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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
August 13, 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: 
 
 
 
Jon Steffes
Wings in the Wind: The Armistice Day Storm of 1940

When not hunting or fishing, Jon Steffes is an elementary teacher in La Crescent, Minnesota.  Besides teaching fourth grade and his involvement with summer athletic programs and the school’s foundation, Jon enjoys writing novels.  His second book is called Wings in the Wind:  The Armistice Day Storm of 1940.  Wings in the Wind uses Jon’s father as the main character, following Bob Steffes through the blizzard that killed dozens of duck hunters in the Mississippi River bottoms in November, 1940.  Jon will discuss the blizzard, Wings in the Wind, and his other works during the program.    LINK

 

 

ROTARY LEADERSHIP SERIES

 

 

 

Rotary Leadership Series

We are pleased to announce the inaugural event for the Rotary Leadership Series. The 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. Tom Thibodeau is the inaugural speaker. He is an active and engaging speaker. His topic is Leadership and Hope.
 
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 August 13th 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 
 

Leadership Program

on

Thursday, August 13th at 7:00 am.  

Leadership & Hope

Tom Thibodeau

Associate Professor

 Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership

from Viterbo will be our speaker.

Tom Thibodeau, Associate Professor and Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership from Viterbo will be our speaker.

Tom is a captivating, sought-after speaker. He describes himself as a husband, father, grandfather, teacher and active community member.

He brings infectious enthusiasm, compassion and a true commitment to leadership & service in his message. Tom will share his thoughts on the essence of leadership and hope.

 

LAST WEEK AT ROTARY
LAST week at Rotary....
 
 
Macy Neader
Youth Exchange (Outbound) Experience in Taiwan

Macy will recall her experience in Taiwan as our outbound youth exchange student.  The Neader family has a rich youth exchange history with La Crosse Rotary as Cameron was our exchange student to Denmark and Turkey.   Ashlyn was our exchange to Austria and India.  

ZOOM VIDEO MEETING

 

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 we will also post on Facebook and our web site   -  PAGE LINK.   You can share this site with prospective members. 
 
This week Andy interviewed Rotarian Kerstin Boudreau- click on her photo to view.
 
 
CELEBRATIONS

 

                                   

 Happy Birthday
Scott Chorski - Aug 9
John Dingman (H) - Aug 9
Rob Jordan - Aug 9
Todd Restel - Aug 11
Peter Hughes - Aug 12
Ilene Kernozek - Aug 13
Barry Watkins - Aug 13
Bob Bendiksen - Aug 15

Happy Wedding Anniversary
Brent (Ellen) Smith - Aug 11
Teresa (David) Pierce - Aug 12
Todd and Eva Marie Restel - Aug 13
Barry (Chris) Watkins - Aug 14
Carol (Bill) Abrahamzon - Aug 15


Rotary Anniversary
Anita Froegel - Aug 10 - 33 years
Jim Lewis - Aug 12 - 38 years
Jodi Widuch - Aug 14 - 17 years
Roger LeGrand - Aug 15 -  24 years

 

AVENUES OF SERVICE DINNER CANCELLED
 
 
Avenues of Service Dinner has been cancelled for 2020.  Another casualty of COVID-19.  Rotary International requested that all of its clubs around the world limit their respective social gatherings and events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We thank the Avenues of Service Committee for making this hard decision in order to keep all of us safe. If you submitted a nomination for this year, they will hold them and review them in 2021.  We all will miss gathering with local Rotarians and celebrating our Service Above Self in the community and world.
 
Everyone keep up the great work and we will celebrate in 2021!!  The committee has scheduled the Avenues of Service Dinner for Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at the La Crescent Area Event Center.
 
 
 
JENNIFER JONES MAKES HISTORY

 

Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.

Jones will officially become president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge her.

 
 
 
 
INVOICES ARE IN YOUR INBOX
Invoices were sent out on August 3rd and 4th (for July-September)...check your inbox....if you did not receive, please let us know.  
 
We are billing you according to the option you selected on the form that was distributed last April 2020.
 
 
 
The following were the options…..

Option #1 was Pay Rotary Dues but suspend Foundation Pledges.

Option #2 was Pay Rotary Dues and continue Foundation Pledges.

Option #3 was Pay Rotary Dues, Foundation Pledges and continue playing the meal charges which goes towards our club operation funds.

Option #4 was I need assistance for this quarter for my dues of $76.

If you have a need to change your option, please contact Lyn.

Your immediate payment would be appreciated.  Thank you to all who have already made payment!!  
 
We DO NOT use the ClubRunner invoicing system so your account balance on ClubRunner will always show $0 balance. Your invoice comes from our online QuickBooks account.  
 
 
 
 
WEB SITE SPONSORSHIPS - AUGUST 2020
WEB SITE SPONSORSHIP

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. 

New Sponsors this Month

Catholic Charities

Coulee Region 2020 Back2school Event
Help area families get ready to go back to school!
Donations will be used to buy school supplies to
help students start the year off on the right foot.

