Category Archives: 2. Meetings

Club Member Perry Henderson Receives RI Avenues of Service Citation

Posted on February 27, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–Introduced by Mary Rouse on February 26, 2014

Club President Renee Moe pictured with Perry Henderson

Each year, our club selects one member to be recognized with Rotary International’s Avenues of Service Citation. Recipients are selected for their volunteer efforts carried out within all five avenues of service which are club, community, international, youth and vocational service. I am pleased to introduce Perry Henderson as this year’s recipient. Here is some background on him and his impressive Rotary service.

Perry Henderson joined Rotary in 1981 and has maintained 100% attendance since 1984. That means he marks 30 years of perfect attendance this year! He has served on a variety of club committees, including the Orientation and Classification Committees. He has been involved in planning our annual Rotary Ethics Symposium, and has assisted with our club’s Strategic Planning process. Not only was he our president from 1997-98, but also has served on our Club Board of Directors. His service goes way beyond our Club through district committees and events for the past 15 years. And, I think he likes titles because he became Governor Perry of Rotary District 6250 in 2002-03. However, behind any title he holds, you can always know there is great substance and hard work.

District Governor Perry Henderson (center) pictured with Rotary Youth Exchange Students during 2002-03 Rotary year.

Perry and his wife, Virginia, who is also an active and outstanding member of our club, have established a scholarship fund within our Madison Rotary Foundation to provide college scholarship assistance to graduating seniors in the Madison area who have financial need. They have also been generous supporters of The Rotary International Foundation. Perry and Virginia stepped forward in 2006 to provide a $10,000 matching grant to encourage member gifts to the Polio Eradication Campaign effort.

Perry and Virginia Henderson pictured here during our club’s centennial celebration at the Capitol Theatre in February 2013

Perry and Virginia have been recognized with our club’s Senior Service Award. Perry has received our club’s Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award. Today, we are pleased to add another award category to Perry’s Rotary resume – the Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation.

Let me also remind you that Dr. Henderson was an outstanding faculty member in our UW-Madison Medical School who specialized in obstetrics and gynecology with special emphasis on high risk pregnancies and premature infants His practice and research has contributed to advancing this field. And, in case you did not know, he has musical talent as a singer and piano player. He knows how to have a good time.

President Renee Moe presents Perry with the Rotary International Avenues of Services Citation

Perry, you are a beloved member of our community and admired by all. You live the Rotary motto of Service Above Self, and we are pleased to recognize you with this year’s Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation. Congratulations!

Leave a comment

Posted in 1. President's Messages, 2. Meetings, 5. Members, 8. Honors, Centennial Celebration, RI Avenues of Service Citation

Tagged Centennial Celebration, Membership, RI Avenues of Service Citation, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison, Service Above Self

2014 Rotary Ethics Symposium – Ethical Decision-Making in Action!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–submitted by Kathryne McGowan; photo credit to John Bonsett-Veal, Pete Christianson and Valerie Johnson

From left: Dora Zuniga, John Bonsett-Veal, Karen Christianson & Rob Stroud

We did it again! The Rotary Framework for Ethical Decision-Making has been shared and used by over 200 high school students from 19 schools in Dane County. The 14^th annual Rotary Ethics Symposium occurred on Friday, February 14, 2014. After a year of planning, numerous committee meetings and intensive work on the curriculum and facilitation process, over 60 Rotarians and Rotaract volunteers led discussions on ethical dilemmas, hearing from the students about what they would do if they were part of the scenario and why.

As the students gathered, there was the typical chatter about their morning, their friends, a homework assignment and occasionally a “Do you know what this is?” or “Do you know what is going to happen today?” These inquiries were generally met with shoulder shrugs, or an “I don’t know.” The mood of the room was anticipatory, a little nervousness and maybe some expectation that this would be boring.

After a brief welcome by our chair Robyn Kitson (pictured at left), the opening session began. A lone voice recited a poem, then a second voice, a third and a multitude of voices. A simple, yet powerful poem, should the protagonist take the life of someone who has attempted to harm him and others? This began the discussions of the day. Our keynote performers, First Wave Hip Hop Theater, sculpted their presentation to highlight ethical situations from violence, to use of language, to our impressions of others. The “wow” of their thought-provoking performance was just the beginning of a day of exploring new ideas. This was not going to be a boring day.

