Spring is in the air. In the minds and hearts of District 6250 Rotarians, Spring is welcome and awaited to a degree shared by few others in the (Rotary) world. Few live at our latitude.
We’re invited, in April, to consider another sort of awaiting, and turn our attention to maternal and child health. Rotarians around the district have been blessed with, and are anticipating the arrival of, beautiful babies. Several our little ones have required vital resources; miracles of science and benefits of birth in this land of plenty. Parents have looked on in wonder and hope as their babes, sized to a cradle perfectly in a single hand, have shown tenacity and courage.
It's a Boy! Asleep in the meeting, little Sawyer with his RAHtarian mom, Laura
It's a Girl! Mayville President Mike's family grew this year!
We join our Rotarian moms and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers, in the happy overwhelm of new, anticipated life. And as Rotarians, we turn our attention to our neighbors. How do our regional and global neighbors fare in this fundamental human experience of welcoming tender, new life?
There is work to be done. And as a percentage of our total global granting, we don’t do a lot of it. We aren’t alone. Progress has been slow toward the accomplishment of goals set by the United Nations and World Health Organization. You can explore more here www.countdown2030.org.
You might find these three graphs interesting and maybe even engaging. I’m hoping they paint a clear outline of the issue and the need in a quick glance. The first lists events along the continuum of care that results in healthy mothers, babies, children. You can easily imagine the gaps that exist for lack of resources or upsets to systems.
The second gives you a quick view of global inequities. The three interventions, part of the continuum of care, are: 1) four antenatal care visits, 2) institutional delivery, and 3) postnatal care for mother or baby within two days of delivery
The third is shared as a compassionate reminder of what stress Wisconsin mothers experience in the maternal journey and disparities in the experience.
No article is complete without a mention of the significant work of Rotary Club of La Crosse in early childhood development. The club provides every new family with the Brain Game, support for brain development from birth to three. Please visit their website to learn more https//thebraingame.org. If you or your club are interested in changing the world for mothers and babies, please don’t hesitate. Explore with partners and take action.
I hope you enjoy the rest of this April Dispatch. Please note especially our service, at the international and district levels, to Ukraine in these critical days. Our district efforts invite your gifts. The first $5,000 will be matched by a 6250 Rotarian.
Micah Topel, Beaver Dam Club, inquired about employer matching gifts for donations to The Rotary Foundation. BP Foundation is matching Micah’s contribution. It is a great reminder that Rotarians can double the impact of contributions through your employer’s matching gift program.
In addition, Foundation Recognition Points for the matching gift can be credited toward your next Paul Harris Fellow. It also counts toward your club’s Foundation goals.
Complete the name of your employer Your employer is the Donor. Complete this form along with any documentation required by your company.
Add your Donor ID number where indicated. You can find that number at My Profile on My Rotary.
Have your employer mail their check along with the Contribution Form to The Rotary Foundation. The address is at the bottom of the form.
The Rotary Support Center can assist you with detailed questions: (866) 976-8279. Thanks again, Micah, for inspiring Rotarians to investigate this opportunity.
District Grants
Mayville Completes Disc Golf Project – The Mayville Rotary Disc Golf Course is now open in Fireman’s Park. In partnership with the City of Mayville Parks Department, this new recreational option can be played by people of all ages. All you need to do is show up with a flying disc to enjoy your Annual Fund/SHARE contributions at work through the District 6250 District Grant program. Thanks to the Mayville Club for sharing their story and pictures.
The Fort Atkinson Club has received a $1,680 District Grant for a Clean Water Project in Baranguay Tigum, Philippines. In partnership with the Interact Club at Fort Atkinson High School, this project will install seven water pumps to provide clean drinking water for 1,607 residents of the community.
The Madison West Towne Middleton Club has received a $3,750 District Grant to provide training for three community health workers (CHW) in partnership with the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness. The training will qualify the CHWs to provide services in publicly funded health programs.
