Welcome to Rotary International District 6270
LEADERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create positive, lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
A Message From Our District Governor

NEWS FROM DISTRICT 6270
Check it out >>> District 6270's Monthly Magazine (formally Newsletter)
FEATURED STORIES
From the moment participants arrived, the energy was high. Laughter, greetings, and reunions filled the space, along with the anticipation of a full day of learning and connecting. The event offered a variety of sessions designed to strengthen leadership skills and inspire innovation, while also giving members time to network and exchange ideas.
Learning Through Stories
Storytelling, Reed reflected, is not just about sharing information – it is about making connections, inspiring action, and showing the impact Rotary has on people’s lives. That message resonated across the day as members shared their own experiences and ideas.
Themes That Emerged
As sessions unfolded, a few clear themes rose to the surface:- Leadership for the Future – Participants noted the impressive depth of talent across District 6270. One Rotarian put it best: “We have a wealth of talent in our district. Bodes well for the future.” Attendees recognized the importance of equipping emerging leaders to guide Rotary into its next chapter.
- Membership Matters – The Membership Panel sparked some of the liveliest conversations of the day. Members reflected on data from Rotary International about why people leave clubs, and how enhancing the club experience can help retain and attract members. The message was clear: when we create meaningful, engaging club experiences, members stay.
- Practical Tools & Takeaways – Workshops on time management, social media, and innovation were highly praised for being focused, actionable, and immediately useful. As one attendee commented, these sessions were “organized, focused, actionable, and informative.”
- Connection and Belonging – The open mic session during lunch gave space for members to plug events, share updates, and connect in real time. This simple idea turned into a highlight of the day, strengthening relationships across clubs and sparking collaborations.
- Get Involved! – From fellowships and action groups to district committees, participants were reminded of the many ways to get involved in Rotary beyond the club level. Several left inspired to explore new opportunities.
Beyond the sessions and speakers, what made Rotary: The Way We Lead remarkable was the spirit in the room. There was a sense of optimism about Rotary’s future, gratitude for the depth of leadership talent in the district, and a shared excitement about what comes next.
Together, these reflections show that leadership in Rotary is not only about holding a title – it is about learning, connecting, and taking action.
Looking Ahead
District 6270’s Rotary: The Way We Lead workshop affirmed the value of bringing people together to share stories, sharpen skills, and strengthen bonds. The lessons from the day – about leadership, membership, connection, and action – are already shaping how clubs and leaders approach their work.
And as PDG Jeff Reed’s experience reminds us, storytelling remains at the heart of Rotary leadership: the ability to share not just what we do, but why it matters.
At the forefront once again: the Elkhorn Rotary Club, winners of both halves of this year’s PolioPlus Challenge. With consistent and creative fundraising, their club led by example, proving that determination, teamwork, and a little friendly competition go a long way. The coveted Busted Crutch Award remains proudly displayed at the Elkhorn Library and will be formally awarded in a more permanent form later this summer at an upcoming Rotary meeting.
"This is what People of Action do," said District PolioPlus Chair, Rob Bassett (Rotary Club of Mitchell Field (Milwaukee)). "Every dollar raised brings us closer to a world free of polio, and the impact of District 6270’s generosity this year cannot be overstated."
Why It Matters
To help earn the Gates Foundation match, Rotary International encourages each
Rotary Joins Global Fight Against Hepatitis: Clubs Encouraged to Take Action for World Hepatitis Day
Rotary International has taken a bold new step in the global fight against viral hepatitis, a disease that affects more than 325 million people worldwide and causes over 1.3 million deaths annually – often without symptoms or diagnosis.World Hepatitis Day is July 28 – Rotary Can Make a Difference
New Club Toolkit Now Available
- Three short messages for club meetings
- PowerPoint slide suggestions
- Social media post templates
- Links to two Rotary-affiliated global partners:
- Rotary Action Group for Hepatitis Eradication (RAG4HEP) - https://ragforhepatitiseradication.com
- Rotarians for Family Health & AIDS Prevention (RFHA) - https://www.rfha.org/about-us
Get Involved: Be People of Action

