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After Hours News

September President's Message
Fall is upon us! In the world of Rotary, September is Basic Education and Literacy Month, one of The Rotary Foundation’s seven areas of focus.
 
We know that basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace. More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.
Consider these facts:
  • If all women completed primary education, there would be 66% fewer maternal deaths
  • A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five
  • If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, which would be equivalent to a 12% cut in world poverty
Rotary Offers Opportunities to bring education and literacy to individuals throughout the world. Our club should be very proud of our support of this important Rotary Foundation Area of Focus. In 2015, we were able to complete the building of 3 classrooms for the Patewo Primary School in Tororo, Uganda. RAHtarians Lisa Kobs & Laura Lee traveled to Africa to see the construction of the classrooms and interact first hand with the students and teachers benefiting from our contributions.
 
We built the Little Free Library in front of Hamilton Elementary School. It is filled with children’s books, allowing them the opportunity to go up grab a free book if they want…. a great way to spread literacy in our community. In 2016, we were able to provide materials and supplies for English as a Second Language program in Panama. Earlier this year, our club supported a $5000 contribution to the Wheels of Hope project that will fund a bus to provide safe transportation for girls attending Razia Jan’s Zabuli Education Center in Afghanistan. It will allow the girls to receive an education and break the cycle of forced marriages, something their own mothers weren’t afforded. And lastly, just a few weeks ago, we raised over $2200 to purchase and assemble 156 backpacks filled with school supplies for local kids in need. If you have a new idea for our club to help make an IMPACT in this area of focus (or any), let’s talk! “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” –Dr. Seuss  
 
August was a really busy month of seizing opportunities to make the world a better place. James Murray led a bike social around town. A big shout out to Katelyn & Emily and the Service Committee for organizing several small safe group volunteer opportunities, including: Two sessions at The Parenting Place, Hixon invasive species removal, the stuffing and donation of 156 backpacks to local kids in need and a highway clean-up.
 
For the first time in months, we gathered for our club meeting in person (& virtually!) at the Riverside Bandshell where we toasted being with one another in person. We celebrated Madeline Behringer as our August Rotarian of the Month, expanded our REACH and welcomed two new members, Stephanie and Nkichi and recognized three- James, Jeremy & Josh, for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation with Paul Harris Fellows. It was SO great to see and ENGAGE with so many of you in person. We will continue to ADAPT and hope to do another outdoor hybrid meeting in the very near future! 
 
Rotary offers endless opportunities. I recently drove by a sign that reminds passer byes to “QUIETLY SCATTER GOOD.” It’s an honor and brings me joy to work beside you all, to quietly scatter good and help change the world.
 
With gratitude,
Marissa Dickinson
 
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August Rotarian of the Month
We recognize Madeline Behringer as our August Rotarian of the Month!
Madeline joined After Hours last year. She has a bright and friendly personality and has brought new energy and ideas to our club. She jumped right in, serving as a Director on our Board of Directors and has joined our Ugly Sweater 5k committee. This past month, Madeline truly lived out the "Service Above Self" motto and raised over $800 for our backpack project. Because of her efforts promoting the initiative within our club, on her social media platforms and at her workplace, over 50 additional kids received backpacks filled with school supplies. She was at both ours and Valley View Rotary's packing events and represented After Hours well when WXOW interviewed her. 
 
Madeline has been a great addition to our club. We are proud of and grateful for her and look forward to her bright future in Rotary.
She received a “Rotarian of the Month” pin to wear in recognition of her extra efforts.
Congratulations and thank you for all you do for Rotary Madeline!
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Bill Pritchard, DG Recap
RAH's own District Governor Bill Pritchard encouraged club members to seize the opportunities presented by this unique year.
The District 6250 Governor continued his club rounds with a virtual visit to RAH's August 11 club meeting. The virtual format of the meeting ties in nicely with the theme Bill Pritchard is promoting this year.
 
Echoing RI President Holger Knaack's theme "Rotary Opens Opportunities," Pritchard added a subtext, urging clubs to use the current situation as a time to pivot. He said that the pandemic already provided a challenge to many of the traditional Rotary norms from the past 60 years and it won't be easy for some to adapt.
 