District Grant Reports Due May 15 – Clubs receiving District Grants during the 2021-22 Rotary year are required to file final reports by May 15. These reports will be used to help share the impact of Rotarian contributions to the Annual Fund/SHARE program. The reports are also critical to close the District Grant process to access District Designated Funds for grants during the 2022-23 year. Reports should be sent to D6250Grants@gmail.com.
District Grant Applications Due May 25 – District Grant applications for projects during the year starting July 1 are due by May 25. Application materials are available on the District 6250 website under the Foundation tab. There will be more than $90,000 available for District Grants again this year. Now is the time for project planning and drafting an application to ensure your club has an opportunity to receive matching funds for qualified projects. Contact D6250Grants@gmail.com with questions.
Dwight Heaney
Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson
District 6250 Foundation Committee Chair
Global Grants
Solomon Ochieng, 6250-Sponsored Peace Fellow and Partner
Since completing his Peace Fellowship in Thailand (https://www.rotarychula.org/), Solomon Ochieng has been busy putting his knowledge to work. Solomon works at DAY AFRICA, helping women escape human trafficking and become self-sufficient. Learn more at https://www.deyi-k.org/
Day Africa’s micro farming programs serve young women living in the poor rural communities in western Kenya. Through a micro-farming model, they are addressing this critical situation by providing an alternative source of livelihood for women by training them in soybean production for commercial purposes.
Each $30 micro-farming donation provides women 25 kilograms of fertilizer, $40 provides quality soybean seeds, $50 provides pesticides and herbicides, and $20 provides ongoing support to ensure improved yield at harvest, and access to ready markets for their crops.
If you are interested in learning more and exploring opportunities to make an impact in anti-slavery service with our 6250 partner Solomon, please contact him via email at oderosolomon84@gmail.com. He is happy to arrange a Zoom presentation for your club or club committee.
The Rotary Foundation has approved Rotary District 6250 application for a $25,000 disaster response grant!
Several Rotary Districts in our area are coming together to work with UMANA (Ukraine Medical Association of North America) to gather donated supplies and ship to Ukraine via Poland. The donations have largely come from Pharmacies, Hospital Supply Manufacturing, Healthcare Distributors, Hospitals, and clinics. They have a published list on their Facebook page and will only accept these items that have been identified as needed by Ukrainian clinicians, including Rotarians. The items are sorted by front-line emergency care, hospital needs, and surgical needs. Rotarians and community members have been donating tourniquets, blood clotting gauze, blood clotting mixtures, etc. as unlike many other wars, many injured are civilians.
Rotary International Director-Elect Pat Merryweather-Arges, a PDG from Rotary District 6450 has been a key resource to ensuring that these funds are being put to good use. Pat is a gifted and incredibly experienced medical professional and you can see her at TriCon, our District Conference coming up in April (register today!).
Over the last couple of months, I've spent some time away from work due to the birth of my first child, Sawyer. It has been an amazing experience to become a mother and with April being Maternal and Child Health month for Rotary it seems fitting to reflect on how important that focus really is. Due to complications during delivery, Sawyer spent the first two and a half weeks of his life in the NICU, some of that time in La Crosse and some in Rochester. While I feel incredibly blessed to have some of the best healthcare options available to me, it really made me think about how that's not always an option for new mothers around the world. I think of the work that Rotary has done for millions of mothers and children and it just puts a smile on my face to be just a small part in that larger effort across the globe.
In District 6250 Youth news, we are starting to return to normal! If you haven't started recruiting students for RYLA, now's a great time. We're returning with an in person event on Saturday, May 21st at Upham Woods. I know that the RYLA team is so excited to be in person and are planning a fantastic event for these students.
Our Exchange Programs are firing back up again and some clubs have already started to receive their Inbound assignments for the long term exchange program. The leadership team is working hard to revamp some training and ensure that we haven't lost our touch over the last couple of years off. In addition, Bill Pritchard has volunteered to be Jan Bonsett-Veal's co-chair. Jan will become the first ever woman to lead the Central States Rotary Youth Exchange program soon, which is a huge accomplishment! We are so proud to have such awesome representation from 6250 at the Central States level!