- Make a World Hepatitis Day announcement at your July meeting
- Share a post or fact on social media using #WorldHepatitisDay and #PeopleOfAction
- Host a local health talk, screening, or vaccination event in partnership with public health agencies
- Join Rotary Action Group for Hepatitis Eradication (RAG4HEP), https://ragforhepatitiseradication.com, to connect with global hepatitis projects and grant opportunities
To follow Here is a way for us to help. I copied the message I received from our Rotary Zone, as requested by the District Governor in central Texas. Craig Hardy is working hard to help everyone in the district who is affected by the floods - which is pretty much everyone!
June 16, 2025
Join us for the 2nd Annual Rotary Means Business Conference, a three-day event dedicated to networking, professional growth, and collaboration.
Think of the Council on Legislation (CoL) as Rotary International’s version of a parliament or congress. Every three years, representatives from every Rotary district around the world come together to review and vote on changes to Rotary’s governing rules—things like how clubs operate, how leaders are chosen, and how dues are set.
High school student delegates will gather June 21 – 27, 2025 for the annual week-long World Affairs Seminar at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. The theme this year is: Peacebuilding: Creating Lasting Change.
We expect attendees from across the USA and around the world. Each delegate will have their own opinions, story, and viewpoint contributing to conversations about global trends. WAS brings together peers from around the world to learn about international relations and develop skills in diplomacy, communication, cooperation and leadership.
Since 1977 WAS has impacted and changed the lives of its 30,000 alumni, providing highly relevant skills in group problem solving, negotiation and peaceful diplomacy. Featured speakers represent a wide variety of perspectives, opinions and backgrounds. WAS offers students an opportunity to interact with leaders from government, international organizations, the media, and business.
Past participants have marveled at how WAS gave them a new lens to view our global landscape. “World Affairs Seminar was a life changing experience for me. It is probably the most important single experience I’ve ever had” said Ben from Norway. “I got to meet people from all over the world and listen to some really great speeches. Most importantly, I made new friends that will always have my back and I will always have theirs” said Sierra from Iowa, USA. “[WAS] changed a lot: my approach to everyday life, my connection to a wide variety of issues, my openness to learn from everyone I meet. I will never forget one of the best weeks of my life and I want to thank Rotary very strongly for giving me this brilliant opportunity,” said Kate from the UK.
Most delegates are sponsored by a club or service organization such as a Rotary Club. Many thanks to Rotary District 6270 Clubs that already sponsor WAS student delegates, and thank you in advance to Clubs considering becoming sponsors. Thank you, also, to Rotary District 6270 for its longtime support of WAS.
For more information, visit worldaffairsseminar.org/. Contact us at: World Affairs Seminar, 10600 W. Mitchell St., West Allis, WI 53214, or at contact@worldaffairsseminar.org. Call us, too, at 414-453-4984. To explore WAS sponsorship, contact Francis X. Vogel, WAS Executive Director, at 414-520-4790 or at fvogel@worldaffairsseminar.org.
Click Read More to view Part Two
- Part One: Membership Strategies from District 6270 Clubs
- Part Two: Innovative Membership Structures for Regular Clubs
Part One: Membership Strategies from District 6270 Clubs
Several Rotary Clubs in District 6270 have adopted creative and varied membership strategies to foster engagement, inclusivity, and growth. Here's how seven clubs in the district responded to a call for information on their membership programs:

- Oshkosh Southwest Rotary: Oshkosh Southwest provides three categories of membership: Regular, Associate, and Corporate. The Associate Membership is a local-only (i.e. not with District or RI) membership limited to two years for a very low cost. This is good for younger or prospective members to “get their feet wet.” The club’s corporate membership notably allows organizations to send different representatives to meetings, encouraging broad corporate engagement.
- Port Washington-Saukville Rotary: A multi-tiered approach offers memberships as
- Waukesha Noon Rotary: Embracing a structured corporate membership model, Waukesha Noon allows corporations to appoint up to four designees, with specific rules around senior leadership involvement. Their detailed guidelines ensure corporate members remain engaged and entail meeting attendance requirements, financial obligations, and participation expectations comparable to individual members. Additionally, Waukesha has a “Share Rotary” program whereby each meeting has one member assigned to bring a prospect. They have found that this approach is more effective than a simple call to everyone to “bring someone some time!”
- Lake Geneva Rotary: This club offers flexibility with an annual “meal or no-meal” option and a corporate membership arrangement. Their corporate membership allows organizations to have a primary and an alternate member, fostering increased organizational representation and participation.
- Fond du Lac Noon Rotary: Fond du Lac Noon maintains a traditional "old school" approach, emphasizing personal invitations targeting community leaders and new business owners. Recognizing their club’s tilt toward a "check-writing" as opposed to a primarily “hands-on” group, they align recruitment with member expectations, effectively integrating philanthropy and business networking.
- Elkhorn Rotary Club: Elkhorn introduced an innovative "Golden Ticket" initiative to boost engagement and create excitement around Rotary events. The club issues “Golden Tickets” to each member, to give to a prospect, redeemable for a “Free Lunch.” This strategy emphasizes direct participation, offering opportunities for members to engage actively through enticing incentives and unique experiences.
- Fond du Lac (General Observations): Highlighting local industry shifts, Fond du Lac observed decreased local business involvement due to changing corporate ownership structures. This prompted a shift in recruitment towards locally-focused professions such as healthcare, real estate, and legal services.
Racine’s generosity shines in Belize: Fire truck donation will save lives

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Rotary District 6270 Rotary Orientation/Refresher Program
What is the Orientation/Refresher Program?

