Stories/News
Fall 2018 Flower Sale Fundraiser
Posted on Sep 24, 2018

We’re kicking off our annual Flower Sale!

Here’s a great opportunity to support the Rotary Club of Waconia-West Carver . Please place your order by 10/18/18; you can choose from a dozen long-stemmed red OR mixed roses, OR a beautiful fall bouquet.

You’ll also get $60 worth of coupons from area restaurants and businesses. Cost is $25 and flowers will be delivered on 10/25/18.

If you would like to place an order, please speak with any member of the Rotary Club of Waconia-West Carver or simply contact us through our Facebook page and we will get you signed up.

Fall is here!

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We're getting excited for Nickle Dickle Day (Sat. Sep. 15th)!
Posted on Aug 03, 2018
Nickle Dickle Day--Waconia's annual town festival--will be here soon . . . this includes the Rotary Duck Races!
 
It's a major fundraiser for our club--funds earned from business sponsorships go right back into our community, so please consider sponsoring this fun-filled event by requesting a duck:
Don't miss out on being a part of this community-wide event--thank you so much!
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Passing of the Gavel
Posted on Jun 27, 2018
At our meeting today, Darren Noble (2017-18 President) "passed the gavel" to Susan Laumbach, our club's President for 2018-19. We're looking forward to this year, as the Rotary International theme is #BeTheInspiration
 
17th Annual Cena De Vino Gourmet Wine Dinner
Posted on Nov 09, 2017

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Vandy's Grille at Island View Golf Club-7795 Laketown Pkwy, Waconia

  • 5pm-Social Hour & Silent Auction
  • 6pm-Dinner followed by Live Auction

Enjoy a delectable five course meal, prepared by top area chefs with each course paired perfectly with a fine wine. Proceeds support Rotary service projects as well as worldwide outreach programs.

Tickets: $95/person ($60 tax deductible)

Reservations required. Pre-payment encouraged.

Please make checks payable to:

Waconia-West Carver Rotary
P.O. Box 261
Waconia, MN 55387

RSVP-Chuck Dueber 612.281.0093 or dueberc@gmail.com 

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Rotary Press Release-World Polio Day
NEWS RELEASE
The Waconia-West Carver Rotary Club will join in marking historic progress toward a polio-free world, while urging community support to end the paralyzing disease. 
 
[Waconia, MN] – Rotary members in Waconia are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio – a vaccine preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.  
 
Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative nearly 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 37 cases in 2016.
 
To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million per year over the next three years in support of global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1.
 
Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. 
 
Said local President Darren Noble, “Thousands of Rotarians across the globe are commemorating World Polio Day on October 24, and at the local level we are 100% behind the international effort by Rotary to eliminate
polio from the earth”.
 
Rotary has contributed more than US$1.7 billion to ending polio since 1985, including over $10,000 contributed by the Rotary Club of Waconia-West Carver. 
 
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.  Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.  Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.  Visit endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
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Fall Highway Cleanup
 
It's that time of year again . . . Wednesday, 10/11 is our Fall Highway Cleanup to spruce up a stretch along Highway 5, leading into Waconia.
2017-18 President
The Rotary Club of Waconia-West Carver is excited to announce Darren Noble as President for the new Rotary year (July 1, 2017--June 30, 2018).
 
"Rotary: Making a Difference" is the world-wide theme, and we look forward to another great year serving locally and internationally!  

The Rotary Foundation celebrates 100th anniversary
Posted by Darren Noble on Nov 14, 2016

In 2016-17, The Rotary Foundation turns 100. That’s one century of Rotarians improving lives and communities all over the world. And that’s definitely something worth celebrating.

Our Foundation stands at the forefront of humanitarian service, having supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, and provide people with basic education — and one historic project dedicated to eradicating polio worldwide. Our centennial is the perfect time to share this impressive record of success with the world. Let’s make sure our communities know about the great work of Rotary and its Foundation.

 
 
Oct. 24th is the 4th Annual World Polio Day
Posted by Darren Noble on Oct 17, 2016

One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio (October 24th)

The 4th annual International World Polio Day event (Oct. 24) is fast approaching . . . co-hosted by Rotary International and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this day will feature a live-stream event from CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia that will bring together more than 50,000 viewers around the world. Celebrities and experts will also be participating and sharing the progress on the road to polio eradication:http://www.endpolio.org

30th Anniversary Celebration
Posted by Darren Noble on Jul 14, 2016
(top) Mark Hegstrom, the new District Governor for 2016-17, was one of many highlights at last night's "30th Anniversary Celebration"! (lower left) Bob Kuhlman, Club President, shares a laugh with long-standing Rotarian Roger Sauerbrey. (lower right) Christine Fenner talks about the life-changing Strive program. It truly was a great night! More pictures to come . . .
 
 
What Peace Means to Me

Conflict and violence displace millions of people each year. Half of those killed in conflict are children, and 90 percent are civilians. 

We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.

HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN

Through our service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

 

 
 
Upcoming Events
 
2018-19 President, Susan Laumbach
 
The Rotary Club of Waconia-West Carver is excited to announce Susan Laumbach as President for the new Rotary year (July 1, 2018--June 30, 2019):
 
I am a long time resident of Waconia, raising 2 sons in the area. My new baby is Rudy my Goldendoodle.  I love to cook, bike, home projects, watch movies, travel and spend time with family.
 
My career in banking starting 15 years ago. A career achievement I am most proud of is being on the team that opened HomeTown Bank, Waconia almost 5 years ago. I am happy to say that HomeTown Bank brought me to Waconia Rotary almost 5 years ago! After just the first Rotary meeting I was hooked! The things I admire about the Waconia Rotary are the dedication to eradicating Polio around the word and the commitment to help those less fortunate.
 
This year is the year to “Be the Inspiration”.  What a great year it will be!  Rotary has been very inspiring for me and I challenge you to Be the Inspiration in your way.
 
Please feel free to join us for a meeting. We meet every Wednesday morning from 7:30—8:30 a.m. at Vandy’s Grille (Island View Golf Club):  Map/Directions
 
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Susan Laumbach
President Elect & Program Chair
Marta Beckett
Treasurer
Ron Kolb
Secretary
Ed Van Eeckhout
Community Service
Greg Scheff
STRIVE & Youth Mentoring
Gerry Kirby
Rotary Foundation
Roger Sauerbrey
Public Relations & Technology
Kelly Dohm
Membership
Bradley Solheim
International Youth Exchange
Keith Sjodin
Sergeant-at-Arms
Peter Gustafson
Fundraising
Martin Cole
Immediate Past President
Darren Noble
International Projects
Richard Scott
 
The Four-Way Test

In 1932, Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created The Four-Way Test, a code of ethics adopted by Rotary 11 years later. The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:

Of the things we think, say, or do . . .

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? 

 
Photo Albums