By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

 

Today’s business meeting was chock-full of dates and details about the upcoming Rotary year. A stickler for planning and scheduling, Prez Janet and the Board set the slate for the busy Rotary season. Mark your calendars or update your Blackberrys per the list of dates at the end of this edition of The Spoke.

The budget shows black ink. Handed out at the meeting, our annual budget projects income of $45,086.92 and expenses of $41,497.80. If Treasurer Jim’s math is right, that’ll leave us $3,589.12 to the good at the end of our next fiscal year. If you didn’t get a copy of the budget, give Jim a ring.

Steve “Canoeist” Lewis has agreed to chair the Family Fun Float again next spring. In search of more predictably mild weather, Steve wants to push the date from mid-May into mid-June. Steve is talking with the local bike/float club, as well as the City, to nail down some event partnerships and a hard date.

Breakfast with Santa needs a chair person. The event will be December 5th and Prez Janet has the complete file. Is it time for you to step up and volunteer?

The St. John Romance Raffle tickets will be drawn at the Beer and Wine tasting on February 12th. A drawing for a romantic week in St. John teamed with a beer/wine tasting just prior to Valentine’s Day should be a winner. Ray Krek and Shirley Dempsey are co-chairs. Stay tuned for more details. [See “Word of the Week” below.]

We’ll start selling Character Ed Calendars in October; finish by December 31st, of course.

Who do you know? A push for new Rotary members is getting underway. A lengthy list of member prospects was circulated at today’s meeting with those present signing up to make initial contacts. Prez Janet has a simple tri-fold brochure to hand out to member prospects.

Two Birthday Boys were serenaded today. CPA DelC reached his 58th year and Attorney TomM achieved age 44 during July and August.

Stan Nash, Jefferson Rotary President in ’87-’88, died in Florida yesterday. Stan was a Jefferson native and the father of current Rotarian Chris Nash. Stan was a furniture designer for Schweiger Furniture for many years. There will be a memorial service at St. Lawrence on September 12th. The Club will commemorate Stan’s club and community service at that event.

Word of the Week: EXTRAVAGANZA. A dramatic fantasy. Elaborate. Spectacular. For example: The St. John Romance Raffle will be an extravaganza.

Upcoming programs & activities:

September 1, Classification speeches
September 1, Cruise Nite at Walmart
September 8, Carl Olson
September 15, Program TBD
September 17, 18, 19, Gemuetlichkeit Days
September 22, Nancy Ziolecki – Blood Center of Wisconsin
September 29, Business meeting
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown
October 1 through December 31, Character Education calendar sales
December 5, Breakfast with Santa, Masonic Lodge
February 12, St. John Romantic Raffle drawing/Beer & Wine Sweetheart Gala
Mid-June (exact date TBD), Family Fun Float
June 29, Annual Awards Banquet
July 10, Cow Chip Challenge, Jefferson County Fair (July 6 -10)
August 15, Brat & Burger Raffle

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Future scholarship winners were the real winners of the Jefferson Rotary Brat & Burger last Monday night. While the final financials aren’t in quite yet, President Janet Werner thanked everyone who sold tickets, solicited items for prizes, worked the event and made it a successful event like Rotarians do. In addition to ticket sales, we earned $50 in tips, $823 in the 50/50 money raffle, and $1,310 for the silent auction. Prez Janet notes that there are four people who have to pay for their items. She also read an e-mail from Dr. Volk commending the Club on a job well done.

Adopt a Classroom was the program presented today by Mike and Sandy Swartz. They played a Character Education film and handed out programs from a recent C-E conference where the Jefferson school program was recognized. The Jefferson Rotary is a regular contributor to the Character Education initiative.

Guest Joann Miller sat in Steve Lewis’ chair today. She and Steve were one of the “final four” at the B&B and jointly donated $50 in appreciation for all of the hard work to pull off our flagship fundraiser.

Lot’s of Happy Bucks this week: Michael Swartz for the fabulous and successful Brat & Burger. Jim van Lieshout dittoed Mike’s remarks. Del Chmielewski questioned when we stopped the live auction. Pat VandenBerg added $1 to the tip jar to make it an even $50 from the B&B bartending. Shirley Dempsey thanked her crew and grillers for an awesome job. Tom Monogue thanked everyone and reported that 26 out of 32 active Rotarians were helping Monday night. Joann Miller had $15 for SteveL (absent) moving his last son into his last dorm room and pays his last tuition bill.

Jim vanL was fined for not wearing a helmet when riding his moped. Jim states that he wears gloves while tooling around town on his Harley wannabe two-wheeler. Apparently Jim thinks his hands are more precious than his noggin! Fines were also levied on Chad Stelse for wearing too many stripes at Monday’s B&B. Michael Blau, Drew Hansen, and Jim Jossart were fined for not supplying the grillers with enough liquids. Fines were waived on SteveL for the $50 given earlier in the meeting, and Joann Miller was waived for the “Rotary Dress” worn at the B&B.

Word of the Week: NOGGIN. Jim vL’s helmet episode (see item above) caused your editor to look up the derivation of this interesting word that is commonly used as a synonym for “head.” A noggin is actually a small cup, used for measuring out about 1/4th pint of ale or liquor.

