On 25 January the 5 Ozaukee County clubs embraced this year’s theme “Imagine Rotary”, by coordinating the first of many “Rotary Mix & Mingle”events. This event was promoted and open to the public. Rotarians and guests had an opportunity to Meet-Network-Share Ideas. Each club president, or their representative shared some of their club’s recent projects and invited prospective and former members to visit a meeting, or future club event. 

Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise member Cindy Shaffer was our host at her Spur 16 development’s Mequon Public Market and provided the 85+ guests with delicious small plates and beverages. Thiensville-Mequon Noon member PE Jenne Hohn was the cheerleader of this event and received press support and participation from many members of the other Oz Co Rotary clubs of Cedarburg- Grafton, Port Washington-Saukville, and Mequon-Milwaukee Diversity Passport. 

Thanks to having this event listed on the D6270’s calendar we had guest appearances and announcements from DG Mike Phillips, Polio Society Chair Rob Bassett, Milwaukee RC’s International Chair Pat Cronin. There were also two members from the Elmbrook RC visiting to see how this type of Rotary networking event could be duplicated in their area. All in all, it was a very successful and enjoyable initial event and a great way for the Oz Co Rotary clubs to “Imagine Rotary”.

Brian Monroe

Dear members of the M-T Sunrise Rotary Club:

Please be advised that on Friday, February 3rd, at the regular club meeting, a pause will be taken to initiate within it our Annual Club Meeting.

The nominating committee will present for the club's approval officers for the Rotary Year 2022 - 2023. Within the annual meeting a brief summary of the club’s current financial position, and a brief report on the previous fiscal year will be given.

Please plan to participate in showing support for your club’s officers, who will serve you for next Rotary year.

Regards,

Cori Guerin
President
Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club

By Frank Bures

In 2015, Shah knew he had to get out of Afghanistan. His family had lived in a village near the city of Jalalabad for generations. But his work for the U.S. government as a translator and guide during the war that began in 2001 made him and his family targets for the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate that was growing in parts of the country at the time.

Securing expedited American visas, he fled with his wife, six sons, and a daughter. Years later, thousands of interpreters and others who aided the U.S. in the war would do the same during a frantic evacuation set off by the Afghan government's fall.

The family settled in Minnesota, where Shah (we're not using his full name out of concern for the safety of relatives in Afghanistan) found work as a security guard. They were safe, but did not have an easy landing.

"We had a lot of difficult times," Shah recalls. "The government resettlement agency found us a three-bedroom apartment for nine people, with one bathroom and no laundry. There was a broken window, and every night the house was full of mosquitoes. It was also very old, and my wife and children got lead in their blood. Life was very tough in that time."

By Juana Maria Serrano Marin, president of the Rotary Club of Metaverso, District 2203, Spain

A few months ago, a guest speaker at my husband’s Rotary club told the group about the vast possibilities of the Metaverse as a virtual meeting place. Not long after, a person on our district’s membership committee suggested that my husband form a new club – in the Metaverse.

The Metaverse is a collection of online spaces where users can explore virtual and augmented reality. Users can create avatars to represent themselves, then interact virtually with objects and settings. Wikipedia defines the Metaverse as “a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection.” Early components of Metaverse technology have been used in video game design for at least two decades. But increasingly, businesses and other entities are using the technology to reach people and create social connections online.

My husband and I are both familiar with the Metaverse. We don’t have any specific interest in virtual reality, but we’re intrigued by the possibilities for using the Metaverse as a meeting point and a place for easily accessible digital information.