It's been 100 years since our club was born. Thank you all for your continued support and dedication. Without you, our list of achievements would never have come to life.
It is truly admirable what our organization has been able to do for our community and communities abroad. Your participation has made a global impact improving the lives of many. So to all our members, we'd like to say:
Thank you!
FROM KATHY OLSEN:
Dear Rotary Members of the Waukesha Rotary Club:
Thank you very much for the white and orange beautiful arrangements of flowers to honor Gary. We sincerely appreciated this gorgeous bouquet.
Gary loved Rotary since he first joined Rotary of Waukesha in the mid 70's. His father had been a Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Green Bay and was President of that club in 1960. Gary had gone with his father and other family members to the International Rotary Meeting in 1963 and had been so enthralled by all that Rotary was doing worldwide. He attended seven Rotary International Conventions throughout the years.
As you know, he always enjoyed hosting international adults and young people in our home. With Group Study Exchange, we had young adults from ten different countries and four different continents stay with us for their visits. Five youths in long-term and short-term youth exchanges stayed with us. Our two sons, Marc and Michael, also participated in short term Rotary youth exchanges to Belgium/Turkey and Spain.
As you also know, Gary was very interested in helping in Africa and went on a Rotary project to Kilifi Kenya with Marc and Michael (both Rotarians) which eventually resulted in forming Kilifi Kids to help children in that area in health.
He was very excited in getting a "Service Above Self" for his activities in Rotary including this Kenya project.
In his four months in Finland helping take care of our grandchildren, Gary visited 12 Rotary clubs in Tampere, Finland area. He loved making up internationally whenever he could.
From the Pancake Festival to BluesFest to other local projects, he loved helping in the Waukesha area. He was very excited when Michael formed an Interact Club at Brookfield East. Gary was also very involved with Rotaract in these past years.
Rotary played a major role in Gary's life and I like to thank that Gary also played a major role in helping communities and promoting understanding worldwide through his participation in Rotary.
With warmest regards,
Kathy Olsen
(Gary's family asked that memorials be sent to the Waukesha Rotary Club Charitable Fund, Inc. We thank them for donations totaling $2,270.00)
Waukesha Allied Veterans Council Veterans Day Observance
Waukesha Allied Veterans Council will observe Veterans Day at Veteran's Park on November 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Address: 710 N. West Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186. Come join us for a short program and use the opportunity to thank a veteran.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PETE BOSCH:
The District Nominating Committee met on Saturday, November 6th to interview candidates for District Governor for the 2024/2025 Rotary year. We are happy to announce that the committee chose Pete as the candidate for District Governor for the 2024/25 Rotary year. Pete has held a number of roles within our club and the District, most recently as Assistant District Governor for Area M (Hartland-Lake Country, Waukesha, and Waukesha Sunrise) and as a member of the District Technology Committee. We are proud of you, Pete, and know that you will do a fabulous job (especially with that cool 3D printer!!!!!). Remember, we knew you before you were famous!! Our very best to you.
OUR WEEKLY SPEAKERS:
We thank everyone who has offered us ideas and contacts for our weekly speakers, especially our board of directors. We try to be careful when scheduling to make sure we have a little something for everyone. (And remember - these are all free speakers!!) As cautious as we try to be, we are aware that some speakers are more, shall we say, "excellent" than others. If you enjoy a particular speaker, yaay! If not, please accept our humble apologies and know that we are trying. Please let Colleen or one of our board members know: What topics would you like to hear about? What businesses or organizations would you like to hear from? Who would you like to hear speak? What’s worth your lunch hour? This is your meeting - help make it the best it can be. We are also interested in your opinion regarding bringing in more Zoom speakers. The advantage of this is that it opens up a whole new arena of speakers. (but it is still none-the-less Zoom). So let us know your thoughts!! Email Colleen or attend our next board of directors meeting coming up on November 16th.
THE ROTARY ROSE PARADE FLOAT:
This year's theme is "Changing Lives Through Education." Some of our members like to donate towards the building of this annual Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float. The purpose is to help promote Rotary to the World. If you are interested in donating this year, send your check, payable to Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, to Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc., P.O. Box 92502, Pasadena, CA 91109-2502 or make an online donation at: www.rotaryfloat.org
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Christmas Clearing Council:
- Bike Program: The bike program did not go as expected. If you would like to purchase a bike, please make your own purchase wherever you'd like and deliver it to CCC at St. Williams in Waukesha on December 9th at 6:00 pm (assembled). Our club did not make a commitment for this part of the project. But they would gladly receive your bike donation and would make sure a child in need receives it.
- Adopt a Family: Our club does have a family that we are committed to helping out this Christmas. Please use the following link to sign up to bring a gift item for one of the family members. The gift does not have to be wrapped - just bring it to a Monday meeting and our committee will take it from there. If you do not handle the Christmas shopping in your family, we would appreciate it if you would pass the link on to the person who does. As of right now, we only have 6 members of our club who have committed to donating anything. WE NEED YOU TOO. Please join us.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing:
The Waukesha Rotary Club will once again be ringing bells for the Salvation Army. What Happens When You Ring? Each year, The Salvation Army will serve more than 25 million people across America – including many here in our community. That means 55+ million meals for the hungry, 10+ million nights of shelter for the homeless, and countless Christmas gifts for children who may otherwise go without. So truly, you can make a difference with every ring. The funds you raise as a Salvation Army bell ringer will make a year-round impact in our community through social services assistance, homeless shelters, disaster relief, children’s programs, rehabilitation services, anti-human trafficking, and more.
Donations in the red kettle stay local – directly impacting the lives of our neighbors by helping them in their time of need. When you ring the bell, you’re making change happen. We will be ringing the bell at the Pick N Save located at 220 E Sunset Dr, Waukesha, WI 53186 Please sign up using the sign up genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4AA8AD23A6F49-salvation
MEMBERSHIP:
A big thank you to Amanda Roddy and Lynn Sigfred for bringing prospective members to our club meeting last week. Word of mouth and a friendly invitation to join you for a Monday meeting and lunch are the best ways to grow our club. As of right now, we are not charging our members for their guests if they bring a prospective new member.
NEXT MONDAY'S MEETING:
Join us to hear member talks from Brad Wells, Sales Manager at the US Bank in Waukesha and Sarah Butz, Director of Community Benefits at ProHealth Care. Meeting is from noon - 1:00 pm and catered by Bubb's in Big Bend. Can't meet in person? Join us on Zoom. (Link is sent every Monday morning.)
