This Week: Jean Pagliaro, Franciscan Spirituality Center
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded the Franciscan Spirituality Center four decades ago as a place for spiritual development, offering opportunities for prayer experiences, retreats, spiritual direction and open discussion. We’ve grown and evolved over the years to meet changing needs, but our core mission has remained the same: We are dedicated to ALL who seek God, meaning and wholeness and we create spaces for community, connection and compassionate listening. Come and learn more about what the FSC offers to individuals, the community, and beyond!
Jean has been a part of the FSC team since 2017. Her first role was as the program and retreat coordinator. She earned her Master of Divinity from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts in social work from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She has extensive training in crisis response, community-based organizing and effective communication, as well as significant fundraising and grant-writing experience. Jean serves on the boards of YWCA and Scouts BSA and is also on the Advisory Committee for Great Rivers 2-1-1. She lives in Onalaska with her husband, Matt; their children, Logan and Lydia; and Labrador Retriever, Scout.
Last Week: Shannon Kummerow, Building Belonging: The Impact of 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection
Shannon Kummerow, Executive Director of The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection, shined a light on the vital work of our LGBTQ+ Center, focusing on exploring the programs and services we offer—from youth support and mental health resources to inclusive events, education, and advocacy. Learn how our center supports LGBTQ+ individuals and families, strengthens community connections, and fosters a culture of acceptance and equality. Whether you're looking to get involved, learn more, or simply show your support, this is a chance to better understand the challenges and triumphs of our local LGBTQ+ community—and how we can grow together.
Lunch this week: Quiche with asparagus, sundried tomato, and chevre cheese, served with a TWF House Salad Coffee, ice tea, and water available.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnl if know you are bringing guests but last minute invites are also welcome!
Condolences/Hospitalizations
We keep in our hearts and prayers the Chuck Hanson family as Cheryl Hanson has recently been placed on hospice. We encourage your to reach out to Cheryl if you feel so inclined. Cards can be sent to 2019 Stonecrest Road, La Crosse, WI 54601.
New Member Proposal
The following community member has been proposed to become members of our club:
Gabriel Garcia, with Spectrum Reach, proposed by Roz Schnick
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 July 29th.
Congratulations to Joyce Wichelt on her Honorary Member status!
We said farewell to Agi! Thank you Julia and the Youth Exchange Team!
President Regina Siegel wanted to share the club goals that were set by her and backed by our Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year. She will be touching on various goals over time and provide updates to the club. Please reach out to Regina if you have any questions or concerns regarding these goals.
The Avenues of Service Event (also known as the Rotary Four Way Test Award Banquet) is a chance for ALL area Rotarians to gather together to recognize and celebrate what the eight area clubs are involved in. The event includes a formal dinner and program recognizing nominated achievements in the last year. Bring cash or reserve your raffle tickets for the many different raffle baskets provided by each club, with proceeds benefitting Rotary Works Foundation.
Tickets are $50.00 and include 3 course meal with complimentary coffee, ice tea, and water. No money is due at this time. Clubs will be invoiced accordingly after the event.
Come out and support our club's winning nominations for club services and our club Rotarian of the Year!
Welcome to Week THREE of RI’s New Leadership Month.
This week’s FM report is the inaugural message of the trustee chair of TRF for the 2025-2026 service year. In this report the new chair and Past RI President, Holger Knaack reminds Rotarians to regard the Foundation with a fresh outlook:
Today, I am not asking you for a donation. Instead, I invite you to look at The Rotary Foundation with fresh eyes. Imagine a charity governed by its own members. A global mission carried out by those very members. A foundation that reflects the shared values
of its members — ensuring clean water and literacy for all, eradicating the scourge of polio, building local economies through entrepreneurship, and making the world more peaceful through conflict resolution training. Our Foundation consistently receives top marks from Charity Navigator. And the Gates Foundation matches our $50 million annual commitment to polio eradication 2-to-1, depositing $100 million into our account each year. That is trust, delivered. Even in conflict zones, we are there. In Gaza,
a single confirmed polio case triggered a humanitarian pause in the war, allowing health workers to vaccinate children and quell an outbreak. Rotary helped fund that urgent response. Once again, we proved to be a reliable partner in a crisis. We can be proud that
we made a difference. Now we look ahead to our ambitious $500 million fundraising goal for 2025-26. We can reach it together, as we boldly support a Foundation that is doing bold things.