I sometimes feel like as the Youth Services chair, that I might not be doing enough, but then I realize that the team is just that good. The leaders who run District 6250's Youth Programs are experienced and dedicated to success, which makes them run so smoothly. It's comforting to know that all of the behind the scenes work that goes into it is being done by Rotarians that have a passion for youth, and the future of Rotary.
Laura Lee
International Service Committee
Ukraine Humanitarian Assistance
District 6250 Partners for Ukraine – Join us!
Rotarians are responding to the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine. The unprovoked Russian invasion has devastated cities and sent millions of refugees seeking safety in surrounding countries, all of which have Rotary clubs providing direct help to desperate people from war-torn Ukraine. Our District International Service Committee working with our District 6250 Foundation, has established the Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Fund. Already we have raised over $41,000 towards our District goal of $100,000.
Funds will be sent to Rotary clubs or Districts providing direct assistance to Ukrainian refugees or to legitimate organizations responding to the needs of Ukrainians and refugees. We have already identified three Rotary efforts involving Rotary clubs with whom our district has had past working relationships. Feel to support them all or just one club or effort specifically.
Rotary Club Kyiv International, Kiev, Ukraine – Ms. Oksana Tjupa, Past President, Current Secretary.
Introduction: Oksana initially worked with Madison After Hours (later Fort Atkinson) and Madison Downtown on a Global Grant that is currently under review at the Rotary Foundation. The following from Oksana Tjupa regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.
Project: In partnership with the US-Ukraine Foundation (to transfer funds to the Ukraine) we are currently providing aid for Ukrainian women and children who have fled Russian-occupied combat zones. Our centers for the reception and support of refugees provide housing, medicine, food, and other basic necessities. These centers are located in Rakhiv, Polyanytsya, and Uzhhorod, and in the United Territorial Communities (UTG) near the borders of Poland and Romania.
Request: The situation in Ukraine is critical, everyday people die. We actively help women and children. Could you help with a donation? Can you please help us?
Rotary Club het Hoogeland, Warffum, the Netherlands – Ms. Francie Kaaijk, Past President, District Governor Nominee Designate.
Introduction: Francie convinced nearby Rotary Clubs to join her club in funding and becoming the international partner for the La Crosse mobile hospital Global Grant. She led a Friendship Exchange to Wisconsin in the fall of 2019 and helped organize the Dutch end of the District 6250 Friendship Exchange that visited her area in May of 2019. The following from Francie regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.
Short-term Project: This past week our small city of Warffum (population 2,500) accepted 100 Ukrainian refugees who are being housed in a largely unused senior residence called Warfheem. They came with nothing. Our town folk, our Rotary Club and our city, county and provincial governments are trying to make them feel welcome and to help them cope. This is very difficult given the language barriers and the situation. This is a short video mostly in Dutch but with some English: https://fb.watch/bS5J66c-IA/
Long-term Projects: We have developed a Work Group that includes Rotary Het Hoogeland, the local churches and the Festival at Roakeldais (international dance festival with its own grounds) to help the refugees in the long-term with both physical and mental needs. They are receiving 60 euro per week from the Dutch government, but the needs are higher, think of phone costs to communicate with their husbands and sons still in the Ukraine. Our Rotary District is helping us as well. It is very sad and everyday more refugees arrive in the Netherlands and need places to stay.
Request: We are not complaining, our small town is very welcoming to our new neighbors. They came with nothing. I can assure my friends in District 6250 that any help you can provide will be put to good use. I will keep you informed.
Rotary Club Olsztyn Varmia, Olsztyn, Poland – Ms. Irma Kaminska, Past President and District Disaster Grant Manager (all of Poland).
