Are you looking for an organization where you can meet friends, grow your professional network, and do some good for the community and the world?
We’re looking for you, too!
Want to help?
The Rotary Club of Waupaca
Over 90 members strong, we are committed to acting locally and globally to address the biggest challenges of our time. Together, we work to:
- Support education
- Protect the environment
- Grow local economies
- Promote Peace
- Support mothers & children
- Provide Clean water, sanitation & hygiene
- Fight disease
In addition to hands-on projects focused on the environment, housing, hunger and other needs, we raise funds through community events to support a range of programs and service projects that improve lives locally and around the world.
Ready to attend a meeting?
Thanks to Our Ambassadors
The Good Things We’re Doing!
Rocktoberfest 2026 is in the Books!
Thank you to everyone who attended Waupaca Rotary's Rocktoberfest 2026 and to all the volunteers who made our fundraiser possible! This year marked the inaugural Hansel & Gretel contest... And what a contest it was!
A great event that brought people together while raising money so the Rotary Club of Waupaca can do good in our community and in the world.
A Rare Opportunity: The Holland-Belgium Cruise in March 2028
The Rotary Club of Waupaca presents yet another "bucket list" travel opportunity - the Tauck Belgium-Holland excursion on the Rhine River.
Our club has secured 23 rooms for high-demand excursion that runs only while spring flowers are blooming in Holland. Highlights of the 9-day cruise include:
- Visit Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse to walk among the tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths that are on brilliant display for only two months a year
- Attend a private evening at the Mauritshuis in The Hague, home to a world-class collection of art including Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring
- Enjoy an early-opening visit to the open-air Zuiderzee Museum before the day's crowds arrive, reflecting the rich maritime history of the region
While 2028 pricing has not yet been released, spots can be held now with a down payment. Official pricing will be shared in mid-January 2027. Once pricing is announced, those who held rooms will have 14 days to confirm or cancel their reservation. Those who cancel within 14 days will receive a complete refund of their deposit. Note: Airfare is not included in cruise pricing.
General questions about the cruise and our club’s group travel arrangement should be directed to club member Nancy Grams at [email protected].
Booking-related inquiries should be directed to Kristine Kuhn, the Tauck Group Sales person who is handling our club for this trip (203-899-6539 or [email protected]). When booking, let Kristine know that you are part of the Rotary Club of Waupaca group.
These trips provide us with the opportunity for wonderful travel experiences while also helping raise funds for the good work our club does in our community and around the world!
New Member Spotlight: Sara Poehlman
Sara Poehlman has worked in international education and early childhood development for 25 years in more than 40 countries and learned nine languages. She recently joined Rotary International as a Senior Advisor for Basic Education and Literacy, after having served as the Chief of Education for UNICEF—Senegal and coordinator of education sector with the Ministry of Education. As a global leader in education, Sara spent years working overseas and the US to build education systems, strengthen evidence and advocacy for children, write child-friendly policies, deliver education programs, and rebuild schools and communities affected by war and disaster. She served UNICEF as the Chief of Education in Sri Lanka, India and Niger and worked on education and peace-building projects in The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, Colombia, Bhutan, Haiti, and other countries. Sara has been an ardent advocate for children and families, gender equity, peace and justice. To better advise the UN Security Council, she also helped create www.peacewomen.org.
In the US, Sara has led anti-bias education, taught bilingual kindergarten, supported parent education in immigrant communities and families living in homeless shelters. She served on the Head Start and Chancellor’s Advisory Committees in Washington DC and as part of the Local School Advisory Team.
Taking a fully remote position with Rotary International has allowed Sara to move back to her native town of Waupaca and reconnect with family, community and nature. She enjoys the local offerings and lake life with her daughters who attend WLC and WHS. After decades of traveling, in her spare time, Sara enjoys staying home, kayaking, dancing and finishing up her first novel.
Welcome our 2026 RYE Inbounds
- Sophie is 16 and from Brunswick, Germany - a town in Lower Saxony. Sophie plays tennis back in Germany. She is currently playing volleyball here.