Praising the efforts of RAH's increased mini-service events, recent strategic planning session and disaster response, Pritchard challenged RAH members to step up even further when it comes to opening the door for others. While he said our membership retention rate is adequate at around 70%, we can do more to welcome a variety of new members while continuing a welcoming environment for those who do join us.
 
Pritchard also reflected on the life of our late friend, Dave Knutson, sharing how Dave was always willing to go the extra mile for Rotary. In his honor, Pritchard named Laura Lee as the RAH recipient of his "Say Yes" recognition.
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Laura Lee aka the "Yes" Woman
There are a lot of "YES" people in Rotary and in our After Hours crew, but Laura Lee was recognized by District Governor Bill Pritchard as the "YES" woman for RAH. 
Laura stands out for her selfless commitment to doing good and helping others. She is the glue that has held us together many times.
Our club and our community are better places because of her. Congratulations Laura on this well deserved recognition!
A note from Laura:
• Growing up, if I had a nickel for every time my mom said “You were put on this earth to serve other people!” I’d have quite the stack of nickels!! If you knew her, she probably told you the same thing at least once. Throughout my life, I’ve been shown over and over that giving just a little goes so much further than you can imagine. 
• Sometimes, I catch grief for giving too much of my time. When really, there’s always just enough for all the things I say yes to. I like to be busy, I like to be involved and I thrive when I feel like I’m making a difference.
• Since joining Rotary in 2012, I’ve been beyond blessed with opportunities, friendships, memories, and experiences that will last a lifetime. My journey has just begun! 
• I was recognized as RAH’s “yes man” and I am very thankful. These last 6 months have been hard, as we’ve all had to say “no” to a lot of things. But I’ve learned that even in this time of saying no, there are opportunities to say yes, and I’m still fulfilled. I’m still learning, still growing (not vertically, let’s keep it real here, ha), still giving back and still experiencing new exciting things!
• Say yes, serve others, be kind, step outside of your comfort zone and give just a little more of you, the world needs it right now. ❤️
 
Laura will join 60+ other individuals from District 6250 who are being recognized by Bill and each club as a "Yes" person. Two lucky Rotarians will get to join Bill at the Rotary International Convention in Taipai next June, all expenses paid. 
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Welcome Stephanie Doyle!
Please give a warm RAH welcome to one of our newest members, Stephanie Doyle!

"I was introduced to Rotary from a young age when my mom was in the Downtown Club," said Stephanie. "I appreciated the focus on service and global connection. I was also intrigued by the local connections my mom made. She seems to know so many people in the community from Rotary!"

A Bucky Badger through and through, Stephanie graduated from Aquinas High School before heading to UW-Madison. She recently completed the Physician Assistant (PA) program (Congrats Stephanie!) and soon will be working at Gundersen Health System in the Emergency Department. 

Did you know Stephanie is the sister of RAHtarian Katelyn Doyle? Close friends, they studied abroad together in Southern France during her sophomore year of college. 

Stephanie attended many After Hours events with Katelyn prior to joining. She knew she wanted to become a RAHtarian when she learned more about the young professional member base and exciting service project opportunities the club has to offer.

Stephanie loves running area trails with her golden retriever Nutmeg. She also enjoys hiking, scuba diving, horse back riding and yoga. The Doyle family has a hobby farm with alpacas, horses and goats and Stephanie can often be found helping with the family animals.

Stephanie has been seen at many After Hours events and knew she wanted to join and follow in her mom and sister's footsteps when she learned more about the young professional member base and exciting service project opportunities. We are so glad to have Stephanie a part of our club!

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$10,000 for After Hours' 10th Birthday
$10,000 for After Hours' 10th Birthday! Make Your Impact Grow!
 
 
From RAHtarian Jeremy Moritz~
 
In Spring 2021, Rotary After Hours will be celebrating our 10th Birthday. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for the Rotary Foundation!
 
Sign up between now and November 1st and Marissa will personally match (up to a total of $500) for any new Rotary Direct Annual Fund sign up of $5/month or more.
For those who have already signed up for the Rotary Direct Annual Fund, increase your monthly amount to the Annual Fund by $5/month or more.
 
But... there's more! After the 8/25 Rotary meeting, I was reflecting on what Rotary has done for me and who it has helped me become and it truly means a lot to me.
Then I was thinking about Marissa’s goal of our club reaching $10,000 in annual giving and wanted to help come up with ideas to help her reach that goal and came up with this.
 
