Brenda Campbell President and CEO of SecureFutures shared the vision, goals and volunteer opportunities for this non-profit organization. Secure Futures programs are “Building stronger communities by empowering teens with financial education, tools, and mentorship. An investment in teen financial capability is an investment in the future.” These programs focus on 11th and 12th grade students, and Brenda shared success stories and examples of how communities are stronger through these financial literacy programs.
Elmbrook School Superintendent Dr. Mark Hansen presented a district update at the Elmbrook Rotary Club's 1/13/23 meeting. Dr. Hansen has served as Superintendent since 2012 and shared how the district has grown and prospered over the years.
“With an amazing staff, really engaged parents and thoughtful kids”, the district has been ranked in the top four in the state, based on student achievement and customer satisfaction.
The installation and maintenance of smoke and CO alarms are key to an early warning of a fire or the presence of carbon monoxide (an odorless and colorless gas that can cause illness or sudden death)
Safety Tips:
If trivia isn't your thing, or you want to take a drive after the last question is answered, there is an excellent opportunity to network with Rotarians who meet to the North of us. Rotarians will discuss projects they are excited about, items that aren't working quite yet, and everything in between.
By Tom Gump, member of the RI Membership Growth committee and past governor of District 5950 (Minnesota, USA), and Mykola Stebljanko, public image coordinator in Zone 21A and past governor of District 2232 (Ukraine)
Membership has grown 23.5% in Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country on 24 February 2022. The region, which comprises Rotary District 2232, has added four Rotary clubs and five satellite clubs. The reasons behind this growth hold important insights for any Rotary club interested in increasing its membership or any district looking to add clubs.
We conclude that no one joins a club, Rotary or otherwise, to sit around and do nothing. People join because they want to become engaged with a cause and do something real. Rotary matters and engaging our members in service opportunities that create lasting change matters.
Rotary International Districts 6220, 6250 and 6270, which span from Rotary clubs in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the majority of Wisconsin, are jointly holding an outstanding Rotary conference experience. The topics and goals would be difficult to accomplish with the resources of a single district, so don't miss out on this lively, educational, and fun-filled Rotarian experience.
Snow season is here, bringing the need to shovel or use a snowblower. There are more than 3000 snowblower injuries each year resulting in lost fingers, mangled hands, and injured wrists. These types of injuries are life-changing.
Here are a few tips on how to avoid lacerations, the loss of fingers and broken bones:
At the December 16, 2022 Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) meeting President Harry Farchman introduced Timon Corwin, General Manager of the Western Racquet Club.
Corwin shared the Western Racquet Club's (WRC) goal to update key areas within the club. The vision is to make the club a member destination where they can socialize, watch live events or enjoy the bar room, dinner, or relax by the fireplace. Upgrades of the dining room, boardroom, bathrooms, and lobby will give the club a new fresh inviting look. To keep the full-time staff employed, there will be various projects available, and opportunities and benefits for the members during the construction phase.
On December 12, 2022, 4 officers of Brookfield East's Rotary Interact Club visited the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC).
Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of "Service Above Self.” The Brookfield East club organizes at least two projects every year, one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding. Rotary clubs sponsor, mentor, and guide Interactors as they carry out projects and develop leadership skills. The ERC's mentor is Rotarian Jack Hill.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations directly to the Arthritis Foundation at https://www.arthritis.org or the Elmbrook Humane Society at https://ebhs.org
We have some great pictures with Gordy from December meetings.

