Brent shared that he had a wonderful trip to Jamaica and was happy to be back in Wisconsin—and back at Rotary. Dana recently returned from a cruise and a high school trip that included Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos, where she had the memorable experience of seeing an amazing turtle. Mark reported that he had suffered a fall on the ice, resulting in a punctured lung and other injuries, and required a hospital visit. Keith celebrated that both of his sons earned their first wrestling pins.

Members were asked to review the email from Paul regarding the Super Bowl Brunch. Anyone with a preference for working a morning versus an afternoon shift should email Paul directly. The club is down to just nine ads left to sell. Sarah Straka has tickets available for those who need them. A “double, double” ad purchase provides four single squares; this option may be reviewed further in the future. Student Rotarians were recognized for doing a phenomenal job rotating placemat designs at each table setting. Brent will bring the trailer on Sunday, and Paul will ensure the kitchen is set up on Saturday.

Members were reminded to save the date for Trivia Night on January 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Brix Cider  where the club will receive 10% of the evening’s profits. Eighty trivia questions have already been crafted, and anyone with additional questions is encouraged to email Peggy.

The Super Bowl Brunch will take place on February 8 at 9:00 a.m.
On February 11th, the Green Team will host trivia at Brix Cider starting at 6 pm.

February 24, the club will participate in a Rotary Mega Meeting in alignment with Rotary International's goals to promote continuity and peace.

The District Governor will visit in March 4th; members are encouraged to bring items or swag over the next few weeks to contribute to a welcome basket. Tricon will be held on April 17 in the Wisconsin Dells and is highly recommended as a valuable conference bringing together three districts to strengthen clubs.

ClubRunner is currently in the process of being updated. For optimal performance, using the latest version OS of your digital device is advised. This will better protect against viruses and malware.

Gary Tree presented on Rotary Global Grants, emphasizing that strong, lasting relationships are the foundation of successful projects. He shared how connections formed during COVID, including hosting Marc and Candice Moody and later welcoming members of District 4340 from Chile—including their District Governor—helped build the trust that led to multiple global grant collaborations. Past successful projects, such as a mobile dental clinic and a physical therapy center, were highlighted as examples of the club’s proven ability to deliver sustainable, high-impact results.

Gary then introduced the current Rotary Global Grant #2341120, which addresses waste management challenges in Curacaví, a rural municipality in Chile’s wine country with over 32,000 residents and no local landfill. Garbage must be transported more than 100 kilometers for disposal, creating high costs, inefficiencies, and environmental and health concerns. The proposed solution is a centralized trash compaction and recycling facility. The municipality has committed to providing the site, staffing, labor, and long-term maintenance, while grant funds will cover equipment. The project meets all criteria for a successful global grant, including verified community need, strong municipal support, and a clear sustainability plan, reinforced by Friendship Exchanges and direct engagement with the Mayor during a 2025 visit.

 

The total project budget is approximately $116,243 USD, with $34,042 committed by the Curacaví Club and a $10,000 match from District 4340. Through Rotary matching, every $1 donated leverages $4.60 in funding. District 6250 clubs are working toward a $14,000 goal, with about $7,000 raised to date and approximately $7,000 remaining. Once completed, the project will serve more than 32,000 people by reducing environmental impact, improving waste collection, and creating cleaner, healthier communities. Members are encouraged to help “finish the recipe” by supporting this shovel-ready, transformational project. While there is no set due date yet, consider donating earlier rather than later to ensure the cost match. For more information or to participate as a funding partner, contact Gary Tree at gjtreehouse@gmail.com regarding Rotary Global Grant #2341120.