Find a full recording of the February 2025 meeting here. February Meeting Video
We recited the four way test to remind us of our Rotary ethics of truth, fairness, goodwill, friendships and beneficial to all. Looking to be more involved in Changemakers Rotary? We have leadership positions open for membership committee, foundation committee, president elect, president nominee, treasurer, and grants committee. Please let an officer know if you are interested. Thank you to current club officers, look for the full list on our website.
Sharon has volunteered to be president of Changemakers for the upcoming year - July 2025 through June 2026. She is asking for help co-chair the service committee, and someone to arrange monthly guest speakers for us. Please talk to Sharon about any opportunity for you to serve your club.
Cathy was the winner of our 50/50 raffle. Congratulations Cathy!All are encouraged to contribute to the Rotary Foundation program called Every Rotarian Every Year. In order to be eligible for grants, we need to average $100 per person per year donations to the Rotary Foundation.
We are always looking to grow our club. Invite people to join us for our monthly meetings.
The fourth Tuesday of the month is for committee meetings. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 25 at 5 pm. Join a committee and enhance your Rotary experience! If you are passionate about something that would help Rotary advance its mission, let a club officer know.Our Service Committee is still collecting funds for the District 6250 Ukrainian Refugee school, our district will match any donations 1:1. A check can be mailed to Rotary District 6250 Foundation, c/o Brian Watson, 4030 E. Stone Ridge Dr., Milton, WI 53563. Be sure to note that it is for the Hungarian-Ukrainian School project.
February is the Rotary Month of Peace Building and Conflict Prevention. In July, Fran Wargolet, a Kenosha Rotarian and ambassador to ShelterBox U.S.A. spoke to us about this organization that is a partner if Rotary International. It offers shelter and supplies to people in natural disaster areas and to others in areas of conflict, sometimes before a peace settlement has bee reached. The shelter might be a tent, tarp, or house repairs. At the January service committee meeting, we decided to begin our next project for ShelterBox USA. We set up a fundraising goal of $500 by June 6th. We can all help in donating and telling our friends, families, and associates about this opportunity to make a difference by making a donation to the Changemakers Rotary District 6250 Foundation account. District 6250 Donation Click on the Donate Now button and be sure to select ShelterBox - Changemakers Rotary Club in the dropdown. Alternatively, you can write a check to Rotary District 6250 Foundation and mail it directly to: Rotary District 6250 Foundation c/o Brian Watson, 4030 E. Stone Ridge Dr., Milton, WI 53563. Be sure to note that it is for the Changemakers ShelterBox project. 
Operation Pollination's next growing season is approaching fast. Make you plans for Spring and visit the Operation Pollination website. Congratulations to Changemaker Julie Zilmer, who has won an Illinois Schoolyard Habit Action Grant for Elmwood Elementary School in Zion, Illinois. Julie is a 3rd grade teacher and Earth Club Leader. The project is a 12 foot by 12 foot pollinator garden designed to provide essential habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species. The primary goal is to provide students and staff with hands-on leaning opportunities, fostering curiosity and critical thinking about ecosystems, pollinators, and plant growth. Another goal is to strengthen connections between the school and the local community by creating a shared space.
Sun Prairie East High School Interact has three projects for second semester. 1) Letters of Love to make and send cards to patients and Children's Hospitals and to involve elementary and middle school students. 2) To make pollinator garden seed packets to pair with a small pamphlet and to hand them out at a community event 3) End of semester book drive to donate books to elementary student to take home for the summer.PETS training in Itasca Illinois will be February 28 through March 2nd; Sharon will be representing Changemakers. The required grant seminar will also be held February 12th.
Tricon will be April 25 - 26 in Brookfield Wisconsin. Registration is now open. The Rotary International Convention will be in Calgary Canada, June 21 through 25.
Our March meeting will feature Bill O'Donnell, who will talk to us about his experiences in Team Rubicon, a veteran lead humanitarian organization tat serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises.
Our guest speaker for February was Paul Sukenik, member of the Madison South Rotary Club. Paul has been with Habitat for Humanity of Dane County since 2016 when he started as Family Services Director. Currently he is Vice-President of Community Services for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County.Habitat for Humanity is a Christian based housing ministry, although all faiths are welcome. It was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. 
So far they have built over 500,000 homes in all 50 states and about 70 countries. 6.8 million people have been served by Habitat. Jimmy Carter was in Madison for Habitat for Humanity in the early 2000's.
So far they have built over 500,000 homes in all 50 states and about 70 countries. 6.8 million people have been served by Habitat. Jimmy Carter was in Madison for Habitat for Humanity in the early 2000's.
There are 32 Habitat affiliates and 29 ReStores in Wisconsin. Dane County, one of the Wisconsin affiliates, has two ReStores, builds about 15 homes per year, and provides home repair and financial education.Applications are evaluated on household need for affordable housing, buyer's ability to pay a mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat. Multiple criteria must be met to be eligible for home buying.
Some people who are initially turned down take the financial education and then are later approved for a home.In 2024 Habitat Homeowners paid $1,069,019.90 in property taxes throughout Dane County – so just like any homeowner, they do participate in our government funding.
You are encouraged to watch the meeting video for a full recap. Visit www.habitatdane.org to volunteer, donate, or learn more. They are always looking for volunteers at ReStore.