Tag Archives: Rotary

Spotlight on Rotary Club Meeting Assistance Committee

Posted on November 26, 2012 by joannamartinez | 1 comment

–submitted by Dawn Crim, Club Meeting Assistance Committee Chair

Our Rotary Club Meeting Assistance Committee helps our weekly luncheons run smoothly by helping with table handouts and with the speaker Q&A section of the meetings.

The Wednesday, November 7 Rotary meeting was a perfect example of the Meeting Assistance committee clicking on all cylinders. Table tents and handouts were on every table. When President Wes referred to information on them, members had easy access to the materials. After the speaker concluded his presentation, the two members on microphone duty spread out across the room and sprang into action, seamlessly gliding around the room fielding questions. Nonverbal communication and eye contact connections were key; enabling alternating members to ask their questions at the conclusion of the speakers response to the previous question. It was probably one of the best coordinated question/answer segments. Included with this article are several illustrations of our Club Meeting Assistance Committee members in action.

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Posted in 3. Committees, Club Meeting Assistance

Tagged Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison

Celebrating 100 Years: A Look Back in our Club’s History – George Wallace Visits Club in 1964

Posted on November 5, 2012 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

As part of our celebration to mark the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Rotary Club of Madison, Jerry Thain and Rich Leffler are publishing original documents from the Club’s archives and other sources. We hope that these documents will recall for you the rich history of the Club and the times during this momentous century.

This week, Jerry Thain provides the following history piece:

The Rotary Club of Madison has had many famous people speak to it over the years. Possibly the most surprising name among the list of speakers is that of Alabama Governor George Wallace, whose February 1964 talk was an attack on the pending Civil Rights Bill that was enacted by Congress later that year. Since it was almost universally thought that some version of the civil rights bill that had been strongly promoted by President Lyndon Johnson was certain to be passed, political observers believed that Wallace’s purpose in speaking against it around the nation was not so much to block enactment of the bill as to start promoting himself as a future candidate for President. That campaign, of course, was ended when he was seriously wounded by a would-be assassain’s bullet in 1968.

I trust it goes without saying that this post is in no way an endorsement of the arguments by Wallace but simply the citing of a notable moment in our Club’s history. The Wisconsin State Journal reported picketing took place outside the meeting and there was a report of a supposed assassination plot as well. As most know, Wallace later recanted many of his earlier views on civil rights and ran for Governor on a different platform.

Rotary New Member Coffee Event – To Discuss Packer Game?

Posted on September 27, 2012 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

Wes Sparkman and Dick Pearson

Nathan Wautier and Jim Sauter

Perry Henderson

Jason Beren

Deb Archer

What do you think Rotarians talk about at a 7:30 a.m. coffee the morning after the Packer/Seahawks game? Not the eight sacks of Aaron Rogers or the deft hand of Russell Wilson, or even the officiating fiasco. No, they talk about the excitement of being a Rotarian in a club that offers more special ways to participate than hours in a day. Not only that, the newest was as enthusiastic as a most experienced member in the group. Jason Beren was in charge and called on Deb Archer who described the upcoming centennial year celebrations, and President Wes Sparkman who challenged everyone to bring in a new member by July 1^st. Even for those of us who are not “morning people,” it was a great way to start the day.
–submitted by Carol Toussaint

Celebrating 100 Years: A Look Back in Our History

Posted on September 20, 2012 by joannamartinez | 3 comments

THIS MONTH IN DOWNTOWN ROTARY HISTORY
As part of our celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Rotary Club of Madison, Jerry Thain and Rich Leffler are today beginning a series in which we will publish original documents from the Club’s archives. We hope that these documents will recall for you the rich history of the Club and the times during this momentous century.

Here is our first posting for the series:

Paul F. Hunter, Sr.

On September 1, 1939, the German Army and Air Force attacked Poland. After diplomatic efforts failed to end the invasion, on September 3, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. For the second time in a generation, the lights were going out all over Europe. The essay, almost certainly written by Paul F. Hunter, Sr., the longtime Club secretary and the editor of The Rotary News, appeared in the News issue of September 12, 1939 (volume XXIV, no. 18, p. 3).
The essay is beautifully, lyrically written and also suggests the broad international connections our Club had at the time. It presciently fears “what may be the worst war in the history of the world.” Even that understated the horrors that were to come. It also speaks of a halcyon America, which was perhaps a rose-colored vision of the reality of 1939. But it may have been true of Madison, Wisconsin. Even then, in the last days of the Depression, Madison was a special place.

–submitted by Rich Leffler

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Posted in 2. Meetings, Centennial Celebration, History

Tagged Fellowship, History, Membership, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison

Rotary Business LinkUp Meeting on August 9

Posted on August 13, 2012 by joannamartinez | 1 comment

-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 9^th 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…

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Posted in 2. Meetings, 5. Members, Social Media, Speed Rotary, Uncategorized

Tagged Fellowship, Membership, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison

At the Heart of Rotary

Posted on August 7, 2012 by joannamartinez | 6 comments

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

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Posted in 1. President's Messages, 2. Meetings, 4. Fellowship Groups

Tagged Fellowship, Membership, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison