Hello fellow Rotarians,
 
As I've been updating the club calendar and news for this newsletter, I've been really impressed by the line-up of speakers and events coming up over the next few months.  We have a great speaker this Sunday from Mentoring Positives, a local organization making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.  Then in September, we'll have a visit from Edwin Bos, our District Governor.  October brings Will Harris, a former Rotary Peace Scholar and Executive Director of Working Capital for Community Needs, an organization that provides microfinance opportunities in Latin America.  We'll also be hearing from Vheneka Magazi, an exchange student from Zimbabwe attending West High School.  Events coming up include the President's Social over Labor Day weekend and Pints for Polio and the Rotary One Summit in October.  And if volunteering is your passion, we have plenty of opportunities there too - Lussier and The River food pantries, Ironman Wisconsin, and Bucky Beads!
 
This fall is a great time to take advantage of all that our club has to offer!  Keep your eyes open to people in your life that are potential members and invite them to join us.  We have designated money in the budget for membership and we want to spend it - your guest's first event is on the house.  Just ask any of the board members for details!
 
See you on Sunday,
 
Erin Luken
2019-2020 President
  
Upcoming Events
 
Sunday, August 18th  – Club Meeting: Mentoring Positives
The Post at Park Hotel, 22 S Carroll St, Madison, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Join us for our next meeting on Sunday, August 18th. Our guest speaker is from Mentoring Positives Inc., an innovative, referral-based mentoring program that works directly with kids and families throughout Dane County and its surrounding areas. Founded in 2004 by Will and Becky Green, Mentoring Positives offers a range of positive programs for elementary, middle, and high school-aged youth. 
 
Tuesday, August 20th  – Service Event: The River Food Pantry
The River Food Pantry, 2201 Darwin Rd, Madison, 4:15 pm – 6:45 pm
Help the food pantry with a shopping session.  A hot meal is provided for food pantry shoppers and volunteers. We have 6 volunteer spots reserved for members who have entered their names on the sign-up sheet. One more volunteer spot is available. Please let Brad know if you are interested (madisonrotaryah@gmail.com or 608-469-9555).
 
Sunday, September 1st or 2nd – President's Social
1826 Chadbourne Ave, Madison, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
**Date will be announced by August 18th. Please check the club calendar to confirm**
Join us for a low-key mix and mingle social (in lieu of our usual meeting) tonight.  Fill out the following survey to join in Rotary Bingo (https://forms.gle/7WDP8RwtRbceFFk88). Guests are welcome to join us and play Rotary Bingo too!
 
Saturday, September 7th - Volunteer Event: Lussier Food Pantry
Lussier Community Education Center, 55 S. Gammon Rd, Madison, 11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Volunteer with us at the Lussier Community Education Center food pantry!  Four volunteers are needed to work from 11:45am until 1:00pm.  Sign up for shifts here or email us at madisonrotaryah@gmail.com. 
 
Sunday, September 8th  – Ironman Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, all day
Sign up for a volunteer shift to help us earn a $500 grant.  There are many roles to fill, especially on the bike and run course.  For example, hang out in the shade on the run course along the Lakeshore Path, get rare on-field access in Camp Randall Stadium directing runners, or help apply fresh sunscreen on the athletes.  Plus, beer and raffle prizes at the volunteer dinner on September 9th.  Sign up here http://www.ironman.com/hr-hr/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/wisconsin/volunteer.aspx#axzz5u3na0JkT and be sure to write in "Rotary" when asked what group you are with.  
 
Sunday, September 15th  – Club Meeting: Edwin Bos, District Governor
The Post at Park Hotel, 22 S Carroll St, Madison, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Our guest speaker this evening will be Edwin Bos, the District Governor of 6250 for 2019-2020. This is a great time to bring guests! Edwin Bos has been a proud member of the Fort Atkinson Rotary club since 2003. He has served on the Board of Directors, as Youth Exchange Officer, as the chair of several club construction projects, as Club President in 2012-13, and as Assistant Governor from 2014-2017. Edwin is a graduate of Fort Atkinson High School, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (BSc Civil Engineering) and the Rotterdam School of Management (MBA). After graduation, he spent 10 years working for a large Dutch  construction company primarily in Amsterdam, Istanbul, and the Caribbean.