“Access to water is one of the most critical problems faced in the rural area of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.” Peter Schaller, Executive Director Rayo de Sol
As Rotarians we recognize access to clean water as critical to improving lives and we seek opportunities to support local, sustainable solutions. We are excited to share that La Crosse area Rotarians are joining with the Rotary Club of
Matagalpa and the non-profit Rayo de Sol on a global grant project to provide 100 Rain Harvesting systems to families living in rural Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
We are honored to launch this global grant effort by welcoming Peter Schaller, Executive Director of Rayo de Sol to join us in person. Peter will explore the challenges faced by families lacking clean water sources and the impact on
health, hygiene and food production. He will explain the Rain Harvesting project and how this low-tech water collection system and filter can meet a family’s need for clean, reliable water and improve their quality of life.
The global grant committee will follow Peter’s presentation with a brief summary of the global grant effort and funding needs.
A little more about Peter Schaller and Rayo de Sol…
Peter Schaller has lived and worked in Nicaragua for 25 years. He has been the executive director of Rayo de Sol for 10 years. He has a degree in Community Organization, a master’s in Public Administration and he is currently working towards a PhD. in Environmental Conservation and Restoration. His work at Rayo de Sol has taught him how to truly live as a disciple of Christ, with unconditional love and compassion.
Rayo de Sol is a nondenominational Christian organization focused on sharing hope with children and their families in Matagalpa, Nicaragua through collaborative, community development programs. Gundersen Global Partners
previously collaborated with Rayo de Sol on many education and medical initiatives.
Last Week: Jaako, Finland Youth Exchange
The Rotary Club of La Crosse is sponsoring Inbound Youth Exchange Student Jaakko for the 2023-2024 school year!
Jaakko told us about his family and friends and share some of the customs, interests and hobbies that take place in his home country of Finland.
Lunch this week: BUCATINI POMODORO, ricotta, smoked olive oil, basil With Chicken
Coffee, water, ice tea, and milk provided.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnl if know you are bringing guests but last minute invites are also welcome!
Jail Ministry Collection Ends October 19th!
The Humanitarian Committee is sponsoring an item drive for incarcerated individuals in the La Crosse County Jail. This is a follow up on the speakers at the September 21 meeting. Please participate by
bringing an item from the list below:
Magazines
Paperback books
Sweatpants
Warm boots
Warm coats
Hats and gloves
cardboard puzzles in cardboard boxes
large print paperback spiritual books
study Bibles
make a donation by check, cash, or club VENMO (donations go to Niki Pohnl)
Thank you for your support of this important project.
Quarter 2 Invoices and Statements
Please check your email for Quarter 2 invoices processed earlier this month. Reach out to Niki Pohnl if you did not receive one. Statements reflecting any past due balances were also emailed AND mailed.
Don't Forget About our AMAZING
Public Image Team!
Keep out Public Image Team in mind when you are thinking of a social event, a fellowship event, or a service project you wish to have advertised. They are ready and willing to make a striking promotional blurb for you!
We already ask for Rotary announcements in advance whenever possible. Imagine your event popping up on the screen in the meeting, giving the club and our friends on Zoom a good visual of what is happening.
Message Niki Pohnl by Wednesday morning with announcements you will be making at the meeting and she will put the pieces in motion!
The Fellowship/Social Committee invites you to an open house at Roz Schnick’s river home on French Island. See her Monarchy room (in progress) and enjoy some conviviality with other Rotarians and guests.
Together, we will learn about the connection between membership, public image, and humanitarian service through The Rotary Foundation. Through joint discovery and development of creative ideas, attendees will find ways to sustain and increase membership growth, increase Rotary Foundation giving and project engagement, and enhance public image in their communities. The workshop will incorporate RI President Gordon McInally's theme of "Create Hope in the World" and Rotary's Strategic Plan.
Those attending a Vibrant Club Workshop will jointly discover and develop creative ways to achieve and sustain membership growth and retention, to increase Rotary Foundation giving and project engagement, and to gain enhanced public image in their communities.
You can also register for a cranberry bog tour and museum tour are separate items. Go hereto register for the cranberry bog tour and here for the museum tour.
The Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration is a wonderful opportunity to learn about exchange students in our area and give them a warm welcome! For the meal, the students have hand-picked recipes they think you will love, to celebrate their culture.
Please consider attending. Proceeds of this event help to support our exchange students on their end-of-year trip to the East and West coasts.
The event will be held at The Main, 422 Main Street in La Crosse. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.
Featured dishes from Finland, Denmark, Vietnam, Peru, and India.
The following community members have been proposed to become members of our club:
Taggert Brooks (Dean, UWL College of Business Administration; proposed by Regina Siegel)
Karen Abata (Proposed by Duane Abata)
Tom Schlesinger (Executive Director Climate Alliance for the Common Good; proposed by Roz Schnick)
According to club procedure, applicant names are to be published in our weekly email bulletin for two weeks. If there are no objections from the current membership, these applications will be approved. Please contact the Club Administrator if you object to these applications by October 24, 2023.
Click the link below if you have a new member to propose!
Week 3 of RI’s Month of Economic & Community Development.
The best report for this week is this current one from RI website:
For the 15th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating – four stars – from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.
The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
“We are delighted to provide The Rotary Foundation with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that Rotary is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”
Charity Navigator assesses nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, including:
the impact of the charity’s program relative to cost;
the organization’s governance and financial health including its transparency, efficiency, and sustainability;
a charity’s leadership capacity, strategic development, and ability to adapt to internal and external changes;
and its overall culture and connectedness to its constituents and the communities they serve.
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