Tag Archives: Rotaract

Rotary Club of Madison Welcomes UW & Edgewood Rotaract Clubs on March 5 2014

Posted on March 6, 2014 by jaynecoster | Leave a comment

–article submitted by Mark Stover; photos by Moses Altsech and Jeff Smith

The Downtown Rotary Club of Madison, WI got a glimpse of the future on Wednesday,March 5. Students from the Rotaract Clubs of Edgewood College and UW-Madison took over the helm and the program. Rotarians heard details about how the Rotaract Clubs got started, what they’ve been working on this year, and their respective plans for the future.

Cory Kundert, President of the Edgewood College Rotaract explained that the word “Rotaract” is a mash-up of the words “Rotary” and “Action.” True to the Rotary spirit, Rotaract members are all about taking action in showing how they live “Service Above Self.”

The Edgewood College club members volunteer to support our Ethics Symposium, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Gilda’s Club. They also support the good work of other groups like the Heifer Foundation, Combat Blindness International and Badger Honor Flight with fundraisers.

Brittni Palkert, President of the UW-Madison Rotaract Club, told a similar story about her group’s work. The UW-Madison Rotaract Club got started as a merger of the International Student Business Association on campus with the Rotaract Club concept. Members of the UW-Madison club volunteer in support of Wisconsin Public Television Pledge Drives; work with senior citizens in the Triangle area of Madison; and also support Relay for Life.

Brittni also mentioned work that the UW-Madison Club has done with a connection to an AIDS support group in Harare, Zimbabwe. Fundraisers in Madison have gone to help students with AIDS in Africa attend trade schools and colleges so that they can become financially independent. Contact Brittni if you’re interested in a yoga fundraiser they have going this spring!

Both Presidents pointed out that the value of Rotaract has been to help their members gain skills and hone talents that are useful in their vocations. Leadership and teamwork are critical components of keeping these self-managed groups operating effectively. In a video of former Rotaractors from both clubs, this theme of preparing for professional lives came through for the former treasurer of the Madison club (now a financial analyst for Kohl’s Corporation).

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Finally, hats off to Dan Larson, Moses Altsech, Dick Pearson, and Jacqui Sakowski for the many hours of support they have provided to the two clubs. Our Rotary and global future looks very bright indeed based on the people we met today.

What is Rotaract? Rotaract is a club for adults ages 18-30 that meets twice a month to exchange ideas, plan activities and projects, and socialize. While Rotary clubs serve as sponsors, Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their club and what projects and activities to carry out. Our Rotary Club sponsors two clubs – one at the UW-Madison that was formed in 2002, and one on the Edgewood College campus that was formed in 2008.

Rotaract clubs organize local hands-on service projects, they have fun networking and social activities, they provide professional development opportunities for their members, and they have an international network of young leaders.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in our Rotary Club’s Rotaract Advisory Committee, contact the Rotary office to sign up (rotaryoffice@rotarymadison.org or 255-9164).

Annual Rotaract Holiday Party on December 7

Posted on December 12, 2013 by jaynecoster | Leave a comment

-submitted by Dick & Noel Pearson

“This event was absolutely the best ever! As each student walked in the door, they were asked to hang at least one ornament on the tree. We have an All-Faith Christmas tree!

They all got together and tied knots on 15 no-sew fleece fringe blankets to be given to First Responders in a few weeks. They also made a blanket with US Army fleece, for Rotarian Lew Harned, but he was not in attendance. Moses Altsech will help figure out how to get it to Lew.

One of the highlights of the evening, was the “Who has the ugliest Christmas sweater” contest. Moses was the judge. His commentary was hilarious.

Each student brought a gift for exchange. They all gathered around the Christmas tree while Brittney read aloud “The Night Before Christmas.” She added the words “left” and “right” every so often. When either left or right was spoken, bags were to be passed in that direction. The anticipation and excitement at the passing of each gift bag was fun to see. The reactions of the students as they had to pass a bag with a gift they wanted to keep were very creative.

Dan Larson selected a nice variety of pizzas from Glass Nickel.

When some of the students realized we have a dog and a cat, they politely asked if I would let them visit Ralph and Peter. Ralph, the cat, was his usual 20-pound nonchalant self. Peter, the 2-year-old black Lab rescue, loved and hugged everyone in sight.

