April 2022 cRAHnicle (Apr 01, 2022)

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Your help is needed to make RAH SHARK TANK a success again this year!

Thanks to the hard work of our club at the Ugly Sweater 5k and other fundraising events, we can provide a grant up to $10,000 for a really cool project in our community! There are many needs locally that with the help of Rotarians can be filled, so keep reading to learn how YOU can pick the next Rotary After Hours project!

On April 26^th, Rotarians will pitch projects designed with fellow club members and community leaders that focus on a community need. The RAH Sharks will be able to cast their “Shark Bucks” to choose which dream will be fulfilled with dollars fundraised by Rotary After Hours and a district grant. This is a meeting YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS! Your input and participation is valued and needed.

There's still time to partner with your fellow club members to find AMAZING projects in our community. In four simple steps, you will be ready to sell us your solution:

Partner with RAH club members to learn from community organizations what their needs are and how Rotarians can help!
Together develop goals, roles, and a budget for your project.
Submit an overview of your plan to Liz Evans to ensure your goals meet the criteria for a grant and to secure your team a time to pitch.
Get ready to blow the socks off your fellow Rotarians with how INCREDIBLE your project will be for our community.

Please reach out to the Foundation committee for more information if you are interested in helping find the next Rotary After Hours project. We hope to see you at our next meeting! Get ready for some great project pitches!

Yamas!

Perhaps breaking plates is something that happens when someone accidentally drops them. Or maybe, God forbid, somebody is angry and acting terribly! Or, in the case of the amazing RAH fellowship event at Soula’s Greek restaurant, people were following up a delicious 5-course meal with a tradition which brings good luck! Yep, a shot of Ouzo, a quick spin and DRRRROP. CRASH! Opa!! (Don't worry - they were from the $1 Store!)

What a night of delicious food and fellowship. Family style plates came intermittently through the evening. Salads of fresh cucumber, tomato, feta, olives and seasoning. Warm pita plates with several succulent sauces. Cheese trays with fried cheese and spanakopita. Entrée plates of gyro meat, sausage, flavorful beans, saucy shrimp and French fries. Baclava for dessert. Wine, beer, and friends! All this at one, super long table full of laughing Rotarians and friends getting to know one another better. The night flew by from such fun.

There was significant cleaning up to do afterward, but my oh my it was a blast of a night. Props go to Morgan for setting up the fabulous night. And cheers to Greg and all the Soula’s family who welcomed RAH with open arms and a full table.

Say “salve” to new RAH member Kelly Kroner!

While she said she took Latin and American Sign Language courses in college, she adds that she hasn’t kept up and may not remember much, but she is looking to get more involved with our community.

Hailing from La Crosse, Kelly works as an International Logistics Coordinator for Trane Technologies. Before that she studied Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the U of M Twin Cities, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.

When not at work or RAH activities, Kelly said she enjoys travel but spends time mostly at home and enjoys puzzles, watching movies and taking walks around the neighborhood. She loves playing games, mainly trivia and cards. Kelly is also working to get her green thumb going with a garden but said “It’s a work in progress at the moment.”

Kelly looks forward to meeting new people and volunteering in the community. RAH looks forward to having her as part of our team!

Order your new RAH t-shirts today!

Perfect for wearing to service and social events to show your Rotary pride, now's the time to stock up! First up is T-Shirts. Quarter-zip options are coming in the next month so stay tuned for those!

Samples of the items will be available at the April club meetings.

We prefer to have orders paid with cash or check at an upcoming meeting to avoid the processing fee, however online ordering is available below. All money & sizes are due by the end of day on Wednesday 4/27. Orders will be submitted Thursday 4/28.

Heather Teal T-Shirt - $12

Dark Gray Heather T-Shirt - $12

T-Shirts Available in S-XXL

Description: BELLA + CANVAS - Unisex CVC Jersey Tee - 3001CVC

52/48 Airlume combed and ringspun cotton/polyester

Screen printed with Rotary After Hours on front and Service Above Self on back.

After Hours Baseball Hats - $15

Cotton Twill

Adjustable

Limited Quantities

History of Women in Rotary

Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. However, during Rotary's first 84 years, from 1905-1989, the Constitution and Bylaws of Rotary International stated that Rotary club membership was for males only.

