Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who envision a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

October Newsletter

Oct 2026 / Edition 18 Vol 3

Tuesday, Oct. 13 6 p.m. Planning and Dogtoberfest

Hybrid at Milwaukee Athletic Club AND via Zoom

Please make every effort to attend in person and join us for "pay your own" dinner at the MAC Rooftop Dining Room.
 
If unable to attend in person, please join via Zoom
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
 
 
Passcode: 639805
 
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Save the Date!

Paws Walk to End Polio Dogtoberfest

Dog Walk Sat Oct 24 - 10 a.m. at Lion's Den Gorge Park - Grafton WI

Rotary took on eradicating polio from the planet for the sake of the children and we are nearly there!  This walk will be open to anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of Lion's Den Gorge Park and support Ending Polio!

Click here to register or use QR Code

 

Look forward to a wonderful walk, a chance to play some doggie games, a costume contest, Ethiopian coffee and Ethiopian Lentil and Pea Samosas, and Oktoberfest music from accordionist, Erich Adam.

Consider donating to help end polio even if you can't attend the walk.  For those dogs giving up some treats and asking their families and friends to contribute, they will receive the End Polio Now Bandana (seen above - all sizes) if they raise and donate at least $50 to End Polio Now.

Questions - contact President Angela Rester at RotaryAmigosMKE@gmail.com

 

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Save the Date for Speaker Chip Duncan, Tuesday, Dec. 8 - 6 p.m. at Milwaukee Athletic Club or via Zoom

Chip Duncan - IMDbAs an international filmmaker, author, and photographer, Chip Duncan is well known for his three decades of documentaries on history and current affairs.

Focused on the mission of finding solutions to social, cultural, and environmental problems through his work, Duncan has been involved in social entrepreneurship since before the term was commonly understood. Yet this award winning storyteller, who has made Milwaukee his home and office for all those years, remains mostly unknown to the local public.

Chip is an engaging storyteller whom you will not want to miss hearing and, if attending in person, meeting.
Sept. 15 - Outstanding Program was enjoyed by all! Presented by Maria D. Cruz

 
 

Brown Berets of Wisconsin : Fighters for Social Justice

Emerging in the late 1960s as part of the Chicano Movement, the Brown Berets was a bold, youth-led civil rights organization and force for Mexican American community self-determination. In Wisconsin, and especially in Milwaukee—a city with a strong history of social activism—the Brown Berets’ work connected local struggles to wider challenges including discrimination, workers’ rights, educational inequalities, and policing and community safety. Come and learn more from Maria Cruz, a retired educator who keeps their legacy alive by documenting and sharing their long and storied history with social activism which continues today, bringing light to this overlooked history and educating and inspiring new generations in future activism through collective action.
Click Me!

Changing of the Guard and Presentation from District Governor Dawn Fiedler

 

 

DG Dawn became a member of the Rotary Club of Delavan-Darien in February 2015 after being told that she needed to join Rotary. The moment she stepped into her first meeting, she felt an immediate sense of belonging. Due to a change in employers, Dawn later transferred to the Rotary Club of Elkhorn.

As part of her preparations as a president-nominee, Dawn attended the 2017 Rotary District Conference. During a workshop on human trafficking, her life took a new direction. Inspired by the experience, she founded the 501(c)3 non-profit Join the Movement Events, Inc. (JTM), initially focused on raising awareness of human trafficking in rural communities.

DG Dawn installed our new 2026-27 President Angela Rester and the board of directors. We thank 2025-26 President Fessahaye Mebrahtu for his service and continued enthusiasm for Rotary.

 

 

 

    

 

Cathedral Center Project

Every month where there is a fifth Tuesday, you will find Amigos Rotarians preparing dinner for the residents of Cathedral Center.  Our last dinner was a cookout of hot dogs and hamburgers and very well received! We have been involved in this project for a decade and appreciate Amigos Rotarian Frey Faris and her continued leadership in this initiative.  Even more important than the food that we serve, we get a chance to visit with the women and children at Cathedral Center.

  

 

Ukraine Project and Festival

Rotary Amigos will provide $3000 in tourniquets for Ukrainian Civilians

Rotarian Rob Grede took medical supplies to Ukrainians on two separate occasions.  He connected us with Wisconsin Ukrainians, Inc., and we are grateful to learn more about their culture and their present day struggles and needs.  As a result, we have received a District Grant to provide tourniquets to First Responders in Ukraine to support civilians after drone attacks. We will keep you informed as we establish a stronger partnership and future projects. Most recently, we participated in the Ukrainian Festival at Croatian Park.

 

What We've Been Up To!!!

Amigos Rotarians have been busy from cleaning up the Milwaukee River to Preparing delicious and nutritious meals for the women and children at Cathedral Center; to learning how journeys to get water keep young people out of school and various projects around the world and our so close to ending polio for the children of the world while we attended the TriCon District Conference; to having fun socially while celebrating Cinco de Mayo; to celebrating personal and club achievements and awards and more! Keep up with us and let us know if you would like to more about this small but mighty and diverse Rotary Club!