SAMP

The Sharing Around (the World) Medical Project will pack on Tuesday, December 31 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Goodwill Industries located at 1351 W. Spencer Street in Appleton.

Rotary Youth Exchange Update

Things are going pretty well here. I'm on summer vacation and have been since the beginning of December. Weird, huh? Christmas was good, although it didn't really feel like Christmas. New Year's was awesome though. We had a group of about 40 people over at my house for an all-night party/camp-out. It was great. Chileans know how to celebrate! Right now I'm in a tiny town called Vichuquen, with my best friend here, an exchange student from Paris, France. We came with her host family, who has a lake house here. It is beautiful, with the mountains in the distance, and the lake just outside. I'll be here until Sunday, after which I'll go back to my town, Calera de Tango. Then my host mom is taking me to Pichidangui, a beach town about two hours north, where my family has a house. I'll be there about a month, until February. After THAT, we're going on a two-week trip south with the whole family... so my summer is pretty full with vacations. I'll be going back to school the beginning of March. It's so weird for me to be here in the middle of summer, when my whole life January has always meant winter for me. But I'm not complaining... I do NOT miss the snow.

I haven't really gotten a chance to see much of the country so far. There are three Rotary trips here in Chile. One, which already passed, is to Torres del Paine (Google it... it's BEAUTIFUL), another is to the Atacama desert up north, and another is to Easter Island. I would LOVE to go to Easter Island, but each trip is about $1200, so I don't think I'll be able to go. But hopefully I'll be able to see a little more of Chile when I go with my family.

I'm doing pretty well with the language. Still not fluent, but I can communicate easily and don't have a lot of trouble understanding. Only occasionally do I not understand what people are saying. I practice all the time by watching the Chilean tv shows and news, and am starting to read books in Spanish. Hopefully by the time school starts again I'll be able to do all the class work and make decent grades.

Laura

PolioPlus Update

On January 17th, at the International Assembly in San Diego, it was announced that we had exceeded the money necessary to fulfill our commitment to the $200 million Polio Plus Challenge. As of that date we had contributed $202.6 million dollars. Congratulations to each and every one of you that has helped us reach this goal. Thank You! Thank you for the billions of children that will never have to face this terrible disease. Thank you for the more than one million children that the CDC estimates would have died from Polio complications if they had not received the vaccine. Thank you for showing the world that when Rotary accepts a challenge we fulfill our obligation.

At the International Assembly, the Gates Foundation presented Rotary with an additional $50 million dollar donation for our Polio program. This is not a challenge grant, but a separate contribution. This makes more than $400 million that the Gates have donated to the fight against polio. The Gates continue to tell the world that they support Rotary’s work in this area, because they believe that nobody will make better use of their money.

Also last week India passed the one year mark with no new polio infections. This is a major milestone in their road to complete eradication. We continue to make progress, last year according to reports I have seen there were only about 650 cases of polio reported around the world. This is an amazing improvement over the more than 350,000 cases of Polio reported when we started this journey. We have come so far, but we are not finished with our job. Until we reach the point where there are NO new cases of Polio, every child is at risk. We are now fighting the reinfection of some areas that were Polio free, this was expected, and we are dealing with these outbreaks. But we cannot stop now. We must finish this job or our more than one billion dollar investment will have been in vain.

Community Service Committee Update

Part of the proceeds of Rotary Shines will be given to Even Start Family Literacy Program through the Fox Valley Technical College Foundation. This program provides basic adult education and English Language Learning to area families as the first part of a four-pronged approach to family literacy.

The Community Service Fund was established to address needs in the local area. They received 17 grant applications and awarded grants to: Community Garden Partnership: “Good Garden Works” ($788), Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters: “Age On! A Series on Growing Older, Better” ($1,000) and Lutheran Social Services at the Thompson Center: Scholarships for MindWorks providing respite for family caregivers ($1,151).

Ambassadorial Scholarship - 2013-2014

The Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship program has sponsored more than 40,000 scholars abroad since it began in 1947. It is currently the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program. Its mission is to send “ambassadors of goodwill” to study in other countries to: build international understanding, increase awareness of and respect for cultural differences, and encourage scholars to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for people across the world.

This one-year award covers round-trip transportation, tuition, room, board, and educational supplies up to $25,000. While each applicant can list up to five preferred countries and institutions, the final decision of study location is made by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Preference will be given to applicants whose field of study will address the humanitarian needs of the world community. Rotary District 6220 (see map above) awards one Academic Year Scholarship each year. Each local club can submit one applicant for the District competition.

