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VIEWING YOUR NEWSLETTER

VIEWING YOUR NEWSLETTER...You will notice at the top of the newsletter a statement... "Having trouble viewing this email? Please click here."   This format will allow you to see any embedded videos and animated ads within the newsletter.  Email newsletter will allow you to see your commitments at the end of your personal newsletter...online newsletters will not show this, the bulletin on the web site may have a more readable format...you can also view bulletins online.....www.rotarycluboflacrosse.org

 

 

CLUB INFO

 

ZOOM MEETING THIS WEEK
September 24, 2020
11:30 Social
12:00 Meeting Starts

Link will be sent Thursday

 

 

ROTARY ZOOM MEETING THIS WEEK
Our club will have a ZOOM meeting again this week.  We will be sending you a browser link via email Thursday morning.  We will open at 11:30 and our meeting will start at Noon.  If you have an announcement you would like to make...please contact Andy Bakkum.    If you would like to have a guest attend, please let Andy know and YOU can forward your email link to them. 
 
Thanks to Sarah Arendt-Beyer you can now view past Zoom Rotary Meetings - she will post each week on our web site......LINK.
 
 
This Week at Rotary: September 24th
Classification Talk
Katie Berkedal
 
 
This week Katie Berkedal will give her classification talk. 
Katie joined our club on June 2, 2016.
She is the Program Director
at the
La Crosse Community Foundation
 
Classification talks are a chance to know the people you meet with on Thursdays and serve with throughout the year, a little better.  Several meetings a year, we take time to learn more about members, their life stories and ambitions, and what brings us all together via Rotary.
 
If you would like to give your classification talk, contact our Program Chair, Rob Palmberg to set it up!
 
 
 
 
VOTE SAFE PROJECT - YOUR VOTE COUNTS

Vote Safe Project – Your Vote Counts,
A Virtual Discussion on the Voting Process & Safety

Tuesday, September 22, 2020
7:00 p.m.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Join Rotarian Jamie O'Neill and our Environmental Committee to clean up the river. Jamie is leading the Clinton Boat Landing site at La Crosse.
 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - SEPTEMBER 26th....SEE LINK BELOW
 
The main meeting location will be at the boat landing Clinton Street. We will stay 6ft apart and spread out near the landing and parking lot. There are three other meet-ups (you'll see on the sign up) that will be given email instructions.
 
Volunteers are needed on foot and in boats to help collect garbage, especially plastic along the Mississippi watershed. This project is a collaborative effort with other Rotary groups along the Mississippi.
 
If interested, here's how to sign up.
1) Click this link to see our SignUp.com on   https://signup.com/go/XyHrWsA
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
 
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Jamie and she can sign you up manually.
 
UPDATE!!!  WHEELS OF HOPE FUNDRAISER NEEDS YOUR DONATIONS
YOUR Rotary Board has agreed to donate $10,000 to the Wheels of Hope Project!!!  Thank you to all who donate through fines, raffles, scooters, dues.....YOU made this possible!!!
 
We have $2,000 left to raise to meet our goal. Your donation no matter how large or small makes a difference....what matters is the outcome your giving produces...transporting young girls and women safely to school.
 
Our deepest gratitude to our members who have already generously supported this project.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Your donation to our Wheels of Hope International Project will help us purchase a bus to get these girls safely to school. One Rotarian said..."Can you imagine having your life threatened over school attendance?"
 
We have two promotions going to get us to our goal!!!
 
Rotarians....we will match your donation with Paul Harris Points for all donations of $100 or more. Donate $500 we will donate 500 points and you will be come a Paul Harris Fellow AND help these girls get to school safely.
 
Thomas Behrenbeck is also doing a "Walking for Wheels Challenge" $500 match.....he will match the first $500 we receive starting September 1st.....see below this article on updates of his "Walking for Wheels."  Join him in this walking challenge...send him photos, miles you walked, etc.  to bermusat@gmail.com.
 
 
 
We had the inspiring Razia Jan presenting at our club telling us about the tremendous impact of the school for girls she started in Afghanistan. Her presentation came on the heels of the Zabuli Education Center re-opening after it's closure due to COVID-19. And it was the perfect launch to the final phase of our project, Wheels of Hope, which is raising money to purchase a bus and a van so that girls and young women are safely transported to school.
 
