The idea that Rotary should own its headquarters dates back at least to the 1920 convention, when RI President Albert Adams said that he hoped to someday see the headquarters in a beautiful building of Rotary’s own.
ERC's historic, first-ever, ONLINE SILENT AUCTION experienced awesome, smashing results! Not all winning bids have been paid, but it appears as if more than $11,000 have been raised by this effort. Monetary donations may still be made online until noon on Friday, November 27. Access the Silent Auction URL by clicking here (or on the image below) and then click on "Make a Monetary Donation."
Thanks to all for your participation! Please contact anyone on the committee with any follow-up questions.
Online Silent Auction Committee:
Kevin Roche, Chair; Tom Hochuli, Honorary Member; Kathy Becker; Bonnie Bertram; Kate Bloomberg; Mike Groth; Jackie Radomski.
The Rotary Theme for 2020-2021 is "Rotary Opens Opportunities." This includes learning opportunities, and Rotary District 6270 is pleased to offer two such opportunities the near future.
On Tuesday, December 1, the District 6270 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force offers "Recognizing Implicit Bias: A first step towards inclusiveness and respectful interactions" with presenter Maria Flores.
On Tuesday, December 8, a "Keeping Rotarians Connected" session entitled, "Using Nonverbal Communication in the Virtual World," will be presented by Kristin Bock.
Read the rest of the story by clicking "Read more ..." to access the detailed information and how to register for each of these informative sessions.
Tuesday, December 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. "Recognizing Implicit Bias: A first step towards inclusiveness and respectful interactions"
As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
In District 6270, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force has been created to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which people from underrepresented groups have greater opportunities to participate as members and leaders. We are excited to bring you our first district-wide training offering presented by our very own Maria Flores, a Rotary Amigos Charter Member.
Maria Flores has over 30 years of governmental and volunteer nonprofit experience in serving varied constituent groups on a national, regional and local level. Maria’s main passion is conducting educational outreach and providing training on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and diversity in her current position as the Outreach and Education Manager for the six-state Chicago District of the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Maria has twice received national EEOC awards for her investigation and successful resolution of high-profile immigrant worker cases which had national impact and significant litigation results. She has also received the “Sisterhood Award” by the Wisconsin Women of Color Network; the “Dedicated Member Award” bestowed by the Federal Employees Black History Committee; the “Community Service Award” from the Federal Executive Association; and the “Hammer Award” issued by U.S. Vice President Al Gore for her participation in diversity training by a joint government agency team. Most recently, Maria was named a 2019 Marquette University Alumni National Recipient, receiving “A Person for Others Award” from the College of Arts & Sciences.
Session participants will gain an understanding on how implicit (or unconscious) biases can influence our decision-making and behavior without us even knowing it. Maria will guide us through demonstrations and discussions of judgment and perception that illustrate that we do not always have complete control over our minds. Research and studies will be presented to show the impact of implicit bias in the workplace and other arenas.
Register today, and get ready to take away practical tips that you can use to minimize and manage the impact of implicit bias in your interaction with others.
When: Dec 1, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Back by Popular Demand -- Kristin Bock, Body Language Expert "Using Nonverbal Communication in the Virtual World" Tuesday, December 8, 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
In October, the "Keeping Rotarians Connected" session with body language specialist Kristin Bock was a huge hit! Participants shared positive feedback about the usable tips and suggested that it be offered again so that more Rotarians could benefit. You asked, and RI District 6270 answered!
Kristin believes science + body language = powerful people skills. On Tuesday, December 8, Kristin will be back for an extended session to provide tips and techniques for optimizing nonverbal communication in our virtual world. Assistant Governor Karen Schibline had this to say after the October session: "Kristin's session was both fun and informative. She gave us some great tips, with examples, that I started to use immediately! Simple tips that really do make a difference. Don't miss this session; it will be the best Zoom meeting you'll attend in months!"
Kristin is a certified body language specialist and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She has over 25+ years of non-profit experience in the caregiving field and has worked in a variety of positions including a Live-in Manager at a group home, Management Supervisor, and Human Resources Specialist. For 17 years she was an Employee Trainer and it is in this position where she became aware of the true power of body language.
