Events

Rusty Cunningham is an award-winning journalist who served as editor and publisher of the La Crosse Tribune and River Valley Media Group for nearly 25 years. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2024.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war, you’ll hear what it was like to be a kid in a small village while the war raged in the nearby countryside.  Tan Pham will talk about the stroke of luck that allowed him (at age 12) and his immediate family to escape shortly before the fall of Saigon.

You’ll be moved by Tan’s experience of joy when he was finally able to return to Vietnam and to see his grandparents for the first time in 20 years; and you’ll gain an understanding of how the country has grown since the war ended and the military presence left.

Tan is the owner of Cuisine Adventure Tours and at least twice a year takes inspired visitors to see his homeland.

Haven for Special People is a like-minded group of parents, friends, and educators uniting around a common goal of providing a life-long residential community for people with disabilities living side by side with people who are not disabled.  Our board member parents of children with special needs know first-hand the challenges and concerns for their children as they grow older and want them to live independent, purpose-filled lives. Since our first meeting in 2022, we remain focused on the  ision that the challenges of a disability should not prevent individuals from living in their own home in a community of their choosing. We believe that inclusivity is the key and that all residents benefit from living in a “neighborhood in a building”. We also believe in extending this inclusivity to include the economic spectrum as well and will offer rent profiles that cover a wide range.

Rick Diermeier has been involved in the Onalaska community since making it home in 2004. He served as CEO at L. B. White Company for seven years and on the boards of: Mayo Clinic La Crosse Foundation, Outdoor Recreation Alliance and La Crosse County Sustainability Commission. Since retiring from his corporate career, Rick is proud to serve as the Vice President of the Flyway Trail Board of Directors. the La Crosse County Committee on Transit and Active Transportation and as a member of L. B. White’s Board of Directors.

In 2021, Rick attended the grand opening of Home of Our Own in New Glarus where the daughter of close family friends had recently relocated. Despite being largely non-communicative and requiring 24 hour care, she was thriving, living independently in her new home. After touring her apartment and community spaces and meeting her neighbors, Rick left confident that this building was really a supportive and vibrant village that would drive positive change in many families’ lives. Home of Our Own’s founders, Mary Anne and Susan expressed their desire to help others to build inclusive “neighborhoods in a building” like they had done in New Glarus.
​
Returning home from that grand opening night, the idea for Haven for Special People sparked for Rick and Julie. They are determined to create a safe haven in the Coulee Region that will empower young people to live their lives to the fullest, no matter their level of abilities.

The Rotary Leadership Series provides an opportunity for prominent leaders to share experiences and insights from their leadership journey. It is a collaborative effort involving the 8 La Crosse-area Rotary Clubs. Rotarians and their guests are invited to attend. The Rotary Club of La Crosse serves as the host. The presentation by Vicki Puliz will be virtual at the noon meeting of the Rotary Club of La Crosse at the Cargill Room. Rotarians and guests may also attend via live-stream on Zoom. Guests may attend the virtual presentation for no charge. 

The noon Rotary meeting begins at 12pm. Following the welcoming activities, Lee Rasch will introduce Vicki Puliz's presentation. The presentation should be for 20 minutes, followed by up to 10 minutes for questions. 

Rotary Club members are encouraged to bring a guest to the meeting at the Cargill Room. Members should let Niki Pohnl or Lee Rasch know by February 18th if a guest will be coming.

The program will be recorded. Copies of the recording will be available upon request following the meeting.

Contact Information: Lee Rasch - email: Leerasch42@gmailcom, cell phone: 608-792-3137 Niki Pohnl - email: rotary@rotarycluboflacrosse.org, cell phone: 608-529-4491.

Continuing an effort begun by the La Crosse Tribune, our club will honor recipients from local high schools with the "Extra Effort Award".

Students will receive a financial scholarship donated through the generosity of many Rotary Club of La Crosse members.

Recipients will be joined by those who have supported them in their educational journey thus far such as their parents, administators, staff and fellow students.  

This is an ongoing project of our Youth Committee with leadership from Tom Berkedal.

Agi will share her reflections upon life in La Crosse as a Rotary International Friendship Exchange Student from Finland.

The Rotary Club of La Crosse is sponsoring Inbound Youth Exchange Student Agi for the 2024-2025 school year!

Agi is a student at Central High School in the School District of La Crosse.

Julia Behrenbeck coordinates our Youth Exchange student's schedule with their host families, as well as the background check process required for Rotarians to spend time alone with Agi.  

Committee Members: Hope Clements, Duane and Karen Abata, Michelle Skemp, Michael Wagner  

Jason Gilman presentas on the redevelopment in the City of La Crosse and the River Point District Story and how it implementing the citizens vision of an urban neighborhood at a time housing is highly desired.

Come help us celebrate Rotary's 120th Birthday!

While the cats are away (President Jolivette and President Elect Siegel)...the mice will play!

This will be a fun program! You wan't to miss it!

No meeting this week.  Enjoy time with your family and friends!

Do you have an idea? Have you heard a presentation recently that inspired you?  Let us know!

Contact Sheila Riley, Program Chair, with details.