Rotary started with the vision of one man - Paul Harris.
The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23. 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
Over time, Rotary's reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service.
As we celebrate 116 years of Rotary, take a moment to read or re-read more about its history.
On February 25, during our mid-day meeting, The Rotary Club of Rochester welcomes District 5960 Governor Ed Marek for our club's official District Governor visit. During his presentation, Ed will share thoughts about the future direction of Rotary, District 5960, and where Clubs are headed. Watch your email for a link to the Zoom meeting which begins at noon.
Ed was born and raised In Chicago. He moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota where he received his MBA. Ed was a member of the Shakopee Rotary Club and the Eden Prairie Rotary Club but eventually left Rotary due to a job change. Ed rejoined Rotary with the St. Paul Sunrise Club (then known as St. Paul Midway) in 2001. He served as club president there twice. At the District level Ed is serving on the Fast For Hope steering committee and has made five trips to Nicaragua. He served three years as an assistant governor and is currently on the District Ethics committee.
Many of you have been generous volunteers during the Holiday Classic two-day event each December. The Classic has been a very successful fundraiser with proceeds going to local non-profits and Rotary projects supporting youth programs in our area. Thanks to Rotarians, like you, who participate and support the event, the Holiday Classic has given more than one million dollars in support of area youth! For that, we thank you!
A lot of time and effort goes into planning this event with work happening all year long. The Holiday Classic is in need of additional committee members! Specific needs include finance, marketing, logistics for event days, and seeking sponsors and advertisers, just to name a few.This event is a three-club initiative and members from all three Rochester clubs are invited to join the committee!
By now you have heard the term “Positive Peace” in Rotary Foundation presentations. Friday, February 26 brings an opportunity during Rotary’s Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention month to take a closer look at the concept, the elements that create Positive Peace, and the organization that created it.
Join us on Friday, February 26 at 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. Click here to register for this virtual informative presentation.
February is a short month, so that means there is less than one week left in our SHARE THE LOVE campaign! So far, more than 230 Rotarians have made contributions that are approaching $100,000 to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund-SHARE which will help our clubs make a difference in our communities and around the world.
It's easy to give to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund-SHARE!
As a member of the Rotary Club of Rochester, there are three "To Do List" items to sign-up for the second and fourth Thursday meeting from now until the end of the year.
1. Sign-up to lead the four-way test
2. Sign-up to give a reflection
3. Sign-up to share your story via a vocation talk
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of community service opportunities. Days and shifts vary. Click on the "Read More" button for more information. You are encouraged to volunteer individually for any of the following:
Food Pantry
Resource Room
Reception Desk
Lunch Program
Please note that activities are subject to change based on COVID conditions.
Scrip cards to Apollo Liquor, Kwik Trip, and Menards are available for purchase to support The Rotary Club of Rochester. You purchase and spend the cards 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.
