NOTE FROM BILL HOEL TO ROTARY LIGHTS VOLUNTEERS......
This Friday is Opening Night for Rotary Lights. I will be sending another email listing all volunteers, and suggesting positions you can work. At this writing, Friday’s forecast includes no rain or snow, and a high of 40, dipping down to 24 for a night low, meaning our shift will start at around 36 degrees, and wind up closer to 28. It doesn’t look overly windy at this point.
Please come equipped with mask and gloves. I believe Rotary Lights will have some available, but bring your own if you are able. We ask volunteers not to park inside the park. Some parking is available on Front Street (the part that goes south has some parking, but no traffic, since it’s closed off due to La Crosse Center construction). Warning: If you park on Front Street NORTH of State Street, after first shift you might be locked in there – because of a new traffic pattern. For your info, I am attaching a map of this year’s traffic pattern. LINK TO MAP Because of that construction, we are using a different traffic pattern than ever before. Take a look at it, and spread the word. It could be a challenging first night!
At this point, we have 23 signed up for first shift, and 18 for second shift. We will need 17-18 folks working, with a smaller number after 8:30 or 9:00, so people can take breaks and warm up or whatever.
Speaking of breaks, here’s the plan in this time of social distancing. When you arrive at the park, report to the headquarters trailer. There you will pick up a vest and traffic wand if needed, confirm your assigned position, and leave. We will try to only have 3-4 people in the trailer at a time, and for first shift, I may greet you outside the trailer with the needed equipment. But a brief time in the trailer would not be considered hazardous, according to everything I’ve read and heard.
When you get to a point you would like a break, we will have refreshments and snacks in the Santa trailer. At the north end is a ramp entrance to what used to be the gift shop. Please use that for a break spot. If you don’t want to stay in there, another very reasonable option is to take your beverage and food over to the Ice Castle, which this year will have no live entertainment, and therefore may have fairly few people. We’ll have some seating set up in there, and it is heated also.
At the end of your shift, if a fellow Rotarian relieves you, please make sure they have signed in at the headquarters trailer. They may need a traffic vest, and you can certainly give them your vest and traffic wand if you have one.
At this point, thanks to Lyn, I think our list of volunteers is current and up to date with a couple of folks who have caught the virus, or have had other stuff come up. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, and be thankful that we can all pitch in and help folks who would otherwise not have enough to eat. Thanks for helping.
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 would like them. Please contact Al Louis to pick up your coins.... al@djrclic.com
If you have already made a purchase or opt-out contribution, please click this link to let us know whether you would like the club to retain your contribution, or if you would like it refunded to you.
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 Tim Durtsche and Anne Snow who helped Lyn make phone calls to our non-Rotarian customers. So many were disappointed but understood. Lyn felt like Scrooge when one lady was so disappointed her comment was "I look forward to that fruit every year I am going to miss it!"
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
Last year Dean had announced he would no longer organize our Christmas Program. He has agreed to co-chair with Katie Berkedahl this year and help her plan the program. The show will go on!! Thank you to Dean and Katie for agreeing to co-chair this event.
Note from Katie.....the weather is starting to cool, so we've started preparations to warm your with the annual Rotary Holiday Program! Dean and I are working together this year to turn this virtual reality into the best show yet, but we need your help.
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!
The program is December 17th at noon and we're looking for at least 10 families of performers.
Lodi High School Interact club as well as District 6250 Interact clubs have received many accolades from District 6250 and Rotary International for their recent webinar on Polio. I hope you find the time to watch it.
They had the honor of hosting Mike McGovern the Rotary International Polio Plus chair and Randy Sproule District 6250 Polio Plus Chair.
LHS Interact club combined 8 high school clubs to make for well attended and valuable opportunity.
Chief of Police for La Crosse, Shawn Kudron, will talk about Policing in La Crosse in 2020, COVID-19, Social Justice Reform, Community Engagement, Stakeholder realtionship building, and serving the La Crosse Community.
Kudron began his law enforcement career in 1998 as a police officer with the Fond Du Lac, WI Police Department. In 2000 Kudron was hired with the City of La Crosse Police Department and served as patrolman, DARE/GREAT Officer and SRO. In 2006 Kudron was appointed as an Investigator and then promoted to Sergeant in the Investigative Bureau. In 2010 Kudron was promoted to Lieutenant of Investigations. In 2011, Kudron was promoted to Captain, and while a Captain, served in the Investigative and Field Services Bureau. During his tenure, Kudron has served on the Emergency Response Team and the Mounted Patrol Unit.
Kudron holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Winona State University and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Kudron is a graduate of the 243rd class of the FBI National Academy and holds a Graduate Certificate from the University of Virginia in Criminal Justice Education. Kudron also completed the Wisconsin Public Managers Program.
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 interviewedTom Thompsonclick on photo to view.
It's two... two... TWO magazines in one! The special edition of Coulee Parenting COVID & Our Community.
$6 a copy, 100 percent to the six organizations listed below. Please help them reach their goal of raising $1,000 for each of them.
Missed the curbside release and other events for Coulee Parenting's special edition, COVID & Our Community? It's NOW AVAILABLE for a $6 donation from 2-4pm Mon.-Fri. at the rear entrance to the Children's Museum - simply text 608-317-8748 and they'll meet you at the doors (the Museum remains closed). Or save the trip and enjoy home delivery for $10 ($6 donation, $4 postage and fees).
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.
with the annual Rotary Holiday Program! Dean and I are working together this year to turn this virtual reality into the best show yet, but we need your help. 
GET WELL WISHES 
