ROTARY IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY AND SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN

Posted by Edwin Bos - District Governor
District 6250 Rotarians in the Chippewa Valley and in Southwestern Wisconsin absolutely nailed it when I visited their areas during the 2nd and 4th week of October respectively.  The weeks was packed with activity.  At right Rotarians in Menomonie packing meals.  Some of the Chippewa Valley clubs have set-up an independent Rotary Feeds meal packing program! 
 
The Swiss Army Knife that is Rotary is powerful my friends.  Read more if you want some fresh Rotary ideas or if you want to look at a lot of pictures!  Learn more about the unique things that clubs in Southwestern Wisconsin and the Chippewa Valley are doing.
 
 
Chippewa Valley (Assistant Governor Group #1 - thank you for a great week!)
 
 
 
With Chippewa Falls Rotarians Mark Broses, Co-Presidents Cathy Statz and Don Albrecht, President Elect Logan Sullivan at their Tiny House Shelter project (one of many).
 
 
With Chippewa Valley A.H. President Kevin Everhard and other Rotarians serving food at the Barnabas Christian Coffeehouse ... an on-going Rotary commitment to serve in the Chippewa Valley.
 
 
With Eau Claire Rotary President Howard Ludwigson and Rotarian Rob Gerber at the Hope Gospel Mission Renovation and Rotary Sponsored Playground.
 
 
The Eau Claire Rotary lighted bridge project ... what an addition to Eau Claire's very impressive downtown area ... if you haven't visited Eau Claire lately do it!
 
 
With Menomonie Rotary ... a half hour meeting and then Rotary Feeds!  Rotary Feeds is an in-house meal packing program started by several Chippewa Valley clubs that often partners with local companies to provide funding and manpower.  Rotary Feeds brings the program (lines, supplies and raw materials) to the company so that employees can participate during lunch hours or, often, working hours.  A win-win for the Company and for Rotary!  A great concept that could be replicated elsewhere in our District. 
 
Contact Rotarian Joel Helminiak at Joel.Helminiak@edwardjones.com for more information.
 
 
With Menomonie Sunrise President Courtney Sand on a morning tour of their many projects.  The Caddie Woodlawn restored farmhouse, the Veterans Shelter where the club is funding additional space and the Dunn County Historical Society's Hilkrest School which Menomonie Sunrise Rotarians recently gave a fresh coat of paint.  Thanks Court!
 
 
Southwest Wisconsin (Assistant Governor Group #10 - thank you all for a great week!)
 
Prairie du Chien - Monday - 21 Oct 19
 
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM - Meet President Noah White @ Excalibur Laundries, 932 S Marquette Rd ... Visit couple business who do not have Rotary Members.  One no and one probably.
10:50 AM - 11:45 AM - Be at the High School to talk to Interact, any student interested in Interact, or any student interested in being an outbound. We will have from 11 - 11:30 to speak with students.  15 kids "signed up" for Youth Exchange.
Noon till 1:00 PM - Rotary Luncheon at the Bowling Alley. Everyone is welcome as well as perspective members.  Ate too much really good pizza.
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM - Radio Interview.  5 minutes focused on Rotary, Polio and Joining! 
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Going to businesses that have pledged money to Polio to pick up checks, take photos, and meet members/business owners.  See pictures below ... over $3,000 raised in Prairie du Chien!
5:00 PM - 7ish - Business After 5 at the PDC Country Club. Meet Rotary Members as well as Chamber Members and Prospective Members.  Spoke to about 40 people ... beautiful new club house! 
7ish PM - Whenever - If anyone wants to go out for supper or have a drink as a group we will do so, if not we will clean up and call it a night.  (spend the night at Noah White’s home).  Thanks Noah, great day!
 
Viroqua - Tuesday - 22 Oct
 
10:00 AM - Meet with 2 members - Mike Callen, Dian Krause and Pam Harkema @ Mike’s Insurance Co - 107 North Main  to visit downtown businesses.  5 cold calls, one new member, one probable, one strong maybe and two maybe one of their employees!  Face to face selling still works!
Noon - 1:00 PM - Rotary Luncheon at the Food Co-op.  Double booking of meeting space quickly rectified and we didn't skip a beat!
2:00 PM - Radio station interview with Karen Dahl.  Expected another 5 minute talk but Karen let me know this one would be an hour!  Thanks for making it so easy!
3:00 PM - Visit park where 15 trees have been planted.  15 trees but also a playground and was shown the Rotary Peace Memorial in the center of town.
4:00 PM - Travel to Richland Center to stay with Rotarian Gene Schiesser.  Thanks again Gene and Bobbie!
 
Richland Center - Wednesday - 23 Oct
 
9:00 AM - 09:30 AM - WRCO radio station interview.  With host Ron Fruit, Assistant Governor Sherry Hillesheim and  Richland County Rotary President Cathy Rooney.  An hour devoted to Rotary, Polio, Joining! https://www.wrco.com/images/mp3/20191023.mp3
10:00 - Go to RLP (Rotary Lights in the Park) and Rotary Park.  Toured the park and used our imaginations to picture it filled with Christmas lights!
12:00 - 1:00 PM - Rotary meeting at Associate Bank.  Spoke to the meeting, Q&A after.
1:30 PM - 3:30 - RLP Storage (Keith Behling).  Keith, Sherry and I spent a few hours prepping the tube lights that the cars will drive under during the Xmas lights show.
4:00 PM - Travel to Platteville to meet President Jay Lukens.  Thanks again Jay and Shyla!
 
Platteville - Thursday - 23 - 24 Oct
 
6:00 pm - 8:00 Social with membership.  At the bowling alley, turned into a great discussion about Rotary and how things are going in Platteville.  
10:00 AM - Visit area businesses.  Change of plans ... tour of Jay's hometown of Dubuque  ... been there a few times but never seen the Mines of Spain or the Julien Dubuque Monument overlooking the river ... great breakfast, great discussion. 
Noon - 1:00 PM - Rotary meeting with the club.  Great meeting with new members attending their first meeting.  Great atmosphere ... they love their Rotaract club ... go UW Platteville Rotaract!
1:30 PM - Travel to Madison.  Pints for Polio ... four hours, four Great Danes ... Fitchburg, East Side, Downtown and ended at Hilldale.  Home by midnight!
 
 
 
With Past President Mike Callan and new Viroqua "Cold Call" Member Kristi Scanella from Associated Bank.  
 
 
With Viroqua Rotarian Karen Dahl at the Rotary Park
 
 
Wtih Richland Center Rotarians Keith Behling and Sherry Hillesheim getting ready for Rotary Lights ... make sure you visit this winter! 
 
                                                                                                              
 
With Prairie du Chien Rotary President Noah White on a whirlwind tour of area businesses ... all supporting Rotary's fight to eradicate Polio!
 
 
 
 
With Todd & Scott Yeomans, Owners of Dyesport and prospective Rotarians, they're going to be a tough sell but they have Great Products ... we'll scratch your back if ... :)