Tag Archives: Service Above Self

Dedication of Rotary Club of Madison Centennial Plaza on June 11

Posted on June 12, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–submitted by Bob Dinndorf; photos by Valerie Johnson and Uriah Carpenter

Led by members of the Hiking Fellowship Group, Rotary Club of Madison members trekked from Inn on the Park to the Rotary Club of Madison Centennial Plaza (corners of Hamilton & Mifflin Streets) to witness a special moment capping the first Rotary century and inaugurating the second century. Club members participated in the official dedication of the Rotary Club of Madison’s Centennial Plaza. John Bonsett-Veal and Uriah Carpenter arranged a creative aerial photo of Rotarians fresh from their post-lunch constitutional. This indisputable visual evidence of Rotary pride was summarized by Mayor Paul Soglin who read a proclamation commemorating June 11, 2014, as a day to celebrate Rotary and one of Madison’s newest landmarks.

(Photo 1: Steve Goldberg addresses the gathering; Photo 2: Deb Gilpin reads a poem; Photo 3: Rotarians peering into the sky for a group photo [below])

Earlier at Inn on the Park, Steve Goldberg regaled the club with his now signature Palooza Pleaser, a song about the club’s summer spectacular. The 2014 SummerPalooza takes place Saturday, June 14 around Capitol Square and the Madison Children’s Museum.

Mayor Paul Sogilin reads the proclamation with Club President Renee Moe

Laura Peck, chair of the Plaza Project Committee, reviewed how the art installation developed. Deb Gilpin, Executive Director of the Madison Children’s Museum provided an introduction to the art piece, “Roads Diverge” which provides whimsical food for thought to plaza visitors. Deb expressed appreciation for the daily inspiration that the art provides. Finally, appreciation is extended again to Dave Ewanowski who chaired the initial 2008 Centennial Project Planning Committee and all Rotarians as well as friends of Rotarians who participated in celebration of the club’s 100 years past. Our brave march into the future continues.

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Note from a Visiting Rotarian on June 11, 2014:
“Thanx for the warm hospitality shown by your club’s Rotarians. Today’s visit to the Rotary Club of Madison will always remain a memorable day in my life. I am fortunate enough to be able to witness the centennial plaza dedication event. Yours is indeed a vibrant and unique club in the world. May your club achieve still greater heights in the forthcoming years.”

Yours in Rotary, PP KISHOR OSWAL, Rotary Club of PUNE FAR EAST India

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Posted in 1. President's Messages, Centennial Celebration, Centennial Project, Hiking Fellowship

Tagged Centennial Celebration, Fellowship, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Club of Madison Centennial Plaza, Service Above Self

Melanie Ramey Receives Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award

Posted on June 5, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

–presented by Carol Toussaint, June 4, 2014

Club President Renee Moe (left) pictured here with Melanie Ramey

The 2014 Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award is presented to Melanie Ramey for her extensive service to Rotary.

Joining the club in 1991, Melanie immediately signed on for committees, especially those that called for a tireless volunteer. She brought humor and hard work to every task and seemed always ready for the next assignment. She became a Rotary News reporter, managed the Sergeant at Arms position and was elected to the board of directors, then vice-president, president in 1998-99, followed by more service on the board of the Madison Rotary Foundation. Her Rotary reach extended to leading the Ethics Symposium Committee and helping organize the first Ethics Symposium for high school students. She is a mentor for Rotary scholars, an advocate for UW and Edgewood College students in Rotaract, helped secure funding from Rotary International Foundation to launch CECADE, the club’s signature international project, is active on the Orientation, Visitor Hospitality, Member Development Committees, and on and on.

There is also something special about Melanie and money. There was a club auction held in 1994 to raise funds for community grants and youth awards. President Alan Orenberg used words such as brash, forceful, persuasive to describe her auctioneering style, but he also praised Melanie for the $8000 added to the fund. In 1998 at the start of her term as president, she inaugurated the system to pay forward on your birthday with the suggestion that each celebrant make a gift of one dollar for each year of age, rounded up to 100. Succeeding presidents have not wanted to tamper with a sound money scheme and to date Melanie’s presidential year idea has averaged over $26,000 a year for a 15-year total of $402,021 to the Foundation from the birthday “tax”.

The Werner Award Committee also takes into consideration an individual’s work for community causes whether as a volunteer or professional. In 2010, Melanie was nominated by our club and was selected by the Madison Area Service Club Council to receive the Ruth Gordon Service Award. This award is given to honor an individual who, over time, has exemplified the concept of volunteer service for the betterment of the community.

