2023 was slated as the year to revitalize Spikes and find more ways to draw in both community members and community businesses.
With teams up 40% over last year and donation seeds being replanted, this event looks to yield fruit for years to come.
We are still waiting for the final tally on 505/50 raffle, food & bev sales, and donations before totaling a final number for donations generated. More to come...
Rest assured, with the excitement of J.K. Lee, face painting, and a bounce house, this Spikes event is likely to only gain momentum in the "First Saturday of June's" ahead.
Thank you for everyone who donated time, talents, and treasure. This event takes a village, and hopefully we've positioned out club in a great space to serve more people the next 12 months.
The Bridge to Turkiye Fund (BTF) has a culture of giving and civic involvement as a part of their heritage. It was founded in 2003 by a few like-minded Turkish Americans and Friends of Türkiye with the simple desire to Give-Back. Based in the Triangle region of North Carolina, BTF quickly grew all across the US with many regional grassroots Giving Circles, and today has individual donors and supporting communities in all parts of the globe.”
Emin Pamucak, President of the Bridge to Turkiye Fund, presented a program highlighting the great work this organization provides to Turkiye including the recent earthquake response and the Child Amputee program.
Joining our Friday morning meeting, School Counselor Jason Lippold, Principal Andy Farley and School Psychologist Aimee Schneidewent from Brookfield East High School. They presented the Hope Squad, a school-based peer to peer suicide prevention program, with a mission to reduce youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. In its sixth year at East, the Squad is comprise of 50 students representing each grade.
Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as...
May 29 is when Elmbrook's Memorial Day Parade took place in 2023.
The parade, and the entire holiday, is meant to commemorate the brave women and men who have served our country. We specifically recognize those who gave everything, including their life, for our great country. In addition to marching bands and service professional like fire and safety professionals, the Elmbrook Rotarians were out in full force.
On May 27, our fearless new leader Chris Spresser landed in Melbourne, Australia. Over the next few days, she will take in dozens of Rotary presentations, meet hundreds of Rotarians from around the world, and hopefully bring back a few new ideas to keep our club moving forward.
Here are a few more of the early pictures that have come from the other side of the world:
SPIKES 2023 is Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. at Mitchell Park in Brookfield.
SPIKES is a full-day event with the major focus on one-hour volleyball matches played for fun. Some 40 volleyball playing teams will be fielded by local businesses, high school sports teams and clubs, Scouts, faith-based youth groups, and groups of family & friends. SPIKES is also a team-building opportunity for your co-workers, staff, board members, etc.
Click here or on the image below to view a video summary of the day's purpose and activities.
Elmbrook Rotary Club members joyfully and willingly support this important day. Click here to view and hear their comments.
SPIKES is free and open to the public. Click here for a map to the event location.
The event will include free family-friendly activities such as:
All-Day Bounce House
All-Day activities by J.K. Lee Waukesha
Face Painting
Deejay
Food & beverages will be available for purchase, served by Elmbrook Rotarians:
Bakery in the morning
Hamburgers, hot dogs, brats & chips starting late morning
Soda & Raised Grain Beer throughout the day
Vendor Fair will showcase local community partners & businesses:
Walk through the booths and talk with staff/volunteers from local organizations Elmbrook Rotary supports, thanks to funds raised at SPIKES.
SPIKES celebrates the impactful work these organizations make in our local community. Learn how to get involved and/or leverage their services.
The Elmbrook Rotary's May 19th Sunrise Meeting saw Sandy Wysocki, Executive Director of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, be inducted into membership of the Elmbrook Rotary. Sandy is now part of our community of “Fellowship of Rotary around the world" with the ideal of “Service Above Self”.
We had a real treat at our May 19, 2023 Elmbrook Rotary Club breakfast meeting.
Two new members gave their Classification Talks, John Schindler and Michael Arndorfer. Both members were inducted into Rotary in February of this year.
John was sponsored by Jackson Bubolz and mentored by Jack Nelson, while Michael was sponsored by Julie Craig and mentored by Wally Smanski. John and Michael gave a brief life history and why they were drawn to and joined the Elmbrook Rotary.
We also were able to hear from Mike Schmeling, long time member and past president. Thank you all for sharing your journey.
What our members share about their career, families, and philanthropic interests help us to get to know each other better, yet that content isn't designed to share via a newsletter. If you're curious what motivates these folks to volunteer, network, and give, join us for a 7a meeting. We'd love to hear your classification talk someday :)
Thank you all who were willing to part with your unwanted or unneeded tools for a great cause. Some Rotarians even purchased tools for the Wellpoint Community Garden Project. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by the gardeners.
MILWAUKEE, WI—Rotary International District 6270 is awarding a Global Grant Scholarship in the amount of $30,000 to Brigitte N. Potter of Glendale, Wisc. The grant has been approved by The Rotary Foundation with an 80% match of District Designated Funds (DDF) provided by the district.
Ms. Potter will use the grant to obtain a Master of Science degree in International Migration and Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom. She intends to focus on the issues surrounding refugees and forced migration. Her Rotary Area of Focus is “Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution.”
Ms. Potter is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee and has studied abroad at the University of Granada in Spain. She has also worked in refugee camps in Greece and for a maternal health organization in Uganda. In Milwaukee she continues to volunteer among the refugee population. She states, “I’m eager to learn what can be done from a social and political perspective to prevent forced migration at its root and as a result keep people safe within their communities.”
Her graduate program is a 12-month program and will end in September 2024. She is married to Dan Scholz, also a Milwaukee native, whom she describes as “a wonderfully supportive husband."
Ms. Potter will be the featured speaker at Elmbrook Rotary on Friday, June 9. A breakfast buffet is served at 06:45 a.m.
Rotarian John Schindler, Village of Elm Grove Trustee, shared with the Elmbrook Rotary Club his involvement in the Underwood Creek Daylighting Project. On 12 May he also discussed other duties and village related projects including the Chair of the Public Works Committee...
Senior Living Specialist Katrina Keene presented an overview and history of St. Camillus at the Friday weekly meeting. The order of St. Camillus (International body) has provided Covid, hurricane, and disaster relief to 22 countries as well as living communities in the United States.Locally, St. Camillus is a faith based, not for profit Life Plan Community. They offer
On April 28th, the Elmbrook Rotary Club held one of its most important meetings of the year. We talked about what's going well as we prepare for our largest fundraiser, Spikes, what needs attention, and activities still pending.
With many Spikes event leaders out of town at a Rotary event in LaCrosse or elsewhere, one might be concerned with how our planning session would go. But fear not...
On April 21, 2023, the Elmbrook Rotary Club was reunited with Dr. Catherine Wolf of Friends for Health in Haiti. The Elmbrook Rotary has partnered with Health for Haiti for several years, providing funds that continue to grow after the donation is spent. Thank you Phyllis Blodgett for the introduction to this organization. In our 2022 campaign, Elmbrook Rotary donated funds for beans, which once grown,
“Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training provides the de-escalation techniques and behavior management strategies you need to create a culture of safety.”Matthew Wolak of CPI, the largest global workforce violence prevention training company with over 15 million trained, presented a program highlighting their programs, goals, statistics, and a few techniques on de-escalation.
Please let your employer, your friends who own businesses, and the businesses you frequent know that Rotary is NOW ACCEPTING SPONSORS! Various levels of sponsorship are available, together with benefits for each level. You are someone's favorite client, and they would love to sponsor your Rotary Club!
Spikes is a great team-building, family-fun event that allows small businesses, neighborhoods, or any club to hang out in beautiful Mitchell Park.
There will be food and beverages served, live music, and of course the dog park and kids' park. With a bounce house, balloon animals, martial arts and face painting, the 2023 Spikes provides lots of reasons for any group to sponsor a team and join in the fun!
Please encourage the businesses in your life to bring a team and create some community memories.
SPIKES! is the Embrook Rotary Club's #1 fundraiser.
More than 1/2 of the funds we donate in a year will come from this single day event. (June 3 at Mitchell Park)
This is the event that raises money for ventilators for Andean Health and Development and to provide clean water in Guatemala. This is the way we support dozens and dozens of students at Well Point, and how we encourage hundreds locally through our relationships with Women's Center, Addiction treatment organizations, and Re-Entry programs.
Just as the diagram depicts, a great SPIKES! starts with preparing to launch. If we aren't preparing and focusing energy now, in 8 weeks our SPIKES! will come out weak.
“The International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians was formed in 1965, focusing on fellowship and service by providing volunteer pilots to help with medical related transports.”
Rotarian Mark Hanson updated the Elmbrook Rotary on the newly formed partnership between the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians and Air Care Alliance (ACA). In partnership they are providing private volunteer pilots in their own aircraft for medical and emergency missions, at no cost.
Charitable grants distributed by the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation through FYE 6/30/22 are now categorized by service areas and alphabetized by organizations.
See the Contributions flyer to view Elmbrook Rotary's priority areas, from local to international causes.
Click here to download Grant Contributions listing
“Avoidance of pain and attainment of pleasure” can be realized by saving for today and planning for tomorrow with a protection strategy encompassing product solutions, wealth management and financial planning.
On March 31st, Michael Beinlich from the Wauwatosa Westpoint Financial Group Branch visited the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC). Michael shared that Westpoint Financial believes in a culture of genuinely caring about people by working together in a welcoming and inspiring, inclusive valued way.
Mary Madden, Executive Director of NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, presented an overview of how NAMI serves individuals and families affected by mental health conditions. At no cost, NAMI provides services to Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Jefferson County residents. Mary was accompanied by Angela Reilly Director of Development and Marketing.
Caroline Martini is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Milwaukee Habitat construction sites. Since 1984, Habitat's small staff of 8, volunteers and new homeowners have built over 600 homes. These homes create significant improvements for the immediate area.
Milwaukee Habitat revitalizes entire neighborhoods, block by block, with the goal of decreasing crime, increasing community engagement, and creating a vibrant sustainable neighborhood “where everyone has a decent place to live”.
Offering a hand up versus a handout, Habitat homeowners help build their own homes and pay an affordable $600-$900 per month mortgage, that fosters housing longevity.
Since 2011 the Embrook Rotary Club has sent 11 Vision Teams to Guatemala. They have partnered with Common Hope, whose mission is “Promoting hope and opportunity in Guatemala. Partnering with children, families, and communities who want to participate in a process of development to improve their lives through education, healthcare, and housing”.
On March 3, 2023 Ann Leinfelder Grove, President, and CEO of Wellpoint Care Network visited the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC). Leinfelder Grove reviewed the history, growth, and goals of Wellpoint Care Network, which serves 5,000 individuals daily in southeastern Wisconsin. Through the practice of Trauma Informed Care, the Wellpoint staff and volunteers help children and families thrive by restoring connections that promote equity, learning, healing, and wellness.
As the snow begins to thaw, members of Elmbrook Rotary Club look forward to an event that is reliable as day-light savings time... Spikes for Tikes!
As we've discussed in meetings, this year the club is re-doubling our efforts to bring in more sponsorships, more volleyball teams, and more members of our community attending the fun. Please mark 6/3/23 as a full day of fun and service at Mitchell Park in Brookfield.
Things we can start doing right now to ensure a great event:
We've had a busy few weeks at the Elmbrook Rotary Club, initiating a new member and celebrating 3 Red Badge recipients.
The Red Badge is recognition of new members completing their training to be a strong Rotarian. This involves joining a board meeting, being involved in a service project, and taking part in a Fireside chat, etc. etc.
Eras Development director Heather Uzowulu presented their available programing, including volunteer opportunities. She also shared best practices on preventing senior fraud and scams.
One of the Elmbrook Rotary Club's favorite events are "classification talks". This is where members can share about their upbringing, their vocation, their families, hobbies, and aspirations. During classification talks, members get to know each other more intimately, which leads to stronger relationships and a more engaging member experience.
2023 is going to be a memorable year for the Elmbrook Rotary Club.
We are resuming our annual service trip to Guatemala and we are refreshing Spikes, our largest fundraiser. With all of that, plus all the other nice things we're doing in the community, the PR team needs reinforcements. The PR Team wants to do a great job sharing what the Elmbrook Rotary Club is doing to be part of the solution, and we could use some help telling the stories.
This Winter, John Cormana presented to the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) an update on the growth, services and volunteer opportunities at the Ronald McDonald House. A volunteer since 2011, John shared stories of how volunteer services have provided families with comfort during challenging time in their lives. “We are just there to minimize the families worries.” John stated.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a no cost, clean, & safe place to stay while their child receives treatment. Families receive lodging and meals when a child is in the hospital. This provides parents the ability to focus their full attention on their child. “Hope in healing is provided through strength and support from families, staff, and volunteers. By keeping families together, stories are shared, and memories are made”. Since 1984, over 50,000 families have benefitted from the Ronald McDonald House.
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.
One of the Great things about Rotary is you are welcome to attend Rotary meetings all over the world!
Rotary has a Club Locater App that lists every Rotary club in the world, when and where they meet.
Next time you travel, check out a Rotary Club in the area. Call ahead if you can - but even if you just stop in - they will be welcoming. Here is a recap of memorable experiences I've gained:
Our club has big volunteer commitments like building homes in Guatemala, small commitments like collecting produce after the farmer's markets, and everything in between. This opportunity is much closer to the smaller end.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) is looking for (2) people willing to each organize (1) Adopt A Highway clean up a year. This project is ideal for the person who wants to contribute their time, but is not able to commit to an ongoing project with lots of meetings and follow up.
Did you know that a Rotary member is welcome at Rotary meeting in the world?
On January 17, 2023 Rotarians Paul Sawicki & Jackson Bubolz decided to follow up on the advise given by our district governor and check out another meeting. They visited the Milwaukee Rotary club, noticing many similarities and many differences.
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)
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.
Posted by Tom Gump & Mykola Stebljanko on Jan 09, 2023
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.
We continue to hear that Rotary isn't just about having breakfast while listening to a speaker. Some may conjecture that breakfast is the smallest piece to being a Rotarian.
Our club has a social event lined up on January 25th where Lucas Severson will be delivering a late afternoon Trivia session.
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.
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.
Each year, the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) puts on a Holiday special to celebrate traditions and the excitement at the end of year.
Please join us for our last meeting at the Western Racquet Club this Friday (12.16), & check out the Holiday program at our temporary home, The Machine Shed in Pewaukee on 12/23.
Our 12/23 Machine Shed meeting will offer great food, holiday fun, and the perfect way to close out the 2022 calendar year.
Our District Governor Mike Phillips encouraged our group to engage other service groups in the area. This event would be a great way to get things rolling.
Please save the date for February 4th, and maybe invite your family or a friend to join you. The more interactions we have with other service groups, the more opportunities are bound to present themselves.
Last week, Gordy Miller, 73, passed away. Gordon K. Miller (October 17, 1949 - December 4, 2022) Obituary
He had been our foundation treasurer and has been a very active member of our Club for 18 years. Please keep Jerri and Gordy's family and many close friends in your prayers.
For years the Elm Brook Rotary Club (ERC) has sponsored the Hay Ride at the Brookfield German Holiday Market. The tradition continued another year as Rotarians braved the cold to staff the attraction and share with others what Rotary is all about.
Do you know people that think standing in the cold for charity is a good deal? Bring them to a Rotary volunteer event!
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:
Christmas is on for over 100 families at Wellpoint!
Students at Wellpoint can be candidates for very few presents or no gifts during the holidays. The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) donated both monies that were turned into toys, as well as bought and wrapped toys themselves. Each of the gifts matches a specific "wish" for a boy or a girl in our community.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club is proud to sponsor the Brookfield German Holiday market each year. There is community, tree lighting, and a hayride!
We are currently looking for volunteers for the 3p-5p shift, and the 5p-6:30p slot. If interested, please reach out to Chris Salani at chriss289@gmail.com or: 262-442-3595.
Thank you in advance for making the event memorable!
A little history - Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, progress towards eradicating polio was proceeding at a remarkable rate. During the 1940s and ’50s, when polio outbreaks were a common scourge of the summer months, the disease killed or paralysed more than half a million people worldwide each year – mostly children. The introduction of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and, later, live attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of polio in higher-income countries during the 1960s and ’70s.
But it wasn’t until the 1980s that the battle against polio really commenced.
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.
When we couldn't make the trip to Tucson for the End Polio NowRide 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!
The ERC Sunrise eBulletin is comprised of stories of completed service projects, updates on donations, recaps of weekly meetings, birthdays/ anniversaries, & some club related mischief. The website & newsletter have links to upcoming events, direct links to Rotary, and upcoming speakers.
The website and the eBulletin are as robust as what's shared with the PR team. If you have a completed project, upcoming involvement opportunity, or mischief, please send a short article and a picture and we'll get it in the Sunrise.
A big THANK YOU to Bill Selzer for taking over weekly meeting recaps. His articles are delivering great recaps of our Friday meetings. Thanks to Chris Salani for always snapping the pictures.
Please keep the PR team up to date with the positive projects you're working on, and we'll keep the Sunrise full.
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 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.
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.
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.
Community Warehouse’s Partners In Hope, a faith-based prisoner re-entry program based in Milwaukee and one of Elmbrook Rotary’s mini-grant recipients this year, held their annual fundraiser at the beautiful Sharon Lynn Wilson Center on October 22.
