Are volunteering with youth (one-on-one)? Mentoring, Youth Exchange, RYLA, Academic Decathlon, High School Business Plans, Etc...
If YES, you need to have an annual background check completed. CLICK HERE for more details about how to get your background check completed. This only applies if you are working with youth one-on-one. If you are in a group more than 2 people, you don't need a background check.
Mick Faulhaber is our Youth Protection Officer for our Club. Contact him if you have any questions or concerns. Email: mfaulhaber@ward-brodt.com • Phone: (608) 661-8600
Club Vice President Tony Burns was the featured speaker at last Friday’s Club Assembly. Tony reviewed reasons why people join Rotary and, too often, leave after a few months. After causing us to reflect on comings and goings, Burns explained one of the organized ways the club hopes to address this revolving door issue.
When people become Rotarians, Burns explained, they do so for a variety of reasons, including opportunities to volunteer, network and find new friends. In addition, members may want to enhance their leadership abilities, social skills and oratorical gifts. Diving into the Rotary experience, members should become more globally aware, due to Rotary’s emphasis on International Service, one of the five “Avenues of Service.” Despite all of these wonderful possibilities, some will leave.
An analysis of departures shows a variety of causes, including inadequate club leadership, poor orientation, inattention by the sponsor, improper use of a recruit’s talents, boring meetings, lack of recognition, etc. Clearly, the causes suggest the solutions.
As a way of actively encouraging continued and active membership, the club has instituted its 12 x 12 Program, where 12 members each month participate in a different project. In September, our focus was “Try for Schools,” in October - Oktoberfest and in November it will be assisting River Food Pantry, with new ideas being requested for the months ahead. Tony Burns’ presentation reminded us of our obligation to welcome the newcomer and make sure he or she is fully included and involved in the Rotary experience we enjoy.
I represented my employer, TDS, and our Rotary club when I participated in "A Principal Experience" sponsored by the Foundation for Madison Public Schools. I shadowed Jefferson Middle School principal Isaac Kirkwood and learned about the school including the School Improvement Plan (SIP). The primary goals included improving proficiency in reading and math.
I toured the school and observed various 6-8th grade students in their classrooms. Highlights included a student talking about making effective presentations, a choir rendition of Lion King favorites, a rousing game of kickball and all the excitement of 6th grade recess and lunch. Oh, and most importantly I saw our Chromebooks in action and got a hearty thanks from a number of staff members who appreciated our club's support. Finally, I joined Mr. Kirkwood and other participants at a luncheon sponsored by the Cuna Mutual Foundation.
Here are my takeaways:
The role of educators is daunting. They must balance the needs of 500 plus individuals and still gain compliance to educate and accomplish the overall goals.
No surprise, but middle schoolers are unique onto themselves. I was impressed with their energy and amazed at the challenge of keeping them on task.
A principal must have their head on a swivel. No detail is too small. Quick intervention with a friendly smile goes a long way toward maintaining a productive and positive learning environment.
The secret to keeping students in the game and getting the results taxpayers demand is dedication and teamwork. It was clearly evident at Jefferson
It was an awesome personal experience and I encourage others in the club to consider participating in the future.
One of Paul Harris' initial goals was to create a business network of like-minded individuals with high integrity. Over the years our club's focus has shifted to service above self perhaps at the expense of making valuable, professional business connections, especially for newer members. Enter Rotary Works--a program that will appeal to those who want to learn more about the business side of their fellow members and share their own business interests.
Mary Beth Growney-Selene saw this program in action in Cleveland, brought it to the board for consideration and we heartily endorsed it. Attached is a flyer that explains the program. Our first meeting will be held at 11:15 a.m. before our meeting on Friday, November 11. Lynn Goldsmith agreed to be a co-chair and we are looking for another person to join her on this new adventure. This is a great opportunity to develop productive business relationships and get a taste of leadership. Please contact Lynn Lyndygold@gmail.comor Matt Loch matthew.loch@tdsmetro.comto share your interest.
This will be a very busy weekend in La Crosse, with several other events in town taking up hotel rooms. Book early to be sure that you'll have a room for the 2017 Rotary District Conference!
Room Block Information:
Radisson Hotel - Conference Venue
200 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, WI 54601
Standard King Room: $149
Standard 2 Queen room: $159
Reservations:
(608) 784-6680 or (800) 333-3333
Ask for the Rotary District 6250 Conference Rate www.radisson.com/lacrossewi Enter promo code: RD6250 Room block deadline: April 14, 2017
The Charmant Hotel - upscale boutique hotel
101 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Standard King or Double Queen Room: $249
Reservations:
(608) 697-7300
Ask for the in-house reservations: Rotary District 6250 Rate Room block deadline: March 27, 2017
On 24 October, World Polio Day, Rotary will bring together partners from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative for an update on our fight to end polio. As host and moderator of the event, our organization plays a key role in amplifying one of the most important public health concerns in modern history.
When we first took it up as an organizational cause over three decades ago, polio affected 350,000 children every year, mostly in lower-income countries where poor sanitation and limited access to clean water facilitate the spread of the virus.
Our collaboration with the World Health...
The first time Noel Jackson jumped out of a plane at 14,000 feet, it had nothing to do with raising money for polio eradication.
The Michigan dentist had received a gift certificate to go skydiving from his staff because they knew he was into adventure.
“It is definitely a defining moment,” says Jackson, a member of the Rotary Club of Trenton, Michigan, USA, of that first jump, done in tandem strapped to a professional skydiver. “The rush of the free fall is beyond anything I have ever experienced before. Just the speed and acceleration is unbelievable. You don’t even have time to figure out...
Each month, eBay, the world’s largest auction website, selects a set of upcoming Live Auction events and donates a portion of all sales proceeds to Rotary. Only U.S. auction sales are eligible. See the schedule of October auctions.
