Join us this Thursday, May 28, 12-1 pm on Zoom for socializing, networking, a short business meeting, and a program. Author Patrick Mader will present "Minnesota Olympian Athletes."
Minnesotans have long been known for their humble nature and work ethic, and as such have long taken great pride in their athletics. Minnesota Gold features compelling stories told by more than 100 Minnesota athletes participating in the Olympics, World Championships, and World Cups from 1948 – 2018. As they pursued their dreams and persevered to compete in the greatest international competitions, these diverse athletes represented their state with dignity and brought pride to sports fans in all regions. With memorable moments by Minnesota athletes at the 2018 Olympics, interest in Minnesota’s historical role in the Games is enthusiastic.
Author Patrick “Packy” Mader presents an engaging multimedia program as he shares the fascinating conversations he had with these remarkable men and women who honored their sport, their state, and their country on the world stage over the last seven decades and now “give back” to their sport and community. Discover true Minnesota gold!
Those on our email distribution list will receive a Zoom invitation. If you are not on that list and would like to join us, please contact the Rotary office at romnrotary@gmail.com. We would be happy to send you an invitation and have you join us!
Rotary Club of Rochester members, do you have a 2019-2020 graduate? We would like to honor them at our June 11 (date change) Midday Meeting!
By May 28, please email to the Rotary office (romnrotary@gmail.com) your graduate’s school, major (if a higher education student), activities/experiences/achievements, and upcoming plans. We encourage you to invite your student to join you in person at the meeting, but for those graduates who cannot attend the meeting, please send a photo, as well. A brief PowerPoint presentation will be shared during the meeting.
Please contact Rotarian Kelly Engler or the Rotary office if you have questions. Congratulations to those with graduates!
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
Almost 80 percent of the population in Nairobi, Kenya, lives in informal settlements where it’s not unusual for families of day laborers to live together in one house. Surviving day to day on the meager wages they typically earn as shop clerks, construction workers, or domestic employees, as many as eight people cook, do homework, eat, and sleep in these tight quarters.
In short, social distancing is a luxury that many poor Kenyans can’t afford.
“If the [COVID-19] pandemic hits here, like it has in North America and other places, it will be just catastrophic” because of the inability to social distance, says Geeta Manek, a Rotary Foundation trustee-elect and member of the Rotary Club of Muthaiga, Kenya. “We’re working very hard, through preventative measures, desperately trying to keep this thing away from us.”
Shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Joe Otin, governor of Rotary District 9212 (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan), formed a districtwide response team. Chaired by Nairobi-East Rotarian Joe Kamau, the team is working with clubs across the district to provide hand washing stations, deliver food to families who have lost jobs, and raise money for personal protective equipment.
“The world needs Rotary more now than ever before.”
The 2019-2020 Rotary year is nearing its (unexpected and unique) end. With the guidelines put in place because of COVID-19, club leadership continues to consider new and innovative ways Rotary membership can add value to our personal and professional lives. The Rotary Club of Rochester is a community of members, not just the name of an organization. All are encouraged to participate in the evolution of the club as we must make changes to meet the needs of our members during these unique times. If you have specific ideas, please connect with a current board member. You can find their names and contact information here.
Club leadership hopes you are already taking advantage of the opportunities offered through Zoom social gatherings and programmed meetings. Although COVID-19 restrictions do not currently allow members to meet physically in-person, Zoom allows us to see each other's faces and interact. We are making every effort to continue with meaningful programming, in addition to offering social opportunities. If you have not joined us because of challenges with the technology, please contact the Rotary office or a fellow Rotarian for assistance.
Finally, club leadership is also aware that COVID-19 guidelines may have impacted you and/or your business financially. We hope opportunities for additional support being provided by the government and other generous organizations are helping those who qualify. The situation has already impacted planning for the financial future of the club, as well. 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 found 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.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel comfortable addressing them to club President Colin Aldis or Elizabeth in the Rotary office.
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!
Join us this Thursday, May 28, 12-1 pm on Zoom for socializing, networking, a short business meeting, and a program. Author Patrick Mader will present "Minnesota Olympian Athletes."
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.