The County Health Department is strongly recommending that anyone over the age of two (2) wear a mask in public indoor spaces AND at indoor private gatherings. This guidance also applies to those who have been vaccinated. Hand sanitizer will be at each table for your convenience. Meals will be plated and served to you.
This Week at Rotary: Ted Redmond, Climate Action Plans
In 2019, the City of La Crosse passed a “Ready for 100” resolution pledging to cut carbon emissions to zero and transition to 100% renewable energy community-wide by 2050. Now, the city is working on a plan to reach those goals.
Ted Redmond is co-founder of paleBLUEdot, llc, a consulting firm that helps local governments, community organizations, and businesses understand and improve their climate resilience through climate planning.
Ted will talk to us about what a climate action plan is? Who is making climate action plans and why they are important? What is included in the process? How you can get involved in the La Crosse Climate Action Plan now! A brief Q&A session will end the program.
Last Week at Rotary: Bradley Smegal, Fraud: How to Stay on the Right Side of the Law.
Bradley Smegal discussed ethical corrosion and walk us through the Five Warning Signs of Fraud. His own personal experiences left us with tips to help us stay on the right side of the law and look for warning signs in other who might be temping fate.
Mr. Smegal has over 40 years of experience in sales, investment management, and business development. His executive education includes the Wharton School of Business (Certified Investment Management Analyst) and the University of Chicago School of Business (Certified Private Wealth Advisor).
Bradley is in the process of finishing a book and share a bit of that with us in the link below.
Announcement: Milk and iced tea will be available for you to pick up at the north bar as you find your seat. Cargill Room staff will also be happy to deliver a glass of milk or iced tea to you while they're serving the meal.
Note: If you prefer to keep your mask on during the entire meeting, the Cargill Room can provide you with a boxed lunch to take home with you - but we need to know in advance. Please email rotary@rotarycluboflacrosse.org.
District Leadership Opportunities
Please check out a new feature on our District website! We're sharing District leadership opportunities in one, handy spot. Maybe you'll find a great fit for you or a friend. https://www.rotary6250.org/page/leadership-opportunities
Condolences
Our hearts go out to three of our club member who have lost loved ones over the last week. Greg Curti's family is mourning the loss of Greg's mother, Catherine Curti. Ryan Geister's family mourns the loss of Ryan's father, William Geister.Rob Palmberg's family mourns the loss of Rob's brother, Douglas Palmberg. You are all in our thoughts and prayers for healing hearts.
Youth Exchange Involvement to Consider
We should learn within the month if we are receiving an inbound exchange student for our club. All indications are that there is interest by students to come to America and the Rotary Club of La Crosse is in a strong position to have a student starting in August 2022. As we prepare for the incoming student our needs are:
Host families.
We need a total of three families to host the student while in the La Crosse area. Hosting an Inbound exchange student can be incredibly rewarding for your family, bringing an international experience directly into your home. You do not need to have children around the age of the exchange student. Any Rotarian (or a family you recommend) is eligible to host.
Host families provide room and board and share their lives with exchange students, involving them in family, community, and cultural activities. All host families are screened and trained. Because Rotary's goal is to give our Inbound students a diverse cultural experience, families (or couples or even individuals) typically host a student for only a few months. Our Rotary Club covers the cost of school lunches, basic cell phone, and a modest monthly stipend to the student for pocket money. COST: A little extra in groceries & incidentals
Youth Exchange Counselors (YEC). Our Rotary Club tries to have three YEC during the student's visit to share the duties.
A Counselor serves as the Inbound Student’s friend and advocate when he/she is having difficulties at home or at school. You will meet with the student at least once per month, to give sound advice and deal with any problems, fears and worries the Inbound Student may have. If we have three counselors, then most of your duties as a YEC is over a four-month period with additional assistance to the youth exchange team throughout the year.
Club members with any questions or interest should reach out to: Jim Salmo or call/text (618)606-2862.
Pollinators are vital to creating and maintaining the habitats and ecosystems that many animals rely on for food and shelter. In the Coulee Region, pollinator plants are especially important as many migrating insects follow the Mississippi River to get from Mexico to Canada. Worldwide, over half the diet of fats and oils comes from crops pollinated by animals. They facilitate the reproduction in 90% of the world's flowering plants. Additionally, some pollinator insects only feed off one type of plant. Planting more pollinator plants increases the health of our local and global ecosystem.
Our Rotary Club is raising funds to put in Rotary pollinator patches on 9th Street S., La Crosse as part of the Habitat for Humanity's ReNEW the Block Program. Students from Lincoln Middle School, Coulee Montessori Adolescent Program and SOTAII will benefit and take part in Operation Pollination. Rotary members will be able to learn more about planting pollinators along the way. Our club is looking to raise $4,500.
Two ways to donate
1) Online through the link below to Rotary Works Foundation. Make sure to select “Downtown Pollinator Project”
2) Make a check out to “Rotary Works Foundation” and bring it to a Rotary meeting to Jamie O'Neill or mail it directly to: Advancement Office, 900 Viterbo Dr.,
District 6250 Grant Management Seminar is a required step to qualify your Rotary Club for participation in the District Grant and Global Grant opportunities with The Rotary Foundation in the coming Rotary year. Over $183,000 will be available for matching grants from District 6250. Any member can attend on behalf of your club.
Registrants will receive a Zoom link prior to each seminar. Both sessions will be virtual to save you travel time. Any Rotarian is welcome to attend and bring their questions as you prepare your 2022-2023 club projects.
And don't forget, we still have matching grants available for projects to be completed before May 15 this year.
Rotary Western Great Lakes District Conference "TriCon"
April 29 - 30, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
The Rotary Western Great Lakes District Conference, intended for any Rotarian, not just leadership, is set for Friday April 29 and Saturday April 30, 2022. Attendance will be in person at The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, WI. Attendees from Districts 6220, 6250 and 6270 will have the opportunity to gain useful skills that can be used in their Rotary club, and inspiration that will motivate them to embrace Rotary even more. Internationally-known featured speakers will provide keen insights about their passion projects during the addresses on both days.
Register early (by March 1st) and you could win a $100 gift card!
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