Ana's Prom Picture - Expect we'll hear more on Wednesday!
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Member - nancy schmidt
How long have you been in Rotary? I have been a member of Valley View Rotary for almost 32 years.
What has been your best Rotary moment so far? I have so many great memories over the years. One favorite was the very first Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration. This type of event was a long time dream of mine to give Rotarians an opportunity to get to know our local YE students. A goal of YE students is to be an Ambassador for their respective countries and this fun evening gives them the chance to do just that. The event is also a fundraiser to help the students afford an end of year trip to see other parts of the USA. This year we will celebrate our 7th Annual Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration.
What is your favorite thing about Rotary? I love getting to know the members in Valley View and other Rotary Clubs through meetings and projects. I'm proud that I often know a Rotarian to call no matter what the need may be.
What is a fun fact about you? I'm the youngest of seven children raised in La Crosse. My parents operated family businesses, The Polar Bear (drive up ice cream and food stand), a self-serve gas station and a popcorn wagon they would take to fairs and serve up popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and homemade caramel apples. These businesses were the first jobs for all seven kids. We have lots of good memories from our youth.
About 30 Valley View Rotarians and their guests made it to last Wednesday's meeting/pizza social at the Rotary Lights building. Pat Stevens talked about what goes into Rotary Lights, its past and future, and other projects that the La Crosse Rotary Clubs currently have underway or are planning for the future. After that Scott Lundeen (in blue in the pictures above), who is preparing to take over the facilitation of Rotary Lights, took us in groups for a tour of the facility. If you haven't ever had the tour you need to take it and learn about the amazing effort involved in putting this on every year (and, if you'd like to help, we can put you in touch with Scott L!)
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rotary annual fund - we need your help!!
For the Valley View Rotary Club to be eligible for District matching funds we need our members to donate to the Annual Fund! This year our club needs to donate over $6000 - $100 per member. Please donate what you can...and soon as we are approaching the deadline for this fiscal year. The link to the Rotary donation page is below and note that you can have your donation made in monthly installments. You can also send Annual Fund donations to Dick Spencer.
Host Families Needed for Open World Ukraine Delegates
We will have six delegates from Sept 12 - 20. The host will provide lodging, some meals and transportation to starting points in the mornings and home from ending points in the evenings. The program provides many of the meals and activities for the delegates. Interested Rotarians should contact Nancy Schmidt.
Thanks to Shari and Bruce for suggesting nominations to me in the past week!Nominations for this year's Avenues of Service Awards are due by July 1 but, if you have nominations you'd like to suggest, it would be great to have them in time for our next Executive Board meeting on May 13. Information about the event, including nomination forms, can be found here: https://rotarycluboflacrosse.org/sitepage/avenues-of-service-dinner/area-rotary-clubs-avenues-of-service-dinner (or contact Scott [scott.safranski@gmail.com] for the award descriptions & forms). If you wish to nominate someone from our club please fill out a nomination and get it to Scott as soon as possible. Award Categories include: Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, Club Service, Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service, New Generations, Rotarian of the Year (Club Award)
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Giorgia is being hosted by the After Hours Club and they are seeking host families.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS, EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
District Dispatch: The District is seeking more Rotarians to be involved in writing District Dispatch newsletter articles. If you are interested please contact Megs Lunn (admin.rotary6250.org@clubrunner.email). The May 2025 theme is "Youth Service Month" and the June theme is "Rotary Fellowship Month." Submit articles to: admin@rotary6250.org
Rotary Star Meeting May 13. This invitation goes out to all new members (within the last year) and area Club Presidents for our next STAR meetings on Tuesday at noon, May 13th. The STAR meeting is held from 12-1pm at the Parenting Place, 1500 Green Bay Street in La Crosse. Lunch is NOT INCLUDED but you are welcome to bring your own.
STAR meetings are an excellent way for our newer members to learn more about Rotary in general, touching on a different Rotary area of focus each time. These meetings happen every other month, touching on different topics. Check out our website for more information and future dates: https://rotarycluboflacrosse.org/sitepage/star-3
Rotary International Convention is in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 21st - 25th.
ALS Association Fundraiseris Thursday, July 10 at 5:30 pm (Loggers Game against the Thunder Bay Border Cats). For more information or to buy tickets click on: https://la-crosse-loggers.nwltickets.com/Tickets/SelectPromoSeats?PromoCode=ALSFUNDRAISER
Join us on Zoom here: https://laxymca-org.zoom.us/j/81822994924?pwd=ZzlVeHZoOUdXeGZwSkxvd0tmZXhWQ (Zoom Password is 469027)
Check the schedule as holidays, social events or off-site meetings can alter our regular meeting time or place.
Rotary Club of La Crosse
