Stories
Club Meeting Information

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 02/14/2025 

 
We need new Volunteers to fill out our BREAKFAST roster.
 
We are still missing volunteers. sad
 
Every week is open for 2025, please sign up using the link, or let Jim DeLillo
 
Please fill the empty slots with delicious food.
 
Mequon - Thiensville Sunrise Rotary
Breakfast Sign Up
DateRotarianNotes
2/14/2025Carol w 
2/21/2025  
2/28/2025  
3/7/2025  
3/14/2025  
3/21/2025 
  
 
 
 
 
 
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. 
 
Speakers Committee
 
Brian Kendzor rozdnek@gmail.com
Janet Ransdell jransdell3@gmail.com
 
 
 
Greeters - "It's your Rotary moment"
 
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:

2/14/2025Michael Kim
2/21/2025David Kliber
2/28/2025Doreen Lettau
3/7/2025Andrew Moss
3/14/2025Kathleen Newell
3/21/2025Daniel O'Connor
3/28/2025Lance Parve
4/4/2025Steven Peterman

Please provide a brief bio and photo to jimdelillo2@gmail.com prior to your assigned date.

Note: If you cannot act as an "It's your Rotary moment" assignee when scheduled, please arrange for your replacement.

 
 

 
Member Spotlight - Brian Kendzor

I have been a Rotarian for over 27 years. I was initially introduced to Rotary in Coronado California by a neighbor and shortly after, participated in my first mission trip to Mexico which was life-changing for me and for the group we served.  I get great satisfaction form serving my community and serving others.

Since returning to my hometown of Mequon, I have served in our MT Sunrise Club as Sergeant at Arms, Vice President, and then President in 2014. I have continued to serve through Rotary on over 10 medical services mission trips to Oliveros, Guatemala with the group known as GMRP and I serve on the Board of Directors for the Oliveros Scholarship Fund. Both organizations which are supported generously by our club and have been for many years.

When I am not at Rotary, I serve on the Southern Ozaukee Fire Department (formerly Mequon Fire Dept) where I am a Master Pump Operator (MPO), driving fire trucks, engines and operating the water supply (pumping)) when fighting fires. 

I served 15 years in the US Navy which allowed me to live up and down both US coasts and took me around the globe. 

I started an Energy Consultation Business called “Home Perfect” that formed from a Design-Build Construction Company in 2007. I built this company from scratch and serve in an advisory role. This marks the second business that I have built and sold and feel proud that they will both continue serving others well beyond my years.

What will I do with all my free time you ask? Many of you know I am an avid sailor. I cruise and race sailboats, serve as the Rear Commodore at the Port Washington Yacht Club. I also teach sailing through Sea Safaris Sailing School in Port Washington during the summer season and in warmer climates occasionally this time of year. I captain for the Full Sail Leadership Academy based in Milwaukee, and occasionally deliver boats for others from point A to B.

And, as if that’s not enough,  I’ve been a Marketing Executive for a very unique, vertically integrated health and wellness manufacturer called The Wellness Company.

 

One of my goals this year is to develop better relationships in Rotary, so don’t be surprised if you get an invite for a coffee or a lunch sometime soon.

BRIAN KENDZOR
 
(Dean Johnson Photo)
 
Our own Brian Kendzor, recounts the efforts of the Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership (GMRP) and a Rotarian sister organization, the Oliveros Scholarship Fund. The MT Sunrise club has been supporting both efforts for many years. GMRP sends teams of 40 or more Rotarians and other volunteers to Guatemala, providing medical and dental care, while the Oliveros fund provides financial support for students to keep them in school so they do not have to work to help the family survive.
 
Club members are encouraged to go to www.https://www.gmrp.org and download the project PowerPoint presentation, and to https://www.oliverosfund.org to learn about the scholarship program. Many thanks to Brian for the very thorough update of what some of our members have involved themselves in personally.
About Greeters and Rotary Moment
Greeter assignments
 
An important part of the hospitality and tradition of the club is our weekly greeter. The role of the greeter is to arrive early, greet members and guests as they come in, and provide a very brief 1-2 minute "Rotary minute" with inspiring words, a quote,  or a thought about your rotary experience.
 
Greeters are assigned on an alphabetical basis.
You will know you are greeter if you read the newsletter. You can also look at the club calendar. You can also predict when you will be greeter based on where you are in the alphabet by looking at the club membership roster on Clubrunner.
 
When you are assigned greeter, it is your responsibility to show up. If you cannot make it on the assigned day, it is your responsibility to find someone to cover or trade with you. It is not anyone else's responsibility to do this for you. So, when you look at the calendar, if you realize you are scheduled to be the greeter on a date where you will not be at a meeting, please reach out to whoever you see is appropriate and ask them to trade with you. Then just let Bob know who that person is going to be. Please do not ask anyone else  to do this for you. 
 
