VIEWING YOUR NEWSLETTER...You will notice at the top of the newsletter a statement... "Having trouble viewing this email? Please click here." This format will allow you to see any embedded videos and animated ads within the newsletter. Email newsletter will allow you to see your commitments at the end of your personal newsletter...online newsletters will not show this, the bulletin on the web site may have a more readable format....click here for online bulletins.
We will welcome Dave Ross, WisDOT Secretary next week at Rotary.
Secretary Ross will talk about the Department, reforms, budget, and economic development projects in the State.
Dave Ross was appointed by Governor Scott Walker to serve as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) beginning in January 2017. WisDOT is one of the largest state agencies, with about 3,500 employees and an annual budget of more than $3.5 billion. The department supports all modes of transportation, including state highways, local roads, railroads, public transit systems, airports, harbors and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. In addition, the department includes the Division of Motor Vehicles which serves about 50,000 customers each day, and the Division of State Patrol that enforces laws and assists motorists throughout the state.
Our next STAR Meeting will be Thursday, September 14th. We will meet at the Radisson Hotel in the Wisconsin Room 3 at 7:00 a.m. Please RSVP if you will be attending to Lyn at rotarylax@charter.net
ALL NEW members become a member of this committee for one year. This breakfast is hosted (no cost to the new members). The breakfast and presentation will last no longer than one hour and the meeting will count as a make-up. The STAR Committee, in addition to meeting other new members and some of the present membership will learn more about various aspects of the Club.
Last week at Rotary our guest speaker was Mark Broses from Chippewa Falls Rotary Club. He spoke to us about the Bolivia Water Project that their club was involved in. Chippewa Falls Rotary and the Rotary Tunari Club of Cochabamba have a 20+ year history together of working together to improve water accessibility. PowerPoint presentation.
COME FOR SUPPER....The Humanitarian Committee will be helping again with the "Come for Supper Meal Program" at Our Savior's Lutheran Church - 612 Division Street on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Click here to volunteer.
Our Board Approved the La Crosse Airport Military Lounge project that Rotarian Steve Lindeman proposed a few months ago. The USO had a wish list for the lounge: new laptop; lockable storage cabinets; display cases; chest freezer; industrial coffee dispenser; Quik Shade Commercial Canopy Tents; desk chairs; tablet; charging station for smartphones/tablets, and Xbox games. Approximate cost is $8,600.
We designated our profits from the Spring Social to our Habitat Project ($1,000) and to the Military Lounge ($3,500). Steve applied for a grant from the Rotary Works Foundation and received a grant for $2,500. So we have raised $6,000 to date. The board will be discussing how to raise the remaining $2,600 for the project at their Monday's meeting. There also may be an opportunity for us to volunteer at the Military Lounge. Watch for more information on this project in the coming weeks.
We are starting to plan for the 2017 Fruit Basket Fundraiser and Rotary Lights!!
Rotary Lights: Rotary Lights is an annual gift to the Coulee Region as a cooperative effort among the area's Rotary Clubs, numerous other non-profit groups and volunteer organizations, sponsors, and last but not least - the amazing individuals that make up their Steering Committee and Board. This year Rotary Lights in Riverside Park will be from November 24th through December 31st. Would you or your business like to be a sponsor of Rotary Lights? The Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $5,000...Sponsorship Levels and Benefits. You can send your check to Rotary Lights: PO Box 2151, La Crosse WI 54602-2151.
Fruit Baskets: Our annual Fruit Basket Fundraiser is only weeks away. We will be taking orders for fruit baskets starting in October......for delivery on Saturday, December 9th and Monday, December 11th. Think Holiday Gift giving ....they make great employee gifts....see if your employer would be interested in supporting our fruit basket sale. We will be making a slight change to the baskets this year....NO grapefruit. We will increase the oranges and get another variety of apples.
As we have seen, the devastation is great and is growing. The communities effected will need incredible resources to recover. Because of the widespread devastation already seen, the needs of those impacted will far exceed existing resources. Many have asked how we can Make a Difference. As you may or may not know, District 6250 has a Charitable Trust. This is a foundation that will allow you to make a tax deductible contribution that will be sent to the Rotary District(s) heading the relief efforts in Texas and effected areas. 100% of your contribution will go to those that truly need it.