When Rotary International was founded in Chicago by attorney Paul Harris in 1905 it was a time when men dominated the workforce. Women were still 15 years away from being granted the right to vote in the United States. In time, the wives and daughters of Rotarians began to work alongside their husbands on projects, were co-equals in their financial support and often were the encouragement to their spouse assuming leadership roles and responsibilities in their clubs and humanitarian efforts, yet they were prohibited from joining themselves. In many clubs, the wives of the members were called "Rotary Anns." This designation was never one of disparagement, but rather grew out of an interesting historical occasion. (Read more here.)

In 1978, the Rotary Club of Duarte, California, USA, invited three women to become members. The RI Board withdrew the charter of that club for violation of the RI constitution. The club brought suit against RI claiming a violation of a state civil rights law that prevents discrimination of any form in business establishments or public accommodations. Thus begun a protracted and lengthy court battle that was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court. Casting doubt on claims by many private clubs that they have constitutional rights to exclude women from membership, the Supreme Court ruled in a 7-to-0 decision against Rotary International and it's discriminating, exclusionary, membership. The date was May 4, 1987. Subsequently, the 1989 Council on Legislation voted to remove male from its constitution. Sylvia Whitlock one of the first women to join that Rotary Club of Duarte, went on to become elected as the first woman to serve as a club president.

It took 84 years but Rotary finally got it right. Since these watershed moments, women have become members and leaders of clubs and districts throughout the world. Within our own club, four women (Mandy Nogle, Laura Lee, Austin Bragg & Marissa Dickinson) have served as President since our club's chartering in 2011. Another, Ashley Santolin, will assume the role in July. Currently, our club is equally balanced with men (30 members) and women (31 members).

In July 2022, Jennifer Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, will become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” - International Women's Day 3/8/2022

(Click picture to watch an interview with Sylvia & Jennifer)

Left - Sylvia Whitlock, the first female Rotary Club president. Whitlock's club in Duarte, Calif., broke the rules and allowed women to join 10 years prior to the Supreme Court decision.
Right - Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s president for 2022-23; the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.

Jennifer Jones takes a selfie with Marissa Dickinson at WisconZone in La Crosse, WI at 2014. At the time, Marissa was simply a daughter of a Rotarian home to help her dad. She's grateful that Rotary has adapted and involved to allow women to participate and appreciates role models like Jennifer, who pave the way for great things to come in the future.

Past RAH Presiden

Rotary Western Great Lakes District Conference "TriCon

The Rotary Western Great Lakes District Conference, intended for any Rotarian, not just leadership, is set for Friday April 29 and Saturday April 30, 2022.

Attendance will be in person at The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, WI. Attendees from Districts 6220, 6250 and 6270 will have the opportunity to gain useful skills that can be used in their Rotary club, and inspiration that will motivate them to embrace Rotary even more. Internationally-known featured speakers will provide keen insights about their passion projects during the addresses on both days.

Rotarians from RAH going: Bill Pritchard, Marissa Dickinson, Sierra Lyons, Nathan Crowder. Let them know if you're interested in joining!

https://www.rotarywglconf.org/

District 6250 Partners for Ukraine – Join us!

Rotarians are responding to the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine. The unprovoked Russian invasion has devastated cities and sent millions of refugees seeking safety in surrounding countries, all of which have Rotary clubs providing direct help to desperate people from war-torn Ukraine. Our District International Service Committee working with our District 6250 Foundation, has established the Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Fund. Already we have raised over $41,000 towards our District goal of $100,000.

Funds will be sent to Rotary clubs or Districts providing direct assistance to Ukrainian refugees or to legitimate organizations responding to the needs of Ukrainians and refugees. We have already identified three Rotary efforts involving Rotary clubs with whom our district has had past working relationships. Feel to support them all or just one club or effort specifically.

Rotary Club Kyiv International, Kiev, Ukraine – Ms. Oksana Tjupa, Past President, Current Secretary.

Introduction: Oksana initially worked with Madison After Hours (later Fort Atkinson) and Madison Downtown on a Global Grant that is currently under review at the Rotary Foundation. The following from Oksana Tjupa regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.

Project: In partnership with the US-Ukraine Foundation (to transfer funds to the Ukraine) we are currently providing aid for Ukrainian women and children who have fled Russian-occupied combat zones. Our centers for the reception and support of refugees provide housing, medicine, food, and other basic necessities. These centers are located in Rakhiv, Polyanytsya, and Uzhhorod, and in the United Territorial Communities (UTG) near the borders of Poland and Romania.

