banner
Club Information
Thiensville-Mequon Rotary
Service Above Self
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
River Club of Mequon
12400 N Ville Du Parc Dr
Mequon, WI 53092
United States of America
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
Stories
Rotary Speaker: Erica Vitek
 

For our meeting this week we were joined by Erica Vitek. She is an Occupational Therapist with Aurora Hospitals specializing in the treatment and therapy of individuals suffering from the progressive neurological disease Parkinson’s.

The form of treatment she adheres to is the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, LSVT, named after its first patient. It is designed to create sustained improvement in speech and voice structures. The movements we do by auto-pilot such as speaking, walking, or getting up from a chair are the most impaired. This program tackles those problems head on by emphasizing very intentional motion. Therapists request the patient to think BIG MOVEMENT and LOUD VOCALS during their 1:1 sessions. The goal is to clear the space between how the patient is perceiving their own signals and how others are actually receiving them.

If you have any further questions, I encourage you to reach out to Erica using her email. She is one of the finest in her field and travels across the country instructing others in how to care for those who are suffering from Parkinson’s

 

Erica.Vitek@aurora.org

LSVT Global

Rotary Welcomes a New Member: Jim Counsellor
Welcome to the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club, new member, Jim Counsellor. Pictured above with his sponsor, Stan Lind, and club president, Rob Kos. We are very excited to have Jim join the club. He is a 35 year member of the Mequon-Thiensville community and has been married for 32 years! He retired after 40 great years in the technology industry serving Oracle on an international basis. He served 10 years as a marine officer and is a wounded veteran of the Vietnam War. We look forward to his continued contributions to our club!
A New Rotary Challenge!

 

Recognition

District 6270 Club Membership Growth Award.

Clubs are encouraged to attract new members and to fully engage and retain existing members. District Governor Steen Sanderhoff is offering an award to clubs with the greatest net growth during this Rotary year. The Award:

• Winning clubs each receive 1,000 Paul Harris points.

• Up to 10 Awards may be given for 2019-20.

• Award made to: Clubs with Largest Net Percentage Growth during the year.

• Phase 1: July 1 to March 31. Awarded at Celebration 2020 Conference. Award to top 7 clubs.

• Phase 2: July 1 to June 30. Awarded for full year. Award to top 3 clubs.

Kudos to top clubs in the district as of Nov. 27 (by net percentage growth)

#1 = West Bend Noon; #2 = Slinger-Allenton; #3 = Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise; #4 = Sheboygan Early Birds; #5 = Manitowoc Sunrise; #6 = Ripon; #7 = Fox Cities Morning; #8 = Oshkosh; #9 = Burlington; #10 = Green Lake, Two Rivers, Whitnall Park (tie)

Tips for Growing Membership

Look for fresh perspectives and new ideas for your club – especially from young Rotarians. (See Roc City Rotary in Rochester, NY)

Hold an event for non-Rotary service organizations to attract volunteers. (Recently done by Evanston Rotary in IL)

Make a list of club member responsibilities. Discuss it at a club meeting.

The Rundown January 20
1. Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers. They had a great season, but ultimately came up short in the NFC Championship game losing to the San Francisco 49ers. Best of luck next year to the Green and Gold. 
 
 
Calendar of Upcoming Events and Dates!
June 30th: Changing of the guard 5pm at the American Legion in Mequon. I am looking forward to seeing those attending in person. A zoom meeting invitation should be following in your email soon if you are unable. Please register for this event via a link emailed to you my Sam!
 
July7- August 25: Meetings at Rotary Park Please inform us if you will not be attending these meetings! it will be important for us to have an accurate count when purchasing meals!
 
July 30: Rotary at the Lakeshore Chinooks game! $45 buys two drinks and all the brats and burgers you can stomach! (This event has officially been cancelled)
 
August 20: Ozaukee County Relay for Life event! (Cancelled)
 
October 15: Fall Into Comedy
Award Standings
Sam Azinger Trophy:
Halfway Point Club Contribution Report:
Sunrise $3,570.50
Noon $7,001.00
Let's keep the pressure up. don't give them a chance for a comeback!
 
