Hello fellow Rotarians,
 
Besides being Rotary International's signature project, ridding the world of polio has a place close to my heart for a more personal reason:  my father-in-law is a polio survivor. Bruce doesn't remember a whole summer from his childhood, when he was bedridden and close to death. He pulled through, after nearly having been placed in an iron lung, but the neuro-degenerative effects of the disease linger to this day, impeding his desire to be as active with his grandchildren as he'd like. We are so close to eradicating this devastating disease, and $3 from every beer purchase ($1 from the Great Dane and $2 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) at Pints for Polio on October 24th goes to the Polio Plus Foundation. Our club's "official" location for our social is at the Great Dane-Hilldale, but feel free to visit any Great Dane location and socialize for a great cause. 
 
Another excellent opportunity to get together with other Madison-area Rotarians is at one of the One Rotary Summits coming up at the end of October/early November. The focus this year is storytelling: learn how to be a better storyteller through words and pictures, and inspire your club through sharing stories. I'll be at the Sun Prairie Summit on October 29th, but there are four others to choose from. See below for the registration link. I attended by first One Rotary Summit last year and found the event both educational and fun. 
 
Last, but not least, I'm super excited for our speaker this Sunday:  Will Harris of Working Capital for Community Needs. Our new member group invested our $1,000 grant with WCCN earlier this year, and now Will is back to tell the rest of our club about microfinance and how our money works to directly impact and improve the lives of the working poor in Latin America. I hope that you will be inspired by his story and the opportunities for our growing club to expand our impact in this area of the world. 
 
See you on Sunday...and Thursday!
 
Erin Luken
2019-2020 President
  
Upcoming Events
 
Sunday, October 20th  – Club Meeting: Will Harris, Executive Director of WCCN
The Post at Park Hotel, 22 S Carroll St, Madison, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Will was a recipient of the Rotary World Peace Fellowship, which he used to pursue a Master's Degree in International Relations at the Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, focusing his thesis on the topic of microfinance in Latin America. For 35 years, Working Capital for Community Needs (WCCN) has created opportunities for access to microfinance, services and markets to improve the lives and communities of the working poor in Latin America. In that time, they have invested a total of $134 million, reaching an average of 25,000 small business owners every year.  
 
Thursday, October 24th - Club Social: Pints for Polio
Great Dane Hilldale, 357 Price Place, Madison, all day
October 24th is World Polio Day and to celebrate, all Madison Great Dane Pubs will be donating $1 to Rotary's Polio Plus Fund for every pint, crowler, growler, and 6-pack sold that day. Every dollar donated will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. All Rotary members are encouraged to share this event and also attend with families and friends. See you on the 24th!
 
Tuesday, October 29th - One Rotary Summit
Hilton Garden Inn, 1220 South Grand Avenue, Sun Prairie, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
We are connected by our Rotary stories. Stories inspire us - service transforms us. Join us to learn how to be a better storyteller in words and pictures. Enjoy the easy fellowship of sharing stories. You'll be glad you came. We're looking forward to a fun even that strengthens and supports both your and your club! Food provided and cash bar available. Registration link:  https://rotary6250.org/page/2019-district-6250-one-rotary-summit
 
Saturday, November 2nd - Volunteer Event: Lussier Food Pantry
Lussier Community Education Center, 55 S. Gammon Rd, Madison, 11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Volunteer with us at the Lussier Community Education Center food pantry!  Four volunteers are needed to work from 11:45 am until 1:00 pm.  Sign up for shifts here or email us at madisonrotaryah@gmail.com. 
 
Sunday, November 3rd  – Club Meeting: The Brain Game
The Post at Park Hotel, 22 S Carroll St, Madison, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Join us at The Post for a social at 6:30 pm, then stay for our meeting at 7:00 pm. Our speaker this week is recent District Governor Bill Hoel of the La Crosse Rotary Club. The Brain Game is a book developed by the Rotary Club of La Crosse and given to every new parent in the La Crosse, WI area. Now in its 3rd edition, Bill will tell us all about how his club came up with the project and saw it through to fruition.