Introduction: Irma and her entire club made a virtual appearance at our 2019-20 Virtual Conference to tell us about the Social Kitchen Global Grant they did with the help of Beaver Dam, Mayville, Columbus, and Waupun Rotary Clubs. She attended the District 6250 dinner party at the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg and she was planning a Friendship Exchange with our District until recently. The following from Irma Kaminska regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.
Short-term Projects: 1) Transport of Ukrainian refugees from Polish-Ukrainian border to Polish cities; 2) Equipping for basic needs: cloths, hygienic materials, medicines, food, blankets etc.; 3) providing accommodation and support in finding the accommodation for Ukrainians refugees, mostly mothers with kids and orphans; 4) helping with social security matters: health care, education for children and kids care; 5) helping with finding jobs and becoming independent
Long-term Projects: 1) Orphanage set up for Ukrainian children (renovation of the building and purchase of required equipment). This is a project with cooperation Olsztyn district county office, which will operate the orphanage. The total estimated budget for this project is $35,000. As RC Olsztyn Varmia we are planning to participate for about 30-50%. 2) Home appliance rental for Ukrainian refugees in their set-up for accommodation in Poland: Olsztyn and nearby (e.g. fridges, cookers, cooking equipment, beds, etc.). The equipment once not needed will be donated to social care organizations we are cooperating with. Here the total budget is still being estimated but is expected to be more than $50,000.
Request: I ask District 6250 Rotarians to support us monetarily. An important note: the situation is changing very dynamically. Our Rotary District is developing specific disaster relief plans. We are taking an agile approach in terms of the short-term support provided to Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, we would like to focus on the long-term projects. Will keep you posted on the needs and our projects in Olsztyn and in Poland as they develop.
You can make a difference by donating to The District 65250 Foundation Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Fund . With the assistance of our District International Service Committee, the District Foundation Board will send funds to legitimate organizations responding to the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians and refugees. Donations by credit card using the Donate Now button at https://www.rotary6250.org/50254/Page/Show?ClassCode=Page&Slug=district-6250-foundation. A check can be sent to: Rotary District 6250 Foundation, Inc., c/o Treasurer Val Schroeder, 1723 Chadbourne Ave, Madison, WI 53726.
A generous Rotarian has offered to match up to the first $5000 raised between April 1st and April 20th. You can double your impact by giving now.
We have an opportunity to do our part not only to provide humanitarian relief , but to stand in solidarity with the brave people of the Ukraine as they fight for freedom. More than the Ukraine is as stake. We who have been so blessed by freedom realize that dictators unchecked are dictators unleashed. If such naked aggression is rewarded, who will be next? Thank you for considering a gift to this District 6250 campaign.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Chuck Hanson, ISC District Chair
ceh@haleskemp.com
Posted on Apr 12, 2022
April Membership Update
I hope you are all enjoying the longer days and looking forward to the upcoming warmer weather! Now is a great time invite your coworker to a Rotary meeting!
I’d like to bring to your attention to the New Project Member Grant. We will give away five $1,000 New Member Project Grants for new Rotary club members to use towards a service project of their choice, helping them jumpstart their involvement with their clubs. Engaging new members early helps improve member satisfaction and retention.
In order to apply, clubs must have four new members who have maintained their membership in the club for at least four months during the 2021-2022 Rotary year. For more details, please refer to https://rotary6250.org/page/member-grant-program
President Shekar asks each one to bring one. He understands that we grow our clubs one member at a time. Perception forms the same way. And Public Image is perception.
A story is told about a person walking along a beach. They notice a youngster picking up something from the sand and putting it in the water. The youngster does this over and over. As the person grows near, they see that the youngster is picking up starfish that have been stranded on the beach. Stopping to chat the person asks what the youngster is doing. They say they are rescuing the starfish. The person points out that there are hundreds and hundreds of starfish on the beach and one starfish will never make a difference. The youngster pauses, picks up another starfish and says, “It makes a difference to this one.”