Peterson Apfelbach Award for Excellence in Attraction
 
Sam Azinger 5
Stan Smith 3
Maureen O'Leary 2
Stan Lind 2
Tim Carr 1
 
Astounding! a few people are starting to pull away from the pack!
Totals to date 2/17/20 Please be respectful of other Member's Guests in reference to this award.
 
Student of the Month Jake Kallas
The Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club honored our first Student of the Month, Jake Kallas, for the 2019-2020 school year.  Jake is a senior at Homestead High School and is the son of Bonnie and Perry Kallas of Thiensville.  He is an Eagle Scout, he has received the Merit Award all 3 years of high school, is a member of the National Honor Society, and a trumpet section leader for the Homestead Marching and Symphonic Band.
 
Jake has distinguished himself as someone who truly cares about giving back to his community.  He has participated in several volunteer projects including Gathering on the Green, Family Fun Before the Fourth, and Lionsfest.  Some of his most impactful projects include achieving his Eagle Scout Award.  Jake’s projects included building planter boxes for Lasata as well as collecting toiletries for a homeless shelter in Milwaukee.  Jake has also volunteered for the Riverwest Food Pantry Christmas gift program for the past 6 years, which involved collecting and wrapping gifts each Christmas.
 
 
Jake, we thank you for your “service above self” and all that you do for your community!
Rotary Speaker: Jim Hahn
Jim Hahn started with KIDS MATTER in 2008 as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program volunteer. His professional background includes more than 25 years in nonprofit fundraising and administration. He served as a national award-winning officer of the Greater Milwaukee Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and as a member of the Subject Matter Expert Corps charged with writing the international exam questions for the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. While pursuing his English degree at West Virginia University, Jim joined Alpha Phi Omega National Service Organization in 1983. Having served at all levels of the organization including on their national board of directors and as the National Marketing Director, today he chairs their efforts to expand into Canada. His experience in nonprofit service has afforded him tenures in addressing homelessness, healthcare advocacy, small business development, literacy, local historic preservation, as well as victims of child abuse and neglect.
 

Working with kids matter has been a Passion project for Jim. He started as a volunteer with them 12 years ago has been brought into their staff recently. His major role right now is searching for volunteers to be Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA for short. their phrase for 2020 is to "change a kid's story." Court appointed special advocates are the voice looking out for the best interest of kids for safety and permanency as they enter and go through the process of the foster system. In some cases, the CASA may also be appointed the guardian ad litem for the child, but this does not always happen. Less than 50% of foster kids nation wide graduate from high school; however, in Milwuakee 100% of foster kids with a CASA have graduated.

There are several requirements for becoming a CASA. These include participation in a 30 hour training course to learn how to best evaluate, connect, and communicate with children and those involved in their lives. You must also be available to provide the court with your opinion at least every six months. The funding for the CASA program comes mostly from private donations although Kids Matter does receive funds from the state victim of crimes fund.

Food Drive!!!
The 2019 Holiday Food Drive is underway! Bring items with your name attached between now and December 17th to help the Family Sharing Food Pantry and your team!
 
THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST POSSIBLE DAY TO BRING DONATIONS!!!
 
Final Tally:
Red Team Captain Gannon:     974
White Team Captain Naggs:     1190
Blue Team Captain Wiese:        2062
Club total:                                 4226             Most ever by over 1000
91% of the club participated
Congrats to the Red, White and Blue!!!!
Rotary Event: Homestead Choir
 
This week we had members of the Homestead Choir Perform form several holiday tunes for us. They were led by their director Jennifer Schwingle. Having them perform is always a tremendous pleasure for our club and we look forward to hearing from them again next year!
 
 
Full Program list:
Rise Up Shepherd and Follow
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Apple-Tree Wassail
All So Still
While By My Sheep
Deck the Hall
Silent Night
Joy to the World
Rotary Speakers: Sandy Sullivan
 
Our Speaker Sandy Sullivan has led an exciting life and has had more than 300 opportunities to share those experiences with Rotary Clubs. She has a unique experience with the Packers having been on their ticket sales staff during the 1961 season and has documented and shared those experiences in her two novels!
 
