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
Secretary-designee Randy Romanski
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
A presentaiton on DATCP and the work of this important Wisconsin agency!
Randy Romanski was announced secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by Governor Tony Evers in June 2020. Prior to this appointment, he served as DATCP deputy secretary since January 2019 and interim secretary since November 2019. He brings decades of experience in government administration and policy development to the department.
Romanski has held leadership roles at multiple state agencies. He previously served as DATCP's deputy secretary and secretary under Governor Jim Doyle, working on issues such as farmland preservation, local foods, Farm to School, and renewable energy. Romanski has also served as the executive assistant for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Since 2011, Romanski has been serving as the safety program chief in DOT's Division of State Patrol. Earlier in his career, he held staff positions in the state legislature, both in the Senate and Assembly. He has also served as a policy analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Romanski earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and his master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Romanski resides in Monona.
President Andy Bakkum will be speaking at the Coulee Region Toastmasters Club on Monday, Dec. 7th at Noon....if you are interested in learning more about the Toastmasters, please join them on Monday. LINK to their web site.
Meeting ID: 893 307 3093 Passcode: eCWU7c One tap mobile +13017158592,,8933073093#,,,,,,0#,,596940# US (Washington D.C) +13126266799,,8933073093#,,,,,,0#,,596940# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 893 307 3093 Passcode: 596940 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/khVIINIIQ
Dean and Katie have quite the show for us on December 17th....we will have some alumni returning, a special guest appearance from the La Crosse Symphony and of course Roman Parrish will be back with us!! We will have a good time and we ask that you wear your festive clothing on December 17th!
If you have children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, neighbors or whomever willing to share their holiday spirit through their musical gifts, please sign up. Because we're doing this thing virtually, think beyond local! Performers can join from anywhere in the world this time! Here is the online sign up form: https://bit.ly/3ivyy9G
Due to an alarming and continued increase of COVID cases in our area, and out of an abundance of caution for our customers and volunteers' health and safety, the Rotary Club of La Crosse Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel this year's Fruit Box Fundraiser.
The fruit box fundraiser is our club's largest annual fundraiser and each year brings in much-needed unrestricted funds that are necessary for the club's operating expenses, in addition to helping us support club projects like this year's Razia's Bus fundraiser. If your financial situation will allow it, we would be grateful for a contribution in lieu of your normal fruit box purchase to help with the club's ongoing expenses.
While we are dropping the requirement of a $115 fruit box purchase or $100 buy-out this year, we hope you will continue to support the club with a financial gift if you are able.
For every $100 dollar donation you are entitled to either three silver Rotary coins or seven bronze Rotary coins. If you are interested in receiving these coins please contact Al Louis to arrange a time to pick them up.... al@djrclic.com
If you would like to make a contribution to the club, you can submit payment online here, or mail a check to: PO BOX 1914, LACROSSE, WI 54601.
Thank you to all who have made a donation - we have $8,200 in our fruit fundraiser fund.
MOBILE MEALS COMMITTEE.....The committee's purpose is to serve those less fortunate than us who have difficulty preparing a meal or leaving their homes or apartments to get a meal. Many of the meal recipients are very lonely. A visit from a Rotarian delivering their meal may be their own human contact for the entire day. Each of the committee members has their own stories to tell how they have befriended a meal recipient. It's in those stories that lie the most rewarding aspect of Mobile Meal delivery. Mobile Meals web site.
Thank you to Chair Mike Desmond for overseeing this committee - one committee member states "Our FEARLESS LEADER, Mike Desmond, DOES A WONDERFUL JOB organizing and leading the team. This week we thank Mary Mickelson, Andy Bakkum, Scott Chorski, Dave Clements, Alex Lueck, Roger LeGrand and Matt Boshcka for delivering meals during thess covid times.
Join Rotary Club of La Crosse After Hours for a virtual Ugly Sweater 5k! Run or walk a 5k between Wednesday, December 2nd and Sunday, December 12th, and log your time.
The marsh trails will be lit with lights Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th from 4-8 pm for everyone to enjoy!
Don't forget to find your ugliest sweater and post a photo for the Ugly Sweater Contest. For more information visit: http://oneugly5k.com
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.