First Wave (pictured above) introduced the ROTARY Framework for Ethical Decision-Making:

R = Recognize an ethical issue
O = Obtain information about the situation and others’ interests and perceptions
T = Test alternative actions from various perspectives
A = Act consistently with your best judgment
R = Reflect on your decision after acting
Y = Yield to your ethical judgments

The students went to sessions where the ROTARY framework was put to the test with two very different ethical dilemmas: the implications of keeping a promise to a friend who is being bullied via social networking; and, the implications of public policy for the homeless. The students showed us that we should be very hopeful for our future. The students readily embraced the framework and in many cases, naturally used the framework to approach the ethical dilemma.

At the final sessions the students worked with others from their school to identify an ethical issue within their school, and to develop a plan of how to approach the problem. The students chose big issues — bullying, diversity, inappropriate use of social media were some of the topics. We are looking forward to hearing back from the students about the outcomes of applying the framework in their school with their chosen special projects implemented post event.

The day concluded with an interactive lunch attended by many Rotarians that allowed the student to share their impressions from the day. Gone was the nervousness, fear of boredom and anticipation of the morning, replaced with confidence and understanding. Student after student discussed their belief that they have found a way to keep the discussion going and continue as leaders in their school.

Photo 1: Al Ripp & Jamie Weissburg; Photo 2: Kathryne McGowan & Nelson Cummings; Photo 3: Cheryl Wittke, Paul Karch, Mike Wenzel & Barb Siehr

This signature event of the Rotary Club of Madison continues to grow and develop the future thought leaders of our community. If you had the opportunity to participate, this year we welcome your comments and if you’ve not yet participated in this event we encourage you to sign up for the Ethics Symposium Committee for 2014-15 and join us next year.

(The Rotary Ethics Symposium is generously underwritten by Madison Rotary Foundation.)

Leave a comment

Posted in 2. Meetings, 3. Committees, Annual Ethics Symposium, Ethics Symposium

Tagged Annual Ethics Symposium, Membership, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison

Rotary Wine Event January 30 2014

Posted on February 3, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–submitted by Mike Wilson

On the cool and snowy Thursday night of January 30, the Wine Fellowship Group met at the home of Mike & Patty Wilson. All 17 guests brought along a wine with a short description, together with a snack as part of a “BYO Night.” We had several of the regulars attending; the return of some that had not been to the Fellowship lately due to other commitments; and new Fellowshippers providing an excellent mix of individuals. An extraordinary collection of wines and snacks also arrived, and Steve Mixtacki was able to put these together in groups for all to taste.

Photo 1: Mary Janet & Karl Wellensiek; Photo 2: Rich & Joan Leffler

All of the wines were excellent and many had special meanings to the donors. Most are available on the market but some were from personal collections and no longer available, or bought for a special personal event, but all were brought to share and celebrate with other Rotary Wine Fellowshippers. An extraordinarily good time was had by all, and great fellowship occurred; the essence of the many different Rotary Fellowship groups.

Photo 1: Juli & Keith Baumgartner; Photo 2: TeDee & Gail DeDee with Mike Casey; Photo 3: Patty Struck & her husband, Larry Bechler

Leave a comment

Posted in 2. Meetings, 4. Fellowship Groups, Networking, Wine Fellowship

Tagged Fellowship, New Members, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison, Wine Fellowship Group

Scotch Whiskey Lew Harned Society Event January 13

Posted on January 14, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–submitted by Noel Pearson; photos by Noel Pearson and Ken Yuska

Ken and Ginny Yuska hosted the most recent Scotch Whisky Lew Harned Society gathering in their home on January 13.

It was a very special evening. Noel Pearson presented to Lew Harned, (pictured at right) an Army fleece blanket that the UW and Edgewood Rotaract students made for him at their Holiday party in December at the home of Dick and Noel Pearson. Lew was humbled and pleased by the act of kindness and plans to attend the next Rotaract meeting to personally thank the students.