Her adventures with the Packers started when Assistant GM Tom Miller employed her to sell Season Tickets for the 1961 Packers. On her first day, none other than Vince Lombardi greeted her and gave her all the lines she would need to sell the 6,000 they still had available. Following that season where she became aware of the who's who in Packer football, she attended UW Stevens Point and took on some modeling gigs. Following an event She was introduced to Paul Hornung, 1956 Heisman Trophy winner and star running back for the Green Bay Packers and a brief relationship began.
 
After this relationship fizzled, she went on to pursue a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This was during a time of massive riots; however, this led her back into another famous Packer Dan Currie. They moved out to Washington DC and planned to marry in 1971, but when things didn't work out, she married Matt Sullivan team dentist for the Washington Redskins. They lived a happy life together enjoying the grandeur of the capital city.
 
In 1994, Matt Passed away and life with their 12-year old became cumbersome. She returned to Mauston, became a teacher, and started writing her stories detailing her adventures with the packers. Through her life she has maintained relationships with many of the Packers from the glory days and even had Paul Hornung write a foreword for her story.
 
She went on to run for Wisconsin Secretary of State; however, was defeated by a long tenured politician. During the Campaign, her novel gained national attention with national news outlets reaching out to have them appear on their talk shows. Many of the Packers rallied behind and supported her campaign following this trouble, however, she was not able to unseat the long time incumbent.
 
Unfortunately, she did not have time to share all of her adventures, but many more fun stories and adventures are contained within her books!
5 reasons to give to The Rotary Foundation
1. Accountability
Our accountability and transparency have earned The Rotary Foundation 12 straight years of four-star ratings — the highest possible — from independent evaluator Charity Navigator. More than 90% of Foundation funds are spent directly on programs. No high administrative costs dilute your gift.
 
2. Impact
We partner with other organizations to increase our impact and make your donations work even harder. When you give to PolioPlus, for example, you have the satisfaction of knowing that every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication is matched by $2 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Thanks to this partnership, all donations to end polio (up to $50 million per year) are tripled, providing critical funding toward creating a polio-free world.
 
3. A record of success
Rotary unites leaders who have the skills and resources to tackle some of the world’s most difficult problems and deliver sustainable, long-lasting results. For decades, Rotary has been a leader in the battle against polio and with the help of our partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we have reduced cases by 99.9% since 1988. The infrastructure developed to facilitate both immunizations and eradication is being used to fight and protect against other diseases as well. For example, the method known as contact tracing was critical to containing an Ebola outbreak in Nigeria in 2014.
 
4. Global reach
Our 1.2 million members span the globe, uniting people who have a common desire to serve others. From teaching children to read in Ecuador to a microcredit program in Indonesia, Rotary members identify local problems and use Rotary’s vast network and the resources of The Rotary Foundation to take action in their communities.
 
 
5. Bringing about peace

Peace holds a unique status in Rotary.  We approach peace not as an abstract concept, but as a living, dynamic expression of human development. As a humanitarian service organization, it is both a cornerstone of our mission, and one of our six areas of focus – one of the main ways in which our members make their mark on the world.

Each year, the Rotary Peace Centers train some of the world’s most dedicated professionals to resolve conflicts and promote national and international cooperation. Rotary Peace Fellows study in a two-year master’s degree program or a professional certificate program at Rotary’s partner universities. Rotary members themselves also address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. Our collaboration with the Institute for Economics and Peace is providing free, self-guided training to individuals who want to be peacebuilders in their communities.

 
Rotary Speaker Beth Bauer
 
Beth Bauer is the former executive director for Gathering on the Green, a member of the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club, and the author of “Relationship Rights (and Wrongs)”
 
After years of marriage counseling that still ended in divorce, Beth wanted to use her experience to help other people find answers that could lead to healthier relationships. The first important distinction she sought to make was a compatible vs a healthy relationship. in a compatible relationship, the participants can simply tolerate the actions of their partner, but do not inspire growth. In a healthy relationship, the partners appreciate and enhance all the things that make someone unique. 
 
The key discussion in her book is on the topic of relationship rights which she relates to lights at a traffic signal personal rights (green), benefit rights,  and safety rights (red). Those personal rights go with you whether you are in a relationship or not. These are the traits that define you as an individual such as your creativity, intelligence, and friends. This is your right that defines you as an individual. For Benefit rights, both partners need to yield to each other to give and get benefits. You know you can share your feelings and concerns and they will be respect accepted with respect,honesty and trust. Finally, we have safety rights. we all have the right to feel safe in a relationship. You should feel good about yourself as an individual without your actions being controlled by another through criticism. you should Stop that relationship if you don't feel safe from blame, humiliation, or jealousy. This goes beyond relationships with a partner and should be thought of for everything from parent child to business partners.
 
