Oleksandr Tolchynski will be a Junior at New Berlin West this fall. RC MKE Amigos After Hours sponsored his attendance at this years' World Affairs Seminar where he joined other teens for a week experience at Carroll College to develop greater awareness and tools to work toward world peace.
He will share what the experience was like and what he gained from it.
Halyna Salapata is the President of WI Ukrainians and will share with us the conditions and current situation for Ukrainians now living in Wisconsin AND in Ukraine. More information will be available as to how the Amigos Club will participate and support the upcoming Ukrainian Festival on Sunday, August 16 at the Franklin Beer Garden / Croatian Park. We will also further discuss how the District Grant that Amigos applied for and received to support medical equipment for hospitals in Ukraine.
If you are unable to join us in person at the Milwaukee Athletic Club (followed by pay your own for dinner at the rooftop restaurant at 7 p.m.) then please join via Zoom.
In person at Milwaukee Athletic Club - 758 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Parking is in ramp adjacent to Club or some street parking north 1 block.
Join us in person at the Milwaukee Athletic Club or via Zoom after registering for the link.
This will prove to be a very timely and interesting program.
Vevette Hill-Nwagbaraocha is an assistant director in campus ministry who has a background in social work and helps run programs that aid students, specifically those who may feel underrepresented, to find their place within the Marquette community.
One of the responsibilities Hill-Nwagbaraocha said she has as an assistant director is titled “Pastoral Outreach with Students of African Descent.” This role helps students of African Descent find representation within campus ministry here at the university. Hill-Nwagbaraocha said that being a Black Catholic creates a more personal connection to the mission and working with students who share the same identity.
Register by clicking on the events box in upper left corner of home page. Email pdgrestersamse@aol.com to advise if you will be attending in person.
Tues January 13 6 p.m. - Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: Civil Rights Then and Now by Vevette Hill NwagbaraochaHybrid meeting
Milwaukee, WI – February 1, 2025 – Demonstrating Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self, the Rotary Club of Amigos de Milwaukee After Hours recently completed a three-part community service initiative improving the lives of vulnerable populations throughout the Milwaukee area. Conducted from October 2024 through January 2025, the project benefited new mothers, underserved families during the holidays, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Upcoming Virtual Book Discussion: Caste by Isabel Wilkerson Hosted by Rotary District 6270 DEIB Committee
Join us for a thoughtful and engaging facilitated conversation about the critically acclaimed book, Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. This important discussion will be led by Len Iaquinta, a member of the Rotary Club of Kenosha and an experienced facilitator.
📅 Date & Time: Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 / 6:30 - 7:00 PM CT 💻 Location: Online via Zoom (link provided upon registration)
This event is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging within our Rotary community and beyond. All are welcome to participate in this meaningful dialogue.
Everyone enjoyed Jon's presentation, "My Work as a U.S. Diplomat". Jon is a wealth of knowledge and in addition shared information regarding the building of peace, as this is one of Rotary's primary values and initiatives.
Jon Ward
Jon is a retired U.S. diplomat. Now a member of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and the Rotary Club of Calcutta, India. He also served in Brazil, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq and as Director for South and Central Asia at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and as a Middle East Foreign Policy Advisor in the Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy at the Joint Staff. He later worked as the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium, and Director of International Trade and Investment for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Jon holds J.D., MBA, and BS degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm.
RIP had its world premiere from July 17th-28th, 2024 at Next Act Theatre's performance space in Milwaukee, WI. Many Amigos Rotarians and District Governor Peter Bosch attended several performances. Rob is available for Rotary Club programs to share the journey of the idea, the journey, and "what's next". Watch for a future date when he will present to the Amigos Club.
President-elect Frey Faris, President-Nominee Fessahaye Mebrahtu, current President Marta Carrion, and club founder Angela Rester joined Rotarians from Wisconsin and Northern Illinois for leadership training last weekend in Itasca, IL.
Check out more about President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) and listen to keynote Jennifer Jones's, Past President of Rotary International, compelling and informative presentation by clicking here!
Programs & Upcoming Community Events Amigos Rotarians Are Encouraged to Attend
3/10 - At MAC on Water - 6-7 pm -The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program - Thomas Schneck
This program promotes civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s upper elementary and secondary students. The We the People print textbooks' and enhanced ebooks' interactive strategies, relevant content and the simulated congressional hearing make teaching and learning exciting for both students and teachers. The We the People curriculum is an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of the United States constitutional democratic republic. The program enjoys active support from state bar associations and foundations,and other educational, professional, business, and community organizations across the nation. Since its inception in 1987, more than 30 million students and 75,000 educators have participated in the We the People program.
