Events

Alaina Eckert is a graduate of Sussex Hamilton H.S. and of The University of Wisconsin—Madison. She has already begun a dual degree, Master of Science/Master of International Nature Conservation, in a cooperative program of the Georg-August Universität in Göttingen, Germany, and Lincoln University in Lincoln, New Zealand.  RI District 6270 selected Alaina for the 2021-22 Global Grant Scholarship. 

Mike Lueder and Jen Considine of UW-Oshkosh introduce the Center for Community Engagement, which is a relatively new thing.  I can report that the Center has already worked with a Rotarian on a community project, and they have quickly shown their value in bridging gaps between the community and UW-O. 

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has opened a new cybersecurity center, providing new space for research, training and outreach related to cybersecurity, in a partnership with the Wisconsin Cyber Threat Response Alliance.  Director, Michael Patton will provide us with an overview of how it works, who it helps, and how students gain experiential learning by being involved. 

Join us to hear from Deb Hoff about Special Olympics.  Special Olympics Wisconsin provides year round support to over 10,000 athletes.  On a related note, the Oshkosh Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics, is 2/11 and 2/12.  Feel free to make Special Olympics donations via Polar Plunge, to any Rotarians reckless enough to jump in cold water. 

Make the Ride Happen is a centralized transportation service available to seniors in Outagamie, Calumet, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties.  Holly Keenan will tell us how the program helps individuals get to medical appointments, grocery shopping, banks, pharmacies, and other appointments by helping seniors identify the most appropriate transportation service for them, such public bus services, paratransit, meal site transportation, or volunteer driver programs. 

The goal of the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review Team is to prevent overdose deaths.  The team accomplishes this purpose by examining individual, organizational, and systems level factors related to overdose deaths that occur in Winnebago County. The reviews focus on systems level change to prevent future deaths and not on identifying fault in organizations or individuals connected to the death being reviewed.  Presenters are the team facilitator Jennifer Skolaski and counselor/therapist Sandy Shaffer. 

The World Affairs Seminar is an international youth initiative of Rotary International District 6270.  Francis Vogel will tell us about their vision to bring better understanding of world problems to young people from around the globe, using current issues as a learning platform.  The 2022 seminar is slated for 6/18/22-6/24/22. 

Robert Beezat, a businessman, public official, and community leader, will talk about his book in relationship to Rotary's Mission, Motto and Four Way Test.

The Athearn Hotel was designed by William Waters, and was completed in 1891.  At the time, the Oshkosh gem was one of the largest hotels in Wisconsin.  It was demolished in 1964, and the debris from the demolition was used to enlarge the island that held the Pioneer Inn.  Michael McArthur of the Oshkosh Public Library fills in the gaps. 

The Fox Valley Memory Project is a collaborative non-profit organization operating and supporting programs and services that improve quality of life for those experiencing dementia, as well as their families, care partners, and friends.  Michael Rohrkaste gives us details on the Menasha-based organization. 

Our endowment provides funding to the Uganda Malaria Project.  Henry Nsamba provides an update via Zoom.

Rotarian Dawn Crim was appointed in 2019 as Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, and is chair of the Governor's Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council and president of the Madison Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees.  Crim recently began a series of Rotary Club speaking engagements. 

Solutions Recovery includes the recovery club in Oshkosh, sober living facilities, and community outreach.  Solutions is a recipient of a portion of the $10.3 million grant recently awarded to Winnebago County.  Executive Director Trevor Fenrich shares with us an overview of their activities, just two days ahead ot the We Heart You - Recovery in our Community event at UW-Oshkosh.

Damascus Road, located in Oshkosh, was founded in 2009.  The organization is dedicated to fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation.  Damascus Road is volunteer operated and donation funded.  Lisa Sennholz tells us more. 

Sarah Danahy will talk to us about Community for Hope, which was established in 2001, in response to a growing number of teen suicides in Oshkosh.  While the initial focus was teens, their efforts now span all age groups.  Community for Hope is an entirely volunteer-based organization. 

Saxophonist Drew Whiting is a faculty member at the UW-Oshkosh Music Department.  Both performer and educator, Drew will talk about the goings-on at the Department. 

The HALO Trust is a non-political, non-religious organization which removew debris left behind by war, specifically to include land mines.  HALO operates in 28 countries and has over 8000 deminers worldwide.  Communications Officer Adam Wolf tells us more via Zoom. 

COTS is a transitional shelter helping homeless individuals in the Fox Valley, and has over 300 volunteers.  We will hear from Deputy Director Candice Lane. 

The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh seeks to improve the lives of children and families by providing programs emphasizing youth development services and family outreach support.  Big Futures Mentoring Coordinator Jay Gibson is responsible for developin gsuccessful relationships with Club members in 6th-8th grade and volunteer mentors. 

UW-Oshkosh representatives continue to visit our Club.  This time, it is UW-O Assistant Dean of Students Houa Xiong. 

Our own Matthew Ringenberg brings us a presentation entitled "Alice Hamilton: A Reformer's Personal Journey."

This will be a special meeting about the history of our Club.

Club member and Sheriff John Matz, updates us on the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office activities and initiatives.  This meeting will be held at the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, 4311 Jackson Street, Oshkosh.

***meeting at Convention Center***

Sadoff Iron & Metal offers scrap recycling, auto salvage, electronics recycling, and more, and is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year.  Mark Lasky presents. 

Update: meeting is at the Convention Center in the John Lynch room.

You know how it works.  Changing of the Guard Ceremony!  Judge Jorgensen can now relax.