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Russell Hampton
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Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Elmbrook (Brookfield)
We Rise & Shine
Fridays at 7:00 AM
Western Racquet Club
1800 Highland Drive
Elm Grove, WI 53122
United States of America
Currently meeting via Zoom.
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District Site
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Venue Map
Upcoming Events
Rotary Straight Shooters - February Shotgun Outing
Waukesha Gun Club
Feb 18, 2021
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
 
Weekly Meeting (Zoom only)
Normally Western Racquet Club
Feb 19, 2021 7:00 AM
 
Weekly Meeting (Zoom only)
Normally Western Racquet Club
Feb 26, 2021 7:00 AM
 
Weekly Meeting (Zoom only)
Normally Western Racquet Club
Mar 05, 2021 7:00 AM
 
Weekly Meeting (Zoom only)
Normally Western Racquet Club
Mar 12, 2021 7:00 AM
 
Rotary Straight Shooters - March Outing Waukesha Gun Club
Waukesha Gun Club
Mar 18, 2021
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Weekly Meeting (Zoom only)
Normally Western Racquet Club
Mar 19, 2021 7:00 AM
 
ERC & Foundation BoD meeting
Zoom
Mar 24, 2021
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
Weekly Meeting (Zoom only)
Normally Western Racquet Club
Mar 26, 2021 7:00 AM
 
Weekly Meeting (Zoom only)
Normally Western Racquet Club
Apr 02, 2021 7:00 AM
 
View entire list
Speakers
Feb 19, 2021
Andean Health & Development
Feb 26, 2021
Visit Milwaukee
Mar 05, 2021
SeaCadets
Mar 12, 2021 7:00 AM
Puzzles and Paradoxes in Economics & Finance
Mar 19, 2021
What does climate change mean for your local weather?
Mar 26, 2021
Milwaukee Department of City Development
Apr 02, 2021
Spikes Kick-Off
Apr 09, 2021
High Speed Rail Alliance
Apr 16, 2021
Milwaukee Brewers
View entire list
RSS Feed

Randall Butler is the chair of the peacebuilding committee of a club nearing two centuries of dedication to fostering peace

 

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 13th consecutive

 

RI President-elect announces 2021-22 presidential theme.

 

Our ClubsKnowledge network: Using member expertise and connections to growThis club develops

 

Rotary clubs around the world are mobilizing in their communities to support the introduction and delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations.

 
Photo Albums
2019 Spikes for Tykes
Guatemala Team 2019
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Immediate Past President
 
Director (Past President)
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Director
 
Membership
 
Programs
 
Programs
 
Public Image Chair
 
The Rotary Foundation
 
 
Elmbrook Rotary Club is pleased to recognize the following . . .
 
Emeritus Director:
     William Isbister (deceased)
 
Honorary Members:
     Tom Ehrsam, Jane Koons,
     & Renato Westby
Stories
Puzzle Palooza
Elmbrook Rotary has embarked on its second online auction fundraiser.
 
Running from February 12 until February 19, the online auction will benefit The FOOD Pantry of Waukesha County (which is experiencing heightened use because of COVID-19). The Elmbrook Rotary Foundation has approved a grant that will match every dollar raised up to $5,000.
 
 
The idea is to provide your "slightly used" or new puzzles for the online bidding. Outright donations are also possible (without bidding on, or receiving, a puzzle). More than 200 puzzles have already been donated for the auction. Please remember that the overall goal should be not to get a "good deal" on a puzzle but to assist the hungry in our community. The FOOD Pantry has announced that it intends to use the monies received from this fundraiser to help finance a new mobile food pantry at Burleigh Elementary School in the Elmbrook School District.
 
 
Contact Bonnie Bertram or Mark Zalewski with your questions.
 
RI District 6270 Announces Global Grant Scholarship Recipient
Rotary International (RI) District 6270 is pleased to announce the selection of Alaina Eckert, Sussex, WI, as its Global Grant Scholarship applicant for 2021-2022.
 