WALKING FOR WHEELS
 
WALKING FOR WHEELS
 
 
Rotarians are "Walking for Wheels".....Thomas Behrenbeck is walking for wheels....how about you!!  He will match the first $500 donated to our Wheels on the Bus Fundraiser...starting September 1st!  
 
"Walking for Wheels" documentation from Thomas......
 
 
September 13th
Today will be a little different diary/blog for several reasons. Firstly, this will be one of my most personal diaries, secondly, I have intercalated the text with the photos to may-be make a bit more sense, since the photos are so diverse.
 
Does a butterfly make any global impression when it flaps its wings? I know the answer with absolute certainty: it does. This gentleman, Mr. Pudjadi Soekarno did yesterday suddenly of complications of a perforated intestine, and all of a sudden, the world was still. None of you in La Crosse has ever met him, but I had the privilege. Mr. Soekarno was a retired executive from Pertamina, the largest, state owned oil company in Indonesia, but he was even better known for being an eminent Islamic scholar. But above all, he was an exemplary Rotarian. When I first visited the Rotary Club of Jakarta, which then became home away from home, he went out of his way to make me feel welcome, and invited me and Julia with open arms into his home. He challenged my perception of Islam, he taught me the tolerant, forgiving, and peaceful side of his religion. And he lived it his entire life, in a mixed marriage to the lovely Latvian/Australian Mara, and his two children, Rico, a renown artist, and Anita, an architect in HongKong. He tirelessly fought for equality of gender and equal chances, and always thought, he had to do more. Yet he was humble, with a wry smile, and had utmost respect for many ways of life. The world of tolerance, love, service above self, and embracing each other without prejudice has gotten a little more quiet with his voice gone. I am not sad, Pak Pudjadi would not want that, I am overjoyed, I had the pleasure to meet such an extraordinary, yet quiet and humble man. Thomas PHOTOS
 
September 14th
OK, OK, dear Rotarians, today was not a stellar day for exercise nor hiking, (no smirking Mr. Dickinson), but what a wonderful day it was.
After recuperating from the vigorous exercise yesterday, I had a morning filled with office work and calls. Then we met with Val Schute, the architect, and then...........then we had the most magical day thanks to Bud and Barb Hammes. Again, they exceeded every expectation, as they have always been the gracious welcoming committee to our new home on the Mississippi and the La Crescent/La Crosse area; this time, they blew us out of the water (luckily not literally, since we spent our entire get-together on the water). For the cheap admission price of a few measly sandwiches and some chips, nuts and cookies (they nicely called my offerings a Picknick), they took us on a magical trip to the backwaters of Lake Onalaska to the sand banks for eagles, pelicans, swans, egrets, sand cranes various kinds of geese and duck congregate to sleep overnight, since the sand banks are the ideal protection against land predators (foxes, coyotes, raccoons, etc.) The abundance of wildlife was magnificent and overwhelming. A spectacle like this should turn us all into environmentalist eager to preserve this treasure. At dusk, these sand banks became busier than Chicago O’Hare, or Amsterdam Schiphol, with planes, ahem birds arriving in tight clusters without any accidents. Simply amazing and awe inspiring, and right in front of us. On the way back, just before the sun set, a blue heron bade us farewell, a reminder we should never lose such beauty. Again a shout-out to the responsible authorities to make this such a great wild life preserve, and to the Hammes (those old river rats) to let us witness this event.
Good night, y’all stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch, Thomas PHOTOS
 
September 15th
Wow, in a blink of an eye, half of September is already gone, and of course (elementary my dear Watson), we have reached the halfway point of the walking challenge. As you can see, I have maintained an even 5 miles per day. To celebrate half-time, Julia and I decided to explore Perrot State Park, just north of Trempealeau, another gem for hikers, and in this case kayakers as well. We chose Brady’s bluff trail (there are several others available), and accessed it from the river side (a slightly more shallow access is from the main entry office). The incline was quite steep, but the quality fo the trail with stone steps, wooden steps and benches if you need rest is amazing. Probably would not recommend walking it during rain, since it can get quite slick, but yesterday was just perfect. The views went from dense forest, a wonderful gorge with ferns, and prairie vegetation to absolutely spectacular once you reached some elevation. On top of Brady’s bluff is an old, well maintained shelter, where previous generations carved their initials into the sturdy logs. I understand that even a well known lawyer and his sweetheart from La Crosse have professed their undying love there, and indeed it did last. So there must be something magical there, at least Julia and I could feel it. The descent to the other side again provided spectacular views with several switchbacks, very easy to walk. Once back at ground level, there is immediate access to a wonderful river view trail, which brings one back to the parking lot. All in all, another wonderful walk for about two hours.
If anyone would have told me that these trails existed around here, I would not have believed it, and I am grateful to have the opportunity for this ‘nature pub crawl’.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch, I know some of you have done their own walking challenge, and I would love to see some photos.
Cheers, Thomas PHOTOS
 
