While the Rotarians and guests enjoyed some excellent New Orleans-style food including jambalaya and beignets, Ezekiel's youth group leaders and youth participants told us about the ELCA Youth Gathering 2024, which took place in New Orleans with over 16,000 attendees in July. Themed "Created to Be," it emphasized embracing individuality and building relationships amid crises, encouraging participants to be brave, authentic, free, and just. Discussions on justice, mental health, and anti-racism fostered community and sanctuary. Supported by the River Falls Rotary, Ezekiel’s youth fund enabled 17 youth and 4 adults to attend this inspiring event. The meal money Rotary pays for breakfasts and lunches funds youth activities, and the leaders expressed their gratitude for the support that this arrangement provides.  It's a true win-win for Ezekiel and River Falls Rotary.

 

In addition, we will had visits from three short-term exchange students.  Participants in this relatively new Rotary exchange program shared their experiences with us.  Due to limited prep time, this story is on the short side.  The editorial staff will attempt to provide more details next week.

Annual LIFT Project Update:  Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotarian Dave Newman, who has led our District's LIFT initiative for 13 years, provided our club with an update on LIFT, the district-wide economic development program in rural Nicaragua.  LIFT is an acronym for Listen, Inquire, Facilitate, and Transform, and its approach is to facilitate local buy-in, ownership, and sustained management of projects to eliminate extreme poverty.  The district 5960 website has a thorough description and review of LIFT; the link is here:  https://www.rotary5960.org/district-projects/lift/.  Click Read More for the rest of the story and to learn about Dave Newman.

 

Service Opportunities Coming Up This Fall:  Now that school is back and summer is over, our club looks forward to times when we can be people of action, putting service above self (how's that for stringing together Rotary principles?).  What's coming, you ask:  Rotary Readers, Highway Cleanup, Veteran's Park Cleanup, and then in October we will be collecting contributions for the annual holiday backpack program support.  Details to come at meetings and in future Tidings.

 

Looking for Host Families for 2024-25:   Elaine is seeking one more host family for our club's incoming exchange student, a 15-year-old girl from Spain.  Requirements are pretty basic, rewards are extensive.  Please click Read More below for the full announcement and details.  

 

 

Grow to Share Upcoming Programs:  As part of the presentation, Tonya Schmitt invited us to these upcoming events:

-- Powered by Electricity (at UWRF North Hall) -- Saturday Sept. 28th, 10 AM - 12 Noon

-- Fall Fest (including equipment):  Saturday October 19th 10 AM - 12 Noon

At last Tuesday's meeting, Tonya Schmitt, president of Grow to Share, updated our club on how the organization has used the grant that we awarded them in early 2024.  While emphasizing how grateful GtS is for the support, Tonya described how Rotary's grant money has allowed the group to expand both their capabilities and capacity.  They have new solar-powered equipment for garden maintenance as well as other food handling and processing equipment, and they have an expanded garden tool inventory that allows them to host larger groups while keeping the visitors involved and busy.  They have also increased their donation locations, enabling them to get more food out to the community.

 

One important detail to note:  Tonya said that all of the equipment listed on their grant application has been purchased.

 

If you scroll down to the "download files" location in this Tidings, you can bring up a pdf of several of the "meatiest" slides in Tonya's presentation.  Size limitations prevented downloading the entire presentation.

This Week's Joke of the week (This one's for Elaine, as a nod to her past):   

Q: How do you make a bandstand?

A:  Take away their chairs!