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This week’s message is very simple.Please be sure that your calendar has the following events and dates saved:
1 - 2019 District ConferenceJune 7-8, 2019 at the La Crosse Center.Here is the link to register.
2 – 100th Rotary Club of La Crosse celebration.June 20th – 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the La Crosse Center.The sign up process will begin soon.
I look forward to celebrating each event with you.As a final note, I would ask you to invite a potential member to join us at this week’s meeting.We have funds set aside to cover the cost of your visitor.
More than 100 years after Albert Hirshheimer began construction on what would become the three-block La Crosse Plow Co. complex, La Crosse’s Cleary family is retooling one of the last buildings left into a 64-unit apartment building and commercial space.
The 109-year-old building — which was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 — is well on its way to becoming a hub of commercial and residential activity on the north end of downtown La Crosse thanks to the work of sisters Kristine and Sandra Cleary.
The family hopes to have the estimated $33 million project, called Landmark By the Rivers, move-in ready by June.
This is one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon a person. Recipients are Rotarians and community professionals in recognition of their outstanding contributions, exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing 'Service Above Self." Paul Harris Fellow is a person who has contributed, or in whose name a contribution of $US1000 has been made, to the Annual Programs Fund and certain other programs of The Rotary Foundation. Recognition of a Paul Harris Fellow is an opportunity to show appreciation for a person, either Rotarian or non-Rotarian, who shares the values of the Foundation.
We will have a number of Rotarians that will be recognized on April 4th.
If you would like to become a Paul Harris Fellow and/or honor someone with a Paul Harris Fellow ...click here for info.
Rotarian Elmer and his wife Lil Grassman are residents of Bethany St. Joseph, 2501 Shelby Road, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Rotarian Cary Heyer has a brain tumor. He's having surgery April 2. Cary was a former member of our club and a past president (2011-12) he moved to the Madison area and is now a member of the Madison Club. Please keep Cary in your thoughts and prayers. His home address is W11004 Eagle Dr., Lodi WI 53555
The first annual Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration will take place on Thursday, April 11th, 5:30-8:30 pm and Sunday, April 14th, 4:00-7:00 pm and is hosted by the Coulee Region Youth Exchange Council (CRYEC)! We are asking you to be an active partner in our mission to support the Youth Exchange students that spend their year in the Coulee Region by sponsoring our event.
My name is Mitchell Paquette and I am from La Crosse, Wisconsin. This year I was selected by Rotary International District 6250 to be a Global Grant Scholar. The Global Grant Scholarship is a $30,000 award for an individual to pursue graduate level studies at a foreign university, in a subject related to one of Rotary International's six focus areas: Peace and Conflict Resolution, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development. With the help of the Downtown La Crosse Rotary Club, I applied and was awarded a Global Grant Scholarship in the area of Peace and Conflict Resolution for the 2018/2019 academic year. I will be using the funds to pursue a Master's of Law in International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. More information on Mitchell.
Your donations doing good in the Community and World
January
Rotary East – Vision Exams for Nicaraguan Immigrants in Costa Rica. Funds will be used to purchase sunglasses for dilated eye exams, eye drops, and other medications. The project will screen 100-150 children and their parents per day for a total of 400-600 patients.
Rotary Works Foundation approved $2,000.00
La Crescent Rotary – Born Learning Trail – Designed for young children, Born Learning Trails use everyday moments to boost school readiness, and interactive stations/games. This project will contain a Born Learning Trail Kit which contains ten signs with instructions for simple games that promote a learning experience. Rotary Works Foundation approved $1,500.00
February
Grow La Crosse - Jamie O’Neill – An Edible schoolyard project – creates a hands-on learning environment incorporating native edible plants. Students will use this space to learn about growing, harvesting, preparing, and sharing food and its systems.
You are invited to "The Gateway Council, Boy Scouts of America Annual Recognition Dinner" on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30 at the Weber Center, 428 Harborview Plaza. The La Crosse Downtown Rotary Club will be recognized at this dinner. Cost is $25 per person, includes heavy Hors D'oevres. See flyer for more information.
Benefits of sponsoring an ad on the Rotary Club of La Crosse web site: Enhance your business' public relations and image. Advertise an upcoming event. Opportunity to sponsor and support the Rotary Club of La Crosse and your community. Sharing with fellow Rotarians in our club and other local clubs who would like to know what you do.
Why advertise on the Rotary Club of La Crosse web site?The majority of visitors to our website are members and friends of our club. This makes our site's web sponsorship an ideal opportunity for small and large businesses to promote their products, services or an upcoming event in our community. Moreover 100% of the advertising revenue goes back to our club; this in turn supports the local community.