Upcoming programs & activities:

August 25, Concert in Rotary Park (Jesse Aron)
September 1, Classification speeches
September 1, Cruise Nite at Walmart
September 8, Carl Olson
September 15, TBD
September 17, 18, 19, Gemuetlichkeit Days
September 22, Nancy Ziolecki – Blood Center of Wisconsin
September 29, Business meeting
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 11, 2010

 

Someone will win $10,000 Monday night. Or maybe, four people will split $10,000. Or maybe, two ticket-holders will go home with $5,000 each. Or maybe one unlucky finalist will “hold out,” only to be left penniless. The only thing certain at the annual Brat & Burger Dinner Raffle, is that 25 ticket holders will go away with more than $15,000 in combined cash and prizes. Even more important, the Rotary will raise more than $10,000 that will ultimately be awarded to worthy high school students in college scholarships.

As of this writing, we still have about a dozen tickets to sell. Co-Chair Steve Lewis also reminds his fellow Rotarians that we could use a few more silent auction prizes. Let Prez Janet know (674-4511) if you have prizes or ticket buyers. And make sure you’re on the list to work Monday night. We also need Rotarians to work the set-up crew beginning at 12:45.

43 years is a long time to be married to the same person! That’s why Prez Janet tossed a happy buck in the basket in commemoration of her upcoming 43rd wedding anniversary with Jim Werner. Not-so-lucky-in-marriage, Paul Novitzke’s son is home for the summer. Dr. Brad’s daughter is starting her second year of med school.

Who do you know who would make a great Rotarian? In lieu of today’s no-show program, Rotary members made lists of potential new members. We need to grow our ranks.

Do you have an idea for a speaker? Prez Janet has quite a few open dates for the next several months – mostly on the third Wednesday. Let her know your ideas for an entertaining presenter. One potential progarm is Rotarian Ray Krek, who will raffle off a week at his St. Johns condo this winter in a planned Rotary fundraiser.

Word of the Week: EXCOGITATE: It means “to think about, or consider something seriously,” as in: Jim Jossart is excogitating the charities to which he will donate $10,000 when he wins the B&B raffle!

Upcoming programs & activities:

August 16, Brat & Burger, County Fair Park Activity Center
August 25, Concert in Rotary Park (Jesse Aron)
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 04, 2010

 

To Central America this week. Tony Uhl introduced us to Benin, West Africa, just a few weeks ago. Today, Sue Johnson, former Jefferson Rotary President, took us on a fascinating trip to the Linaca Valley of Honduras.

Sue introduced us to World Resources Group, an NGO providing tutoring, nutrition and recreation to the children of the valley. It boils down to leadership development. Sue says they focus on building an expectation of a higher standard of living at the generational level. The organization does a lot with its $109,030 annual operating budget, including higher math scores, lower school failure rates and just “getting the kids off the street,” Sue says. WRG has plans to build a high school and new career opportunities in the region. Come back soon, Sue. We miss you.

The get ‘em sold scold: Prez Janet reminds us that too many Brat & Burger tickets are still outstanding. Just as important – we still need prizes. A sign-up sheet for workers was passed around today. If you haven’t signed up to work, call Janet and she’ll put you on the list.

Rotary travelers put bucks in the basket today, including a happy Drew Hansen who’s getting married this weekend. He’ll travel to Disney World on his honeymoon. Chris Nash just got back from Bar Harbor, Maine. And weary road warrior, Steve Lewis, put four George Washingtons in the kitty, one each for his past four weeks behind the wheel. DrewH would do well to talk with not-so-newlywed Ron Michaelis who tossed $16 in the basket this week in commemoration of his birthday and wedding anniversary.

Word of the Week: PERILOUS. If you fly into Honduras you’ll make a perilous landing at Tancontin Airport in Tegucigalpa. Forget about the mountain terrain you will be passing prior to the landing approach but your heart will skip more than a few beats as the pilot makes a last-minute 45 degree bank to the left to touch down properly in the middle of a deep bowl-like valley with only 6,112 ft. of runway. [Imagine landing a jet at the bottom of a tall coffee cup.] Check out this perilous airport via the amazing video on YouTube or Google.

Upcoming programs & activities:

August 11, Alan Sherman – Open Range
August 11, Concert in Rotary Park (Anna Laube)
August 16, Brat & Burger, County Fair Park Activity Center
August 25, Concert in Rotary Park (Jesse Aron)
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.

All Rotarians Check our website www.jeffersonwirotary.com,

MAKE-UPS: To get credit for make-ups you need to turn in your slip from the club you visited to Secretary Tom Monogue. You can also do make-ups on line at www.rotary.org, click on Club-District Support, click on Club Resources, and click on Meeting-make-up; follow the prompts to fill out the form which you need to turn in to the Club Secretary. Make ups need to be done according to the rules set up by RI. You can also do make ups at Fort Atkinson 12:10 p.m. Monday’s at Jansen Banquet Hall, Lake Mills 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays at Pine Knoll Supper Club, Watertown 12:10 Mondays at Watertown Country Club, Sun Prairie 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays at Colonial Club.

FOUR WAY TEST
IS IT THE TRUTH?
IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?
WILL IT BUILD GOOD WILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
IS IT BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?

 

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