On the heels of a divisive presidential election, Waunakee Rotarians turned their attention to kindness.
Mike Adler spoke to the club about the Kindness Revolution, a national nonprofit based in Tennessee, at the Nov. 5 virtual Waunakee Rotary Club meeting.
He said though he usually doesn’t answer phone solicitations, he did take this call, set and appointment, and learned more about the nonprofit.
Based on the best-selling book by Ed Horrell, its mission is to eliminate indifference, selfishness, apathy and disregard and replace them with core values based on dignity, respect, courtesy and kindness in the workplace, schools and everyday life.
Mike is the champion of this nonprofit for the Madison area. He brought the Kindness Revolution to Saint John the Baptist Catholic School in Waunakee, where he brought backpacks filled with snacks and school supplies to give to students to champion their kind acts.
Mike said this can also be done in the workplace, and business and community organizations can be recognized with a Spirit of Kindness Award to acknowledge great service or acts of kindness. This inspires others to get on board, Mike said. It can transform the a workplace, as well.
There are also Pay It Forward wristbands.
He urged club members to “think about exhibiting kindness and that will mean if you do it every day.”

 

In Other News:
-The club observed a moment of silence for Ed Neibuhr, who passed away Nov. 1. President Tom Kennedy said Ed was one of the original members of the club. His obituary includes Rotary as an organization to send a memorial to, as well.

-Linda Olson noted that the home page of the Waunakee Rotary Club’s website now has a donate button allowing a direct contribution to the Rotary Foundation. Linda and Robert Arntz spent a lot of time updating that website, Tom said.

-Tom reminded the club that that logo contest for the village’s 150th year is still accepting entries. He urged members to invite others to submit.

-Waunakee Neighborhood Connection is looking for members to adopt a family this holiday season. Tom said they need a commitment ASAP.

-Henry Ripp of the Madison East Monona Rotary Club is doing its cheese sale for the holidays. Tom has a form so if you’d like to order cheese, contact him. The cheese will be delivered Dec. 7.

-The club made donations to Special Olympics, Shop with a Cop and the Waunakee Food Pantry at its board meeting.
-Work on the Rotary lights at the Village Park is ongoing and will continue Saturday. The lighting of the displays is Nov. 22.

Birthdays: None.

Anniversaries: None