Category Archives: 2. Meetings

Rotary Business LinkUp Meeting on August 9

-submitted by Dave Ewanowski

From left: Steve Musser, Deb Raupp, Bill Montei, Dave Ewanowski and Paul Olsen

Fifteen Rotarians and guests met at the Madison Club on Thursday, August 9th for an informative “Business LinkUp” session.  Members learned more about each other’s businesses and organizations as they discussed stimulating topics posed by moderators Derrick Van Mell and Roger Phelps.  Questions included “What is the value of a great idea?” and “What was your greatest risk?”  In addition, Rob Ringeisen spoke about his business (Tom James clothiers) and Dave Ewanowski, founding partner at KEE Architecture, highlighted recent work of the firm.  More LinkUp sessions are planned for the future.  Stay tuned…

At the Heart of Rotary

Last week I took the time to visit the Madison Horizons Rotary Club at the Radisson Inn West on Grand Canyon Drive.  I guess, I’m already missing some of the usual weekly interaction that comes from small lunch table conversation.  I always wanted to visit Madison Horizons but never took the time until last week.  They have a big Rotary Wheel outside of the hotel so I figured that they must be doing something right.  Well, I entered as a visitor, and I came out feeling like a member of the Club.  They gladly welcomed me and made sure that all of the visitors were formerly introduced to the entire club as we sat to enjoy a hardy lunch.

They had a very lively and upbeat speaker who provided valuable community information about the threats of poisonous gas in households.  I felt well informed and a little closer to the issues that fellow Madison homeowners face.  It was clear to me that Rotary plays a vital role in community service, education and public discourse.  It’s important to discuss vital issues face-to-face, when you can, to exchange ideas and creatively work to find solutions to problems.  As I took a minute to look around the room to see if everyone was engaged in the presentation, I also noticed one other thing.  Almost every Rotarian was wearing a Rotary pin.  The meeting was important to them, and they were proud to wear their pins.  It didn’t take me long to realize that this, community-oriented, Rotary Club sits at the heart of Rotary.  I’m going to take the time, during this Rotary year, to visit and fellowship with other clubs in Madison and I hope you do to.

Yours In Service,
Wes Sparkman
Club President

Highlights from 6th Annual Rotary Mentor-Scholar Picnic

–submitted by Stu Levitan

About 25 Rotary scholars and their respective club mentors enjoyed themselves at the now-traditional summer picnic at Nate Brand and Regina Millner’s beautiful Fuller’s Woods home on July 15. The kitchen crew of Kevin Hoffman, Mike Hoesly and Jim Ruhly, led by co-chair Gary Peterson braved the sweltering heat to staff the grill, as members supplemented the menu with salads, sides and desserts. Admiral Dick Pearson, who with Noel, hosted the first two Mentor-Scholar picnics, took several groups on tours of mighty Lake Mendota in his deck boat.  A fine time was had by all.

 

 Following are quotes from those attending the picnic:

“Ismat and I had a great time seeing scholars from last year and welcoming new scholars. The food, fellowship, boat ride and hospitality (thanks Nate and Regina) were wonderful! It was good to connect with a couple scholars who were having challenges during their freshman year away from the Midwest. This event allows for both celebration and problem solving.”  —Deb Raupp 

“The beauty of the lake and the gracious hospitality of Regina and Nate provided the perfect setting to celebrate and share with some absolutely amazing young adults! As I left I told my husband, this is another reason why I am grateful to be a Rotarian!”  —Lin Grace Rohr 

“We had a super GREAT time at the picnic and we felt it was the best ever. Leslie loved the opportunity to get to know the other students and she loved the food, the BOAT RIDE and the beautiful home of Regina and Nate!!!! Sharyl loved the opportunity to connect with the other students and other Rotarians as we don’t often have a chance to relax and chat at Wed lunch meetings. Sharyl REALLY loved the food, it all seemed extra yummy this year and special thanks to the “grill guys” who grilled to perfection on such a hot day!! Best, Sharyl Kato

                                                                

A Fine Year – Farewell from President Paul Riehemann

It’s been a remarkable year with many significant accomplishments.  Thank you for your commitment to our local and global community through Rotary.

Here are two year-end summaries:  1)  the Powerpoint  from the June 27 meeting (lots of photos) and 2) a  One-Pager with all the information.

Kudos to the Roast Committee – I’m ‘grateful’ to have survived!

In Service, Paul

20th Annual Vocational Fellowship Luncheon Day

Brent Lindell, Mike Franzen, Tim Muldowney & Gerry Ring at UW Foundation Luncheon

   On June 20, members and guests participated in our 20th Annual Vocational Fellowship Luncheon Day.  Instead of our regular meeting at the Inn on the Park, members enjoyed this opportunity to get to known one another better in a small group setting as they learned more about various members’ businesses.

