After successfully establishing a presence in Great Britain and Ireland, Rotary expanded its reach to mainland Europe with the chartering of a club in Madrid, Spain, on New Year’s Day 1921.
District 6270 Global Grant Scholarship: A Global Grant Scholarship in the amount of U.S. $30,000 is being offered by Rotary International District 6270 for matriculation in the Fall 2021 or Spring 2022. Must be for a graduate level program overseas, not in the United States, and must align closely with one of RI’s Areas of Focus. Applicants must hold at least an undergraduate degree or anticipate graduation within the current year. Application deadline is January 15, 2021; interviews, February 6; announcement of grant recipient, February 15. Application form and applicable reference documents are accessible in the Scholarship Resource Center of the RI District 6270 web site (www.rotary6270.org).
Please pass along this information to any aspiring scholar whom you know or meet who might be qualified to apply. Feel free to contact Larry Myers with any questions.
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!
The RI District 6270 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) task force is excited to present "Building Goodwill and Better Friendships: How to Be an Ally". This session will address why allies are needed in the workplace. Are you an actor (spectator), ally, or accomplice? We will discuss concrete ways to be an ally in the workplace as well as provide a summary of dos and don'ts for allies. Lastly, we’ll discuss what it takes to rise to the challenge of going to the next level – that of being an accomplice.
Please join us Monday, January 25, from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
If you haven't already done so, register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. As Rotarians, the Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do is our moral code for personal and business relationships. And, we know the test can be applied to almost any aspect of life.
About our presenter:
Maria Flores has over 30 years of governmental and volunteer nonprofit experience in serving varied constituent groups on a national, regional and local level. Maria’s main passion is conducting educational outreach and providing training on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and diversity in her current position as the Outreach and Education Manager for the six-state Chicago District of the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Maria has twice received national EEOC awards for her investigation and successful resolution of high-profile immigrant worker cases which had national impact and significant litigation results. She has also received the “Sisterhood Award” by the Wisconsin Women of Color Network; the “Dedicated Member Award” bestowed by the Federal Employees Black History Committee; the “Community Service Award” from the Federal Executive Association; and the “Hammer Award” issued by U.S. Vice President Al Gore for her participation in diversity training by a joint government agency team. Most recently, Maria was named a 2019 Marquette University Alumni National Recipient, receiving “A Person for Others Award” from the College of Arts & Sciences.
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.
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!
Please join the Elmbrook Rotary Club in celebrating our esteemed member Birthdays and Anniversaries in January.
“"I'll never understand why everybody puts so much emphasis on January first. There are three hundred and sixty-four other days in the year that you can make a change." ―Elizabeth Eulberg
Happy Birthday! Wishing a wonderful year of good health, happiness, and success to our members:
Zach Augustin
Jan Constable
Jack Hill
Dean Johnson
Wally Smanski
Greg Smith
ERC also recognizes the following membership anniversaries:
Through vocational service, Rotarians contribute their professional expertise and skills to address societal problems and needs, and to promote high ethical standards in the workplace. Rotarians have two benchmarks for promoting professional integrity: the Rotary Code of Conduct and the Four-Way Test. Click on "Read more" to study these two benchmarks.
Rotarians can support vocational service by
Strengthening the emphasis on professional diversity in member recruitment;
Identifying ways to emphasize professions in club activities;
Placing a stronger emphasis on business networking with integrity at the club and district level -- which also is a means of attracting and mentoring the next generation; and
Emphasizing the connection between The Four-Way Test and the Rotary Code of Conduct and their importance to the values of Rotary.
Rotary Code of Conduct
• As a Rotarian, I will
1. Exemplify the core value of integrity in all behaviors and activities
2. Use my vocational experience and talents to serve in Rotary
3. Conduct all of my personal, business, and professional affairs ethically,
encouraging and fostering high ethical standards as an example to others
4. Be fair in all dealings with others and treat them with the respect due to them as
fellow human beings
5. Promote recognition and respect for all occupations which are useful to society
6. Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work
for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in
my community
7. Honor the trust that Rotary and fellow Rotarians provide and not do anything
that will bring disfavor or reflect adversely on Rotary or fellow Rotarians
8. Not seek from a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship
The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than 100 languages and asks the following questions:
The ERC 2020 Christmas Program will never be forgotten! Not deterred by COVID-19 and the limitations of an online Zoom video conference, coordinator Gary Gilmore (with the assistance of Jim Finn, Steve Stocker, and others) put together a pre-recorded presentation. It is available on the YouTube platform and be accessed by clicking here or on the image below.
On December 17, 2020, the Elmbrook Rotary Club presented a collection of 90 gifts to families currently being assisted by SaintA in Milwaukee. The mission of SaintA is "to facilitate equity, learning, healing and wellness by the restoring connections that help children and families thrive."
The families and staff at SaintA were overwhelmed by the generosity of ERC members who shopped for, purchased, and wrapped the gifts that brightened the holidays for many families. Thanks to ERC member Jack Nelson for coordinating the effort!
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.
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.
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 values. As 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."
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.
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).
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.
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.