Mike Phillips, District Governor, and member of the West Bend Sunrise Rotary Club addressed the Elmbrook Rotary at the Friday Dec. 9th meeting. He reviewed his role as Governor and talked about the structure of Rotary, number of clubs word wide, the Rotary Presidents Theme “Imagine Rotary”, and the challenges of growth and retention.
In President Jennifer Jones's Imagine Rotary theme, she encourages:
Before the Holiday festivities begin, there are a few fire facts and fire prevention suggestions from the National Fire Protection Agency:
When we couldn't make the trip to Tucson for the End Polio Now Ride headline event, we decided to reprise last year's ERC Freeze Out Polio Ride on Saturday.
It’s obvious not everyone in the Land of the Lambeau Field Frozen Tundra is a fan of cold weather (especially when it was in the 70's a week earlier.) But 2 intrepid riders (thanks Greg) and 3 boosters (thanks Harry, Anne and Evonne) came out for the ride. And few more (thanks Jim and John) showed up at the Post-Ride Festivities at O'Donoghue's. Although the offer of a pint of Guinness may have helped.
But there's nothing frigid about the generosity of Elmbrook Rotarians, and our commitment to end polio worldwide. We have raised nearly $5,000 this year with this event - and that gets matched 2 for 1 by the Gates Foundation. So GREAT JOB and thanks to everyone who supported the effort. In the last 2 years its now close to $20,000!
At the 11/18/2022 Friday morning meeting, President Harry Farchmin introduced Toomas Mitt, founder of The Stories Project. The Stories Project began one year ago with the ultimate mission to "Honor and celebrate people’s stories and provide a video keepsake for their families”. The finished product is a way to share life stories with future generations.
The Philosophy: Everyone has a story to tell.
Rotarian Mark Thurner introduced Steven Siodlarz and Emily Hiller from the Waukesha County Park System. Steven is a senior landscape architect who plans, designs, plus manages the construction and development of the System’s lands and facilities. The WCPS is a passive recreation nature-based system comprised of:
On November 9, 2022 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) announced Neil Palmer, President, Village of Elm Grove, as the recipient of the 6th annual Business Person of the Year Award. The program recognizes the leadership and accomplishments of a successful Brookfield or Elm Grove individual.
On 11/4/2022, Linda Wickstrom, an Elmbrook Rotarian and Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Waukesha County Health and Human Services Department gave a presentation on the role of the Public Information Officer. As a member of the Incident Management Response Team (IMT) for Southeast Wisconsin, she described the need for a “Go Bag” that is kept in her car with the essentials needed to perform her duties. As a Team member, she may be deployed at any time, day, or night.
Every year the Elmbrook Rotary honors a local businessperson “For Outstanding Business Achievement and Community Service”. This year’s recipient, Neal Palmer, was introduced by Rotarians Ralph Gould and Doug Jacobson.



“Dedicated to Providing Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Transportation”
On 10/21/2022 guest Marj Koslowski, Board President, and Tom Slavinsky, Executive Director, of the ELMBROOK SENIOR TAXI visited the Elmbrook Rotary to talk about their service.
For the past twenty-nine years, the non-profit organization Elmbrook Senior Taxi has been serving seniors 62+ years old and adults with disabilities. Their mission is to “provide transportation to low income, elderly, and otherwise needy residents of City of Brookfield, Town of Brookfield, Village of Elm Grove and Village of Butler”.

On October 7, 2022 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) was visited by Frontdesk CEO Jesse DePinto.
Frontdesk is a six-year-old Milwaukee based company offering an option to hotels, Vrbo’s and Airbnb’s. Frontdesk provides fully furnished luxury apartments that are cost-effective, and 50%-100% larger than a average hotel room, including cooking and laundry amenities. The company is in 33 markets with 1,000 units inside 160 buildings.
They are myopically focuses on urban downtown neighborhood settings, such as Milwaukee’s Third Ward.Jesse shared his company’s mission “to provide short term stays for modern dynamic living”, and a vision for “leading a cultural shift to a type of immersive lifestyle that defines modern travel”.
On Friday, September 30, the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) welcomed the Veterans in Focus program and Bonnie Bertram introduced guest speaker Courtney Zeller, C.T.R.S. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Courtney has been a Specialist for 12 years with the Zablocki VA Hospital Health Care System. Accompanying her was US Army Iraq Veteran Lavella Green, a program participant, and Kris Hinrich a Milwaukee Rotary V.I.F.P. volunteer member.
As an outpatient health setting specialist, Courtney’s goal is to have a positive impact on veterans who have served our country, focusing on mental health, wellness, and maintaining a stable housing setting.