 
September 16th
Thanks to all of you, we are so close to the goal line, I can smell (the roses), and I could revert to being a couch potato. NOT! Given, all of you have been so generous, I have decided to continue on hikes until the 30th of September, and then..........
Anyway, and to follow Dean’s sage advice ‘send photos of anything, just not of you; we want people to donate and not be frightened’, I decided to do just that.
Yesterday, a visit to the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge was on the docket. First, we stopped at Eckert’s on Hwy 54/35 for some delicious apples (and caramelized apple pie). Oh, and in case of you being apple pie aficionados or ‘snobs’, and want the double crusted apple pie, you have to call ahead. They are only baked on the weekend, and need to be reserved, since they sell out right away.
But onto the hike. To be fair, this was more like a walk, it is very easy, once in the refuge, you can chose several trails, they are all essentially flat (little elevation here and there). I recommend the Prairie Edge Loop, from which you can chose an inner and an outer prairie trail with great instructional stations discussing the flora and fauna characteristic to the prairie, its preservation (controlled fire is one of the key measures), and the original native population. Really worthwhile, all in all about 5 miles if you do everything, shorter, if you just chose one of the trails.
 
As I already mentioned above, this is a wildlife refuge, so I thought it appropriate to send photos of the wildlife (some very well camouflaged). The upright animal with the feral smile is the most dangerous. 😉 I am happy Julia accompanies me on my hiking adventures, every time it reaffirms how lucky we are to have settled here. And there is still so much more to explore.
Stay tuned, stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch, Thomas PHOTOS
 
September 17th
Today was a quiet day, no adventures to any new trails. The day was filled with virtual meetings (yes, I am grateful for the technology; no it is not the same as being in the room with them, the intangible information gets lost). And yet COVID-19 has certainly shaped this world differently, and we are still trying to figure out which of the changes are temporary and which ones are permanent. For sure, medicine will not go back to the ‘good old, pre-COVID’ way of practice, and it shouldn’t. In our business we are learning that many things can be accomplished without being there, now we need to learn, which things still require a face-to-face encounter. Interesting times. 
I will just leave you with a couple of pictures of the river. It is amazing, how the colors are changing depending on the time of day, and how calm or agitated the river is. Right now is the most beautiful season here with colors just beginning to change.  So no barrage of photos, just a quiet day, interrupted by two great meetings (update on Razia’s bus project and the wonderful success under the leadership of Jodi Widuch, with Bill Hoel co-chairing. I always admire his background, looks like he is preaching to the choir. 😉 Followed by a great presentation, where I learned a lot; what can be better?)
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch. For those of you, who like humming birds as much as I do, and I know Val Schute, one of our fellow Rotarians is, I would like to introduce you to Fatso, one of our 5-7 resident humming birds. As Val was so surprised that several of our humming birds were resting on their tiny perch when feeding, Fatso, the plumpest of all, has the simplest routine. Once he is done at the feeder, he just hops onto Julia’s tomato planter, and .............takes a nap for about 10 - 15 minutes, then goes back to the feeder, and rinse and repeat. He is the biggest of our humming bird guests, and I can see why, but he is still very cute. This photo was taken just before he falls asleep, you can imagine, how peaceful it is around here.  
Cheers, Thomas PHOTOS
 
