Hello fellow Rotarians,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for making the past year so incredible! Can you believe this is my last newsletter as club president already? Being your president has been such a positive experience, and I have grown and learned so much. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each of you through spending time together, whether working on projects, chatting over a drink, or exchanging phone calls and emails. I am so excited for Connor’s year and for him to continue the tradition of fun, fellowship, and service that makes our club the best!
Oh, but can I really say that our club is the best? We actually have the statistics to back that claim! We are ending this Rotary year as number one in District 6250 in per capita giving to the Rotary Foundation at $365.85 per person. That is amazing! I also hear that we are the third highest in the three districts that make up the entire state of Wisconsin. Besides being generous, we are friendly and welcoming, which has led to a 50% growth in membership over the last twelve months. It has been such a pleasure to welcome our new member class and introduce them to our group.
So again, thank you. Thank you for your guidance, patience, enthusiasm, and generosity with your time, money, and knowledge. Thank you for believing in me when I was nervous about taking this on and for encouraging me along the way. All of our accomplishments over the past year are due to your teamwork. I’m looking forward to taking on my new roles as District Storyteller (follow on Instagram at @RotaryDistrict6250, #shameless plug), and then as Assistant Governor starting July 2021.
See you soon!
Erin Luken
Club President 2019-2020
Upcoming Events
Now- June 21st: Thank you to Partita 3-D Printing Volunteers
Our club received a disaster relief grant from the district/RI that we used to help fund Partita, a local company 3-D printing face shields for first responders. For our club’s participation we said we would write thank you’s to all of their volunteers. We now have the list of volunteers and their email addresses, so I’ve made a large poster for everyone to sign so we can send a virtual thank you to them. Please stop by Erin’s house at 1826 Chadbourne Ave to sign the poster. It is on the back deck with markers and Clorox wipes.
Saturday, June 13th- 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 Center Education Center food pantry. Four volunteers are needed to work from 11:45 am- 1:00 pm. Sign up here or email madisonrotaryah@gmail.com Please keep an eye on the club calendar for any changes or cancellations.
Saturday, June 20th- District Conference and RI Conference
A bright spot amidst the quarantine is that our district conference and the Rotary International Conference are both virtual and FREE! Please click through to see the schedule of events and register (for free!) to get the virtual meeting invite. District Conference info and registration. RI Convention schedule and activities The RI Conference break-outs include topics on greening Rotary events, how to start and grow microfinance projects, Adopt-A-River initiative, and using tech to implement club change. I highly encourage you to check it out and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and gather inspiration.
Sunday, June 21st - Club Meeting, Best-Selling Author Andra Watkins
Join us on Zoom, social at 6:30 pm, meeting at 7 pm
Join us for our virtual meeting on Zoom. Join the meeting
Featured in January 2017’s Rotarian Magazine, New York Times best selling author Andra Watkins chose a crazy way to launch her debut novel. She is one of the only living persons to walk the 444-mile Natchez Trace as the pioneers did. She had a life-changing adventure with her 80-year-old father. Her NYT best selling memoir Not Without My Father chronicles that experience.
Andra is a Past President of the East Cooper Breakfast Rotary Club in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She is past District Communications Chair for District 7770-Eastern South Carolina, founder of the District 7770 Friendship Exchange program, a two-time Rotarian of the Year, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and recipient of her District’s Distinguished Service Award. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of the Southeast and Caribbean.
Sunday, June 28th- 5th Sunday Brunch Club
10:30 am, Olbrich Park, 3527 Atwood Avenue, Madison
Dane County has lifted restrictions enough that we can have a socially distanced picnic in a park. Get out your picnic blanket, sunscreen, and picnic food! See you there!
Sunday, July 5th- NO CLUB MEETING
Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Saturday, July 11th- 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 Center Education Center food pantry. Four volunteers are needed to work from 11:45 am- 1:00 pm. Sign up here or email madisonrotaryah@gmail.com Please keep an eye on the club calendar for any changes or cancellations.