Club Programs

These are trying times for retaining and attracting members. The best retention tool is to provide quality programs. Below are some program suggestions, as well as guest speaker contact information, for your club to use. The information was compiled by Jerry Moses, Rotary 6270 Program Director.

Upcoming Programs

During the summer and fall 2008, State Senator Alberta Darling will debate State Assembly Representative Sheldon Wasserman for the State Senate. This will be a road show. Let me know if your club has interest. There will be other political debates. Milwaukee North Shore Rotary has booked their debate for Monday, October 4, 2008 at 12 Noon.

Program Suggestions

Mark Olm, Whitewater Rotary has suggested Allison Rygh who is President of the student government for UW Whitewater. She talks about Wells for India and clean water awareness. - NEW

Mark Olm, Whitewater Rotary also suggests Jason Mackey who talks about Orphan Act; a Rotary program for world orphanages. - NEW

Diane Plantenberg and Tim Sheehy(MMAC) discuss School Choice. - NEW

Angela Mancuso, Executive Director of Sojourner Truth House is available as a speaker. Call (414) 643-1777 for more information. - NEW

Alan Borsuk, Milwaukee Journal is the investigative reporter on Milwaukee Public Schools. - NEW

Steve Luckman, Regional Director, Opportunity International discuses world micro lending. - NEW

The U.S. Department of State maintains a speakers bureau for overseas State Department employees visiting in your area. Contact Shannon L. Goodpaster at (202) 647-8156. - NEW

Karen White has suggested Jerry Price of Kiel who will be a participant in the recreating of the Great Race from New York City to China. He is an expert in alternative fuels and is an excellent presenter. He can be contacted at (920) 207-1293.

Carl Crawford is developing the sophisticated scanners for Home Land security at airports. He will enlighten us as to the new technologies on the horizon. Carl can be reached at (414) 530-0146.

Dr. Helen Sobehart is the new President at Cardinal Stritch University. She can be reached at (414) 410-4000.

Here is a great suggestion from Judy Slawny. Denise Pazur, Executive Director, PDV Foundation in Sheboygan, WI. She talks about Suicide Prevention and is editor of a publication which advances communication regarding health and social issues. Her contact is (920) 457-4033.

Have you ever had a Pulitzer Prize winner as your speaker? This year’s winner for local journalism is Dave Umhoefern from the Milwaukee Journal. For more information call Dave at (414) 224-2000.

Jerry Friedenburg, Brown Deer, WI. who is a Holocaust Survivor. He talks about the “Kinder Transport” and can be reached at (414) 354-1045.

Bill Hattendorf, a member of the Downtown Club, is Marketing Director for the US Bank Championship (formerly GMO). He is making power point presentations at clubs. Bill can be reached at (414) 431-4653 x15.

Jim McIlvaine, President Camp Anokijig gives a great presentation regarding the camp. Jim can be reached at (262) 488-8433. Jim is an NBA basketball great and one of the best to play for Marquette.

Have you had a speaker from the Audubon Nature Preserve in Bayside, WI.? Contact Jennifer Rothstein at (414) 828-7238.

Public Policy Forum has a new President. Rob Henken is available at (414) 276-8240.

Paul Joseph and Jim Ott formerly Meteorologists for NBC affiliate WTMJ present two views of Global Warming.

Steve Cottingham, the new Athletic Director for Marquette and his Assistant Athletic Director, George Koonce (former Green Bay Packer Linebacker) are available to Rotary Clubs. Please contact Steve at (414) 288-4739.

Tim Sheehy, the head of MMAC, has prepared a new overview of School Choice. The contact for this program is Diane Platenberg at (414) 319-9160.

Learn about all the excellent work that Curative Care Network performs. Contact Bob Coons, President at (414) 479-9343.

Did you know that there is a Shakespeare Theater in Southeast Wisconsin? They will supply actors to promote the theater.

Hear about Lake Express; the Lake Michigan high speed ferry. Ken Zallai, the CEO, will provide an overview. He is the former director of the Port of Milwaukee.

Dr. Nick Turkel, MD, CEO of Aurora Healthcare is available.

Leo Brideau, CEO Columbia St. Mary’s System is available.

Our relatively new Wisconsin Attorney General, J.B. Van Hollen has advised me that he wants to do the Rotary Club circuit. He appeared recently at Milwaukee North Shore, receiving high marks for his delivery without notes! Contact Donna (calendaring) at (608) 266-1221.

Are you curious to learn about the relatively new Museum of Wisconsin Art? This was formerly the West Bend Art Museum. You may contact Tom Lidtke, Museum Director at tl@wisconsinart.org]. He has been a member of the West Bend rotary club for over 20 years.

Many of you subscribe to Small Business Times. Steve Jagler, Executive Editor is available (414) 336-7116.

Do you want to schedule a political debate between opposing candidates? Election time is a great time for politicians to touch and feel their constituents.

New county agencies have been created called Aging and Disabilities Bureaus and are federally funded. They are willing to talk at Rotary Clubs. Many topics can be covered such as the cost of long term health care insurance.

Here’s one for any size club. The National Association of Broadcasters is providing an info blitz on the changeover to Digital TV. The main contact is Kate Wade, DTV Speakers Bureau at (202) 232-6627. You may contact me for the list of local speakers in Wisconsin.

Dennis Getto, the food critic for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently passed away. Marty Kaiser and Marilyn Krause present “Celebrating Dennis Getto”. They do an outstanding job of reminiscing. You can contact Marilyn Krause at (414) 224-2000.

Would you like to hear about the Menominee Valley where the new Harley Museum is located? These people have revitalized the former site for the Milwaukee Road Railroad shops. An excellent presentation by Corey Zetts, Program Director for Menomonee Valley Partners or Laura Bray, Executive Director. They can be reached at (414) 274-4654.

How to Get High Profile Guest Speakers

Mention names of high profile people who have recently spoken to the club
Mention diverse profile of the club mentioning the diverse professional representation. School superintendents, law enforcement, politicians, physicians, dentists, bankers, etc.
Mention size of your membership.
Mention geography represented by the club.
Mention age of the club.
Mention club’s civic contributions such as Rotary Park, etc.
When requesting a speaker from an organization; Ask for the CEO. Not just a representative or Public Relations person. Tell them that this is the norm for the club to host the top person of their organization.

Read the Newspaper

Many program ideas come from a newspaper. Many people in the news are happy to accommodate a Rotary Club request.

Ask Members

Ask your club members ‘Who do you know?” Perhaps it is an interesting client.

Classification Talk

Ask your members for a classification talk. This is an opportunity for your club membership to learn about other members. It is also a wonderful opportunity to provide a free commercial. Allow 10-15 minutes. Schedule this in conjunction with a business meeting. Perhaps a max of two classification talks per meeting. Schedule this once a month. You may also wish to do an after work classification “wine and cheese” hosted at the member’s place of business.

Retention and Recruitment

Please remember that the quality of your PROGRAMS DRIVES MEMBERSHIP. By maintaining these quality programs, you retain current members and attract new members. Insure that your club gets the word out about your outstanding programs. Appoint a public relations/media relations person to disseminate a press release. Where else can you attend a weekly breakfast or luncheon with an outstanding speaker, at such a low cost?