Rotary is about raising awareness of causes, donating time, and giving money. It's also about having fun.
On October 19th the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) went out of a few drinks at C.C.'e Elbow Room in downtown Brookfield. Family stories were shared, business was discussed, and ideas for making the next Rotary project bigger and better were hatched. As you can, these Rotarians are too deep in thoughtful conversation to pose for a picture.
Please mark your calendars for November 19th. A month after a great weekday social, we'll gather at Chris Spresser's renovated and reimagined home for an open house. Come anytime between 12-5p.
Trumpets are sounding - I’m happy to report with October 22nd's produce collection of 206 lbs of unsold produce, the Elmbrook Rotary has collected 3,068 lbs of excess produce so far this season!
The Salvation Army THANKS you for collecting food that’s cooked up meals for those in need as well as fresh items that are also added to the food pantry. Thank you!
The last farmer's market in Brookfield is 10/29 and we could use one more person for the final week of produce collection. The task is collecting remaining produce from vendors and transporting it to the Salvation Army. Please see Kevin Roche or Mike Groth if interested.
“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 a recent trip out East, Elmbrook Rotarian Bill Pettersen & wife Fe travelled to Wallingford, Vermont where they were able to visit the home town of Paul Harris. Paul was the founder of Rotary and said the values of his small town were the values he hoped to find in others.
As you may know, Paul's "Rotary" club has grown into one of the largest service clubs in the world.
On October 14, 2022 Architect George Meyer visited the Elmbrook Rotary Club to talk art and architecture.
Meyer practiced architecture for 35 years and retired in 2021 as CEO of Kahler Slater Architects. The firm has been involved in many key downtown revitalization projects, i.e. the Calatrava Art Museum, Milwaukee Museum, and Kimpton Journeyman Hotel.
Being a Rotarian means giving a little of ourselves back to our community.
Pictured on October 15, 2022 are Dean Johnson, President Harry Farchim, Scott Dryburgh, and Tom Curl in front of one of the signs touting Elmbrook Rotary's Sponsorship. They pictured are a few of the 9 Rotarian and one spouse team participating in our Adopt-A-Highway initiative. This is a recent initiative for the club, taking responsibility for a stretch of Greenfield Rd and keeping it looking great.
If you feel like you'd like to be proactive around some of the "trashy" challenges in our society, check out a 7a meeting. The Elmbrook Rotary Club offers programming, volunteering, and donation opportunities year round round to keep Rotarians engaged in making the world an even better place to pass on to our children.
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”.
Board meetings are an opportunity for everyone to be a part of open dialogue addressing what types of projects our club pursues, how the club dues are spent, and where our donations end up. All new members are expected to attend a meeting within their first year, and veteran members who haven't been in a while are encouraged to drop in and keep things interesting.
On September 27, 2022 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) & the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation (ERF) met. A few highlights were:
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.
All Summer Rotarians have been taking turns cleaning up at the Brookfield Farmer's Market. What they are doing is collecting unsold produce late morning and delivering it to the Salvation Army.
On October 1, 2022 Kevin Roche (pictured with Market manager Bobbi Harvey) rounded up another 251 lbs of fruit and vegetables, bringing the total the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) has collected to 2,570 pounds... and counting...
If this sounds like a nice way to get out in our community and help address food insecurity, please connect with Mike Groth to save your spot as one one of the last produce-donation collectors in '22.
If you'd like to learn more about the ERC, please join us for a 7a meeting at the Western Racquet Club.
Many donations harvested at the Brookfield Farmers Market
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) made a decision in 2021 to actively search out opportunities to preform more "hands on" service work. One partnership that really took off was with Milwaukee's Habitat for Humanity.
The Rotary Youth Exchange program is our flagship study abroad program for young people ages 15 – 18.
The experience begins the year before going to study abroad, with the application, selection and preparation processes. Students spend a year abroad integrating into a different culture, attending school, and learning new languages.
Have a child or grandchild wanting to go abroad? Considering hosting?
Join the info session: September 27 2022 7-8pm - Link
Our fall Virtual Information Night for the Rotary Youth Exchange program is scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday, September 27th. This is meant to be an info night for students who are interested in the program. Rotarians and others who would like to learn more about the program are welcome to attend as well.
Please share with youth who may be interested in a study abroad experience, local high schools, newspapers, friends, and others. Please contact Kristine Bantz, Outbound RYE Coordinator with any questions.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has been informed of a case of paralytic polio in an unvaccinated individual in Rockland County, New York, United States.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are coordinating with New York State health authorities on their investigation. Initial sequencing confirmed by CDC indicates that the case is type 2 VDPV.
Any form of poliovirus anywhere is a threat to children everywhere. It is critical that the GPEI Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026 is fully resourced and fully implemented everywhere, to ensure a world free of all forms of poliovirus can be achieved.
We are calling on every single Rotarian to take action and be a part of the fight to end polio, helping to raise $50 million per year for polio eradication.
Rotary District 6270 is excited to announce the start of the PolioPlus Society in our district. This is a district program to recognize those Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends of Rotary, who have pledged to give at least $100 annually to the PolioPlus Fund of The Rotary Foundation, until the wild poliovirus is no longer endemic around the world. The goal of this PolioPlus Society is to raise awareness and provide recognition for Rotary’s goal of eliminating the disease from the planet.
We would like to invite you to consider and join the Rotary District 6270 PolioPlus Society by completing the pledge form on the PolioPlus Society page, https://rotary6270.org/sitepage/polioplus-society. Members of the Rotary District 6270 PolioPlus Society will receive a certificate and a specially designed PolioPlus Society lapel pin.
Rotary District 6270 is pleased to announce the availability of a Global Grant Scholarship for matriculation in the fall of 2023 or spring of 2024.
The amount of the scholarship is USD $30,000 and must be used for graduate school studies outside the United States. NOTE: Applicant cannot be a Rotarian or be related to a Rotarian but can be a member of Rotaract. To be eligible, applicant must be a resident in the geographical area of District 6270, be a student at a college/university in the geographical area of District 6270, or have strong ties to Southeast Wisconsin (see District 6270 map). Experience (professional or volunteer) in the field of study is required. All fellowship/scholarship/stipend funding opportunities must relate to one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus.
On September 16th, 2022 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) was visited virtually by Krista Rivard of Common Hope.
She shared with us that the ERC's donations go toward covid relief, daily living personal goods, and their school. The donations from club members cover the tuition of 20 students, who are all pictured above. When students graduate and begin in a profession, their wage is usually able to raise their family out of poverty.
The Common Hope presentation was coordinated with the ERC's Common Hope walk which happened the following day (9/17) at Mitchell Park. The walk not only raises funds, but also raises awareness of ERC's annual trip to Guatemala which will happen February 5th-12th. If anyone is interested in joining the group of 9 Rotarians and spouses already enrolled, please talk with Erik Moser to learn more about the trip.
If you think learning and contributing to international issues sounds interesting, check out a 7a Friday meeting. If you'd like to do more international volunteer work, the Elmbrook Rotary Club may be just what you are looking for.
Rotary can look like a Friday morning breakfast meeting. It can be reading to children, building a home in Guatemala, or remembering to bring in your plastic bags or a few cans of food.
Rotarians and their friends spent time on the 10th biking for a great cause:
Please watch the website, check your newsletter, and talk to fellow Rotarians before meetings to find the best way for you to be involved with the Elm Brook Rotary Club!
Have you been envious over those well tanned and sculpted Rotarians talking about the great time they had laying flooring, painting, or prepping a home for it's presentation to a family?
Fret not. When the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) asks... the Community Service Team answers. There is another opportunity to get involved, get a workout, and get an education around the housing challenges in Milwaukee.
The Community Team has locked in September 22nd as our next Habitat Build!
The task for the day will be framing. Our project will consist of raising, lining up, and tacking down pre-built walls of a new construction home. Participants must be comfortable lifting 25lbs throughout the day, and also be ok using a ladder to access the second story of a home.
The build will happen from 8a-3p and Habitat asks volunteers arrive promptly at 8a and stay for the day.
If this sounds like a fun way to give back and get some exercise, please talk to Mike Groth or Jackson Bubolz ASAP.
The plan is to staff the 6 person team with Rotarians, but if we aren't able to round out a team, we will need to reach outside the club to make it happen. (think prospective members...)
This group really does move mountains. Whether this event works for you or not, thank you for your contributions to the ERC and our surrounding community.
On September 9, Tim Harrington & Anne Marie Pilot (virtual) form the Alzheimers Association stopped by the Machine Shed to share some news and updates around Alzheimer's disease.
Tim shared that both of his parents lived with the disorder which got him active in both awareness and also fundraising to find a cure.
A few takeaways are:
Dementia is a "blanket term". As there are many kinds of cancer, there are different types of Dementia like Vascular Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia.
The disorder affects the Hippocampus first, which is the region of the brain responsible for "higher thought"
There was a 16% increase in death by Alzheimer's during the pandemic, showing a strong correlation with socialization and keeping "sharp"
There wasn't a happy, uplifting end to the talk. There is still no "cure" for Alzheimer disease, yet on-going research provides potential hints to moving this disorder from incurable to treatable. Alz.org provides more information on research, fundraising, and stories of hope.
The ERC likes to split our giving between time and treasure.
Since July 2nd, various Rotarians from our club have been volunteering each Saturday late morning to collect excess produce from vendors to donate to the Salvation Army.
Last Saturday Bill & Fe Petterson collected 251 pounds of produce bringing our 2022 summer (to-date) total to 2,137 pounds! This is a tremendous outcome that came about from a handful of people being creative around saving food, and putting in the effort to make it happen.
Thank you to everyone who spent a Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market this Summer. We'll be back again in December for the Brookfield German Holiday Market.
Rotary "Cleans Up" at the Brookfield Farmer's Market
At 11:00am on August 16th, members of the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) attended a Community Garden Grand Opening Celebration, held at Wellpoint.
Program Director Starlet Hayes welcomed the attendees to the event and introduced staff members. Wellpoint President Ann Leinfelder Grove talked about the mission of Wellpoint and vision for the Community Gardens. She acknowledged the Community Garden Committee, Volunteer Staff , Elmbrook Rotary and those who have been instrumental in the garden project; Tony, Jodi and Zachery Consiglio for rototilling the garden plot and for their continued project support.
Jack Nelson, a key member of the Wellpoint Board of Directors and member of the garden planning team, received a beautiful piece of art created by children from the community representing the garden project. Jack addressed the attendees, explaining how the project has and continues to develop with the input from the team. He encouraged community members to share any ideas they have for the project.
The ceremony was concluded with the unveiling of the Community Garden sign and community children along with Jack and Ann ceremonially turning the first shovels and raking of the soil. Refreshments were served after the ceremony.
Wanting to be a larger part of your community? Consider joining the ERC for a 7a breakfast meeting and learning about this and other opportunities to literally and figuratively get our hands dirty serving others.
The winners of the 2022 Packer Ticket Raffle have been drawn.
Thank you everyone who participated. This raffle raised thousands of dollars which will go directly back into the Elmbrook and surrounding communities via grants, donations, and raising awareness of great causes local and internationally.
Winners of 2 tickets for each game are as follows:
Date
Opponent
Winner
18-Sep
Bears
Mark Zalewski
2-Oct
Patriots
Tom Michalski
16-Oct
Jets
Becky Kirchen
13-Nov
Cowboys
Ralph Gould
17-Nov
Titans
Dustin Schilz
19-Dec
Rams
Tim Nethery
1-Jan
Vikings
Ted Blum
8-Jan
Lions
Alexa Zastrow
If you have not been contacted by a Rotary member or the Club itself, please reach out to David Irwin: dwi2020@outlook.com to solidify the pick up of your prize.
On September 2, 2022 Eddee Daniel of A Wealth Of Nature visited the Elmbook Rotary Club (ERC) to share how this program is promoting the outdoors in our communities.
Eddee is on a 2+ year project to capture pictures, write ups, and park information for all of the county and state parks, preserves and sanctuaries in South Eastern Wisconsin. He shared stories of exploring and talked at length about some of our more storied treasures like the Ice Age trail and Lapham's Peak.
If you'd like to plan your next adventure in a S.E. Wisconsin park, please use this website to begin your research: https://awealthofnature.org/
If you'd like to spend more time with people wanting to keep S.E. Wisconsin a great place to live, join us for a 7a Friday breakfast meeting!
It is with a heavy heart that I'm writing that Chuck Steinbach, Charter and Honorary Member of the Elmbrook Rotary Club, passed away this week. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in November 2021 and succumbed to the cancer August 28, 2022.
A gathering will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin, on Friday, September 9, 2022, 4:00 PM – 6:45 PM. Sharing of Memories at 7:00 PM.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation, PO Box 1014, Brookfield, WI 53008-1014 or National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel Street Suite 006, Newton, MA 02458.
Display your Elmbrook Rotary Pride on the golf course, in the office on Casual Friday, working with fellow Rotarians on a Project, at a Club meeting, or just around the neighborhood.
We are now taking orders for Elmbrook Rotary Club Logo Wear - many colors and sizes to choose from:
Club Logo Cotton Twill shirts - Long and Short sleeve
Long and Short sleeve Polo/Golf Shirts
Baseball Caps - both Men's and Women's style - Blue only
Shirts come in many colors and you can mix and match colors. Sizes up to 6X
Prices will depend on the quantity ordered and are expected to be between $33 and $37 each.
For more information see the below links to the Russell Hampton Web page.
Caps are Men or Women's style but come only in Blue and will be about $14
And display your Elmbrook Rotary Pride on the road - with a Elmbrook Rotary Club License Plate Frame
Why drive around in your BMW or Lexus with a cheap plastic frame advertising for some sleazy car dealer, when you can impress your friends and display your "Rotary Pride" with a classy Elmbrook Rotary Club Frame?
The frame style will be as shown - but you can choose from a variety of color themes to compliment the look of your car. Cost will be about $25 The attached link below has more information.
Questions - or to order any of these items - email Mark Zalewski with the number of items you wish to buy, with sizes & colors.
We will be accumulating the orders over the next few weeks with a target order date of October 1.
If you wish you can elect to be billed on your next Club dues invoice for your items.
Your final cost will depend on the quantities of items we order as a Club - plus shipping and taxes which will be allocated among the orders.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) is a vibrant group.
A big reason this club is so impactful is we are so active. Our meetings are well attended, our donations are notable, and we organize volunteer projects locally and internationally.
The reason we're able to do all of this so effectively is we have lots of different people leading and supporting different projects.
Mark Zalewski and Mike Hogan have taken lead on Spikes for Tykes for years. Gordy Miller, Paul Langer, John & Jeanne Allen are staples at board meetings and past presidents continue to serve in new capacities. The list of people who really put in time for the club is long, sorry I missed so many of you.
It's important to note, the same folks can't do it all... forever.
A great example of getting more members involved is Steve Stocker running the raffle since inception, and diligently transitioning it. Larry Meyers has made a wonderful contribution to our club with an effective newsletter and website. When he started training me, I realized how much work he was putting in every week. I asked for help and had several people reach out. Thank you.
Special thank you to Emily Jones who has gracefully accepted the role of social media manager, and a few others have voiced interest in sharing what the ERC is up too.
As we've seen so many people step up and into new roles, I wanted to take a moment to thank them. These commitments help to make our club fun, enriching, and a source for good.
Thank you to our Club Chairs Mike Groth, Erik Moser, Tom Curl, & Jack Nelson.
If you don't have your hands in a project with the ERC, please get them dirty. You will enjoy your time with the club even more and you will have proof you're part of helping to make our world a better place.
If you don't have a project you are active in, please ask a Club Chair what projects they have available. PR will be posting any upcoming activities we're notified of and posting pictures and recaps of events we're sent.
Thank you to everyone for making the Elmbrook Rotary Club a great club to be a part of.
On August 19, 2022 the Elm Grove Rotary (ERC) was introduced to the Carolyn Korona & Anne Harberg of the Elm Grove Lifelong Learning.
Aging is a combination of staying active mentally, as well as social, physically and spiritually. The lifelong learners aim to provide opportunities to exercise many of those aspects at once.
The wide ranging class topics include everything from wildflowers to Nazi POW, home cooking to chair yoga, Antarctic expedition to Civil War nursing... here is the link to learn more and sign up for a discussion: https://www.egs4ll.org/
Classes run October 3 - November 8 2022. $10/ class or $65 unlimited classes
Each month the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) meets outside our traditional Friday morning meetings for fellowship in the community. On August 8, 2022, several Rotarians met at Greenfield park for stories, laughs, and refreshments.
(one may notice, those who provide content get featured in our Club communications :))
Rotary is all about doing good in our world. At the same time, it's about what we do while we're doing good. Please check us out for a meeting of a social event!
On August 12, 2022 the Elmbook Rotary Club (ERC) was visited by Kurt Owens of Bridge Buiders Inc.
Kurt talked about the ground up approach Bridge Builders uses to empower the people of the communities they serve block by block vs. relying solely on governance. The ways they are empowering the communities they serve is by keeping good housing stock, leveraging the available workforce, dovetailing efforts with other non-profits, create full time neighbors, and revive community owned businesses.
Their current project is raising funds to buy 20 homes and make them "Lighthouse" properties, or properties where a full time neighbor who is dedicated to the community lives.
