Greetings! I am honored to represent our Distict for the 2025-26 year! We have so many amazing clubs and Rotarians that make up our district and I truley look forward to visiting each and everyone over the course of my term. I was introduced to Rotary after serving a few other non-profit community organizations, which has spanned the greater part of 40 years. While I have have been part a little over a decade, during this time I witnessed so much good that this orgizations does for people everywhere, our communities, the global communities, youth worldwide, and much more. This would not be possible with out you and our clubs! You are what drives my passion for Rotary and my desire to help in anyway that I can under the ideal of "Service Above Self." We all play a crucial role in fostering local engagement and maximizing impact.
Our clubs and district stand as a vibrant example, serving 28 counties across Southwestern Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota, embodying Rotary's commitment to humanitarian service and peacebuilding. District 6250 encompasses a diverse geographical area, from bustling urban centers like Madison and La Crosse to numerous smaller communities and rural landscapes. This broad coverage allows us address a wide range of local needs while also contributing to Rotary's global initiatives. Every club within the district, regardless of its size, is a testament to the power of community-driven action. From clubs with a few dozen members to larger ones boasting over 400, the collective strength of District 6250 lies in its dedicated volunteers, that is YOU!
The work that we do is multifaceted, built upon key pillars that reflect Rotary International's areas of focus:
- Community Service: At the heart of Rotary is a dedication to improving lives in local communities. Clubs within District 6250 undertake countless projects, from supporting local food drives and youth programs to assisting with disaster relief efforts. These initiatives are often tailored to specific local needs, demonstrating the flexibility and responsiveness of Rotary's model.
- The Rotary Foundation: A cornerstone of Rotary's global impact, The Rotary Foundation provides crucial funding for humanitarian projects worldwide. District 6250 actively supports the Foundation through contributions and by leveraging District and Global Grants. These grants empower clubs to implement impactful projects addressing critical issues such as disease prevention, clean water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. The District 6250 Foundation, Inc., a Wisconsin non-profit with 501(c)(3) status, further facilitates tax-exempt fundraising for local club projects and emergency disaster relief within the district.
- Youth Engagement: Investing in the next generation of leaders is a priority. District 6250 actively supports programs like Rotaract (for young adults ages 18-30), Interact (for youth ages 12-18), and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). These programs empower young people with leadership skills, foster community involvement, and introduce them to the Rotary ideals of service.
- Peacebuilding: Launched by my predicessor PDG Todd Restel with my commitement to further promote, District 6250 has notably been designated as a "Global Peacebuilder District." This commitment underscores Rotary's dedication to promoting peace and conflict prevention. Rotarians in the district are encouraged to engage in peacebuilding strategies and take courses like the Rotary Positive Peace Academy.
Our District remains dynamic and forward-looking and we will continually adapt to meet evolving needs. I am commitmented to:
- Strategic Planning and Visioning: The district regularly engages in strategic planning to set goals for its various committees and club leadership, ensuring alignment with Rotary International's objectives.
- Grant Management Seminars: To maximize the impact of grant opportunities, the district provides training to club representatives, ensuring effective project planning and execution.
- Public Image and Membership Growth: Efforts are continually made to enhance Rotary's public image and attract new members. This includes encouraging Rotarians to be "people of action" who actively promote their clubs, engage with new and existing members, and embrace flexibility and inclusivity. The district has even offered membership grants to support club growth and new member engagement.
- Multi-District Collaboration: District 6250 actively participates in multi-district conferences, such as the TriCon, which bring together Rotarians from neighboring Districts 6220 and 6270 to share ideas, learn from inspiring speakers, and foster collaborative efforts on larger-scale projects. TriCon 2026, next April 17-18 will focus the power message of our RI Prseident Francesco Arezzo, "Unite for Good". There is much more on this to come, so stay tuned.
- Most importantly, I am committed to servicing our clubs and membership in any way that I can to help to make you sucessful.
In closing and borrow some words from our President Arezzo- Let’s Unite for Good—for our clubs, our communities, and our world. And let’s make this a year not only of service, but of joy, of connection, and of love.
Michael Kloss
District Governor 2025-2026
Rotary Club of Eau Claire