Welcome to our Club!

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 11:45 AM
Columbus Hall

1800 South 92nd Street
West Allis, WI 53214-4254
United States

District Site

Venue Map

Rotary Club of West Allis' Motto

Helping HandsOpen Hearts

Service above Self

We are planning for an even bigger & better "Cocktails for a Cause" in 2019.

This event is set for March 30, 2019 at the Tripoli Shrine Center.

There will 4 ticket package deals and great sponsorship opportunities. More information about these great opportunities will be coming soon.

************

Our Rotary Picnic with Auction was held on August 30th 2018

at the Knights of Columbus.

Our auctioneer was John Ash

Terese Beauchamp was the auctioneer's able assistant

Brent Halfwassen's kids (Penny and Henry) were helping Dad with the bidding process

Some of the gifts were too pretty to open

**********************

At our weekly meeting on August 23rd,

the members of our club filled 125 school bags for students

in the West Allis School District.

National Night Out was held at the West Allis Farmers Market on 07/24/18.

Our Rotary club handed out books to kids and grownups who stopped by our booth.

Changing of the Guard

On June 20th, 2018 the West Allis Rotary Club had it's changing of the Guard.

Presidency passed from Terese Beauchamp to Lisa Berman.

Many thanks to everyone who was involved with and who attended this successful event. Special thanks to Sherry Saiki for organizing the evening of fun & special awards

including the Paul Harris Award to Don Falk of B&K Bar Supplies!

********************

Our Rotary group along with our interact student visitors had a wonderful meeting on March 22nd putting together Shoeboxes. Laurie Hayes with the United Way helped set up various items that were assembled into the shoeboxes. These boxes were donated by Florshiem. The filled boxes were then donated to Interfaith Senior Services. Items that were packed into the boxes were, shampoo, toothbrushes, combs, washcloths, socks, pads, shower shoes, soap and a number of other items. After the boxes were filled they were labeled male or female which will help when interfaith distributes them.

**************

The West Allis Rotary Club is one of the sponsors of the West Allis Christmas Parade

**************

On Saturday December 9th Our Rotary Club had it's annual Senior's Christmas Party. Approximately 65 Senior Citizens that live in the West Allis area attended this event. A wonderful turkey dinner was provided by Barb with the Knights of Columbus and served to our guests by members of the West Allis Rotary club and then a special guest from the North Pole arrived to visit with everyone. Santa visited during dining and afterward we were entertained by wonderful music performed by the "Shining Strings", an orchestra group made up of West Allis students in grades 7 thru 12. This group was so wonderful you would have thought you were listening to the Milwaukee symphony.

Thank you to Jay Wendelberger for organizing this great event and all the Rotarians for helping at it. Also Thank you to "The Village at Manor Park" for Sponsoring the entertainment and the Knights of Columbus for their wonderful donation that helped defer the costs

Our Club had our yearly family Christmas Party on December 5th at the Knights of Columbus Club. A wonderful spread of food was put out for our delight by Barb, with both a table of yummy delights for adults and one for the children, ok some of the adults consumed food from the children's table. When done with our meal we were entertained by Magician Rick Allen. Where did all those birds and rabbits come from and how did Emma levitate? After the magic show was over we had a very special guest join us. The very jolly old man dressed in red and distributed a gifts to all children in attendance.

__________________________

West Allis Rotary at the West Allis Car Show

On October 1st a beautiful fall day,

the West Allis Bid had it's Annual Car Show.

West Allis Rotary Club participated in the event by taking donations for the sweets made by our club members.

This was the biggest turnout for the car show-

over 550 antique cars on display on Greenfield Ave. in downtown West Allis.

Social Hour

Our Rotary Club had our first Social of the 2017-18 Rotary year at the first Brew Pub in West Allis "Westallion Brewing Company"

__________________

Members of our Rotary Club stuffed 125 backpacks with back-to-school supplies for elementary school children in the West Allis West Milwaukee School District. This service project is funded by a District Grant.

National Night Out

Changing of the Guard

On June 29 the Rotary Club of West Allis had it's Changing of the Guard.

At this event Judy Shabman and Mark Ellington presented the history of events during our club 90 years.

Judy and Mark highlighted events from each of the decade and our clubs accomplishments during those years.

Our club's president passed on the reigns to our incoming president Terese Beaushamp.

Thank you Tim for your service and antics this past year and we know the Terese will do a wonderful job continuing a wonderful tradition of Rotary.

A unique spoon with the Rotary logo and the words "Serving Humanity" was given to all the past directors, foundation officers and club officers.

All members of the club understand the symbolism of the spoon.

After Tim passed the gavel on to Terese she then laid out the goals of the club for a fun year ahead.

****************************

Award winners from Central, Dottke and Hale High Schools

*******************

At our meeting on March 9 we celebrated one of our local business owners who LIVES Rotary's 4 way test.