Ms. Eckert is a graduate of Sussex Hamilton H.S. and of The University of Wisconsin—Madison. She has already begun a dual degree, Master of Science/Master of International Nature Conservation, in a cooperative program of the Georg-August Universität in Göttingen, Germany, and Lincoln University in Lincoln, New Zealand.
 
The amount of the Global Grant Scholarship is U.S. $30,000. RI District 6270 is providing $15,000 of that amount, and The Rotary Foundation is matching it with another $15,000. The Rotary Foundation, RI districts, and Rotary clubs invest in our future leaders and philanthropists by funding scholarships for graduate study through the Global Grant Scholarship program. Information about Rotary’s other scholarship programs can be accessed at:  https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/scholarships.
 
The practical approach of Ms. Eckert's study program is to preserve the integrity of nature, in combination with the assessment of risk management and conservation strategy, and offers an invaluable experience in the education of international conservation. The four-semester program offers new perspectives to maintaining biodiversity and ecosystems that allow local communities to be resilient to future ecological changes, maintain economic stability and growth, use adaptive conservation management strategies for both the betterment of the community and the ecosystem, and preserve critical ecological systems. Thus, Ms. Eckert’s program of studies aligns with RI’s “Community Economic Development” Area of Focus, and it anticipates close alignment with RI’s newest Area of Focus, “Protecting the Environment,” which becomes effective on July 1, 2021.
Read more...
More Changes to TRF Global Grants
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) has announced additional changes to its Global Grants program. The first major change occurred last year when TRF decided that World fund resources will be used to match only District Designated Fund (DDF) contributions, and the match remained at 100%. This change was because, due to COVID-19 distributions, TRF fully expended the Global Grant budget.
 
The most recent change takes effect on July 1, 2021, and includes the following:
 
1. DDF contributions transferred to Polio Plus will be matched at 50% (instead of 100%)
2. The World Fund match of DDF will be reduced from 100% to 80% when being used for Global Grants.
3. 5% of the current year’s Annual fund-SHARE contributions will be taken equally from the World Fund and DDF to help fund operating expenses. (i.e., for every $100 contribution, $5 will go to operating expenses, $47.50 to DDF, and $47.50 to the World Fund).
4. The ability to roll over unused DDF will be limited to five years. The first DDF rollover redirection will take place on 1 July 2026. Currently there is $48.8 million DDF being carried by various districts throughout the world, and TRF desires to put those monies to work. [NOTE:  RI District 6270, in which Elmbrook Rotary is located, does NOT carry over large amounts of DDF from one year to the next. Rather, a rollover occurs only when the amount is already designated for a particular purpose.]
More COVID-19 Casualties
COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on organizations' meetings and activities. Rotary is no exception.
 
RI District 6270 has been forced to conduct its annual Pre-PETS seminar online (via Zoom). Likewise, the seven-district Midwest PETS (President-Elect Training Seminar) will be conducted via Zoom. The Rotary Midwest President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) is one of the largest multi-district PETS in the United States.  It was formed in 2012 with a view to becoming a premier training event with the atmosphere of a mini Rotary International Convention by leveraging the expertise and buying power of seven Rotary Districts from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin—Districts 6220, 6250, 6270, 6420, 6440, 6450, 6460.
 
And, the Rotary International Convention, originally scheduled for Taipei, Taiwan, will likewise be "virtual" again this year. Click here to access detailed information on registrations, refunds, etc.
Want to Meet In-Person?
Elmbrook Rotary Club is not yet "formally" meeting in person, nor does it intend to change the venue for its normal meeting space. However, some members have expressed the desire to try meeting in-person with very limited numbers. ERC Director Jackson Bubolz is organizing the effort.
 
The plan is to try meeting on Friday mornings at the Sendik's Food Market at The Corners of Brookfield. Address is 20222 Lower, Union Street. The market has a roomy area which accommodates a small group. They will have coffee prepared for sale, and baked goods (or anything else in the grocery store) will be able to be purchased.
 
