Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation extending fundraising partnership to eradicate polio Partnership will infuse an additional US$450 million into global polio eradication
The Western Great Lakes District Conference is coming up on May 1-2 in Oshkosh, WI. Organizers of the conference, with strong representation from both District 6220 and District 6270, have put together two fabulous days of programming and entertainment.
The Western Great Lakes District Conference, set for May 1-2 in Oshkosh, will provide attendees from Districts 6220 and 6270 with the opportunity to "Celebrate Rotary" both on a global scale and with insights to make important impacts back home.
Internationally-known featured speakers, all Rotarians, will provide keen insights about their passion projects during addresses on Friday evening, Saturday lunch, and Saturday dinner.
Breakout sessions throughout the day on Saturday will inform and challenge attendees on a variety of topics with local implications, including human trafficking, fresh water issues, prescription drug abuse and the opioid crisis, as well as impactful programs like Rawhide Youth Services, The Joseph Project, Engineers without Borders, and Rotary and the UN.
In addition to the stimulating speakers, attendees will experience the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Aviation Museum during the reception and gala dinner on Saturday evening. Informal gatherings throughout the weekend at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel and Conference Center in Oshkosh will round out the fun-filled weekend in Wisconsin’s Event City.
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary. It is a non-profit that is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who share its vision of a better world. Its sole mission is to support the efforts of Rotarians through Rotary’s mission, and the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national, and international humanitarian and educational programs in your back yard and around the globe.
Thank you for supporting The Rotary Foundation and its work.
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in January.
“JANUARY, The first month of the year, A perfect time to start all over again, Changing energies and deserting old moods, New beginnings, new attitudes” ― Charmaine J Forde
Happy Birthday! Wishing a wonderful year of good health, happiness, and success to our members:
Zach Augustin
Jan Constable
Dean Johnson
Wally Smanski
Greg Smith
ERC also recognizes the following membership anniversaries:
Adherence to and promotion of the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the public.
The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, not just those that are pursued by Rotarians.
The contribution of your vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of the community.
During January, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that not only develop the ethical consciousness and vocational skills of Rotarians but also the talents within their communities. Vocational Service Month is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service activities, ranging from Rotary discussions to awards to community projects.
Stacie Estrada, a Wisconsin artist currently living in Menomonee Falls,WI, provided a presentation to Elmbrook Rotary on Friday, January 17, concerning the values of art in the world.
Self-taught with high school and WCTC classes behind her, she insists that it's the experience and working with other artists that has helped her grow. Her works include more than 30 murals and 50+ paintings. She has sold and customized over 40 commissioned pieces locally in parade of homes, businesses, and homes. It's seeing the customers' reactions she loves the best.
Her latest custom art business is a joint effort with her daughter and husband. Called "Believe Custom Art and Design," they offer live wedding paintings as well as custom pieces for individuals. You can view their work and business offerings at: www.believecustomart.com
She has also owned Uptown Art studio in Sussex since 2013. She prides herself on helping others explore the art world and helping kids and adults value and admire art through the studio.
ERC members enjoy presentations like this every week on Fridays (7:00 a.m.) at the Western Racket Club in Elm Grove. Drop by for breakfast, enjoy the speaker, and consider joining the world of Rotary.
Guest speaker at ERC on Friday, January 3, was Susan K. Wehrley, founder and owner of BIZremedies. Her focus is to ALIGN individuals and companies to their best selves as they reach their vision, values, and goals. She accomplishes this through the ALIGN program, which is an accumulation of the best practices from Susan’s Leadership, Teamwork, and Customer Service programs. In addition to the more traditional development practices, the ALIGN program also increases mindfulness and effective decision-making by increasing Gut Intelligence.
During her presentation, Susan taught ERC members the S.T.O.P Technique in order to Slow down, Tune in within, Observe what is happening around oneself and within oneself, and to Perceive the best possibility. The hoped-for result is the making of decisions from a clear, calm, and confident self in the new year!
Approximately 25 ERC Rotarians and family members gathered at the new Outback Steakhouse facility in Brookfield on New Year's Day to cheer on the UW-Madison Badgers football team in the Rose Bowl. It was also a chance to celebrate the New Year's Day birthday of Evonne Zalewski, spouse of ERC Treasurer, Mark Zalewski.
Unfortunately, the Badgers fell one point short of Oregon in this 108th Rose Bowl. This was the 10th appearance of the Badgers in a Rose Bowl. They have won three times (having lost to Oregon twice). The loss did not dampen the enthusiasm of the ERC cheerleaders.