Photo 1: from left, Dewey Bredeson, Sandy Maier, Dan Dieck, Ellis Waller; Photo 2: from left Peggy Lescrenier,Ginny Yuska, Kay Schwichtenberg and Herman Baumann; Photo 3: from left, Herman Baumann, Ken Yuska and Mark Cantrell

Leave a comment

Posted in 2. Meetings, 4. Fellowship Groups, a. Rotaract, Scotch Whisky, Lew Harned Society

Tagged Fellowship, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison, Scotch Whisky Fellowship Group, Wine Fellowship Group

New Member Coffee Event January 9 at Blackhawk Country Club

Posted on January 13, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–submitted by Stan Kitson; photos by Ellsworth Brown

Jason Beren (pictured at left) hosted a Coffee Event for 20+ new and experienced Rotarians at Blackhawk Country Club on Thursday, January 9. We started with coffee and fellowship, quickly moving to introductions and the presentation. Jason, with remarks from Past President (2012-13) Wes Sparkman, incoming president (2014-15) Tim Stadelman and future president (2015-16) Ellsworth Brown, set the expectations for the President Roast and asked that two new members step up as co-chairs.

Jason continued the presentation by reviewing many of the committees, turning to Tim Stadelman, Rob Stroud and Donna Beestman to elaborate on CECADE, Rotary International and Ethics Symposium. It was stressed that joining most of the committees is simply a matter of contacting the Rotary office and letting the staff know you’re interested and attending the meetings; there is no reason to wait until the official spring sign-up period.

Jeff Tews (pictured at right) followed with an interesting discussion about fellowship groups, prompting members as to why they joined the groups they participate in and how they benefit from joining. More than one commented that they joined Rotary because it brought three “desires” together… “the desire to give back to the community, the desire to create new friendships and the desire to help their businesses…” The latter results from the first two.

We adjourned at 8:45.

Leave a comment

Posted in 2. Meetings, 3. Committees, 4. Fellowship Groups, 5. Members, Networking, New Member Events

Tagged Fellowship, Membership, New Members, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison

Mentor Scholar Mixer Highlights

Posted on January 9, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–submitted by Mary Rouse; Photos by John Bonsett-Veal and Stacy Nemeth

All Rotary Scholars and their mentors were invited to get together prior to the January 8, 2014, Rotary meeting. It is an annual event sponsored by our Club. Mentor Leader Ellie Schatz convened the 11AM meeting. Twenty-five Scholars and 20 mentors attended this event which opened with a mixer bingo quiz for both groups to provide more opportunities for the students and Rotarians to meet and get to know each other. Prizes were awarded to the top finishers.

Photo 1: Lynn Phelps and Juan Becerra; Photo 2: Cristian Claudio Teutli; Photo 3: Wes Sparkman and Melanie Ramey; Photo 4: Karen Bauer and Mike Wilson

Ellie continued the discussion by posing several questions to the entire group for reflections and anecdotes about their experiences, talents and interests. Here are two examples: Scholar Cristian Claudio Teutli plays the drums and sings. At the request of group members, he provided spontaneous entertainment by drumming on the table and by singing a song a capella in Spanish. Another student, Karen Bauer attends UW-Eau Claire and has recently assumed the presidency of an interfaith student organization.

Dick Lovell (pictured at left with scholar Karen Bauer) outlined the Rotary Internship Matching Program and encouraged the students to register by January 31, 2014, if they are seeking internships for the summer of 2014. He also encouraged them to sign up on the Rotary Scholar Mentor Facebook page.

Bob Shumaker, current chair of the Scholarship Committee, presented and narrated a video which was just made about the Mentor Program in 2013.

Photo 1: Marcy Martinez and Leslie Grendahl; Photo 2: Karl Gutknecht, Nate Brand and Juan Becerra; Photo 3: (back row, from left) Cristian Claudio Teuli, Alex Carrera and Lynn Phelps, (front row, from left): Mike Wilson, Cristian Claudio Teutli, Jordan Johnson and Patty Wilson

The recurring theme of the meeting was how much the Rotary Scholars are valued by our Club members with a focus of making sure they have all the support they need to ensure their graduation. The meeting adjourned to the weekly Rotary Club luncheon where, once again, the Scholars were welcomed and their graduation from college expected.