Thank you to Katherine Adamek for speaking to the Club at Tuesday's meeting. Katherine provided vivid insights as to what it takes to win an Olympic Medalist.
In 2010 Katherine won silver and bronze medals in short track speed skating at the Vancouver Olympic Games. In 2013 she retired after 3 hip surgeries and years of rehab when she began coaching. She then got the desire to compete again, and from 2016 – 2018 she trained for the 2018 Winter Games. In a sport where 10ths of a second can have an enormous impact, Katherine just barely missed qualifying.
This led Katherine to recognize and focus on the importance of mental skill training. Katherine now partners with Vision Pursue to teach Performance Mindset skills to high performing individuals and organizations. Performance Mindset Coaching combines the latest research in Neuroscience and Sports Psychology. Clients develop Performance Mindset through ongoing instruction, daily practices, and practical application.
2. Fall Highway Cleanup was cancelled this year due to inclimate weather. Rotarians are asked to pick up some extra trash on walks around their neighborhoods instead. We will need extra bags and hands in the Spring of ‘19, and rest assured, it will probably be the coldest day of March! But we wouldn’t have it any other way.
3. The food drive has begun. This years team captains consist of Witte, Hillman, and Jacobs (I think). Sandy, correct me if I’m wrong. Sandy circulated team assignments at last weeks meeting. Each canned item donated is worth a point. If you’re a check writer, checks can be made out to the Salvation Army (again, Sandy may need to correct me, but since we have a week off, I’m comfortable guessing).
4. Pick N Save has Roundy’s canned vegetables, 2 for $1 and cans of Campbell’s Soup for $0.79 through the 22nd, and Piggly Wiggly has Green Giant canned vegetables 4 for $3. Also, Pick N Save has ice cream quarts for $2.99. It’s probably not a good idea to bring ice cream for the food drive, but I thought you still might like to know.
Three Generations Celebrate "Student of the Month"
Carol Rosenberg (Katie's grandmother), Katie McCarthy (Student of the Month) and Lyn McCarthy (Katie's mother)
Katie McCarthy (Student of the Month) and Megan Borland (Rotarian)
We honored our final Student of the Month for the 2017 – 2018 school year, Katie McCarthy. Three generations were present while we recognized Katie. She was accompanied by her mom, Lyn McCarthy, and her grandmother, Carol Rosenberg.
Katie has spent the past 3 years volunteering as a summer camp counselor for Camp Phillip in Wautoma Wisconsin. She also volunteered for 3 years as a counselor for Jesus Cares, a program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is the co-founder and organizer for Homestead’s Soles 4 Souls shoe drive.
She has participated as a Link Crew leader, a program that mentors freshman to successfully transition to high school, volunteered as a clinician for Glen Hills Middle School, a tutor for World Studies and Latin, and organized a local food pantry, among other volunteer projects.
Katie has a passion for learning the Latin language and has held leadership positions on the Wisconsin State Latin Board, as well as the Homestead Latin Board. Katie will be attending Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, this fall. Katie, thank you for your “service above self” and we wish you the best as you start your college career!
Congratulations to our Club President, Tim Vertz, on being recognized as Citizen of the Year at the Community Awards Dinner. Thank you Tim for your dedication to our Club and our community. I think I speak for everyone when I say this is well deserved.
Thank you to our speaker at Tuesday's meeting, Kurt Janavitz, Senior Vice President of Healthcare - Medical College of Wisconsin. Kurt Janavitz is a Fellow Rotarian with a Milwaukee Club, who spoke to our club about the incredible things that the Medical College of Wisconsin is doing in the field of medicine. MCW is an incredible organization responsible for many advances in medicine that are changing the future, by producing outcomes that nobody thought possible. The Medical College of Wisconsin is also responsible for having trained many of the doctors who currently practice in Wisconsin (I believe over 50%, but don't quote me on that). His presentation was truly inspiring.
Thank you to our District Governor Kola Alayande and Assistant District Governor for visiting and presenting to the Club at Tuesday's meeting. The theme of discussions was Membership. How can we grow as a club? Key takeaways include that Rotary should consider itself as a service club as well as a networking opportunity to professionals (who are prepared to meet the criteria of being a Rotarian, I might add). Additionally, you never know who may wish to join Rotary if you don't invite them to join us for a meeting.
Congratulations to Paul Harris recipients recognized at Tuesday's meeting. Ellen MacFarlane received her Paul Harris Fellow +4. Coincidentally, Ellen also designated some of her accumulated points to recognize Pam Koch with her first Paul Harris Award. It was great to see one Rotarian recognize another for the hard work and dedication they have put into our club. As an honorable mention, Sandy Custer was also awarded his PHF+6 a few weeks back while he was on vacation, however, Sandy requested not to be recognized in front of the Club... How's that working out for you Sandy?
If anyone has any questions about transferring points or making contributions to the Rotary Foundation, please feel free to discuss with Sam Azinger. He can either offer guidance or might just take care of it for you.
Nick Moran from Port Washington State Bank in Thiensville gave a new member thumbnail presentation at Tuesday’s meeting. We always enjoy an opportunity to get to know our new members, and look forward to continuing to get to know them as fellow Rotarians.