Up your game and do $10 for $10K!
For every person who either starts giving at least $10/month or increases their existing giving by $10/month, I will increase my monthly contribution by $5.
I will do this for up to 10 members and therefore increase my giving by an additional $50/month.
 
If you do the math, that means if you sign up by Nov 1st to contribute $10/month ($120/year), Marissa & Jeremy will contribute an additional combined $180!
 
A gift of $8.33/month gets us to $100/member/year. Any amount helps change the world.
Half of our members are already signed up for Rotary Direct. Let's get "Every Rotarian, Every Year" recognition and get 100% signed up! 
 
Thank you for considering a gift to the foundation! 
 
To donate, you must first log in or sign up for MyRotaryThis is a separate login/account from your ClubRunner (rotaryafterhours.org) login.
Look complicated? It's not! 
 
  1. Go to https://my.rotary.org/en/
  2. Click on Sign In To My Account.
  3. If you are a first time user, click on Register in the upper right hand corner.
  4. Fill in the Account registration information and click on Continue.
    1. If club number is requested we are club #83721. Our District is #6250 your ID# can be found on the label of your Rotarian Magazine (or email Marissa for it!).
  5. You will be informed that an e-mail has been sent to you.
  6. Check your email for the address you provided. You will receive a message which will ask you to click on the blue link to finalize the process.
  7. Fill in all the mandatory information and click on Create account.
  8. Click on Continue and you will be taken to your MyRotary!
From there you can sign up for Rotary Direct at:
 
Signing up for MyRotary will allow you access the Rotary International website, learn more detailed information including your contributions to the Rotary Foundation, information on After Hours, and information on our Rotary District. 
 
Any Questions or Troubles? Reach out to Marissa or Jeremy. We are happy to help and appreciate your support.
 
All my best! ~Jeremy
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Paul Harris Fellow Recipients Aug 2020
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is Rotary’s way of expressing appreciation for contributions to the Rotary Foundation. A contribution to the Foundation is an investment in goodwill, peace and understanding. It is an ideal held high by more than a million Rotarians worldwide.

Our club recognizes three Rotarians for their personal support of The Rotary Foundation. It is because of gifts like theirs that The Rotary Foundation is able to carry out an array of programs that achieve beneficial changes in our world: improved living conditions, increased food production, better education, wider availability of treatment and rehabilitation for the sick and disabled, new channels for the flow of international understanding, and brighter hopes for peace.

Recognized for earning Paul Harris Fellow include:  

James Murray received his first Paul Harris Fellowship. James has been a Rotarian and member of our club since November 2019. He has volunteered at numerous club service projects and has devoted many hours to developing our strategic plan. Fellow Rotarians shared that James is “a valued member of our club, showing up to many of our events, and even bringing his family to join in on the fun.  He jumped right in as a new member, wanting to help our club and members be successful. He brings a unique perspective and energy. James lives out the motto of 'Service Above Self!' I am so glad James chose to join After Hours.”

 

Jeremy Moritz received his Paul Harris +3. Jeremy joined Rotary in 2012. Fellow Rotarians shared that Jeremy has been “a valued member of our club over the years, serving as an Interact advisor for several years. He has served on our board of directors and was a big part in creating our digital branding when our club was just getting going. He also organized the 'steal the bell' shenanigans from other Rotary Clubs one year. He continually supports the Rotary mission and our club’s initiatives through his generous giving to the Foundation.”

 

Josh Mansee received his Paul Harris Fellow +4, is recognized for being a being a member of the Paul Harris Society with his annual gift of $1000 to the Foundation and is now a part of the Bequest Society, with his commitment for a future gift of $10,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation. Josh has been a Rotarian and member of After Hours since 2015. He spearheaded the Mexico water project and brought sHARk Tank to life. He serves as District 6250's Foundation Chair and is our club's President-Elect. Fellow Rotarians shared that Josh “is the kind of person everyone wants in their club. He has dedicated his time and energy to many different areas of Rotary, at the club and district level. When he sees something that needs to be fixed or a wrong that needs to be righted, he is not afraid to put in the hard work to see that it gets done. He is someone who you can always count on to be there if you need an ear for some crazy idea.  He has the ability to organize those thoughts and really bring them into something that is useful.”

