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Russell Hampton
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Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Elmbrook (Brookfield)
We Rise & Shine
Fridays at 7:00 AM
Western Racquet Club
1800 Highland Drive
Elm Grove, WI 53122
United States of America
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District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
Upcoming Events
Rotary Straight Shooters - Shotgun Outing - August 20, 2020
Waukesha Gun Club
Aug 20, 2020
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Weekly "Virtual Meeting" - via Zoom
1800 Highland Drive
Aug 21, 2020
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
 
Weekly "Virtual Meeting" - via Zoom
1800 Highland Drive
Aug 28, 2020
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
 
Weekly "Virtual Meeting" - via Zoom
1800 Highland Drive
Sep 04, 2020
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
 
ERC & Foundation BoD Meeting
Sep 23, 2020
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
View entire list
Speakers
Aug 21, 2020
Kathy's House Update
Aug 28, 2020
Common Hope Update
Sep 11, 2020
Blessings in a Backpack
Sep 18, 2020
Brookfield Update
Sep 25, 2020 7:00 AM
Improving Police Relationships in Minority Communities
Oct 02, 2020
Market
View entire list
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Your parents told you to be nice to people. Guess what? They were right. Here’s why.

 

Chesley Reynolds Perry, a Spanish-American War veteran and former Chicago Public Library employee, served as Rotary’s first secretary and is known as “the builder of Rotary International.”

 

With help from a Rotary Foundation global grant, a group of women in rural Costa Rica are using ecotourism to enrich their families' futures.

 

These clubs keep things fresh with new ideas and new members.

 

Jennifer Jones, of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2022-23.

 
Photo Albums
2019 Spikes for Tykes
Guatemala Team 2019
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Immediate Past President
 
Director (Past President)
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Membership
 
Programs
 
Programs
 
Public Image Chair
 
The Rotary Foundation
 
Stories
2020 ERC Business Person of the Year
 
In its virtual meeting (via Zoom) on Friday, August 14, 2020, Elmbrook Rotary Club announced the recipient of its "Business Person of the Year" award. The 2020 awardee is William ("Bill") Selzer, retired Fire Chief of the Village of Elm Grove Fire Department. [Click on the image above to view a video of the award presentation.]
 
Retired Chief Selzer provided 47 years of service to the Village of Elm Grove in its Fire Department. 31 of those years were as Fire Chief.
 
Interim Fire Chief David Kastenholz shared the following comments:  "Bill was a respected leader in the fire service; his innovation and leadership skills were as strong as anyone I have ever worked with in the fire service or the corporate world. Bill understood how to treat the people he worked with. When things went well and there was praise to be given, he always made sure the department received it. Bill never needed nor did he want to be in the lime-light. Bill had a collaborative attitude; he knew we would always be a better department if we interacted with the other departments within the Village as well as our neighboring departments. Joint training and sharing of resources occurred while Bill was Chief. Bill was responsible for modernizing our apparatus and equipment. If we felt there was a piece of equipment that would help us do our job in a safer and more efficient manner, Bill was on-board.  Bill's command presence was unflappable! No matter what was going, Bill remained cool, calm, and collected! That presence gave all of us the opportunity to do our jobs to the best of our ability."
 
 
Elmbrook Rotary Club also announced that it has named an annual two-year scholarship the "Elmbrook Rotary Bill Selzer First Responder Scholarship." This scholarship will be reserved for, and given to, selected students who desire to pursue a career as a first responder.
 
Congratulations to Fire Chief (Retired) Selzer! We salute you, and thank you for your service!
You'll Be Back
Elmbrook Rotary Club plans to transition back to meeting in-person at the Western Racquet Club on Friday mornings, beginning September 11 at 07:00 a.m..
 
Western Racquet Club will have us back starting Friday, September 11with an initial capacity limitation of 50 people. The meal will be a continental breakfast at a cost of $12.50 per person. Their serving method will be by buffet with the exception that their staff will serve meal and beverage items that we choose instead of self-serve.
 