Madeline Jean Guth came into this world on Friday, September 14. Madeline was born at 36 and a half weeks, weighing 6.5 lbs. and 18.5 inches. Mom and baby are home and healthy. Another generational reminder why Rotarians are needed to make this world a better place. Congratulations to Maureen and Jeremy Guth.
A new chapter was written in the story of the hard working Rotarian. Thank you to Russ Brown, Karle Naggs, Dan Gannon and Sandy Custer for putting in the elbow grease to touch up the Rotary Park sign seen above.
"I got a new life, you would hardly recognize me, I'm so glad How can a person like me care for you?
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign Life is demanding without understanding I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong But where do you belong?"
Special Olympics Wisconsin Director of Development, Claire Essman and Coach/Member of Board of Directors, Ron Irwin spoke to the Club at Tuesday's meeting.
Ron told the story of how he came to be involved in Special Olympics Wisconsin. It all started 16 years ago at the birth of his son, Max. Max has Down syndrome, and the words spoken to Ron haunted him for years. "He probably won't have much of a future." Any parent could imagine what it would do to hear those words spoken at such a joyous moment as bringing new life into this world. Ron wasn't buying it, and neither is Max or Special Olympics Wisconsin. In competing as a Special Olympics athlete, Max has had great success, has created great memories, and has found inclusion among fellow-athletes as well as within his school. The future for Max is bright!
Special Olympics programs have provided enormous benefits to people with and without intellectual disabilities. By providing an encouraging environment in which athletes can compete, socialize, and exercise, individuals with intellectual disabilities receive both emotional and physical health benefits. Additionally, athletes are provided with free medical screenings which provide screenings for general fitness, podiatry, hearing, visions, dental hygiene, healthy lifestyle choices and sports physicals. Each year over 1,300 health screens are performed, and since 2001 Special Olympics Wisconsin has provided more than 5,700 prescription eyeglasses to those in need, free of charge.
Special Olympics Wisconsin has additionally worked with schools to create Unified Sports programs. Unified Sports programs allow individuals with intellectual disabilities to compete along with individuals without disabilities. These programs have helped to create a better understanding and acceptance by students without intellectual disabilities. For a group that generally faces stigma, discrimination, social isolation and injustice, the Unified Sports programs has had an incredible impact. Of those with intellectual disabilities, 93% who participated reported a significant change to self-esteem and self-confidence. Among those youth without intellectual disabilities, 91% reported significant change in their social skills. These programs don't only help individuals with disabilities, but schools as a whole.
Of the more than 10,000 individuals who have taken part of Special Olympics programs, still 13 of 14 individuals with intellectual disabilities have not. Hopefully nobody with intellectual disabilities is still living in a world where they believe they don't have much of a future, but encouraging education and participation could provide for an inclusive future for all individuals with intellectual disabilities. I'm certain that any financial contributions would also be appreciated and put to good use. To quote one of our country's great [village] presidents, "Send us money and we will spend it wisely." Donations can be made by going to http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org and clicking the Donate button. Volunteering opportunities or fundraising opportunities may also be available.
MEQUON, WI, August 27 - Vertz Marketing and Concordia University Wisconsin are excited to announce the creation of the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Starting in the fall semester, there will be openings for up to 10 Mequon-Thiensville businesses to become a part of this innovative marketing and business mentoring program.
The Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center at Concordia University partners with select Mequon-Thiensville businesses to provide marketing and business development service to foster economic development in the region.
The Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin, Vertz Marketing and Rotary International have combined their forces to share their business expertise with the Mequon-Thiensville Business Community. These entities will provide FREE digital marketing and business development planning to ten qualified area businesses each semester.
“We are proud to be a part in creating the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center at Concordia University and help give back to our local community,” said Tim Vertz, founder and CEO of Vertz Marketing.
Young, growing businesses in the Mequon-Thiensville community are encouraged to apply for the fall 2018 program. Each business will be assigned up to three Concordia University student interns for the semester under the direction of Concordia University and Vertz Marketing.
“We had a lot of success in the spring 2018 semester testing this concept with Thiensville area businesses and we’re very excited to expand this into Mequon and our new partnership with Vertz Marketing to serve the community,” said Dr. Daniel Sem, Dean of the Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Organizations including the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce, Thiensville Business Association, Thiensville-Mequon Rotary and Ozaukee Economic Development are signed on as business association sponsors to help recruit businesses to take part in the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center program.
“This is a great service for up and coming businesses in the Mequon-Thiensville community. With all of the economic growth in Mequon-Thiensville and many new businesses coming to the area, the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center is a great community service. We appreciate the commitment of Vertz Marketing and Concordia University Wisconsin in our community,” said Tina Schwantes, Executive Director of the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce.
Businesses can apply now for fall, 2018 programs at https://vertzmarketing.com/concordia
For more information about the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center, please contact: Tim Vertz | timv@vertzmarketing.com | 414-379-1677 Dr. Daniel Sem | daniel.sem@cuw.edu | 262-243-2778
Thank you, Karl. Your commitment to and love for our community never ends.
