Author Archive
Thank you to our Rotarian, Dave Doherty, for your efforts in helping the children and people of Malawi, Africa! Plus, thank you for taking the time to tell us about it at today’s Rotary meeting.
Here’s the link explaining the project if anyone is interested in learning more and possibly donating to help a child go to school!
#ServiceAboveSelf#Rotary#Malawi#helpingchildren
Our very own Rotarian, Dave Doherty, will be presenting on a project he is helping with in Malawi, Africa at noon at the Legion in TRF.
Rotarians and their guests are welcome to join us for lunch and the presentation by Dave.
ServiceAboveSelf #TRF #Rotary
Please help us welcome our newest TRF Rotarian, Phil Seibel!
Phil Seibel is our newest member of Rotary! He was recently named as Publisher for the Thief River Falls Times and Devil’s Lake Daily Journal.
Seibel has been in the newspaper industry for over a decade and has worked at newspapers in Brainerd, Mankato, Grand Rapids and most recently Bismarck. He is a graduate of the U of M in Crookston and prior to the newspaper industry he worked as a conference event planner.
“I’m grateful to be back in northwest Minnesota, I have always enjoyed the closeness of communities like Thief River Falls and the great opportunities that we have here.” Seibel said. Professionally, Seibel enjoys networking and getting to know the people who help our community thrive.
Seibel, his wife, and three children enjoy being outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing and trying new things.
#ServiceAboveSelf #TRF #Rotary #grateful
Why Rotary?
“I was with Soo Select Credit Union for years prior to our merger with Wings Financial Credit Union in 2018. With Soo Select, I did nothing with or for the #community. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. We didn’t participate in any clubs, organizations, events, fundraisers, nothing.
When Wings Credit Union took over, they were a very Community focused organization. So honestly, I was told I was joining Rotary. I had no idea what Rotary was, what they did locally or internationally. I hadn’t even heard of them before.
That first meeting was so intimidating, but I realized there were people in that room that I already knew. Everyone was inviting and walked me through step by step how things worked.
Over time I have developed #relationships with fellow Rotarians that I wouldn’t have had without this club. These relationships kick started my entire community involvement which filled something that had been missing in my life. I do tend to stretch myself to thin sometimes, but I love it and wouldn’t change a thing.
Four years later, I am the previous club president. This has been both challenging and #rewarding at the same time. Rotary does so much for and with the community children. Anything for the children, I am all in.” – Rhonda Stucy, Branch Manager of Wings Financial and previous President of the TRF Rotary Chapter.
#ServiceAboveSelf #TRF #Rotary
“Why Am I a Rotarian?
As a new transplant to Thief River Falls 14 years ago, I decided to join a social/philanthropic club in an attempt to “plug in” to the #community. Little did I know #Rotary would become a great source of #comradery for me. Some of my strongest #friendships outside the club got their start because of my membership in Rotary. When I first moved here it was explained to me that Thief River is a town large enough that when you go out, you won’t know everyone, but small enough that you will probably run into someone you do know. I think joining Rotary has made the community feel closer knit to me and makes that statement ring true. In addition, if I ever have a problem or need to seek information only “locals” would know, I know that I can turn to my network of friends that is the Rotary Club. And in turn I am happy to do so when I can be of help to others! This “service” naturally extends itself to the community at-large and I am grateful to have a larger platform – through Rotary – to help others in the community.” -Joe Hedrick, Airport Manager
#ServiceAboveSelf #TRF
“Welcome to Week THREE of RI’s Month of Fellowships.
The island countries of the South Pacific are tropically warm, economically diverse, and really, really far apart. In this region, which spans millions of square miles, even individual countries’ islands are scattered across vast distances. Public health workers face unique challenges in vaccinating the islands’ children. The news this week is from a report by Etelka Lehoczky where Rotary’s Give Every Child a Future program vaccinated over 100,000 children in several South Pacific islands. “It’s hard to transport vaccines to the outer islands because of the distance and transport availability. Sometimes they have to wait one to three months to get a boat across,” says Rufina Tutai, who oversees immunizations for the Cook Islands. The 15 islands in her jurisdiction are spread over nearly 2 million square kilometers (770,000 square miles). “Flights are expensive to charter, and we’re lucky if a flight can go to the outer islands in less than two weeks,” she adds.
Such obstacles did not deter the Rotarians of Australia, New Zealand, and several Pacific Island countries from organizing a major vaccination program in the islands. Called Give Every Child a Future, the effort – which celebrates 100 years of Rotary in the region – is providing three new vaccines to 100,000 children in nine Pacific Island groups: the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Ultimately, the members applied for 23 Rotary Foundation Global Grants, securing more than US$980,000 in funds from The Rotary Foundation. The program was also funded by about US$807,000 in District Designated Funds, US$990,000 from clubs and individual members, US$264,000 from other foundations, and US$860,000 from the Australian government. That funding paid for much more than vaccines. It was used to purchase special refrigerators, insulated containers, and other equipment to keep vaccines cool and transport them to the most distant islands. The health ministries in the nine island groups will be able to use this equipment for many years. That fulfills the project’s other goal of helping the targeted areas add the three vaccines to their regular immunization schedules.” Submitted by: Christopher W Knapp, District 6000 Foundation Chair
#Rotary #rotaryinternational #ServiceAboveSelf
Scott Fricke will be hosting Michelle Hutchinson & Nate Hasse from ATR Childcare Fund.
Rotarians and guests are welcome!
6/18/24 at noon at the Legion in TRF.
“Welcome to Week TWO of RI’s Month of Fellowships.
Rotary International’s fourth Programs of Scale grant will support members’ work with Indian farmers who have been affected by climate change. Barry Rassin, chair of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees, announced the US$2 million grant at the 2024 Rotary International Convention in Singapore. The program, Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India, will aim to increase groundwater tables, extend cultivation areas, and raise the incomes of about 60,000 farmers by 25% to 30%. “Farmers in India are responsible for producing much of the world’s wheat, rice, and other food staples. But the groundwater these farmers depend on is vanishing. Climate change is making rainfall more erratic, which leads to drought,” Rassin said. “We are working with Indian farmers on a five-year program to plant the seeds for sustainable farming in India for generations to come.”
The Rotary Foundation has awarded Programs of Scale grants to evidence-based, sustainable, and successful programs that target at least one of Rotary’s areas of focus and can be expanded to create far-reaching change. The programs are sponsored by Rotary members in collaboration with local communities and partners that offer additional expertise and support. The other finalist this year is One Million Healthy Mothers and Newborns. This Ugandan initiative aims to reduce maternal deaths by 35% and newborn deaths by 35% in at least 200 public health centers.” – Submitted by: Christopher W Knapp, District 6000 Foundation Chair
#ServiceAboveSelf #Rotary #rotaryinternational #fellowship #farmers
Why Rotary?
“The focus of service to others has been the focal point of Rotary during my short membership. There is a priority in all activities of children and community. I appreciate the ability to network with our community leaders in a manner that is so impactful. It has been a productive and positive experience!” – Dr. Christopher E. Mills
Superintendent of Schools
Thief River Falls Public Schools
#ServiceAboveSelf #Rotary #TRF #service #comejoinus #children #community #leaders #positive
Why Rotary?
“I enjoy being in Rotary for the opportunity to socialize with smart, motivated people; to hear and learn from speakers about area events and organizations that I would not otherwise; and to support local and global charitable projects.” – Richard Laager
#ServiceAboveSelf #Rotary #TRF #ComeJoinUs #opportunity #socialize #Smart #motivated #people #charity