Please respond quickly when you receive the email invitation to register for the renewed in-person gatherings.
August Birthdays & Anniversaries
 
 
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in August.
 
 
 
"Every year, August lashes out in volcanic fury, rising with the din of morning traffic, its great metallic wings smashing against the ground, heating the air with ever-increasing intensity." - Henry Rollins
 
Happy Birthday! Wishing a wonderful year of good health, happiness, and success to our members:
 
  • Thom Arndt
  • Phyllis Blodgett
  • Don Down
  • Caz Laska
  • Mike Lauer
  • Dan Roads
  • Mark Thurner
  • Angela Willms
 
ERC also recognizes the following membership anniversaries:
 
  • Chris Salani, 6 years
  • Mike Schmeling, 9 years
  • Jon DeVries, 10 years
  • Ralph Gould, 17 years
  • Caz Laska, 27 years
  • Jim Finn, 27 years
  • Caz Laska, 27 years
  • Gary Gilmore, 28 years
  • Ron Jones, 34 years
Read more...
Membership and New Club Development

It’s time to celebrate our Rotary club, our members, and the good we do in our community and around the world.

Rotary unites more than 1.2 million people across the globe. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

August is "Membership and New Club Development" month. There are many ways to join in the celebration, but here are a few activities to get started:

  • Say it loud, say it proud! Let everyone in your social network know that you are a proud member of Rotary.
  • Watch and share. Watch and share this short video entitled, "Top 5 Rotary Membership Myths Exposed."

  • We Are Rotary. Use the hashtag #WeAreRotary when you post to Facebook, tweet on Twitter, or add photos to your Instagram account to show how Rotary makes a positive impact in the world.

  • What does Rotary mean to you? Rotary members have pushed polio to the brink of eradication, delivered clean water to those in need, improved their local communities, provided scholarships to the next generation of peacemakers, and continued to do good in the world.

Check us out!

Health Care in the U.S.
"Health Care in the U.S.: What are we investing and what are we getting in return?" was the focused topic for the guest speakers at Elmbrook Rotary on Friday, July 31.
 
Physicians for a National Health Program is a single issue organization advocating a universal, comprehensive single-payer national health program. PNHP has more than 20,000 members and chapters across the United States.
 
PNHP member, Dr. Roland Brilla, and second-year medical student Simon Yadgir addressed the topic. 
 
The topic generated the most animated discussion at an ERC meeting in recent memory. In fact, the discussion continued way past the closing gavel and made its way into the ERC chat room in WhatsApp.
 
Do join Elmbrook Rotary Club any Friday morning for our meetings at 07:00 a.m. We are currently meeting virtually via Zoom and hope to initiate "hybrid" meetings (i.e., both in-person and virtual options) in September. Simply send a note to the club contact person on this web site for an invitation to join. You'll like what you see and experience!
Meant To Be
On Friday, July 24, motivational speaker and author Roslyn Franken shared the amazing story of her parents, survivors of WW II, and her own personal story with Elmbrook Rotary.
 
 
Mr. Franken has authored her parents' story in a book entitled, Meant to Be, which will also be turned into a movie. In a follow-up message to ERC members, she writes the following: "If anyone would like a personally autographed copy of my book, Meant to Be, instead of ordering from Amazon, [you] can order it directly from my website at https://roslynfranken.com/buy-now.html. [You] just need to indicate in the PayPal checkout box the instructions how [you] want the book autographed and the exact name [you] would like me to sign it to. Thank you again for the wonderful opportunity to share my parents' story."
 
To hear her presentation, click here or on the graphic above. The video clip contains only her presentation and not the remainder of the club meeting.
 
 
Former Youth Exchange Students Greet ERC
 
 
 
Three former Rotary Youth Exchange students joined Elmbrook Rotary via Zoom on Friday, July 17, and provided an update of their lives and activities.
 