ERC Rotarian Tom Curl and spouse Lynda had the unique opportunity to assist in preparing flowers for the floats in the 2020 Rose Bowl Parade. Tom shares the following:
"We are part of a tour group. Worked one day preparing roses to be put on floats. We did thousands of pink roses and younger, more nimble volunteers scrambled over the scaffolding and planks to put the roses on the surfaces. Today, we had close-up bleacher seats for the parade. The floral displays were amazing!"
The Rotary International float won the "Tournament Volunteer Trophy." Congrats to all Rotarians worldwide!
Rachel Greenhow, Major Gifts Coordinator for The Rotary Foundation (TRF), briefed the ERC on Friday, December 13, regarding the various ways to support the worldwide work of Rotary through providing major gifts to TRF.
Ms. Greenhow centered her presentation on explaining the following categories of gifts: Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member, Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society, Bequest Society, and Major Donor. Details of these various recognitions, including the Arch Klumph Society and the Legacy Society, can be examined in detail at: https://www.rotary.org/en/donate/recognition
Tom Curl, ERC representative for TRF, also briefly explained "The Million Dollar Journey," a recently launched combined effort of RI Districts 6270 & 6220. Details of this effort can be read by clicking here.
On Saint Lucy's Day (December 13), two ERC Rotarians were presented with Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Tom Curl was recognized with his 9th Paul Harris Fellow award, and Kate Bloomberg presented Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Scott Dryburgh.
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is achieved when you give $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. To recognize someone else as a Paul Harris Fellow, you can give that amount in their name. Learn more about Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Elmbrook Rotary Club was a major sponsor for the Brookfield German Holiday Market on Saturday, December 7, 2019, by providing the hayride and by assisting with other events in addition.
Members of the ERC-sponsored Brookfield Central and Brookfield East Interact Clubs also assisted with a raffle that garnered approximately $600 for the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation.
Thanks to all ERC and Interact members who helped make the afternoon a most enjoyable experience for all who came!
The annual meetings of both Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) and the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation (ERF) occurred on Friday morning, December 6, 2019, at the Western Racket Club in Elm Grove, WI.
All active members of the ERC are automatically members of the ERF. In addition to approving minutes of last year’s annual meeting, the members of the ERC took the following election actions pertaining to its Board of Directors and Officers (effective July 1, 2020):
Jackson Bubolz, Director, Three-Year Term, Class of 2023 Jim Dunn, Director, Two-Year Term, Class of 2022 Tom Curl, Director-Past President, One-Year Term, Class of 2021 Mark Zalewski, Treasurer, Three-Year Term Christine Spresser, Sergeant-at-Arms, One-Year Term (succeeding to Secretary, Vice President, and President in successive years).
Convening as the ERF, members also approved last year’s annual meeting minutes and took the following election actions pertaining to ERF Board of Directors and Officers (effective July 1, 2020):
Jackson Bubolz, Director, Three-Year Term, Class of 2023 Jim Dunn, Director, Two-Year Term, Class of 2022 Tom Curl, Director-Past President, One-Year Term, Class of 2021 Gordy Miller, Treasurer, Three-Year Term.
Elmbrook Rotary Club has been awarded a 2018-2019 Rotary Citation with Presidential Distinction. Award of the basic citation required meeting at least nine (9) goals established by Rotary International. However, ERC went above and beyond by accomplishing 2/3 goals established by the 2018-2019 RI President. This resulted in a "Gold Distinction" in addition to the basic citation. Congratulations to all!
RI District 6270 Assistant Governor Larry Myers
presents a "2018-2019 Rotary Citation with Gold Distinction"
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!
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).
A new Rotary year began on July 1. The Rotary International Presidential Theme for 2019-2020 is "Rotary Connects the World."
Mark Daniel Maloney (Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, USA) is RI President for 2019-2020 and believes that connection is at the heart of the Rotary experience. “(Rotary) allows us to connect with each other, in deep and meaningful ways, across our differences,” Maloney says. “It connects us to people we would never otherwise have met, who are more like us than we ever could have known. It connects us to our communities, to professional opportunities, and to the people who need our help.”
Rotarians in RI District 3350 (Thailand) have produced an interesting song & video that connects the 2019-2020 Presidential Theme with the work and impact of Rotary worldwide. Click here or on the image below to view and hear the production. It is only 3 min. 29 sec. in length.
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.