Civil discourse lies at the heart of our democratic republic. Our system was not designed for uniform agreement, but for principled disagreement—expressed with respect, dignity, and a shared commitment to the common good. This nonpartisan session will explore the essential elements of civil discourse, examine its role as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and identify practical steps we can take to strengthen and promote civil discourse in today’s complex and polarized political environment. They will share information about the LeaderEthics initiative—A Call for Civil Discourse.
Presenters:
Rusty Cunningham: Member of the LeaderEthics board and President in 2023 and 2024, Rusty is the former Executive Editor of the River Valley News, the La Crosse Tribune, Winona Daily News and the Chippewa Herald.
Lee Rasch: Executive Director of LeaderEthics. He is the founder of the organization, established in March of 2018. He has published numerous articles on civility and principles of ethical leadership among elected officials.
Next Week: Rotary Lights
The annual Rotary Lights display began in 1995 and has grown tremendously since then due to the fantastic support from the greater La Crosse community.
The organization has partnered with incredible volunteers and volunteer organizations since then and now, nearly 130,000 visitors per year enjoy this holiday tradition while driving, walking or taking a carriage ride through Riverside Park.
At our meeting, the past year's illumination of the downtown waterfront and some of the people who helped make it a success will be celebrated with checks to multiple organizations.
Meal for This Week
Lunch this week: TBA
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!
March Club Social - Thursday March 19th, 5pm
Come by for a behind the scenes look at the La Crosse Community Theatre, including a presentation by Eric Vose.
This will be followed by drinks and snacks provided by LCT.
The Brain Game Marketing Committee is seeking volunteers for a photo shoot Vendi will be conducting. We're looking for Rotarians or their friends and family to participate!
The ask:
A volunteer to host the photo shoot in their home. Ideally we're looking for a home that has a few spaces we could use to take photos: a living room, kitchen, playroom, etc. This would be a full-day commitment (8AM - 5PM) sometime in the next month. The photographer would want to stop in to do a site check a few days in advance too. The house doesn't have to be immaculately clean! And pets are OK -we'd just ask that they be secured during the photo shoot. Ideally someone in the La Crosse / La Crescent / Onalaska / Holmen or West Salem area.
Models! We're looking for volunteers of all ages to act as "parents and caregivers" in the photo shoot, plus kiddos ages 0 to 3. The time commitment for models will be approximately 1 hour, and all models (and parents/guardians of the kiddos) will need to sign a photo release. We'll have clothing guidelines (ie no logo wear) but no special clothing required.
The photos will be used in marketing and promotional materials for The Brain Game book, and may be used in future editions of the book itself!
If you are interested in volunteering your home or to be a model, please contact Kasey at kaseyb@vendiadvertising.com.
New Member Proposals
The following community member has been proposed to become a member of our club:
MaiTia Vang (Hmong Cultural & Community Center Director, proposed by Lauren Journot)
Sean Dwyer (WIZM La Crosse Talk Host, proposed by Scott Horne)
Esther Tierney (Project Manager at Trane, proposed by Ryan Geister)
Rebecca Hopkins (Western Technical College, proposed by Roger Stanford)
Natalie Moreski (Executive Director of Next Steps for Change, proposed by Lauren Journot)
Sean Garrigan (Community Financial Wellness Advisor for Verve, proposed by Bruce Waldron)
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 proposals by March 18th.
A HUGE THANK YOU to the Cargill Staff for their years of commitment and dedication to our weekly meetings! We have appreciated your hard work, patience, and kindness and we wish you all the best!
Reach out to Sue Durtsche if you are looking for a dedicated employee as she has the names of staff still looking for where their next path might lead!
“Our meetings are dull, dull, dull! Our club never does anything interesting! And why are you and I the only two members left?”
These are common complaints. Okay, they’re not exactly common. But your Rotary Club is probably looking for ways to grow, or ways to make your meetings more engaging, or ways to make your club more active and more visible.
What better way is there than to share ideas and learn from other clubs? And what better time and place than TriCon 2026? The heart of TriCon is ideas, ideas, ideas!
Past attendees have called TriCon “inspiring,” “energizing,” "transforming," and “simply amazing.” And that is no exaggeration.
Built around Rotary’s 2026 theme, Unite for Good, this year’s conference will show you how to increase Rotary’s impact at your club, in your community, and worldwide. TriCon 2026 will offer practical learning and a celebration of all that Rotary and Rotarians can do and can be to build a better world. And as a bonus, it offers a chance bring the family and enjoy the Kalahari’s waterpark.
NOW is the time to register and book your room at Kalahari. Click the link on the bottom of this email to register.
FOUNDATION MINUTE: MARCH 9, 2026
Welcome to Week TWO of RI’s Month of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (W.A.S.H).
This week’s FM is culled from “It Starts with Water,” the TRF Trustee Chair’s message published in the current edition of Rotary Magazine (March, 2026). “Since 2013, The Rotary Foundation has invested more than $230 million to support thousands of water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives. Behind these numbers is Rotary’s unique approach. Rather than offering one-time fixes, we train communities to manage systems for generations, moving beyond charity to lasting change…Indeed, water projects improve health, foster economic opportunity, and amplify education through increased school attendance, especially for girls who no longer spend hours fetching water. And they fight poverty. By giving to our Foundation and volunteering in water projects, you are part of this success. Everything we do opens an opportunity for someone, somewhere.” Echoing Trustee Knaack, RI President, Francesco Arezzo calls on all Rotarians to “reflect on the freshwater systems that sustain your community and the role Rotary can play in protecting them…” because, “when we connect local action to a global vision, we strengthen Rotary’s ability to make lasting change. Together, by extending our reach and working side by side, we truly Unite for Good.” (Rotary Magazine, March 2026:1)