To learn more, please visit their website: https://bridgebuildersmke.org/ and to learn more about Rotary, please join us for a 7a meeting.
Bridge Builders Inc - Transforming Neighborhoods Block by Block
On August 6, 2022 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) launched it's inaugural cleanup of Greenfield Avenue, (Hwy 59), between Barker Road and Hwy 164.
The group had 10 members that including 2 family of members (service projects are great for families!).
Pictured in the primary photograph are:
Paul Sawicki, Chris Salani, Phil Landry and son, Jeanne Allen, Paul Langer, John Allen Rick Chabot and Rick's son-in-law David. Bill Petterson behind the camera. They collected 5 bags of trash plus several larger objects.
The next cleanup date will be in October. If you're interested in talking trash, please see Paul Langer.
On August 5, 2022 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) held an assembly to reflect on how the club is upholding the 4 way test of what we think, and do. We looked for ways we can provide a better Rotary experience for everyone, and enjoy our own time with Rotary all the more.
The common themes were finding more ways to get to know Rotarians, both in meetings and outside of them. We also had calls for better communication on upcoming service projects and working professional programing our presentations.
Our breakout sessions allowed us to identify opportunities to grow as a club, as well as offer solutions to our concerns.
Please stay tuned for meeting time and place where all ERC members are encouraged to help us Image a 2022-2023 Rotary year. Members will work though these and other items, and work to be intentional in making this Rotary year one to remember.
Looking for a chance to WIN tickets to a Green Bay home game during the 2022 season - and help needy organizations and causes at the same time? Club President Harry Farchmin is urging everyone to do their part in buying and selling Packer raffle tickets during our 7th Annual Green Bay Packer Raffle Ticket Fundraiser from now through September 9! Donations will go to the programs and organizations we support in Brookfield, Elm Grove, and around the world!
There's a new Sheriff, I mean, a new Sargent in town, and he means business.
On July 29, 2022, it appears Sargent at Arms Dave Engle delivered back to back to back to back fines to unsuspecting Rotarians. Some were the variety that we expect (late fines, pin fines) and some were blatant money grabs (like accusing and fining a member for not wearing their name badge... while that member wore their name badge...) Either way, another few dozen dollars were raised because we lacked some attention to detail.
A note to newer members. The Sargent at Arms has special authority to hand out fines to members who are not keeping Rotary as crisp as it could be. Those fines could be for:
Forgetting to wear your Rotary pin
Not having a name badge on
Being late
Leaving early
Not completing a "full" happy table
This list is not inclusive, and some have been fined for something off the wall.
The spirit idea behind the fines is keeping everyone focused on taking pride in being a Rotarian, respecting the time of the other members, and maybe get Happy fines going if it's a slow start.
Please keep an eye out for Sargent Shakedown... and wear your pin!
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) is active in many different areas of our community. Sometimes there are projects at the Women’s Center we can help with. Other times Rotarians will commit to weekly volunteering and helping students with their literacy skills. Today’s report is on seeds (scholarships), that we hope will bloom into impactful careers. The ERC awarded 3 scholarships to worthy recipients.
A $1000 scholarship paid each year for four years went to Sarah Astley from Brookfield Central High School who will attend UW- Stevens Point.
A $1000 scholarship paid each year for four years went to Adriga Bhattacharyya from Brookfield East who will attend UW- Milwaukee.
A $1000 scholarship paid each year for two years went to Charles Benjamin Fleming who will attend Waukesha County Technical College. This scholarship is specific to a student entering a two year program in a field that relates to a First Responder status. The scholarship is funded by Elmbrook Rotary Club to honor the 40+ years of service that retired Fire Chief William (Bill) Selzer gave to the Elmbrook Community.
Dr. Thomas Arndt, President of the Elmbrook Rotary Club presented all three scholarships at the respective school’s Senior Honors Night at the end of the school year.
If getting involved with any area of our community is of interest, please reach out us via our website: https://elmbrookrotary.org/. Membership info is under the join tab.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) ended it's 2021-2022 fiscal year on June 30th, 2022. This was the completion of a year where we saw in- person meetings return, favorite projects and events renewed, and new service opportunities surface. This year has pulled our club together, and we had lots to celebrate.
Service projects are a big part of what the ERC does each year. The other facet is the charitable contributions our members and community leaders make. These donations are raised by a mixture of fundraising events such as Spikes for Tykes, a silent auction, and our upcoming fundraiser, and the upcoming raffle for Packers tickets to home games in 2022.
In 2021 - 2022 the ERC had one of the largest donation totals in recent memory. The $154,514.62 reflects both the efficacy of fundraising efforts, and also the size of the club's heart. The club often added several hundred more dollars to a donation when the "hat gots passed" to help out.
The ERC is grateful for the opportunity to strengthen those around us, both with service effort, and with intentional donation.
If you are interested in connecting with our local Rotarians, getting involved in a service project, or donating to a cause that is special to you, please connect with our membership chair John Allen at jallen@jallengroup.com.
ERC Announces Total Charitable Contributions 2021 - 2022
On July 22, the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) welcomed Anna Antoine, Town of Brookfield Tourism Director.
Anna outlines the areas where City of Brookfield & Town of Brookfield meet, and let us know of the coming accommodations to the area. Wimmer Properties is extending their luxury apartments on the corner of Barker & Bluemound and on that same intersection a Tribute by Marriot will be completed by 2024.
Ms. Antoine also updated us on upcoming events at the Corners like their food truck festival and Brooktoberfest.
If you would like to get the Town of Brookfield newsletter, click here.
If you would like to learn all of this information first hand, please join us for a Friday morning meeting.
Service clubs are built around volunteering time in a community to strengthen it, and to donate funds to organizations, allowing them to do their work more effectively.
This is an opportunity to partake in both aspects of service!
Our Saturday mornings 7:30a-12p, there is a Farmer's Market in Brookfield (16900 Gebhardt Rd, Brookfield, WI)
At that Farmers Market the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) will be both selling raffle tickets for the Packer's home games this season, as well as sharing what Rotary is, how we help our community, and how interested folks can get involved.
Volunteering for this project allows the opportunity to grow our club and grow relationships inside our club, as well as collect proceeds from the raffle to continue supporting the 40+ organizations the ERC works with.
David Irwin has stepped up to organize and oversee the raffle this year.
Please reach out to him with interest and questions. Mike Groth of the Community Service board and Steve Stocker, long time organizer of this event, are also available to answer questions, talk strategy, and share how fun this event is to be a part of!
Classification talks are among Rotarian's favorite meeting outlines. A member of the club shares a bit about their past, what drew them to Rotary, and what they are looking forward to accomplishing. On July 8 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) was fortunate to learn more about Julie Couden & Emily Jones.
Julie grew up in New Berlin, traveled the world, and has circled back to where she started. She's always been inquisitive, and she's allowed that curiosity lead her the Wartburg College to pursue a degree in social work. Curiosity then led her to Africa to study health, water, and disease, and then to China to work in tech before landing in her newest adventure... sales.
Emily Jones is used to having to think on the fly. As a mom, a teacher, and a black belt, she has to be ready for anything at all times. When she needed to be at work vs. in person for her talk, she flipped over to Zoom and didn't miss a step.
Emily studied Spanish abroad in Salamanca, Spain and loves teaching Spanish. She works at Tosa East as a Spanish teacher and enjoys volunteering locally with her church and Rotary, as well donating her time as far away as Costa Rica. A fun fact about Emily is she is the youngest of 11 siblings.
On July 15, the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) welcomed Kenneth Ginlack, CEO of Serenity Inns of Milwaukee.
Ken shared that being in long term and active recovery himself, his experiences have allowed him to connect personally with the men at Serenity Inns. As he's counseled hundreds of recovering addicts, he's found that pain and anger are the triggers which lead most people to relapse. He's also noticed that so much of their anger and pain are tied to early childhood episodes of abuse. Although what happened can't be changed, the staff at Serenity Inns works to help the men to use different coping mechanisms to work though the hurt.
The work Serenity Inns does is emotional and frustrating at times, but it is also leading people back to a productive life and a hopeful future.
If you are interested in getting involved, the men's evening meal is completely dependent on donations. People will make a meal, come to the home and have dinner with the staff and men in recovery. If you are interested in learning more, please connect with them at: http://serenityinns.org/
At its Changing of the Guard ceremony held on June 29, Elmbrook Rotary Club presented forty Paul Harris Fellowships. These Fellowships included four first-time Paul Harris fellows, five Fellowships presented as gifts from a Rotarian to a spouse, one Fellowship earned by a non-Rotarian and thirty additional Fellowships presented to Rotarians who were already Fellows.
The remarkable number of Fellowships awarded was due not only to the generosity of Club members but also to two limited-time Paul Harris matching programs which have since expired. Under the first matching program, the Club matched each donation of $500 to The Rotary Foundation with a transfer of 500 recognition points. Under the second program, the Club matched any gift made to The Rotary Foundation for polio prevention with an equal number of recognition points. The recognition points were provided by the Club itself and by members who have accumulated a large number of recognition points.
These matching programs generated a Paul Harris “buzz” among Club members and prompted many of them to make contributions they might not otherwise have made. The net result of the matching programs has been a substantial increase in contributions to The Rotary Foundation and more engagement by Club members.
To build upon past success and encourage more Paul Harris giving, the Club continues to offer two matching programs. For Rotarians who have not yet obtained a Paul Harris Fellowship, the Club will match a donation of $500 to The Rotary Foundation with a transfer of 500 recognition points. For those who are already Paul Harris fellows, the Club will contribute 200 recognition points for each donation of $800 to the Rotary Foundation.
Anyone who wants more information about the matching programs and anyone who would like to receive quarterly reminders about making regular Paul Harris contributions is encouraged to contract Foundation Treasurer Gordy Miller.
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in July.
“July is hot afternoons and sultry nights and mornings when its joy just to be alive. July is a picnic and a red canoe and a sunburned neck and a softball game and ice tinkling in a tall glass. July is a blind date with summer.” – Hal Borland
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship caused by the war in Ukraine. We’re using our deep networks and decades of experience to take swift action in the region.
All donations to our Disaster Response Fund from 3 March to 30 April 2022 have been prioritized for use providing humanitarian aid to regions that are supporting Ukrainian refugees or other victims of the war.
Thanks to the generosity of donors around the world, we raised more than $15 million in contributions that are already helping provide people with essential items such as water, food, shelter, medicine, and clothing.
So far, 142 disaster response grants totaling $4.3 million have been awarded to support people affected by the war. The Rotary Foundation will continue to use the donations for humanitarian aid in and around Ukraine, and districts can apply for these grants until 31 December 2022.
Donations made to the Disaster Response Fund after 30 April will be available to all communities around the world that need assistance recovering from disasters.
On July 1, 2022, Rotary Clubs all over the world turned over leadership to the next round of leaders. The 2022 transition is especially notable as Rotary International President Jennifer Jones is the first woman to lead Rotary as President.
In Jennifer's "Imagine" speech from January 2022, she channels John Lennon's famous declaration:
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"
She says it's a challenge to all of us to imagine, and also act. Rotarians have imagined a world without polio, a world with clean water, and a world with peace.
This Rotary year, imagine what big outcomes we'll realize in the future, from the seemingly small actions, done consistently.
Best of fortunes to President Jennifer Jones, and all the new presidents in our 2022-2023 Rotary year!
2022-2023 Rotary President Jennifer Jones Takes Office
On June 29, 2022, the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) held it's annual celebration, the Changing of the Guards. This ceremony offers thanks and gratitude to the resigning president, and promotes current members to move up the leadership ranks.
This year we celebrated Thom Arndt as he wrapped his 4 years of service, the last presiding as president. Thom's goals were to bring more hands-on projects to our club. That led to a highway clean up commitment, several Habitat for Humanity builds, and an in person Spikes event this Spring. Thank you Thom for your leadership.
Moving up through our leadership ranks, Harry Farchmin will serve as our president in the 2022/2023 Rotary campaign. Chris Spresser will be our Vice President, and Tom Steinbach will act as our Secretary. Joining the leadership seats this year is Dave Engel at Sargent-at-Arms.
A big thank you also to Mark Zalewski and Gordy Miller for overseeing the responsibilities of club treasurer and foundation treasurer respectively.
Rotary is a collection of people who understand that change starts with us. By following the 4 Way Test, we all work to build our community in the way that best fits our skills and interests. Please consider joining us for a breakfast meeting in our 2022-2023 Rotary year.
On June 23, 2022 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) helped staff a Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity project. Rotarians Mark Zalewski and spouse Evonne Zalelewski joined Jackson Bubolz to round out a group of seven volunteers. They lifted pre-built walls to the second story of a new Habitat home and raised three walls on the second level.
Habitat for Humanity is an avenue to give time or treasure for aiding housing issues in Milwaukee. Housing is often the "lead domino" which causes many additional challenges for families such as education, crime, and employment. Habitat works to provide families with affordable housing to help stabilize their expenses for shelter and to stabilize neighborhoods by increasing home ownership.
Please connect with Jackson Bubolz if you are interested in taking part of a Habitat build this year. There is high demand for volunteers; so this is a unique way to be active, be involved, and also learn some construction skills!
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) welcomed two speakers with focus abroad to our June 24th breakfast meeting.
Jennifer Demar of the NGO Guatemala Service Project shared the challenges the Guatemalans have confronted. Recognized as the "Poorest Country in the Western Hemisphere," this developing country has daily challenges many Americans never contemplate. Examples are malnutrition, contaminated water, and lack of access to diapers and other hygiene resources.
The Guatemala Service Project is helping to address these needs with awareness, the collection of donations, and helping anyone who wants to get more involved, do so.
The second speaker was Rotarian Dick Debe, member of the Mukwonago Rotary Club and former District Governor of Rotary International District 6270. He shared how his club's involvement with Guatemala has led to even more involvement. The Mukwonago RotaryClub has sponsored projects and earned grants to deliver seeds and create farming programs. They've had chickens delivered to Guatemalan communities to create food, or revenue, or both. Rick has gotten the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) involved in clean water initiatives, getting water purification tools to remote communities so they can drink water with confidence.
The ERC shares its focus among many local and several international organizations. ERC donates volunteer time, financial gifts, and insight to programs. The overarching intention is to be a catalyst for positive change.
ERC is always welcoming new members and meets weekly on Fridays at 7:00 a.m. at the Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove. Let a member know if you're curious about joining.
Elmbrook Rotary Club's (ERC) Changing of the Guard occurs on Wednesday evening, June 29, at the Mitchell Park Pavilion in Brookfield. The “Outdoors” will open at 5:00 p.m. for social time and activities that include a 50/50 raffle and a wine pull. This is a business casual event, and it is suggested that you bring folding chairs because seating could be limited. A buffet dinner will be served by Bunzel’s Catering, and seating will be on picnic benches surrounding the pavilion or on your own chairs. The program, which begins at 7:00 p.m., will be inside the pavilion that is air conditioned.
The online silent auction goes live at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 22, which is also when bidding begins. Lots of great items have been donated, and bidding is expected to be brisk! If you can’t wait to see the many awesome items, you can get a preview of them at https://www.32auctions.com/ElmSilAuct2022
To participate in the silent auction, click https://www.32auctions.com/ElmSilAuct2022Before bidding, you will be asked to create an account which must include your email address. A phone number is optional. Check the "Help" section for details if you have any questions about the auction. Under the bidding section, you will see how the watch list works. At the end of the auction, bidders will receive a notification that has a link to an invoice. Before paying the amount due, please consider placing an Add-on amount to help defray the software costs that the club will incur. All funds will then be credited to the Elmbrook Rotary Club PayPal account. There is also a green "Donate" button on the home page for cash donations.
The auction will close at 10:00 p.m. on the evening of the Changing of the Guard (Wednesday, June 29).
As soon as payment is made, winning bidders may pick up items at the offices of Jackie Radomski from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday (except on holidays). Her address is Gordon J. Maier & Company LLP, 12778 W. North Avenue, Bldg A, in Brookfield. Please pick up the items won (and paid for) no later than Wednesday, July 13. If not picked up, the items will be considered forfeited and donated to a worthy organization.
Thank you and enjoy bidding. Proceeds will be allocated to the Elmbrook Rotary Club's Community, International, & Vocational Committees for the benefit of the many grants and programs that we support.
The Elmbrook Rotary Straight Shooters (RI District 6270) enjoyed a joint outing with the Madison Shooting Sports Fellowship (RI District 6250) on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek, WI.
While It turned out to be the hottest day the year so far, a great time was had by all in meeting new Rotarians and breaking clays over the scenic fields.
After a fun late-afternoon shooting participants learned more about each other in fellowship while enjoying beverages and a meal.
Enjoying the outing were: Harry Farchmin, Larry Rovens, Gary Gilmore, Andy McCulley and Tyler Layne (Elmbrook Rotary); Mark Blodgett, Miles Blodgett, and Justin Schoepke (MukwonagoRotary ); and Herman Baumann, Peter Cavi, Steve Holzhauer, Dewey Bredeson, & Stan Koopmans (Madison Downtown Rotary).
Rotary Fellowships are one of the great benefits of Rotary! There are currently 103 in existence throughout the world. Check out Rotary Fellowships to find one that fits your interests, and be prepared for exciting new relationships in many different countries.
