Notice: We will not be having meetings on Friday 12/24 or 12/31. Happy Holidays!!!
We meet Friday mornings from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM at Newcastle Place, 12600 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon WI 53092. Our next meeting is 7:00 AM on Friday (1/7/2022).
Note: Masks are not required in our dining area, but we are asked to wear masks from the front door to the dining room and back.
The greeter will provide either the thought, a Rotary minute, share a family moment or a cultural tradition ... anything they would like to start off the day positive.
Upcoming "It's your Rotary moment" assignees:
Scott Bern (1/7)
Bob Blazich (1/14)
John Cabaniss (1/21)
Bruce Carter (1/28)
Note: If you are unable to act as "It's your Rotary moment" assignee when scheduled please arrange for your replacement.
Photo Caption: Members of the Rotary Club of Henderson, Texas, spend their Saturday building a wheelchair ramp.
By David Higgs, president, Rotary Club of Henderson, Texas, USA
When I was asked to serve as president of our local Rotary club, I knew I needed to focus on recruiting new members during my term. Our club was down to about 20 members and far too often we would have less than a dozen at our weekly meeting. So, I took some of the ideas I learned at Presidents Elect Training Seminars and molded an approach to enlisting new members.
The strategy was simple. I challenged our club to move our annual installation of officer’s banquet to a noon event. I also challenged our club to open the event up to the public. Then, I challenged our members to work together as a club to have 100 people in attendance. Ten professionally printed invitations were given to each member to invite guests. I made it clear members were expected to bring guests. I invited the mayor and other city officials who were happy to attend. Some of our members invited leaders from the school district and County. Almost everyone is up for a free lunch.
Acting in faith, we had the facility set up for 100 people and ordered food accordingly. When the day arrived, I was excited to see that every member brought guests. Our club had never had a meeting with 100 people in attendance. Some members brought one or two guests, others 10 to 12. The excitement was palpable.
During the luncheon, we shared with the guests what Rotary was about and then gave them the opportunity to join. They were given an offer that our club would pay their dues for the first six months. At the appropriate time we passed out applications and dedicated three minutes for guests to complete the form. I was convinced we could double our club during that 60-minute luncheon. And by the time the luncheon was over we had 14 new members!
These new members have brought a breath of fresh air to our club. We have had several projects since, where the new members have had a chance to get to know one another better.
The bottom line is, if you put in the effort and encourage club members to get on board 100 percent, you can increase your club size during an installation banquet or some other special event. You can do it!
Some photos (by Bob Blazich) from our International Dinner held this week at the Three Brothers Serbian Restaurant.
The meal included Salad, Burek, Lamb Goulash, Serbian Chicken, and Dessert. We were also treated to a brief presentation of Serbian cuisine history and culture.
My sister, Ana Mirsajedin, is the Parent Facilitator for Oak Grove Elementary School Fine Arts Academy. She asked me for ideas for solucions when faced with a challenge, I suggested she contact the Rotary Club near the school where she works.
What followed was a great partnership.
An is in her fourth year of service to CCSD as Oak Grove’s parent engagement facilitator. In this role, she not only assists parents seeking information and assistance, but also develops new ways to serve them and involve them.
Her most recent accomplishments include establishing a food pantry for students and families in need, with support from community partner, the Rotary Club of Woodstock; and creating a Parent Engagement Resource Room, where shelves are stocked with materials that parents can use to help their students learn more.
“She has a spirit of generosity and service that is contagious!” Principal Penny Valle said. “As she finds new ways to serve our students, staff, and families, they, in turn, find new ways to serve our school."
Rotary Club of Woodstock, GA
Annual “Oak Grove Elementary School” Christmas party is in the books! Rotary club spread some joy with pizza, face painting, balloon art, a magician … groceries to take home, and best of all … PRESENTS!!!!
We supplied Christmas cheer and love to 34 kids and their family this season.
Lori Lorenz, the president of Mequon Community Foundation (MCF), is excited to bring the most recent news of MCF to the Sunrise Rotary Club. MCF’s all-volunteer board has been helping enhance the quality of life in our community since 1999. Places you go and events you attend in the community often are recipients of MCF grants. Their impact is far and wide in the areas of recreation, education, culture, outdoor beautification, public safety and general public improvement.
Lori will tell you about the impact MCF has had in the community and their plans for the future. She also looks forward to engaging with you as to what you would like to see in our community going forward and how you can get involved in seeing those dreams become a reality.
Lori started her new role as president in May 2021, having served as treasurer of MCF since 2017. As a retired CPA (Arthur Andersen/RSM McGladrey), Lori is passionate about serving others through the Mequon Community Foundation, Fox Point Lutheran Church, the UW-Whitewater Foundation Board, Gems of Hope WI Executive Board and other organizations. She also volunteers as an accounting consultant for local start-ups and non- profits.
Lori and her husband, Eric, are Wisconsin natives and moved to Mequon in 1984. Although work took them out of the area from 1998-2008, they could not wait to return in 2009 and have been enjoying the new amenities continually being added to their lovely city of Mequon since then.
In addition to her volunteer work, Lori enjoys golfing, tennis, hiking, boating up north and spending time with her three married children and four beautiful grandchildren.
To find out more about the Mequon Community Foundation, please go to www.mcfgives.org.
