Connie presents Bob with the Rotary Agent of Peace 2024 Award
Photo by Dean Johnson
As many of you know by now, our own Bob Blazich has been selected as the recipient of the Agent of Peace for 2024! This prestigious award celebrates those who go above and beyond in advancing international understanding and peace, making a real impact in our world.
Bob is being recognized at the Rotary District 6270 Foundation Dinner on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Chandelier Ballroom in Hartford, WI.
Registration for this event has closed but we've asked for another table to be added so Rotarians from Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary can still celebrate with Bob. If you are interested, please let me know directly at terrysch58@gmail.com and I'll keep you informed as to the status of our request.
Schedule of events:
5:15 PM Social Hour Begins
6:00 PM Buffet dinner with dessert/coffee/tea
Program To Follow
Cost: $48/per person (online registration using only credit card at checkout)
When: We meet on Friday mornings from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
Where: We meet at the Mequon Public Market, 6300 W Mequon Rd, Mequon, WI 53092. (The entrance is at the rear.)
Next scheduled meeting 11/08/2024
Thank you!!
Thanks to all those who filled our roster for breakfast,
Coming up are:
8-Nov
Scott Bern
15-Nov
Cori Guerin
22-Nov
Erroll Barnett
The speaker committee needs your ideas for presentations or speakers, so please send them to him for exciting programs.
We are about to start a new year for Rotary. We are always looking for speakers. There are no set rules for the speakers, and we welcome diverse people. If you have anyone in mind, please contact me via e-mail, and we will work to invite them to a meeting.
At our meetings, the Greeter will provide either the thought, a Rotary minute, share a family moment or a cultural tradition ... anything with which they would like to start off the day positive.
Upcoming "It's your Rotary moment" assignees:
Please provide a brief bio and photo to jimdelillo2@gmail.com prior to your assigned date.
Scott Bern (11/01/2024)
Bruce Carter (11/15/2024)
James DeLillo (11/22/2024)
Note: If you cannot act as an "It's your Rotary moment" assignee when scheduled, please arrange for your replacement.
Scott lives in Mequon with his wife Cara, daughter Sophia, and lovable springer spaniel Scarlett. When not working in the garden or puttering around the house, Scott receives a tremendous amount of enjoyment from cooking for friends and family.You name it he'll cook, grill, smoke or cure it. Fishing and spending time in our Sister Bay retreat are high on the list of leisurely things to do.
Scott has been helping individuals plan for and achieve their financial goals for over 30 years. As a student at UW-Madison, he would speak with his stock broker between classes to make options trades. Interested in markets after graduation, Scott became a financial advisor with the firm of Thomson McKinnon and later Smith Barney (We make money the old fashioned way earn it). In 2007, Scott joined the firm of RBC Wealth Management and feels fortunate to work for such a highly regarded and financially sound firm. One of the best things about working for RBC in its Mequon office (two miles from his home), was allowing him to easily hover around his daughter throughout her education at Donges Bay Elementary School and Homestead High School.
Kevin Szydel, and I have been a coach with Special Olympics for over 40 years. I am the co-agency manager for North Suburban Special Olympics. North Suburban Special Olympics has won agency of the year three times. I have over 100 athletes in twelve sports. I have coached at the local, state, national, and world games. Some of the places I have coached at are Ireland, Washington, Florida, Iowa, and North Carolina. Coaching and volunteering for Special Olympics is extremely rewarding and a lot of fun. It is rewarding when my athletes achieve their goals, and they learn how to work together as a team.
Cynthia “Cindy” Bentleyis the executive director of People First Wisconsin and a fearless advocate for people with disabilities. She is a survivor who endured institutionalization at Southern Wisconsin Center to go on to become a leader in Wisconsin. Cindy leads other self-advocates across the state of Wisconsin in making our communities more accessible. She is passionate about voting rights, long-term care, housing, community inclusion, mental health, employment, sexual violence prevention, and accessible transportation.
Cindy serves on several boards and works closely with other agencies/organizations that work for equal opportunities for people with disabilities. These include: The Governor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Member and co-chair of its Opportunities and access Sub-Committee, Milwaukee County’s Combined Community Services Board (CCSB) Board Member, Life Navigators Board Member, Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD)-partner agent, The Survival Coalition of Disability Organizations, The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition Partner, Shirley Ryan Abilities Lab-Home and Community Participant Council Member and on the IDD-MH System Improvement Initiative: Community of Practice Steering Committee. Cindy is a decorated Special Olympics athlete who has served on the Wisconsin Special Olympics Board and traveled the world as a Global Messenger.
Cindy has spoken at the local, state, and national levels on the following topics: sexual violence prevention, self-direction, plain language, employment, and Home and Community-Based Services. She has also worked to stop seclusion and restraint and to close institutions. She has testified to Congress on guardianship and supported decision-making.
Cindy is a co-author of a biography about her life called, Cindy Bentley: Spirit of a Champion. She is currently working on another book about her life.
June 1, 2024 marked 40 years of Cindy living in the community. Cindy shares her story in the video,“Choose the Pond.” In recognition of this important milestone, Governor Tony Evers sent a letter and a video message, State Reprsentative Darrin Madison presented a proclamation in her honor by the Wisconsin State Assembly at her anniversary celebration, and the City of Milwaukee also honored her with a Cindy Bentley Day proclamation. More information and links can be found on the People First Wisconsin website: here.