Take a little "me time" time for skills-building and personal growth. Register via the link below today!
Keeping Rotarians Connected: Using Nonverbal Communication in the Virtual World
When: Dec 8, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in November.
“But there is always a November space after the leaves have fallen when she felt it was almost indecent to intrude on the woods…for their glory terrestrial had departed and their glory celestial of spirit and purity and whiteness had not yet come upon them.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Windy Poplars
Happy Birthday! Wishing a wonderful year of good health, happiness, and success to our members:
Raul Arredondo
Jim Dunn
Fred Gettelman
Ted Wentzel
ERC also recognizes the following membership anniversaries:
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
The Rotary Foundation's mission is to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. Rotary Foundation grants (1) promote peace, (2) fight disease, (3) provide clean water and sanitation, (4) sustain mothers and children, (5) improve education, and (6) strengthen local economies. On July 1, 2021, supporting the environment will be added as a 7th Area of Focus.
The Foundation is a worldwide leader in the efforts to eradicate polio through its partnership in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Since 1988, Rotary and its partners in the GPEI have immunized over 3 billion children, reducing the incidence of polio by 99.9 percent and eradicating it from all but two countries. Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion and thousands of volunteer hours to eradication efforts. The Foundation also funds training of peacemakers through the Rotary Peace Center program. Most recently, Rotary's Disaster Response Grants are making it possible for Rotary members to respond effectively to local recovery efforts as they unfold, and COVID-19 was recently added as an eligible activity.
Strong financial oversight, a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model mean that TRF makes the very most of your contribution. Give and become a part of Rotary’s life-changing work!
The collective leadership and expertise of 1.2 million members help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, locally and globally. We are united by common values and vision for the future as we sharpen our focus with targeted specific causes that will reach communities most in need.
Veterans in Focus (VIF) trains veterans in photography, videography, and film. The local program at the Zablocki VA Medical Center has been financially supported by the Elmbrook Rotary Club's annual Mini-Grants effort for the past several years. Because of COVID-19, there will not be a VIF public display this year. However, do view the short video below which explains the objects of the program and some results of the 2020 training sessions.
If unable to access when attempting to view on a mobile device, click on the Veterans Day 2020 image below.
Through the Milwaukee VA Veterans in Focus program, veterans are able to express themselves and possibly even begin to prepare themselves for a career.
This article also serves as a reminder that all Elmbrook Rotary Mini-Grant applications for the 2020-2021 Rotary Year are due no later than the end of October. Click here to access the application form.
Because of COVID-19, sponsors of graduating students at the Common Hope School in Guatemala were not able to attend graduation events in person. However, the Common Hope organization arranged for two Zoom events in order to connect sponsors with their graduating students. Sergio Cuc, one of the graduates, has been sponsored by Elmbrook Rotary Club for many years.
On November 1, Common Hope also debuted its "Salute to Hope," a video that explains and celebrates its ministry in Guatemala. Click on the image below to access the video, available on YouTube.
On October 30, 2020, Elmbrook Rotary Club had the privilege of being visited by Special Agent Tyrone ("Ty") Daniels of the U.S. Secret Service. However, rather than "investigating" Elmbrook Rotary, Special Agent Daniels provided a most interesting overview of the history and mission of the United States Secret Service. Keeping ERC members stumped with historical trivia, SA Daniels enlightened all participants with a most interesting presentation. Click on SA Daniels' image below to access the 45-minute presentation.
SA Daniels provided an overview on the following topics: whom the Secret Service is authorized to protect; the types of crimes the Secret Service investigates; how the Secret Service differs from other federal law enforcement agencies; the role the Secret Service had in Milwaukee’s DNC Convention (working with ERC's own Linda Wickstrom); and why agents seem to always wear sunglasses.
If you are not yet joining Elmbrook Rotary at 07:00 a.m. on Friday mornings, do consider it.
So states the popular song in Hamilton, the broadway musical.
However, it appears that it won't be as quickly as we had hoped. In-person attendance on Friday mornings has not been what was originally projected, and The Western Racquet Club cannot financially justify the low numbers.
In-person meetings for Elmbrook Rotary Club are therefore suspended once again. We return to Zoom only.