- Juliette is from Gap, France - "a small town" of 40,000, two hours from Marseille. She does classical dance and scouting back in France.
A huge thank you to TIm Koll for incredible pictures for the yearbook and beyond!!
Talk with Brett or Sandy if you would like contact information.
Paul Harris Recognitions: Barb Laedtke & Joe Jones
This past month, Barb Laedtke and Joe Jones received Paul Harris awards, recognizing their commitment to our club and The Rotary Foundation.
Congrats Joe and Barb!
Pints for Polio is around the Corner!
Our pints for polio event is just a few weeks away. This is a fun event and it will be held on October 17 at HH Hinder. Where else can you volunteer, eat good food, listen to good music and drink good beer all at the same time?
Keep in mind that we are still in need of volunteers as well. The Sign-up Sheet to volunteer for this event can be found on the Waupaca Rotary website.
New Member Spotlight: Tim Semmann
I am a lifelong Wisconsin resident, born in Milwaukee and lived most of my life in Dane County. My work life includes experience in the private, non-profit, and public sectors, most recently forming my own LLC providing municipal planning and community development consulting services.
I have bachelor’s degrees in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1985) and in Natural Resource Management and Land Use Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2001).
My wife and I recently moved to Waupaca to begin the next phase of our lives. We enjoy participating in community, traveling and almost anything having to do with outdoor recreation.
I look forward to becoming more involved in the Waupaca community through participation with Rotary.
Guests from Mitoyo, Japan are Welcomed to the Community
During our recent meeting, we were delighted to welcome guests from Mitoyo, Japan - Waupaca's Sister City. The visit is part of an annual exchange coordinated by the Waupaca International Cultural Exchange Committee (WICEC).
Rotary 100 Online International Mega Meeting the People's Assembly 2026
You are warmly invited as a Special Guest to the Rotary 100 Online International Mega Meeting – The People’s Assembly 2026, a global gathering being held in recognition of the United Nations International Day of Peace and during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81).
This special international gathering will bring together leaders, peacebuilders, humanitarians, changemakers and advocates from around the world for meaningful dialogue, connection and collective action towards a more peaceful, inclusive and resilient world.
EVENT DETAILS - REGISTER NOW
REGISTER HERE — FREE
Annual Rotary Food Drive is Going on Now
September is our annual Food Drive. Our goal is 1000 - either pounds of food or dollars combined.
Please bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations to our Wednesday meetings in September. I will have a red Terrain in front with the back wide open for you to deposit your food, or you can give me any cash donations. If you get to the meeting before me, you can just leave your bags at the curb in front and I will load them.
If you are writing a check, please make it out to The Waupaca Area Food Pantry.
Thank you all!!
Diane Baker
Paul Harris Recognition: Brett Grams, Liz Kneer & Jeff Kolasinski
At yesterday's meeting, Dennis Everson (3rd from left) presented Brett Grams, Liz Kneer, and Jeff Kolazinski with Paul Harris pins, recognizing their contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation is among the world's most trusted, respected, and effective. You can learn more about it here: https://www.rotary.org/en/who-we-are/the-rotary-foundation
Honoring the Legacy of Bill Bode
Jeannie Bode attended a recent meeting to share some Rotary flags, a good story, and a donation on behalf of her husband, Bill, a member of our club who passed away a few months ago.
The Story: Jeannie told a story about visiting a club in Taiwan. It was a formal dinner meeting, and everyone except her and a club assistant was male. At one point, the assistant left. Jeannie stayed in a seat of honor, next to her husband.
The Donation: Bill left a donation to the club, trusting that we'll put it to work in a way that will honor his life as a Rotarian who lived the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.
New Members Inducted: Tim Semman, Sara Poehlman and Jacob Waller
In recent weeks, we've welcomed a couple of new members, including: Tim Semmann, Municipal Consultant and Sara Poehlman, with Rotary International, and Jake Waller, Waupaca's Fire Chief.
What’s Coming Up?