 

Congratulations to James, Jeremy & Josh! Thank you for your generous support of the Rotary Foundation. Stay tuned to hear why they chose to donate to the Foundation in future cRAHnicles.

To support the Rotary Foundation, sign up for Rotary Direct at rotary.org/donate

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The Ugly Sweater 5K 2020!
Ho Ho Ho! Calling all elves! Christmas is nearly 100 away, which means our Ugly Sweater 5k planning is well underway! 
 
Mark your calendar for Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th. You read that right... Not one, but two nights of twinkling festivities!
 
 
The Ugly Sweater 5k is Rotary After Hours' largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds raised help us support our community and international projects throughout the year. Projects such as buying tools to do Hixon trail work, purchasing The Good Fight van, contributing to Razia's bus, buying The Parenting Place diapers and wipes and providing clean water filters for kids in Mexico. None of these would be possible without the success of our Ugly Sweater 5k!
 
The event will look a little different this year to ensure the safety of our participants and volunteers during COVID-19. We need all of our members' help to make this year's Ugly Sweater 5k another great event! Help is needing with: following up with sponsors, spreading the news about the jolliest run/walk in town, and volunteering at the event. Watch for future emails and be sure to tune in to upcoming meetings where we will share more about this year's event.
 
If you're interested in joining the Ugly Sweater committee or have questions/ideas, please contact Ashley Santolin (asantolin19@gmail.com). 
 
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Africa is Polio-Free!
The African region is certified wild polio-free!
Dear Rotarians,

It our pleasure to announce to you that the African region has just been certified wild poliovirus-free.

Rotary members have played an invaluable role in the effort to rid the African region of wild polio. We should be proud of all the hard work that we’ve done to eliminate the wild poliovirus throughout Africa and in nearly every country in the world. 

This progress is the result of a decades-long effort across the 47 countries of the African region. It has involved millions of health workers traveling by foot, boat, bike and bus, innovative strategies to vaccinate children amid conflict and insecurity, and a huge disease surveillance network to test cases of paralysis and check sewage for the virus. 

Over the last two decades, countless Rotary members in countries across the African region and around the world have worked together to raise funds, immunize children, advocate with local and national leaders, and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination, enabling the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to effectively respond to and stop polio outbreaks. 

This milestone is an incredible public health achievement for Rotary members, the African region, and our GPEI partners, and a huge step forward on the road to global polio eradication. But we still have important work to do in order to eradicate wild polio in the last two endemic countries.

We have faced many challenges in our journey to eradicate polio. But we’ve made remarkable progress, and the polio infrastructure that Rotarians helped build will serve as a lasting legacy that will continue to help protect vulnerable children against other diseases for decades to come.

We are calling on you today to recommit yourselves to ending polio. We need each and every one of you to help finish this fight and continue raising $50 million each year for PolioPlus. The eradication of wild polio in the African region shows us that polio eradication is achievable, and shows how our hard work, partnerships and financial commitment continue to propel us forward, even during a global pandemic.

Thank you for your continued efforts, for achieving a wild polio-free African region, and for remaining committed to fulfilling our promise of a polio-free world.
 
Sincerely,
Holger Knaack                                                                                       
President, Rotary International 
 
 K.R. Ravindran
Chair, The Rotary Foundation
 
Rotary International President Holger Knaack and Nigeria National PolioPlus Chair Dr. Tunji Funsho congratulate Rotarians on eradicating wild polio in the African Region. Watch here.
Read more at: https://time.com/5883233/africa-declared-polio-free/
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Jennifer Jones Makes History
Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to 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.
Prior to 1987, women were not allowed in Rotary. That all changed on May 4, 1987, when the US Supreme Court ruled that Rotary Clubs could no longer exclude women from membership on the basis of gender. At the first gathering of the Rotary Council of Legislation following the decision, Rotary moved to admit women into Rotary Clubs worldwide. This remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary.
 
The response to the decision was overwhelming: By June 1990, the number had skyrocketed to over 20,000. By July 2016, the number of women worldwide had surpassed 250,000. Women immediately embraced the leadership opportunities provided by their clubs and have been making an impact in communities around the world. After Hours proudly has an equal mix of both females (30) and males (31). 
 