It is important that your relationships share goals and the partnership enhances your progress toward those mutual goals. Also, everyone should be treated as equal because we are more the same than we are different.
 
 
Rotary Speakers: Julie Hoover and Kimberly Bikulcius
Our speakers Julie and Kimberly were both here representing Family Sharing. Julie has been the Executive Director at Family Sharking for 4 years. Prior to joining Family Sharing, she was in the corporate world, most recently in technology consulting. She has a wide variety of experience from engineering, sale, and HR. She believes her skills are like a juggling act that is well suited for non-profit management.
 
Kimberly Joined the Family Sharing team in April. She is from Chicago, but relocated to Milwaukee about one year ago with her Fiancé. She has a background in non-profit fundraising and event planning for an international non-profit.
 
Family Sharing is a nonprofit organization that generates revenue through the resale of donations such as clothing, sports, equipment, and furniture. The sale of these donations provides $100k a year that goes toward keeping its food pantry open. For additional revenue, they also encourage donations of metals and textiles which con then be recycled.
 
This is the largest and oldest food pantry in Ozaukee County. In the month of September they served 481 households of varying size. Each household is allowed to come every other week and is provided with enough groceries to last the two weeks until their next visit. Their goal is to alleviate hunger in Ozaukee County with dignity and compassion. Because of this the visiting clients are eligible to pick and choose what food from the pantry they would like to take for themselves. The food pantry is always in need of more food donations; however, that is not the only thing they need. Many times people are in need of basic household and toiletry items. these are always greatly value and appreciated. Finally, they are more than welcoming to cash donations. Cash allows them to identify the goods they are short on and purchase them at cost from local grocery stores.
 
There are 15 employees and 115 volunteers on their roster that keep the resale store and food pantry functioning at a high level. Family Sharing is located just two minutes from downtown Grafton and is always welcoming to more help and donations.
 
JCH Holiday Lights
 
 
Holiday Lights at the Historic Jonathan Clark House Museum on the corner of Bonniwell and Cedarburg Roads in Mequon. Join fellow-community members as you step back to 1848
 
Tuesday, December 3, 2019 5:00 – 7:00 (with music by Luke Edgewood) or Wednesday, December 4, 2019 5:00 – 7:00
 
Please RSVP by November 22 to jchmuseum@gmail.com and indicate which night you plan to attend, and the names of those in your group.
Thiensville-Mequon at the District Dinner!
 
District Govvernor Steen Sanderhoff, Ellen MacFarlane, former DG Karl Hertz, and Carol Hertz enjoyed talking at the District 6270 Foundation Dinner at the West Bend Country Club on Wednesday evening
 
Walk to End Alzheimer's Award
A message from the walk Manager for Ozaukee County.
 
Your team, Rollin' with Rotary, won Ozaukee's Walk to End Alzheimer's category: Largest Company Team with 21 people as of 10/28/2019!!!

Thank you so much for all of your hard work! Our walk is a success because of the hard work you (and your team) put in every year.

The link to RSVP for the party (please invite your family, friends, and co-workers along!): http://wteaozcelebration.eventbrite.com. Please see the flyer attached, for details.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or would like to schedule a follow-up phone call.

I have one request: do you have any pictures of your team (and some of just yourself) on walk day? The more pictures, the better! If you could have those to me by end of day tomorrow, that would be great!
October, 2019 Roadside Cleanup
12 Rotarians, and 6 extras participated in Saturday's Roadside Cleanup. The 12 Rotarians and extras include those pictured below and Ellen MacFarlane. Photo's courtesy of Ellen MacFarlane... Would someone get her a selfie stick so she can be in some of the pictures too? 
George Witte was represented by Jess and her husband and their two sons at Saturday's roadside cleanup. It looks like the Rotarian way of life may be rubbing off onto her. Pictured with Sandy Custer, who is of course instrumental to this service project, as he is so many others. 
 