Applicants must either be a resident of District 6220, or a student at a college or university in the District. Because the southern District boundary in the Appleton area is the Outagamie and Winnebago/Calumet County line, Appleton residents who live in Outagamie County are eligible for this District. Appleton residents who live in Winnebago or Calumet counties would apply through a club in District 6270, such as Neenah, Menasha or Oshkosh (that District operates on a different timeline). Winners must have completed at least two years of university or college study (or must have a secondary school education and have been employed in a recognized vocation for at least two years) when the scholarship year begins. Children or grandchildren of Rotarians are not eligible.

Click for an overview or application.

Department of Natural Resources

Scheduled speaker DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp was stranded by weather in Racine, and Jean Romback-Bartels, DNR Regional Director from Green Bay stood in. The 18 year veteran with the DNR was named to her post in October of 2011. Romback-Bartels said the new secretary has fast tracked a department streamlining started in the past. A major change is that staff now reports directly to Madison so there is less disconnect with the regions throughout the state. The move has eliminated different answers to issues depending where they occur within regions and puts more responsibility on staff to implement decisions and policies. Romback-Bartels said her job now is to interface with citizens, local governments and business and industry in her 16-county region. The Fond du Lac native said she also is free to handle large projects for the secretary and select staff necessary to accomplish the directives. The DNR today, she said, is leaner than it was 10 to 15 years ago and new persons coming in are being integrated by seeking their ideas and perspectives while recognizing the way things were done in the past. It is a fine line, she admitted, dealing with competing ideas and still accomplish DNR mission of protection environment and preservation of and enforcing rules and laws. She answered questions – one dealing with the poor salmon harvest in the upper Lake Michigan and another on deer census. She said salmon has been planted but admitted ‘tongue in cheek’ fishing was terrible, but what fish would show itself to be caught or what deer (of which there are many) would show itself to be shot. Romback-Bartels said the DNR cooperates with neighboring states on issues but our jurisdiction ends at the state line.

Recognitions Committee

The Rotary Club of Appleton Recognitions Committee is dedicated to identifying, evaluating and honoring exemplary Rotarian and Non-Rotarian community leaders who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the Rotary Avenues of Service. Recognition will come in the form of a presentation of the Charles and Adele Heeter Outstanding Community Leadership Award and will be accompanied by a donation to the Rotary International Foundation in the name of the recipient. Proposal forms can be found on our website - www.appletonrotary.org.

Future 15

Shannon Full, President/CEO of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, explained how the Future 15 is a new awards program that honors 15 of our most dynamic, influential, up and coming leaders in our community. This program is a signature piece of Pulse, a program coordinated by the Chamber. There are 700 young professionals engaged and involved in Pulse. Some of the driving initiatives behind the Future 15 are that they wanted to be able to have an event and award that highlighted great successes and contributions by young professionals in the Valley and they wanted to build it around other Future 15 programs in Wisconsin in order to give a statewide award. Nominations will open soon for the 2012 Future 15. One can nominate another person or themselves. Judging is conducted by an anonymous panel of business leaders in the community. Judging is based on individual contributions the applicant has made to their business, personal life and community. Input is sought from managers and supervisors. There is also an online voting process. Last year, they received close to 50 applicants. The person with the overall top score from all categories is named Young Professional of the Year.

Amber Genett
Manager of Interaction Center Specialty Team, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Robyn Gruner
Director of External Affairs, AT&T

Jason Heinritz
District Manager, Vector Marketing

Erin Karas
Corporate Sales Manager, Holiday Inn Neenah Riverwalk

Sara Micheletti
Attorney, Sitzmann Law Firm Ltd.

Angela Rust
Vice President/Cash Management Relationship Manager, Johnson Bank

Sarah Schneider
Business Development Specialist, Schenck SC

Danielle Soland
Human Resources Generalist,Bassett Mechanical

Jennifer Stephany
Executive Director, Appleton Downtown Inc.

Chris Timm
Partner, Grant Thornton LLP

Heather Vander Heyden
Senior Business Development Officer, Fox Communities Credit Union

Dan Weiner
Senior Employment Specialist, Valley Packaging

Tracy Williams-Prince
Marketing Director/Bus.Developer, Keller, Inc.

