"One profits most who serves best."

Your club responsibilities are listed at the bottom of this email. This includes both meeting responsibilities (if applicable) and your committee memberships.

Changing of the Guard

This traditional ceremony isn't just about changing titles; it's a celebration of service. We acknowledge Jenne Hohn, our outgoing president and her team's accomplishments over the past year, highlighting the positive impact made on the Thiensville-Mequon community. It's also a moment to welcome Tyler Briggs, the incoming president and his vision for the year ahead, fostering excitement and renewed energy.

The Changing of the Guard embodies the core values of Rotary: Service Above Self. It's a testament to the tireless dedication of our members, who willingly take on leadership roles and contribute their time and talents to propel Rotary's mission forward.

Thank you for your service:

President: Jenne Hohn

President Elect: Tyler Briggs

Secretary: Peter Gohsman

Director of Club Service: Jeff McClean

Director of Community Service: Angelica Niemann

Director of International Service: Ellen MacFarlane

Director of Vocational Service: Megan Borland

Director of Social Media/Marketing: Russ Witte-Dycus

Welcome our new Officers & Directors:

President: Tyler Briggs

President Elect: Peter Gohsman

Secretary: Jim Counsellor

Director of Club Service: Don McClean

Director of Community Service: Jenne Hohn

Director of International Service: Ellen MacFarlane

Director of Vocational Service: Megan Borland

Director of Social Media/Marketing: Angelica Niemann

Congratulations:

Service Above Self Award

o Angelica Niemann

Rotarian of the Year Award

o Karl V. Hertz

Honorary Paul Harris Award

o Heather Mader

Rotary Foundation Major Donor Award

o Ellen MacFarlane

o Sandy Custer

o Karl V. Hertz

Together, let's celebrate our past achievements and look forward to a future filled with even greater possibilities, fueled by the passion and dedication of our members!

Reminder: No Meeting Next Week

Find Your Spark: Unleash Your Inner Rotarian Through Service!

How do we market our service club to future incoming members? As Tyler mentioned this being one of his goals for next year, lets review the variety of ways we can serve.

We all know the feeling – that urge to make a difference, to leave the world a little better than we found it. Rotary is built on this shared desire, and the good news is, there's a way for everyone to get involved!

Finding Your Perfect Service Fit:

Volunteering with Rotary isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. Here are some ways to discover your service "spark":

Skills-based Volunteering: Are you a whiz with numbers? Lend your accounting expertise to a local non-profit. Do you have a knack for graphic design? Help create awareness campaigns for a cause you care about. Rotary connects your skills with community needs, maximizing your impact.
Passion Projects: Does a particular issue ignite your passion? Rotary supports a vast array of causes, from the playground initiative to Veteran music programs. Find your niche and join forces with like-minded Rotarians to create real change.
Time Commitment Flexibility: Whether you have a few hours a week or just a day to spare, Rotary offers flexible volunteer opportunities. Lend a hand at a one-time event, or commit to a longer-term project – it's all about contributing your time and talents in a way that works for you.
Global Impact: Do you dream of making a difference on a larger scale? Rotary International offers international service projects that allow you to collaborate with Rotarians from around the world on projects that tackle global challenges.

More than just Volunteering:

Being a Rotarian is more than just volunteering – it's about building meaningful connections. Through shared service experiences, you develop lasting friendships with individuals who share your values and commitment to making a difference. You also gain valuable professional skills, leadership experience, and a renewed sense of purpose. The impact you make, the friendships you forge, and the personal growth you experience – it's a journey that will enrich your life in ways you never imagined.

Let's find your service spark and ignite the change we want to see in the world!

Local Opportunity:

Join us to welcome home Veterans on the next Stars & Stripes Honor Flight! We just celebrated our 10,000^th Veteran in Milwaukee last flight.