On June 16, 2022, Dr. Richard Barnhouse came to the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) to share the foundation that Waukesha County Technical College WCTC has established as a powerful educational resource in our community and where he sees WCTC's future programming.
Dr. Barnhouse spoke about the two-year applied science degrees offered by WCTC as well as their one-year technical degrees. He explained that nursing and protective services (fire, police, EMT) are still some of their most popular programs, but there are other programs such as cosmetology that are quietly growing . Dental hygienists are in very high demand, if one is looking for a carer, and there are are many open seats in those classrooms.
WCTC is used both by individuals in our community and by employers, who provide on-going training for their employees. Dr. Barnhouse insists that WCTC stands among the top two-year schools in the country, and he is excited to continue to build the programs which people in our county need.
If you are interested in taking a class, the enrollment periods are now every four months since WCTC switched from the semester academic system.
Rotary offers engaging speakers, fellowship, and opportunities to give back to our community. Please join us at a 7:00 a.m. Friday breakfast meeting at the Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove.
With deep sadness, we feel the plight of Ukraine and its people. When someone is suffering, we reach out to help. Rotary International, a service organization, is doing just that and is calling us to help those in need. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) moved quickly to provide grant funds for the relief effort in Ukraine and for those fleeing to other countries.
The Rotary Disaster Response Fund has received more than USD $15 million through June 8, 2022. Any contributions made after April 30 are being used by the Disaster Response Fund for disasters throughout the world and not just Ukraine.
The Elmbrook Rotary Foundation (ERF) Board of Directors agreed to match individual Rotarian contributions up to USD $15,000. In the past months our Elmbrook Rotary Foundation has sent more than $34,000 to The Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund to support relief efforts in Ukraine and the Ukraine refugees. This includes member contributions and the full $15,000 ERF match.
Thank you so much to everyone that has donated! This is a great response, and we can all feel proud of our Elmbrook Rotary Club!
Thus far, some USD $3.3 million have been released through district grants to assist with relief efforts in Ukraine and with Ukrainian refugees. Soon after the Russian invasion began, Czech and Slovak Rotarians assisted in opening a train corridor to get much needed supplies into Ukraine. You can read about that ongoing effort by clicking here or on the photo below.
Numerous other examples exist. Rotarians and Rotaractors throughout the world are responding and acting. Read the stories here! ERC members who attended the RI Convention in Houston, TX, report that, in the Parade of Flags, the blue-and-yellow flag of Ukraine received a standing, thunderous ovation from the thousands of attendees. Help keep the tragedy of Ukraine front and center for both Rotary and the public in general.
Fellow Elmbrook Rotarians Tom Curl, Harry Farchmin, Tom Hochuli, and their spouses attended the RI Convention in Houston, TX, taking in all of the sights, sounds, experiences, and relationships at the largest gathering of Rotarians in the world.
Charlie Duke, retired astronaut (see story screenshot above), talked about the need for our communities to work together as space missions were compelled to do.
Tom Hochuli has shared pictures of events on opening day, including one of a Texan telling a very interesting story about (or to) his armadillo (see photo below).
This convention is held each year and is open to any interested Rotarian. Mate, next year's convention will be held in Melbourne Australia.
No event can be a success without lots of working planning ahead of time and dedicated people on site early to prep and make sure the day gets started well.
We also needed volunteers willing to stay afterward to clean up, pack up, and keep going after everyone had their fun . . .
and last but not least... friends & neighbors to come celebrate a great Rotary year and a strong Spikes for Tykes event!
Thank you to all the Rotarians and their families for the effort that went into this year's event. It was great to be back among our members and our Elmbrook community!
Don't forget the online "Silent Auction," which begins on June 22, as part of the annual "Spikes for Tykes" fundraising effort.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club's "Spikes for Tikes" annual fundraising drive experienced one of its culminating events on Saturday, June 4.
The June 4th in-person wrap-up was a volleyball event held at Mitchell Park in Brookfield. Approximately 20 teams from the community played an hour of volleyball and learned more about Rotary. Each playing team received six (6) long-sleeve commemorative T-shirts. A cash raffle added to the funds raised, and both food and drinks were available for purchase.
"Spikes for Tikes" is the club's largest fundraising event and is the main way the club creates funds to donate into our community. If you wonder about where the money goes, check out this PDF which lists the 2020-2021 charitable donations of Elmbrook Rotary Club and its Foundation. It's impressive!
If your school, company, or place of worship missed the event this year, please reach out to one of the Elmbrook Rotarians. We'd love to get you involved in "Spikes '23" and also introduce you to the ways we're serving our community through Rotary.
The fundraising effort continues through the club's "Changing of the Guard" event at the same location (Mitchell Field, Brookfield) on June 29. Connected with that event will also be a "Silent Auction," proceeds of which will be added to the "Spikes for Tykes" totals. The online portion of the "Silent Auction" will begin on June 22—lots of treasures, goodies, and experiences to win (for the right bid)!
The June 2022 edition of the Elm Grove News - Independent has been printed and distributed.
You'll find the ERC paid ad in the "Business Directory" on p. 3, the ERC Friday meetings information in the "Calendar of Events" on p. 5., and an article by Erik Moeser about Common Hope in Guatemala on p. 8.
Click here to access and read. Copies are also available for pick up at the Elm Grove and Brookfield libraries, Sendik's, Ace Hardware, etc.
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in June.
“Far up in the deep blue sky, Great white clouds are floating by; All the world is dressed in green; Many happy birds are seen, Roses bright and sunshine clear Show that lovely June is here.” — F. G. Sanders
June is designated Rotary Fellowships Month to recognize the importance of international fellowship and goodwill among Rotarians with similar recreational and vocational interests, to promote increased participation in fellowships, and to increase understanding of this program.
What are the benefits for Rotarians in joining a Rotary Fellowship? Fellowship provides opportunities for Rotarians to make lasting friendships outside their own Club, District, or country. There are many Fellowships that would be of interest to members, and they are detailed at https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships
A handful of Elmbrook Rotary Club members belong to various Rotary Fellowships. Examples include Beer Rotarians Enjoy Worldwide (BREW), Cycling to Serve, Shooting Sport Rotarians, and Surfers Unite. Just ask around, and you'll find a great deal of interest in the 100+ Rotary Fellowships.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) has consistently focused on enhancing the opportunities of the students in our community. The LAUNCH program of Elmbrook has been a wonderful way to focus time and resources back into the high schools in our immediate school districts.
On 31 May, the ERC sponsored a large conference room block for the LAUNCH program's "Watch It Live" so their students could showcase what their semester's efforts had created.
The LAUNCH program represents over 400 sophomores, juniors, and seniors from the Elmbrook and Wauwatosa School Districts. Student are grouped into interest "strands" such as global business, future teachers, business analytics, media solution, IT, engineering, healthcare solutions, manufacturing, and several other options. Student groups are paired up with mentors from related industries to receive insight and training from beyond the school's walls. Each mentor brings a real life "problem statement" from their business to the project. The student's job is to solve the problem through their own resources and rely on the mentor for guidance during challenges or confusion.
On 27 May, Trish Nitschke of the Center for Business Communication Excellence met with the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) to share ideas on how to make one's brand more visible. Take-aways that can be used for business or personal branding are:
Build relationships with local news people. Share 3-5 stories each year with them
Make stories compelling and easy to understand, with visuals packaged ahead of time if possible
Many mediums are available to leverage:
Local news
Podcasts
Social media
As the ERC continues to attract new members from all areas of our community, it was a treat to have Trish share top ideas around branding. Because these strategies are readily available for growing businesses and personal brands, there is carryover to how ERC can leverage these strategies to grow awareness of our club and increase the impact we make.
Please consider bringing a friend to our next 7:00 a.m. breakfast meeting to hear great speakers like Trish!
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) loves to help out locally and internationally whenever we can. When not actively serving, many Rotarians enjoy kicking back and relaxing in our community.
On 30 May, ERC members Jeanne & John Allen invited club members and their families to take in the Elm Grove Memorial Day parade from the comfort of their front yard. Food, drinks, and stories were enjoyed all morning and into the afternoon as friendships were deepened along with our appreciation for Rotary. Thank you for hosting, Allens!
Social events, educational breakfast meetings, local volunteer events, and international service trips—Rotary offers something for anyone who wants to be better connected to those among whom we live.
On May 6 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) welcomed Dr. Catherine Wolfe, Founder, Executive Director, and Clinical Director for Friends for Health in Haiti. Dr. Wolfe shared how gang violence is intensifying challenges of the pandemic and recent earthquakes. Inflation is leading to hunger being increasingly prevalent.
It's not all bad news though. Through programs like Friends for Health in Haiti, communities are able to get organized and work toward solutions. Leveraging repeatable farming techniques, having consistent education for children, and building solutions for clean drinking water and sanitary latrines are all ways Rotary clubs like ours can help boost the wellbeing of others.
Other recent breakthroughs include installing solar panels at the hospital to deliver days of reliable power. Friends for Health in Haiti is also realizing the superior ability of cinderblock structures to weather storms and earthquakes vs. using rocks or tin materials. They are looking to implement stronger materials whenever possible.
There are also opportunities within the ERC to have donations go further. $2,000 has been matched by an anonymous donor to help Friends for Health in Haiti, making a total USD $4,000+ that was raised to support the agricultural seed project of Friends for Health in Haiti.
The Elmbrook Rotary Foundation (ERC) Board of Directors and the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) Board of Directors met via Zoom on Tuesday, May 24.
Among the highlights of the two board meetings were the following:
ERF Treasurer Gordy Mueller announced that, as of May 24, more than $39,000 has been raised by the annual Spikes for Tykes fund-raising effort.
Approved a Mini-Grant of $1,300 to support the Partners in Hope program of Community Warehouse.
Authorized the inclusion of $3,000 in the 2022-2023 budget to support ERC member attendance at the annual TriCon (three-district conference). The maximum would be $250 per attendee, and other parameters will be determined/announced in future months. The next TriCon is scheduled for April 28-29, 2023, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
Any ERC member is welcome to attend the meetings of the Board of Directors. Follow this website and the weekly ERC eBulletin for announcement of BoD meetings.
Anyone who has spent time at Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) meetings knows well that the club has deep ties to The Women's Center (TWC). At our May 20th meeting, Jessie Trauth (the TWC Shelter and Housing Programs Director) shared the legacy that compliments our deep connection.
Over the last 30 years, ERC has:
Donated over $250,000 to this single organization (making the ERC the largest service club donor in TWC's history)
Outfitted sleeping quarters in the shelter
Landscaped the campus
Painted the interior of property
Raised awareness of TWC's services
As Spikes of Tikes, ERC's largest fundraiser, approaches its conclusion, it is important to remind all Rotarians, friends of Rotary, and local businesses that none of the positive and impactful work the ERC does can happen without donations of both time and treasure. We're looking forward to great Spikes for Tikes' results in 2022 and opportunities to continue our work in the community, while hopefully adding an organization or two to support in the 2022/2023 Rotary year.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) had a meeting full of introductions on May 13, 2022.
After visiting a few meetings, Emily Jones & William (Bill) Selzer both decided to join our club. Over the next few months they will hopefully make friends with many Rotarians, as well as better understand the ways they can be involved in local to international efforts. They will have a chance to choose an Avenue of Service that best fits their interests and share their classification talks with us later this year.
Part two of our meeting was hearing classification talks from slightly more seasoned members.
On April 29 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) was visited virtually by Marcellus Dawson of Fit Club MKE.
Marcellus shared how their programming teaches children the rules and details of sports like baseball and golf, and to be added soon, soccer and yoga.
The players receive a baseball glove when they begin the program together with opportunities to study school and sports on campus. On top of sports training, Fit Club MKE also provides children's books for members to take home, building their literacy along with their home library.
Marcellus shared that the best part of the program is seeing kids come in with apprehension and uncertainty and leave knowing they can play a game well and be part of this sports and education club.
Fit Club MKE is currently in a growth and transition stage, adding programming while also seeking out donations to build a new facility. They are wanting to bring these types of education / athletics / community engagement directly to the players' neighborhoods. The link above provides an opportunity to donate to this organization if so moved.
Getting Kids Fit - Physically & Scholastically
Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) has sent teams to Guatemala in February of every year since 2012 to work with Common Hope. Common Hope is a St. Paul-based NGO, offering housing, medical, social, and educational services. In 2021 and 2022 the trips were cancelled due to the global pandemic. Because the clients whom Common Hope serves are largely unvaccinated, one way to continue helping has been remotely via Zoom and email.
In 2021 Elmbrook Rotary (assisted by a grant from Rotary International District 6270) provided books, supplemental materials, desks, and supplies for students in the remote village of San Miguel Milpas Altas. The school was experiencing high failure rates. This year the aid was focused on the New Hope community near Guatemala CIty, founded 21 years ago by Common Hope after a disastrous mudslide. The school was built five years later. It was a from-the-ground-up effort to create a model to be emulated in other places over the ensuing years. Teachers were provided with six Dell PCs and peripheral equipment, replacing obsolete technology and enabling them to provide enhanced online learning experiences. This will continue until the Ministry of Education in Guatemala authorizes a return to in-person school attendance.
Elmbrook Rotary Club members will again travel to Guatemala in February of 2023 to catch up with onsite work related to the two remotely-provided projects, return to the usual home building, and participate in other program elements to aid families. Contact ERC member Erik Moeser for more information and for details on the February 2023 trip.
This year, Common Hope is welcoming more than 300 new families to their program. They have made the first step on the path to a brighter future. Many of these families have experienced significant challenges during the last two years. By partnering with Common Hope, they will have access to new opportunities and programs that will enable them to stay healthy, improve their living conditions, and create lasting change. Most importantly, they will be able to focus on their children’s education.
Noche de Colores, Common Hope's annual Night of Colores, is a showcase of the sights, sounds, and stories of Guatemala. You are invited to join the fun and celebrate from home!
Hear from Executive Director Shari Blindt, watch this year's video premiere from Buck Holzemer and Patti Petrich, and enjoy a keynote speech from Lesbia Isabel Norling, former Common Hope social worker.
The evening program will begin at approximately 7:45 p.m.
Rotary International's structured programs for youth service are: Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE).
Rotaract, formerly a part of youth service, now enjoys an elevated status within Rotary International. Rotary’s Council on Legislation in 2019 formally approved the expansion of the definition of Rotary membership to include both Rotary and Rotaract.
In addition, RI District 6270 has its own special youth program, entitled "World Affairs Seminar." Held this year during June 18-24 at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisc., participants from more than 30 nations will address the topic of "Reimagining Global Health and Wellness." Check it out here.
The month of May is designated as “Youth Service Month” to focus on all Rotary activities that support the development of young people.
Alaina Eckert is the current RI District 6270 Global Grant Scholar.
These days she is in Panama, doing her internship at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. After completing the internship, she still has a semester of study at Lincoln University New Zealand and a master's thesis to write. Alaina is the first Global Grant Scholar of The Rotary Foundation with the Environment as the Area of Focus.
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in May.
"You have to remember to be thankful. But in May, one simply can’t help being thankful that they are alive, if for nothing else.” – Lucy Maud Montgomery
Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) experienced a special opportunity on Friday, April 22, when it received an update via Zoom on Ukraine and how Rotary Disaster Response Fund donations are being utilized, both within District 2232 and specifically in Odessa.
Rotarian Stebljanko reported that, as of last week, more than USD $200,000 had been received by Rotary districts through the Rotary Disaster Response Fund to assist with humanitarian efforts on behalf of Ukraine, both inside and outside the country. Rotarian Lushpenko reported that members of Rotary Club Odessa have been buying humanitarian aid, medicines, and First Aid Kits for people who live in Odessa Region. About 10 years ago the Odessa Rotary Club, with cooperation with Rotary Club Aleksandria, bought a bus equipped with a ramp for disabled people. After the Russian invasion, Rotary Club Odessa has been using the bus to help disabled people to move around Odessa, to evacuate these people, and to transfer humanitarian aid and food around Odessa. To date the only sponsor from the USA is Rotary Club Rockwell (Iowa). Therefore, members of Rotary Club Odessa will be appreciate any involvement, participation, support, and help from other USA-based Rotary clubs! Funds are needed for these efforts and can be provided directly to the club by wire transfer without applying for a district grant via the Rotary Disaster Response Fund.
During the Zoom meeting, Theresa Reagan of the Milwaukee Rotary Club also spoke of that club's effort to collect, sort, and ship medical supplies to Ukraine. That effort can be reviewed by clicking here.
The Western Racquet Club will replace its HVAC system in late April / early May. During the installation, the WRC Food and Beverage department will be shut down. Therefore, Elmbrook Rotary will engage in a Zoom-only format on the dates of April 22, April 29, & May 6.
Last year Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) embarked on sponsoring a new local endeavor by providing a Mini-Grant to the "Bikes for Stripes" program of the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI).
On Friday, April 25, the club received a briefing about this program by MHVI Executive Director Debbie Buchanan in its Zoom-only meeting (necessitated by installation of a new HVAC system at the Western Racquet Club). She was joined by West Allis Rotarian Dan Kasun, who coordinates the "Bikes for Stripes" effort.
