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: Asian Carp Project with Mark Gaikowski
The US Geological Survey's Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center Director Mark Gaikowski will provide a presentation about the center's Invasive Carp research and a broader overview of its impact on the community and the Midwest. Mark will share research that supports high-priority issues and challenges faced by the Department of the Interior, and other state and federal natural resource partners.
Thank you to Cindy Ericksen, Sarah Arendt-Beyer and Eva Marie Restel for providing club members the opportunity to discuss their experiences of the pandemic. During the meeting, participants were asked to write about and share their experiences and reflections in a small group. The writings are being collected and will be submitted to our club's archive at the La Crosse Public Library, creating a record of what life was like during the pandemic, for Rotarians and community members to be able to read 50, 100, or 200 years from now.
See "Upcoming Events" Below for Additional Details on Days of Service
2022-23
Applications Now Open
Applications are now being accepted for outbound Rotary Youth Exchange students for the 2022-23 school year. Students who are interested in being outbound exchange students should complete the preliminary application right away. We would ask that you please direct any students that you know of that are interested to do so. You can also refer them to our outbound program page.
Saturday, November 6, 2021 District Level Interviews in Baraboo
Wednesday, December 1, 2021Overall Application Deadline
Eligible students who applied for the cancelled 2020-21 and 2021-22 exchange
years have already been contacted and encouraged to reapply.
Rotary Club of La Crosse Delivers
Did you know that one of Mobile Meals founding members was Rotarian Jean Getz-Bassett? That our club has been delivering meals for over 40 years? And, that Downtown Rotary delivers roughly 1,250 meals per year to individuals who lack access to adequate nutrition? We are always looking for club members to deliver meals. If you'd like more information or want to volunteer, please contact Mike Desmond at mdesmond03@gmail.com
Do you have an idea, suggestion or a project proposal? You are ALWAYS welcome and encouraged to share these with the Board. All submissions will be reviewed at the monthly Board meeting. Please use the link below to share your idea no later than Tuesday, October 4th for review at the next Board meeting.
The Cargill Room has been very supportive in meeting our requests for special diets. Please email Robin at rotary@rotarycluboflacrosse.org to request any dietary accommodations.
Rotary Lights
Save The Date
Rotary Club of La Crosse is scheduled to volunteer for opening night Friday, November 26th.
Annual contributions to Rotary Lights should be sent to:
Rotary Lights
P.O. Box 215
La Crosse, WI 54602-0215
Afghan Refugees
Rotary in Wisconsin has a non-profit foundation where a special account has been established called the Wisconsin Afghan Fund. Anyone wishing to contribute can send donations to:
Wisconsin Afghan Fund
Rotary District 6250 Foundation, Inc
c/o Treasurer Val Schroeder
1723 Chadbourne Ave.
Madison, Wisconsin 53726
Be sure to indicate on the memo section of the check that this is for the Wisconsin Afghan Fund.
If anyone would like to form a committee within our club to focus on these efforts, please email rotary@rotarycluboflacrosse.org. Other area clubs are also interested in this effort so there's potential for collaboration among clubs.
Rotary Leadership Series - Shaundel Spivey
October 14th at 7:00 AM via ZOOM
Shaundel Spivey is a recognized community leader in La Crosse. In 2015, he co-founded Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (BLACK) and now serves as their first Director.
The organization was developed to build space and opportunities for Black people in this community, especially Black youth, and to help them feel empowered and knowledgeable about their significance in this community. He recently served as the Director of Upward Bound at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He is a community organizer and very passionate about social justice, equity, and community.
Spivey is someone who serves in many capacities in our community and is always willing to share his knowledge and experience to help the community and others. He is a School Board member for the District of La Crosse, serves as a Racial Justice Training consultant in the community and also serves on the Governors Equity and Inclusion Council. Originally from Milwaukee, Shaundel is the recipient of the 2019 Martin Luther King award in La Crosse. An alumnus of UWL (2012 and 2015) and Western Technical College (2014), he is currently in the Counselor Education Supervision Doctoral program at Viterbo.
Raffle, Fines, Birthday, Anniversaries and Scooters
are donations that go to directly to our club.
Other Area Rotary Events
Rotary After Hours @ Oktoberfest
Come show off your bartending skills at Oktoberfest and spread gemütlichkeit and cheer -- all while earning our clubs $1,000! Rotarians will be staffing the bar at Oktoberfest on October 2nd from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. What better way is there to "fest with das beste" than giving back to our community through service and donations?! Invite your friends and family to join and we'll be sure to have great time! Prost!
Hilltopper Second Annual Chiefs Challenge Pulled Pork BBQ-Q
Tickets on sale now for the Second Annual Chiefs Challenge Pulled Pork BBQ-Q on Thursday, October 14 from 3:30pm-6pm (or till sell-out).
Sparta Rotary Club
Korean War Memorial Dance Fundraiser
October 23rd 7-11:00pm
Club 16
1615 W. Wisconsin Street, Sparta
$20.00 includes entrance to event, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and special raffle. Raffles and Silent Auction Items throughout the evening. Tickets available from Sparta Rotary Members and Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce.