Cost is $20 per month up to $120 per year . . . . click here for form and more information. We will include your logo/link on our web site, send one email blast to all Rotarians and include an initial mention in our newsletter and on our Facebook page.
Click on the logos under Web Site Sponsors...located on right side of our home page and in each newsletter. Our current sponsors are: Franciscan Spirituality Center, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Designing Jewelers, Rotary Works, The Brain Game and Rotary Lights.
Ina Pinkney, was diagnosed with Polio at a young age, a challenge she has faced quietly and courageously while fundraising to eradicate the polio virus worldwide. For the past decade she has been living with the consequences of Post-Polio Syndrome which left her partially, but not completely disabled. Ina was a speaker at our Tri Con 2018 and also spoke at our club last year.
On December 2, 2018, Ina fell on the pavement, landing full force on her already compromised polio knee and breaking her thigh bone. She was admitted to Northwestern hospital for a surgery that included the insertion of a titanium rod into her leg. Unfortunately, other complications ensued, and Ina remained hospitalized for nearly a month before finally being released to a rehabilitation center.
Ina is now (thankfully!) home, but she is at the beginning of a very long road to recovery, and her ultimate destination is uncertain. She is currently wheelchair-bound. She cannot bend her leg and it will be many months until it is strong enough to support her. This leaves Ina unable to stand, walk, drive or move freely. Anyone who knows Ina knows that being in this debilitative state is not easy for her. Neither is asking for help. Her friends have started a Go Fund Me Page to help with her expenses. For more information and to donate to her fund visit her Go Fund Me Page.
Last week at Rotary our guest speaker was Pat Stephens from Rotary Lights. Checks were presented to a number of organizations that helped at the 2018 Rotary Lights. We will welcome: WTC Respiratory Therapy Club, Boys and Girls Club, La Crosse Citizen Advocacy, Girl Scouts of Badgerland, Health Science Academy, La Crosse Astronomical Society, YWCA Teen Services, Aptiv, Disability Action Network, American Red Cross, Myrick Park Community and Zoo, Great Rivers United Way and Gundersen Transitional Residency.
Pat updated us on the results of Rotary Lights 2018. See Brochure.
All area Rotary Clubs will be celebrating Rotary Lights 25th at a dinner on Saturday, January 25, 2020...so save the date!
We have had an inspiring year – now it’s time to celebrate, as well as exchange ideas and plan for the future. In keeping with President Barry Rassin theme ”Be the Inspiration”, we have some truly inspiring stories to share with you. We also have some inspiring challenges that face our entire district, that we will address and ask “What can a Rotary Club do about this?” Two of those biggest challenges are the opioid epidemic in our region, and human trafficking.
Besides the thought provoking sessions, we will have a membership summit meeting, our annual business meeting, and fun! Be sure and check out the House of Friendship, and the silent auction items up for bid. And take in some of La Crosse’s fun at the free Artspire street fair, just a block or so south of the La Crosse Center. In the evening, there will be live entertainment there. We also have several “international” ports of call lined up so you can sample La Crosse’s walkable downtown nightlife.
Rotary’s slogans and messages come and go, but this year’s theme will stay with me forever. Because a central part of each and every Rotarian’s responsibility is truly to “Be the Inspiration”. That should not end at the close of this Rotary year. I hope each of us will embrace that mission, and share the gifts of Rotary with many others in the years to come!
Youth Exchange Committee: Our Rotary Club's next exchange student will be Inga from Germany. Her mom and dad are both scientists (radio astronomy). Their son is on exchange in the USA this year and they are excited that Inga will have a similar opportunity this coming year.
Inga will turn 16 shortly after school starts. She is fluent in English but also studies French, Polish, Latin and Spanish. She likes to read, draw, play tennis and volleyball, bake, garden and write. She plays piano and ukulele and enjoys photography. She is not religious but is supportive of those who are. She has traveled with her family and describes herself as patient and ambitious. Her future interests are not yet decided but she has interests in being an MD, owning a cake shop or becoming an architect.
We have a first host family, presently going through the background process, but are looking for host family two and three in the Logan School District. Having three host families gives the student a more well-rounded experience in a culture, having experienced family life from multiple perspectives. It is also less of a commitment for host families; the typical length of stay is about three to four months instead of a full year. Hosting an exchange student is life changing for you, your family and the exchange student. It allows you to become familiar with another culture and provides the opportunity to share a young student's hopes and ambitions. Youth Exchange promises to enrich the lives of the student and every member of your family.
