Ways to Engage 2026-27

GETTING INVOLVED WITH ROTARY CLUB OF MILWAUKEE 2026-27

The Rotary Club of Milwaukee offers you many ways to get involved in the club, in the community and around the globe. We hope that everyone will find the time to connect with the work of Rotary. Every year, we ask you to review the list of committees and select one or more in which you would like to participate. If you would like to continue with your current committee, we would still like you to complete the form to “re-up”.

The Rotary office will make sure you are on the distribution list to receive meeting reminders and other email communications. Don’t hesitate to call the office or a committee chair if you would like more information.

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* 1. First Name:

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* 2. Last Name:

Select one or more of the following and the Rotary office will add you to the distribution list so you receive meeting reminders and communications via email. Don’t hesitate to call the office or committee chair if you would like more information.

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* 3. VIBRANT CULTURE

Finance Monitors club finances and approves the annual budget. Meets twice a year. Chair: Bill Coleman

Marketing & Communication From press releases to podcasts and everything in between, this committee uses strategy, marketing/branding, writing and design skills for storytelling through traditional and new media channels. Meets virtually from 9 a.m.-10 a.m on the second Wednesday of each month. Co-Chairs: James Madlom and Dave Murphy

Member Engagement Focuses on engaging all members to ensure a positive Rotary experience. Facilitates New Member Orientations. Determines regular table-conversation topics. Conducts new-member outreach. Meets in person/virtually from 1:20 p.m.-2:20 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Co-chairs: Jodi Ristau and Allen Witt

Membership Seeks out prospective members, reviews applications and makes recommendations to the board. Meets virtually from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Chair: Antoine Carter

People of Action Skilled writers interview and write profiles about fellow Rotarians revealing how they make a difference in our community. People of Action profiles are shared in Friday newsletters, on the tables at Tuesday meetings and on the Rotary website. Each writer is assigned two to three writing assignments per year. Chair: Mary Bolich

Rotary Person of the YearThe Rotary Person of the Year honors individuals, who through their profession, make the Milwaukee community a better place to work and live. The committee selects the award recipient and plans a celebratory program. Meets in person/virtually four times a year between October and March. Schedule TBD. Chair: Nancy Sennett

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* 4. LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Done-in-a-Day Identifies and plans a variety of enjoyable, worthwhile opportunities in the community that can be done in a day or in a few hours. Examples include volunteering at the Urban Ecology Center, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, MKE Urban Stables, sorting food at Feeding America, ringing bells for the Salvation Army and wrapping gifts for the McKey Christmas Club. Meets virtually quarterly. Co-Chairs: Kathy Ehley & Charlotte John-Gomez

Environment & Ecology Leads club efforts to enhance Milwaukee’s natural environment, stays engaged with and supports local environmental groups and hosts environmental speakers. Meets in person/virtually at 1:20 p.m. on the third
Tuesday of each month. Chair: Margaret Crawford

Connecting to the Community Awards grants to local non-profits from a pool of $25K. Meets virtually between October and March. Schedule TBD. Co-Chairs: Pat Cronin & James Robinson

Maritime Promotes public access to Milwaukee’s lakefront. Produces Live @ The Lakefront summer concert series. Meets in person at 1:20 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month from April to August. Chair: Dan Nelson

Veterans and Military Community Support Promotes awareness and support of veterans, military families and the military community. Engages speakers for Armed Services Day. Meets in person at 11:15 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every other month. Chair: Mark Kannenberg

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* 5. GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Rotary International Foundation Promotes, supports and raises money for the Rotary International Foundation and Polio Plus. Meets virtually once or twice each year. Schedule TBD. Co-chairs: Pat Cronin, Tom Gale, and Ann Navin.

World Community Service In partnership with Engineers Without Borders, this committee identifies and raises funds to support self-sustaining international projects, particularly in Guatemala. Leads annual trips to Guatemala. Meets virtually at 11 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Chair: Jerry Stepaniak

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* 6. PLANNING THE FUN

Scholarship Golf & Pickleball Classic Plans the annual Scholarship Golf Classic benefiting our Scholarship program. In charge of soliciting silent auction items and sponsorships. Meets virtually at 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Co-Chairs: Jean Casey, Mike Kellman, and Dave Murphy

Social Plans after-work social activities for club members at local venues. Meets virtually from 11 a.m.-noon on the second Wednesday of each month. Chair: Leslie Hauser

Tyrotarian Tours Identifies and plans tours of community assets worth knowing about. Meets virtually as needed. Chair: Jerry Stepaniak

Understanding Structural Racism Builds awareness and understanding of structural racism as a catalyst for club members to take action. Examples include book clubs and film viewings. Meets virtually monthly. Schedule TBD. Chair: Ed Krishok

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* 7. INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Weekly Meeting Opportunities

Be one of two Greeters at the Tuesday lunch meeting from 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Quarterly.

Write and present the Reflection for a Tuesday lunch meeting. Quarterly.

Host the New Member Table at a Tuesday meeting. Quarterly.

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* 8. ENGAGING IN EDUCATION

RCM Scholarship Committee Coordinates a full range of activities that supports our scholarship program, including seeking and evaluating recipients, recruiting and supporting mentors and planning special programming for the scholars. Meets in person/virtually at 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Co-Chairs: Steve Chevalier and Jon Dehlinger

RCM Scholar Mentors Each RCM scholar is assigned a Rotary mentor, who guides the student academically, professionally and personally throughout their college career. The Scholarship Committee thoughtfully interviews mentor candidates to ensure a good fit for each student. Mentors serve for the duration of the student’s college career and connect with them consistently and at least monthly in person, by phone or virtually. Optional quarterly learning sessions for mentors.

I Have a Dream Foundation Mentoring The "I Have a Dream" Foundation – Milwaukee pairs Rotarians with fourth-grade Dreamer students, who are eager to learn and grow. Mentors provide academic support, assist mentees with skills like time management and goal setting, help them explore career options and provide guidance on personal development. Meetings between mentors and Dreamers typically take place for one hour, one day a week for one year.

Forward Scholars Tutoring This local nonprofit helps Kindergarten through third-grade students in Milwaukee Public Schools reach grade level in reading. Each Rotarian is paired with a student to tutor. A site coordinator provides daily lessons and oversees each session. Tutors can create a schedule to fit individual needs.

UW Milwaukee Lubar College of Business Mentorship Program This program is designed to help diverse and first-generation students transition from the classroom to the workforce by providing soft-skill development and by creating connections between the students and the Milwaukee business community. Mentors make a one-year commitment and are expected to connect with their mentee at least once a month during the academic year through in-person meetings, virtual conversations, or informal check-ins.