Plan to arrive at no later than 6:50 a.m. on Friday mornings to make your purchases and to socialize. The online Zoom meeting will begin at 7:00 a.m., for which purpose you need to bring along a smart phone, laptop, or tablet. The hope is to maintain social distancing, yet interact live once again. Come check it out!
February Birthdays & Anniversaries
 
 
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in February.
 
 
“February - the month of love..?!! No wonder the shortest one in the calendar.” ― Dinesh Kumar Biran
 
Happy Birthday! Wishing a wonderful year of good health, happiness, and success to our members:
 
  • Bill Bulloch
  • Ned Consigny
  • Tom Curl
  • Chris Salani
  • Karl Schulz
  • Thomas Steinbach
  • Steven Stocker
  • Larry Winkelhake
 
ERC also recognizes the following membership anniversaries:
 
  • Jacson Bubolz, 3 years
  • Karl Schulz, 5 years
  • Greg Bonk, 8 years
  • Fred Gettelman, 13 years
  • Mark Thurner, 25 years
Read more...
Common Hope Education Series
Throughout the year, Common Hope is hosting a series of virtual Zoom Sessions on focused topics from health care to housing. Common Hope wants to bring Guatemala to you with opportunities to dive deeper into culture, context, programs, and more.
Part education, part information, part FUN!
 
 
Learn about the education system in Guatemala, the challenges of maintaining educational health in a pandemic, and the progress of education in Guatemala.
 
This session will be 60 minutes and there are two session times to choose from. You will hear from Executive Director, Shari Blindt along with visits from team members in Guatemala.
 
KICK OFF SESSION: February 15, 2021 @ 11:30am or 6:00pm CST
TOPIC: The Power of Education
ERC Member Jim Dunn Continues to Support AHD
Even before celebrating Elmbrook Rotary's successful receipt of a $98,000 Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation (TRF), ERC member Jim Dunn continued his ongoing support of Andean Health & Development (AHD) by participating in its annual group bike ride in September 2021.
 
Because of the global pandemic, this annual fundraiser became "virtual" this year. Some 143 cyclists in 17 different states and four different countries participated. Generosity from 369 donors resulted in net contributions of $634,935 from the annual fundraiser.
 
Be sure to read the article (p. 6) in the February 2021 edition of Elm Grove News - Independent about ERC's Global Grant from TRF. Click here to access.
 
And, do join ERC's weekly meeting on Friday, February 19, when Dr. David Gaus (AHD Founder & CEO) will be the featured speaker.
 
 
Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution

February is "Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution" month for Rotary worldwide.

Forty-two million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution, and 90 percent of armed-conflict casualties are civilians, half of them children. Through service projects, fellowships, and other Rotary-sponsored campaigns, members train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and aid refugees who have fled dangerous areas. Members also pursue projects to address the underlying structural causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

Join Rotary and help spread peace around the world.
Give now to promote peace.

 

Read news about Rotary peace initiatives

Resources & reference

Read more...
Bill Selzer's Thanks & Tips
In 2020 Elm Grove Fire Chief (Retired) William Selzer was named as the "Business Person of the Year" by Elmbrook Rotary in recognition of his 47 years of service. He recently provided the photo below, displaying the ERC recognition plaque alongside other memorabilia in his home office.
 
 
In addition, Chief Selzer sent a letter of gratitude intended for the entire club membership. Click here to read his letter, which also contains fire prevention tips that can be profitably put to use by all of us.
 
Congratulations again to Fire Chief (Retired) Bill Selzer!
NAMI Southeast Wisconsin
Sarah Pfeiffle of NAMI Southeast Wisconsin briefed Elmbrook Rotary on Friday, January 15, about the programs of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
 
She especially addressed the objectives, efforts, and results of the PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) program. PATH has been financially supported for the past several years by an Elmbrook Rotary Mini-Grant.
 
The NAMI Southeast Wisconsin website can be accessed by clicking here in order to learn more about NAMI and its program. Click on the image below to view Ms. Pfeiffle's most informative presentation.
 