September 18th
What a day! As you can see from the activity chart, this must have been the most active day so far, and it was packed with wonderful stuff, something for all the senses. There were so many things, I had to break it up into three sections to do it justice. We got an early start this morning, and drove to Winona to see the new photo exhibit, and revisit the Titanic exhibition at the MMAM (Minnesota Marine Art Museum). For those of you, who have not been there, you MUST visit, as many of our foreign friends confess: ‘We never thought a museum of this caliber would exist in the Midwest in such a small town’. The collection of paintings, all dealing with water, are unbelievable, all the great artists are represented. In addition, there are always new temporary exhibits, which make repeat visits worthwhile. And for those of you, who really do not appreciate art (and who does not), just come for the gardens. As you can see from the photos, they are still magnificent even this time of year. Today, we met up with our friends, Dr. Ullrich and Margret Specks again from the Mayo Clinic, both also avid hikers. Both have been on a two-week staycation, and we got to go an a couple of hikes with them. After our start, we warmed up with a drive to Garvin Heights, a great lookout over Winona. From there you appreciate that Winona appears like an island, the main part being bordered by the Mississippi on the east, and a chain of lakes on the west. You get a really nice appreciation of the newly (well, not quite so new anymore) bridge from MN to WI, using the old span, and adding a more modern one for the east-west traffic.
We had picked Garvin Heights to see if there were some nice hiking paths, but really, the only one is down to Garvin Heights Park, a steep decline with not so good views.
As a Rotarian, you always have a plan B, so not being discouraged we decided to ascend Sugar Loaf Bluff. So onto Part 2.   PHOTOS PART 1
 
Well, continuing our day, we decided to explore Sugar Loaf Bluff, especially since the City of Winona Parks Department had recently created a trail on the North Side of Sugar Loaf Bluff, which gave easier access to the rocky outcropping that is so characteristic when you approach Winona from the south on Hwy 61. For those of you who would like to try it, and I highly recommend it, because of the fantastic vistas and the surroundings, stay on the frontage road on the West side of Hwy 61 going south to Edina Realty, and pull into their parking lot. The beginning of the trail head is very unassuming, since it starts with a couple of steps up the lawn on the side of the Edina building, but soon you are in the woods in an entirely different world. Both views to the west and east are awe inspiring, the degree of difficulty is at most moderate, though I would not recommend climbing during wet weather, the ground can turn slippery quickly. It is a quick 20 minute ascent, and you will be rewarded with spectacular views both south towards Perrot State Park, as well as down to Winona, and to the valley on the west side. Once you are close to Sugar Loaf, you recognize a large number of crampons and hooks that allow climbing the south side. We decided we were not that adventuresome, and left this to more serious and athletic folks. So off to the next part of our planned hike, we had already planned from the get-go we wanted to explore the wonderful path around the lakes of Winona. This will be part 3. PHOTOS PART 2
 
All right, onwards with our day. After making it back to the road, we headed straight to the park across from Sugar Loaf Bluff, across Hwy 61, the trail head for the path circling around the two lakes of Winona.
But first things first, before going on our second hike of the day, we required sustenance, and as always, we combined our goodies for a wonderful picknick, before resuming our walking. As you can see, the walk is very easy, it is flat and has great vistas. You can chose between a shorter loop (about 3.5 miles), or you can circle both lakes (about 5.4 miles). Our little group chose option three, we walked along both lakes on the east side, and once we reached the northern trail head (if your are bicycling, you can continue towards Wabasha), we decided to turn around (you can see that we debated this for a while and Ullrich and I decided this was best done by sitting down on one of the several swings you can find along the way), since walking the full circle brings you to the west side, and direct proximity to Hwy 61, which is quite noisy. This way, conversations were easy, and Ullrich and I solved pretty much all the problems of the world (especially in Germany, our common native country)😉 Just as a little aside, a nice little bicycle/pedestrian bridge, which allows hikers to avoid proximity to the street, was donated by the Rotary Club in Winona. If you like a really nice, easy walk, with wonderful scenery and right now beginning fall colors, this is definitely doable without too much effort. And no, we are not done yet. Since we worked so hard and walked altogether more than 8 miles, we decided we deserved a treat, and for those of you who love bread (and every honest German does, even the Bavarians down south), you are just minutes away from a wonderful bakery. It is about 6 minutes to drive from Winona, the Castlerock Bakery near Fountain City. Very easy to reach, cross the bridge into WI, take a left towards Fountain City, and it’s the first street on the right. Literally, the first street, about 3/4 of a mile after turning left from the bridge. Can’t miss the little yellow bakery shop, where you will find the breads, pay by honor system, and you are the owner of a delicacy. If you ring the bell next to the little yellow cart, you will have goats scampering down the hill expecting treats, which are in a box next to the cart. So for those of you who like cute and friendly goats ...........
 
