This is my first letter to our members; and I must start with an apology that our efforts to use hybrid technology for our Rotary meetings have been very unsatisfactory. They have been neither fair for all concerned -- for those trying to listen via zoom, those in our meeting room who endure audio distortion, and our presenters -- nor built goodwill and better friendships. We have to do better, and I assure you we are working on it. Everyone from our technology committee has voiced their support in helping us, and we will seek outside expertise as needed.
We know that the power of the Rotary model of service leadership, grounded in person-to-person connections, is visible in our inspiring speakers whose connections create a network that spans the globe—bridging cultural, linguistic, generational, and geographic barriers—and sharpens our commitment to building a better world.
Fall is around the corner, and the pace of Rotary planning and activities is accelerating. I encourage you to read each issue of the Moccasin Flower to remain current on the many opportunities where YOU can make a difference. Remember: “You get out of Rotary what you put into it.”
Thursday, August 25th - We enjoyed Marna Anderson of Nonviolent Peaceforce presentation “Unarmed Civilians in Violent Conflict” in a very compelling and engaging way.
Thursday September 1, 2022 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
1. Committee Day for the Rotary Club of Rochester - Even Hotel Rochester101 11th AVE SW
Lunch will be available
No zoom is available for this meeting time!
If you are not yet on a committee, join us for lunch and socialize!
2. Holiday Classic Committee will meet at the Rochester Area Foundation from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Thursday, September 8, 2022
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Even Hotel Rochester
101 11th AVE SW
Our program speaker is Paula Haraldson, Family Services Director, The Ronald McDonald House
SEPTEMBER 8th Volunteer Opportunity Concert has been cancelled Here’s a great way to put FUN in FUNdraising!
The Mayo Civic Center has a new program of paying volunteers to work. The money earned is based on the number of hours the volunteers worked. The money will go directly to the club. According to Greater Rochester Rotary President Andy Thilges, all three Rochester Rotary Clubs are invited to participate to earn money for their Rotary programs. All we have to do is show up. Family members can be included. There is an age requirement.
SEPTEMBER 10th Volunteer Opportunity
Raindate Sunday, September 11th
Quarry Hill Fall Festival
*** Volunteer Opportunity ***
Please sign up using this link - there are still spots available!
Children and Families are welcome, but per the Olmsted County Health Regulations, youth are not allowed to serve food, so they'll take your help in another area!
Rotation Day at University of Minnesota Rochester campus
UMR’s Mayo Clinic Invest in Success Scholarship Program
Catered Lunch @ 11:30 am
Rotary meeting 12:00 noon – 1 pm
Must pre-register and pay to be able to attend. Use this link!
University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) and Mayo Clinic’s Office for Academic Partnerships will present on UMR’s Mayo Clinic Invest in Success Scholarship Program.
The Invest in Success program provides annual scholarships to a highly diverse cohort of UMR students to support their journey toward a health sciences degree. In addition to scholarship support, Invest in Success scholars receive in-depth experiential learning opportunities at Mayo Clinic, are paired with Mayo mentors, participate in paid summer internships at the Clinic, and exploratory work study roles.
In July, Invest in Success was featured at the Mayo Clinic Rise for Equity conference for its innovative approach to academic partnerships, student support, and the diversification of the healthcare workforce.
Presenting will be Guy Finne, Jess Anderson, and Jenny Casper.
Friday, September 30, 2022
7:30 am – 8:15 am
The Rotary Clubs of Rochester Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team
Invite you to a presentation via zoom on the
MAPPING PREJUDICE PROJECT University of Minnesota Libraries
Speaker: Kristen Delegard - Project Manager
The three Rotary Clubs of Rochester Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion team will host a presentation on the Mapping Prejudice Project, University of Minnesota Libraries http://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/about-us/project We felt this topic would be of interest around the district. Mapping Prejudice began as an experiment. The team developed a methodology to locate racial restrictions on a digital map. The resulting maps have helped to change popular understandings of structural racism in Minnesota. http://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/about-us/team
It will be on Zoom. The 30-40 minute presentation will be recorded and available on the District website. The last 15 minutes are for Q & A.