District 6270 Global Grant Scholarship: A Global Grant Scholarship in the amount of U.S. $30,000 is being offered by Rotary International District 6270 for matriculation in the Fall 2021 or Spring 2022. Must be for a graduate level program overseas, not in the United States, and must align closely with one of RI’s Areas of Focus. Applicants must hold at least an undergraduate degree or anticipate graduation within the current year. Application deadline is January 15, 2021; interviews, February 6; announcement of grant recipient, February 15. Application form and applicable reference documents are accessible in the Scholarship Resource Center of the RI District 6270 web site (www.rotary6270.org).
Please pass along this information to any aspiring scholar whom you know or meet who might be qualified to apply. Feel free to contact Larry Myers with any questions.
Rotary Million Dollar Journey Reaches its Goal… and Continues
After reaching a $1,000,000 fundraising goal early, Rotary International Districts 6220 & 6270 extend the goal deadline and dollar amount to support the Rotary Foundation during trying times.
A joint effort between the Wisconsin & Michigan Rotarians of districts 6220 and 6270 to raise $1,000,000 for the Rotary Foundation by October, 2020, reached its goal four months early. With that success, and with even greater need, the districts will continue the journey by raising more funds, and a new conclusion in April, 2021.
A bit over one year ago, on the recommendation of Rotary International District Governors Steve Handrick and Steen Sanderhoff, their respective districts embarked on a path to collectively raise one million dollars of new gifts to the Rotary Foundation; a Million Dollar Journey. With many generous gifts – each in excess of $10,000 – from both districts, the goal was reached early, in July of 2020.
When the Journey launched, the districts planned a celebratory dinner for all of the contributors along the fundraising pathway, to have taken place in November 2020. The presence of the COVID-19 pandemic will make that celebration impossible at that time, and the districts agreed that it should be postponed until April 29, 2021.
Seeing the postponement as an opportunity, now past-governors Handrick & Sanderhoff and current district governors Scott Knaffla and Craig Burnett agreed that the districts should continue the Journey’s effort, and have set a new goal of $2,000,000 to be reached by April 1, 2021.
As with the first part of the Journey, the minimum amount of gifts within the journey is $10,000 to qualify for attendance at the celebratory dinner. Gifts may be made in a number of ways:
Outright gifts of cash or appreciated securities
A three-year pledge of cash or appreciated securities
A Life income agreement funded with cash, appreciated securities or real estate, including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, or pooled income funds.
A bequest commitment via a will, life insurance policy, revocable trust, or a retirement plan
Each district has a team of Rotarians who stand ready to discuss the continuing campaign, give a presentation about the journey, or to interact directly with a potential donor. Donors or clubs are encouraged to contact PDG and Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor Nancy Rhodes to discuss the opportunity to add needed funds to the Rotary International Foundation during this time of pandemic and worldwide economic challenge.
Rotarians and others are encouraged to join in this important Journey at a time when it is truly needed.
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 values. As 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."
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.
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).
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.
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.
Maria Flores has over 30 years of governmental and volunteer nonprofit experience in serving varied constituent groups on a national, regional and local level. Maria’s main passion is conducting educational outreach and providing training on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and diversity in her current position as the Outreach and Education Manager for the six-state Chicago District of the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Maria has twice received national EEOC awards for her investigation and successful resolution of high-profile immigrant worker cases which had national impact and significant litigation results. She has also received the “Sisterhood Award” by the Wisconsin Women of Color Network; the “Dedicated Member Award” bestowed by the Federal Employees Black History Committee; the “Community Service Award” from the Federal Executive Association; and the “Hammer Award” issued by U.S. Vice President Al Gore for her participation in diversity training by a joint government agency team. Most recently, Maria was named a 2019 Marquette University Alumni National Recipient, receiving “A Person for Others Award” from the College of Arts & Sciences. 
Kristin believes science + body language = powerful people skills. On Tuesday, December 8, Kristin will be back for an extended session to provide tips and techniques for optimizing nonverbal communication in our virtual world. Assistant Governor Karen Schibline had this to say after the October session: "Kristin's session was both fun and informative. She gave us some great tips, with examples, that I started to use immediately! Simple tips that really do make a difference. Don't miss this session; it will be the best Zoom meeting you'll attend in months!"
