Category Archives: 1. President’s Messages

From President Paul -

How is your Rotary year going?  Are you getting the most out of your membership?  Have you been able to work on a committee?  Join in fellowship group activities?  I hope so.  If not, jump in!  Not a week goes by that I don’t hear a member’s story about benefits they’ve received through contributing and participating – even just getting to know others at fellowship group events.

Feedback on weekly programs continues to be excellent.  Dave Mollenhoff’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer story was rightfully described as mesmerizing.

Please allow me to share a few updates on items from our strategic plan -

•  Speed Rotary in August rocked.  110 out of 112 members that completed the survey said we should do it again.  Many thanks to Deb Raupp and her committee.  Look for a reprise in the spring.
• The new member event at the Chazen was a hit – almost 300 attended and feedback indicated all had a grand time.  Thanks Petie Rudy, Virginia Bartelt and committees, and of course our hosts Mary Carr Lee and Russell Panczenko.
• Scott Haumersen and his committee are working on Rotary Tri-Quest to benefit Dane County Youth – our Run-Bike-Golf fundraiser on May 20, 2012.  (Members Jason Beren, Susan Schmitz, and Carrie Wall & Jim Gilmore are pictured below.)

• Derrick Van Mell has taken on the task of compiling a list of activities that our club may discontinue. Please contact him with ideas.
• Laura Peck, Steve Goldberg, Wes Sparkman, Deb Archer, Linda Baldwin and their committees continue to lead projects related to our centennial in June 2013.  These include Rotary Plaza by the Madison Children’s Museum, Family Fun Fair and the Centennial Celebration.

• And, many thanks to Rick Kiley, Paul Ranola and the Social Media Committee.  They are managing this blog, Facebook, LinkedIn and instituted ConstantContact for emails to members.  The emails are much more attractive, and we are gathering statistics on what is being looked at so we can adjust as needed.

How’s it going for me?  Really well.  What continues to amaze me is the spirit with which members embrace volunteer work for the community.  Recently I was asked to recruit a few more members to help on a committee.  The first five members said yes. 

Committee and Fellowship group chairs – remember, there is a standing invitation for you to pen an article for this blog to let members know what you’re up to.  Please remember to include a photo or three.

Wishing you and your family a festive holiday season!  In service,

Paul Riehemann

Greetings.  I hope you had a relaxing and fun holiday weekend.

We’re trying something different with the President’s blog this year.  It’s been renamed the “Rotary Roundtable.”  Similar to the rotation format Paul Harris started in 1905, various people will contribute.  Rick Kiley, Chair of the Social Media Committee, will pen the August post.

Rotary Roundtable blog posts will aim to get people excited about what we’re doing in our club (past events or promoting future ones), create a dialogue, and share something personal so members get to know each other better.  I’ve set a goal of two posts per month.  To start, Committee and Fellowship group chairs are invited to reserve a spot to write a post by emailing the office.

Members Lynn Phelps and Mark Moody volunteering at Wheels for Winners

What do you think? Please share your comments on the Rotary Roundtable idea below.

The engineer in me wants to summarize plans for the upcoming year, right here and now.  But that can wait.  Instead, a few sentences on why the club and Rotary are special to me –

Lew Harned

• Because members are genuinely friendly and interested in each other – friendships abound.
• Our club does a ton of good.
• Because new and old members alike go to board meetings and are served dinner by a One Star General and other Madison leaders whose main concern is if you have enough butter.
• My point of view is expanded by the club’s interesting and informative programs.

Puppy Time. On a family note, we’re adding to ours July 14 when we bring home an 8-week old Labradoodle puppy, “Sasha.”  The picture shows our friend Charlie with his puppy Boris, our daughter Danika, and our son Max with Sasha.  We’re excited although it’s not lost on me that things could get messy.

Wrap-up. Thank you for your commitment to our local and global community through Rotary.  Throughout the year please let me know how I may assist.  Send easy questions to me and hard ones to President-elect Wes Sparkman.

Here’s to a productive year – getting it done, having fun.

In service, Paul