Donate Link

Facebook Link


 

THE PARENTING PLACE

 
 
 
 
Be part of La Crosse Family Feud!
A VIRUTAL fundraiser for The Parenting Place
Take 2 minutes to answer survey questions we'll use in the game!
Thank you!
 

 

 

 
ROTARY MUSKY CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER
2020 Rotary Al’s Musky Challenge - Day #4
The Monster of Vermilion “The Rotary Musky"
Thursday 8-6-20  (delayed update)
 
 
 
 
Hello Rotarians, this is Al Louis. Stand by for news!
 
I wore my Rotary polo Thursday night to honor Jennifer Jones and all the women of Rotary. Jennifer is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, and she has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23. This will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history!
 
And now, the rest of the story.
 
We had a late start. A.J., his wife Ashley, and their dog Avery (our good luck musky dog) stopped over to catch up on the news with Brenda and me. Finally, A.J. said, “It’s time to go! It’s already past 6pm.” As we went down to the docks, Ashley screamed, “The boat is sinking!” (A.J. had taken the boat plug out on the way over and forgot to put it back in during the launch. The only thing keeping the boat from sinking at the dock was the motor).
 
Well, you know what comes next, bailing water, for the next 45 minutes. Avery looked at us with a look that said “I’m not going out with you two clowns tonight. I’m staying home with the girls and hope to get some treats.” So, we were off, continuing our adventure without our lucky dog.
 
Heading out, I was thinking about Tuesday night’s shutout and that I was dedicating this night to our first female Rotary International president and all the women of Rotary. I hoped they wouldn’t hate me if we had back-to-back “skunks.”
 
The night started slowly. 7:10pm, we were fishing a spot where a few big ones had come from in the past, when out of nowhere a monster appears as A.J. is finishing a cast. He circles the lure and yells “big fish!” On the second turn, the fish disappears into the depths. 7:30pm becomes 8:00pm, then 8:30pm. We had cast our favorite locations and we were striking out.
 
I suggest a spot. A.J. said nothing and kept driving the boat. Had our luck run out? He stops the boat near a small rock outcropping in the middle of nowhere. I asked, “what are we doing.” He said, “Throw at the rock. What can it hurt?” I shrug my head knowing he has fished this lake since he was three. I’m not about to judge the guy who has put me on fish for 8 years and has been responsible for me catching 42 muskies in that time.
 
Shut up and cast, Al. 8:50pm. Cast #1 nothing. Cast #2 nothing. Cast #3, the last cast at the rock, I throw it deep, reeling it in with speed. My favorite little lure is coming in from left to right, alongside the boat now, I start my circling routine. I’m looking down and “BOOM!” The Monster Musky of all time drills my lure. I quickly set the hook as it takes off with my drag screaming. I try to hold it tight, I yell to A.J., “Help! I barely have it hooked.” He grabs the net, reaches and nets it face-first! (A musky fishing tip: Netting a musky face-first is to be avoided. If the hooks get caught on the outside of the net guess what happens? You could lose the fish.)  But for us, in this instance, it was the only choice.
 
History was made Thursday night. It was my fourth career 50” musky, the landmark length some call the “holy grail of muskies.” And, this one wasn’t just 50” long, this musky had a girth of almost 27” and would weigh in at an estimated 48.25 pounds.
 
Musky #3 will now be known as “THE ROTARY MUSKY!” Dedicated to the first woman to soon become our Rotary International President for the years 2022-23 and with her, all of the women of Rotary worldwide!
 
Stay tuned… heading out Tuesday 8/11 to chase more Monster Muskies!
 
We appreciate everyone’s support and please keep the donations coming! Pledge or donate here: https://rotarycluboflacrosse.org/page/al-s-musky-challenge/
 
Al's Musky Challenge, benefitting New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers, Inc. Mobile Meals of La Crosse Gateway Area Council, Boy Scouts of America La Crosse Public Education Foundation and Family & Children's Center.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

2020 Rotary Al’s Musky Challenge - DAY #3 "The Night of the Skunk"

8-4-20 (delayed update)


A.J. and I left the docks later than usual, around 6 pm., with total confidence that I would be putting a fish in the net for a 3rd consecutive outing. Boy were we wrong! We motored all over the lake to many of our favorite spots that had produced muskies over the past 8 years. We made hundreds of casts using bucktails with blades, top water plugs, huge rubber lures and every other type of lure you could imagine. The result, two fishermen that were worn out and tired. As the clock struck 10pm we retired from the field of play,it was official, it was “the night of the skunk.” Vermilion had pitched a shutout.


Stay tuned...heading out Thursday 8/6 to chase more Monster Muskies!  UPDATE ON Day 4 coming!!!

 
 
 
AL'S SECOND CATCH
46.5"
 
Oktoberfest Fish
$1000 from one Oktoberfest Member!
 
 
 
 
 
AL'S FIRST CATCH
41"
 
Wearing a Cub's Jersey one pledge went from $250 to $500!!
 