The Future of Rotary
The Rotary Club of Troy, MI, and RI District 6380, (an international district that comprises parts of southeastern Michigan and also Canada) hosted an online presentation and Q&A on January 6 with John Hewko, Rotary International General Secretary. The program is most informative and provides Hewko's perspective on "The Future of Rotary." Enjoy the embedded YouTube video, or click here to access if trying to view from the Elmbrook Rotary Club's weekly eBulletin.
 
 
Meet Ana Ramirez
Ana V. Ramirez is the 8th student at the Common Hope School in Guatemala who has been sponsored by the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation.
 
 
Ana's family income is U.S. $364/month, and the six-member family lives in a small concrete-block home (10 meters by 10 meters). They obtain water and electricity from neighbors and must use an outhouse for a bathroom.
 
Ana is an 11th Grade student, enrolled in Marketing and Advertising Certification. Her anticipated graduation date is November 2022. Since 2014, six members of Elmbrook Rotary Club (accompanied by four family members) have made the trip to Guatemala for the graduation exercises, a weekend-long celebration with, and support for, our sponsored student and her/his family. Any club member can volunteer to represent the club. Contact Erik Moeser if interested.
ERC Global Grant Paid by TRF
On December 28 the Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) was notified that The Rotary Foundation has paid out $47,300 from its World Fund in support of Global Grant 2099786, "Pediatric Ventilators Santo Domingo Ecuador." The amount includes $11,000 of District Designated Funds (DFF) from Rotary District 6270.
 
     
 
 
The grant provides for the purchase of two pediatric ventilators and one neonatal ventilator for Andean Health & Development's (AHD's) locally-staffed teaching hospital in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. The ventilators are for the hospital's neonatal ICU. While the equipment purchase will generate immediate impact for the community, it is actually part of a greater investment in a healthcare model for Ecuador and beyond. The objective of purchasing the ventilators is primarily to provide high quality care right now to some of the country's poorest people, those living on less than $4/day. The direct beneficiaries are the newborns and their very low-income families who cannot afford services and therefore must utilize the public system (with whom AHD partners). Children with COVID-19 will also benefit. As of December 11, 2020, Ecuador had reported 200,379 coronavirus cases (https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101643/latin-america-caribbean-coronavirus-cases)
 
The Rotary Area of Focus for the Global Grant is "Maternal and Child Health." Total cost of the project is $97,992. ERC provided $51,820 for the project [which includes direct support from the club and foundation (plus some extra funds to offset unforeseen expenses) and also donations from an ERC Rotarian and a number of non-Rotarians]. The Host Club, the Rotary Club of Tsachila de Santo Domingo, provided U.S. $1,500.
 
The project was spearheaded by ERC Rotarian Jim Dunn, who also serves on the Advisory Board of Andean Health & Development. The ERC "International Partner" committee included Mark Zalewksi, Harry Farchmin, Barry James, & Erik Moeser. Congratulations to those who worked so long and patiently on behalf of this worthwhile project, and thanks to Elmbrook Rotary Club & Foundation membership at large!
Read more...
Keeping Rotarians Connected
If, on December 8, you missed Kristin Bock's special online presentation, fear not!
 
Entitled "Keeping Rotarians Connected: Using Nonverbal Communication in a Digital World," the presentation is now available on YouTube. Simply click here or on the image below.
 
Watch ShelterBox USA Virtual Event
Hundreds of supporters joined together "virtually" in celebrating ShelterBox USA's 20th Anniversary. You can now view the event after-the fact by clicking here or on the image below.
 
 
Thanks to ShelterBox, and to Rotarians worldwide, for the work done and still being done in countless countries throughout the world!
You'll Be Back
Yes, "You'll be back.!
 
So states the popular song in Hamilton, the broadway musical.
 
However, it appears that it won't be as quickly as we had hoped. In-person attendance on Friday mornings has not been what was originally projected, and The Western Racquet Club cannot financially justify the low numbers.
 
In-person meetings for Elmbrook Rotary Club are therefore suspended once again. We return to Zoom only.
 
But, "You'll be back!"
Rotary Opens Opportunities
Holger Knaack, member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum-Lauenburg-Möln, Germany, is Rotary International President for 2020-2021.
 
