Everyone is invited to attend the following event and celebrate Rotary’s involvement in the project. . . Mayor Kim Norton will host a brief news conference to celebrate the installation of a new statue honoring Amelia Witherstine, the first woman elected to public office in Rochester. The statue will be installed on Tuesday, December 9, at the southeast corner of Central Park, marking an exciting milestone for the community. Click for more information.
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Southeast corner of Central Park (225 1st Ave NW)
Congratulations and thank you to Karen and Merlin Ricklefs for their contributions to the Rotary International Foundation as they were each recognized on December 4 with their seventh Paul Harris Fellow both receiving Paul Harris Fellow plus six pins.
Rotarians, along with your family and friends, are encouraged to show your holiday spirit, share your smile, and sign-up to ring bells for Salvation Army in November and December. The club has committed to providing two volunteers per each two hour shift from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm from Saturday, November 15 to December 20. There are opportunities to ring both inside and outside. See the flier for additional information.
District 5960 Midterm: Grow Rotary — Engaging Members Keynote Speaker: Tom Gump, 2026-2028 Rotary International Director-Elect Saturday, January 3, 2026 | Base Camp, Ft. Snelling | 8:45 am – 12:00 noon | Free Event RegistrationLink
Join fellow Rotarians at the District 5960 Midterm as we focus on membership growth and engagement — the heartbeat of Rotary’s future. Keynote speaker, Tom Gump, Rotary International Director (2026–2028), will inspire us with proven strategies and real-world success stories for building vibrant, growing clubs. Now more than ever, people are searching for connection and purpose. Rotary offers both — and it starts with engaged, intentional membership. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and lead the way as we #GrowRotary together!
At our club's November 6 weekly meeting, April Sutor, president of the Rochester Rotary Risers club, presented a Peace Pole in commemoration of our club's 100th anniversary. This is truly a thoughtful gift, and we sincerely appreciate the generosity of the Risers' members. A heart-filled thanks to their membership.
For those unable to attend the meeting, the Peace Pole is a tall, pencil-like monument that displays the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" which is translated into multiple languages on its sides. May Peach Prevail on Earth is a universal prayer for global harmony. In the context of Rotary International, it serves as a key symbol and tool in their peacebuilding and conflict prevention initiatives, one of Rotary's core areas of focus.
Rotary clubs worldwide participate in the Peace Pole Project, which involves planting these poles in public spaces, schools, parks, or community centers to inspire dialogue, foster understanding, and promote lasting peace. These installations often include dedication ceremonies that bring together community members, emphasizing Rotary's commitment to advancing peace through grassroots actions. The project originated from the World Peace Prayer Society but has been widely adopted by Rotary, with thousands of poles planted globally as beacons of hope and reminders of shared humanity.
The presentation of this Peace Pole commemorating our club's 100th anniversary holds deep symbolic and communal significance. It serves as a lasting monument to our club's century-long legacy of service, emphasizing a renewed commitment to fostering global harmony, multicultural understanding, and community unity in an enduring way.
We will be looking for ideas of a prominent place in Rochester to place the Peace Pole. Start thinking of ideas!
December is designated as Disease Prevention and Treatment Month for Rotary, focusing on the organization's global health initiatives like polio eradication and other causes such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and improving access to clean water and sanitation. In addition, it is also recognized as Rotary International Family Month, which emphasizes health and wellness within families and communities. Throughout the month, Rotary clubs and districts highlight these priorities through various service projects and fundraising efforts.