Ms. Buchanan also shared the mission and purpose objectives of MHVI, and Dan Kasun not only described the details of "Bikes for Stripes" but also provided information on how to get involved. For example, the Rotary Club of West Allis will hold a volunteer opportunity on May 7 to support the Bikes for Stripes program.
Check out the follow URLs to glean more information and to volunteer:
Steven Olikara, Brookfield native & US Senate hopeful, spent time with the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC). He is a member of the Millennial Action Plan (MAP), and shared his love of music, politics, and his motivation to have our community and state work together for a better future.
Steven shared how the political strategies of outrage culture, arms-race-style funding for campaigns, and demonization of opponents are poisoning our political climate. Steven sees Final 5 voting, listening to opposition with intent to understand, and resident-based government as today's biggest areas for opportunity.
A musician himself, Olikara insists that to make good jazz, all musicians must play together, building off each other's strengths, and listening to what's happening around them. Time will tell if that strategy has a place in American government.
Habitat for Humanity is another example of how Elmbrook Rotary Club members give back to the community.
On Thursday, April 7, seven ERC Rotarians and one guest Rotarian joined a Habitat for Humanity team to build a new home located at 3466 N. 2nd Street, Milwaukee, WI.
This build entailed framing the home and moving prebuilt walls from ground level to the second story. The volunteers measured, raised, and secured walls on the second story. The home is now ready for trusses and a roof before work on the interior begins.
Thanks to ERC members Mark Thurner, Lucas Severson, Tom Curl, guest Rotarian Paul Turner, John & Pati Allen, Patti Allen Brickman, & Mike Groth for a job well done!
If you have interest in participating but haven't yet, please reach out to the ERC Community Service group so that they can determine interest in a third build in as many months.
On April 8 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) was visited by Shannon Angell, CEO, of St. Camillus. St. Camillus is one of the largest independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in our area.
She shared information about the new residence building, newly completed, as well as insights on amenities, package options, and pricing.
Shannon is one of the dozens of local guests the ERC hosts each year to keep our members up-to-date on community progress, aware of planned changes, and understanding what service opportunities are available to our members.
Please join us for a 7:00 a.m. meeting any Friday!
Through grants from The Rotary Foundation, Rotarians improve access to essential medical services for mothers and their children. These efforts are aimed at reducing the number of children under age five who die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation – a figure that is currently estimated at 7 million.
According to another estimate, more than 80 percent of maternal deaths can be prevented with access to reproductive health services and trained health care workers. Rotarians provide education, immunizations, birthing kits, and mobile health clinics to support these causes. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease.
Elmbrook Rotary Club was the international partner for a Rotary Foundation Global Grant that provided pediatric and neonatal ventilators for Andean Health & Development's (AHD’s) locally-staffed teaching hospital in Santo Domingo, Ecuador.
Encourage your friends , relatives, neighbors, and business associates to join Rotary and support maternal and child health.
Because the Western Racquet Club was under maintenance, the Elmbrook Rotary club visited the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts on Friday March 25.
We heard about the upcoming theater season, including plans for Starry Nights, and we received a tour of the facility.
We also received a surprise! The Sharon Lynn Wilson Center wanted to make a special gesture to our club, a driving force in fund raising before, during, and after the Center's 1994 opening. They revealed a large inscription, "Elmbrook Rotary Fireside Lounge," appearing between the northern etched windows in the lobby and honoring the club's efforts in making the Center a reality.
Upcoming "Starry Nights" events on the Center's outdoor grounds are sure to be a staple of our club's social events this summer.
A recurring theme in the Elmbrook Rotary Club is how much we love classification talks. Rotarians love these presentations because we're able to hear a 5-10 minute talk from a member about their life.
We hear antidotes, ah ha moments, and some really funny stories. Our trio of presenters at the 3/18/22 meeting were a great example of why.
Rick Chabot shared with us the differences in cost of commonly purchased items from the year he was born to share some of the change he's seen. He's been very involved in Boy Scouts and Rotary, and his advice from 32 years in Rotary is to visit other clubs and engage in international programs.
David Irwin is a new member with a history of travel. He spent some time growing up in Europe and travels often for work. Business and the affairs of the world are a few of his leisure activities. He has two high schoolers at Brookfield East.
Yusuf Quereshi is another new member, and wanted to get involved with a service group because of the example his parents and grandparents set. Yusuf likes spending time at local parks all the way up to the National parks. He also really likes numbers and enjoys his role as an actuarial accountant.
On March 11th the Elmbrook Rotary Club was joined by Bill Mohr & Mike Pyritz of the Wisconsin DOT I-94 East/West Team to learn more about upcoming improvements to a major interstate in our community.
The current I-94 interstate stretch has been in service consistently over the last 60 years and is in need of rehabilitation.
While traffic is being re-routed, the team will take this opportunity to also add an additional 2 or 4 lanes (1 or 2 eastbound, 1 or 2 westbound) and will be removing the 175 left handed exit and replacing with an off ramp on the right hand side of the road. This project completes the major I-94 restoration project, as it follows the completion of the Zoo and Marquette interchange.
Summer in Milwaukee has always meant great weather and road construction. There are always short- term sacrifices, but Bill and Mike promise that these changes will create infrastructure we're happy with for decades.
Elmbrook Rotary Club had a great response to its 2022 Book Drive and collected 276 reading books. The books were donated to Literacy Services of Wisconsin (LSW).
LSW is an adult literacy center located on the corner of Plankinton Avenue and Michigan Street in downtown Milwaukee. LSW will make the books available to their students for their reading pleasure. Any books not selected will be sold to a second-hand bookstore, with the funds raised going into LSW's operational account.
Mike Groth, Chairman of the Elmbrook Rotary Club's Community Service Committee, recently delivered the books to LSW. The above photos shows (left to right): Holly McCoy, LSW Executive Director; Dustin Slane, LSW Director of Marketing and IT; Mike Groth; and Chad Knezel, LSW Director of Development & Volunteer Engagement.
Thank you, ERC Rotarians, for supporting the 2022 Book Drive
In the Rotary world, we acknowledge a different theme for each month of the year. March happens to be "Water and Sanitation," which is one of Rotary's seven Areas of Focus. In addition, March 22nd is recognized as World Water Day.
When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives.
Rotarians don’t just build wells and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact.
Rotary International, through the combined actions of individual Rotarians and Rotary Clubs, seeks to assure that all people have adequate access to clean and safe water. The Rotary theme for March, Water and Sanitation, asks us to focus on the life-changing improvements that we can make through these international projects to provide a more readily available and healthy supply of water to all people.
In 2020, Elmbrook Rotary Club coordinated a Global Grant of nearly USD $98,000 from The Rotary Foundation. Entitled “Pediatric Ventilators Santo Domingo Ecuador,” the grant provided for the purchase of two pediatric ventilators and one neonatal ventilator for Andean Health & Development's (AHD’s) locally-staffed teaching hospital in Santo Domingo, Ecuador.
The Final Report for this Global Grant was submitted to The Rotary Foundation on December 29, 2021. The report has received approval and congratulations from The Rotary Foundation. Click here to read the Fall Newsletter of Andean Health & Development or here to read the Winter Newsletter in order to see the difference being made.
Elmbrook Rotary can be both grateful and proud to have been a part of this very successful project which turned out to be more important than ever expected, especially in view of the worldwide CoViD-19 pandemic.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club has always challenged that mentality.
Proof: The club has re-imagined our weekly drawing.
Doing away with a format that had stagnated, the new approach has several welcome changes:
Both In-Person & Zoom attendees can participate.
Instead of a "progressive pot," each weekly winner will receive a $20+ gift card and an opportunity to patronize a local business.
Current donors are Brunch of Brookfield and First Watch of Brookfield, but that's just be beginning...
Please let Paul Langer or Mike Hogan know if there is a local business you think would want to have their name in front of Elmbrook Rotarians each week for the drawing.
All proceeds go toward our club's donations to Rotary International.
Pick up your raffle tickets at the registration desk from the Sergeant-at-Arms (Dr. Thomas Steinbach) or with our Zoom host!
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in March.
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
As an imported case from Pakistan, this detection of type 1 wild poliovirus in Malawi does not affect the WHO African region’s wild polio-free certification status.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has confirmed a case of type 1 wild poliovirus (WPV1) in a child suffering from paralysis in Malawi. Analysis has shown the virus is genetically linked to WPV1 that had circulated in Pakistan’s Sindh province.
Detection of WPV1 outside the world’s two remaining endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan is a serious concern and underscores the importance of prioritizing polio immunization activities in countries such as Malawi to prevent future instances of importation.
While the news from Malawi is disappointing, the polio program has seen importations from endemic countries to regions that have been certified wild polio-free in the past, and has moved quickly to successfully stop transmission of the virus in these areas. Now is the time for all parties — Rotary members, communities, government leaders, and global partners — to recommit to ending all forms of polio for good. Read Rotary's full statement.
It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.
In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence. Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support, and peace to the region.
Rotary International 25-Feb-2022
Rotary International Statement on Ukraine Conflict
The International Service Committee of Elmbrook Rotary Club has recommended the following distribution of funds for international projects:
$1,200—Andean Health Development—supporting the physician residency training program at Hesburgh Hospital in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. $1,280—Common Hope—sponsoring a Common Hope high school student (to be assigned, including funds for gifts as allowed by Common Hope policy and periodic food bags for the student's family) in Guatemala. $1,200—Friends for Health in Haiti—supporting a new Agriculture Program which will purchase seeds for crops to provide a sustainable food source. $1,200—Giraffe Children’s Charity—helping some of the poorest children in Nairobi, Kenya, receive an education, thereby continuing ERC sponsorship of two primary school age children per year through eighth grade. $1,200—Caserio El Tesoro Water Project—helping purchase materials to capture and provide fresh water for El Tesoro, Guatemala, a community of about 324 people located one hour north of the municipality of San Martín Jilotepeque, department of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. This is in connection with TRF Global Grant Application #2232182, in which the Marquette University Chapter, Engineers without Borders USA, is serving as a cooperating organization. $1,100—Rotary Water Initiative—helping to deliver a minimum of 50 TivaWater filters to families in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. This is an international project of the Rotary Club of Mukwonago, Wisconsin.
We may know Tom Pipines and Steve "The Homer" True as sports personalities and for many years competitors. They recently teamed up for a new video podcast where they explore an unexpected topic: their faith.
Tom Pipines is the former sports anchor for Fox 6 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Steve True, better known as Steve "The Homer" True, is a long-time radio host for ESPN. Together, they have a podcast on YouTube called “My Faith with Homer & Pip.” On Friday, February 11, they visited Elmbrook Rotary Club to tell the story of their podcast.
They brought with them a young woman named "Cassie," who told her own faith story as an in-person example of how the podcast is done. Envisioned originally by Homer, the podcast intends to demonstrate how the faith story of every individual is unique. "Cassie" spoke of her journey, which includes six years in prison.
The sportscasters-now-podcasters love to motivate people to tell their stories which, in turn, motivate and encourage others. The podcasts, including archived material, can be viewed on YouTube. Simply navigate to YouTube and type in "My Faith with Homer and Pip."
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who make contributions, or who have contributions made in their name, totaling $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
Last year the Elmbrook Rotary Club's Board of Directors approved a special, limited-time-only program under which the Club would match any $500 Paul Harris gift. That program, which ended December 31, 2021, was a great success. During the first six months of this current Rotary year, sixteen Rotarians took advantage of the program and earned a total of 21 Paul Harris Fellow recognitions. Their gifts to The Rotary Foundation totaled $9,600!
Even though that special program has ended, opportunities still remain to earn a Paul Harris Fellow recognition with ERC’s assistance. Two matching programs are currently available.
(1) The Board wants to encourage members (especially new members) who are not currently a Paul Harris Fellow to contribute to The Rotary Foundation and receive recognition. For these members only, the Club will continue to match a $500 gift. This effectively gives a member the recognition of being a Paul Harris Fellow at “half price.”
(2) Members who already have one or more recognitions will be able to use the Club’s traditional matching program, namely, the Club will add the last $200 after the member has made gifts totaling $800.
Anyone who would like more information about Paul Harris Fellows may contact Gordy Miller, Elmbrook Rotary Foundation Treasurer.
One of the six Areas of Focus of Rotary we don’t seem to talk about very much is peace and conflict resolution and prevention, which happens to be the theme for the month of February. It is often, however, the conflicts that occur throughout the world that are the root causes of poverty, despair, economic hardship, and poor health. Consider, for instance, the major deterrent to polio eradication: the difficulty in vaccinating children in war-torn countries. We also see these conflicts occurring in some form within our own communities with the same results. Rotary International as an organization understands this relationship and therefore is deeply invested in supporting individuals and programs that will develop leaders who are committed to seeking ways toward peace. The path toward peace begins with understanding and respect for the differences that make us unique.
These are the same types of values that are studied in the the Peace Centers supported by Rotary International in association with several major universities across the globe. The mission of these centers is to “empower, educate, and increase the capacity of peace builders through rigorous academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities."
Through this experience, Rotary Peace Fellows build the skills needed to act as leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe. These fellows develop the skills needed to act as “leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe.” As Rotarians, we should all be similarly committed to understanding the conflicts that exist in our own society, to speak out when necessary, and to seek solutions that reflect the values of Rotary.
On Friday, January 28, Phil Landry was inducted as the newest member of Elmbrook Rotary Club.
Phil was ERC's "2021 Business Person of the Year" recipient and was subsequently recruited to join the club. He is the founder and owner of C3E Geomatics.
His Rotary classification is "Surveyor"; his Rotary sponsor/mentor, Ralph Gould.
Elmbrook Rotary Club has been informed that it was the TOP Individual Fundraising Club for the Rotary Cycling2Serve (C2S) 2021 Indoor Ride to End Polio.
Yes, a group of ERC Rotarians did ride outside, but the "Indoor Ride" is the C2S way of classifying riders who did not ride in Tucson on November 20. Elmbrook Rotary's effort involved some 25 Rotarian contributions and raised a total of $12,647.53! After the Gates Foundation 2-for-1 match, that's $37.941.99—enough to inoculate 250,000 kids against polio. The Ride to End Polio 2021 raised USD $2,996,868 in total and has now raised over $56 Million to vaccinate children against polio.
What is the Indoor Ride to End Polio? The Indoor Ride to End Polio is a ready-made polio fundraising event open to every Rotary Club, Rotary District, and Rotarian in the world. The Indoor Ride is a complement to the Ride to End Polio, a bicycling fundraiser held each November in Tucson, Arizona, USA, in conjunction with El Tour de Tucson, one of the largest perimeter bicycling events in the US. El Tour, organized by Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, annually attracts more than 8,000 cyclists. The Indoor Ride allows riders across the country and around the world to participate without coming to Tucson.
The name of "Rotary Club of Elmbrook" will now be engraved on the trophy at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Ill. Congrats to all who participated and/or contributed! We "Serve to Change Lives"!
On Friday, January 21, Thomas Michalski was inducted by ERC President Dr. Thom Arndt as the newest member of Elmbrook Rotary Club.
Michalski (center in photo) retired from Marquette University in 2006 after 30 years of service as an IT Administrator. Since then he has been extremely active in city and county government in the Village of Elm Grove and Waukesha County. Currently, he is County Supervisor for the City of Brookfield's Wards 1, 6, 9, 10, 15, & 17 and the Village of Elm Grove. He is also a volunteer firefighter in Elm Grove.
For Rotary purposes, his classification is "County Government." His Rotary sponsor is Ralph Gould.
Representatives from Partners in Hope and The Community Warehouse visited Elmbrook Rotary Club on Friday, January 14.
Adam Procell is the Community Outreach Specialist for Partners in Hope and shared his own personal story about his life before, during, and after incarceration. Partners in Hope is a faith-based prisoner re-entry program, run by The Community Warehouse, which helps formerly incarcerated prisoners become productive citizens. 96% of all Partners in Hope graduates never return to prison.
Jose Hernandez (behind speaker podium in above photo) is the new CEO for The Community Warehouse / Partners in Hope. He recently joined the organizations after retiring from a 30-year career as a corrections officer.
Phil Landry, ERC's 2021 "Business Person of the Year" awardee, is a recipient and strong supporter of the benefits offered by Partners of Hope and The Community Warehouse. More information can be accessed at www.thecommunitywarehouse.org.
Sachin Chheda, Director of the Fair Elections Project, presented an engaging overview of Gerrymandering in state politics and its effect on elections to Elmbrook Rotary on Friday, January 7.
The Fair Elections Project is working to change how politics works in the United States and help end the partisan gridlock that grips the nation. The project claims that people don't really have a voice in elections when the district lines determine which party will be in control. Time constraints prevented any Q&A; however, any concerned citizen can visit the Fair Elections Project by clicking here or on the photo image above.
The Object of Rotary is a philosophical statement of Rotary’s purpose and the responsibilities of Rotarians. The concept of Vocational Service is rooted in the Second Object, which reads: "High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society."
Paul Harris wrote: "Each Rotarian is a connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and their trade or profession."
Vocational Service is the way Rotary fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service to the pursuit of all vocations.
