The old-fashioned daily calendar on my desk reminds me every day that I may not be as tech savvy as I like to think of myself. However, this 2025 desk calendar exposed me to something new this year: “Floriography.”
Floriography is also known as the “language of flowers.” This calendar highlights a famous art piece held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in which the protagonist is a flower.
For centuries, the arrangement and use of flowers was used to communicate in a secret and cryptological manner. This artful form of communication is not well-known today and is in many ways similar to our limited familiarity with Latin through phrases such as “Carpe Diem” and the beloved US Marine Corps motto “Semper Fi”.
In this same vein of our limited understanding of Latin, many of us can speak a few words in Floriography. For instance, we know that giving someone a red rose is symbolic of love. However, if you were fluent in Floriography here is a modern-day example that you have all read (or seen the movie) and yet are most likely completely unaware of the meaning.
In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first time Professor Snape speaks to Harry, he asks, “What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?” Asphodel is a type of lily, meaning “my regrets will follow you to the grave,” and wormwood represents the “absence” and “bitter sorrow”, translating to “I bitterly regret Lily’s death.” [Azoulay, Karen. Flowers and Their Meanings. New York, Clarkson Potter, 2023, page 5.]
Despite Rotarians’ investments of time, talent and treasure in our communities (locally, nationally and internationally), I believe that many Rotary clubs still operate like a well-guarded secret. With Membership constantly at the forefront of my mind, I hope the usage of a metaphoric message referencing Floriography is clear.
This month let’s work on making our clubs more well-known by sharing Rotary with one friend and one colleague. Follow up that Rotary introduction with a specific invitation to have them to join you at your next club’s meeting.
In my opinion, personal invitations are one of the most powerful ways to get a person to say “Yes” to visiting your club. A current example to drive home this powerful message can be found at the Rotary Club of Edgerton. In early April, their club will induct 7 (Yes – Seven) new members during their noon club meeting. I look forward to celebrating this event with them in Edgerton and wish you and your club similar success.
If you are unfamiliar with our current “Rotary Membership Olympics” plan, please check it out. (Details of the Membership Olympics are in the “Did You Know” article found further down in this month’s newsletter). Membership Olympics is working in Edgerton. It will work for your club too.
Lastly, I hope to see you all in Brookfield later this month at TriCon. The entire agenda, speaker line up and registration link can be found at: https://rotarytricon.org
Time is of the essence! If your club plans to sponsor students for the 2025 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), please note the following upcoming deadlines:
April 1, 2025: Deadline for Rotary Clubs to submit the Club Application form.
April 15, 2025: Deadline for students and their parents/guardians to complete the Student Registration form.
This year's RYLA event is scheduled for May 9-11, 2025, at the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Wisconsin Dells. For detailed information and access to the necessary forms, please visit our RYLA page.
Let's work together to ensure our future leaders don't miss out on this transformative experience!
Ben Bauer
D6250 RYLA Co-Chair
ri President STEPHANIE URCHICK
APRIL2025 MESSAGE
Key strategies for invigorating club engagement include:
Identify emerging needs: Stay aware of local challenges and collaborate for support.
Mobilize resources quickly: Gather financial contributions, equipment, or volunteers promptly.
Foster collaboration: Encourage members to lead projects using their talents.
Commit to ongoing involvement: Ensure continued support for community impact.
By implementing these strategies, clubs can harness spring's energy to enhance service and connections, embodying The Magic of Rotary—transforming lives and creating change.
International Assembly (IA), District Team Training Seminar (DTTS)
& Midwest President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS / PELS)
By: DGE Michael Kloss
Looking back when I started my journey towards my District Governor (DG) year, it seems like an eternity ago, yet also so recent. Now that it is only three months before Todd finishes his term and I step up, I have been working on a lot of training items and preparations, which came to a head this past February. Read more...
Waunakee Rotary Seeks District Grant Partners
By: Linda Olson
Waunakee Rotary is seeking district clubs to partner with them in a district grant for a project in Nakuru, Kenya. The $30,000 project is to construct 3 greenhouses and a fish pond at SOAR Kenya academy, a school for approximately 200 preschool thru high school students.
The structures will serve multiple purposes:
The structures will serve multiple purposes:
· to support the agricultural learning programs of the school
· to supply food for the school lunch program
· to provide supplemental income for the school through produce & fish sales.
Interested clubs can contact the Waunakee Rotary Club's grant chair Alex Welk, alexnwelk@gmail.com (630)-885-6278. Donations can be made to Waunakee Rotary Foundation.
Membership Report -April 2025
By: AG Marc Augsburger, D6250 Membership Chair
Rotarians, we have gained some new members for March in District Membership! We gained 15 members in the month of March and currently sit at 2,215 members, -11 members since the start of this Rotary year on July 1, 2024. Keep using the Membership Olympics as an opportunity to attract those new or returning members. This is really positive news and we are now back on track to finish in June with a positive District Membership number. Read more...
Public Image 101: Zooming To An Easy How!
By: Michelle Skemp, Rotary Club of La Crosse, District PI Chair
The new Rotary year will arrive sooner than you think and with it will come a treasure trove of helpful tricks of the trade from the Public Image Committee!
Through our Vibrant Club Workshops and other conversations and club visits, there has been a common theme that has emerged: clubs know what they should do but not always the how. Let’s face it, many clubs out there don’t even have Public Image committees or chairs in place.
We have heard your requests and are here to help! We are currently in the process of planning Zoom sessions (& potentially in-person) trainings that will demystify the HOW as you promote your club’s WHAT and WHY. Our simple, straightforward and fun zoom sessions will equip you with skills needed to confidently showcase your club across socials, updated websites, and internal communications.
Here’s a sneak peak of what’s in store:
Mastering Rotary International’s Brand Center: Templates and Tools Galore!
What’s the Deal with Your Website? Is It Telling Your Club’s Epic Tale?
You've Got (E)Mail! Crafting Emails That Demand a Click
Don’t Be Anti-Social – Effortless Tips for Tagging, Hashtags, and Social Media Magic
Creating with Canva is a Breeze – Let Us Show You the Ropes
ClubRunner Nova: Stress Less, Template More!
LinkedIn - Step-by-Step to Conquer the Business Social Scene
The Never-Ending Club Story: Why Sharing Your Club’s Unique Saga Matters
Here’s where you come in! We need to hear from you! Which topics from this list will help you the most? What have we missed? Our aim is to support your success so your feedback as plan is crucial. Help us help you by telling us what you need! Drop us a line at: michellekskemp@gmail.com
Membership Olympics
By: Gov. Todd Restel
As brought to you by your District 6250 Membership Committee and Marc Augsburger, MEMBERSHIP OLYMPICS is a game that will allow your club to win money to be used for Club Membership, Recruitment & Retention! Read more...
Imagine This: Rotary on the Road!
You're sitting at a stoplight behind a car with one of those cool specialty license plates for the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, the Ice Age Trail Alliance, or Elkhart Lake's Road America, and you think to yourself, "Wouldn't it be cool if Rotary had a license plate?" Read more...
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