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Where did the 2020-21 Rotary Year go? Even a global pandemic wouldn’t stop us from Enhancing Member Engagement, Increasing our Impact and proving we know how to Adapt!
RI President Holger Knaack’s theme for the year was “Rotary Opens Opportunities." Despite the world being shut down, we still made our mark in the world. The friendships, the opportunities to give back to others, the fun we got to have with one another, all bonded by Rotary. I love my Rotary After Hours family, composed of 61 incredible individuals who are committed to Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” We are coming out the other side of a really strange and unusual year energized and more resilient. In a time of uncertainty, Rotary always gave me something to look forward to. It gave me a greater sense of purpose to serve those who needed us most. Thank you for joining me in taking advantage of the many opportunities that Rotary and Rotary After Hours offered this past year.
This is a bittersweet moment for me. Incoming RI President Shekhar Mehta says the “Presidency at the club level is the best job you can have in Rotary” and he’s right. It’s been the experience of a lifetime to be our club’s president, one I never imagined holding and I am so grateful to all of you for giving me this opportunity. The club.. you all... have been my life for the past year. I have appreciated all the words of support and encouragement over the past 12 months. I have appreciated each and every one of you who helped make it another successful year for our club- whether it was helping with a committee, showing up for a service event, partaking in a social or seeing you at a club program (either virtually or in person). I will cherish the memories, the life lessons and the deepened friendships this year has brought me.
I am proud of Rotary After Hours (that includes each of you!) and all we've accomplished. If the past year and decade is any indicator, then truly, the BEST is YET to come.
From the bottom of my grateful heart, thank you RAH!
Marissa Dickinson
Rotary Club of La Crosse-After Hours, President 2020-2021
Congratulations to Josh Mansee, our June Rotarian of the Month!
Josh is not only a great Rotarian but someone who I owe a debt of gratitude to also am lucky to call a great friend.
Whether it’s running the District Foundation Committee, project leading the Mobile Medical Clinic, organizing camping trips in the boundary waters or helping to keep us accountable, Josh is ALWAYS willing to help out.
I can’t imagine what this last year would have been like without Josh Mansee as my partner in crime- leaning on each other for advice, feedback, ideas and support. From iFeed, to Food Drive Fridays, to planning for the Rotary Years and working with Josh on the Mobile Medical Clinic each opportunity has been an adventure.
Josh, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for ALL you’ve done to help me and ALL you’ll continue to do for Rotary and for others. Please join me in congratulating Josh, as our June Rotarian of the Month!
We recognized six of our members for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation with Paul Harris Fellows.
We move closer to a world of peace and good with their gifts of $1000 to The Rotary Foundation. This Rotary year, our Foundation has awarded over 1,900 global grants totaling $140 million. There is no gift too small. $10 buys a mosquito net to prevent malaria; $3 allows another child to get immunized against Polio.
Your support makes Doing Good in the World possible.
Friends in the club shared more about these giving individuals-
Brian Richardson, PHF
“The first thing I noticed about Brian when he joined Rotary was how shy and quiet he was. I was impressed that he jumped in and got involved even if it may have been out of his comfort zone. We are grateful to Brian for his service on the club Foundation committee and Rotary Works Foundation board. He may be quiet but Brian is one of the most smart, caring, loyal and generous people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet – the character traits of a true Rotarian. I will forever be grateful to Rotary After Hours for introducing me to such a special person, someone who has changed my life for the better in every way.”
Madeline Behringer, PHF
“Madelyn is a bright and energetic member of our club and always makes things more fun. From her insight on the RAH board, to hooking the club up with a venue for gatherings, to donning a ridiculous shark costume with almost no questions, Madeline has helped open a lot of doors for our club to continue to build goodwill and better friendships. She helped raise hundreds of dollars for the back-to-school supplies and has helped plan numerous other events for RAH. She is a shining star in our club.”
Nathan Crowder, PHF +1
“On the five-way test, among the things we ask ourselves with everything we do, is whether it will build goodwill and better friendships. On this attribute, in particular, Nathan shines with his contributions and camaraderie. Through meetings, volunteer opportunities, and club socials, he invests in new and existing friendships in a way that makes a lasting impact on our members. Nathan has selflessly put time, talent, and treasure into Rotary, and now he’s taking the reins as treasurer. His enthusiasm and dedication are a great asset to our club.”
Liz Evans, PHF +1
“Liz Evans always goes above and beyond. She is a very giving individual, and Rotary After Hours has certainly benefitted from her dedication and hard work. Liz is very willing to step up and take charge on projects big or small; without her there is a good chance that we would still be trying to sort out the budget for the club. Her commitment, character and giving nature have been huge assets to the club, and we are very lucky to have her as a member!