1. Is it the truth.

2. Is it fair to all concerned.

3. Will it build good will and better friendships.

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned.

Our 3rd annual award recipient was

River's Edge Catering

The speaker for our event was

John Scherer who spoke about the author

of the 4 way Test, Herb Taylor

On February 23rd, 2017 the West Allis Rotary Club Celebrated a birthday and one that is not seen very often.

Happy 90th Birthday West Allis Rotary.

This year Rotary International is also celebrating being in existence for 112 years.

***************************

The West Allis Rotary Club is planning a trip to Peru! - 10/7/17 to 10/16/17.

If you are interested in joining this excursion, please contact Nancy Rhodes at nrhodes@milwpc.com. Flight reservations need to be confirmed soon, so don't delay

****************************

On December 14th 2016 our Rotary Club had it's Family Christmas Party with the Jolly old man in attendance

On November 17th Rick Debe of Rotary Foundation Water Projects came to speak to our Rotary about reviewing Rotary’s changing focus – from polio to water projects. The Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians, recognized by Rotary International, and focused on WASH projects. Since then it has facilitated many hundreds of projects – helping clubs find partners, ensuring sustainability, stressing the importance of a needs-driven approach, and developing best practices. WASRAG links water and sanitation to improved hygiene, better health, and empowerment of the community – especially women, irrigation and agriculture, education and literacy and, ultimately, child mortality. Rick is deeply involved in Rotary International. He maintains many leadership positions within the Club and District levels. He has been married for 37 years and has three daughters. He is a private pilot, an avid outdoorsman, enjoys working with people and being involved in the community.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On November 10th Chris Abele, Milwaukee County Executive came to our club and spoke about his bringing a new form of Democratic leadership to Milwaukee County. As a social progressive, he is strengthening critical safety net services like mental health care and investing in economic development tools like the transit system, outcomes-based job training and job placement. He has focused his attention on making sure that County services are having a real impact on poverty. Abele’s approach to the office is one that takes into account fiscal responsibility and sustainability. Since taking office, County Executive Abele has steered clear of status quo politics, opting to spend his time and focus finding ways to provide and restore important, effective and efficient services to Milwaukee County residents. Chris is a proud Milwaukeean of more than 25 years. While he wasn’t born here, he likes to joke that he got here as soon as he could. He is honored his three daughters have Milwaukee on their birth certificates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By making a special centennial gift beyond what you normally contribute, you are helping to launch our Foundation into its second century of service. And you’re empowering Rotary members to continue fighting disease, reducing poverty, providing clean water, promoting peace, and advancing economic development in communities all over the world. Only contributions received between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 will count toward this goal.

To help kick this movement of giving off our club invited Mary Beth Growney Selene to speak to us about her experiences in Rotary. Mary Beth is on the board of trustees managing the business of the Rotary International Foundation, a nonprofit corporation that promotes world understanding through humanitarian service as well as educational and cultural exchanges. The Foundation ensures we can continue our efforts for generations to come.

Mary Beth is founder and president of Ryan Signs Inc. She is a past member of the Rotary International Board of Directors and active participant with the What If? Foundation, which provides daily meals and education for children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

A Rotarian since 1987, and a current member of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton, Mary Beth has served as RI president’s representative, Permanent Fund national adviser, Annual Programs Fund strategic adviser, task force and committee member, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, zone coordinator, RI training leader, and district governor. Mary Beth is a recipient of RI’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.

Help the Rotary International Foundation celebrate it's

100th Birthday.

Our little free library, located at City Hall in West Allis, is FULL. Stop by, take a book, bring a book! I just parted with two of my favorites by Mitch Album. Run down and grab one!!!

***********************

Rotary club of West Allis participated in

Settlers Weekend Aug 27/28 at Honey Creek Park in West Allis.

Settlers Weekend is another way for the Rotary club of West Allis to promote the mission of Rotary.

The Settlers Weekend is kicked off with a parade.

The raising of the U S flag in front of the one room school house.

*************************

On July 11th 2016 The Rotary Club of West Allis had it's

Little Free Library launch at West Allis City Hall

The West Allis Rotary Club had a formal launching of our community project

of Free Little Libraries to be erected around the city.

The first library was erected in the court yard of

West Allis City Hall.

Mayor Dan Devine opened the ceremony by thanking the

Rotary Club of West Allis

for their efforts involved in this community project.

The signage of Rotary decals was done by Rotarian Mark Ellington of D. C. Ellington.

The plan is to erect an additional 12 libraries in the community as stated by Rotarian Lee Breese, chairman of the project

Rotarian Brenda Merschdorf checking out the brand new Little Library

Literacy is one of six Rotary International's areas of focus in the World

*************************

Rotary Picnic 2016

The West Allis Club picnic was held Thurs July 28th at New Berlin Park

Judy Shabman did a great job of organizing and setting up the picnic

with help from Jerry Falk, Nancy Rhodes, John Ash, and Don Drecktrah.

