November 13th– Lisa Peyton-Claire, CEO & President Foundation for Black Women's Wellness and Alia Stevenson, M.S. Chief Programs Officer will talk about Foundation for Black Women's Wellness Program.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
November 20th – Tricia Levenhagen, director of BSP clinic will discuss the activities of this clinic. BSP stands for Benevolent Specialist Physicians. It's like Doctors Without Borders except that it's local. Doctors donate their time (pro bono) for patients who have little or no income or insurance. Our club has donated money for this cause, so TUNE IN!
November 27th – No Meeting (Thanksgiving)
December 4th -- Pippa Jarvis, the managing director of TLC (The Love of Christ), Children's Home located in South Africa. Topic Reweaving the social fabric... lessons from loving traumatized children.
December 11th -- Charles Hunt, a Rotarian from Denver, will tell us about the opportunities of Rotary Peace Corps volunteers. Rotary members don't have to be youngsters either, Charles volunteered when he was in his fifty's. Mary Dunn recommended this program and was a Peace Corps Volunteer herself. Don't miss this one.
Long-time member Kico Gandara will be moving home to Guatemala in the early spring and has requested to leave our Club and transfer to Club there.
He’s been an Economic Development Consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. This job meant loads of travel, so he rarely made meetings. But his impact on many of our Latin American projects was substantial. He said in an email: “I will miss seeing you and the members of the club. I leave heartbroken but it is time to go back to my farms and take care of my business in Guatemala. We built a beautiful house that we haven’t enjoyed enough. I hope you will join the members of our Rotary Club in one of the trips for the Medical Mission and Scholarship Program.”
He will be missed. For those older members who remember him and want to drop him a line, his email is enrique_gandara7805@msn.com
If you are considering a gift to help out in these challenging times, consider a gift to the Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotary Foundation. Here are some facts that may help you decide the best way for you to give.
NEW DEDUCTION:
The Coronavirus Aid, relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020, allows taxpayers who are taking the standard deduction (rather than itemizing deductions) to claim up to $300 in charitable deductions, to a 501(c)(3) charity (such as our Rotary Foundation).
FOR DONORS WHO ITEMIZE THEIR DEDUCTIONS:
You can now give more to charity before reaching your adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation. Formerly set at 60%, the limitation for cash contributions to charities has now been raised to 100% of an individual’s AGI for 2020. Any giving beyond this 100% limitation may be carried over and used in the next five years. This provision, however, excludes giving any contributions made to established or maintain donor-advised funds (DAFs). This means that itemizing DAF donors who exhaust the 60% limit with cash contributions to their DAFs in 2020 could make any additional donations outside their DAF and have those donations qualify for a deduction (up until reaching the 100% limit).
As always, we urge you to consult with your financial or tax advisor to learn more about your options and the CARES act before making any giving decisions.
John A. Gerold
[The above information was taken from the Fall 2020 MOM’s newsletter.]
Our silent auction committee had great success this year but in anticipation of an increased goal in 2021, we need a few more committee members to join us. Leo and Abby could use some help in getting out to the community’s shop owners for donations including more golf courses for foursomes and golf swag.
Ruth could use a couple of data entry people to help streamline the on-line auction set-up process. Deb and Jeannine need additional “creative types” to help create and wrap baskets and take pictures of the finished product.
Email your interest to any committee member. Thank you for your support!
We’re trying to wrap up this fundraiser expeditiously. If you’ve pledged and recently received an email from the Secretary, this is just a reminder to follow through and put by your check in the mail. Any questions, reach out to jack46ferreri@gmail.com
Jim Olmsted runs the speaker program. He’s provided us with a range of interesting speakers over the last few years, both flesh-and-blood and virtual. But Jim’s fertile mind could use some assistance in coming up with program topics and contacts. Who do you know that could present us with an interesting program … hobbies, company insights, sports, hunting, crazy collectors, you name it. The only exclusions are politics and speakers that just want to sell us something. Think about the people you know … neighbors, old/new friends, people at your office or social club. Do your ruminating and then send an email to Jim at jolmsted7562@gmail.com
Stylish and very useful Rotary brand masks are available now, in limited quantities. When they're gone, they're gone. $8.00 each or 3 for $20.00, including shipping. E-mail MB Growney Selene if you are interested at mbgrowneyselene@ryansigns.net. Payment instructions will be included in your package Thank you for your interest in good health and being Rotary proud!
Long-time member Kico Gandara will be moving home to Guatemala in the early spring and has requested to leave our Club and transfer to Club there. 