In 2012, the club honored Melanie with the Manfred Swarsensky Humanitarian Service Award and detailed many of her selfless acts in support of others. Individuals and organizations needing an advocate seem to find Melanie or perhaps she finds them. Those living in poverty, those in prison or any who are denied rights as citizens have seen that same forceful, persuasive, might I add, brash and effective style, put to work on their behalf.

In November 1974, nearly 40 years ago, club president Ted Long presented the first Werner award. He told the club that the intention is not to provide a reward or incentive for Club efforts, but rather to maintain examples of the Rotary tradition of “Service above Self”. It was a special moment for Ted. Joe Werner had been his mentor at the law firm and his sponsor for Rotary membership.

Congratulations Melanie!

It is also a special moment for me to congratulate a friend who becomes the 29^th member of this club to receive the Joseph Werner award. Melanie Ramey.

History of Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award: In 1974, our club established the Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service award as the club’s highest recognition for club service. This award is granted by our Rotary Club in recognition of outstanding club service in the Rotary tradition of “Service Above Self.” Joseph Werner was a committed Rotarian. He chaired many significant committees, both before and after serving as club president in 1953-54. He served as a district governor in 1958-59 and became the second member of this club to serve as director of Rotary International in 1969-71. He later served Rotary International in many other positions, and two different RI Directors indicated that Joe was in line for president of Rotary International at the time of his death from cancer in 1973. Joe was a truly committed Rotarian whose example of “Service Above Self” is memorialized in this award.

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Posted in 2. Meetings, 5. Members, History, Joseph G. Werner, Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award, Rotary Club of Madison

Tagged Club Service Award, Community Service Award, Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison, Service Above Self

Our Club Distributed $24,350 in Youth Awards and $240,000 in College Scholarships to Local High School Students in May 2014

Posted on May 29, 2014 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

45th Annual Rotary Youth Awards Program on May 14, 2014

On May 14, the Rotary Club of Madison honored 46 Madison high school students who received Rotary certificates and cash awards totaling $24,350 to recognize their scholastic achievements and contributions to the Madison community. Awards were made in the following categories:

The $600 Rotary Senior Academic Achievement Awards for top scholarship were presented to Katie Alley from Memorial High School; Emmett Geisler from La Follette High School; Catherine Paulson from West High School; Megan Schomaker from Edgewood High School; and Cora Wiese Moore fromEast High School.

Receiving $1,400 awards for their participation in Community Service Projects were Teresa Baymon from East High School; Adrian Conner from East High School; Alyssa Diaczun from Memorial High School; Desirae Fisher from East High School; Benjamin Gellman from Memorial High School; and Mathias Lemos Castillo at West High School.

Six sophomores receive the 12^th annual $200 Wilson Sophomore Academic Improvement Awards for outstanding improvement in academic progress while in high school: Justin Collins from West High School; Sonam Dolma from Memorial High School; Shalita Hood from Shabazz City High School; Dakotah Kane from Edgewood High School; Ryan Lee from East High School; and Steven Mey from La Follette High School.

Junior Academic Improvement Awards were given to the following students in the amount of $200: Jamaine Butler from Memorial High School; Jack L’Heureux from Edgewood High School; Cortez McCree from La Follette High School; Arely Olguin from East High School; Noah Oswald from Shabazz City High School; and Era Zeka from West High School.

Six students received $400 awards for Senior Academic Improvement while in high school: Sheniqua Bumpers from West High School; Nathan Graham from East High School; Dominic Hillestad from Shabazz City High School; Nicholas Kanoff from Edgewood High School; Tatiana Segura from La Follette High School; and Jonathan Tapia-Carrillo from Memorial High School

Samuel Shovers from Memorial High School received the $500 Fay J. Meade Community Service Award for use in furthering his education.

Five students received Outstanding Senior Awards for academic achievement, leadership and community service: Jeremy Gartland from Memorial High School; Nathaniel Graham from Edgewood High School; Shoshaunah Jacob from West High School; Khaleah Monger from La Follette High School; and Isabella Newman from East High School.

For their role in the selection process, the following students received $130 University Book Store gift certificates and were honored for serving as Community Service Award Judges: Abbigail Cotter from La Follette High School; Anna Fallon from Edgewood High School; Connor Gregorich-Trevor from Memorial High School; Raphaella Hurd from West High School; and Brennan Murphy from East High School.

Five students were selected to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference, and their $200 participation cost was provided by our Madison Rotary Foundation: Ari Davis from West High School; Henry Gaylord from East High School; Julia LaBonte from Edgewood High School; Naomi Makesa from Memorial High School; and Robin Mwai from La Follette High School.

Congratulations to each of these students, and we wish them well in all their future endeavors!

Our thanks to Youth Awards Committee Chair Scott Strong and the following program presenters: Moses Altsech, Richard Entenmann, Kathryne McGowan, Elaine Mischler, Stacy Nemeth, Katie Ryan, Jessica Schock, Tim Stadelman and Nancy Young. We also thank John Bonsett-Veal for serving as photographer.