Each member was responsible of grilling their choice of chicken or meat.

Auction gifts were asked to be brought by each member to be auctioned off

and the monies go to the club's foundation.

John Ash was our auctioneer who did a superb job being assisted by Sherry Saiki.

The horse collar has become an ongoing club picnic joke which appears each year.

The club members never know which auction gift contains the hint that they have also received the traveling horse collar as well.

*************************

Join us for our Fundraiser

A Block Party

June 25th, 2016

3-9 PM

8405 W. National Avenue

West Allis

Come and enjoy the Music

At our last meeting of 2015 the West Allis Rotary Club gave out our first Joe Schmid Perfect attendance award to Harold Hoak. Joe Schmid was a long time member who had perfect attendance for 42 years. Harold Hoak received this award for having perfect attendance for 26 years. Making up meetings at other rotary clubs, on line and attending board meetings help anyone attain this award.

On Saturday December 19th the Rotary Club of West Allis had it's annual Seniors Christmas Party. This years party was chaired by Jay Wendelberger with many Members assisting to make the event go smoothly. We had around 60 seniors from the area chosen by Interfaith attending this festive event. We had wonderful food and entertainment and Santa made an appearance to the delight of the group.

At our meeting on December 17th the West Allis Hale Interact students, Daniel and Amy, were introduced. Our newest members are Brent Halfwassen(pictured) and his wife Kathleen. Brent was a member of the Amigos for 6 years. Our program was on the Zoo interchange Construction progress being made to date. Mark Klipstein, a transportation engineer, was our speaker and answered many of our question as to how this will effect our future commute.

Judy Shabman has organized the Club Christmas Party for the last 20 years. This was her last year, with Cathy Manthei taking over for 2016. Santa Claus makes an appearance which is a big hit among the little kids, including the big kids as well. Merry Christmas!

The Rotarians of the West Allis club helped the West Allis Central Interact students unload a van of a 1000 items of nonperishable items for the Homeless Vets. West Allis Central Interact and Dottke Interact along with the Rotary Club of West Allis collected food for this endeavor.

West Allis Central Interact Club raised a $1000 to purchase a Shelter Box. past District Governor Dan Christianson , presented a program on the history of the Shelter Box and showed us what is packed in each box.

Clubs Meeting December 3rd, 2015

Luther Gray, Director of ticket sales and patron services, spoke of the different packages for the Pops & Classical performances they have going into the 2016 season. They have a Friday Prelude series once a month- ' Meet the Artist Concert & Luncheon Series'.

Last meeting, Luther Gray came to talk to us about the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Being in our club helps keep you in touch with our great community.

Over 90 entries in the 2015 West Allis Christmas Parade,

including one from the Rotary Club West Allis.

Frank Bevsek volunteered his vehicle, along with

Sherry Saiki, John Ash, Terese Beauchamp, Nancy Rhodes

and Don Drecktrah helped decorate out entry.

Seniors’ Christmas Party… Jay W. will be asking Thursday, for help with the 12/19/15 annual event. Put this later morning/early afternoon party on your schedule. This is a great event, held for those who have no other opportunity to celebrate Christmas with family.

Club Meeting November 12th, 2015

Steve Hook introduced Javiar and Ben, Interact students from West Allis Central,

presenting a program on their experiences at the 2015 World Affairs.

Ben was one of almost 300 high school students from all over the world representing

30 countries attending World Affairs held Carroll University, Waukesha WI

The 2015 theme of World Affairs was on 'Energy'. Javiar shared the different experiences he had

with language and culture with the students from the various states and countries in attendance.

Tom Plantenberg , Executive Director, of World Affairs was our guest on Thursday.

Seniors’ Christmas Party Jay W. will be asking Thursday, for help with the 12/19/15 annual event please sign up to help it is a great time. This is a great event, held for those who have no other opportunity to celebrate Christmas with family. Our Club Christmas Party is scheduled for WEDNESDAY, December 9; therefore there will be no meeting on Thursday, 12/10/15. Come and enjoy the great show that Judy S. and her gang have put on for years.

There will be a Christmas party on 12/15/15 at Dottke School for adults in surrounding Bethesda Group Homes, with crafts, games and fellowship. Our club is encouraged to attend and help out. Arrive after 11:15, entering at the main door. Go to the second floor; there is an elevator.

Our Club Meeting on November 5th 2015

Our interact students from all 3 schools came to visit. The students from Hale and Dottke got up and spoke about themselves being this was their first visit to our club. It is amazing what lies ahead for these young people.

District Governor, Karen White, made a visit to present an End Polio Now certificate. Fred Wittenberger, District Committee of Major Donors & Bequest Society, spoke on ways of giving to the Foundation.