Leslie Hauser, 2023-24 Rotary Club of Milwaukee President
Rotary Club of Milwaukee president is an important job and I’m excited and honored to serve in this role. In preparation, I spent time with Executive Director Mary McCormick, the board, past presidents, committees and chairpersons, and these meetings definitely reinforced how impressed I am by our club’s accomplishments. I know we’ll achieve great things throughout the coming year, but my focus will be twofold: enhance the financial robustness of our club and reenergize social activities.
In recent years, our club has added convenient benefits including live-streamed meetings, recorded programs viewable at any time and virtual committee meetings that offer flexibility and time savings. We increased our activities and footprint for world community services projects and increased the number of scholarship touchpoints—all while continuing to provide fabulous programs, events and gatherings.
I want to ensure that as a large, robust club we maintain that high-quality member experience while supporting impactful local and global efforts like our humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and Guatemala and providing scholarships and mentoring to local college students. In fact, we would like to expand our outreach while offering increased member benefits without raising dues above inflation. To that end, I’d like to identify non-dues revenue opportunities and events, like the Fresh 40 art exhibition, that can generate income for the club. My hope is that we can conceive of additional activities that not only encourage member engagement but support our club’s operations as well. Let me know your ideas!
Speaking of engagement, social activities outside of regular lunch/breakfast meetings like Tyrotarian Tours, Connector groups, Happy Hour Socials and Live @ the Lakefront provide fun, casual settings that are ideal for meeting new people and catching up with old friends—to connect and celebrate our diverse backgrounds, ages, professions and personalities. I hope you will take advantage of all our club has to offer this year by attending meetings, joining a committee and participating in social events.
Finally, last year Past-President Karen Hung initiated the large project discussion and Todd Bentley stepped up to head a committee. I salute Karen and Todd for their leadership in this effort and I’m excited to see what our next big project will be.
Here’s to a year filled with impactful service, fiscal fitness, vigorous engagement and exceptional member experience.