We look forward to the continued growth of female representation within our clubs, our district leadership, and the leadership of Rotary International.

Link for more information

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Foundation Feature
As a club, we have given over $110,000 to the Rotary Foundation the past 9 1/2 years! Over the next year, I will be sharing a short weekly message about The Rotary Foundation, its programs and why our support is important.
Paulo Costa, Past President of Rotary International, 1990-1991 was quoted with saying “Rotary International’s masterpiece is The Rotary Foundation. It transforms our dreams into splendid realities . . . it is the most generous expression of Rotarian generosity - a generosity that not only brings benefits but also brings help and cooperation to solve the problems that affect mankind. The Rotary Foundation achieves the best that mankind can possibly achieve.” 
 
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International. It is a non-profit that is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who share its vision of a better world. Its sole mission is to support the efforts of Rotarians through Rotary’s mission, and the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national and international humanitarian and educational programs in your back yard and around the globe.
 
The Rotary Foundation was founded in 1917 by Rotary International’s sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary “to do good in the world.” It has grown from an initial contribution in 1917 of $26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri to more than $4.4 billion dollars in total contributions. The Rotary Foundation made its first grant of $500.00 to the International Society for Crippled Children in 1930, and to this day, it continues to “do good in the world” in the name of Rotary.
 
To sign up for Rotary Direct and help us change the world, visit: https://www.rotary.org/en/donate
This is a separate login from ClubRunner/Rotaryafterhours.org. 
 
Thank you for supporting The Rotary Foundation and its work.
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September STAR Meeting
The next STAR meeting will be on Thursday, September 10th from 7-8am via Zoom.
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Rotary organization and our Five Avenues of Service (Club, Vocational, Community, International, and New Generations)?

Led by Downtown Rotarians Jodi Widuch and Todd Restel, the STAR (Specialized Training for Action in Rotary) meeting is especially great for new members, but open to anyone wanting to learn more! They happen six times during the year... January, March, May, July, September and November. The topic changes each meeting.
 
September 10th's meeting will cover: 
  • Rotary's involvement with the Polio eradication efforts
  • Rotary Lights 
  • Q&A and Idea Sharing
All new members or anyone interested are encouraged to attend; pop onto Zoom and learn something new for the day!
 
RSVP to Jodi Widuch at jodiwiduch@theparentingplace.net  
Jodi will then send you a reminder with the invite to the Zoom STAR Meeting.
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Vibrant Club Workshop October 14th
Expanding Your Network, Expanding Your Mind
 
For more information and to register visit:
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MEMBERSHIP - September 1, 2020

Active Members: 61 

New Members: 2 

  • Welcome Stephanie Doyle & Nkechi Ijioma!

Rotarians Leaving Us: 0

 

Challenge: Invite a friend, co-worker or acquaintance to join a RAH event to check it out! There may be an entire group of individuals in our communities who would make great Rotarians… but could not find a comfortable way to join in person. Perhaps now is the time…

Member Birthdays
Griffin Moe
November 6
 
Taylor Mathy
November 9
 
Jennifer Luedtke
November 13
 
Amy Schmidt
November 29
 
Upcoming Events
STAR Meeting
Capella Performing Arts Center
Nov 10, 2022
 
Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration
The La Crosse Club
Nov 10, 2022
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
RAH Friendsgiving
Driftless Axe
Nov 11, 2022
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
 
RAH Social Event: BACA Chili Cookoff
All Start Lanes
Nov 12, 2022
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
 
BACA Soup Event
All Star Lanes & Banquets
Nov 12, 2022
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
RAH Youth Committee Meeting
Zoom
Nov 15, 2022
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
 
Rotary Leadership Series
Waterfront Cargill Room or Online
Nov 17, 2022
12:05 PM - 12:35 PM
 
RAH 11/22 Meeting: WAFER
The Main- A Event Space
Nov 22, 2022
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Service Committee Meeting
The Main Event Space
Nov 22, 2022 5:45 PM
 
RAH Club Meeting
The Main - an Event Space
Nov 22, 2022
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
 
View entire list
Club Information
Serve to Change Lives
La Crosse-After Hours
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM
The Main
422 Main Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
United States of America
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month; 5:30pm- Networking / 6pm- Meeting
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