–presented by Terry Heinrichs on September 25, 2024
Today, I come before you to help recognize one of our club members with the Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award. The Werner honor is not an annual event, but instead given under special circumstances when warranted. The Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award is granted in recognition of outstanding club service in the Rotary tradition of “Service Above Self.” Joseph G. Werner was a committed Rotarian. He served as club president from 1953-54. Both before and after this, he chaired many significant committees. He served as district governor and became the second member of this club to serve as a director of Rotary International. He later served Rotary International in several additional positions. Following his death in 1974, the club established the Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award as the club’s highest recognition for club service.
Today we recognize long-time member Steve Mixtacki with this prestigious award. Steve is a CPA. So very carefully and dangerously, I took the liberty to do some accounting. Let me share some numbers:
15: In addition to Rotary, Steve served as a board member on 15 different boards across areas of Madison life, including community, faith, education and arts. Some examples include First Business Bank, The Evjue Foundation, CTM Madison Family Theater and St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
6: For 6 of these he was either the Chairperson or President for organizations including the Madison Community Foundation, Edgewood College, the YMCA and Friends of WHA-TV.
29: After a few years in public accounting, Steve spent 29 years with American TV.
7: he added 7 years as the CFO of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Surrounding these efforts, Steve is grounded by a few numbers…
44, 2 & 2: (if we cheat to November) 44 years of marriage to Meryl.
2: Children, using algebra ((4*2*1)+(9*2*1))=26 semesters of college tuition when you add in a doctorate degree.
2: Grandchildren. Shall we do the same math for them??
41: In 1983, 41 years ago, Steve joined the Rotary Club of Madison.
2: Steve’s Rotary hook was the Community Grants Program where he served 2 terms and chaired for 2 years; Also, he served 2 terms on the Madison Rotary Foundation Board, including as President, in 1995, receiving the Outstanding Trustee Award.
24: Number of Paul Harris Fellows.
$53,251.62: Dollars raised in 1987 while chairing our annual fund drive.
1: Steve served 1 term on our Club’s Board and as Club President from 1991-1992. He boasts that he is the 1 who hired Pat Jenkins as the Executive Director.
33: During his presidency 33 years ago, he initiated the Community Projects Committee that continues today offering our club hands-on community service.
2003: the year Steve received the Rotary International Avenues of Service Award
30, 2.7, 17.4 & 16 – Quite importantly, Steve recently completed 30 years of service as the Chair of our Foundation’s Investment Committee, during which time our foundation grew from $2.7MM to $17.4MM and distributed over $16MM in scholarships, awards and grants. It was on this committee that I witnessed first-hand his knack for leadership, management, cooperation and effectiveness. He will continue to assist with our Foundation’s annual report and serve on our Investment Committee.
Lastly, 32! Steve, your service to Rotary has and continues to be incredible. We thank you for your outstanding service, and I am pleased to introduce you as the 32nd recipient of the Rotary Club of Madison Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award.
Thank you, Steve!
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 