To paraphrase the starfish story, if you can’t make a difference for everyone, make a difference for the one at hand. Rotary’s public image is built and shaped by each one of us. We each make a difference in the Rotary world.
Sharing your Rotary story with one person is enough for today.
If you need help sharing your story, please reach out to the Public Image team.
In January we identified three goals that our task force will be working on through the end of this Rotary year. As a recap, the February Dispatch Article and the March Dispatch Article covered our first two goals. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the newsletters to find our articles!
Our third goal is to “Facilitate the creation of virtual tactics for use in growing club memberships.” One of the many benefits of Rotary is the ability to collaborate with other Rotarians! Over the past few months our task force has had the opportunity to collaborate with both the District Membership Committee Chair (John Locke) and the District Public Image Committee Chair (Lynn Perez-Hewitt) on ideas surrounding membership growth.
While still in the conceptual stage, we are evaluating the idea of providing success stories from clubs who have adopted hybrid meetings to clubs that may want to promote their own club’s hybrid meetings in a way that will appeal to potential new members. This may be an opportunity to utilize social media or a club’s website for targeted messaging. Stay tuned for an update in our article next month.
Our task force remains committed to helping clubs and individuals with their hybrid meetings. Should you have any questions about hybrid meeting technology or best practices drop me a note at mdag6250@gmail.com.
Mike Dillis
District 6250 Hybrid Meeting Task Force Chair
Hit Me Up in Houston!
We’re just a few months away from the Rotary International Convention, which takes place June 4th-8th in Houston, Texas, USA. If you’re going (or even interested), check out the 2022 Rotary Convention Facebook event page for the latest news.
New breakout sessions added More than 3,000 people responded to a survey in February about what kind of convention breakout sessions they’re interested in. As a result of their feedback, a number of sessions have been added, including ones focused on member engagement, service projects, and leadership skills. You can find highlights of the program on the breakout session page. More details about the breakout program will be available in May.
COVID-19 protocols Rotary International will follow the recommendations for safe gatherings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anyone who is attending in person will need to either submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before their arrival at the convention. CDC travel guidelines can be found HERE.
Host Organization Committee events Don’t miss the unforgettable experiences awaiting you in Houston! Choose from music, magic, visits to world-class museums, a tour of the famed Space Center Houston, and more.
Visit houstonri2022.org to learn more about all these events and to purchase tickets.
Engage with Rotaract Join us for the Rotaract Preconvention, 3-4 June, to meet Rotaract and Rotary leaders from around the world, learn more about how Rotaract members are taking action to make sustainable change, share tips and ideas, and gain valuable professional skills.
We want you to know that, in response to questions and concerns raised by members world-wide, the Rotary International Board of Directors has confirmed that the 2022 Rotary International Convention will still be an in-person event in Houston, Texas, USA, 4-8 June.
In addition, the Board has determined that all participants, including Rotary International preconvention participants, must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) OR provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before their arrival at the convention.
Please, share this news with your Rotary community and invite a fellow member to attend this year’s convention with you.
Thank you for your support, and we will see you in Houston!
Since completing his Peace Fellowship in Thailand (https://www.rotarychula.org/), Solomon Ochieng has been busy putting his knowledge to work. Solomon works at DAY AFRICA, helping women escape human trafficking and become self-sufficient. Learn more at 
Introduction: Oksana initially worked with Madison After Hours (later Fort Atkinson) and Madison Downtown on a Global Grant that is currently under review at the Rotary Foundation. The following from Oksana Tjupa regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.
Introduction: Irma and her entire club made a virtual appearance at our 2019-20 Virtual Conference to tell us about the Social Kitchen Global Grant they did with the help of Beaver Dam, Mayville, Columbus, and Waupun Rotary Clubs. She attended the District 6250 dinner party at the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg and she was planning a Friendship Exchange with our District until recently. The following from Irma Kaminska regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.
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