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.

Program Suggestions

The Geek Squad - NEW
Contact your local at Best Buy. Geek Squad Agents take the hassle out of your technology problems. They set up, install and/or repair your computer, network, home theater solution and car audio, video and navigation systems, no matter where you bought your gear.

Don Drecktrah, Guatemala Medical Relief Program
The Guatemala Medical Relief Program (GMRP) is need of sunglasses for the vision part of their program. The workers in the fields especially need eye protection. Call (414) 964-4055, cell (414) 573-7477 to schedule a speaking engagement on this effort.

Aaron Sims, Manager of Broadcasting and Outreach for the Milwaukee Admirals
Aaron handles the Admirals play-by-play. He also hosts a weekly radio show and would like to share their story about how the Admirals differentiate themselves from other professional teams.

Bob Drefs, runs Delavan Food Pantry and Salvation Army for Walworth County

Jeff Hayes of AlignTech Solutions will review past technologies and explore trends arising from new and emerging tools and applications in information technology, and assess the potential impact of these technologies on the workforce. Discover how real-world examples may impact your lives. Call (920) 239-4400 for more info. (March 1, 2010)

Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, President of Concordia University Wisconsin can talk about his new memoir, Faith in the Freshman: A Story of Hopes and Hoops, or Concordia University in general, including their new School of Pharmacy to open in 2010. Call (262) 243-4368 for more info. (March 1, 2010)

Jerry Grzeca of Grzeca Law will speak on "Dispelling the Myths of Comprehensive Immigration Reform." Contact Jerry at JGG@GRZECALAW.COM (Thanks to Lupe Duenas, Amigos de Milwaukee Rotary and Brian Monroe, Mequon-Thiensville Rotary)

Gustave Gaggioli at gustave.gaggioli@googlemail.com is a Marquette Engineering student willing to share their chapter's "Engineers Without Borders" ongoing project in Guatemala. (Thanks to Brian Monroe, Mequon-Thiensville Rotary)

RC Milwaukee Rotarian William D. Petasnick at wpetasni@fmlh.edu is the President & CEO of Froedtert & Community Health. He has a timely and very informative PowerPoint presentation with regards to health care reform based on his knowledge and experience as National President of Hospitals in the US. (Thanks to Brian Monroe, Mequon-Thiensville Rotary)

Rotarian Tom Fuszard owns Supreme Communications, LLC, a marketing communications firm in New Berlin. His topics include How to Better Manage Your Time, Eliminate Your Fear of Public Speaking, Manage Your Meetings, Overcome Writer’s Block, and Enhance Your Presentation Skills. Interested in a lighter subject? He also speaks on Amateur Radio and Public Service and What To Pack For Your Vacation. Tom will gladly speak for free at clubs in the greater Milwaukee area. You may contact Tom at (262) 789-7975. (Thanks to Tom Fuszard, New Berlin Rotary)

Lance Parve lparve@yahoo.com has two presentations to offer. Lance is an project engineer and geologist and uses these skills for his day job for the WI DOT . Lance was involved with the Marquette Interchange and is now taking on the Zoo Interchange. For his passion he and his wife started "Hope Without Borders-USA" two years ago and travels to many countries in Africa. (Thanks to Brian Monroe, Mequon-Thiensville Rotary)

Mark Repenshek, PhD mrepensh@columbia-stmarys.org is a Health Care Ethicist and his presentation is on "Advanced Health Care Planning-Making Your Wishes Known". This vital program provides an ideal opportunity for you to begin the necessary steps for your health care wishes to be carries out the way your desire, in the event that you are unable to do so. His hand out includes a "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. (Thanks to Brian Monroe, Mequon-Thiensville Rotary)

Jim Te Selle - Wisconsin Great Lakes Coalition - Restoring and protecting our Great Lakes. Call (414) 378-882 for information. Great presentation on the enitre Great Lakes Region including Canada. Thanks to Karen White, Plymouth.

Judith Neal - Rotary in Botswana: A Six-Month Safari. Judith is a member of the Mequon-Thiensville Rotary and has a power point presentation on her adventures. Email Judith. Thanks to Alice Sedgwick, Mequon-Thiensville.

Contact your County Health Dept or local school nurses for to talk about the H1N1 Virus and other health related issues. They are a wealth of information.

Mulu Tilahun - Started an Ethiopian Clinic. Conatct Mulu Tilahun. Thanks to Nancy Rhodes, West Allis.

Bob Long - Reflections on a Packer Career. Contact Mark Oberling. Thanks to Terri Delke, Whitnall Park.

Chaplain Ryan Rupe, LCDR, USN, 'Chaplaincy in the U.S. Coast Guard. Contact Larry Myers. Thanks to Terri Delke, Whitnall Park.