Registration is required to attend, guests must provide their email address. Registration LINK.hose registered will receive an access link shortly before the December 10th 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
Assistant District Governor Bob Allen presented our club with a Citation from the Rotary International Foundation for giving $1,500 to the Polio Plus Fund. Our Rotarians are always very generous in giving to the Rotary International Foundations. In 2019-20 our Rotarians gave $26,550 to the Annual Fund and $15,130 to the Polio Plus Fund. Our Rotarians for the 2020-21 year have given $8,900 to the Annual Fund and $5,800 to the Polio Plus Fund....thank you to all who continue to support Rotary International Foundations.
We thank Hope for sharing her story with us. Hope provided a glimpse into her life outside of Rotary. I am sure all would agree we are thankful she chose our club. If you missed our meeting click on the link above and get to know Hope!
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 interviewedAlex Lueck click on photo to view.
The Holmen Area Rotary Club is having their inaugural Holidays In The Park Christmas Tree decorating contest . Businesses, Organizations and Individuals can purchase a tree to decorate. The trees will be set up in Holmen's Halfway Creek Park and will be on display from December 4th to the 31st. Viewers can vote for their favorite trees and the Business, Organization and Individual with the most votes will be awarded a significant donation made to the Holmen Boys and Girls Club in their name. Each vote costs $1 and can be done in person at the Park during the event's operating hours or at any time via the Bid Beacon App - https://app.bidbeacon.com/invite/#QS47RE . All proceeds go to benefit the Holmen Area Boys and Girls Club.
Happy Birthday Michelle Skemp - Dec 7 Dave Koudelka - Dec 10 Julia Behrenbeck - Dec 11 Dillon McArdle - Dec 12 John Temple - Dec 13 Joseph Nduka - Dec 15 Jeff Odom - Dec 16 Dave Gresham - Dec 17 Bruce Swanwick - Dec 20 Al Louis - Dec 21 Lynn Bruns - Dec 23 Eva Marie Restel - Dec 24 Cheryl Hancock - Dec 27
Happy Wedding Anniversary Jamie (Joe) Schloegel - Dec 8 Jim (Lorraine) Lewis - Dec 18 Joseph (Ngozi) Nduka - Dec 18 Don (Susan) Zimmerman - Dec 18 Richard (Pamela) Strauss - Dec 19 James (Jan) Gallagher (H) - Dec 23 Paul and Nancy Mueller - Dec 26 Tim and Marj Gillespie - Dec 29 Scott (Sue) Horne - Dec 29 Patty (Toby) Nuttleman - Dec 31 Dave (Kathy) Gresham (H) - Dec 31
Rotary Anniversary Jamie O'Neill - Dec 7 - 3 years Jerry Arndt - Dec 8 - 15 years Joe Zoellner - Dec 9 - 10 years Michael Carey - Dec 12 - 6 years Hope Hickman - Dec 12 - 1 year Stephanie Job - Dec 12 - 1 year Sharon Jolivette - Dec 12 - 1 year Kristie Korish - Dec 12 - 1 year Anne Snow - Dec 12 - 24 years Paul Mueller - Dec 13 - 2 years Stephen Porter - Dec 13 - 2 years Linda Zoerb - Dec 21 - 25 years Ann Haase (H) - Dec 29 - 9 years Ben Wedro - Dec 31 - 28 years
Chuck and Cheryl Hanson family: Chuck & Cheryl received some very sad news that Chuck’s brother Robert “Tex” Hanson’s wife ,Millie, suddenly died of Covid-19. She had been recovering and improving in the hospital and was to be transferred to a nursing home to complete her recovery when her vital systems suddenly shut down. Tex had to talk to her by phone. Tex is a professor at the University of Northern Michigan in Marquette. A number of club members know Tex and if they want to send a card his address is 1611 Kimber Avenue, Marquette, MII 49855-1503.
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.
President Andy Bakkum will be speaking at the Coulee Region Toastmasters Club on Monday, Dec. 7th at Noon....if you are interested in learning more about the Toastmasters, please join them on Monday. 
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