Dates: September 7^th, October 5^th, November 2^nd

Time: Arrive at 7:30 pm

Location: MKE Airport

The Ripples of Service: A Rotary Story

In 1905, a spark ignited in Chicago. Attorney Paul Harris envisioned a gathering place for professionals from diverse backgrounds. This simple idea, fueled by a desire for fellowship and service, became the seed of a global phenomenon: Rotary.

Rotary's name itself whispers of its origins. In those early days, meetings rotated from office to office, fostering a spirit of community and shared purpose. From the beginning, the focus wasn't just on camaraderie. It was about giving back. As Paul Harris himself declared, "Rotary's legacy would be built on the results it achieves."And achieve it did. Rotary's reach transcended borders with remarkable speed. Within 16 years, the organization spanned six continents, a testament to its universal appeal. But Rotary wasn't just about growth; it was about resilience. When World War II cast a dark shadow, clubs in several countries were forced to disband. Yet, the spirit of Rotary persisted. Members continued to meet in secret, their commitment to service unwavering. After the war, they emerged, ready to rebuild not just their clubs, but their communities.

Rotary's dedication to service is a constant thread woven through its history. Take polio, for example. In 1979, a project to immunize 6 million Filipino children marked the beginning of Rotary's fight against this crippling disease. Today, thanks to their unwavering efforts, polio is nearly eradicated, a testament to the power of collective action.

The story of Rotary isn't just about grand gestures; it's about the countless acts of service, big and small, that ripple outwards, creating a wave of positive change. It began with a $26.50 donation to The Rotary Foundation in 1917, a seed that grew into a force for good. This commitment to service continued with the Foundation's first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children in 1930.

Rotary's story is far from over. It's a story that continues to be written by its members, individuals from all walks of life, united by a common purpose. As Rotary looks towards the future, one thing remains certain: the ripples of service started by Paul Harris in 1905 will continue to spread, creating a more connected and compassionate world.

So, I pose this question to our Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Members: How will you make your ripple?

Three Paul Harris Award Recipients

Today we celebrated three Paul Harris Award recipients! Congratulations to Nancy Witte-Dycus, Roger Kirgues, and Sean Bailey.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOW RECOGNITION
Rotarians associate the naming of a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person who has demonstrated a shared purpose and support for the educational and humanitarian objectives of The Rotary Foundation. The recognition is named after Rotary’s founder, the late Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer, who started Rotary with three business associates in 1905. A world of goodwill and better understanding comes closer to reality today because Nancy, Roger, and Sean have made a substantial donation to The Rotary Foundation and can be named as Paul Harris Fellows.

Becoming a Paul Harris Fellow is a tremendous accomplishment and honor. So much good begins with these gifts which are vital to the children, families, and communities who benefit. Only when people’s basic needs are met, can they pursue the larger elements of human life including conflict resolution, community building, and peace. Paul Harris Fellows, in a very tangible way, provide steppingstones to a more harmonious world.

Nancy, Roger, and Sean have repeatedly gone above and beyond in “doing good in the world.” We thank you for using your time, talent, and treasure to enhance the lives of others. Your generosity means so much to so many. On behalf of the club, we thank you and welcome you to receive your new Paul Harris pins. Please wear the pin with pride in honor of all the lives that you will reach through your generosity. We thank you for continuing to put “Service above Self.”

July 9 COOKING CREW

The July 9 Cooking Crew:

Head Chef, Sandy

Crew, Kathleen, Karle, Dan, Rob H, Jim L

Rotary Park Cooking Crew Schedule

If you are unable to fulfill your obligation, please alert your head chef and find a replacement.

Welcome New Member Barbara Thompson!

On Tuesday, June 11 we welcomed new member Dr. Barbara Thompson.

Dr. Barbara Thompson is a retired school district Superintendent. She has two adult children. Barbara enjoys traveling and mentoring at-risk youth. She will be joining the Veteran Affairs Committee.

Welcome Barbara! We are delighted to have you as a part of the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary family!

She will give a New Member Thumbnail on July 9th!