Norsk News 4/9/25
Attendance: Brent Yauchlar, Gary Tree, Sarah Straka, Dave Reed, Keith White, Elizabeth Grabe, Heidi Kopras, Susan Smith, Laura Armstrong, Peggy Zalucha, Dana Fager, Frankie Wallitsch, Shawn Bollig, Judy Steinhauer, Svetlana Neshlyaveana, Bob Johnson; guests included Susan Wallitsch, Sage Covert and Emma Olsen.
Reminder: Host Family Needed
One of our students is searching for a host family to support them for the remainder of this school year. Can you offer three meals a day and a bed? This is a great opportunity to showcase your Wisconsin traditions, Culver's, and showcase the town trolls!
Happy Bucks
Peggy: Taught her first watercolor class at the library since the pandemic.
Shawn: Leaving Saturday for a trip to California for her daughter’s wedding.
Sage: Her sister is returning from a 6-month deployment in Qatar.
Svetlana: Learned about the history of the U.S. Civil War and would like to thank the club for the questions on the survey about club activities, shared a bit about her challenges with language and would like to discuss it further. (Note: opportunities to share similar insights are available on the club survey and at our Visioning meeting 4/30)
Student Rotarians
Brent presented the Scholastic Achievement Award to Sage Covert and Emma Olsen for their efforts at Rotary and awarded them a pen!
Upcoming dates
April 12 - we're going to UW Hospital to deliver blankets. We're also working with Verona Area School District and Middleton Cross Plains School District to determine if any healthcare occupations speak to our students.
April 12 - is the last date to participate in the
silent auction: We have over 80 items for auction. Share with your family and friends.
April 15 - Meet with your committees and short presentation for Mt. Horeb Green Team
April 23 - Kellen Dorner will stop by with musical accompaniment
April 26 - volunteer at Neighbors Helping Neighbors
April 25 & 26 - Tricon (let Dr. Salerno know if you plan to attend)
April 30th - Dean Ryerson will walk us through visioning and our membership engagement survey at 11:45 a.m.
April 30, at 5 p.m. at the Violet Room at Wisconsin Surplus. We'll have our visioning session which will inform the work on our bylaws and our handbook.
May 4 from noon to 4 p.m. - is the
Parade of Homes. For $20, tour historical and unique houses without having to trespass! This is a community collaboration with
May 7 - students running our meeting!
May 10, meet at the Taliesin to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and hot gossip with Kellen Dorner, resident Taliesin and Frank Lloyd Wright expert! Tickets are $150. Contact
Dr. Steve Salerno or
Mr. Kellen Dorner if you are interested!
May 14 - Meeting to vote on officers & presentation of Budget for club approval
June 12 through June 15 - Frolic
August 13 (approx.) - 10K
August 20 (approx.) - Teacher's luncheon
Guest Speaker Mary Beth Growney Selene
Mary Beth Growney Selene has been a member of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton. She has been a member of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton since 1987, the first year women were allowed to join Rotary. She served as Trustee of the Rotary Foundation from 2016-2019.
Liz learned about Mary Beth’s work through a podcast on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and menstrual hygiene. Mary Beth visited Africa to witness the importance of menstrual hygiene for women outside the U.S. In 2014, she visited São Paulo, Brazil, where she joined a Rotary club’s operations team.
- According to WIKI, menstrual hygiene management involves access to products for menstruation, proper disposal, and the rights and empowerment of women.
- Poor sanitation limits women's participation in social and educational activities.
- Rotary’s WASH global grants program can improve cultural and educational opportunities through sanitation projects.
- Personal story: At age 11, Mary Beth’s mom helped her understand menstruation and provided the materials needed to navigate it comfortably. This allowed her to participate in education and activities without disruption—an opportunity many girls in developing countries lack.
- Anne, a local leader, is working in Uganda to develop guidelines for menstrual hygiene standards.
- Resty Nakatudde, a Health & Hygiene Promoter, emphasizes presenting menstruation as a natural part of growing up, free from shame.
- Nakatudde's training involves boys in creating menstrual products and educating them on their role in supporting girls.
- Thanks to Days for Girls, many girls are now producing their own reusable sanitary products.
- Planning for adequate restroom privacy, including door locks and clean water, is essential, along with handwashing stations.
- Senator Orwoba of Kenya wore an accidental menstrual stain in Parliament to normalize periods.
- 1 in 10 African schoolgirls miss school during menstruation, contributing to high dropout rates.
- In comparison, Kenya provides access to condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, but menstrual hygiene often remains overlooked.
To summarize, how does a woman in a disadvantaged environment ensure her intimate hygiene? Affordable period products, access to sanitary products in schools and prisons, and clean water and washing stations are critical needs.
Next Steps: Attend the
World Water Summit 17 (WWS): http://worldwatersummit.in/ at 6/21 RI event in Calgary.
- Visit the WASH Rotary Action Group website at www.wash-rag.org for more information.
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