 
 
Joining the ERC weekly meeting were:
 
     Otto Mattila, from Finland, 2013-2014, Brookfield East H.S.
     Caroline (Carly) Hetzel, from Germany, 2011-2012, Brookfield East H.S.
     Giovanna (Gi) Rezende, from Brazil, 2016-2017, Brookfield East H.S.
     Fuka Sunagawa, from Japan, 2019-2020, Brookfield Central H.S.
 
 
To view/hear their greetings and updates, simply click here or on the photo above. The video file also contains the remainder of the July 17th meeting.
 
Elmbrook Rotary continues to conduct "virtual meetings" but is making plans for in-person (or "hybrid") meetings to begin soon. Stay tuned!
RI Virtual Convention Sessions Available

The recordings for each breakout session of the recently completed RI Virtual Convention can be accessed by clicking here or clicking on the image below.

Click the title of each breakout and you should be taken to the recording. If you are prompted to ‘sign up’ for the convention again, there should be a selection to check indicating that you have already signed up. In view of the current ERC survey concerning the format of our future meetings, especially recommended for viewing is "Using Virtual Tools To Engage Members" originally live streamed on Monday, June 22, at 08:00 a.m.

The RI Convention team is also in the process of transitioning the recordings to a digital asset management portal. The recordings will be accessible in that location after the end of July. Do take advantage of these resources.

Zoom Virtual Background Challenge
ERC member Linda Wickstrom has discontinued her "Hat Challenge" for ERC's weekly Zoom meetings and has issued a new challenge for finding and using the best Zoom Virtual Background.
 
To make use of the Virtual Background function in Zoom, one must have a computer or mobile phone that supports this function. Read a full-length "Zoom Support" article that discusses the required settings and the applicable settings within Zoom itself.
 
In addition, there is a big difference between using the Virtual Background function with or without  a "green screen." And, one needs to scour the Internet to find the best still images and/or videos for incorporating into the Zoom meeting experience.
 
View the following YouTube videos for step-by-step instructions:
 
[If accessing via the weekly eBulletin,
 
 
[If accessing via the weekly eBulletin,
 
Rotary International also provides custom virtual background images for use on Zoom. Check out this YouTube video that explains how to find/download the images and how to install them within the Zoom software.
 
Happy hunting, learning, and experimenting! [If you need personal assistance, contact ERC member Larry Myers or ERC member Jackie Radomski.]
 
Rotary Opens Opportunities
Holger Knaack, member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum-Lauenburg-Möln, Germany, is Rotary International President for 2020-2021.
 
A Rotary member since 1992, Knaack has served Rotary as treasurer, director, moderator, member and chair of several committees, representative for the Council on Legislation, zone coordinator, training leader, and district governor. He is an endowment/major gifts adviser and was co-chair of the Host Organization Committee for the 2019 Rotary International Convention in Hamburg. Knaack and his wife, Susanne, are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation and members of the Bequest Society.
 
 
Rotary Opens Opportunities is the theme chosen by President Knaack for 2020-2021. At the International Assembly in San Diego in January 2020, he had the following to say about his theme: "So as you can see, Rotary is not just a club that you join. It is an invitation to endless opportunities. It opens opportunities to serve in a project as big and historic as End Polio Now and also in a small community project, where you just plant a tree. And it opens opportunities for you to live a richer, more meaningful life, with friends around the world, based on our core valuesAs Rotarians, we are very blessed to take on leadership roles at this wonderful moment for our organization. Everything we do opens another opportunity for someone, somewhere. Therefore, the theme for our year is: Rotary Opens Opportunities."
Tom Hochuli, 2020-2021 ERC President
  • Rotary Creates Opportunities is the Rotary International theme for this year. RI President Holger Knaack recently said: “Don’t be afraid of change; continue to use new tools and adapt to change.”
     
    I look forward to serving as President of the Elmbrook Rotary Club for the coming year. Our meetings will continue to be on Friday mornings at 7:00 a.m. via Zoom technology until it is appropriate to resume in-person meetings. Then, those meetings will likely be in a hybrid format with the option of attending via Zoom. Rotary International does not want members to feel compelled to attend any meeting or activities where they do not feel safe and comfortable. It will be our challenge to be open to opportunities to adapt to change while maintaining the traditions of fellowship and service that are the fabric of our club.
     