Cradle 2 Career(C2C) is hosting an Education Summit for its current Networks (Kindergarten Readiness & H.S. Graduation) on Tuesday, October 4 from 10 AM- 4 PM at St. Mary's University at Cascade Meadows.
The keynote speaker will be Superintendent Pekel who will be sharing Rochester Public School's Strategic Plan. Several other presenters will be focusing on the theme of "Sustainability".
C2C is in need of several Rotary volunteers to make this day a success:
Set-up & tear-down
Reception table (greeting & handing out materials) at start of day
Lunch set-up & hand-out
Technology workers (examples: set-up, live video to overflow rooms, moderators for overflow rooms who are comfortable with setting up Facebook Live & Zoom Chat)
Art Project monitors
Rotary volunteers will have the opportunity to attend this event! Registration will be coming & is free of charge. Watch for additional information & a 3-Club on-line sign-up sheet
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.
Did you know Rotary has a learning center? You’ll need to sign into My Rotary then go to rotary.org/learn, and accept the privacy policy to access a specific course or learning plan. (May not work on mobile phones)
Zone Institute (training for district leaders and future leaders) is Sep15-18 in Minneapolis at the Mall of America. Next year’s Rotary International President, Gordon McInally, will be in attendance. On Saturday evening he will be inducting 6 new Rotarians, 2 from each of the “local” districts, 5580, 5950, and yes us 5960. Do you have someone ready to be inducted into your club? Would they like to/be willing to come to the dinner Saturday night and be inducted.? We will cover the cost of the dinner for the inductee and their club president. Please let me know if your club is interested.
Looking for Suggestions - I was contacted today by a Rotarian from Cairo. She has been accepted to Metro State for a PhD program in Business Administration. She is trying to raise $8150 to cover the cost of 7 credit hours. Metro State is giving her a scholarship for one of the credit hours. If she can get this cost covered then she can come to the US this fall. She did get her MS in Accounting and Finance at Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2019. Is anyone aware of possible scholarships, grants, funding sources out there? Thanks for your assistance.
I’ve Always Wanted to be on the Radio – We are looking at doing a weekly radio program along with District 5950. That’s right live (or previously recorded) radio on Sundays. These programs will then be sent out as Podcasts as well. It’s looking like a great opportunity in numerous ways. Right now we are looking for people who would either like to serve as hosts or would like to advertise during the program. The cost to the district would be $150/week but if we could find individuals or companies that would like to advertise on the radio and via podcasts….we would be sitting pretty. $50 for a 30-60 second spot is cheap. If you are interested in being involved in this project, please reach out to me.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT
Sept 9th – NSPMO Clay Shoot Fundraiser – This should be a lot of fun. Come for the day, shoot clay pigeons, eat lunch, and win a raffle prize. Click on the link and sign up as an individual or a team.
Sept 10th – Taste of White Bear Lake – if this is anything like the Taste of Lakeville, it should not be missed. It is held at the Pine Tree Apple Orchard. Tickets are $40.
Sep 16th – All Club Luncheon at the North Star Zone Institute – Radisson Blu – MOA – noon-2pm - The speaker is the RI President for 2023-24 Gordon McNally from Scotland. Tickets are $60. Clubs can reserve a table for 10. Get tickets here.
Sept 28th – Effective Leadership – The Anoka club is proud to announce that they are holding an effective leadership workshop with Michael Angelo Caruso as the keynote speaker. Breakfast at 0800 and the workshop from 0830-1130. Get your tickets early. They max out at 150 participants. It will be held at the GreenHaven Golf and Event Center in Anoka. Full write up will come out with the Around the District monthly member newsletter.
Oct 6th – DEI joint event with District 5950 – Fundraiser for the Page Education Foundation consisting of cocktail reception, dinner, and program with the Honorable Justice Alan Page – more information to come – for now…Save the Date
Oct 15th – Recharge MN – Northfield EV Expo – family friendly – sponsored by the Rotary Climate Action Team.
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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This is my first letter to our members; and I must start with an apology that our efforts to use hybrid technology for our Rotary meetings have been very unsatisfactory. They have been neither 
Thursday, August 25th - We enjoyed Marna Anderson of Nonviolent Peaceforce presentation “Unarmed Civilians in Violent Conflict” in a very compelling and engaging way.
September 15, 2022 
