Welcome to the Rotary Club of La Crescent

Are you a passionate volunteer who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Avenues of Service 2019

Posted by Bob Spencer on Aug 13, 2019

The 2019 Avenues of Service were held at the La Crescent Area Event center. It was a wonderful night celebrating Rotary in our community. It is also a fundraiser for our local Rotary Works Foundation, and supports all the good work it does. Check out the photo album and award winners below

photoalbums/avenues-of-service-2019

Lifetime Achievement Award: Lifetime Achievement award is given to a Rotarian who best demonstrates a commitment to Rotary's Four Way Test and the Object of Rotary. Someone who demonstrates high ethical standards in his/her business or profession, and who is committed to the ideal of service in his/her personal, business and community life.

Past Lifetime Achievement Recipients: 2007 Jack Haase; 2008 Natalie Hartigan; 2009 Mac Dahl (deceased); 2010 Pat Stephens; 2011 Dean Dickinson; 2012 Mike Klug; 2013 Elmer Grassman and Pat Smith; 2014 Dick Spencer and Dick Wieser; 2015 Dirk Gasterland and Phil Quillin; 2016 Brad Quarberg and Bill Pritchard; 2017 Dean McHugh; 2018 Leo Chaput and Chuck Hanson;
2019 David Amborn

Rotary Rising Star Award: Rotary Rising Star award is given to a Rotarian who best demonstrates a commitment to Rotary's Four Way Test and the object of Rotary. Among the criteria considered will be length of time in Rotary (a minimum of 2 years but not more than 5 years); a strong commitment to Rotary and its programs; someone who demonstrate high ethical standards in hi/her business or profession, and who is committed to the ideal of service in his/her personal, business and community life.

Past Rising Star Recipients: 2014 Johnny Brevik & Arien O'Heron; 2015 Matt Boshcka; 2016 Justin Garvey; 2017 Natalie Olsen and Spencer Niebur; 2018 Julie Nelson;

2019 Sarah Arendt-Beyer and Jeff Sexauer.

Rotarian of the Year Award: Each club will select one of its members to receive the Rotarian of the Year award. Rotarian of the Year award is given to a Rotarian who has given exceptional service to Rotary International and/or to the Rotarian's club or to the community in the name of Rotary.

2018-19 Rotarians of the Year
Sherry Sime - Rotary Club of Caledonia
Dave Ebner - Rotary Club of La Crescent
Laura Lee - Rotary Club of La Crosse After Hours
Lee Rasch - Rotary Club of La Crosse
John McKenzie - Rotary Club of La Crosse East
Keli Frigo - Rotary Club of La Crosse Valley View
Sandy Kjome - Rotary Club of Onalaska Hilltopper
Scott Marshall - Holmen Rotary Club
Kendra Garbrecht - Rotary Club of Onalaska

Rotary Avenue of Service Awards: Five Avenues of Service Awards (one in each category) are presented annually to club projects that best exemplify Rotary ideals in the five avenues of service: Club Service, Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service and New Generations.

2018-19 Award Winners

Club Service
Service Auction - Holmen Rotary Club

Community Service
Military Lounge at La Crosse Airport - Rotary Club of La Crosse

International Service
Vision Exams for Nicaraguan Immigrants in Costa Rica - East

New Generations
Extra Effort Award Recognition Program - Rotary Club of La Crosse

Vocational
STRIVE - Holmen Rotary Club

Special Recognition was given to the Coulee Region Youth Exchange Council for its work to collaborate improve the youth exchange experience in the Coulee Region

Congratulations to all the evening's award recipients.

Neighbors Night Out 2019

Posted on Aug 06, 2019

Neighbor's Night Out took place on August 6th, gathering hundreds of La Crescent's residents together.
The La Crescent Rotary Club donated off a bunch kid's prizes, and hosted some Cornhole games for attendees. Rotary recognizes Mary Bubbers for coordinating the partnership!

A big Thank You to all of the generous sponsors who have donated prizes and monetary gifts for the 13th annual La Crescent Neighbor's Night Out!

https://www.facebook.com/202319596517239/posts/13th-annual-neighbors-night-out-thank-you-to-our-generous-sponsors-and-those-who/2335619643187213/

https://www.facebook.com/202319596517239/photos/pcb.2335622656520245/2335622563186921/?type=3&theater

Rotary 2019-2020 Theme

Posted by Bob Spencer on Aug 01, 2019

Rotary Connects the World!

RI President Mark Daniel Maloney’s theme for 2019-20, Rotary Connects the World, asks Rotarians to strengthen the many ways that Rotary Connects the World, building the connections that allow talented, thoughtful, and generous people to unite and take meaningful action through Rotary service.

President Maloney explained his vision for building a stronger Rotary, calling on leaders to expand connections to their communities and to embrace innovative membership models.

“(Rotary) allows us to connect with each other, in deep and meaningful ways, across our differences,” Maloney said. “It connects us to people we would never otherwise have met, who are more like us than we ever could have known. It connects us to our communities, to professional opportunities, and to the people who need our help.”

Maloney also called on every Rotary and Rotaract club to identify segments of their community not represented in their club by creating a membership committee with diverse members.

“Through Rotary, we connect to the incredible diversity of humanity on a truly unique footing, forging deep and lasting ties in pursuit of a common goal,” he added. “In this ever more divided world, Rotary connects us all.”

Maloney urged leaders to offer alternative meeting experiences and service opportunities to make it easier for busy professionals and people with many family obligations to serve in leadership roles.

“We need to foster a culture where Rotary does not compete with the family, but rather complements it,” Maloney said. “That means taking real, practical steps to change the existing culture: being realistic in our expectations, considerate in our scheduling, and welcoming of children at Rotary events on every level.”

Maloney said many of the barriers that prevent people from serving as leaders in Rotary are based on expectations that are no longer relevant.

“It is time to adapt, to change our culture, and to convey the message that you can be a great district governor without visiting every club individually, and a great president without doing everything yourself.”