    To help guide us, a survey will go out soon to learn of each member’s comfort levels. I am confident that, as a club, we will embrace the challenges ahead in this uncertain period as we find new ways to continue our mission.
Installation of 2020-2021 Officers & Directors
In its Zoom-enabled virtual meeting on Friday, June 26, Elmbrook Rotary Club & Foundation installed its 2020-2021 Officers and Directors.
 
The names and positions are listed in the following JPEG images.
 
In addition, the entire Zoom session was recorded. Click on either JPEG image to view the 50-minute ERC meeting.
 
 
 
The club's sincere gratitude is offered to outgoing President Mike Schmeling and his fellow Officers/Directors for their faithful service during a most challenging year! And, best wishes go to incoming President Tom Hochuli and his administration for this next Rotary Year, which begins on July 1.
ERC "Straight Shooters"
The Elmbrook Rotary Club's "Straight Shooters" observed "June Is Rotary Fellowships Month" with an outing.
 
 
Harry Farchmin, the "Straight Shooters" coordinator, provides the following report:  "The Rotary Straight Shooters (our local fellowship group of International Shooting Sports Rotarians) enjoyed a Sporting Clays outing at the Waukesha Gun Club on June 18, 2020. We had 13 Rotarians and guests join together to enjoy shooting on wonderful summer evening. Our group included five new shooters who all did very well and enjoyed the outing. The Rotary Straight Shooters have regular outings on the third Thursday of every month.  Outings and registration information are posted on the Elm Brook Rotary Club and D-6270 Calendars."
 
Also, visit the RI Fellowships web page to learn more about the many opportunities for worldwide fellowships. Chances are that at least one group exists that will match your personal interests.
GG Scholars Take the Lead in Belfast
Ciara McHugh was the District 6270 Global Grant Scholar for 2018-2019. She is approaching her third year of a Ph.D. research program and has been instrumental in establishing a new Rotaract Club at her graduate school, Queen’s University Belfast. Following is her report.
 

" Early in the year, a group came together with the intention of creating a Rotaract chapter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We were from a variety of disciplines, a range of countries, and each were introduced to Rotary in different ways. After a number of late-night brainstorming sessions at QUB's [Queen’s University Belfast’s] cafe (pre-lockdown, of course), we allocated board positions and made plans to get a Queen's University Belfast Rotaract Club off the ground.

"Theo, a Belfast native and active Interactor, was chosen as president; Veja, who is from Slovakia, volunteered her experiences from her Scottish Rotaract days as Outreach chair; Anna, a Global Grant scholar from Wisconsin, became secretary; and I volunteered as treasurer.

"Over the last few months, we've had to adjust our approaches and strategies to adapt to pandemic conditions. But, with ongoing support from the Belfast Rotary Club, our bi-weekly Zoom calls are full of the same energy and enthusiasm as those first brainstorming sessions. I'm pleased to say that our members have kept busy: with social distanced volunteering at Age-NI, donating energy bars to frontline and hospital workers, engaging with local racial-justice organizations, and organizing an online charity quiz to raise money for local pandemic efforts.

"I'm honored to be a part of such an encouraging and engaged group of Rotaractors, and I look forward to expanding our outreach in the years to come."

 

Anna DeWitt (the 2019-2020 GG Scholar from RI District 6220) is from Appleton, WI, and is shown in the photo holding the Appleton Rotary Club banner (mirror image on their Zoom meeting). Ciara McHugh, for whom Elmbrook Rotary served as local Rotary liaison during her 2018-2019 GG Scholarship, is holding a Whitnall Park Rotary Club banner. Clearly, the RI Global Grant Scholarship program, the Interact clubs, and Rotary clubs throughout the world are having an impact in these days of COVID-19 (and beyond).