Annual Madison Rotary Foundation Scholarship Program

The Madison Rotary Foundation has awarded college scholarships totaling $240,000 to 23 graduates from Madison area high schools, and we honored the students, along with their guests, at our May 28 luncheon.

Students who received these scholarships are listed by donor:

Nathan F. Brand Scholar: Austin Coppernoll
Frederic Brandenberg Scholar: Shamell Long-Homesly
Harry L. French Scholars: Gregorio Abrajan, Victoria Cooper, Laura Her, Lilian Kenitz, Hloua Vang
Perry & Virginia Henderson Scholar: Eleazar Wawa
Louis Hirsig Scholar: Samuel Park
Thomas Leonard Scholar: Ayla Hammill
Irving & Dorothy Levy Family Scholars: Iffat Bhuiyan, McKenna Crossen, Anna Grassy, Irene Katana, Mathias Lemos Castillo, Jo-Nathan Wesley, Shaneice White
Andrew McBeath Scholars: Tenzin Chonzin, Marie Nofodji
Regina M. Millner Scholar: Brett Stratton
Synergy Scholar: Gabriel Gugielmina
Mike & Patty Wilson Scholar: Dale Blassingame
Worzala Family Scholar: Caroline Liu

Our Madison Rotary Foundation Scholarship Committee annually selects students from each high school in accordance with the wishes of the donors. The chosen applicants are students with high academic standing and with character and leadership ability who have made contributions to their schools and communities and have financial need.

This year’s group of scholars had the benefit of hearing from a past recipient, Amadou Fofana (pictured at left), who received an Andrew McBeath scholarship in 2008.

The Rotary Club of Madison and the Madison Rotary Foundation wish to thank the members of the Scholarship Committee for their hard work in selecting this year’s recipients: Bob Shumaker (chair), Robyn Kitson, Regina Millner, Tom Popp,Ellie Schatz, Wes Sparkman, Cheryl Weston and David Worzala. We also thank Rotarians who will be serving as mentors to these scholars during their upcoming college years.

We appreciate the efforts of our photographer John Bonsett-Veal who provided us with a group photo of this year’s recipients.

As always, the awards program is a motivation for all Rotarians to provide financial resources for the Madison Rotary Foundation Scholarship Program.

Our congratulations to the 23 students receiving this year’s scholarships and best wishes for success in their college careers!

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Posted in 2. Meetings, MRF Scholarship Committee, Scholars & Mentors, Youth Awards Committee

Tagged Local High School Students, Madison Rotary Foundation, MRF Scholars, Rotary, Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Youth Awards, Scholars & Mentors, Service Above Self, Youth, Youth Awards Committee

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!

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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

Hope Through Service

Posted on July 1, 2013 by joannamartinez | 3 comments

Rotary provides many opportunities for local and international service. Meaningful community service is born out of a passion for humanity. As Rotarians, we must never take our position to serve for granted. The world needs individuals that are willing to give a helping hand and keep burning issues of civil injustice, business and economic development and environmental concerns at the forefront. Through weekly luncheons and fellowships with members of the business, civic and academic fields we are in a position to make a difference and change lives for the better. There is hope for our community as long as caring individuals are willing to serve.

Throughout my term on the Board of Directors and as Club President, I have worked to spark our interest in public affairs that will motivate us to produce positive change for the community we serve. It has been an honor to serve as President of the Rotary Club of Madison. I look forward to an effective and prosperous new century for our club and a wonderful fresh beginning from our highly competent and visionary President Renee Moe.

Yours In Service, Wes Sparkman, Club President, 2012-13

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Posted in 1. President's Messages, Centennial Celebration

Tagged Centennial Celebration, Fellowship, Rotary Club of Madison President, Service Above Self, Service to Community

Highlights from Rotary SummerPalooza June 8, 2013

Posted on June 12, 2013 by joannamartinez | Leave a comment

It was a picture perfect day for our club’s inaugural SummerPalooza event on the Capitol Square! There was music and entertainment outside of the Madison Children’s Museum and free admission to the museum throughout the day. A parade started at noon and looped around the Capitol Square.

We had 39 Rotary volunteers and 20 BMO Harris Bank volunteers who helped out during the event. There were 16 community grant organizations and 14 other groups that participated in our parade. The Madison Children’s Museum welcomed 3,187 guests inside the museum which is a record number for the museum.

It is estimated that the event drew 4,000 attendees, 300 parade participants, and there were about 2,000 additional people watching the parade on the square.

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It was a success on many levels, and we thank Steve Goldberg for chairing the planning committee within our club, and thanks also to all of our volunteers.