The Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA Trails) is a 501c3 nonprofit. We are dedicated to building happy, healthy, and resilient communities by providing access to equitable and sustainable outdoor recreation experiences.
Jed would play in the dirt all day if we let him. He has been back and forth across the globe following one adventure after another by bike, board, or boots. When it came time to raise a family, he and his wife, Kelly, paused just long enough to plant a few roots in the Driftless Area, and then started the adventures all over again, this time with kids. La Crosse and the surrounding area offer all of the recreation possibilities they could have ever asked for accompanied by a warm welcoming sense of community. Jed loves that he can pick his kids up from school, hit the woods, slopes, or water, and still have dinner on the table before his wife gets home from work. By serving as the ORA Trails Executive Director, he has an opportunity to improve and highlight this beautiful place he calls home.
Last Week: Lee Rasch, Rotary 4-Way Test and How it Applies to Inclusion
In lieu of the regular weekly program, the Rotary Club of La Crosse held a roundtable conversation regarding the club’s weekly meeting practices and activities.
The purpose was to engage members in a discussion about building and maintaining a welcoming meeting environment. It was also intended that the roundtable approach would result in a better understanding of how to
respond to issues with diverse viewpoints. The roundtable
conversation process draws upon the work of Braver Angels, a partner organization with a number of Rotary clubs.
We value the opinion of ALL club members. If you wee unable to attend this meeting, we would love for your to review the discussion questions and share your thoughts by the end of this week. Follow the link below.
If you attended in person or on Zoom and would like to share more after thoughts, you may do that as well through that link.
Lunch this week: Grilled Turkey, avocado, bacon, and tomato on toasted sourdough with Tomato Bisque
Coffee, water, ice tea, and milk provided.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnl if know you are bringing guests but last minute invites are also welcome!
Condolences and Hospitalizations
Keep Katy Woods in your thoughts and prayers. Katy has foot surgery on Thursday, January 18th and will be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks.
Quarter 3 Invoices
Your Quarter 3 invoices (January, February, March) were-e sent to you last week. Please watch for them and reach out to Niki Pohnlif you do not see yours or if you have questions.
New Member Proposals
The following community members have been proposed to become members of our club:
Josh Levine, Executive Assistant for Roz Schnick Consulting, proposed by Roz Schnick
Michael and Beth Wagner, Mayo Clinic Health System, proposed by Roz Schnick
Betsy Morgan, UWL Interim Chancellor, proposed by Niki Pohnl
Randy Erickson, External Communication Coordinator, proposed by Rog Chistians
According to club procedure, applicant names are to be published in our weekly email bulletin for two weeks. If there are no objections from the current membership, these applications will be approved. Please contact the Club Administrator if you object to these applications by January 17, 2024.
Click the link below if you have a new member to propose!
Event Volunteer Needs - There are several volunteer opportunities for this event. Check out this link to see how you can help. All volunteers must be registered for the event.
Please be advised of the name provided here brought forth from the Nomination Committee for the Rotary Club - Downtown 2024-2025 year. Please reach out to Eva Marie Restel, Club President, if you have concerns. Voting will take place at our Annual Meeting, January 255th.
Mark Jolivette (21-26)
President
Regina Siegel (23-28)
President-Elect/RW Liaison
Richard Strauss (24-29
President Nominee
Eva Marie Restel (20-25)
Past President
Bridget Thomas (24-27)
Secretary
Mike Nickel (22-25)
Treasurer
Mary Ann Gschwind (22-25)
Sergeant-at-Arms
Julia Behrenbeck (23-26)
Directors
Carolyn Bostrack (23-26)
Directors
Tim Ehler (22-25)
Directors
Jenny Felty (24-27)
Directors
Ryan Geister (22-25)
Directors
Julie Keitel (24-27)
Directors
Nancy Mueller (23-26)
Directors
Michael Quam (24-27)
Directors
Mark Solyst (22-25)
Directors
Scott Horne (22-25)
Youth Protection Officer
Rotary Works Foundation Representatives:
Regina Siegel (22-25)
First term
Sheila Riley (23-26)
First term
Richard Strauss (23-26)
First term
Gary Klein (22-25)
First term
Let's Celebrate!
Active Rotarians
179
Honorary Rotarians
12
Rotary Attendance
93 between in person, guests, Zoom
Welcome to Week 3 of RI’s Month of Vocational Service.
At the end of a week-long Rotary International Assembly, (January 7 – 11, 2024) the United Nations and Rotary International signed an agreement on one of TRF’s 7 Areas of Focus: the Environment. According to an online report, “the new partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and one of the world’s largest service organizations, Rotary International, will work to conserve and restore freshwater bodies. The partnership with Rotary International will assist UNEP’s global efforts to support countries in monitoring, protecting, restoring and better managing their freshwater ecosystems, such as lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater aquifers, to meet sustainable development, climate, biodiversity and other global commitments. “Great partnerships are key to accelerating water action,” said Leticia Carvalho, Principal Coordinator of UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. “We very much look forward to working with Rotary with its global reach, close connections to communities and action-focused engagement.”. With more than US$23 million invested by Rotary International’s foundation, Rotary clubs worldwide undertake impactful environmental projects ranging from local clean-ups and tree plantings to large-scale efforts like installing solar power, creating waste management systems and conserving ecosystems.
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