Interestingly, Ciara's Ph.D. research is focusing on "how to ameliorate strained relationships between police and minority communities, specifically through visual technologies, and the ways in which gender paradigms can help overcome barriers between the two groups."

Congratulations, Ciara, on your continued involvement in Rotary! Keep on keeping on!

Acts Housing CEO at Elmbrook Rotary
Michael Gosman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Acts Housing, was the featured speaker at Elmbrook Rotary Club's "virtual meeting" (via Zoom) on Friday, June 12.
 
Acts Housing provides one-on-one and online, HUD-approved homebuyer and financial counseling for individuals and families to help them become ready to buy.

As a real estate brokerage, Acts represents families in the purchase of homes, for owner occupancy, in Milwaukee and Beloit. Acts then helps families plan and execute home rehabilitation, with a focus on reclaiming vacant foreclosures. Their affiliated nonprofit partner, Acts Lending, Inc., provides mortgage loans for rehabilitation projects.

Acts serves diverse families throughout Milwaukee and Beloit. Many families purchase formerly vacant, vandalized foreclosures. Usually, rehab costs are less than demolition, and new owners save hundreds on their monthly housing costs.

We CAN Do Better
Ever wonder what other District 6270 Rotary clubs are doing in the world?
 
Watch the following video to find out. [If attempting to view via the ERC weekly eBulletin, click here to view.]
 
 
Nancy Rhodes Recipient of RI "Service Above Self"
An RI District 6270 member has been awarded with Rotary International's "Service Above Self" award! Nancy Rhodes of the West Allis Rotary Club is the honored recipient.
 
Rotary’s highest honor recognizes Rotarians who demonstrate Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, by volunteering their time and talents to help others. The award is internationally competitive and is granted to no more than 150 Rotarians worldwide, and no more than one from each district, each year.

Nancy Rhodes is a DYNAMO! She is a strong, determined, compassionate, tireless, & effective leader, in & out of Rotary. Since joining Rotary in 1988 -just one year after the Supreme Court ruled Rotary clubs may not exclude women based on gender- Nancy has held leadership positions at all levels of Rotary - from Club to International.  Her husband, Don Drecktrah, is also a Rotarian.
Nancy personifies what the Service Above Self award is all about. She is extremely dedicated to Rotary, and particularly to The Rotary Foundation, where she works diligently to identify prospective donors. As one member/donor put it, “She may be little, but Nancy can pick you up and shake you until every last nickel falls out of your pockets. And… she does it with a smile.”  
 

She is generous with her time, talents, & knowledge; her calendar is always full of Rotary meetings, events, & projects. Nancy never expects from others what she herself does not give, often many times over. What many aren’t aware of is her accomplishments behind the scenes:  advocating & promoting support of people, ideas, & projects; quietly inspiring others to give money for causes; identifying people’s talents/capabilities & getting them involved in areas where they can make an impact. It is work with many hours of organizing, directing & being on one’s feet, the results of which many take for granted.

Nancy was one of the first women to join a Rotary club. After decades of service at the local, district, zone, and international levels, she is now duly recognized. Congratulations, Nancy!

Districts 6270 & 6220 Million Dollar Journey
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) has received the highest rating - four stars - from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. More Rotarians, and others, see the wonderful results of our projects and scholarships worldwide, and they are using TRF as their “Charity of Choice” in their annual giving and their estate plans. 
 
So, in cooperation with District 6220 to our North, District 6270 has decided to have a little fun and, together, we have set out on a Million Dollar Journey.  The goal for our two districts together is to find and recognize NEW Major gifts to the Foundation.
 
The goal is to raise at least $1,000,000 via the following gift types during this campaign period which will wrap up in late October 2020:
 
1.  Outright gifts – funded with cash or appreciated securities
2.  3-year pledge funded with cash or appreciated securities
3.  Life Income agreement funded with cash, appreciated securities or real estate – this can include
     a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust, or a pooled income fund
4.  Bequest commitment via a will, life insurance policy, revocable trust, or retirement plan.
 