The Responsibilities of a District Governor
At the heart of a District Governor's duties is the task of facilitating effective communication. The DG serves as the main conduit between individual clubs and the larger Rotary organization, ensuring that the clubs are aligned with Rotary's mission and objectives. This position requires a deep understanding of Rotary’s values and an ability to mentor club leaders, helping them to cultivate their leadership skills, manage their activities efficiently, and amplify their impact within the community.
The District Governor is more than a figurehead. They are a mentor, advisor, and often, a source of inspiration for Rotarians. Their leadership is crucial in
How Do We Plan To Eradicate Polio?
The battle to eradicate Polio is complex and challenging, with changing tools and techniques, and a battlefield in constant flux. It is difficult to reduce it to an easily stated and understood set of goals. This article attempts to clarify the various timeframes and expectations in the recent Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Strategy 2022-26.
Join Us for "Celebrate Community" Week!
Celebrate Community Week is back, from September 8-14, 2024! This inspiring annual event unites members of Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, and Optimist clubs in a powerful week of collaborative service projects. Together, we tackle key community issues like health and wellness, food insecurity, education, and the environment. For many years, this initiative has shown the incredible impact we can make when we work together. Don't miss the chance to be part of this global movement—join us in making a difference!
For more details and how to get involved, visit the official Celebrate Community Week page or contact rotary.service@rotary.org.
This story outlines the steps for creating and managing a Doodle poll to efficiently schedule meetings with multiple participants. The process involves logging in, setting up a poll, proposing dates and times, configuring settings, and monitoring responses.
Note: This information is correct as of 6/24/2024 - if it becomes obsolete, please inform us.

The Host for this scholarship is the Rotary Club of Harrow in Rotary International District 1130, Rotary in London, United Kingdom. RI District 6270, the International Partner and primary financial provider of the scholarship, is comprised of 55 Rotary clubs and two Rotaract clubs in Southeast Wisconsin with nearly 2,500 members. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
In a world often fraught with conflict and discord, there emerges a beacon of hope in the form of individuals dedicated to fostering peace and understanding. We proudly celebrate Jonathan “Jon” Ward, a retired U.S. diplomat, for his acceptance into the esteemed second cohort of Rotary Positive Peace Activators. Jon’s illustrious career, spanning diplomatic missions across diverse regions and his unwavering commitment to service, exemplifies the spirit of peacebuilding that lies at the heart of this transformative initiative.
Jon’s journey embodies the essence of Rotary’s mission to promote goodwill and peace worldwide. From his service in Saudi Arabia to his diplomatic postings in Papua New Guinea, Iraq, and beyond, Jon has represented his country and has also become a steadfast advocate for diplomacy and conflict resolution. His rich experiences, coupled with his educational background and military service, equip him with a unique perspective and invaluable insights into the complexities of global peace and security.
Mukwonago Rotary Club Helps Mayan Population in Chichicastenango, Guatemala
April 26, 2024 ~ Mark Blodgett
The Rotary Clubs across Southeast Wisconsin, encompassed by Rotary District 6270, have played a significant role in supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine during its time of crisis. This article highlights the impactful work facilitated by these clubs, in partnership with Be an Angel e.V. Germany and Friends of Be an Angel USA (Mequon, Wisconsin).
Nestled in the heart of Shorewood, Wisconsin, radiates a beacon of service, commitment, and dedication to Rotary ideals. Nancy Rhodes, a member since November 1, 1988, has devoted over 35 years to weaving an illustrious tapestry of service within Rotary.
Nancy's journey began humbly as a member of the Rotary Club of West Allis. Little did she foresee that her path would lead her to become a cornerstone of Rotary service, impacting lives across districts and continents.
Throughout her tenure, Nancy's steadfast commitment to Rotary has been evident in her diverse roles within the organization. From serving as Club Secretary to ascending to the esteemed position of Club President, her leadership acumen was apparent from the outset. Her influence transcended the local club level, culminating in her tenure as District Governor during the 2011-2012 term, leaving an indelible mark on District 6270.



Mary Koczan: Cultivating Peace in the Heart of Sheboygan
Jenne Hohn: Building Inclusion Through Action