It is the shared responsibility of both the Rotary Club and its members. The role of the Club is to implement and encourage the objectives by its own actions in dealing with the community and by the development of projects that enable members to use their vocational talents in the service of the community. The role of members is to conduct themselves and their businesses in accordance with Rotary principles and to support the Vocational Service projects that the club has developed.
During January, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that develop not only 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.
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
Earlier in December 2021, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation released a position statement on CoViD-19 vaccinations. The complete statement follows.
"As the first organization to envision a polio-free world through mass immunization of children, Rotary believes the decision to vaccinate is a humanitarian imperative. The Rotary International Board of Directors and Rotary Foundation Trustees believe that:
Global vaccination is the path to ending the pandemic, and we strongly encourage vaccination for all individuals, including our members.
Misinformation hinders the fight against COVID-19, and we are committed to providing our members with science-based information.
Rotary is engaged in assuring equity in vaccine access to all people. Through joint efforts with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance we are leveraging our frontline experience with polio to facilitate vaccine delivery.
Rotary salutes health care workers everywhere as they continue to provide lifesaving services. We encourage clubs to offer recognition and encouragement to these heroes.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs are encouraged to redouble their efforts to support COVID-19 prevention and vaccination efforts.
As one of the greatest advances of modern medicine, vaccines are safe, effective and save millions of lives each year. They have eliminated or controlled numerous diseases such as polio, smallpox, measles, and Ebola, and now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccination.
The eradication of polio remains the goal of the highest order for Rotary. We can continue to apply the lessons we have learned in fighting polio to COVID-19 response efforts."
The Annual Elmbrook Rotary Christmas/Holiday Program occurred at the Western Racquet Club on Friday, December 17. Holiday cheer and laughter filled the air as Gary Gilmore, accompanied on the keyboard by Jim Finn, again led a program filled with a trivia contest, music, & a sing-along.
By overwhelming audience demand, Linda Wickstrom was forced to join Gary in singing. Ned Consigny announced that the "Grinch" has officially been retired for appearances at the annual program but nevertheless managed several scowls as a parting gift.
Pre-pandemic club participation was achieved with nearly 50 members and guests in attendance.
Two new members, Lydia Miller & Sherry Fontaine, were inducted into club membership on Friday, December 17.
Lydia Miller (second from right in photo) holds the classification of "Investment Advisor." Her sponsor is Noaman Sharief. Sherry Fontaine (far left in photo) holds the classification of "Education," and her sponsor is John Allen.
Welcome to these newest members as together we make a difference in our communities and in the world at large.
Waukesha County Sheriff Eric J. Severson visited Elmbrook Rotary Club on Friday, December 10.
Sheriff Severson has been in law enforcement since 1985. He provided an overview of the programs and services of the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department in addition to describing a typical day in the life of the country sheriff, which begins at 4:00 a.m. each morning. ERC members had many questions for the sheriff about the challenges and future status of law enforcement in the United States.
Sheriff Severson also indicated his intention to run for re-election in 2022.
December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
Every month of the year is dedicated to one of the major themes of our Rotary lives. This month the theme is that for which RI is perhaps best known, at least among non-Rotarians.
The eradication of polio has been Rotary International's s major worldwide, corporate effort since the 1980’s. And remarkable progress has been made. The job is not finished, however, and you can rest assured that we will not, cannot, set this torch down until that job is finished.
Disease Prevention and Treatment is one of The Rotary Foundation's Seven Areas of Focus. And for good reason. The health and vitality of a person, a family, and a community can be seriously impaired by what in many cases is a preventable disease. Disease prevention is really a keystone to progress in other areas as well because of the interplay with other Areas of Focus like Water and Sanitation and Maternal & Child Health.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) enjoys a large number of Paul Harris Fellows in its midst. At its Changing of the Guard ceremony held on June 30, 2021, ERC announced forty-three new Paul Harris Fellow recognitions. These included six first-time Paul Harris fellows, six presented as gifts from a Rotarian to a spouse or child, and thirty-one additional recognitions of Rotarians who were already Paul Harris Fellows. This number has continued to increase throughout 2021.
The principal reason for the extraordinarily large number is a limited-time Paul Harris matching program instituted by ERC earlier in 2021. Under the club’s matching program, the club matches each donation of $500 to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) with a transfer of 500 Foundation recognition points. The TRF points are provided by the club itself and by members who have accumulated a large number of recognition points.
The matching program runs through the end of the current calendar year. The net result of the matching program has been a substantial increase in contributions to The Rotary Foundation and more engagement by the members of Elmbrook Rotary Club. If you have not already done so, do take advantage of this opportunity before December 31. Donations to the "2021 Ride to End Polio" and Polio Plus also count as credits toward Paul Harris Fellow award recognition.
Lucas Severson was inducted into the membership of Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) on Friday, October 22, at its weekly breakfast meeting. ERC President, Dr. Thom Arndt (far right in photo), presided at the formal induction.
Lucas' Rotary sponsor is Steven Ponto (middle of photo), whose niece Laramie is Lucas' spouse. Lucas is a Senior Project Manager at Advicent Solutions in Wauwatosa, Wisc. His Rotary Classification is "Internet Marketing." He was previously a member of a Rotary Club in LaCrosse.
City of Brookfield Mayor Steven Ponto is also a member of the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC). On Friday, November 12, he provided an update to ERC concerning the city.
Highlighted were the continuing economic developments in the city, lowered property taxes, and the fantastic 54,000 sq. ft. multipurpose Brookfield Conference Center.
Being a Rotary Club member and attending frequently is one of the best, and easiest, ways to stay informed about one's community and the world in general. Join Elmbrook Rotary Club for a free breakfast and great program on any Friday morning at 7:00 a.m. at the Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove (1800 Highland Drive). You won't regret that you did. This week's (November 19th) program features Dr. Daniell Bastian, Bürgermeister der Einhardstadt Seligenstadt, Deutschland (Mayor of Einhardstadt Seligenstadt, Germany). Seligenstadt is Brookfield‘s Sister City.
November is Rotary Foundation Month The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation taps into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into Rotary priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.
Representatives from the Marquette University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA visited and briefed Elmbrook Rotary at its breakfast meeting on Friday, November 5.
The briefing centered on the most recent work of the chapter in Guatemala, including the newest project at Caserio El Tesoro, San Martin Jilotepeque, Guatemala, for which a Rotary Foundation Global Grant application is being submitted.
The student chapter members included Claire Connelly, Jordan Gastos, & Abby McGill. Their briefing was recorded via Zoom and can be viewed by clicking here or on the image above.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) recently announced Phil Landry, Owner of C3E Geomatics,LLC, as the recipient of the 5th annual Business Person of the Year Award. The program recognizes the leadership and accomplishments of a successful Brookfield or Elm Grove individual.
In a span of five years, Phil completed his bachelor’s degree and founded C3E Geomatics, LLC, a land surveying company, in 2017. Community support, sharing, and mentoring have been a significant part of Phil’s life and career. This includes being a supporter of the Community Warehouse, an organization designed to support background-challenged individuals by providing employment, job skills, and practical housing support. Phil also supports Partners in Hope, a faith-based community reentry program for ex-offenders, run by Community Warehouse. C3E Geomatics is also writing a custom career packet about land surveying for The Community, another organization working to aid offenders in their career decisions long before release. Currently, C3E Geomatics provides financial support to these organizations. The long-term goal is to be able to offer employment opportunities and mentorship to the individuals served by these organizations.
Phil founded the business with the goal of helping ex-offenders because he himself served a two-year prison sentence. During his time of incarceration, Phil came to understand that he needed to make a radical change in his life so that he wouldn’t end up in prison again. Even with Phil’s careful planning for his release (including enrolling in a university, arranging for a place to live, and applying for financial aid), he still needed the additional support of community organizations and a local church in order to get established on the right path. Because he understands the tremendous hurdles that ex-offenders face when released back into society, he feels committed to supporting released offenders in the greater Milwaukee area.
Pictured (left to right):
Ralph Gould (Chair of the ERC selection committee),
Tom Michalski (Trustee of Village of Elm Grove,
Waukesha County Board Supervisor,
and selection committee member),
Phil Landry (2021 awardee),
& Dr. Thom Arndt (ERC President).
In order to continue growing the business he founded in 2017, Phil needed to gain professional licensure in the state of Wisconsin. However, he faced numerous obstacles in this process because of his criminal record. Working with a local assembly member as an advocate, Phil finally obtained licensure and has been able to grow C3E Geomatics from a revenue of $65,000 in 2017 to $385,000 in 2020. The business is projected to make well over $500,000 in 2021.
Phil loves to share his story, particularly with ex-offenders and other marginalized groups, in order to encourage them not to give up when they are pursuing employment, education, and a successful quality of life.
Elmbrook Rotary Club is pleased to be able to honor Phil Landry with its 2021 Business Person of the Year award.
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in November.
"Don't wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!" —Charmaine J Forde
The Rotary community showed its collective support for World Polio Day on 24 October by raising funds and advocating for polio eradication. There’s still time to make a contribution to PolioPlus in honor of World Polio Day.
If you haven’t watched it yet, don’t miss Rotary’s World Polio Day Global Update, which provides important news about eradication efforts and explains why continued support is critical to protecting our progress toward ending polio forever. New this year: Our Facebook page and YouTube channel feature a World Polio Day video playlist, so you can watch and share individual segments from the Global Update.
The world may never have a better chance than now to eradicate polio, according to Aidan O’Leary, polio eradication director for the World Health Organization. Before polio can be considered eradicated, the number of cases must reach zero and no virus can be detected in the environment. During the first nine months of 2021, just two cases of polio caused by the wild virus were recorded — one each in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two countries where wild polio is still endemic. Environmental testing throughout those countries has also shown significantly less wild poliovirus in water and sewage samples.
O’Leary explains how we can protect our progress against polio and reach more children with a new polio vaccine and a new Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategy. This strategy aims to address our remaining challenges, including vaccine hesitancy, political uncertainty, and the difficulties of continuing vaccinations during a pandemic. Read more from O’Leary about the determination and support it will take to overcome today’s challenges and achieve a polio-free world.
Liz Beaudoin, Director of Marketing for Kathy's House, provides the following update.
Kathy's House is the Milwaukee area's only hospital guest house that serves both patients of all ages and their caregivers, and all area hospitals. We are grateful for Elmbrook Rotary Club's support of our Family Program for Patients and Caregivers, which helps offset lodging costs for economically disadvantaged families.
High healthcare costs, lost wages, and travel expenses are barriers for many rural and minority families who need to travel to Milwaukee for advanced medical care. By providing housing for patients and family members while they are receiving advanced medical treatments in Milwaukee, Kathy's House helps to reduce these barriers and improve access to critical care.
Dr. Malika Siker is a Brookfield resident, Kathy's House board member, and Professor of Radiation Oncology, Associate Dean of Student Inclusion and Diversity at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Siker describes Kathy's House as "a game-changer for improving health equity in our region. Patients and families facing serious health conditions can access lifesaving care regardless of geography, income barriers, or lack of other resources."
Kathy's House provides an affordable alternative to an expensive hotel room, or, more often, a stay in the caregiver's patient room, waiting room, or vehicle. Elmbrook Rotary Club's support of our Family Program ensures that entire families stay together in our "home away from home" while accessing the care they need.
Photo Caption: Jamie Nicklas of DeKalb, Ill., stayed at Kathy's House as grandmother Sandra Bonneville of Appleton, Wisc., underwent cancer treatment at nearby Froedtert Hospital. Jamie said, "Kathy's House is incredibly welcoming. There's a sense of community. We've been here for several weeks, and it doesn't matter who is in the House. Everyone here is really friendly and helpful. They want to share their story and share their empathy with what you're going through. It's just incredibly comforting to be here."
The deadline for receipt of Mini-Grant applications for 2021 is Wednesday, October 27.
During 2020-2021, the Elmbrook Rotary Club/Foundation disbursed $109,781 to various charitable organizations, both domestically and internationally. Click here to view the list of recipients.
The Mini-Grant Application Form (in fillable PDF format) can be accessed and downloaded from both the "Foundation" and the "Resources/Frequently Requested Documents" menus on the ERC web site.
Please send completed application form and all required supporting documents in digital format to: lwmyers2@att.net
Rotary District 6270 kicked off Rotary International's newest Area of Focus with its "Environmental Days of Service" during October 4-10. Local clubs were encouraged to do anything they wanted during that week with an environmentally-focused theme.
Adding the "Environment" as a new area of focus provides Rotary International with the influence needed to continue sustaining humanitarian projects in the long term while also actively working to make the planet cleaner and safer for the communities it serves. This proactive approach to climate change ensures that Rotary International will be able to handle the inevitable changes arising from a warming planet amid increasing levels of pollution, deforestation, and extinction. Rotary is not alone. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a partner of Rotary, has also added climate change to its top issues. Humanitarian organizations like Rotary have the network and resources necessary to help vulnerable communities adjust to environmental changes that are on the horizon.
RI District 6270 boasts of having been awarded the first Global Grant Scholarship in the new Area of Focus. Alaina Eckert of Sussex, WI, is the recipient. Working towards completing dual masters degrees simultaneously and currently in Germany, Alaina has been forced to adjust slightly her sequence of program studies. The Government of New Zealand has again delayed the issue of student visas until mid-2022. Alaina has therefore procured a three-six month internship with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Society in Panama, beginning in January 2022, and will hopefully proceed afterwards to New Zealand for a semester of studies at Lincoln University.
Elmbrook Rotary Club was treated to an update of the additions and improvements of Old World Wisconsin at its weekly meeting on Friday, October 8.
ERC member Fred Gettelman is a member of Rotary International's "Brew Fellowship." The purpose of this fellowship is to foster and encourage fellowship between and among Rotarians of all nations who have a love for beer and through this fellowship support international projects of The Rotary Foundation. Fred is also an active participant in constructing and operating a new brewing complex at Old World Wisconsin.
Dan Freas, Director of Old World Wisconsin, provided ERC with not just an update of the site but also concentrated on this newest addition. A newly constructed Brewing Experience building, combined with relocated historic Wittnebel’s Tavern and a festive outdoor Beer Garden, will allow Old World Wisconsin guests to celebrate Wisconsin’s brewing traditions like never before.
Mr. Freas hopes that both Rotarians and the general public will visit Old World Wisconsin to enjoy the state's history and culture. Zum Wohl!
Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty.
Rotary members and The Rotary Foundation work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Rotary provides training and access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions.
ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN
Rotary creates opportunities to help individuals and communities thrive financially and socially.
ROTARY IMPACTS LOCAL ECONOMIES
Rotary members train people to become resources for their community, offering networking activities, advice on new business development, and financial management training.
The Rotary Four-Way Test challenges us to take a close hard look at the realities in our own communities. In particular, we must ask the question: “Is it Fair to All Concerned?” As a Club, through our service projects and giving, we have dedicated ourselves to improving the conditions and fairness for all concerned. Whether these efforts involve providing opportunities for at risk pre-school children to practice communication skills, serving pancakes at Breakfast with Santa, or partnering on sanitation and drinking water projects in communities in need throughout the world, they all serve to provide for economic and community development. Thank you for being a member of our Elmbrook Rotary Club and thank you for being concerned about, and dedicated to, improving the economic conditions for people in our community and throughout the world.
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in October.
“In October, a maple tree before your window lights up your room like a great lamp. Even on cloudy days, its presence helps to dispel the gloom.” — John Burroughs
Noaman Sharief, Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) member and member of the ERC Board of Directors, has become a member of the Board of Directors of ShelterBox USA.
ShelterBox USA, long supported by Elmbrook Rotary, wants to see a world where no family is left without shelter when disaster strikes. Its Board of Directors and Staff share this determination and have all pledged to help make it happen. Striving to do the right thing is an important value at the heart of the organization and drives the ShelterBox commitment to improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in our work and workplace.
Click on Noaman's image below to view the other Board members and learn more about the mission and work of ShelterBox.
Craig Burnett, Past District Governor (PDG) of Rotary International District 6270 during 2020-2021, presented Elmbrook Rotary Club with the distinguished "Rotary Citation" for Rotary Year 2020-2021 at its breakfast meeting on Friday, September 24.
Citing the difficulty of receiving such recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic year, PDG Burnett congratulated the club for being among the very few in RI District 6270 who received the recognition.
Tom Hochuli, Immediate Past President for Elmbrook Rotary, received the citation on behalf of the club. He credited the entire membership for the achievement and offered his personal gratitude for the way(s) in which club members continued to remain active in service during 2020-2021. Congratulations, Elmbrook Rotary!
Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) members gathered on Saturday afternoon, September 18, to enjoy the second day of the 5th Annual Elm Grove Oktoberfest.
ERC member Ted Wentzel is Vice-President of the Elm Grove Community Foundation and helped organize the gala event. Food, drink (obviously, beer), music, & games highlighted the enjoyable event.
One of the highlights was the Masskrugstemmen competition. Masskrugstemmen ("Large Jug Hoisting") is a Bavarian Sport and is generally played in groups. It consists of holding a 1-liter Stein, filled with Hofbrau beer, with one's arms. The arms must be completely stretched out and parallel to the floor. No bending of the elbows is permitted. You must hold the Stein as long as possible in this position. Winner is the one still holding the Stein(s) after the other competitors have yielded. Click on the image above to view a short clip of ERC member Christine Spresser's participation in the competition.
