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We recited the four way test to remind us of our Rotary ethics of truth, fairness, goodwill, friendships and beneficial to all.
Get more involved with Changemakers, we are looking for someone for membership committee, foundation committee, a President Nominee, grants committee and treasurer. Thank you to current club officers, look for the full list on our website.  Founding member Dwight Heaney has recently distributed his accumulated Paul Harris Points amongst our active members. He has also donated $1000 to Changemakers Rotary Club. Thank you Dwight for your generosity and your many years of service to Rotary International. Congratulations to Mary Van Hout, founding member Cheryl Mader's sister. Mary has been awarded the Rotary International Service Before Self Award. Only 150 members world-wide receive this award per year. Mary has been the President Elect Training Seminar Chair and has served as governor of district 6250. Mary is a member of the Middleton West Madison Club.  Rita Wachuta-Breckel was the winner of our 50/50 raffle. Congratulations Rita!
In order for our club to be eligible to receive grants, we need everyone to contribute $100 or more to the Rotary Foundation annually. It’s easy to participate in Every Rotarian, Every Year, go to MyRotary and set up ongoing payments, or make a single donation. Polio Plus does not count toward Every Rotarian, Every Year, but is a worthy cause, donations can be made the same way. Changemakers has a goal of $400 for the Rotarian year ending June 30th. So far we have donated $225. We are still looking for new members. Invite people to our monthly meetings, post on social media.  The fourth Tuesday of the month is for committee meetings. The service committee is currently our only committee. The next committee meetings scheduled time is May 27 at 5:00. You are always welcome to join the service committee or attend our meetings. Everyone is encouraged to join a committee to enhance your Rotary experience. If there is something that you are passionate about that would help Rotary to advance its mission, let a club officer know and form a committee. If this time is not convenient, you can schedule your own monthly meetings.
 The Ukrainian Refugee School service project is progressing. Our district will match any donations 1:1 The Hungarian Rotarians will be submitting the global grant application in the coming months, and will celebrate this milestone in autumn of 2025.
An international pen pal project is being set up with the Ukrainian Refugee School to enhance English proficiency and foster cross-cultural connections. W e are currently collecting for ShelterBox USA, who provide shelter and supplies after natural disasters or in areas of conflict. Changemakers has pledged $500 by June 10th. We are half-way there, thank you to all who have donated. ShelterBox and Ukrainian Refugee School donations can be made online at Rotary6250.org, under Foundation; 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 our club name and which project it is for. The Rotary Rose Bowl Parade Committee is also accepting donations through their website.  Operation Pollination is gearing up for the upcoming growing season. Plants are coming in fast, projects are under-way. Visit the Operation Pollination website, or find out more about the school project in Zion Illinois. Changemakers Rotary is sponsoring Mackenzie Carpenter to the Rotary 2025 Youth Leadership Award. She will attend camp May 9 - 11 at Upham Woods. The camp is designed to build future leaders and Rotarians. You can find out more about RYLA at rotary6250.org.  Congratulations to our Sun Prairie East High School Interact President Teegan Davis. Teegan started this club and led it for these past two years. Teegan and her Cap City Cougars won the state hockey tournament Sportsmanship Award for the second time this year.
Sun Prairie East High School Interact Club has 3 projects for the second semester! •Letters of Love to make and send cards to patients in Children’s Hospitals and to involve elementary and middle school students •To make pollinator garden seed packets to pair with a small pamphlet and to hand them out at a community event •End of semester book drive to donate books to elementary students to take home for the summer. Sharon and Cathy attended Tri-con April 25-26 in Brookfield. They encourage all of us to attend next year on April 17 - 18 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Cathy is attending the International convention at Calgary, and will volunteer to help if needed. She went to the one in Sydney, Australia. LeRoy is cycling to Calgary, starting at Rotary headquarters in Evanston Illinois. Follow his progress on our website. Sharon and Cathy will be going on the Friendship Exchange to Sweeden June 4 - 15. Next month the speaker will be Sharon Bradish on Walking the French Way of the Camino of Santiago in Spain.  Liz O'Donnell, a certified organic inspector for MOSA (Midwest Organic Services Organization) spoke to us about her experiences as an organic inspector. The world of an organic inspector is to verify the process of organic production and handling by a farm or business seeking organic certification to meet the requirements of the USDA National Organic Standards.
 The USDA organic logo signifies that a food product has been produced according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. These standards cover various aspects of production, including soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and ween control, and the use of additives. The logo ensures the product is free from genetically modified organisms (GMO's) artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, and that it is not produced using synthetic pesticedes or fertilizers. The national standard was started in 2002.
There are three areas or scopes in the organic inspection process: crops, livestock, and handler/processing. 
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Invite a friend to join you as we make our world a more peaceful place through humanitarian service.”
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. 
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.”
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.”
Beginning on May 23rd 2025, a small team of Rotarians and friends of Rotary will embark on an epic 1800 mile, month long, bicycle ride which will take them from Rotary International headquarters to the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary.
Each rider has a unique story and connection to cycling and Rotary which will be enhanced by this once in a lifetime adventure. Riding the entire way will be John Schultz, President of the Rotary Club of Linn County; DGE Ward Budwig of the Decorah Rotary Club; as well as past president of Changemakers Rotary Club, LeRoy Kemnitz. They will begin their ride with PDG Tom Drenan and other Rotarian friends from the Evanston Illinois area.
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