 
 
 
 
Today - July 28th.....starts the 2020 Rotary Al Louis Musky Challenge to benefit five local charities (official start time: 4:30 PM)!   Al's wife Brenda (pictured) has been given a new nickname: she will be referred to during the rest of the trip as "The Masked Walleye Slayer" and will be rooting Al and Al's Musky fishing partner Andrew "A.J" Judnick on—and, of course, serenading them with Oktoberfest cheer—Prost!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catch from 2019
 
 
 
Local Rotarian Launches Unique Fundraiser Benefiting Local Nonprofits:
Al’s Musky Challenge
 
La Crosse, WI – For one local Rotarian, landing a monster musky isn’t just about the thrill of the chase, it’s about giving back to our community. From July 26 through August 28th, for every musky Al Louis catches during a fishing trip at Lake Vermilion in Minnesota, he will be donating $100 to the Al’s Musky Challenge fundraiser. He is challenging fellow Rotarians and community members to pledge—or contribute a set amount—as well.
 
The fundraiser 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 the New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers’ Stewards of Children Training program receiving the remaining amount. “One in 10 children are sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. That’s a horrifying statistic! The Stewards of Children program that New Horizons offers the community teaches people how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse,” says Patty Nuttleman, Development Director at New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers, Inc.
 
To date, over $21,000 has already been pledged, and the Lake Havasu Rotary Club (of which Al is also a member) has agreed to match up to $1,000. Anyone donating $50 or more will receive a bronze Rotary Centennial coin.  Louis's goal was to raise $20,000.....he has now changed his goal to $40,000!!!   He has received $21,000 to date in checks and pledges.....and he hasn't even wet his line yet!!!  
 
“COVID-19 has forced many of these groups to either cancel or delay their annual fundraising events. Help us exceed our goal of raising $20,000 to help support these five important non-profits that play a vital role in serving the Coulee Region,” says Al Louis, owner of Designing Jewelers in downtown La Crosse and a four-year member of the Downtown Rotary Club of La Crosse.
 
Last year Al’s Musky Challenge raised $4,000 which benefitted the 2019 Diaper Drive for The Parenting Place.
 
 
 
 
Pledges per fish can be made by completing this Google Form with payment options and a one-time gift can be submitted online at https://app.donorview.com/GZwX9.  
 
 
WHEELS OF HOPE FUNDRAISER INFO
We have some good news!
 
Our "Wheels of Hope" project has been awarded a Rotary District Grant of $14,500.  Thanks to committee member Teresa Pierce who wrote and submitted the grant.   The Committee will be updating us soon on the final phase of this project. 
 
 
 
Thank you to  Rotarians Jodi Widuch and Mary Beth Hensel for presenting our "Wheels of Hope" project.   This is an international project that our club in cooperation with other Rotary Clubs has set a goal to raise money to fund a bus and a van to safely transport girls to their schools in Afghanistan.    LINK to PowerPoint Presentation.
 
 
 
 
 

Only 12% of women in Afghanistan are considered literate. The Zabuli Education Center is one of the few successful schools for girls that is working to change that sad statistic. The Wheels of Hope Project is an important support to expanding educational opportunities for girls and creating safety. This work is inspired by  Razia Jan, last year’s District Conference keynote speaker and founder of the school.

Follow-up from Jodi Widuch...…. 

Thank you very much for the opportunity to talk with you about the Wheels of Hope Project.

As follow up here details of how to donate: 

1. Here is the link to our Go Fund Me Page. This is the easiest way to used a credit or debit card. There is a small processing fee that you can choose to pay for. charity.gofundme.com/razias-wheels-of-hope 

2. You can also donate by check, payable to Rotary Works Foundation, Wheels of Hope in the memo, and mail to Jodi Widuch, 2555 Edgewood Pl., La Crosse, WI 54601 

3. Link to our campaign materials that summarize the project.

 Your donations are tax deductible, even if given through the Go Fund Me page.

Questions? Please let me know.

Thanks so much everyone.

Jodi 

 

ROTARY CLUB EVENTS & LINKS
 
 
 
 
Rotary International Links
 
 
 
 
 
MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP 
Active Membership
188

Resignation
Grant Withrow

Honorary Members
26

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:
 
August - Open
September - Courtney Daniels-Burke
October - Open
November - Lisa Duncanson
 
 
 
 
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
 
 
Be part of La Crosse Family Feud!
A VIRTUAL fundraiser for The Parenting Place
Take 2 minutes to answer survey questions we'll use in the game!
Thank you!
 
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Speakers
Aug 13, 2020
Wings in the Wind: The Armistice Day Storm of 1940
Aug 20, 2020
Paul Harris Presentations
Aug 27, 2020
Razia's Ray of Hope Foundation
Sep 03, 2020
BIn-It-Fits Recycling
Sep 24, 2020
Classification Talk
Oct 08, 2020
Rotary Update with Ed Futa
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Leadership Program - ZOOM
Aug 13, 2020
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
 
STAR Meeting - ZOOM
Sep 10, 2020
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
 
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
Rasch, Lee
 
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
 
Russell Hampton
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