ERC members enjoy a social every month. It's part of Rotary camaraderie.
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) was the featured program of Elmbrook Rotary on Friday, September 17. Presenter was Kathy Thornton-Bias.
Kathy Thornton-Bias is the 15th president and CEO of BGCGM and the second female to lead the Clubs since its founding in 1887 by Annabell Cook Whitcomb. She grew up in a Rotarian's family and is currently a member of the downtown Milwaukee Rotary Club.
The BGCGM is the largest Boys & Girls Club in the country with 44 locations throughout greater Milwaukee serving approximately 5,000 youth each day. In addition to providing an overview of the BGCGM's mission and purposes, Thornton-Bias also announced the establishment of "The Learning Center," a new program at a new location that is intended to prepare teenagers for college.
With CoViD-19 lockdowns hopefully behind us, the Elmbrook Rotary Club is back to socializing and having fun. Our monthly socials are one of the ways that our members “build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS,” the third tenet of the Four-Way Test of "the things we think, say, or do." Mark your calendars now for the following socials.
October 9 — Progressive Dinner. We’re going to do things a bit differently this year (for health safety reasons). Instead of having dinner at members' homes, small groups will meet for dinner at various restaurants (TBD). After dinner, we’ll all progress to Steve and Mary Ponto’s home for dessert.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club is special because of the camaraderie shared among all our fellow Rotarians. We hope you will join us at some/all of these great social events. Spouses, guests, and prospective members are always welcome.
Our 2021 Green Bay Packer Ticket Raffle fundraiser is in the books. The winners were drawn at the meeting on Friday, September 10!
ERC member Chris Salani drew each winning ticket, and ERC member Linda Edelstein recorded the names. The eight (8) winners are:
ELMBROOK ROTARY 2021 PACKER TICKET RAFFLE WINNERS
DATE
GAME
NAME
Sep 20
vs Lions
George Krug
Oct 3
vs Steelers
Ron Hegwood
Oct 24
vs Washington
Gary Rauch
Nov 14
vs Seahawks
Gordy Miller
Nov 28
vs Rams
Doug Jacobson
Dec 12
vs Bears
Margaret Schmitt
Dec 25
vs Browns
Steve Stocker
Jan 2
vs Vikings
Charley Shirley
Winners are being notified, and their e-tickets will be sent to them.
Again, a BIG THANKS to everyone who bought and sold tickets and to those who volunteered on Friday mornings or at the Brookfield Farmers Market. You're the reason for our success.
It appears as if we raised close to $5,000 before expenses, with $2,500+ in net profit going towards the organizations we support!
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.
Rotary's goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN
We take action to empower educators to inspire learning at all ages. The Rotary Foundation supports education through scholarships, donations, and service projects around the world.
Rotary members make amazing things happen, like:
Opening schools: In Afghanistan, Rotary members opened a girls’ school to break the cycle of poverty and social imbalance.
Teaching adults to read: Rotary members in the United States partnered with ProLiteracy Detroit to recruit and train tutors after a study showed that more than half of the local adult population was functionally illiterate.
New teaching methods: The SOUNS program in South Africa, Puerto Rico, and the United States teaches educators how to improve literacy by teaching children to recognize letters by sounds instead of names.
Making schools healthy: Rotarians are providing clean, fresh water to every public school in Lebanon so students can be healthier and get a better education.
Enhancing educational systems: In Kenya, Rotary clubs are working with the Global Partnership for Education and local and national governments to advance life-long learning opportunities for poor and marginalized children.
The Western Racquet Club will undergo "deep cleaning" on Friday, September 10. Therefore, the management is unable to provide the usual venue for the ERC weekly meeting. As a result, the ERC meeting on Friday, September 10, will be via Zoom only. Zoom access information will be emailed to all ERC members. who can then invite guests by providing the same access information.
Rotary District 6270 is pleased to announce the availability of a Global Grant Scholarship for matriculation in the fall of 2022 or spring of 2023.
The amount of the scholarship is USD $30,000 and must be used for graduate school studies outside the United States. Applicants must be residents of the geographic area of D-6270 or attending an undergraduate school in the geographic area. In addition, a proposed program of study must be closely aligned with one of Rotary’s seven “Areas of Focus.” Members of Rotaract clubs are eligible to apply but not Rotarians nor their family members.
Deadlines are as follows:
September 1, 2021 – Application form available
January 14, 2022 – Complete Application Deadline (submit online only)
February 5, 2022 - In-Person or Zoom Interviews scheduled. An in-person interview is preferred.
February 14, 2022 – Successful Scholar Notified (for matriculation in 2022-2023 academic year.)
Click here to access the “Scholarships” page on the D-6270 web site for detailed information, the application form, and other supporting documents. Address any inquiries to Larry Myers, Chair of the D-6270 Scholarships Subcommittee (Email: scholarshipchair@rotary6270.org OR lwmyers2@att.net).
Héctor Colón, CEO of Lutheran Social Services, shared his life story in a motivational presentations to Elmbrook Rotary Club on Friday, September 3.
That story is encapsulated in his book, My Journey from Boxing Ring to Boardroom: Five Essential Virtues for Life and Leadership.
In summary, the five virtues (using the acronym of CHAMP) are:
Courage (willing to take risks)
Humility (putting others first)
TemperAnce (practicing restraint)
Magnanimity (striving for greatness)
Perseverance (never giving up)
Héctor Colón is the President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS). Under his visionary and Servant-Leadership approach, Colón has positioned LSS for greatness - adapting new models and business strategies to increase impact and viability for staff, clients, and the organization.
Colón was named a 2021 Notable Minority Leader and the 2019 Nonprofit Executive of the Year by BizTimes Media. He also was chosen as Hispanic Man of the year by United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS). His book is available for purchase on amazon.com and at hectorcolonmke.com.
Jan Constable, Chair of the Fall 2021 School Supplies Drive, reports the following:
"Thanks to your generous donations, our fall school supplies drive was very successful. The supplies were divided up and donated to the 95th Street School and to Cathy's Closet at St A.
Attached please find a complete list of the donated school supplies. Thanks again for your donations."
With more than 1.2 million members worldwide, Rotarians are on the ground and ready to take action to help communities recover when disasters strike.
Rotary members and The Rotary Foundation play a unique role in disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts. Working closely with our partners and other organizations that specialize in disaster relief, Rotary members lead projects to support every phase of a community's recovery.
Rotary supports three phases of relief:
Immediate response: Our local clubs and partners immediately offer helping hands and supplies.
Short-term assistance: Our clubs and districts help affected communities wherever we can through funds and materials to re-establish day-to-day operations.
Long-term rebuilding: Our clubs plan and implement projects that rebuild affected communities
Although separate from the Annual Fund, contributions to the Disaster Response Fund count toward Every Rotarian, Every Year; Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member; Paul Harris Fellow; Paul Harris Society; Major Donor; and Arch Klumph Society recognition. They also count toward club recognition opportunities. Click here to donate.
"Greetings President Thom, Past President Tom, and Elmbrook Rotary Club.
"Congratulations on receiving ShelterBox HERO recognition for Rotary Year 2020-2021.
"Your support is very much appreciated. Your club will be listed on our HERO page www.shelterboxusa.org/hero
"ShelterBox has provided aid to over 2 million people since 2000. We could not have reached them without clubs like yours. The global pandemic has not stopped our efforts, and your help provided aid to over 33,000 families in 2020 and over 13,000 households in the first half of 2021.
We’re celebrating Membership and New Club Development Month in August. We know that the main reasons our members join and stay with Rotary are community service and friendship. That makes this month the perfect time to learn more about how to further engage with our global community and make a positive difference.
On September 18, 2021, the Oconomowoc Rotary Club is sponsoring a Bicycle Tour to raise funds toward completion of a new riding trail that stretches from Oconomowoc to Watertown.
Entry fees vary: $45 per rider & $95 per family (up to 4 people) when pre-registered; $50 per rider & $100 per family (up to 4 people) on the day of the event. Riding distances also vary: 8-, 16-, & 38-mile options.
Click here or on the image below to access detailed information and to register for this unique opportunity.
Brad Schimel, Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge, addressed the Elmbrook Rotary Club on Friday, August 20, on the topic of the "Waukesha County Drug Treatment Court Program."
Judge Schimel grew up in the Town of Vernon and graduated from Mukwonago High School. He attended UW Waukesha for 2 years and then finished his Bachelor Degree at UW Milwaukee. He began his career in the Waukesha County Courthouse as an intern in the DA's Office in 1989, and, after graduating UW Law School in 1990, was hired as an Assistant DA. He served as an Assistant DA until he was elected Waukesha County District Attorney in 2006 and was twice reelected as DA. He left the courthouse in 2015 after being elected Wisconsin Attorney General. Brad and his family stayed here in Waukesha County, and he returned to the courthouse as a Circuit Court Judge in January 2019.
Since 1920 the Russell Hampton Company has been Rotary's original club supplies vendor. The company is the world's largest and most respected provider of Rotary Club supplies, awards, personalized gifts, apparel, signage, and more.
Elmbrook Rotary Club member Linda Edelstein is the Executive Director for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO). On Friday, August 6, together with Besty Corry, Managing Director of First Stage, and Del Wilson, Executive Director for the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC), she provided an overview of the expansion project for the MYAC.
The center plans to renovate 42,000 square feet of underused space in the lower level of the current building in order to add two new rehearsal halls, six studios, and six small group instruction rooms, and to upgrade its mainstage hall on the facility’s main level.
The MYAC campus, which is the home of Milwaukee children’s theater group First Stage and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, consists of two buildings near the intersection of West Walnut Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue: the main building at 325 W. Walnut St. and another building across the street at 1702 N. 4th St.
MYAC also plans to update the building’s systems to increase energy efficiency, improve safety and security with a reconfigured front entrance and improve technology in the facility.
The project is expected to be completed by the fall. MYAC is using Milwaukee-based Ramlow/Stein Architecture & Interiors and Brookfield-based Hunzinger Constructions Company for the project. A second phase of the project will include renovating MYAC’s building on Fourth Street, which the organization purchased in 2016. When completed, the project is expected to create nearly twice the available teaching, rehearsal, and performance space by allowing 20,000 additional children to participate in their programs annually. Other groups, including Milwaukee’s Children Choir and Danceworks, already rent the facility.
MYAC first opened in 2005 in collaboration with First Stage and MYSO. In addition to those two organizations, MYAC hosts Danceworks, Milwaukee Children’s Choir and Festival City Symphony. The center annually serves about 25,000 students from about 90 zip codes throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.
Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.
Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relations and personal development.
Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership: - learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.
Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.
On Friday, July 30, Sara Eskrich, Executive Director of Democracy Found, provided a thought-stimulating and question-provoking overview of the concept of "Final Five Voting."
Democracy Found is a Wisconsin-based initiative committed to revitalizing democracy. The organization argues that implementing Final-Five Voting (a system wherein the top five candidates are selected from the primary ballot and instant runoff voting is used in the general election) will ensure that politicians are held accountable for delivering results. A bill on Final-Five Voting is currently being considered in the Wisconsin legislative chambers.
The concept of Final-Five Voting is explored and explained in The Politics Industry (available on Amazon), a book by path-breaking political innovator Katherine Gehl and business strategist Michael Porter. They apply the tools of business analysis—and Porter's distinctive Five Forces framework—to show how the political system functions just as every other competitive industry does, and how the duopoly has led to the outcomes we see today.
Using this competition lens, Gehl and Porter identify the most powerful lever for change—a strategy comprised of a clear set of choices in two key areas: how our elections work and how we make our laws. The Politics Industry hopes to open eyes to the true dynamics and profound challenges of the American political system and provide real solutions for reshaping the system for the benefit of all.
Rotary Million Dollar Journey Reached its Goal . . . and More . . . and More!
A joint effort between the Wisconsin & Michigan Rotarians of Districts 6220 and 6270 to raise $1,000,000 for The Rotary Foundation (TRF) by October 2020 reached its goal four months early in July 2020. With that success, and with even greater need, the districts continued the journey by raising more funds. The campaign ended on June 30, 2021.
Tom Curl, our Elmbrook Rotary Club's TRF representative, reports that the final tally was USD$2,797,153!
In these unprecedented times of pandemic and economic uncertainty, this result once again demonstrates the "giving gene" that Rotarians possess.
Ron Jones has been a Rotarian for 35+ years. In July he announced to Elmbrook Rotary Club that he and his wife Barbara have sold their home here in Wisconsin and are retiring permanently to Florida. On Friday, August 27, Ron shared with ERC members the following about his Rotary journey:
"My history with Rotary began (35 years ago) in April 1986. I was VP of Patient Care Services at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital. Dr. Sridhar Vasudevan, M.D., was assigned to launch a new evening Rotary Club in Brookfield by the Brookfield Rotary Club Board of Directors. Dr. Vasudevan came to me, at Elmbrook Hospital, to garner interest in me and others to join Rotary. We were designated a provisional club status on May 6, 1986.
"On October 22, 1986, the club received its official charter at a large gathering hosted by the Brookfield Rotary Club. The new Brookfield Sunset Rotary Club began with 25 new members. Jim Dunn and I were charter members on that night.
"I was President-Elect, and Jim Dunn was on the Board and also chair of the Club Service Committee. I had perfect attendance for my first 32 years.
"After 23 years of Nursing and Administrative work at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital, I was recruited to be President of the Siebert Lutheran Foundation in June 1993. In January 2014, I retired from the Siebert Foundation."
ERC members hope that this dedicated, faithful Rotarian will find another club in Florida OR even continue as an ERC member. The latter is possible because of how the CoViD-19 global pandemic has created opportunities for Rotary virtual membership in any club in the world from any residence in the world.
Thanks, Ron, and richest blessings to you and Barbara as you make another "transition" in life!
Joe Addis, a Certified Arborist, visited Elmbrook Rotary on Friday, July 16. He is a Certified Arborist and a Certified Treecare Safety Professional with an associates degree and bachelor's degree in Urban Forestry. He can provide a comprehensive plant health care program, pruning recommendations, evaluation of the health and structure of trees, and a long term plan for maintaining landscapes. He works closely with residential and commercial property owners in caring for their trees and shrubs.
The information on "Tree and Plant Disease," which he provided to ERC, was much appreciated. One member commented: "I wish that I had learned this years ago!"
Rotary International is a world-wide organization of about 1.2 million business people and professionals in 35,000 clubs dedicated to serving others.
With about 80 members, the Elmbrook Rotary Club is part of Rotary International District 6270, whose geographic area covers southeastern Wisconsin. There are 54 local clubs in D-6270 as well as numerous Interact Clubs and Rotaract Clubs.
Over the past three years, Rotarians in this district have contributed or raised more than $1.3 million for projects. These ranged from local needs to international activities in Guatemala, Haiti, India, and Ecuador.
In addition, some $35,000 was designated for CoViD-19 relief in Wisconsin communities and around the world.
D-6270 Rotarians also contributed $70,000 toward eliminating the few remaining pockets of polio in South Asia. This was matched by the Rotary International Foundation's Polio Plus Fund and the Bill and Melina Gates Foundation for a total of $420,000.
The April 2021 edition of the Elm Grove News - Independent carries a major article on Rotary International (RI) District 6270's announcement of the selection of Alaina Eckert, Sussex, WI, as its Global Grant Scholarship applicant for 2021-2022. Ms. Eckert was referred to the D-6270 selection committee by Elmbrook Rotary Club leadership. Click here or on the image below to access the article.
Ms. Eckert is a graduate of Sussex Hamilton H.S. and of The University of Wisconsin—Madison. She has already begun a dual degree, Master of Science/Master of International Nature Conservation, in a cooperative program of the Georg-August Universität in Göttingen, Germany, and Lincoln University in Lincoln, New Zealand. Since her Area of Focus is "Environment," the Global Grant will be one of the first in this newest emphasis of Rotary International, which takes effect on July 1, 2021.
The practical approach of Ms. Eckert's study program is to preserve the integrity of nature, in combination with the assessment of risk management and conservation strategy, and offers an invaluable experience in the education of international conservation. The four-semester program offers new perspectives to maintaining biodiversity and ecosystems that allow local communities to be resilient to future ecological changes, maintain economic stability and growth, use adaptive conservation management strategies for both the betterment of the community and the ecosystem, and preserve critical ecological systems. Thus, Ms. Eckert’s program of studies aligns closely with RI’s newest Area of Focus, the "Environment."
The amount of the Global Grant Scholarship is U.S. $30,000. RI District 6270 is providing $16,667 of that amount, and The Rotary Foundation is matching it at an 80% level with another $13,333. The Rotary Foundation, RI districts, and Rotary clubs invest in our future leaders and philanthropists by funding scholarships for graduate study through the Global Grant Scholarship program. Information about Rotary’s other scholarship programs can be accessed at: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/scholarships.
RI District 6270 Global Grant Scholarship Recipient
The 4th of July Parade returned to Brookfield on July 3, and members of Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) were present!
ERC tradition has been to participate in both the annual Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade and the annual Brookfield 4th of July Parade. Unfortunately, COVID-19 spoiled both events in 2020 and the Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade in 2021. However, the Brookfield Independence Day celebration was back in full swing this year!
