Speaker Date Topic
Special Olympics Wisconsin: Chad Hershner Nov 30, 2023

Speaker: Chad Hershner - President & CEO, Special Olympics Wisconsin

https://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/who-we-are/about-us/

Our Mission

Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy while participating in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Our Vision

Sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities across Wisconsin. Globally, we strive to end discrimination against people with ID.

Our Values

Integrity

  • Be passionate about the mission and the work of Special Olympics.
  • Be honest.
  • Ingrain values in the way we think and act.
  • Be reliable.
  • Lead by example.

Teamwork

  • All members are part of one team that is Special Olympics Wisconsin.
  • Seek common ground and listen respectfully.
  • Be supportive of new ideas.
  • Be willing to collaborate for organizational success.
  • Elevate each other in the execution of core values.

Inclusion

  • Empower the whole athlete.
  • All abilities are valued.
  • We value, celebrate, and respect all differences.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the heart of all that we do.

Excellence

  • Project optimism.
  • Recognize and celebrate our successes.
  • Strive for quality in everyday work.
  • Evaluate processes, learn, and practice continuous improvement.
  • Be brave in the attempt.

Our Strategic Goals

  1. Improve opportunities for athletes to perform at their best
  2. Build positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities
  3. Build capacity by improving resources
  4. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Special Olympics Wisconsin

 

Children at Play: Kristofer Rolfhus, Ph.D. Dec 07, 2023

Dr. Kris Rolfhus is a Chemistry & Biochemistry Professor at UW-La Crosse where he leads a team of student researchers focused on collecting vital data about the safety of play surfaces and the possibility of children ingesting trace metals such as lead while at play.

They collaborate with community members through SPACE and Thriving Earth Exchange and conducted Citizen Science during Earth Fair which allowed for community participation in the sampling process.

The group's goal is to provide valuable insights that promote safer playgrounds and protect the well-being of children in our communities.

Winter Wonderland Youth Talent Showcase Dec 14, 2023

Area youth will warm the chilly winter air by sharing their gifts of merriment and song during the Rotary Club of La Crosse's annual talent showcase.

Special thanks to Katie Berkedal and Alex Attardo for organizing our program again this year.

No Meeting (Holiday) Dec 21, 2023
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting (Holiday) Dec 28, 2023
No Meeting
No Meeting
Classification Talk: Hope Hembd Jan 04, 2024
When Rotary was established by Paul Harris and three others, each person came from a different walk of life. This diversity is a cornerstone of Rotary. The intent is to have a cross-section of business and professional experiences in your community.

For decades Rotary International listed a range of professional “classifications” and restricted how many representatives of each could be in a club. This ensures that each club reflects the community in which it serves. It also reminds us to not have one profession as a dominant voice in our club. Over time, these restrictions have pretty much given way, but your classification continues to be of great interest to your fellow club members. That’s why your Rotary badge carries your name and your classification.
 
Classification talks help us learn about the life experiences and professional backgrounds of new members.
4 Way Test Applied to Inclusion Jan 11, 2024
Facilitated by Lee Rasch
Facilitated by Lee Rasch

4 Way Test Applied to Inclusion

Facilitated by Lee Rasch

HOLD DEI Quarterly Presentation Jan 18, 2024
Annual Meeting and Game Show Jan 25, 2024
HOLD Leadership Series Program Feb 01, 2024
Lee Rasch to Confirm Date
Leadership Series: Scott Rathgaber, MD Feb 08, 2024

Scott Rathgaber, MD 
CEO - Gundersen Health System and Bellin Health

In December, 2022, Dr. Scott Rathgaber became chief executive officer of the newly merged Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System. The combination of the two organizations – which finalized Nov. 30 – created a $2.4 billion health care system. Bellin and Gundersen have 11 hospitals and 14,000 employees.

Previously, Rathgaber had served as CEO of La Crosse-based Gundersen since 2015. Prior to the merger, Gundersen had revenues of $1.54 billion in 2021 and over 9,000 employees. Its footprint includes seven hospitals and over 60 clinics throughout western Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota and northeast Iowa.

Under Rathgaber’s leadership, Gundersen explored a possible merger with Marshfield Clinic Health System that the organizations eventually abandoned in 2019.