On a more serious and interesting not, for those of you with gluten sensitivity, this bread is supposedly tolerated (I don’t have it so cannot guarantee), but as Julia could explain better, this baker uses a special flour for her sourdough bread, which rises slowly over days, and thus is easily digestible. Really a wonderful treat. Well, I can already hear Dean saying; ‘He hikes to eat’. And Dean is probably correct to some degree. Well that’s it for a jam packed day of wonderful hiking and food experiences. Have A great weekend, Stay safe, stay healthy (despite the rising COVID numbers), and stay in touch, Thomas PS BTW, the baker also sells her wares at the Winona Farmer’s Market downtown Saturday morning, and she will let you try her various breads. PHOTOS PART 3

 
Read more...
ROTARY MUSKY CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER
 
2020 Rotary Al’s Musky Challenge
The End Game, Day #9 & Day #10
“Thanks a Boatload”
Tuesday 08/25 & Thursday 08/27
Hello Rotarian's, this is Al Louis. Stand by for news!
 
Friends tell me that I’m one of the luckiest people they know. I’m blessed to still have all of my parents. I’m proud of my kids and grandkids. My businesses continue to be successful. And, I have my wife, Brenda. She is my rock.
No matter the obstacle, Brenda’s by my side. She tells me, “Things will work out. Just keep doing what you do. You’ve got this.” Luck has little to do with it. She continues to steer the ship, putting everyone ahead of herself. She is the true reason it all works. So, I am dedicating the 2020 Musky Challenge to her, Brenda Louis, my true companion.
 
And now, the rest of the story....
 
A.J. and I weren’t alone those last two days of the Challenge. No less than 85 bass boats and 170+ contestants were on Vermilion for a huge bass tournament. During the days prior the tournament, competitors pre-fished for a solid week. Morning, noon and night they pounded every spot on the lake that held water. A.J. reminded me, “The last time there was a large bass tournament on the lake, we got skunked for the next two weeks.” Well, he knows Vermilion and he was right. We fished Tuesday night and had one musky follow my lure. Nothing else. Thursday, we saw zero muskies. Sure, I was disappointed. I was one musky short, an eighth, from my personal season’s best. Albeit, together with A.J., we had landed a total of nine muskies. But, as that last night ended, I thought about just how fortunate I was. Who gets the opportunity to spend time with friends and loved ones, fishing and relaxing up North, especially during these strange times of Covid-19? “Thanks a Boatload” The 2020 Musky Challenge has generated more than $41,500 in contributions! Thanks a “boatload” to all the Rotarians, family, friends, sponsors and donors (many whom I’ve never met) that supported the Challenge. A special thank you goes out to the “home team” in La Crosse. Without these dedicated Rotarians promoting, recording and reporting, this event would never have been as successful.
Stay tuned… donations are still coming in and there’s still time to make a gift. Pledge or donate here: https://rotarycluboflacrosse.org/page/al-s-musky-challenge/
 
Al's Musky Challenge, benefiting New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers, Mobile Meals of La Crosse, Gateway Area Council Boy Scouts of America, La Crosse Public Education Foundation and Family & Children's Center.
 
INVOICES WERE SENT OUT LAST WEEK TO THOSE THAT HAVE PLEDGED
Prompt payment will be appreciated!
Thanks to those that have already made payment.
 
 
Al's Musky Challenge is benefiting local nonprofits, with Mobile Meals - Guardian Angel Fund; Gateway Area Council, BSA - Fall Cub Camp; La Crosse Public Education Foundation - Random Acts of Kindness; and Family and Children's Center - Chrome Book Project each receiving $1,000; and New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers receiving the remaining amount.   Check presentation will take place within the next few weeks.
 
 
 
 
 
ROTARY LEADERSHIP SERIES

Rotary Leadership Series

 The Rotary Leadership series will involve featured speakers providing insight and information about various aspects of leadership The events are scheduled in a virtual format on the second Thursday of the month on an alternating schedule with the STAR program.  7:00-8:00 am.
 
The Rotary Leadership Series is designed for the members of the nine La Crosse-area Rotary clubs. Members may invite guests.
 
On October 8th we will welcome Carolyn Colleen (Bostrack)
 
 

Carolyn is the founder of the FIERCE Network, an online program that helps women create life strategies that enables them to have the life they dream of—without sacrificing their families, careers, or lifestyles. She is also the author of F.I.E.R.C.E.: Transform Your Life in the Face of Adversity, 5 Minutes at a Time!

Carolyn is a consultant and thought leader for Case Western Reserve University as a leader within the Xchange approach, an initiative built upon a scientifically based, multi-disciplinary approach for leading and managing teams. In addition, she is currently publishing a second book focused on academic entrepreneurism and is the Executive Director of 1Life Fully Lived, a nonprofit organization that provides people of all backgrounds the tools to achieve success.