Mike Knetter of UW Foundation with Rotarian Londa Dewey

   The idea behind this luncheon dates back to the founding of the organization in 1905 when Paul Harris met with three friends to discuss an idea that he was developing.  From this discussion came the concept of a business club to promote fellowship and, by rotating weekly meetings at their various places of business, become better acquainted with one another’s vocations.  This practice of rotating meeting is how Rotary got its name.

Ken Monteleone of Fromagination

We thank the following hosts for their hospitality last week:

  • BadgerBOTS Education Center (Maggie Peterman host)
  • Fromagination (Ken Monteleone host)
  • Madison Children’s Museum (Ruth Shelly host)
  • Mid-West Family Broadcasting (Ted Waldbillig host)
  • Oakwood Lutheran Senior Ministries (Joe Xanthopoulos host)
  • Placon Corporation (Tom Mohs host)
  • St. Mary’s Hospital (Frank Byrne host)
  • University of Wisconsin Foundation (Walt Keough host)
  • Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, The Morgridge Institute for
    Research & WARF (Steve Mixtacki, host)
  • Wisconsin Legislative Council (Terry Anderson host)

   

Ruth Shelly leads the tour at Madison Children’s Museum

John Bonsett-Veal and Lin Rohr

Cathy Durham

We extend a special thanks to Rico Goedjen, chair of our Vocational Opportunities Committee and his committee for organizing this year’s Fellowship Luncheon Day.

The luncheon held at the Wisconsin Legislative Council warranted the following comments from two of our members:

“We enjoyed a tasty lunch and a very interesting, informative overview of the nonpartisan LRB by Sen. Joan Ballweg of Markesan.  Afterwards,  the group was treated to a climb to the topmost reaches of the Capitol, at the foot of lady Forward.”   –Rick Kiley

 

Donna Beestman, Lynn Phelps and Philip Petrowski

“Terry–You literally took the site visit program to new heights. It was fantastic. Thank you for organizing this. I learned a lot from you and Joan and I will never look out my office window with the view of the Capitol the same way again. What a rare and wonderful treat to trot to the top (well, not exactly trot!)”
–Joan Collins

Paul Karch

Rick Kiley, John Faust and Nancy Young

Rotary District 6250 Annual Conference

Rotary District 6250 Annual Conference, June 8th & 9th in LaCrosse, WI

June 13, 2012 //
Submitted by Jacqui Sakowski
 
When I accepted President Paul’s invitation to car-pool to LaCrosse the environmentalist in me leapt at the chance.  I learned so much about Paul’s life – his family, his aspirations for the future, his perspective on Rotary as he approaches the passing of the pin. What a bonus!

We arrived for the Business Meeting where we got to vote on the budget and other operational issues, before attending a very fun and inspiring lunch. We were addressed by a remarkable woman – Rotary International’s first female corporate officer and cancer sufferer, who was clearly in poor health, but spoke with confidence, energy and passion about the origins of the Four Way Test.  She was to address us 4 more times before the conference ended. A display of resilience that we were all proud to witness!

Afternoon presentations on The Holocaust, the plight of children around the world and programs that help youth adopt and live by life-enhancing values made for a very informative and fast-paced afternoon. Inbound RYE students shared cultural insights about their country before supper. Our first Oktoberfest in June, was colorful and celebratory, as you can see …

It’s June 8th it must be Oktoberfeste!

Lots of connecting and re-connecting over dinner, made for lively breakfast meetings the next morning. After you dined with a District Governor clad in leiderhosen, it’s hard to stand on ceremony ever again! We celebrated gifts to the RI Foundation, and were in awe of the impact of RI dollars, and the creativity of clubs around the district who had doubled and quadrupled funds by leveraging Rotary and non-Rotary grants to expand their reach.

Mary Kessen shares the RI Foundation update.

Jerry Mcnellis tells us why Polio is one of the gifts of his life.

Rotary Club of Madison’s Honored Hero, Nelson Cummings

At lunch on Saturday we honored Rotarian’s, selected by their own clubs as Heroes. Here Nelson Cummings is greeted by Emily, a very bright RYE student who presented him with a certificate.

The afternoon flew by with programs on wellness, Rotaract, Interact and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards – the future of Rotary and the world seems to be in great hands if the young people who addressed us are the measure.

The faces of Rotary’s future. Pauline, Charlotte and Emy.

At dinner John Hewko and Betsy Demaray spoke about the importance of documenting Rotary’s true impact in the world, before the conference concluded with the (slightly early) installation of Rob Stroud as 2012-2013 District Governor.

Rob took the pin and then the stage, from where he invited Rotarian’s to assemble in Madison on May 31st and June 1st next year to celebrate 100 years of Rotary Service and Fellowship in WI, at Monona Terrace.

Paul and I headed out of LaCrosse at about 9;15 p.m. As we compared experiences on the journey home we realized that we each had new friends, new appreciation for the works and opportunities of Rotary, and an invigorated Rotary spirit to bring to our best efforts in the coming months.  I am already excited for next year!