Norsk News 4/22/36

Attendance: Judy Steinhauer, Franke Wallitsch, Elizabeth Grabe, Peggy Zalucha, Paul Christiansen, Laura Armstrong, Brent Yauchler, Mark Rooney, Gary Tree, Dave Reed, Susan Smith, Tammy Wedig, Bill Dunnington, Russ Christian, Sarah Straka, Heidi Kopras, Melissa Lease, Aubree Hanks, Tracy Diehm, Dana Fager,  and Keith White. Guest speaker Kathy Miller.

Student-Led Meeting
Students from Club Interact led our meeting this week.

Thank you to Laurel Aquino, Khaya Kasubaski, Tim Kruse, Aspen Laesch, Anika Schaller, Molly McCue, Anna Tranel, Clementine Christian, Marc Stoddard, Jack Schultek, and Cullen Anderson for their leadership and participation. 

Happy Bucks
Members shared a variety of “Happy Bucks” updates. Laura shared her excitement about leaning into her gardening hobby and reminded everyone to complete the RSVP forms. Paul celebrated a first communion in the family, while Bob recognized Earth Day. Dave was happy to see the grass growing, and Russ shared that Michael Caruso raised $45,000 through a recent event in Michigan, selling 325 tickets at $125 each. Dana shared that they are close to welcoming a grandchild and recently held a “nesting party” to prepare. Tammy expressed appreciation for the group’s accomplishments over the past year. Liz reported successfully doing a prescribed burn yesterday of 11 acres. Judy enjoyed a week-long visit from her son and his family, including young grandchildren, and also celebrated another grandchild’s birthday in Madison. Peggy shared that she, Gary, and Bill attended TriCon and found it inspiring.

Club Updates
Gary shared encouraging news that there is currently only one live case of polio in Afghanistan. He also reminded members about the 6x match $500 program and invited everyone to attend the upcoming grants awards ceremony next Thursday, encouraging members to bring a guest. Peggy echoed the inspiration from TriCon and noted that attendees are looking forward to continuing conversations at next week’s optional 5th Wednesday noon meeting at Culver's.

Guest Speaker: Kathy Miller – World Affairs Seminar
Guest speaker Kathy Miller, Registrar for the World Affairs Seminar, shared insights into the organization and its mission. With a background in nonprofit work, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Unity, she highlighted the seminar as a weeklong residential program for high school students held at Carroll University. The program introduces students to global issues, peace building, and leadership through exposure to diverse perspectives, speakers, and a Model UN-style experience.

The seminar, celebrating its 50th year in 2026, brings together students ages 14–18 from around 30 countries. This year’s theme focuses on “Uniting for Peace” with an emphasis on equity and ethnic equality. Students engage with global topics, participate in discussions, and learn to translate ideas into action. The program runs from Saturday, June 20, to Friday, June 26, 2026. Kathy emphasized the importance of investing in youth and encouraged support through donations or sponsorships, noting that many students attend with support from local organizations like Rotary or Kiwanis.

Student Reflections
Several students shared reflections from their experiences at the seminar. Tim emphasized the impact of meeting people from around the world and the importance of staying open-minded to different cultures. Molly noted how meaningful it was to be treated as an equal by program leaders, which helped prepare her for adulthood. Clementine reflected on a past theme of diplomacy and discussed concepts like “echo chambers,” highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives.

Discussion & Q&A
During the Q&A, attendees learned more about participating countries, including the UK, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and Brazil. Kathy shared that this year’s programming may include volunteer experiences and continues to incorporate Model UN-style activities. Program content is developed by a dedicated staff with input from students and board members, ensuring relevant and timely topics such as global conflicts. 

Students also highlighted the opportunity to directly engage with speakers through Q&A sessions. Discussions touched on how experiences like this can shape future career paths, including interest in organizations like the Peace Corps. When asked about international students’ perspectives on the U.S., students shared varied insights, including observations about culture, government structure, and social interactions.

Mark Stoddard concluded the meeting by thanking the entire club for their continued engagement and support, and Anna Tranel rang the Rotary bell!