From standing in a food line at the Salvation Army to Ph.D., Carolyn is avid about sharing her own life story and enco
uraging others to make changes that move them from fear to focusing on the pursuit of their passions.  

Registration is required to attend, guests must provide their email address. To register, click HERE. Those registered will receive an access link shortly before the October 8th event. We hope you will be able to attend. Meanwhile, look for announcements regarding future speakers. 

In service, the Rotary Leadership Series Committee:
Lee Rasch, Andrew Bakkum, Scott Butler, Stephanie Fraase, Mary Beth Hensel, Art Lyons, Emily Nolte 
 

 

LAST WEEK AT ROTARY
 
 
 
 

Sara Eskrich is the Executive Director of Democracy Found, a Wisconsin-based nonpartisan initiative committed to revitalizing democracy.

She has herself been in electoral politics, as a Madison alder, and she is concerned that widely supported, bipartisan policy is often stymied by partisan politics. There is an inability to get anything done in Congress, often due to the misaligned incentives for elected officials, who find that there is no connection between acting in the public interest and their ability to get reelected. One of the major problems lies in the two-party system today, which, in business terms is a duopoly, able to eliminate third-party and independent competition.

Democracy Found’s preferred nonpartisan solution to this situation is Final-Five Voting, a two-fold policy: a top-five nonpartisan primary election and ranked choice voting in the general election. This will allow voters to vote for candidates they really prefer, and winners will be elected by a majority. Officeholders will now be beholden to larger constituencies, rather than just their partisans. Democracy Found is working as a cross-partisan coalition on the state level to get this system adopted for Congressional elections in Wisconsin.

Sara currently serves as a Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commissioner and is a member of the Madison Downtown Rotary Club. She previously served on the Madison Common Council. Her career includes roles in the public and private sectors including at Deloitte Consulting, the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Kids Forward, the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, and City Council President Michael P. Ross’ Campaign and Office at the City of Boston.

Sara is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and holds a Masters of Public Affairs from the Robert M. La Follette School and Masters of Public Health from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

 
 
ROTARY MOMENTS: 5 Questions with Andy
Each week President Andy will interview one of our Rotary Family.   We will post the video each week in our newsletter.   We will also post on Facebook and our website: PAGE LINK.   You can share this site with prospective members. 
 
Last week Andy interviewed Bud Hammes - click on photo to view.
 
 
 
 
 
 
WELCOME NEW MEMBER

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

Sarah Ellingson

Executive Director
Women's Fund of La Crosse
Proposed by Kaycie Green

 

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE OUTBOUND OPPORTUNITY

Rotary Youth Exchange A Step Toward World UndersRYE-2c-ctanding. The La Crosse area Rotary Clubs are looking for students who are interested in a unique experience of attending high school while living in another Rotary International country.  Rotary International has a program which annually involves over 10,000 high school students living nearly a year in another country.  Candidates must be sophomores to seniors in high school at the time of application and 16-18 1/2 years old when they leave for their assigned country.  Applicants must rank in the upper half of their class.

How to apply.  If you know of someone that is interested in this program for the 2021-22 school year, simply have them complete and return the application.  Click here for application and more information. An informational Zoom meeting will be September 24, 2020, 6:30.  To participate in the Zoom meeting copy this link in your browser: zoom.us/join  then provide meeting ID: 880 9454 3423 the provide passcode 829593.  Preliminary application due, September 24, 2020.  Local interviews will be October 5, 2020 and final application due October 26, 2020.  District Interviews will be November 1, 2020 (Maybe done virtual or in Baraboo, WI).

For more information about the Rotary Youth Exchange program, please go to www.csrye.org, our Youth Exchange page on our web site or email Jack Haase at jack.c.haase@gmail.com

 

La Crosse Tribune article.

 

 

VIBRANT CLUB WORKSHOP
 
 
 
 
GET WELL

GET WImageELL WISHES

We send get well wishes out to:

Barb Hammes (wife of Rotarian Bud Hammes).  Barb is battling pancreatic cancer.   She started her first round of chemotherapy.  For many reasons they are hopeful that her cancer will respond well to this chemo, but until we are into treatment for a while, we will not really know.   If you would like to send get well wishes....Barb's address is 314 Shore Acres Road, La Crescent, MN  55947

Rotarian Tim Ehler who is battling cancer (melanoma).  He has a Caringbridge Site....LINK.  If you would like to send get well wishes...Tim's address is W5871 Cedar Road, La Crosse, WI  54601.