Looking forward to hearing all of your Rotary Moments. 
 
Carol
Christine Bohn, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust
 
Christine Bohn, Restoration Manager
Christine joined the Land Trust crew in the Fall of 2014. She grew up in northern Washington County near the Kettle Moraine State Forest. She enjoys spending time in nature and world travel. Both have cultivated her passion and respect for people, plants, and nature. Christine has worked on OWLT's stewardship team for over ten years and now helps manage restoration projects for the Land Trust.
 
Annual Club Meeting
 
 
Our annual club meeting will take place during our scheduled club meeting starting at 7:00 a.m. on Feb. 7,2025
We will have a financial report and election of officers.
The nominations were announced by the Nominating committee, and are also attached to this email.  Thank you again to the members of the Nominating Committee for their hard work.
 
This will leave us plenty of time to hear club member Dave Kliber who is the scheduled speaker that day!
 
Regards,
 
Carol Wessels
President
 

MT-Sunrise Rotary Board Nominations 2025

Position/Nominee/Term

Past President: Carol Wessels (One year by ascension)

President: Ben Zang (One year by ascension)

President Elect: Doreen Lettau (One year by ascension)

Vice President: Mika Frank (One year)

Treasurer: Jim DeLillo (Two years, subject to extension)

Secretary: Dave Schlageter (Two years, subject to extension)

Sergeant-at-arms: Bob Blazich (One year, subject to extension)

Director: Dan O’Connor (One year, subject to one additional three-year term)

Director: Fr. Mike Shay (Two years, subject to one additional three-year term)

Director: Scott Bern (Three years, subject to one additional three-year term)

Submitted by Nominating Committee:

Fr. Mike Shay Seth Duhnke Doreen Lettau

 

Walk in the woods
 

Save the Date for Candlelight Walk-In-The-Woods

The 2025 Annual Candlelight Walk-In-The-Woods at Pukaite Woods in Mequon’s Rotary Park is set for Saturday, February 15, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The event is a joint effort between the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club and the City of Mequon and will be the fourth year that it takes place. The event is meant to highlight not only the woods and the work that has been completed here over the last several years, but also engage the community during a time of the year when residents do not typically frequent the Parks. The event also offers a unique opportunity for residents to enjoy a candlelit walk in the park during hours that it would not customarily be open to the public. The event is free and open to the public. The public restrooms will be open, and volunteers from the Rotary Club will be serving hot cocoa with bonfire stations positioned throughout the park for marshmallow roasting. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. No registration is required.

Tricon 2025

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Even Servant Leaders need to replenish & revive and you'll find what you need at TriCon25!

Give yourself some love and register by Valentine's Day. After that, the Early Bird flies away!  

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annual Rotary Youth Exchange Weekend
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Our annual Rotary Youth Exchange Weekend is coming up February 7-9. The planning team is looking forward to welcoming our 7 international students for a fun-filled weekend. We have the details *almost finalized*, and here are some ways in which we need your help to make it all come together:
 
1) Host Elias Lang from Austria AND Mark Piorko from Germany Friday night, Feb 7 until Sunday morning. Feb. 9. We are looking for ONE family to host both of these male students together. 
 
2) Make a dish to pass for Sunday morning's brunch at a location TBD in Mequon (this is the part we are still figuring out)
 
3) Drivers and chaperones are needed for the activities (Women who can accompany female students in public). See the attached flyer for the daily lineup! You don't need to help with all the events. Just pick which one you can do! 
 
Please reach out to me via email at Jenquinnies@gmail.com or by phone at 414-587-4205 if you can help with any of the above
Bowl for Kids - Contact  Shawn Whalen  swhalen22@sbcglobal.net
Bowl for Kids - Contact  Shawn Whalen  swhalen22@sbcglobal.net
 
 
Meme of the week
 
Sunrise photo by Bob Blazich
Speakers
Feb 21, 2025
Feb 28, 2025
Education - Social Justice
Mar 07, 2025
Environmental Series: OZ Washington Land Trust
Mar 14, 2025
Environmental Series: Milwaukee River Greenway Coalition
Mar 21, 2025
Fundraiser
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Connie Pukaite
February 2
 
Terry Schacht
February 5
 
Alice Sedgwick
February 29
 
Anniversaries
Matt Wolf
BJ Wolf
February 18
 
Join Date
Andy Moss
February 1, 1992
33 years
 
Scott Bern
February 1, 2019
6 years
 
Seth Duhnke
February 3, 2009
16 years
 
Jennifer Quinnies
February 20, 2015
10 years
 
Upcoming Events
Open for Club and Committee planning
Feb 21, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
 
Open for Club and Committee planning
Mar 21, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
 
Open for Club and Committee planning
Apr 18, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
 
View entire list