Welcome to the Waseca Rotary Club
The most entertaining club
you'll find in Southern Minnesota held its first regular meeting on February 9th, 1961 at the Pheasant Cafe in Waseca. The Waseca Rotary Club's Charter Night was held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca on April 13, 1961.
Over the last forty years we've been bringing together the community of Waseca and the ideals of Rotary International in a thriving and growing club.
We have currently 70 active members, who not only contribute their dues to the Stoltenberg Scholarship and Rotary Foundation, but also volunteer as STRIVE advisors, Host families for International Youth Exchange Students, and organizers of community events, such as Farm and City Luncheon, New Teacher Luncheon, and the Waseca Rotary Golf Tournament .
If you are interested in meeting a group of honest, hardworking professionals, who are dedicated to making a difference in their lives, in their community, and around the world, come join us on Thurday at noon in the Miller & Armstrong Building.
Stoltenberg Scholarship - Stoltenberg-Rotary Scholarship Fund was established in 1976 by the Waseca Rotary Club in memory of Phillip C. Stoltenberg, former Superintendent of the Waseca Public Schools System and recent Past President of the Waseca Rotary Club. The fund is a non-profit corporation that derives its principal from Rotary fund-raisers and tax-exempt donations. The interest on the principal fund is awarded annually to an eligible graduate senior in the Waseca High School to pursue some form of higher education. It is regarded as one of if not the most prestigious local scholarships awarded each spring.
STRIVE Program - The mission of the STRIVE Program is to identify Senior High School students that have not performed well scholastically and to help them turn around their academic performance in preparation for post secondary education. Students from the Senior Class are identified and invited to an initial meeting where they are challenged to improve their academic performance during their Senior Year in preparation for post secondary education. In exchange individual Waseca Rotary members commit to mentoring students during their senior year and then Waseca Rotary offers scholarships to the student showing the most improvement scholastically. During the monthly meetings Rotarians share how they got to where they are today which includes stories of Rotarians who had dismal high school records and wished they had been given this chance in High School to turn their scholastic performance around. STRIVE focuses on the theme of : "Show Up, Work Hard, and a Can Do Attitude". Typically 28 to 35 students accept the challenge and participate in the program each year.
At the end of the school year the program finishes with a banquet at which the students are recognized. The studends that show the most improvement are rewarded scholarships for post secondary education.
Farm and City Luncheon - The Waseca Rotary Club started the Farm/City Luncheon with the purpose of promoting good relations between Waseca business people and farmers of the area. Rural and Urban people need each other to promote quality of life in Waseca County.
Over the years the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce Agri-business Committee and other service clubs of the community have joined the Rotary Club in this event. The Waseca Jaycees recognize Waseca's Outstanding Young Farmer and Waseca Extension Service recognizes a County Farm Family.
New Teachers Luncheon - In August of each year, the Waseca Rotary Club, along with the Waseca Exchange Club and Waseca Lion's Club, hosts a luncheon for the new teachers at Waseca Public Schools and Sacred Heart School. The luncheon is a great opportunity for new teachers to meet and mingle with the business leaders of Waseca. This event is one of many examples of the strong connection that exists between Waseca Public Schools and the community of Waseca. This meeting also provides an opportunity for the school district to showcase changes for the upcoming school year.