Presenter Thomas Schneck is a lawyer and a volunteer mentor/coach with Wauwatosa West’s “We the People” class for the past 12 years. During that he has worked with a variety of students, other mentors and the teacher, Chad Mateske. Tom is a Wauwatosa resident for the past 32 years, and practices in a general legal capacity-handling family law, criminal defense and bankruptcy. He is a graduate of UW Milwaukee and Marquette Law School. In addition to his “We the People” activities, he was also involved in coaching youth sports for many years. His wife, Sheryl, is a laboratory medical scientist at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. They have three adult children.
Prior meetings
02/25 - Club Social- "Getting to Know You" - Social and FUN ways to get to know each other and meet our new members Venue: Lakefront Brewery
2/18 - At MAC on Water - Board Meeting
2/11 - At Victory Garden Initiative - Club Assembly - District Grant Project/Discussion at Victory Garden
Highlights of the meeting included meeting Victory Garden staff and finalizing deadlines and activities for Rotary Club Milwaukee Amigos After Hours partnership with Victory Garden Initiative and Cathedral Center.
2/04 - Primitivo Torres, Immigration Lawyer -
Excellent program that helped to better understand the current immigration 'climate' in the United States and how we, as Rotarians, can get involved with local initiatives that might benefit immigrant communities in the Milwaukee area.
1/28 - General Assembly at MAC on Water
1/17 - At Cathedral Center - Volunteer at Club Community Outreach Project, Feeding homeless single women and women with their families at the Cathedral Ctr Shelter.
This is an on-going service project for our Amigos Rotary Club.
1/14 - At MAC - 6-7 p.m. - Speaker: Mr. Fessahaye Mebrahtu, Director of Black Catholic & Ethnic Ministries, Archdiocese Of Milwaukee
Conversation was enlightening and interesting looking at history and impressions.
Fessahaye was born and raised in Eritrea and has resided in the USA since 1983. Currently working as the Director of Black Catholic and Ethnic Ministries (resource person for African/African American, Asian and Native American Catholics) in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, WI.
Tuesday, Jan 7 - Amigos Anniversary Celebration and Celebrating 2019 in the New Year
Special evening at Antigua - Dinner, Celebration, District Governor Steen Sanderhoff, Past President July 2018-June 2019 Angela Rester, President July 2019-2020 Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani, Awards, and Silent Auction. Save the date! 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. More information soon.
Tuesday, December 10 - Tanzanian Eyeglass Program - Brett Bennett - Skygen International Foundation -
The Skygen International Foundation (headquartered in Menomonee Falls, WI) had a truly inspiring story to tell. They are a non-profit charity providing vision testing and (over 21,000 pairs of) free eyeglasses to the poor and underserved people of Tanzania, Africa, since 2018. Imagine changing someone’s life and future for only $5. It is possible.
Since July 2018, SKYGEN International Foundation has been working in some of the poorest areas of Tanzania, Africa, doing just that. They have provided vision testing to almost 100,000 people and given FREE, built onsite to their prescription, eyeglasses immediately to those in need. Each pair of glasses costs $5. They are a foundation where over 90% of the money received goes directly to the work being done. Administrative costs are minimal. Contribution dollars go towards glasses, cloth pouches, ID cards and the team of 12 Tanzanians who run the clinics 5 days a week, every week. Yes, they've also created jobs for Tanzanians. SKYGEN International Foundation is an approved 501(c)(3) organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.
Saturday, December 7 - Multi-Ethnic Amigos Rotary Club Holiday Gathering
What an amazing evening! When you are a club with members from 9 different countries and a couple members who identify very strongly to the country their parents immigrated from, you have an incredible potluck beyond any offerings at a restaurant. This will clearly be an annual gathering of this wonderful club. Members of Amigos are from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Uruguay, Italy, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, China, and the United States. One member's parents are immigrants from Panama and Germany and they were also able to enjoy this feast.
Tuesday, December 3 - At Antigua - CEO Health Connections Inc - Ericka Sinclair
Tuesday, November 19 - Strategic Plan for Amigos Club - District Direction presented by Past District Governor and Strategic Plan Committee Chair Jeff Reed
PDG and District Strategic Plan Committee Chair Jeff Reed gave an excellent presentation to the Rotary Amigos. He helped break down the overall plan to support District 6270 clubs and ensured that questions were answered so that our club can utilize the supports that exist for our own club plan.
