I hope you have all received your September Rotary Magazine. The first article I read was “The meaning of family” by our Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick. Stepanie’s theme for this Rotary Year is The Magic of Rotary. I was especially connected to this as I had described the journey that led me to join Rotary as magical. Stephanie says, “The Magic of Rotary is belonging, and it’s a feeling that can appear when you least expect it.” If you haven’t read this article yet, seek it out. Her amazing connection to her Slovakian roots was made even richer through an experience on a Rotary visit through Europe. Stephanie concludes the article by saying, “As members of Rotary, we have a unique opportunity to share the same magic with each other and the world. I encourage you to consider how you can help spread that magic and ensure other members of your club – other members of our Rotary family – feel like they truly belong.” And I would add that as Rotary members we need to be inviting others to visit and join our club. Share our meeting information on your social media, wear your Rotary pin, tell people about the good work of Rotary.
Our speaker for our September 6th monthly meeting is our Interact President Teegan Davis. Teegan will be sharing her experience with the Rotary Youth Exchange. Teegan hosted Martina from Italy from June 16th - July 7th and then flew to Italy and spent three weeks with Martina’s family. I hope you can all be at the meeting to hear Teegan’s presentation. This will be her second one. She also presented at our June meeting about her Interact Club and experiences at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards as a camper and a counselor.
Last spring Changemakers Rotary Club began sponsoring the Sun Prairie East High School Interact Club. I have attended several meetings including the packing of books for elementary children to take home at the end of the school year for their summer reading. Teegan and I recently got together at the local coffee shop and she shared her plans for the coming school year. Teegan has secured a spot for an informational table at the Sun Prairie Farmers’ market on Saturday, September 21st. She will have a game and if any of you could donate to buy candy for it, please let me know. Teegan is planning club activities to support the Ukrainian – Hungarian Budapest School that we and other District 6250 clubs are supporting.
Donations can be made at rotary6250.org. Choose the foundation tab. Next choose District 6250 Foundation. Click on DONATE NOW. Choose the Ukrainian-Hungarian Budapest School from the drop-down menu. Or send a check written to Rotary District 6250 Foundation, lnc. Memo Ukrainian – Hungarian Budapest School. Mail check to: Rotary District 6250 c/o Brian Watson, 4030 E. Stone Ridge Dr, Milton, WI 53563. 
At our August executive board meeting, we voted to donate $500 to the Rotary Club of Kalibo Metro, the Philippines for the purchase of dental equipment. You also can contribute to this worthy cause by donating at the District 6250 Foundation.
Let’s make 2024-25 a magical year and share the sense of belonging.