Each student gave me a hug as they left and expressed thanks for a wonderful party.”

Our thanks to Dick and Noel Pearson for hosting this event at their home on December 7.

Rotaract Tour and Supper, 12.01.11

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Jacqui Sakowski | Leave a comment

Dan Larson, Chair and Jacqui Sakowski, members of the Rotaract Advisory Committee, accompanied students from Edgewood College and UW Madison on a tour of Full Compass Systems and to supper at The Imperial Garden Chinese Restaurant.

Roxanne Wenzel, VP Sales & Marketing, left above, guided the party through showrooms, recording studios, the colossal 80,000 sqaure foot warehouse and the a la carte bistro.

Johnathon Lipp, founder took the students through the history of the firm to the present day. The students were truly inspired to learn how Full Compass had bucked the recession and grown dramatically by doing the opposite of conventional business wisdom.

During a half-hour Q&A session Johnathon shared some of the downs as well as many of the ups, so everyone left with a taste of success underpinned with a good sense of the reality of managing a growing business in a fast changing industry.

Cool space, fast growing, hi-tech, rewarding, inspiring, were the words much used over a luscious buffet style meal at The Imperial Garden Chinese Restaurant.

Many thanks to Full Compass Systems and to Imperial Garden Chinese Restuarant for their time and contributions to this fun evening.

The Full Compass goody bags and cartons of Chinese food were enthusiastically apprreciated by our group.

The Rotary Club of Madison has 500 members from business, academia, healthcare and public and community service. It is one of the ten largest Rotary International clubs in the world and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013. Rotary International is a service club with local and global reach. It’s 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries have 1.2 million members who meet weekly to develop friendships, learn, and work together to address important humanitarian needs.

Outstanding Fall Semesters at UW_Madison and Edgewood College Rotaract Clubs

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Jacqui Sakowski | 1 comment

Outstanding September meetings of Edgewood College and UW-Madison Rotaract Clubs, have set the stage for a great fall on our local campuses.

These informative and engaging meetings, are open to all Rotary Club members, and District officers, and we can all benefit from attending.

The meetings on the two campuses are slightly different in format, although both run from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

At Edgewood they generally have quite a bit to share about their volunteering activities before a 45-60 minute presentation from a professional from the community who challenges the audience to think differently about how they go to work. In September students and guests heard from an entrepreneur who had taken the risk of trying new ventures, she took the lessons from each as she drew a curtain over the past and moved confidently and more aware into her future, with plans not to repeat her past mistakes.

On UW- Campus a short update on volunteering, is traditionally followed by a 10-15 minute presentation by an international student, who will share about the culture of their home country. In September, Erman bought our friendship with Turkish Delight, which he passed around the group as he spoke. He definitely left the podium with many many new friends! UW students were challenged to think a little less selfishly about their networking agenda in their professional presentation, and they very quickly realized that the more they serve, the more they will be served by the people in their lives.

With first class speakers, and students who lap up every drop of experience and wisdom we can share, these meeting should be unmissable.

Fall Schedule:-

UW-Madison – Grainger Hall

October 25th – Ralph Kauten, Biotech Entrepreneur, founder of Promega, PanVera, Mirus Bio and Quintessence BioSciences.

November 15th – Ken Waysalik, International Business Consultant who works with US companies to expand their businesses into global markets.

December 6th – Tom Guerin , VP of Research & Development for Kerry Ingredients & Flavors, Americas, who travels the globe to ensure that products fit the markets they serve.

Edgewood College – Predolin Hall

October 19th – Carmen Porco, a member of our Rotary Club who will discuss community issues and answers in the works.

November 9th – Moses Altsech, Rotarian and Edgewood College faculty will provide a workshop on creating a great resume.

November 30th – Annemarie Spitznagle, will share lessons learned in founding and operating Bloom Bake Shop in Middleton, WI.

The Rotary Club of Madison has 500+ members from business, academia, healthcare and public and community service. It is one of the ten largest Rotary International clubs in the world and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013. Rotary International is a service club with local and global reach. It’s 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries have 1.2 million members who meet weekly to develop friendships, learn, and work together to address important humanitarian needs.

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