Saturday, November 23 - Thanksgiving Baskets Service Project with Rotary Club of Mitchell Field
For decades Rotarians, their family and friends have gathered on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to assemble and distribute Thanksgiving food baskets. Families and seniors in need are identified by social service agencies in South Milwaukee, Cudahy, St. Francis, Oak Creek and Franklin. With financial assistance from Meijers, Rotary Club Mitchell Field purchases enough food for each family to enjoy a complete Thanksgiving feast. Baskets are assembled at The Salvation Army and distributed by The Rotary Club of Mitchell Field, The Amigos de Milwaukee Rotary Club, and MATC’s CJSO (Criminal Justice Student Organization).
Tuesday, November 12 - at MAC on Water - Planning Grant Implementation with Victory Gardens and Cathedral Center Garden Project
Tuesday, November 5 - District Governor Steen Sanderhoff at Antigua
On behalf of 2018-19 Amigos President Angela, 2019-20 President Edwin accepted the Presidential Citation with Honors from 2019-20 District Governor Steen Sanderhoff. Steen then presented a very informational program regarding the vision for the clubs in District 6270 for 2019-20. This was followed by a board meeting.
Tuesday, October 22 - Club Assembly - Planning
Developing goals for this year .
Tuesday, October 29 - Social and Dinner at Alem Ethiopian Restaurant - 307 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
Great food and company made for a very fun evening.
Saturday, September 21 - Bay View Bash Service
Saturday, Sept. 21 - Amigos Adopt-A-River Service Project
Tuesday, September 3 - at Antigua - Project Rise - Milwaukee County Health & Human Services Dept of Youth and Family Services -
Mark Mertens, MSW (Administrator)
Tuesday, August 27 - Habitat for Humanity - Andy Heuer, Development Director
Tuesday, August 20 - Melissa Rickey Classification Talk - Learn more about Melissa's Path to Today, Both Personally and Professionally
at MAC on Water
Tuesday, August 6 - Guatemala Literacy Service Project Q&A - Erik Moesser, ElmBrook Rotary Club
at Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen - West Allis
Come learn more about the service project that ElmBrook Rotary has been doing in Antigua, Guatemala. Ask questions and get answers to how you can help and / or personally participate....here or THERE (January 2020). Learn more about their past success and partnership by clicking on this link to their newsletter. Scroll down on the newsletter to see more about the project.
Tuesday, July 30 - Rotary Amigos Board Meeting
Amigos Rotarians attended in person and via a Bridge Line had full attendance of the Board of Directors at the Milwaukee Athletic Club on Water.
Tuesday, July 23 - Amigos - Complete a community meeting or service thru August 6th for it to count as your July 23 Rotary make-up
Options include any community service activity or event. Take a photo of yourself at the event / meeting / conference and submit it to Secretary Patti Lynch for credit.
Tuesday, July 16 - New Member Intro - Erik Carranza
Erik has a wonderful story of misguided youth, hanging with the wrong crowd, seeking acceptance, living the consequences, and rising above that. Erik found his passion in exercise and competition and joy in helping others find it as a personal trainer.
This meeting enjoyed the "attendance" in-person and via conference line.
Tuesday, July 9 - CELEBRATED and Welcomed President 2019-20 Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani
Tuesday, July 2 - 6-7 p.m. - Meeting was via CHIME Internet Teleconference
2019-20 President Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani took the helm as the new president and announced his chairs and board positions.
Peter Bosch, Principal Engineer and Founder of Highpoint Software is also a Rotarian. He has been engaged in the efforts to eradicate polio and has developed a visual mapping to demonstrate why we can't stop short of complete eradication of the polio virus. This was a very engaging and enlightening presentation and conversation for Rotarians, Visiting Rotarians, and guests.
Tuesday, June 11 - Beevangalist - Charlie Koenen
We enjoyed an amazing awareness building of the importance of bees and all that we will lose should we lose the bees. They are an incredible species that has survived through time but may not be able to survive mankind. Click here to learn more at this recent interview with Mike Strehlow.
Tuesday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 28 - District Grant Submissions
These meetings reviewed potential District Grant submissions (grant submitted and now awaiting review for hopeful acceptance)
The May 28 meeting was also the club's second time utilizing web based software to include those unable to physically attend the meeting, to do so. We have some bugs to work out including better acoustics, however, all in attendance agreed that it had worked. We look forward to further experimentation and use.
Things considered;
1. Is there a completed needs assessment?
2. What will the project be?
3. Who from our Club is and will be involved?
4. What resources are needed?
5. Anticipated impact and how will you know?
We heard from those wishing to submit a project for consideration and the club used the decision making criteria developed at a previous meeting to determine what would move forward.