ERC participants who walked the parade route, and handed out lots of candy, were: Thom Arndt (2021-2022 ERC President), Kevin (convertible driver) and Sue Roche, Christine Spresser & Linda Edelstein (banner bearers), Bill Petterson, and Tom Hochuli.
Thanks to our six ERC members and one family member who well represented our club!
The Rotary International President for 2021-2022 is Shekhar Mehta, member (since 1985) of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, Calcutta, India. He and spouse Rashi look forward to meeting as many Rotarians as possible during this new Rotary year.
Shekhar has chosen "Serve to Change Lives" as the theme for 2021-2022. He states the following about the theme: "Imagine the change we, as Rotary members, can make when there are so many more of us! More people to care for others, more people to Serve to Change Lives. Think of the impact we can have through grow more, do more. More members will enable us to embark on bigger and bolder service projects. And each of us can also continue to serve in our own personal ways, responding to needs in our communities."
To read what family and colleagues have to say about him, click here.
The July 2021 edition of the Elm Grove News - Independent is available by clicking here.
A major ERC article on the "Literacy Services of Wisconsin" (written by Jan Constable) is located on p. 6. The July 2021 ERC meetings (with program speaker information) are listed in the "Calendar of Events" on p. 5; and ERC's paid advertisement appears on p. 3.
"You'll be back!" We've been saying that for many months now, but now we can say for certain, "We're Back!" In July it's finally coming true for the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC)!
In-person meetings resumed on Friday, July 9. It was a terrific start to post-COVID meetings with a great program speaker (Annemarie Sawkins, "A Creative Place—The History of Wisconsin Art") and a visit from the RI D-6270 Global Grant Scholarship winner (Alaina Eckert, "Environment" Area of Focus) and her parents. Attendance included 58 in person and 4-5 via Zoom online.
Don't miss the opportunity! Each week a full breakfast will be available at the Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove. The buffet line will begin at approximately 06:45 a.m., and the meeting will begin shortly after the top of the hour.
Meetings will also be available via Zoom. ERC is investigating technology that will provide optimum video and audio performance for those attending via Zoom. The desire is to have the majority of members attending in person, although Zoom will be available for those who require it and for remote program speakers when appropriate. The Board will evaluate the success of this arrangement in January 2022.
Nearly 100 Elmbrook Rotary members and guests gathered on Wednesday, June 30, for a perfect evening at the Mitchell Park pavilion in Brookfield. The event was the 2021 "Changing of the Guard." Spirits were bright (in a post-COVID outdoor venue), hugs were plentiful, and both food and drink were greatly enjoyed.
The meal was catered by Bunzel's, and the after-dinner program featured brief presentations for various purposes. These included remarks by outgoing President Tom Hochuli, updates on the "Million Dollar Journey" by Tom Curl and the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation by Michael Schmeling, announcement of an abundance of Paul Harris Fellow recognitions (see separate article), a report on "Spikes for Tykes" results by Mike Hogan, and distribution of perfect attendance awards by Harry Farchmin.
The culmination of the evening was the installation of the 2021-2022 officers. Those officers are: Dr. Thom Arndt, President; Harry Farchmin, Vice-President; Christine Spresser, Secretary; Dr. Thomas Steinbach, Sergeant-at-Arms; Mark Zalewski, Treasurer; and Gordy Miller, ER Foundation Treasurer. Jeanne Allen, Bonnie Bertram, & Paul Langer also became Directors of both the club and the foundation.
Incoming President, Dr. Thom Arndt, paid tribute to the outgoing officers and directors and encouraged everyone present to "Serve to Change Lives," the Rotary International Theme for 2021-2022.
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in July.
"My life, I realize suddenly, is July. Childhood is June, and old age is August, but here it is, July, and my life, this year, is July inside of July." ―Rick Bass
Elmbrook Rotary members and guests participated in the annual "Walk for Hope," supporting Common Hope's programs in Guatemala, on Saturday, June 5.
We walk because less than 20% of kids graduate from high school in Guatemala. We walk to support education for students living in poverty, so that they can graduate and help end generational poverty for their family. We walk for the kids just starting school, where they will likely hold a book for the first time. We walk so that families have access to quality health care. We walk to help young people dream, grow, and succeed.
Now more than ever, all of us appreciate the Power of Healthcare, Community, and Hope. Let's walk the Extra Mile to fight poverty with diplomas!
Each $1,200 we raise will sponsor a student and their family for one year. Approximately $3,000 was raised on Saturday morning, June 5. Support our team by going to our fundraising/registration page (click here).
See a handful of photos from the June 5th event by clicking here.
The Rotary Western Great Lakes District Conference successfully held its first virtual conference during May 1-6. To help Rotarians to be inspired, to become engaged, and to be change makers, the Conference Committee has provided:
5.5 hours of General Sessions
11.7 hour of Breakouts covering Membership, Engaging Youth & Young Adults, Leadership, and Fundraising
3 hours of House of Friendship
RWGLDC is pleased to announce the launch of its YouTube channel with Rotary International President Holger Knaack's Opening Remarks, https://youtu.be/KhrDqGJs3uQ, Past District Governor Bill Gormont’s Magic of Rotary, https://youtu.be/Sz8DVgHlqWA, and more.
This new channel enables you to share a video of how you were inspired. Perhaps there was a breakout session held at the same time as the one you attended. You have the opportunity to see what you missed and grow in Rotary. By subscribing to the Rotary Western Great Lakes District Conference YouTube channel, you will be alerted as more conference videos are posted in the coming days.
Barry Nelson James, Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) member since 1984, died on Tuesday, May 25. He was 87 years old.
A memorial service occurred at the Becker Ritter Funeral Home, Brookfield, WI, on Wednesday, June 2. The full "Tribute" (obituary) on the funeral home's web site can be read by clicking here.
Barry was an avid, devoted Rotarian whose own maternal grandfather, Canadian John Nelson, served as Rotary International President during 1933-34. Barry himself served terms on Rotary International District 6270's District Grant Committee and Global Grant Committee. In the local club he served as ERC President during 1990-91. He also initiated "Diane's Dictionaries," one of ERC's many projects which was named after his first wife. Information about this charitable effort can be read by clicking here. He was also the Primary Contact (driving agent) for ERC's Global Grant initiative for an e-learning project in India during 2014-15.
ERC President Tom Hochuli remembers about him, "Barry was generally the first person to arrive at our meetings each week and during this past pandemic year has been in attendance for the majority of meetings on Zoom." Indeed, he will be missed.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club's Board of Directors has acted to rename the ERC annual golf outing to the "Barry James Memorial Golf Outing" and to designate any proceeds from the outing for use by the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation. As the official "Tribute" notes, "It never mattered what his score was as long as he got the round in within 2 ½ hours."
Requiescat in pace!
If desired, memorials can be given (by family request) either to "Elmbrook Rotary Club" or to "Living Hope Presbyterian Church."
Rotary District 6270 has welcomed a new satellite club in Fond du Lac. New clubs make it possible for current members, past members, and new members of Rotary to create more opportunity for service in their community and in the world. A special thanks to Barb Senn and the Board of Directors of the Fond du Lac Morning Rotary Club for spearheading this effort. It is wonderful to see how Rotary can renew itself and adjust to new times and circumstances. The new club is currently meeting virtually once a month but is looking to change to hybrid meetings in the coming months. With ten (10) active members, the club is set for growth.
A satellite club offers current members of a club the opportunity to meet a changing schedule or circumstance, past members to rejoin Rotary, and new members to join at a time and place that fit their work hours or family schedule better.
A few comments from club members to illustrate some of the many reasons for clubs to offer an alternative to a traditional Rotary experience:
“We used to be Interact members and wanted to rejoin the Rotary World, but a morning club did not make that possible.”
“We now spend several months out of state and the time difference makes it difficult to participate in a morning meeting.”
“I am commuting to work at 7:00 AM and an afterhours club makes it possible to join Rotary.”
Congratulations to Fond du Lac Afterhours. Four growing, active Satellite Clubs are now part of Rotary District 6270.
During World Immunization Week, April 24-30, Elmbrook Rotary joined with Rotary International and the other 150+ Wisconsin Rotary clubs to help combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation by spreading the facts about why #VaccinesWork.
With decades of experience fighting polio, Rotary has played, and will continue to play, a key role in informing people about the power and effectiveness of vaccines. As COVID-19 vaccines become more available, Rotary members are using our experience in fighting polio to help communities with their vaccination education and organization efforts. Today, because we and our partners have worked so hard, wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Yet to eradicate it there, and to prevent a resurgence in other parts of the world, we must continue to build trust in vaccines.
Rotary International has produced a new two-minute video, "Rotary Inspires Leaders in Global Health." In it, global health leaders like U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Co-Chair Bill Gates, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore, and World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus talk about what Rotary has achieved in the fight to end polio.
Click here or on the URL above, or on the image below to access and view the video.
Together, we can be just a starting place in helping our local community members to understand the value of vaccinations for themselves and their community.
ERC's monthly meetings in May are listed in the "Calendar of Events" on p. 5. A major story, written by ERC member Erik Moeser and concerning the use of monies received this year from a District Grant, appears on p. 6. Copies are also available for pick up at the Elm Grove & Brookfield libraries, Sendik's & Ace hardware in Elm Grove, etc.
The photo depicts Linda Garcia (center) and her parents when they joined former Brookfield Mayor Kate Bloomberg and her daughter Amy Sandlass in Antigua, Guatemala, a few years ago to celebrate Linda’s high school graduation at the Common Hope school. Linda’s concentration was Business Administration, one of a handful of specialties open to high school students, as studies are heavily “trade” oriented.
Emily Tucker, RI Regional Membership Officer (RMO) for Zones 25B & 29, has provided a monthly newsletter (the RMO April Membership Update) that contains several most interesting and helpful documents.
In this month’s newsletter, she shares a resource on club models and membership types, stories from Rotaractors who have become Rotarians, an update on membership leads, and our District 6270 membership progress to goal reports.
Elmbrook Rotary Club was not able to send a team of members, along with “friends and family,” to Guatemala this past February as it has done since 2012 because of COVID-19 issues. Instead, the club applied for a District Grant from Rotary International District 6270, representing 54 clubs in southeastern Wisconsin, to provide help for 7th grade students who are at risk of dropping out of school (now particularly difficult to deal with due to the pandemic).
Elmbrook Rotary was able to provide ten (10) LG tablets, loaded with software and internet capability, to a new “Resource Center” in a remote village. The center was designed in cooperation with Common Hope, an NGO based in the World Heritage City of Antigua. Common Hope promotes literacy and school attendance through work in housing, health, nutrition, and social services. The tablets are being used to enable contactless interventions, enabling staff to encourage students to remain in school. The technology enables working with the families to improve their circumstances and to make decisions, without the risk of in-person visits. Once the family decisions are made, the tablets can then be provided to another student, and so forth.
The issue is, and has been, economic in nature. A school-age child can be seen as an “asset” in third world areas in a country like Guatemala, being forced to work in fields to increase the family income. That leads to a cycle of poverty, which Common Hope tries to break by its efforts. Since Common Hope’s inception in Guatemala, those efforts have resulted in more than 3,000 high school graduates. The average level of school completion is roughly five years, and illiteracy in some remotely indigenous villages can be 60% or more.
For more information on how you can help, contact Elmbrook Rotarian Erik Moeser.
On Friday, April 16, 2021, the members of Elmbrook Rotary Club were privileged to be entertained, informed, and delighted by Lande Grindle, one of the broadcasters for the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
Lane shared with the club his own background that led him to his dream job, broadcasting for the Brewers and working side-by-side with the legendary Bob Uecker, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Zoom recording of Mr. Grindle's presentation can be accessed by clicking on the image above or by clicking here. He predicted that the St. Louis Cardinals would be the Brewers' end-of-season competitor this year but that the Brewers would prevail.
The Elmbrook Rotary Club and Foundation have been honored to support the Veterans in Focus Photography Group at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center since its inception in 2017.
The idea for the photography group came from visits that Courtney Zeller, HUD VASH Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist, had with veterans in their homes. Since many veterans had challenges finding stable housing in the past, Courtney took note that their living environments were “relatively stark." A photography group class could potentially enable Veterans to experience the health benefits of camaraderie and self-exploration while additionally creating personal framed photographs to display at their home.
Veterans in Focus has been very successful and has evolved over the past five years, with two sessions offered annually in the spring and in the fall. Together with three talented community volunteers, the veterans learn the technical skills of using the camera and photography along with skills that can be applied to improve their mental health. Then they explore various places in the community to practice their skills. Some of these places have included the Milwaukee Lakefront, the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center, the Water Tower, and the Harley Davidson Museum, to name a few. Each session is concluded with a photography exhibit open to the public for the veterans to display and share their work. The past community venues which have offered their sites for exhibits have included The Wilson Center, Northwestern Mutual, Carroll University, Milwaukee County Library-Central Branch, and the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center.
The exhibits are accompanied by an online slideshow which proved to be especially helpful in 2020 due to the pandemic. The most recent slide show, dated October 14, 2020, can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAbD6RAKq6g . The 10 minute slideshow demonstrates the stunning photographs taken by the Veterans during the Fall 2020 session, and takes one to the rich venues visited, including the Sculpture Gardens, Havenwoods State Forest, Mitchell Domes, 3 Bridges Park, MKE Urban Stables, and the War Memorial! One of these photographs (taken during the fall session by Jeffry Peterson) is exhibited in this article.
The following quote is from a veteran who was a participant in the fall session which encapsulates the benefits of the program: “I gained inner growth, patience, and more awareness of my surroundings.” Another surprising outcome of the program has been that two of the past veteran participants are pursuing a future interest photography and are taking college education courses in photography related fields of study.
If you or your company would like to learn more about the Veterans in Focus photography program, please contact Courtney Zeller (Courtney.zeller@va.gov).
The Civic Music Association, Milwaukee, is one of many charitable organizations that are sponsored by the Mini-Grant program of the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) and the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation (ERF).
The CMA was founded in 1918. It has served many hundreds of young musicians and music educators over the years through educational experiences, scholarship programs, performance opportunities, and award recognition. In recent years, the emphasis has increased on private music lessons based on financial need and other factors. Elmbrook Rotary Foundation donations have in the past been recognition of that effort.
Civic Music’s Board of Directors is made up of musicians, MPS music teachers and community leaders. CMA has maintained an association with MYSO (Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra) and the Steinway Society of Milwaukee. It has had to re-invent itself in the past year, and on-line lessons and recitals have been substituted for live participation due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Some programs have been pushed back pending the return of normal health considerations, which all hope for in the not-too-distant future.
Serenity Inns addresses an unmet community need for residential treatment for men who are recovering from addiction and who have no insurance or funds to pay for treatment. The organization provides support for mind, body and spirit.
Their goal is to provide the men with the support and accountability they need to rebuild their lives and to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the community. The need for this program is demonstrated by statistics attesting to the rising rate of opioid addiction along with an ever-present and growing waiting list.
All of the men served by Serenity Inns are battling addictions. They are typically between the ages of 18 and 55; they have an addiction to heroin/opiates, cocaine, or alcohol; and they are without the ability to pay for treatment. They must complete detox before arriving at Serenity Inns due to the possible medical complications that detox entails. Nearly 100% of the men served at Serenity Inns have a history of incarceration.
Serenity Inns’ main program is the residential Recovery Program, which is supplemented by the Alumni House independent living program (see photo) and the Outpatient Program. Together the programs served approximately 100 people annually.
For the second year in a row, Serenity Inns recently was awarded “Best in Milwaukee” by the Shepherd Express in the Alcohol & Drug Rehab Center category.
Elmbrook Rotary Club and the ERC Foundation are pleased to support Serenity Inns through our Mini-Grant program.
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) has announced additional changes to its Global Grants program. The first major change occurred last year when TRF decided that World fund resources will be used to match only District Designated Fund (DDF) contributions, and the match remained at 100%. This change was because, due to COVID-19 distributions, TRF fully expended the Global Grant budget.
The most recent change takes effect on July 1, 2021, and includes the following:
1. DDF contributions transferred to Polio Plus will be matched at 50% (instead of 100%) 2. The World Fund match of DDF will be reduced from 100% to 80% when being used for Global Grants. 3. 5% of the current year’s Annual fund-SHARE contributions will be taken equally from the World Fund and DDF to help fund operating expenses. (i.e., for every $100 contribution, $5 will go to operating expenses, $47.50 to DDF, and $47.50 to the World Fund). 4. The ability to roll over unused DDF will be limited to five years. The first DDF rollover redirection will take place on 1 July 2026. Currently there is $48.8 million DDF being carried by various districts throughout the world, and TRF desires to put those monies to work. [NOTE: RI District 6270, in which Elmbrook Rotary is located, does NOT carry over large amounts of DDF from one year to the next. Rather, a rollover occurs only when the amount is already designated for a particular purpose.]
The Elmbrook Rotary Club's International Committee has elected to support a unique collaboration between Jhoole in India and Womanspace in Rockford, IL.
Jhoole is a nonprofit ethical fashion social enterprise based in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, India. Founded by Hannah Warren, a past Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and President Elect for the Rockford Rotary Club, Jhoole employs women to help them gain economic independence, invest in education a
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New PolioPlus Society in Rotary District 6270
