discuss what other states have learned and what a sensible policy would look like here if grounded within Rotary's Four-way Test principles of ethical decision-making: what is true, fair and beneficial to all concerned.
The Rotary Risers join our other Rochester Rotary colleagues in congratulating Patricia McCleese, Greater Rochester Rotary member, on her selection as District 5960 District Governor 2023-24. Patricia has been very active in her GRR club, an advocate for all three Rochester clubs and extremely engaged in District 5960 initiatives and projects. The Risers wish Patricia well in her new adventure and look forward to working with her as she assumes her new role and responsibilities.
In these difficult days, we are so heartened to receive such uplifting reports on the unrelenting efforts of our Rotary members who have responded in their communities against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the single question we hear time and again is, “Are we getting involved with COVID vaccination?”
The answer is yes.
This does not mean we will deviate from our commitment to eradicating polio, which remains our highest priority and continues to be our only corporate program. Polio vaccinations must continue unabated, as must our effort to raise $50 million per year for this effort.
But now, COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available around the world, and our members have an important role to play.
We ask you to encourage you to:
Use Rotary’s knowledge of vaccine safety and efficacy based on our polio eradication experience to support vaccination efforts in your communities. This will need to be tailored to local contexts to address unique cultural and regional needs.
As vaccine distribution begins in your country, partner with local organizations or health authorities to offer your club’s support with vaccination efforts as required.
Help combat the powerful, growing force of vaccine resistance and misinformation. Advocacy in our communities is critical — we need to spread the message about the power of vaccines to protect lives.
Stop the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to engage in projects supporting mask-wearing, distancing, proper hygiene practices, and donations of personal protective equipment — before and after vaccination.
Please take a moment to view the above video message.
Thank you.
Holger Knaack K.R. Ravindran President, Rotary International Chair, The Rotary Foundation
The Four-Way Test is an ethical-decision making tool for our use. But why keep it to ourselves. The world needs ethical minded people. Let’s share stories of how we have used the Four-Way Test in our lives.
Attached is a 2:11 minute video explaining the Four-Way Test Stories Activity.
Why should we share Four-Way Test stories?
The Four Way test, the Rotary Code of Ethics, the 7 Areas of Focus, the Peace Ambassadors, and our Rotary Vision are all focused on acting in an ethical manner. We need to be bold and share our commitment to building a better, more ethical world so that - - - Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
How can we use the Four-Way Test stories?
1) Post the stories on your social media. Visitors are attracted to the Four-Way Test.
2) Share it with youth. Perhaps include Four-Way Test training in your youth activities /projects.
3) During a meeting, have "table talks” or break out rooms about the Four-Way Test. Have members share how they have use it.
4) Include in the vocational talks a discussion of ethics in their businesses.
5) Ask speakers to share the ethical challenges faced in their business or organization.
Rotary District 5960 Ethics Team
Risers Greeters are reminded that when leading the club in the 4-Way Test to begin with "The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say and do..." Thank you!
The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment.
More than $18 million in Foundation global grant funding has been allocated to environment-related projects over the past five years. Creating a distinct area of focus to support the environment will give Rotary members even more ways to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact.
RI President Mark Maloney says that during his travels around the world as a Rotary senior leader he encountered many Rotary members and Rotaractors who advocated for the environment to be an area of focus.
“I believe strongly that our Rotary Foundation programs now have a valuable added dimension to our efforts,” says, Maloney.
Foundation Trustee Chair Gary C.K. Huang says that with the global population reaching near eight billion, protecting the environment is increasingly important.
“It is time for us to use our collective resources to invest in a smart and efficient way to protecting our environment,” says Huang. “We are qualified to take this initiative because we are a global group of problem solvers with diversified talents.”
In 1990-91, RI President Paulo V.C. Costa made the environment one of his primary causes, creating the Preserve Planet Earth subcommittee, which looked at ways clubs and members could conduct environmental initiatives.
“We have finally caught up to Costa [his vision],” says Past RI President Ian H.S. Riseley, chair of the Environmental Issues task force, which championed the new area of focus.
“As a lifelong environmentalist, I’m delighted that our great organization has recognized that the environment is a worthy and appropriate destination for our project activity,” says Riseley. “This is an exciting moment in Rotary history.”
Supporting the environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development.
Grant applications for projects will be accepted beginning on 1 July 2021. Gifts and commitments from Rotarians and others will be sought to provide global grant support for the new area of focus.
More information about this new cause will be announced soon.