A Rotary member since 1992, Knaack has served Rotary as treasurer, director, moderator, member and chair of several committees, representative for the Council on Legislation, zone coordinator, training leader, and district governor. He is an endowment/major gifts adviser and was co-chair of the Host Organization Committee for the 2019 Rotary International Convention in Hamburg. Knaack and his wife, Susanne, are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation and members of the Bequest Society.
 
 
Rotary Opens Opportunities is the theme chosen by President Knaack for 2020-2021. At the International Assembly in San Diego in January 2020, he had the following to say about his theme: "So as you can see, Rotary is not just a club that you join. It is an invitation to endless opportunities. It opens opportunities to serve in a project as big and historic as End Polio Now and also in a small community project, where you just plant a tree. And it opens opportunities for you to live a richer, more meaningful life, with friends around the world, based on our core valuesAs Rotarians, we are very blessed to take on leadership roles at this wonderful moment for our organization. Everything we do opens another opportunity for someone, somewhere. Therefore, the theme for our year is: Rotary Opens Opportunities."
Online ERC & ERF Payments/Donations
It is now possible for members of Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) to make online payments and donations both to ERC and to the Elmbrook Rotary Foundation (ERF).
 
Two separate commercial merchant accounts have been activated which intend to keep transactions separated between ERC and ERF.
 
To make payments to ERC, simply follow the link provided in one's individual club account (and quarterly statements). A surcharge of 5% is billed to one's club account when utilizing a credit card or debit card.
 
To make donations or payments to ERF, simply click the "Donate" or "Donate Now" button that can be found on multiple pages on the ERC web site. Or, one can click the URL link that will be provided in ERF invoices to club members. Please ensure that donations or payments intended for the ERF account are not made to the ERC account. The opposite is also true. And, please remember that not all payments to the Foundation [a 501(c)(3) entity] are tax-deductible. IRS rules and policies must be followed.
 
 
Finally, one can always use the old-fashioned (and least expensive) way of payment/donation with an individual check or bank check via "Bill Pay" at one's bank.
ERC on Twitter
Did you know that Elmbrook Rotary Club has a Twitter account? It's true! Become a "Follower" (@ElmbrookRotary).
 
ClubRunner Mobile App

The ClubRunner Mobile App is your key to connect to your club on the go!

Completely free to download and use, this app will let you access the key info you need while you're on the go. Password protected just like the ERC website, the ClubRunner Mobile app allows you to to view the ERC member directory, contact your members and executives, read the latest articles posted to the ERC website, learn more about ERC upcoming events and speakers, view ERC meeting details, and track your attendance statistics—right from your smartphone or tablet! Download the ClubRunner Mobile App either from the App Store (for Apple products) or from Google Play (for Android devices).
What Is Elmbrook Rotary Club?
What is Elmbrook Rotary Club? What do we do? Who are we?
 
 
 
Watch our promotion video to learn about us. If accessing via our weekly eBulletin, click here to watch.
At ELMBROOK ROTARY - We Rise & Shine!
 
When we say "WE RISE & SHINE” to others, it means:
  • WE RISE to meet early every Friday.
  • WE RISE to the occasion by helping those in need.
  • WE RISE to make a difference in our community and the world.
     
  • WE SHINE by living the Rotary 4-way Test.
  • WE SHINE by staying positive and encouraging others.
  • WE SHINE by lighting the way for service above self in Brookfield, Elm Grove, and beyond.
The tagline appears on our Coffee Mugs, on our Web site, on club emails, and on other communications going out. Try using the tagline the next time you’re talking to someone about Elmbrook Rotary or Rotary in general. In fact, consider purchasing an Elmbrook Rotary Coffee Mug for $7.
What Is Rotary?
How do others perceive Rotary and what we do?
 
Enjoy this humorous video about what Rotary really is. Click me to view!
 
Filmed in 2017 in the Fargo-Moorhead area (North Dakota Minnesota border region), where there are five Rotary Clubs. Video was supported by Rotary District 5580.