Here’s how you can donate:
By Check:
Make check payable to Rotary District 6250 Charitable Trust
If you prefer we will have a basket at the registration table this week at Rotary...your checks/cash will be sent to the District 6250 Charitable Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
Our Youth Exchange Student for the 2017-18 year is Rebeca from Parana, Brazil. Rebeca's first host family is Jeff and Karla Fennie. Rebeca will be going to Logan High School.
We are still looking for the "second host family." Rebeca will be attending Logan High School. If you are interested or know of someone who might be, please contact Jack Haase for more information. You do not need to be a Rotarian to host Rebeca.
At little insight on Rebeca...she is a member of a Interact Club...she enjoys being part of something that serves humanity. She enjoys watching movies, reading books, taking pictures, meeting new places and going out with her family, usually at a park to play volley. She intends to do an undergraduate course in cinema and work in film directing. She chose this path when she was in 9th grade while doing theater in school.
*****Just a reminder that if you will be one-on-one with Rebeca, you will need a background check. This is done through the Rotary District site and our club will cover the cost. Click here to process your background check.
Our Rotary Habitat for Humanity Work Day is Saturday, September 16th....from 8-3 at 5th and Mississippi. We have our ten Rotarians that will work and represent our club for September 16th.
Area Rotary Club members can also volunteer on Saturday, Oct 7th and Saturday Oct 28from 8:00 - 3:00. We can have up to a maximum of 10 volunteers each day, no special skills are required since Habitat will have a construction manager on site to give directions. As the date approaches Habitat will let us know the type of work to be completed that day (e.g. painting, drywall, carpentry etc.)
Rotary Youth Exchange A Step Toward WorldUnderstanding. The La Crosse area Rotary Clubs are looking for students who are interested in a unique experience of attending high school while living in another Rotary International country. Rotary International has a program which annually involves over 10,000 high school students living nearly a year in another country. Candidates must be sophomores to seniors in high school at the time of application and 16-18 1/2 years old when they leave for their assigned country. Applicants must rank in the upper half of their class.
How to apply. If you know of someone that is interested in this program for the 2018-19 school year, simply have them complete and return the application. Click here for application and more information. An informational meeting will be September 20, 2017, 6:30 pm at the Children's Museum, 207 5th Avenue, La Crosse. Preliminary application due, September 20, 2017. Local interviews will be October 2, 2017 and final application due October 25, 2017. District interviews will be held on November 5, 2017 in Baraboo.
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.
Congrats to Angela Czerwinski who won the marble raffle.
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.
Sept 7th: Raffle $47: Fines $176.80; Scooters $3; Scrip $60
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 Membership is 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. 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 of $70 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.
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 Program Chairs that are listed above....just click on their name. If you would like to give your classification talk please contact Program Committee Chair Tami Woods.
.jpg)
ott Walker to serve as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) beginning in January 2017. WisDOT is one of the largest state agencies, with about 3,500 employees and an annual budget of more than $3.5 billion. The department supports all modes of transportation, including state highways, local roads, railroads, public transit systems, airports, harbors and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. In addition, the department includes the Division of Motor Vehicles which serves about 50,000 customers each day, and the Division of State Patrol that enforces laws and assists motorists throughout the state..png)
.jpg)
Rotary Lights: Rotary Lights is an annual gift to the Coulee Region as a cooperative effort among the area's Rotary Clubs, numerous other non-profit groups and volunteer organizations, sponsors, and last but not least - the amazing individuals that make up their Steering Committee and Board. This year Rotary Lights in Riverside Park will be from November 24th through December 31st. Would you or your business like to be a sponsor of Rotary Lights? The Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $5,000....png)
great employee gifts....see if your employer would be interested in supporting our fruit basket sale. We will be making a slight change to the baskets this year....NO grapefruit. We will increase the oranges and get another variety of apples.
Message from our District Governor, Joe Ruskey..jpg)
Our Rotary Habitat for Humanity Work Day is Saturday, September 16th....from 8-3 at 5th and Mississippi. We have our ten Rotarians that will work and represent our club for September 16th.
tanding. The La Crosse area Rotary Clubs are looking for students who are interested in a unique experience of attending high school while living in another Rotary International country. Rotary International has a program which annually involves over 10,000 high school students living nearly a year in another country. Candidates must be sophomores to seniors in high school at the time of application and 16-18 1/2 years old when they leave for their assigned country. Applicants must rank in the upper half of their class..jpeg)