Immediately before becoming CEO, Rathgaber was medical vice president of the system’s hospital operations, neurosciences, general surgery, anesthesiology, emergency services, occupational health services and pharmacy.

Rathgaber is active in advocating on behalf of hospitals through the Wisconsin Hospital Association, participating in roundtables with lawmakers and traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers. He also advocated on behalf of his and other hospitals supporting Operation Allies Welcome, in which more than 13,000 Afghan evacuees were housed at Fort McCoy in Monroe County in August 2021.

Education: Bachelor’s, Wabash College; M.D., Indiana University Medical Center

Classification Talk: Emily Onsager Feb 15, 2024
When Rotary was established by Paul Harris and three others, each person came from a different walk of life. This diversity is a cornerstone of Rotary. The intent is to have a cross-section of business and professional experiences in your community.

For decades Rotary International listed a range of professional “classifications” and restricted how many representatives of each could be in a club. This ensures that each club reflects the community in which it serves. It also reminds us to not have one profession as a dominant voice in our club. Over time, these restrictions have pretty much given way, but your classification continues to be of great interest to your fellow club members. That’s why your Rotary badge carries your name and your classification.
 
Classification talks help us learn about the life experiences and professional backgrounds of new members.
 
Gifts to the Rotary Foundation: Elizabeth King, JD Mar 14, 2024

Lizzy joined The Rotary Foundation as part of the Planned Giving Team in December 2022.

At Rotary, she is responsible for cultivating and administering life income agreements, donor advised funds, and estate gifts. Lizzy’s territory covers the Rocky Mountain and Plains States to the Great Lakes (Zones 26E, 27E, 28E, and 29).

Lizzy’s involvement with Rotary dates back to high school when she was a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. For a year, Lizzy lived in Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador. Her experience with Rotary as an international ambassador fueled her passion for community leadership and involvement on a global level, which is reflected in her education and career path.

Lizzy is a summa cum laude graduate of Western Michigan University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Global & International Politics. As an undergraduate, she lived in Burgos, Spain, and returned as an international studies program recruiter, encouraging peers to experience the benefits of cultural diversity through global citizenship. The Spanish Department awarded Lizzy with the Presidential Scholar, which is one of the highest academic honors at Western Michigan University. Lizzy received her law degree from Marquette University Law School, holds her law license in Wisconsin, and will soon be sworn in for Michigan. In law school, her focus was conflict resolution. She held a position as the supervisor of the Mediation Clinic and was inducted into the Pro Bono Society with over 120 hours of service. Lizzy was selected to travel to the Middle East for a specialized course in international dispute resolution. She was later recruited to participate in the 2019 International Consensual Dispute Resolution Competition in Vienna, Austria, winning best mediation strategy. Following law school, and prior to joining The Rotary Foundation, Lizzy worked as a defense attorney with Hennessy & Roach, PC. In her free time, Lizzy enjoys travelling, reading, and engaging in a variety of outdoor activities.

MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD) Mar 21, 2024
MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD)
MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD)
Leadership Series (or) Maternal & Child Health Apr 04, 2024

Lee Rasch is solidifying the date for the Leadership Series Speaker (either April 4 or 11).

A presentation on Maternal & Child Health (Rotary International's monthly theme) will take place the opposite week.

Leadership Series (or) Maternal & Child Health Apr 11, 2024

Lee Rasch is solidifying the date for the Leadership Series Speaker (either April 4 or 11).

A presentation on Maternal & Child Health (Rotary International's monthly theme) will take place the opposite week.

HOLD DEI Committee Quarterly Program Apr 18, 2024
HOLD Environmental Committee/Earth Week 2024 Apr 25, 2024
MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD)
MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD)
MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD) May 02, 2024
MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD)
MEETING OFF SITE (Location TBD)
Extra Effort Awards: Tom Berkedal May 16, 2024

Continuing an effort begun by the La Crosse Tribune, our club will honor recipients from local high schools with the "Extra Effort Award".

Students will receive a financial scholarship donated through the generosity of many Rotary Club of La Crosse members.

Recipients will be joined by those who have supported them in their educational journey thus far such as their parents, administators, staff and fellow students.  

This is an ongoing project of our Youth Committee with leadership from Tom Berkedal.

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