Carter Azinger puts a piece of trash gracefully into an open garbage bag held by Sam Azinger while Tim Carr looks on (note, this photo was posed before leaving), while Tyler Azinger looks for trash in the Kwik Trip lawn.
 
John Rosing and Tim Vertz show off their skills with full bags in hand and a clean roadside behind them.
 
Stan Smith sported a Rotary hat to assure anyone driving by at less than 50 MPH could identify the source of the good deeds (nobody slowed down, must have been all the Thiensvillians trying to escape Mequon as quickly as possible).
 
Mequon Mayor John Wirth and Alderwoman Kathleen Schneider are happy to take a break from their role of sitting behind a desk to keep Mequon beautiful, and instead participate in the laborious side of keeping their city beautiful. 
 
Jim Lysaught and Rob Kos enjoy the relaxing task of cleaning Green Bay Road where the speed limit is only 30 MPH. Rob Kos only identifiable as a result of being the only person brave enough to sport a Yankees hat in Wisconsin. 
 
Karle Naggs may have kept his boots clean, but he sacrificed his van's carpeting by picking up and dropping off the muddy trash collectors.  
 
 
 
Trick-or-Treat
 
Rotarians present at Tuesday's meeting gave generously to celebrate World Polio Day! $306 was raised by our Trick-or-Treater (Maureen's daughter, Jax). Peterson Apfelbach (pictured above), who warned us last week of the consequences of not giving, but still missed the meeting Tuesday, went from skin and bones to just bones. Peterson did, however, generously donate those bones (as well as a hat, tie, and name tag) to enlighten Rotarians on giving to Polio Plus to avoid the same fate as him.   
Another Fall into Comedy Photo Blast!
 
 
Thank you Heather Mader for your photos!
Ozaukee County NAACP Branch Freedom Fund Dinner - Nov. 15
Rotary’s theme for this year is “Rotary Connects the World”. Here is a great opportunity to show the Noon and Sunrise Clubs collective support and make some special connections at the Ozaukee County NAACP Branch Freedom Fund Dinner at the Watermark at Shully’s on Friday 15 November.
 
The keynote speaker is Rotarian Thelma Sais. She has been recognized for her work in Milwaukee. Last year alone she was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal twice; first as recipient of the "Business Diversity Award" and again for "Lifetime Achievement Award". Brian Monroe has had the pleasure of hearing her speak and knows her through the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, and highly recommends the opportunity to hear her speak. The emcee will be our AG Rayna Andrews.
 
The tables will be comfortably set for eight guests and Brian is hopeful that Rotarians will be able to fill a few tables.  For tickets and menu selections please click the Freedom Fund Eventbrite link. You’ll also be able to request seating with the Rotary tables.
 
Thanks for your consideration and hoping that you are able to join us. 
 
This post is requested by Brian Monroe of the Sunrise Club. 
More Photos From Fall Into Comedy!
 
 
 
 
Thank you Shelley Weston for Contributing your photos! If anyone else has photos they would like to share with the club please forward them to me and I will be happy to include them in the next newsletter!
 
Uh Oh!
OH NO!!!!! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!!!!
 
You're telling me that because you didn't give to Polio Plus the ghost of Paul Harris transformed you into a heartless skeleton??
 
Well I better come prepared to our next meeting on October 29th! so I can dodge the same fate!
 
To celebrate International Polio Day (October 24th), We will be taking time to collect donations for Polio Plus during our next meeting! Please come prepared with some change, or suffer the consequences!
Upcoming Speakers
Dec 15, 2020
Dec 22, 2020
Dec 29, 2020
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
If you cannot fulfill your responsibility, please make arrangements for someone else to take your place.
 
Thanks
 
Prayer/Inspiration
 
December 8
Kreiner, Lawrence
 
December 15
Landisch-Hansen, Colleen
 
January 5
Lefko, Michael
 
Greeter
 
December 8
Davis, Todd
 
December 15
Hertz, Karl V.
 
January 5
Hillman, Herbert
 
Pledge
 
December 8
Vertz, Tim
 
December 15
Weston, Shelley
 
January 5
Wirth, John
 
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Rotary Links
Rotary International
RI President Home
Rotary Global Rewards
Joining Rotary
Rotary History
Rotary Foundation
For New Members