Brady Lowe, PHF +1
"Brady helped shape the culture and energy of RAH from its first days as a Chartering member. His positive attitude and dedication to our club has helped us grow time and time again. Brady truly is a Rotarian at heart. He is always willing to go above and beyond to help with service projects, volunteering, helping plan meetings and socials and attend events. I’m so very grateful that Rotary allowed me to meet such a wonderful person who has become a best friend.”
Laura Lee, PHF +5
“Laura—the YES girl! She does it all! There is not enough time in the day to tell enough about the good things Laura has done for club and district. As a new member she was a welcoming face who you knew would help you and direct you in the right direction.” Another Rotarian agrees, saying “She was the first person to say hi to me and make me feel welcome. Laura is an asset to the club and exemplifies several core Rotary values in her personal and professional life... integrity, compassion, building relationships, honesty, service above self and being a leader. We need more Laura's in the world! We are so lucky she is a member of our club, a good friend and someone who will continue to do great things in life."
Congratulations to these six individuals and thank you for your commitment to the programs of The Rotary Foundation.
Another Rotary year is in the books and true to tradition, we celebrated like only RAH knows how to with our annual RAHk the Rotary Year (formerly RAHk the Vote) party at Top Shots! A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make our club program and came to party at Top Shots after. It was all smiles and laughter with pool, darts and open bar hosted by our Membership Committee for our members. It's always a great night to be a RAHtarian!
Our June 8th RAH meeting took place in the newly renovated La Crosse Center. Director Art Fahey took time to show us around.
We met in the new atrium which will be an impressive entry point for tourists and locals who visit the Center for events. We went down to the Arena floor to see sound equipment updates and new seating arrangements.
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Then we went upstairs via the atrium to where the BIG add-ons are happening. With the first events slated for December 2021, construction equipment still lines the huge hallway which takes you from East to West. Along the north side there is an outdoor terrace which will host music events and smaller wedding ceremonies. To the south are impressive suites which have garage-type doors which lift up for open access to the arena way down below.
All the way down the hall to the west end are huge, ceiling to floor windows with intense views of the great Mississippi river and the Big Blue bridge. We asked about viewing fireworks from up there on the 4th of July. We were told it will be a pretty penny! Wow, what a view.
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to the meeting tour!
On Sunday night, June 6, strange dreams visited upon many RAHtarians.
Dreams of a huge field and cars descending upon it, needing to park. Imagine car after car bearing down upon you, needing guidance to a very specific location. To a tiny pink flag. It is dusty. It is dirty. It is sunny and hot. Now and again a driver does not seem capable of understanding basic directions. Once in a while, someone wants to park somewhere other than where you are directing them. Wait, are these dreams or are they nightmares?
Well, yes, volunteering for the parking crew at Deke Slayton Airfest 2021 was challenging! However, the job was well worth it. Our club volunteers earned cash money, baby! Money that will go into RAH’s funds for us to do great work in our community and beyond. As a bonus, we were treated to the astonishing sights of pilots barreling, looping, and tomahawking their planes, thruster-blasting their way into the hearts of the amazing crowd we helped park.
Thank you to all who sacrificed peaceful Sunday night dreams to benefit RAH!
Hip Hip HurRAH - After Hours is 10 and we threw ourselves a Birthday Bash to celebrate!
Friends new and old, from near and afar came to help celebrate RAH's 10th Birthday Party on June 4th at the La Crescent Event Center. It was a great night of music, drinks, chicken-q, drinks and reminiscing about good memoRAHies. We had over 105 people come to help us celebrate a decade of doing good in the world.
Posters of our major accomplishments over the past decade adorned the room, including:
*Constructing three classrooms at the Patewo Primary School in Uganda, Africa (2014)
*Building the Little Free Library at Hamilton Elementary School (2014)
*Hosting 4 Rotary Youth Exchange Students (Eugene Lin, Clara Amalia Lazzaris, Mikołaj Grzywaczewski and Hagen Bach) (2016-2020)
*Playing mini-golf and raising money for our YE efforts at our annual Mini Masters fundraiser!
*Utilizing over $54k in club funds and a RI Global Grant to partner with Gundersen Global Partners to increase diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer for women in the Matagalpa Region of Nicaragua. (2016-18)
*Assisted with the maintenance of the Upper Hixon trail system, improving animal and plant life by removing invasive species and fixing up the butterfly garden.
*Purchasing water filters to provide clean water for children attending school in Valladolid, Mexico (2018-20)
*Helping the Rotary Club of La Crosse Downtown and other area Rotary clubs purchase a bus for the girls at Razia Jan's Zabuli Education Center in Afghanistan (2020)
*Helping to purchase a 15-passenger van for The Good Fight Community Center (2020)
*Hosting our annual Ugly Sweater 5k, where we raise money to make all these things possible!
Many thanks to all the area Rotarians, friends and family, from near AND far, that came to help us celebrate!