Request: The situation in Ukraine is critical, everyday people die. We actively help women and children. Could you help with a donation? Can you please help us?

Rotary Club het Hoogeland, Warffum, the Netherlands – Ms. Francie Kaaijk, Past President, District Governor Nominee Designate.

Introduction: Francie convinced nearby Rotary Clubs to join her club in funding and becoming the international partner for the La Crosse mobile hospital Global Grant. She led a Friendship Exchange to Wisconsin in the fall of 2019 and helped organize the Dutch end of the District 6250 Friendship Exchange that visited her area in May of 2019. The following from Francie regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.

Short-term Project: This past week our small city of Warffum (population 2,500) accepted 100 Ukrainian refugees who are being housed in a largely unused senior residence called Warfheem. They came with nothing. Our town folk, our Rotary Club and our city, county and provincial governments are trying to make them feel welcome and to help them cope. This is very difficult given the language barriers and the situation. This is a short video mostly in Dutch but with some English: https://fb.watch/bS5J66c-IA/

Long-term Projects: We have developed a Work Group that includes Rotary Het Hoogeland, the local churches and the Festival at Roakeldais (international dance festival with its own grounds) to help the refugees in the long-term with both physical and mental needs. They are receiving 60 euro per week from the Dutch government, but the needs are higher, think of phone costs to communicate with their husbands and sons still in the Ukraine. Our Rotary District is helping us as well. It is very sad and everyday more refugees arrive in the Netherlands and need places to stay.

Request: We are not complaining, our small town is very welcoming to our new neighbors. They came with nothing. I can assure my friends in District 6250 that any help you can provide will be put to good use. I will keep you informed.

Rotary Club Olsztyn Varmia, Olsztyn, Poland – Ms. Irma Kaminska, Past President and District Disaster Grant Manager (all of Poland).

Introduction: Irma and her entire club made a virtual appearance at our 2019-20 Virtual Conference to tell us about the Social Kitchen Global Grant they did with the help of Beaver Dam, Mayville, Columbus, and Waupun Rotary Clubs. She attended the District 6250 dinner party at the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg and she was planning a Friendship Exchange with our District until recently. The following from Irma Kaminska regarding the actions being undertaken by her club.

Short-term Projects: 1) Transport of Ukrainian refugees from Polish-Ukrainian border to Polish cities; 2) Equipping for basic needs: cloths, hygienic materials, medicines, food, blankets etc.; 3) providing accommodation and support in finding the accommodation for Ukrainians refugees, mostly mothers with kids and orphans; 4) helping with social security matters: health care, education for children and kids care; 5) helping with finding jobs and becoming independent

Long-term Projects: 1) Orphanage set up for Ukrainian children (renovation of the building and purchase of required equipment). This is a project with cooperation Olsztyn district county office, which will operate the orphanage. The total estimated budget for this project is $35,000. As RC Olsztyn Varmia we are planning to participate for about 30-50%. 2) Home appliance rental for Ukrainian refugees in their set-up for accommodation in Poland: Olsztyn and nearby (e.g. fridges, cookers, cooking equipment, beds, etc.). The equipment once not needed will be donated to social care organizations we are cooperating with. Here the total budget is still being estimated but is expected to be more than $50,000.

Request: I ask District 6250 Rotarians to support us monetarily. An important note: the situation is changing very dynamically. Our Rotary District is developing specific disaster relief plans. We are taking an agile approach in terms of the short-term support provided to Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, we would like to focus on the long-term projects. Will keep you posted on the needs and our projects in Olsztyn and in Poland as they develop.

You can make a difference by donating to The District 65250 Foundation Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Fund . With the assistance of our District International Service Committee, the District Foundation Board will send funds to legitimate organizations responding to the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians and refugees. Donations by credit card using the Donate Now button at https://www.rotary6250.org/50254/Page/Show?ClassCode=Page&Slug=district-6250-foundation. A check can be sent to: Rotary District 6250 Foundation, Inc., c/o Treasurer Val Schroeder, 1723 Chadbourne Ave, Madison, WI 53726.

A generous Rotarian has offered to match up to the first $5000 raised between April 1st and April 20th. You can double your impact by giving now.