The minimum gift amount for each of the above gift types is $10,000 to qualify for a Rotary Legacy Million Dollar Dinner to be held in November 2020.
Of course, there is another goal:  to educate all Rotarians and their family members about the Foundation’s programs and benefits and communicate the good work and generosity of Rotarians in Districts 6270 and 6220. 
 
District 6270 a team of Rotarians who would be happy to discuss this campaign, give a presentation to local clubs, or meet with you personally to answer questions. Please contact Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor Nancy Rhodes at nancyrhodes1@outlook.com or District 6270Rotary Foundation Committee Chair Mary Beth Seiser at mary.seiser@rotary6270.org for more information. 
 
What do you want your Rotary Legacy to be?   Can you name our Rotary Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or mention it in your estate plan?   This is an excellent way to ensure that your good works and generosity will live on long after you are gone.   Think about it - talk to your family, and your attorney or financial advisor – then let Rotary know your plans and be part of this Journey.  
 
Thank you for everything you already do through Rotary – it is appreciated!
Read more...
Online ERC & ERF Payments/Donations
It is now possible for members of Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) to make online payments and donations both to ERC and to the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation (ERF).
 
Two separate commercial merchant accounts have been activated which intend to keep transactions separated between ERC and ERF.
 
To make payments to ERC, simply follow the link provided in one's individual club account (and quarterly statements). A surcharge of 5% is billed to one's club account when utilizing a credit card or debit card.
 
To make donations or payments to ERF, simply click the "Donate" or "Donate Now" button that can be found on multiple pages on the ERC web site. Or, one can click the URL link that will be provided in ERF invoices to club members. Please ensure that donations or payments intended for the ERF account are not made to the ERC account. The opposite is also true. And, please remember that not all payments to the Foundation [a 501(c)(3) entity] are tax-deductible. IRS rules and policies must be followed.
 
 
Finally, one can always use the old-fashioned (and least expensive) way of payment/donation with an individual check or bank check via "Bill Pay" at one's bank.
ERC on Twitter
Did you know that Elmbrook Rotary Club has a Twitter account? It's true! Become a "Follower" (@ElmbrookRotary).
 
ClubRunner Mobile App

The ClubRunner Mobile App is your key to connect to your club on the go!

Completely free to download and use, this app will let you access the key info you need while you're on the go. Password protected just like the ERC website, the ClubRunner Mobile app allows you to to view the ERC member directory, contact your members and executives, read the latest articles posted to the ERC website, learn more about ERC upcoming events and speakers, view ERC meeting details, and track your attendance statistics—right from your smartphone or tablet! Download the ClubRunner Mobile App either from the App Store (for Apple products) or from Google Play (for Android devices).
What Is Elmbrook Rotary Club?
What is Elmbrook Rotary Club? What do we do? Who are we?
 
 
 
Watch our promotion video to learn about us. If accessing via our weekly eBulletin, click here to watch.
At ELMBROOK ROTARY - We Rise & Shine!
 
When we say "WE RISE & SHINE” to others, it means:
  • WE RISE to meet early every Friday.
  • WE RISE to the occasion by helping those in need.
  • WE RISE to make a difference in our community and the world.
     
  • WE SHINE by living the Rotary 4-way Test.
  • WE SHINE by staying positive and encouraging others.
  • WE SHINE by lighting the way for service above self in Brookfield, Elm Grove, and beyond.
The tagline appears on our Coffee Mugs, on our Web site, on club emails, and on other communications going out. Try using the tagline the next time you’re talking to someone about Elmbrook Rotary or Rotary in general. In fact, consider purchasing an Elmbrook Rotary Coffee Mug for $7.
What Is Rotary?
How do others perceive Rotary and what we do?
 
Enjoy this humorous video about what Rotary really is. Click me to view!
 
Filmed in 2017 in the Fargo-Moorhead area (North Dakota Minnesota border region), where there are five Rotary Clubs. Video was supported by Rotary District 5580.