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Meet the Placenta! What better way to kick off Rotary International’s (“RI”) April focus on “Maternal and Child Health” than a great educational video that will teach you about how the needs of the fetus are met by the placenta. This Khan Academy video is being taught by Dr. Rishi Desai who is a pediatric infectious disease physician. The video is approximately 12 ½ minutes long. VIDEO LINK This is one of thousands of videos produced by Kahn Academy whose mission is to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.
For those of you more interested in reading, RI partners with the World Health Organization (“WHO”) on many topics. Over the past several months, it has been interesting for me to compare and contrast RI’s and WHO’s approaches to various topics. In that light, I am including a link to WHO’s website on the topic of Maternal and Child Health. You can literally spend hours learning more about this topic at WHO’s link.
Lastly, I would ask you to invite a potential member to join us at this week’s meeting. We have funds set aside to cover the cost of your visitor.
As always, if you have recommendations for future links in our newsletter, please email those to me. I love discovering new areas of interest from other people. I also take music requests for the exit song after our meeting is officially adjourned.
This Thursday, Jamie Schloegel, will be giving her classification talk. Members always enjoy hearing about their fellow Rotarians. Jamie joined our club on September 13, 2018 and is the Executive Director at La Crosse Community Foundation.
Classification Talk: Some have described the classification talk as a talking business card. But it is so much more than that! You can share vital and interesting information about your family, your interest and your business. The talk is not meant to embarrass you, but to let us get to know you as you want us to. You are not expected to present yourself as a professional speaker. Most of us are not. Contact Sarah Arendt-Beyer Program Chair for the year if you would like to give your classification talk.
We will also have a Paul Harris Fellow Presentation. We will have 30+ Rotarians and Community members that we will recognize. We would like all Paul Harris Fellows to wear their pin and medallion to honor those that will be recognized on Thursday.
This is one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon a person. Recipients are Rotarians and community professionals in recognition of their outstanding contributions, exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing 'Service Above Self." Paul Harris Fellow is a person who has contributed, or in whose name a contribution of $US1000 has been made, to the Annual Programs Fund and certain other programs of The Rotary Foundation. Recognition of a Paul Harris Fellow is an opportunity to show appreciation for a person, either Rotarian or non-Rotarian, who shares the values of the Foundation.
We will have a number of Rotarians that will be recognized on April 4th.
If you would like to become a Paul Harris Fellow and/or honor someone with a Paul Harris Fellow ...click here for info.
Youth Exchange Committee: Our Rotary Club's next exchange student will be Inga from Germany. Her mom and dad are both scientists (radio astronomy). Their son is on exchange in the USA this year and they are excited that Inga will have a similar opportunity this coming year.
Inga will turn 16 shortly after school starts. She is fluent in English but also studies French, Polish, Latin and Spanish. She likes to read, draw, play tennis and volleyball, bake, garden and write. She plays piano and ukulele and enjoys photography. She is not religious but is supportive of those who are. She has traveled with her family and describes herself as patient and ambitious. Her future interests are not yet decided but she has interests in being an MD, owning a cake shop or becoming an architect.
We have a first and third host family, presently going through the background process, but are looking for host family two in the Logan School District. Having three host families gives the student a more well-rounded experience in a culture, having experienced family life from multiple perspectives. It is also less of a commitment for host families; the typical length of stay is about three to four months instead of a full year. Hosting an exchange student is life changing for you, your family and the exchange student. It allows you to become familiar with another culture and provides the opportunity to share a young student's hopes and ambitions. Youth Exchange promises to enrich the lives of the student and every member of your family.
We have had an inspiring year – now it’s time to celebrate, as well as exchange ideas and plan for the future. In keeping with President Barry Rassin theme ”Be the Inspiration”, we have some truly inspiring stories to share with you. We also have some inspiring challenges that face our entire district, that we will address and ask “What can a Rotary Club do about this?” Two of those biggest challenges are the opioid epidemic in our region, and human trafficking.
Besides the thought provoking sessions, we will have a membership summit meeting, our annual business meeting, and fun! Be sure and check out the House of Friendship, and the silent auction items up for bid. And take in some of La Crosse’s fun at the free Artspire street fair, just a block or so south of the La Crosse Center. In the evening, there will be live entertainment there. We also have several “international” ports of call lined up so you can sample La Crosse’s walkable downtown nightlife.
Rotary’s slogans and messages come and go, but this year’s theme will stay with me forever. Because a central part of each and every Rotarian’s responsibility is truly to “Be the Inspiration”. That should not end at the close of this Rotary year. I hope each of us will embrace that mission, and share the gifts of Rotary with many others in the years to come!
The La Crosse Plow Company Sandy Cleary & Michelle Kelly
More than 100 years after Albert Hirshheimer began construction on what would become the three-block La Crosse Plow Co. complex, La Crosse’s Cleary family is retooling one of the last buildings left into a 64-unit apartment building and commercial space.
The 109-year-old building — which was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 — is well on its way to becoming a hub of commercial and residential activity on the north end of downtown La Crosse thanks to the work of sisters Kristine and Sandra Cleary.
The family hopes to have the estimated $33 million project, called Landmark By the Rivers, move-in ready by June.
GREETING CARDS BY ANITA - QUARTERLY REPORT...Anita Froegel sent a check for $120 to Rotary Works from Jan-March card sales. Thank you to all who support this fundraiser....special thanks to Anita for her creative talent and her time in making each card.
Easter and Graduation Cards are now available.
Reminder if you would like to have a personal card made you can contact Anita at..anitafroegel@centurytel.net
The first annual Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration will take place on Thursday, April 11th, 5:30-8:30 pm ONLY and is hosted by the Coulee Region Youth Exchange Council (CRYEC)! We are asking you to be an active partner in our mission to support the Youth Exchange students that spend their year in the Coulee Region by sponsoring our event. The Sunday event was cancelled due to the lack of interest.
