Speakers

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. 

Vicki Puliz is passionate about leadership development. From humble beginnings, she has committed her career to learning and growing. Raised on a working cattle ranch north of Reno, Nevada, she attended public schools, and continued her education at the University of Utah leading to earning her MBA. Her business career started as a commercial lighting representative, eventually leading to becoming a one-third owner of Electro-Tech, Inc., an electrical contracting company.

Vicki is recognized for her extensive leadership experience within Rotary, including many senior training and leadership positions in Rotary International. She served as a Rotary International Director from 2021–23, and has been selected as a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation for a 4-year term beginning this July. Notably, Vicki is a strong advocate for expanding how Rotary can be an even greater force for building peace in our communities and around the world. She is a Positive Peace Activator, trained through the partnership of Rotary with the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Vicki will share her thoughts on the opportunities and challenges facing 21st century Rotary, and provide insight into her personal leadership journey. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear from an engaging global leader in Rotary!

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.

The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded the Franciscan Spirituality Center four decades ago as a place for spiritual development, offering opportunities for prayer experiences, retreats, spiritual direction and open discussion. We’ve grown and evolved over the years to meet changing needs, but our core mission has remained the same: We are dedicated to ALL who seek God, meaning and wholeness and we create spaces for community, connection and compassionate listening.  Come and learn more about what the FSC offers to individuals, the community, and beyond!

Jean has been a part of the FSC team since 2017. Her first role was as the program and retreat coordinator. She earned her Master of Divinity from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts in social work from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She has extensive training in crisis response, community-based organizing and effective communication, as well as significant fundraising and grant-writing experience. Jean serves on the boards of YWCA and Scouts BSA and is also on the Advisory Committee for Great Rivers 2-1-1. She lives in Onalaska with her husband, Matt; their children, Logan and Lydia; and Labrador Retriever, Scout.

Xcel Energy will be presenting about its energy future. This includes a synopsis of its beginnings, emerging energy demands, sustainability goals and solutions towards a carbon free future.