October is a great month for many reasons. The weather begins to become more comfortable, the baseball pennant race begins (go Brewers!!), the trees show off all their beautiful colors and much more.
It is also Rotary’s big month to focus on eradicating Polio with World Polio Day on October 24th. If you haven't yet, register your club for World Polio Day athttps://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day.
For over four decades, Rotary International has championed one of the most ambitious and successful public health campaigns in history: the global eradication of polio. What began as a local immunization project has grown into a multinational effort that has brought the world to the very brink of eliminating a devastating disease.
From Local Action to Global Initiative Rotary's involvement in the fight against polio started with a single, crucial step.
October is flying by quickly but there is still time to share some mind-provoking #EndPolioNow materials on your club’s website, social platforms, and in your upcoming meeting.
If you are hosting an #EndPolioNow fundraising event, you may want to play one of these videos at your event. Yes, they’re that good!
Click to read more and view the four video links for you to choose from.
There are many things about polio that are scary, such as that it’s incurable and mostly affects children under the age of five. And until we end polio forever, every child is still at risk. With the accessibility of international travel, polio is only a plane ride away!
But the good news is that we’re almost there; we’re so close!
Even though the disease is incurable, we have safe, effective, and affordable vaccines. Africa was declared Polio Free in August of 2020, after going four years without a case. Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries with endemic (wild polio) cases, with a total of 35 confirmed cases in 2025.
Three months into the Rotary year and I want to share some very exciting information with you again! Some great things are going on in our district.
At the end of the month of September, we have gained +10 new members, bringing us up to 2,219. We really desire to keep this momentum going as more clubs continue to use Membership Olympics to their advantage.
Membership Olympics continues in full swing and here is Game Three for October!
Game Three - Survey Your Club Members
Conduct a club survey using Rotary International assessment tools.
Please report that the club has completed a member survey and email this information to Marc Augsburger, District Membership Chair maugs13@gmail.com
Get ready to connect, collaborate, and energize your club experience! This dynamic workshop is designed to help participants build meaningful connections, exchange innovative ideas, and discover new strategies for success—all while having fun.
Together, we’ll explore ways to increase the impact of club projects, expand outreach, and engage community members more effectively. You’ll also learn how to strengthen your club’s foundation for innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth.
Whether you're looking to refresh your approach or take your club to the next level, this workshop is your gateway to inspiration and transformation.
October is Rotary’s Community Economic Development Month, celebrating efforts to build sustainable and thriving communities through leadership and empowerment. Rotary’s approach emphasizes helping people guide their own progress rather than providing charity.
A recent example in southern India illustrates this principle: Rotary clubs from India and Canada partnered to train 80 Adivasi women in sewing, restoring their dignity and financial independence. This initiative reflects Rotary’s belief that true leadership comes from within communities—through collaboration, skill-building, and local ownership. By nurturing local leaders, Rotary helps create lasting economic opportunities that strengthen entire societies.
I had the great pleasure to spend a week in La Crosse at the start of their big Oktoberfest celebration and visit many of the area’s clubs, which I will share in next month's District Governor article in the Dispatch. One of the highlights of the week was the FestMaster’s Ball, where I got to see the announcing of the 2025 FestMaster & Frau – Brent & Ellen Smith, tapping of the Golden Keg and most important was seeing Mrs. Oktoberfest, who is our very own Rotary Public Image Chair, Michelle Skemp! Congratulations!!
If you don’t already know, Oktoberfest, U.S.A. in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is far more than a simple beer festival; it is the longest-running community Oktoberfest celebration in the Midwest. Annually drawing crowds of up to 150,000 people, this four-day festival transforms the city into a celebration of German heritage, local tradition, and "Gemütlichkeit" (a German word for a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer).
Rotarians from across the globe gathered in Prior Lake, MN, October 1–4, 2025, for the Zone 25B & 29 Institute for three full days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
Sessions focused on strengthening Rotary’s impact, expanding reach, enhancing engagement, and increasing adaptability. Participants explored topics such as membership growth, leadership development, AI for good, and effective district management.
Attendees left energized, connected, and ready to bring fresh ideas and renewed purpose to their districts and clubs.
The Rotary Club of La Crescent is hosting a free community event tonight, Oct 15, from 6-8 pm at The Wieser Park Pavilion. This will be a presentation on the local La Crescent historical landmark, The Cameron House. Homeowner, Cindy Wright, will share her extensive research on the home and Daniel Cameron, the dedicated many who built it more than 150 years ago. You'll also hear about his colorful family and their important contributions to our area.
If you live near La Crescent and have always been curious about this distinctive home, here's your chance to ask CIndy your questions! For more information contact lacrescentrotary@gmail.com
Several District Clubs are hosting the 2025 Pickleball for Polio event on October 23rd as we count down the days to World Polio Day on October 24th. This event will take place at Blue Zone Pickleball, 2500 Rose Street, La Crosse.
Last year we raised over $10,000 for End Polio Now! All donations are matched 2:1 and we encourage all Rotarians to come and join in the fun!
This year’s event is sponsored and organized by the following Rotary Clubs working together to end Polio!
∙Rotary club of Holmen Area
∙Roary Club of La Crosse
∙Rotary Club of La Crosse – After Hours
∙Rotary Club of La Crosse – Valley View
∙Rotary Club of Madison- South
∙Rotary Club of Onalaska -Hilltoppers
∙Rotary Club of Tomah
Compete in a pickleball tournament, play with friends or just hang out in the party room and hear how Rotary is working hard to End Polio. Go here to register!