Some members have completed their process and have volunteered at the lounge.
Here is the link for those that have completed the process and would like to volunteer ....volunteer today
PLEASE VOLUNTEER your time May--August busy time for USO lounge.
Would you like to represent our Rotary Club of La Crosse by volunteering at the USO La Crosse Regional Airport lounge? In order to volunteer you will need to complete the online training and background check. There is a max of 60 days to complete the volunteer application.
Information below is how to start the process of becoming a volunteer.
Please also email rotarylax@charter.net so we can include you in the Rotary Contact List in ClubRunner and that the USO knows you are from our Rotary group.
2) Log in to “Register to Volunteer” and create an account.
3) Enter your personal information.
The application is done in sequence. Need not all in one sitting. You can complete it any time of day or night at home or the office.
NOTE: There is a wait between the first stages to eliminate those who lose wind in their sail to volunteer.
*A background check is done on all applicants.
Answers to a few questions that have been asked:
Military Lounge Hours: Open 24/7 by key pad/code access.
Code available from flight assistants/ Avis Rental office desk and USO online.
Parking: Yes, will be validated
Peak Days to volunteer: USO will give notice when they are due heavy traffic.
Consider for May – August to be busy. As weather cools so does traffic.
Other ways you can help the USO...they are in need of social media help, trainers, carpenters, activity people or if you would like to share your hobby with the military, please contact Ellie Hazlett for more information at ehazlett@usowisconsin.org
Thanks to Jud Beck for helping the USO with public service announcements on the need for volunteers at Fort McCoy and Steve Doll for helping maintain their mobile unit and wash it for parades.
You are invited to "The Gateway Council, Boy Scouts of America Annual Recognition Dinner" on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30 at the Weber Center, 428 Harborview Plaza. The La Crosse Downtown Rotary Club will be recognized at this dinner. Cost is $25 per person, includes heavy Hors D'oevres. See flyer for more information.
My name is Mitchell Paquette and I am from La Crosse, Wisconsin. This year I was selected by Rotary International District 6250 to be a Global Grant Scholar. The Global Grant Scholarship is a $30,000 award for an individual to pursue graduate level studies at a foreign university, in a subject related to one of Rotary International's six focus areas: Peace and Conflict Resolution, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development. With the help of the Downtown La Crosse Rotary Club, I applied and was awarded a Global Grant Scholarship in the area of Peace and Conflict Resolution for the 2018/2019 academic year. I will be using the funds to pursue a Master's of Law in International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. More information on Mitchell.
Rotarian Elmer and his wife Lil Grassman are residents of Bethany St. Joseph, 2501 Shelby Road, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Rotarian Cary Heyer has a brain tumor. He's having surgery April 2. Cary was a former member of our club and a past president (2011-12) he moved to the Madison area and is now a member of the Madison Club. Please keep Cary in your thoughts and prayers. His home address is W11004 Eagle Dr., Lodi WI 53555
HOLMEN SERVICE AUCTION: Lunda Center on April 4, 2019 from 5-10 Come join the Holmen Area Rotary Club in their 2019 Service Auction. Come bid on unique and special items and services and support the Holmen Area Rotary Club and their service to the community. There will be food, drink, lots of fun and fellowship. Hope to see you there! Flyer Tickets $20 are in advance. Buy a table for 8 and get drink tickets, table candy and a table tent with your company name on it for only $200. To get tickets or become a sponsor please contact Judy at Judymchugh@msn.com or call (608) 780-1628
VALLEY VIEW ROTARY MOON TUNES: Riverside Park - Bill Miller and friends June 6, 2019. Web Site.
Rotary District Conference in La Crosse:La Crosse Center June 7-8, 2019
Centennial Dinner Celebration: La Crosse Center - June 20, 2019 - Speaker will be Stephanie Urchick - a member of the Rotary Club of Canonsburg Houston, Southpointe. She has served Rotary as a Foundation Trustee, RI and TRF Committee member, District Governor, Regional Foundation Coordinator for ZONE 29, International Training Leader, RI President's Representative, Regional Leaders Training Institute Moderator, district delegate to Councils on Legislation, Training Leader at Zone meetings, and in various club and district Foundation roles.
ROTARY ATTENDANCE Feb 28th- 55% March 7th - 59% March 14th - 52% March 21st - 55% March 28th - 65%
Rotary Attendance policy is to attend or makeup at least 50% of the club meetings during the first six months and the second six months. They can be done by: • Attending regular club meetings • Making up meetings at other Rotary Clubs ( which includes E-Clubs) • Engaging in club projects/events/fellowship/board meetings.
100% Attendance Winners July - Sheila Wieser August - Bob Riutzel September - Peter Grabow October - Chuck Hanson November - Grant Withrow December - Tami Woods January - Kenna Christians
RESIGNED Gibran Augustine - Transferred After Hours Ellie Hazlett - Transferred Sparta Marv Ramsay Jeff Richards
Honorary Members 23
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.
Please note: Raffle, Fines, Birthday, Anniversaries and Scooters are all donations that will go to the club If you are making a donation and would like it to go to the Rotary Works Foundation or Rotary International Foundation, we ask that you write a check to the Foundation of your choice.
March 28th: Raffle $51; Fines $101; Scrip $110; Scooters $11
If you would like to volunteer for Rotarians in the News, be a greeter, a hospitality greeter, raffle ticket seller, scrip seller or announce guests, you can email the Monthly Duty Roster Coordinator that are listed above....just click on their name. If you would like to give your classification talk please contact Program Committee Chair Sarah Arendt-Beyer.