 

 

 


  

 

GREETING CARDS BY ANITA
Greeting cards by Anita....YES she is still creating cards for you to purchase.   You can give her a call at 608.785.0602 to order or set-up a time to purchase cards.   She lives in Washburn - 801 Main Street - La Crosse.  A mask is mandatory.  All proceeds go to the Rotary Works Foundation.  Thank you Anita!!...and all the Rotarians that continue to purchase cards from her.
 
 
CELEBRATIONS

 

                                   

 Happy Birthday
Ingrid McCallson - Sept 20

Scott Bradford - Sept 23
Roz Schnick - Sept 23
David Amborn - Sept 25
Brad Reinhart - Sept 25
Sheila Riley - Sept 25

Happy Wedding Anniversary
Jerry (Marilyn) Arndt - Sept 21
Scott (Cinda) Chorski - Sept 22
Todd (Deb) Ondell - Sept 22
Anna (Brandon) Prinsen - Sept 24

Rotary Anniversary
None this Week.

 

ROTARY CLUB EVENTS & LINKS
 
 
 
 
VIBRANT CLUB WORKSHOP
Oct 14, 2020 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A free virtual event made to create vibrant clubs by strengthening Rotarians. 
Learn more here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary International Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP 
Active Membership
189
Welcome Sarah Ellingson!

Honorary Members
27

Associate Membership is 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 Membership is 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.

 

 

PROGRAM CHAIR & DUTY ROSTER COORDINATORS
Program Chair for July 2020 - June 2021
Rob Palmberg
 
If you would like to give your classification talk please contact Program Committee Chair Rob Palmberg.
 
Duty Roster Coordinators:

September - Courtney Daniels-Burke
October - Lauren Journot
November - Lisa Duncanson
December - Lynn Bruns
 
If you are willing to do Rotarians in the News....please contact one of the Duty Roster Coordinators.
 
 
 
CONTACT INFO

Rotary Club of La Crosse
P.O. Box 1914, La Crosse, WI  54602-1914
608-526-4491 

Lyn Sheffer, Administrator
rotarylax@charter.net

Nick Passe, Secretary
nick@passelaw.com

Earlamae Dahlby
Attendance and Make-up Coordinator
earlamae@centurytel.net 


The La Crosse Brain Game
P.O. Box 384, La Crosse, WI  54602-0384
Kelly Krieg-Sigman
info@rotarybraingame.org

Rotary Works Foundation
P.O. Box 1571, La Crosse, WI  54602-1571
608-886-9793

Scott Herdeman, Administrator
rotaryworksfoundation@gmail.com

Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Speakers
Sep 24, 2020
Classification Talk
Oct 01, 2020
All of Us Research Program
Oct 08, 2020
Rotary Update with Ed Futa
Oct 15, 2020
Toastmasters and Rotary Partnership
Oct 22, 2020
COVID Opens Opportunties
Oct 29, 2020
Rotary Club of La Crosse - Diversity and Inclusion Update
Nov 05, 2020
Youth Exchange - How did the exchange impact the lives of 4 past students?
Nov 12, 2020
Rotary Foundation Presentaiton
Nov 19, 2020
La Crosse Police Department
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Leadership Program - ZOOM
Oct 08, 2020
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
 
Rotary Board - ZOOM MEETING
Oct 12, 2020
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
 
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
Sergeant at Arms
Christians, Kenna
 
Secretary
Passe, Nick
 
Treasurer
Carey, Diana
 
Registration Assistant
Dahlby, Earlamae
 
Piano
Haase, Ann
 
Program Chair
Palmberg, Rob
 
Duty Roster Coordinator
 
Rotarians in the News
Christians, Kenna
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
President Elect Nominee
 
Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Rotary Works Foundation Liaison
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Board Member
 
Club Administrator
 
Rotary Works Board Member
 
Rotary Works Board Member
 
Rotary Works Board Member
 
Rotary Works Board Member
 
Membership
 
Program Chair
 
Public Relations/Social Media
 
The Rotary Foundation
 
Youth Exchange Officer
 
Youth Protection Officer
 
Youth Exchange Counselor
 
Youth Exchange Counselor
 
Youth Exchange Counselor
 
Club Administrator / Executive
 
Russell Hampton
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