Day Meeting Minutes Nov. 3, 2026
President Beth Naughton called the meeting to order at 12:16 p.m. 23 Rotarians in attendance in person, plus 2 Rotarians on Zoom. 4 guests (including teacher honorees) plus 4 Student Rotarians.
Celebrations this week-
Happy Birthday to Barb C. Nov. 1, Scott E. Nov. 2, Janine F. Nov. 8.
Our Rotary Club turned 72 years-old Nov. 1st!
Happy Rotary anniversary to Zach W-11 years as a Rotarian (11/3/26.)
Happy Bucks:
* Tonya O. went to the Brewers' World Series celebratory parade and was thrilled to be able to touch the award-winning trophy.
*Beth N: our right to vote as U.S. citizens.
Nov. 2nd through Nov. 8th is World Interact Week.
*Ed H.: Kudos to the boys' soccer team for their hard work this season
Lake Mills football team is in sectional finals this coming Friday (home game)
The musical is Nov. 6, 7, and 8.
Grateful for our right to vote.
*Janine F. got to attend the Encore playhouse in Madison last week. It's approximately 20 years old, and hosts plays which are written and designed for adults with special needs.
Club Business-
The costume contest at Witches Night Out went well. Rotarians in attendance were asked to vote for participants in 8 different categories. Winners will be notified this week. Thank you to those that participated (Brian B., Don B., Tim A., Beth N., Sandee M., Anita M., and thanks to Amy L. for getting the Halloween candy for distribution.) Special thanks to the four high schoolers that helped with the costume contest.
Collecting for Lake Mills Optimists Adopt-a-Family. Please make donations payable to Lake Mills Rotary Foundation and designate Adopt-a-Family in the check memo line. $500 collected so far, Club goal is $1,000. Record-breaking needs are expected this year, Nicki K. said. Last year, approximately 80 families and more than 150 children were served. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 8th; however, the sooner interested folks make their donations, the better. In addition to items like shoes, socks, and boots, and gift cards for the older kids, each family receives a holiday meal with the side dishes included.
If you have a suggestion for a Jefferson County nonprofit to receive the 2027 Pyramid City Rotary Run proceeds after expenses, let Beth, Zach, or Sandee know by December 2, 2026.
Dues are due for those who've not yet paid Quarter 1. Venmo or cash payments are options if you experience trouble paying through ClubRunner.
The Salvation Army is looking for 2026 holiday season bell ringers. Contact the Salvation Army if interested in volunteering.
Reminder: Fort Atkinson Rotary Club's Frosty Rock 5K fundraiser is this Sat. Nov. 7.
Upcoming events:
*Rotary Night meeting Wed. evening, Nov. 4th at 6:00 p.m. at Tyranena Brewery on Owen St.
*Clawalking this Friday at Noon, weather permitting. Meet at Janine's office, Agency Insurance downtown.
*Next Tues. Noon program Nov. 10 in honor of Veterans' Day, speaker Brigadier General Matthew Bielfuss. Later on Nov. 10 at 5:00 p.m., Rotarian volunteers and Interact students will gather and make lasagna for Gianna's Joy's clients.
*Reminder, Rotary Vibrant Clubs workshops take place Nov. 7th and Nov. 14th.
This month's Student Rotarians Beth, Hannah, Megan, and Oliver introduced themselves.
Program: Teacher-of-the-Month honorees, Alicia Wiske and Nathan Miller. Erin L.introduced the honoress and thanked this month's award sponsor, Bank CMG as well as the local companies that provided items for the teacher gift bags.
Alissa Wiske, who has 10 years teaching experience, has been teaching English Language Arts for 7th grade at Lake Mills Middle School for 3 years. Comments included: She's been instrumental in building and growing the middle school ELA experience for all learners. Alicia has high standards and does an expert job to ensure all students meet those high standards....She creates meaningful relationships with each and every student. Under her leadership, her class fundraised for the Whitewater Wheelchair Basketball team to come to the school and attend an assembly. Her fellow colleagues described her as "a teacher, a leader, a trusted confidante, and a model for all of us in education." Her students said she makes everyone feel at home, and her classroom is the place all the 8th graders go before school. One student said this year Ms. Wiske made writing fun and encouraged them to do their best.
Nathan Miller is in his second year teaching at Lakeside Lutheran, teaching World History and English 10. He serves as the JV Girls Basketball Coach and the Track and Field Co-Head Coach. He enjoys traveling, and in his senior year of college, he delivered school supplies to students in Antigua. Mr. Miller makes students genuinely excited to come to school, nominees said. He's the safest person for a lot of students to go to, one pupil said, adding his classroom is literally packed with kids before school. As a teacher, he's quick to adapt if his class is struggling with a particular lesson. He provides opportunities for his students to work together and problem solve together. One of his nominees remarked how he turns routine lessons into fun, memorable experiences. Another praised him for the positive impact he's made as a teacher and a coach, and how if he became a teacher, he'd want to be just Ike Mr. Miller.
Congratulations to Ms. Wiske and Mr. Miller, and thank you for helping shape the lives of young people in our community1
Rotary committee reports:
Brian B. reported that the quarterly Red Cross blood drives will be held at the American Legion Post starting next month (new location.) Interact and National Honor Society students will be contacted to see if they can assist by volunteering for the 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. shift. Ed H. said Lakeside students are invited to help as well. The 12 Noon to 3:00 p.m. shift is covered for December. Six Rotarian volunteers are needed for upcoming blood drives, each to work one quarterly blood drive from 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. If we can get two students to help from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. in the kitchen, then the Rotarian would do the checking in of blood donors. Barb C. will continue to distribute blood drive posters and order the food for the blood drives. A speaker from the American Red Cross will do a mock blood drive demonstration in January so people know how check-in for blood donors works. The blood drives are held in Feb., April, June, August, Oct., and Dec. Going forward, they will always take place the 2nd Wednesday of the month, except in April, when the blood drive is held the 3rd Wed. each April.
Our Rotary Club's blood drives garner 450 to 500 pints per year, on average. Ed H. encouraged fellow Rotarians to participate since the blood drives epitomize service above self.
Tonya O. asked if there's been any thought to combining the Rotary blood drives with the high school blood drives that take place once or twice yearly. Brian B. said this idea was brought up; however, the concern is we might lose some donated pints/fewer total donors. The point was made, the high school blood drives tend to draw in a different audience.
Publicity/PR/Marketing Committee Chair Jenny M. reported that Venmo has been added to our Rotary Club website and should be active now; best to use the invoice you receive, when making payment.
A trifold brochure is being created for new members and to introduce Rotary to the public/potential members.
Reminder to send drafts of flyers and drafts of posters, etc. to the Publicity Committee before sending them for printing.
Upcoming Facebook posts will feature member spotlights and some Rotary: Did You Know facts.
The Rotary holiday party is Dec. 15.
Calendar Raffle Committee-Nicki K. said all the sponsors for our upcoming calendar raffle fundraiser have been set, with 5 new sponsors this time around. Tickets will be available for purchase for holiday gift giving.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Anita Martin
