August 18th – On the 3rd Thursday members meet informally for fellowship, networking, and lunch at Twigs Restaurant at noon.
August 25th – Our speaker will be Marna Anderson, a leader from the Nonviolent Peaceforce, whose mission is Transforming the World's Response to Conflict. It is an organization that advocates to protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies, builds peace side-by-side with local communities, and advocates for the wider adoption of these approaches to safeguard human lives and dignity.
ERRATUM – A requested change to the Mentorship Project announcement was received too late for the August 16th Moccasin Flower. Please note Cassie Ihrke has withdrawn as a mentee and Hope Thilges has been added.
In bringing alignment to the TRCR Strategic Plan in the areas of Engagement, Membership, and DEI, a new and exciting project initiative has been proposed and approved by your TRCR Board.
The leadership team co-chaired by President-Elect Ashok Patel and Past President Audrey Betcher has finalized plans to begin the first steps in an innovative Rotary Club of Rochester Mentorship Project
…and you will recall they announced this Mentorship Project at the July 28th mid-day membership meeting when M&M’s (Mentors & Mentees) were distributed!
As envisioned, the first year of the program will involve the following 10 volunteer ‘Mentors’ and 10 volunteer ‘Mentees’ who have received a brief outline of their responsibilities as a part of the program:
Volunteer Mentors: Ashok Patel, Audrey Betcher, Dana Funk, Jon Losness, Paul Tieskotter, Chris Colby, Vicki Allen, Mark Dripps, Suzanne Dinusson, Colin Aldis
Volunteer Mentees: Melody Trimble, Zoey Jantsan, Mariana Gonzales, Mikayla Schmidt, Paul Apenhorst, Joel Haak, Marco Lanz, Michaela Allen, Cassie Ihrke, Jill Cordes
The Leadership Team will match up the mentor-mentee pairs, and each will commit to specific goals defined in advance such as meeting at least 1 hour per month working on those goals, attend some regular Mid-day Rotary membership meetings, and engage in community service activities.
A kick-off event for mentor-mentee pairs has been scheduled for September 8 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM in the Magnolia Room at the Centerstone Hotel Soldiers Field.
Let’s wish them all the best in what looks to be an extraordinary experience for all participants on this journey of Discovery, Volunteerism and Community Impact!!
Friday, August 19th Duran Duran with Nile Rodgers & CHIC
Volunteer at Treasure Island Amphitheater in Red Wing as ticket takers, ushers or clean up. Contact Jill Cordes if interested: 507-516-6412.
Note: All volunteers must sign TI waivers; and be at least 20 years old.
You get to hear a great concert while volunteering, Treasure Island gives you a $10 voucher for concessions, and best of all donates $15 per hour per person for your service to our Rotary Club of Rochester Community Foundation.
Please sign up on Clubrunner to help with Meeting Activities
to sell bottled beverages, apples, and one other item.
*Per Olmsted County Health requests, we can not have youth in the food area. We are happy to have youth volunteers but would invite them to help in another capacity.
Our fundraising effort supporting Running Start for Schools has concluded. Thank you to all who contributed helping United Way of Olmsted County meet their goal of providing 2,535 backpacks filled with school supplies for those in need. Again, our thanks go to Jennifer Teske for putting together our 3 Club fundraising effort.
That’s right, we are extra special. With the idea of breaking down silos and recognizing that we are all in this together, the passport program rewards each member that gets out and visits other clubs.
This does not just include attending another clubs meeting but also their service projects, their social events, fundraisers, and anything else you can imagine. You can pick up your physical passport at your club, at the club you are visiting or at the district. Yes, if your club runs out, we can get you more. When you visit another club, you get them to stamp your passport. If they forgot their stamp at the event, have them initial your passport. We are all trustworthy individuals.
At the end of the year, each member will receive one raffle ticket for each stamp/initial in the passport. The raffle is for a limited-edition print by Darren Jones, Jennifer Jones’ brother. Very cool. “
Initiatives Overview: Rotary International President Jennifer Jones imagines a Rotary where members act to make their dreams become reality and make the most of their club experiences.
During her year, Jones will focus on four presidential initiatives that Imagine Rotary: 1) advancing our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); 2) creating a welcoming club experience; 3) empowering girls; and 4) expanding our reach.
1) Imagine: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Diversity is one of Rotary's longstanding core values and greatest strengths. Jones knows there is more to be done to ensure that Rotary's culture exemplifies our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Rotary, with input and guidance from the DEI Task Force, has strengthened our commitment to DEI, resulting in a greater focus on celebrating every individual's contributions, advancing equity, and creating a more welcoming and inclusive culture.
President Jennifer Jones encourages each of us to do our part to ensure Rotary is a welcoming and inclusive community by:
a. Learning more about DEI in Rotary, including understanding definitions and how to celebrate and respect our differences.
b. Determining why DEI matters to our club and community and how using DEI principles can help our club grow and become stronger.
c. Raising awareness of DEI, including creating a DEI committee in your club that reflects the demographics of your community.
d. Taking action on DEI in our club and community for instance educating yourself about underrepresented groups in your community in order to become a more knowledgeable and effective advocate for DEI.
2) Imagine a welcoming club experience:Comfort and Care
Rotary has an important role to play to ensure that the club environment and experience is welcoming, inclusive, and enjoyable for all members and participants. Surveys show that comfort and care is the single greatest driver of satisfaction and our most powerful tool for retention. This begins with listening to and understanding what members and participants want out of their Rotary involvement. We often speak of the importance of "exit interviews" to better understand why former members leave. But why wait for them to leave? Jones urges club leaders to incorporate "entrance interviews" as well to understand the needs and expectations of new members at the outset. And of course, be sure to regularly survey all existing members, to ensure they have an opportunity to share thoughts about their membership experience.Watch Jones talk about her Comfort and Care initiative
3) Empowering Girls
Jones will continue past RI President Shekhar Mehta’s Girls Empowerment initiative, recognizing that empowered girls become empowered women. Share your Girls Empowerment projects on Showcase.
4) Imagine Impact: Expanding Rotary's reach media tours
Imagine Expanding Rotary's Reach Throughout the year, Jones will visit eight service projects that represent each of Rotary's areas of focus and polio eradication. The tour will provide examples of how Rotary can make a measurable difference, while introducing Rotary to new audiences and potential partners and influencers.
Did you know that if you buy the majority of your gas at Kwik Trip, you could pre-pay for your gas AND help the club at the same time? A $100 Kwik Trip card immediately creates $5 for the club and any in-store purchases creates another 5% donation.If you would like to purchase Scrip cards, send an email to romnrotary@gmail.com with how many and what denomination you'd like. In additional to Kwik Trip, Scrip cards are also available to Apollo Liquor and Menards. The cards are purchased at face value, but the club receives 5% back from Apollo Liquor and Kwik Trip and 4% back from Menards. The club receives an additional 5% on purchases at Kwik Trip, other than gas, inside the store.
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