Great Lakes Distillery, Wisconsin's only distillery. Call (414) 431-8683 for more info. Thanks to Terri Delke, Whitnall Park.

Steven Petruzates - Steven Petruzates Studios. Ever wonder how movie sets are built and mechanical creatures function. How about those larger than life animals at theme parks. Steven worked on Coneheads, Terminator 2 and The Bruce Lee Story. Call (920) 565-2761 for more info. Thanks to Karen White, Plymouth.

Barbara Dodson, National Pork Board Speaker’s Bureau Coordinator, “The Pork Industry - More Than Just The Other White Meat”. Call (800) 711-0747 to schedule this free presentation for your club.

Will Allen at Growing Power runs a very successful urbanfarm on Silver Spring Road in Milwaukee. Growing Power providing hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner. Mr. Allen has received accolades from all over the country. He will be a presenter at this year’s World Affairs Seminar. Call (414) 527-1546 for more info.

You do not have to be a club with a lot of members. The new Amigos club has had Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Flynn of Milwaukee. It is all in the asking.

Bob Gutierrez from the Department of Transportation explains the new North/South construction project on I-94 from Milwaukee to the Illinois border.

Ask your local police department for their Police Chaplain. This is a very important role in the department.

Invite Randy Dean, Executive Director of the Pettit National Ice Center where the Olympic team practices. Call Randy at (414) 475-0324.

Hear about Arena Soccer from Keith Tozer, Coach of the Milwaukee Wave. He recently coached a World Cup team. Contact Keith at (414) 224-9283.

Hear about BizStarts funded by WE Energies from its President, Dan Steininger at dsteinin@execpc.com.

John Ebbott, Esq. discusses “The Right to Counsel in Civil Cases”. John can be reached at JFE@legalaction.org.

Joanne Williams has retired from Channel 6. She is now the VP of Public Relations and Marketing for Concordia University. Joanne can be reached at (262) 243-5700.

Call Patti Gorsky to learn about Make A Wish Foundation. She can be reached at pgorsky@wisconsin.wish.org

Sherry Saiki, West Allis recommends Fintan L. Dooley a Professor of Law. He talks about clean water around the world. He can be reached at dluhrssen@shepherd-express.com.

David Luhrssen is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for Shepherd Express. He can be reached at findooley@wi.rr.com

To hear about Big Brothers & Big Sisters contact Amy Chionchio, President of the Milwaukee Chapter at (414) 258-4778.

Hear an update from the District chair Richard Debe regarding Polio Plus at rdebe@centurytel.net.

Did you know that Cardinal Stritch University is going big time athletics? Contact Pat Clemens, Director of Athletics at 414-410-4000.

Tom Plantenburg runs World Affairs Seminar. This is the first year at Carroll College. This was formerly at UW Whitewater. Contact the Chair for this program Jim Rickabough at 414-963-3921.

Vicki Mann, General Manager of Radio Milwaukee provides an interesting presentation. She can be reached at vicki@radiomilwaukee.org.

The elections are over and the politicians are heading back to their respective legislative bodies. Line up these people for the spring and summer to provide updates on legislation.

Many of your colleges and universities have speakers’ bureaus. Call them and they will supply a speaker.

Most trade associations have speakers’ bureaus. Call them!

Call your neighboring clubs. Ask them about recent well received speakers.

Public Broadcasting TV and Radio General Managers go out of their way to talk to Rotary.

Hear about the new Pharmacy School at Concordia University from the Executive Dean, Curt Gielow at 262-243-5700.

Cary Silverstein, writes the “Company Doctor” column at Biz Times. He is available at 414-352-5140.

Rob Bassett, Mitchell Field has suggested the following: Dr. William Hodgkinson, Assoc. Dean Technology and Applied Sciences at MATC. He can be contacted at 414-297-6280 or hodgkinb@matc.edu. Jon Bales from the Urban Aquaculture Center talks about Lake Perch at 414-332-0490.

Mike Wittman, advisor to the Thomas More Community Robotics Club talks about High School Robotics competition. He can be reached at wittman@execpc.com (414) 766-1000.

Learn about the new Rotaract Club in District 6270. Contact Michael Scheer at 414-378-8521.

Allison Rygh, President of the student government for UW Whitewater talks about Wells for India and clean water awareness. (Suggested by Mark Olm, Whitewater Rotary)

Jason Mackey who talks about Orphan Act; a Rotary program for world orphanages. (Suggested by Mark Olm, Whitewater Rotary)

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

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

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

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

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.

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. (Suggested by Karen White, Plymouth Rotary)

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.

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. (Suggested by Judy Slawny)

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.

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?