Happy Birthday Chuck Hanson - March 25 Brent Smith - March 25 Mike Hartigan - March 26 Richard Strauss - March 26 Petra Roter - March 28
Happy Wedding Anniversary None
Rotary Anniversary Trish Grathen - March 24 - 25 years Michael Nickel - March 24 - 14 years Bob Daley - March 25 - 48 years Tim Durtsche - March 25 - 37 years Ingrid McCallson - March 25 - 26 years John Honadel - March 27 - 11 years Patt Boge - March 28 - 28 years Todd Ondell - March 28 - 28 years Mary Mickelson - March 29 - 18 years
HOLMEN SERVICE AUCTION: Lunda Center on April 4, 2019 from 5-10 Come join the Holmen Area Rotary Club in their 2019 Service Auction. Come bid on unique and special items and services and support the Holmen Area Rotary Club and their service to the community. There will be food, drink, lots of fun and fellowship. Hope to see you there! Flyer Tickets $20 are in advance. Buy a table for 8 and get drink tickets, table candy and a table tent with your company name on it for only $200. To get tickets or become a sponsor please contact Judy at Judymchugh@msn.com or call (608) 780-1628
VALLEY VIEW ROTARY MOON TUNES: Riverside Park - Bill Miller and friends June 6, 2019. Web Site.
Rotary District Conference in La Crosse:La Crosse Center June 7-8, 2019
Centennial Dinner Celebration: La Crosse Center - June 20, 2019 - Speaker will be Stephanie Urchick - a member of the Rotary Club of Canonsburg Houston, Southpointe. She has served Rotary as a Foundation Trustee, RI and TRF Committee member, District Governor, Regional Foundation Coordinator for ZONE 29, International Training Leader, RI President's Representative, Regional Leaders Training Institute Moderator, district delegate to Councils on Legislation, Training Leader at Zone meetings, and in various club and district Foundation roles.
ROTARY ATTENDANCE Feb 28th- 55% March 7th - 59% March 14th - 52% March 21st - 55% March 28th - 65%
Rotary Attendance policy is to attend or makeup at least 50% of the club meetings during the first six months and the second six months. They can be done by: • Attending regular club meetings • Making up meetings at other Rotary Clubs ( which includes E-Clubs) • Engaging in club projects/events/fellowship/board meetings.
100% Attendance Winners July - Sheila Wieser August - Bob Riutzel September - Peter Grabow October - Chuck Hanson November - Grant Withrow December - Tami Woods January - Kenna Christians
RESIGNED Gibran Augustine - Transferred After Hours Ellie Hazlett - Transferred Sparta Marv Ramsay Jeff Richards
Honorary Members 23
Associate Membershipis a program to recruit younger members, millennials, to membership. Associate Membership is available to anyone who is proposed for membership who is 35 years of age or less. Associate membership will end when that member reaches the age of 38. They would pay for dues and $100 for meals per quarter no matter how many meetings they attend that quarter.
Corporate Membership is a program to allow multiple employees of a business Rotary participation under one primary membership. Each corporate membership is limited to a three-year term. After the three-year corporate membership term, the individuals are required to become individual members. View Corporate Membership Policy.
Family Membershipis a program to allow a second individual Rotary participation under one primary membership. View Family Membership Policy.
Honorary Membership is offered to members who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals.Unlike other membership categories that can be requested by the member, Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a member by election from the Board of Directors. View Honorary Membership Policy.
Excused Membership is offered to members if the aggregate of the member’s years of age and years of membership in one or more clubs is 85 years or more, the member has been a member of one or more clubs for at least 20 years, and the member has notified the club's secretary in writing of the member’s desire to be excused from attendance and the board has approved. Excused Members will pay the quarterly dues and only for meals when they attend a meeting.
Membership Proposals....we will no longer ask for three references when you propose a new member. This was a criteria that our club had set not RI. This will help us process new members into our club more efficiently. You can access the membership proposal form online, under the Club Information site page.
Please note: Raffle, Fines, Birthday, Anniversaries and Scooters are all donations that will go to the club If you are making a donation and would like it to go to the Rotary Works Foundation or Rotary International Foundation, we ask that you write a check to the Foundation of your choice.
March 21st: Raffle $50; Fines $152; Scrip $250; Scooters $6
If you would like to volunteer for Rotarians in the News, be a greeter, a hospitality greeter, raffle ticket seller, scrip seller or announce guests, you can email the Monthly Duty Roster Coordinator that are listed above....just click on their name. If you would like to give your classification talk please contact Program Committee Chair Sarah Arendt-Beyer.