This Thursday, June 4, we will hold Rotary After Hours. For those who are comfortable, there are opportunities to gather in-person with social distancing at one of three locations: The Aldis Home, Centerstone Magnolia Room, or The Moertel Garden. If you are not comfortable meeting in-person at this time due to COVID-19, the club will also be hosting a Zoom gathering. If you plan to attend any of these gatherings, we ask that you register here.
Our new Rotary year begins July 1, and this is typically a time when we as Rotarians reflect on the accomplishments of our previous year and plan, with some sense of renewed excitement, for what’s to come. Our situation feels a little different this year, though, due to all that’s going on – a global pandemic, economic challenges, and the adjustment to a new “normal.” We are fortunate, though, that we stand together as Rotarians, “people of action” who use “passion, energy, and intelligence to make a difference in our local community and our world.”
Incoming Rotary International President Holger Knaack chose the 2020-2021 theme, “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” His words remind us that Rotarians choose to see the world through a lens of hope and work to “be the good.” Through our Rotary relationships, we have been finding ways to stay connected in online meetings and social get-togethers, through emails shared with Rotarian friends, and through personal texts and notes sent by mail. Although we are currently unable to serve the Rochester community in some of the ways we have in the past, we must challenge ourselves to adapt and participate in the many service opportunities available in our community. Because we are “friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change…,” and we must find ways to help rebuild our community going forward.
As Rotarians we can take comfort and have pride in knowing that we have already successfully responded to another devastating interruption in our world. Since 1988, Rotarians have participated both financially and through volunteerism to help prevent polio, reducing cases by 99.9%. Now, members of our organization are working, both locally and internationally to help find, fund, and implement efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, as well.
It is also important for all of us to realize that we cannot continue to support our local and international Rotary commitments without our ongoing financial support. Please watch your email inbox for your 2020-2021 Rotary Dues invoice. In order to help with cash flow and allow the club to better budget for expenses encountered throughout the Rotary year, preferred dues payment is by auto-pay. If you are not already using the auto-pay option, please complete the form, downloadable here, and return it to the Rotary office. Because Rotary International and District dues are invoiced in July, club leadership asks that all members make their 2020-2021 Rotary dues payment or auto-pay commitment prior to June 30, 2020.
I am grateful to you as a fellow Rotarian for your dedication to service and your commitment to an organization working both locally and worldwide to make a positive impact. I ask you to join me as we find new opportunities to serve. Despite our ever-changing world, together we can find ways to continue to make a difference around the world and in our Rochester community.
Yours in service,
Chris Colby, 2020-2021 President The Rotary Club of Rochester
During this time, Channel One is focusing all volunteer efforts on packing emergency boxes and sanitizing. The following procedures for volunteering have been implemented. Channel One is extremely grateful for your support of the community during this time.
Must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer
Please refrain from volunteering if you are an older adult or person of any age who has a serious underlying medical condition
Do not volunteer if you have recently been to a high-risk area for transmission of COVID-19
Do not volunteer if you have been in close contact with someone confirmed or is being evaluated for COVID-19
Don not volunteer if you are feeling sick, especially if you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath
Follow CDC hand washing procedures when volunteering
Volunteers must wear a self-provided mask as Channel One has a limited supply
NO WALK IN VOLUNTEERS you must be signed up for a shift to volunteer
If there are no volunteer slots available, please visit United Way for other volunteer opportunities in the community
For the past four years, we have not been able to fully fund District Grant requests from our clubs because we haven’t had enough District Designated Funds to do so. As you probably know, the amount of District Designated Funds (DDF) we get each year is based on our giving to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund. We can then use the DDF to match grant requests from our clubs.
No one likes seeing this shortfall of DDF, so we have two options to deal with it. One would be to tell clubs to stop doing as many grants that do good in the world…that’s not a very good option! The other is to increase our giving to the Annual Fund.
This year, we set an ambitious goal of raising $500,000 for TRF’s Annual Fund, and we were on pace to get close before the COVID pandemic. Obviously, the situation changed our giving, and we are at about $310,000 right now. As we come towards the end of the Rotary year though, we feel it’s an important time to renew our fundraising efforts so we can continue to positively impact people in our neighborhoods and around the world.
Therefore, we are pleased to announce our District’s Rotary Foundation PUSH for $400K!