We have an opportunity to do our part not only to provide humanitarian relief , but to stand in solidarity with the brave people of the Ukraine as they fight for freedom. More than the Ukraine is as stake. We who have been so blessed by freedom realize that dictators unchecked are dictators unleashed. If such naked aggression is rewarded, who will be next? Thank you for considering a gift to this District 6250 campaign.

Chuck Hanson, Chair – International Service Committee

Ukraine Donations

The District 65250 Foundation is accepting donations for Ukrainian Humanitarian Assistance. Funds will be directed by the District Foundation Board to legitimate organizations responding to the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians and refugees. Donations by credit card using the Donate Now button.

A check can be sent to: Rotary District 6250 Foundation, Inc., c/o Treasurer Val Schroeder, 1723 Chadbourne Ave, Madison, WI 53726.

Wanted: Laptop

Do either you or your employee have an old laptop laying around you'd like to donate to RAH? We are looking for 1-2 functioning laptops to use at our club meetings. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, but in order to hook up to The Meeting Owl Pro, it has to have a USB port and in order to work with the TV monitors, an HDMI port is necessary.

Please talk to Marissa or email her at marissadickinson@gmail.com if anything comes to mind. Thank you!

Other Area Rotary Club Events

Downtown Rotary's Pollinator Project

Downtown Rotary's Environmental Committee is hoping to wrap-up raising funds for the Pollinator Project on April 1st. Please consider donating if you have not already. They are half-way there, so they're counting on procrastinators!

Two ways to donate:

1) Online through Rotary Works Foundation. Make sure to select “Downtown Pollinator Project”

2) Make a check out to “Rotary Works Foundation” and mail it directly to: Advancement Office, 900 Viterbo Dr., La Crosse, WI 54601

After Hours Membership

Active Members: 61

Welcome to our Newest Members:

Kelly Goyette
Ryan Riebel

Rotarians Leaving Us:

Justin Reineking

Rotary Attendance

March: 38%

Challenge: Invite a friend, coworker or acquaintance to join a RAH event to check it out!

New Member Information

Member Birthdays

Brady Lowe

April 4

Emily Loe

April 6

Sierra Lyon

April 7

Join Date

Stefanie Kline

April 1, 2013

9 years

Brandon Harris

April 6, 2016

6 years

Amy Schmidt

April 11, 2018

4 years

Emily Nolte

April 11, 2018

4 years

Gibran Augustine

April 14, 2016

6 years

Carl Rausch

April 20, 2016

6 years

Taylor Mathy

April 29, 2015

7 years

Club Information

"Serve to Change Lives"

We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month

5:30-6pm - Networking/social

6-7pm - Club Meeting/program

Meeting Location:
The Main - An Event Space

422 Main Street, La Crosse WI

Parking: surrounding streets, in nearby ramps, or in the State Bank parking lot.

A meeting fee of $10-12 will be assessed.

*A virtual option to join will most always be made available

RAH service and social opportunities vary each month - check out the upcoming events below to learn more!

Habitat for Humanity Neighbors Day
Trinity Lutheran Church
Apr 23, 2022 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Membership Committee Meeting

Apr 26, 2022 7:00 PM

Hixon Volunteer Event
Upper Hixon
Apr 28, 2022 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

TriCon

Apr 29, 2022 2:00 PM – Apr 30, 2022 6:00 PM

Highway Cleanup
Fox Hollow Banquet Hall
May 04, 2022 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Club Meeting

May 10, 2022 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Club Meeting

May 24, 2022 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Membership Committee Meeting

May 24, 2022 7:00 PM

Rotary International Convention

Jun 04, 2022 - Jun 08, 2022

Club Meeting

Jun 14, 2022 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

View entire list

President

Josh Mansee

President Elect

Ashley Santolin

President Elect Nominee

James Murray

Immediate Past President

Marissa Dickinson

Treasurer

Nathan Crowder

Secretary Elect

Stephanie Doyle

Secretary

Brianna Boehm

Sergeant-at-Arms

Lisa Kobs

1-Year Director

Lori Francis

One-Year Director

Amy Schmidt

Programs/Socials

Stefanie Kline

3-Year Director 20/21

Katelyn Doyle

Membership Chair

Morgan Stittleburg

Public Relations/Social Media

Marissa Dickinson

Service Projects

Katelyn Doyle

Foundation Chair

Sierra Lyon

Youth Exchange Officer

Lisa Kobs

Youth Protection Officer

Ashley Santolin

Youth Exchange Counselor

Laura Lee