I have another life changing event to share with you. I attended the TriCon 2025 Rotary Conference this past weekend in Brookfield, Wisconsin. TriCon is an annual conference for Districts 6220, 6250, and 6270. We were treated to fun and fellowship, five plenary sessions, and six workshop sessions. 
We also heard from Ken Shuppert who was Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick’s representative and from Ed Futa Rotary International’s representative to the United Nations. My favorite Workshop was Public Image is Everything! The presenters Ben Bauer and Patrick Harrison encouraged us to look at our club from an outsider’s perspective. Are we welcoming? Are our leaders open to feedback? Are we listening to our members? Are our meetings engaging? Promote your club and Rotary International. Afterall, Charity Navigator has given us the top rank of 4 Stars! All of our donors need to know that this is an organization of the highest integrity.
A presentation from the Bridge & Build Wisconsin organization that encourages Rotarians to participate in this initiative to address the mental health of our youth. In November 2025 they will have a kick-off event at Lambeau Field where “high school students and their mentors will learn, collaborate, and develop action plans for their schools and communities.”
I attended a workshop on The Impact of Rotary Youth Exchange presented by Susan Henkil from the Slinger-Allenton Rotary Club. She is the Rotary Youth Exchange Chair for District 6270. She related many stories about the impact of exchange that changed the life trajectory of the students.
Managing Change in Your Organization and Maintaining to Creating: Unlocking Your Mental Blocks completed my workshop sessions and gave me ideas to help our club and me personally.
As many of you know, I was a participant in the Rotary District Friendship Exchange to Budapest, Hungary two years ago. Changemakers Rotary was represented by Cheryl Mader and Cathy Statz. Other clubs represented were Madison West Middleton, Madison, Mount Horeb, La Crosse-Valley View, and Columbus Fall River. I became a member of Changemakers Rotary Club on July 1, 2023 because of this exchange. Cheryl Mader’s sister Mary Van Hout from Madison West Middleton Rotary Club was with us. At the 2025 TriCon Conference Mary was awarded the International Rotary Service Above Self award. This is the description of the award: “Rotary’s highest honor recognizes Rotarians who demonstrate Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, by volunteering their time and talents to help others. The award is internationally competitive, and is granted to no more than 150 Rotarians worldwide. Today, no more than one individual from each district, each year can earn the prestigious honor.”
I was thrilled to be at TriCon to see Mary receive this award. As President of Changemakers Rotary District 6250 I extend our congratulations to Mary on this well-deserved award.
Before I forget, mark your calendars for TriCon 2026 at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells April 17th-18th. This is a must attend conference!