Why a PUSH for $400K? If we can collectively donate $400,000 to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund, it will enable us to make a more significant impact in the lives of people throughout the world. With your donation we can help teach kids essential skills, prevent mothers and babies from dying, create peace, treat and prevent disease, provide economic opportunities and improve clean water and sanitation…all improving the lives of the recipients of our projects!
Posted by Jenny Stotts, District 6690 Membership Chair
Resilience is the process of adapting in the face of adversity. When we experience a traumatic or stressful event, our brains activate a number of pathways to protect us. These biological processes help keep us safe. It’s in the recovery from these events that we grow and change and become stronger.
Many of us are living this reality right now in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is, there are ways to grow our capacity for resiliency. And we can use this time to strengthen Rotary, by working together to grow and foster resilience in our fellow members and our clubs. Here are a few tips:
After careful consideration, the North Star Youth Exchange Board is suspending our Long Term Exchange Program for 2020-21. We set our criteria early on for which conditions need to be in place to have a successful exchange. Unfortunately, they cannot be met, and students need to make plans for the coming year.
Borders are open and travel restrictions have been lifted.
Visas are being issued and can be obtained in a timely manner.
Schools are in session and able to accept students here and abroad.
Medical systems are stable, and care is available here and abroad.
Partner districts are available to exchange.
Rotary Clubs and host families are still willing to host.
Our students still want to go on exchange.
We are very sad for the outbound class of 2020-21 who have prepared all year. We have committed to keep them informed of any other possible Rotary Exchange Programs that might be planned; from expanded summer exchanges to a partial year program if one is organized. We also await further guidance from Rotary International.
Please know our commitment to our program, clubs and overseas partners remains steadfast. We will use this time to improve our YE program and strengthen relationships. We will develop new tools and marketing. Starting this fall, we will actively recruit the next class of exchange students for the 2021-22 year.
We sincerely want to thank clubs who were prepared to host students. We hope that we can count on your involvement for the coming year. This has been a challenging year for us all and has shown the value of the family of Rotary to weather any storm.
In Rotary Service, Melanie DeLuca
Chair 2019-2021 North Star Youth Exchange Districts 5950/5960 Minnesota/Wisconsin USA
Scrip cards to Apollo Liquor, Kwik Trip, and Menards are still available for purchase to support The Rotary Club of Rochester. Remember, you purchase and spend the cards at face value, and the club receives 5% back from Apollo Liquor and Kwik Trip, and 4% back from Menards. The club gets an additional 5% on purchases at Kwik Trip, other than gas, inside the store.
If you would like to make a scrip purchase, please email the Rotary office with your request. Apollo is sold in $10 increments, and no change is given in store. Kwik Trip may be purchased in increments of $5 up to $25, increments of $25 up to $100, and then $200, $250, and $500. Credit remains on the card until the full value is spent. Menards cards may be purchased in any denomination between $10 and $2000 with the credit remaining on the card, as well. Apollo and Kwik Trip cards will be delivered within a few days, and Menards cards may take up to two weeks. Scrip cards make especially great gifts for celebrations, including birthdays and graduations!
Separate from the Scrip program but another way to support Rotary is Amazon Smile. If you are already shopping on Amazon, please consider shopping Amazon Smile instead. Same items are available, but if you designate The Rotary Club of Rochester Foundation as your organization of choice, Amazon donates a portion of your purchase to RCRF. Thank you for your support!
This Thursday, June 4, we will hold Rotary After Hours. For those who are comfortable, there are opportunities to gather in-person with social distancing at one of three locations: The Aldis Home, Centerstone Magnolia Room, or The Moertel Garden. If you are not comfortable meeting in-person at this time due to COVID-19, the club will also be hosting a Zoom gathering. If you plan to attend any of these gatherings, we ask that you register 
After careful consideration, the North Star Youth Exchange Board is suspending our Long Term Exchange Program for 2020-21. We set our criteria early on for which conditions need to be in place to have a successful exchange. Unfortunately, they cannot be met, and students need to make plans for the coming year. 
Scrip cards to Apollo Liquor, Kwik Trip, and Menards are still available for purchase to support The Rotary Club of Rochester. Remember, you purchase and spend the cards at face value, and the club receives 5% back from Apollo Liquor and Kwik Trip, and 4% back from Menards. The club gets an additional 5% on purchases at Kwik Trip, other than gas, inside the store.