Reg Wydeven
Attorney, McCarty Law LLP

Stephen Zich
Marketing Manager, Time Warner Cable

Rotary Shines

The 2012 Rotary Shines will take place on Friday, April 20 at the OuterEdge Stage in Appleton. Food will be catered by Michiels Fox Banquets and Rivertyme Catering. This is our club’s only fundraising event. Tickets cost $100 which admits 2 adults. The proceeds will benefit the Peruvian Mobile Medical Unit, Even Start Family Literacy Program and PolioPlus. This is a great networking opportunity and way to get to know your fellow Rotarians while having fun and helping three great causes

Inductions

The Rotary Club of Appleton inducted Megan Klubertanz, Operations Manager at Avenue Jewelers; Rick Schabo, Loan Officer at Associated Bank; and Fritz Wotruba, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. Also Marta Weldon, Director of Membership Development at the Boys and Girls Club, has been reinstated. Welcome!

Rotary Youth Exchange Summer Short-Term Exchange

This is a reminder of the upcoming deadline for the summer SHORT-TERM youth exchange opportunity available to young people in your area. Attached is a 2-page pdf of the brochure for the Summer Short-Term Exchange, which you are welcome to print and distribute.

You can also access information on the summer exchange website: http://www.summerexchange.org/

Please note the following deadlines:

Applications in by Feb. 28
Mandatory orientation session in Rhinelander on May 12 (1-4 p.m.)

The new contact for the Summer Program (not listed on the pdf brochure) is:

Chris Lenard
5967 Hwy K
Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501
Phone: (715) 369-7259
email: wilenard@frontiernet.net

If you have further questions, please find the details on the website, or call Chris Lenard in Rhinelander.

Thanks,

Robb Waugus
RYEO Appleton

The Mooring Programs

Jamie Loehnis, Executive Director of The Mooring Programs, discussed how they are in the business of helping people change from a life of addiction to a life of choice and empowerment. Alcoholism and drug addition affects all of us directly or indirectly. You may know someone who is an alcoholic or drug addicted, but you may not know that you know someone. That is the nature of the condition, disease or affliction. The Mooring Programs is made up of 6 different and overlapping programs that focus on the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction for men and women. The Mooring House was founded as a private nonprofit corporation in 1975 and was originally named Casi House located in the convent at St. Mary’s Parish. Its purpose then and now is to provide residential treatment services for men addicted to drugs and alcohol. The Mooring House is a state licensed residential treatment facility with 19 beds. Casa Clare started as a private nonprofit corporation 1977 whose purpose was to provide supportive living for women with mental health issues as well as those needing help in times of crisis or trauma. In 1996, Casa Clare solely focused on treating women with drug and alcohol issues. In 2004, Casa Clare (for women) merged with The Mooring Programs (for men) to develop transitional programs for those completing the initial 28-30 day programs. Their capacity is 48 men and 31 women. The Mooring Programs have a waiting list of 15-20 and is expected to increase. The average length of time is 30-90-120 days. While a majority of their clients come from Outagamie and Winnebago County Human Services they also have contractual agreements to provide residential services with 9 other counties throughout the state. They also provide treatment services for individuals on a private pay basis. In 2011, The Mooring Programs served 310 individuals in their residential programs. They also provide 24/7 alcohol emergency triage support for Outagamie County. A Christmas Carol is a blueprint of what happens to people in treatment – they visit their past, present and what their future will be like when they reach their spiritual awakening or aha moment that needs to take place for lasting change. The first 12 days of drug treatment is extremely difficult because of the physical withdrawal. Loehnis showed us a video of Chris and Toni and their life before and after treatment. The shame and stigma associated with drug and alcoholism prevents people from seeking treatment. Four out of 10 people that attempt recovery make it the first year. Six out of 10 make it the second and third year. The Mooring Programs guide people and their families to a safe mooring.

Paul Harris Fellows

Congratulations to our new Paul Harris Fellows: Harry Spiegelberg, Rick Stark, Dave Rothmann, Steve Taylor, Ron Altenburg and Jim Reid.

Courtesy Awards Nomination Form Deadline - January 20, 2012

The Courtesy Awards Committee recognizes vocational excellence to people who work directly with the public and have exhibited exceptional service or courtesy to the people they serve. Any member of the Rotary Club of Appleton may nominate one person per year. Nominations forms can be found by clicking here. While you are out in the community, look for those who give you exceptional service or courtesy. The application deadline is Friday, January 20, 2012