Join The Rotary Club of Rochester this Thursday, January 14 at noon for this week’s meeting and program, "University Life: Learning from Disruption" by Lori J. Carrell, PhD, Chancellor, University of Minnesota Rochester. An email with links to attend this virtual meeting will be sent to members.
Together with educators at all levels, the innovative University of Minnesota Rochester's response to the disruptions of the last year have focused on sustaining student learning and well-being. As a growing and diverse campus guided by research, UMR is moving forward boldly into a new future informed by the disruptions. Rotarian and Chancellor Lori Carrell will provide a short presentation about national and local impacts, inviting questions and discussion.
Long-time Rotarian, Dr. Don Scholz passed away on January 9. Don was an active 41-year member of The Rotary Club of Rochester. His obituary can be read here.
Steve Lange, Rochester Magazine editor, shared a couple of stories from past interviews with Don. The following is text shared from Steve's Oddchester column.
Don Scholz — a top endocrinologist, keen gardener, accomplished photographer, amateur actor, Mayo Clinic historian, Gonda singer, peregrine falcon caretaker, charter member of the ROMEOs ("Retired Old Men Eating Out," who meet at the Charter House dining room) -- died last week.
Just a few months shy of his 100th birthday.
Here are two of our favorite stories from Don, who was a good friend of Rochester Magazine.
Both center around Don's wife of 66 years, Georgia, who died in 2013 after spending her last decade in the Support Care Unit of the Charter House.
The first story, set in 1945, is the moment Don met the love of his life. The second story is set just before she died. It was one of the last times he would spend with her.
Leadership of The Rotary Club of Rochester will present the 2021-2022 slate of officers to Rotary membership for a vote at the Thursday, January 14, midday meeting. The slate of officers is as follows:
President – Audrey Betcher
President Elect—Allie Good
Past President – Chris Colby
President Elect Nominee— Ashok Patel
Secretary – Mark Benscoter
Treasurer –Mark Kotschever
Communications Director -- Melanie Tschida (2-year term)
International Services Director – Bob Mueller (1-year term)
Board members who will continue with their terms who were elected last year:
Meeting Activities Director – Julie Brock (year 2 of 2)
Community Service Director – Fred Suhler (year 2 of 2)
Vocational Services Director – Steve Sperling – (year 2 of 2)
Club Activities Director – Jill Cordes - (year 2 of 2)
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.
The Rotary Club of Rochester is looking to pilot something new starting in January. The third Thursday of the month meetings will be replaced with a small group meeting. The membership of the small group will remain the same from January to June during the pilot. This will allow you to build and deepen relationships and explore an idea of “Service Above Self” that will be unique to your group.
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.
This year’s Rotary District 5960's Mid-Term will be different than previous years. Since we are not able to gather together, District leadership decided to focus on a few new topics that are helping Clubs thrive during the pandemic and beyond.
On Monday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m. a panel of representatives from three clubs will share some of their amazing work.
Jon Stagman, President of the Waseca Club on “Reimagining the Club”
Kevin Donovan, Team Leader for White Bear Lake’s DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Team
Kent Peterson, from the Arden Hills-Shoreview Club who founded and chaired the Suburban Ramsey Emergency Coalition
On Thursday, January 28 at 4:30 p.m. a virtual Workshop on Rotary’s Innovative Club Models will be offered. Kathy Fahy will reprise her role as facilitator from last year's NCPETS (President-elect training) held in Rochester.
The Mid-Term sessions are open to all District 5960 Rotarians. You can sign-up for both events below:
Another Red Kettle Campaign is in the books and once again, our Rotary Club really stepped up to the plate! This was especially true on December 19, the last Saturday we rang. On that day, our kettle was graced with gifts totaling $3,679.33 in gifts! WOW! That is a fantastic total.
Of course, this would not have happened without the Rotarians, their family and friends who volunteered to ring the bells. Therefore, as your self-proclaimed Lord of the Rings, I would like to dole out some Ring Lauds to those who gave their time to ring the bells.
Join The Rotary Club of Rochester this Thursday, January 14 at noon for this week’s meeting and program, "University Life: Learning from Disruption" by Lori J. Carrell, PhD, Chancellor, University of Minnesota Rochester. An email with links to attend this virtual meeting will be sent to members.
Long-time Rotarian, Dr. Don Scholz passed away on January 9. Don was an active 41-year member of The Rotary Club of Rochester. His obituary can be read 
