Park at the Radisson, the parking ramp, or street parking where available
Allow for time to go through buffet line!
May 14 - Radisson Center
May 21 - Radisson Ballroom
May 28 - Radisson Ballroom
This Week: Extra Efforts Awards
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.ype caption here
Next Week: Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, Reimaging Our City's Future
An honest reflection by Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey on his monumental election, the successes and tribulations of his first year in office, and his plans and priorities for ushering the city of La Crosse into an unprecedented era.
As a son of the soil raised in the city of Milwaukee, Shaundel Washington-Spivey made history as the first Black mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin on April 1, 2025. A proud two-time graduate of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UWL), he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Student Affairs Administration. He also earned a Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Viterbo University.
Washington-Spivey co-founded and served as the Executive Director of Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.), a nonprofit that empowers Black youth, families, and professionals by focusing on skill-building, mental health, academic success, social justice, and economic and social mobility.
He has long been dedicated to the city’s youth, having served as the Cultural Liaison for the La Crosse School District, Director of UWL’s Upward Bound program, College Connections Manager at Western Technical College, and a member of the La Crosse Board of Education. Washington-Spivey currently serves on Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion, along with several regional boards and committees.
Washington-Spivey has earned regional recognition, including the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, 2021 TRIO Achiever Award, and UWL 2024 Morgan Improving Lives Alumni Award. In 2022, he was also selected as one of the Most Influential Black Leaders in Wisconsin. As mayor, he leads with empathy and a lifelong commitment to inclusive governance, prioritizing equitable access to resources, community safety, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration with academic institutions and public and private businesses and organizations.
Meal for This Week
Lunch this week: Taco Bar
Coffee, ice tea, and water available at a beverage station.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnlby the end of day Monday for the meal on Thursday.
Condolences
Please keep Julie Lemon and her family in your thoughts as they mourn the loss of Julie's sister who passed away last week.
Rotary Visioning Event - COMPLETE CLUB SURVEY BY MAY 5TH
On Saturday morning, May 9, we’ll be holding a Visioning event in order to develop a new strategic plan to replace the current 2021-2026 strategic plan. Please reach out Niki Pohnl or Richard Strauss if you would be intereated in being part of this process. We are look at an approximate 8am-12:30pm with lunch included at English Lutheran Church.
WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE to complete this survey about our club. CLICK HERE to complete this by May 5th PLEASE!
Prizes for the most tickets sold and the most tickets purchased
Welcome to Week ONE of RI’s Month of Youth Leadership.
May is the month dedicated to the teeming crowd of young people that work to achieve the goals of Rotary Foundation of advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, supporting education, and alleviating poverty. This week’s FM examines the major components of youth leadership in Rotary International and how TRF helps in facilitating the success of young Rotarians. Through numerous TRF-funded projects and humanitarian activities of members of the Interact, Rotaract and the Rotary Youth Exchange, millions of lives are being positively impacted. Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills and learn about the world through service projects and activities.
Events range from one-day seminars to weeklong camps. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. A report by Etelka Lehoczky about “Champions of Tomorrow” acknowledges six young Rotarians recently celebrated for their impressive impacts on their respective societies. Lehoczky explains that the recipients, based in Colombia, India, Italy, the Philippines, Uganda, and the U.S., have led transformative initiatives by and for young people. “By leading projects that provide educational resources to those in need, foster personal development, support mental health, and champion conflict resolution, these honorees are creating more peaceful and resilient communities,” said Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo.