Tuesday, May 14 - Not Without My Father: One Woman's 444-Mile Walk of the Natchez Trace - Author Andra Watkins
Our meeting was fun, interesting, and enlightening. New Rotarians were inducted, including one who we had missed in previous official induction ceremonies . Erik Carranza and Melissa Rickey were formally inducted, as well as, Bonnie Lee.
We celebrated Amigo Rotarian Daniele Calasanzio naturalization that occurred in Atlanta on May 10, 2019.
Our presenter was Rotarian Andra Watkins, featured in the January 2017’s Rotarian Magazine and is a New York Times best selling author. She is one of the only living persons to walk the 444-mile Natchez Trace as the pioneers did. She had a life-changing adventure with her 80-year-old father. Her NYT best selling memoir Not Without My Father chronicles that experience. We LOVED her presentation! Her honesty, her humor, her wisdom.
Tuesday, May 7 - Catching Up - LOCATION - CORE El Centro
Members had an opportunity to catch up on where we are, where we have been, and what we have learned from "being out in the community" and hearing about issues and initiatives in the community. Newest Future Rotarian, Ronald Rickey, was also in attendance.
Marta is developing a tool for Rotarians to indicate where they wish the club to focus resources in the community. Rotarians who wish to make a recommendation for the use of a District Grant will need to complete and submit to Angie by May 20 for the board to make within that next week. Remember, a criteria for a grant request is a recently conducted needs assessment showing the community need and desire for the given project. More information can be obtained at the District web site via this link. Two Amigos Rotarians must also complete the training for District grants and if you are suggesting application then you must do so as well for the club.
Thursday, May 2 - Rotary Amigos Table Sponsor and Attendance at CORE El Centro - CORE Momentum - 17th Anniversary -
Rotary Amigos is sponsoring a table at this wonderful event.
It was a FREE event though CORE El Centro hoped to enlighten everyone about their programs and purpose to inspire donations for their programs.
According to attending Rotarians, they successfully shared their mission, purpose, and results!
Saturday, May 4 - 8:30-11:30 am - SERVICE DAY at Hunger Task Force Farm
Rotarians came together and made a big dent in the spreading of wood chips on trails to help the farmers and volunteers grow food. This was a Rotary Partner Service Project with Rotary Clubs of Mitchell Field, New Berlin, West Allis, and Whitnall Park.
Saturday, April 27 - 9 am - Noon (Noon - 2 pm After Party) - SERVICE DAY - Annual Milwaukee Riverkeepers Clean-Up Day - Amigos Rotarians did this event last year
Amigos is a partner with Milwaukee Riverkeepers and sponsors a segment of the Milwaukee River in Lincoln Park area. Despite the cooler than usual weather, Rotarians Dorothy Krupa (volunteer chair / organizer on behalf of our club), Marta Carrion, Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani, Daniele Calasanzio, Angela Rester, and newest member Erik Carranza cleaned up on Saturday. Dorothy noted that despite the amount of trash, there was about 1/3rd as much as the same time last year. Noted was the large amount of plastic and styrofoam, along with candy and cigar packaging, as well as, needles and things we won't mention. Clearly people need to clean up after themselves and their friends and family!
Afterwards several of us went to the FREE celebration with Rock the Green in Estabrook Park . We got to hear great music and visit numerous ecology-minded services and nonprofits serving our greater Milwaukee region.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
ROTARY IMPACT-WATER & SANITATION AROUND THE WORLD
Rotary Foundation Global and District grants for District 6270 have been very successful in the past because they have involved members like you and I. MANY decades ago, Past District Governor "Ozzie" Oswald created opportunities for clubs to give for wells in Haiti and India. Today, Past District Governor Rick Debe is bringing new opportunities to our clubs as our 2018-2019 District 6270 Water and Sanitation Chair.
Rick shared the following, "We are embarking on some larger Global grants for Water and Sanitation around the world. Our Clubs in #6270 are joining together to leverage and maximize our efforts.
Tuesday, September 18 -District Governor Kola Alayande
District Governor Kola is a 2nd generation Rotarian and is a former Interactor, Rotaractor, AND Rotarian and may well be the only one in our District. He spoke to the club about growing the membership and staying true to Rotary without being so rigid that we don't grow or fulfill mission. As a change agent he hopes to inspire our clubs and individual Rotarians to stretch and do things differently so we remain vital and meaningful. The board then met with Kola and reviewed what makes us an awesome club and how he and the district can better serve our club.
Pictured from left to right - Past District Governor, Amigos Founder and current President Angela Rester
Daniele Calasanzio, Amigos International Director
Kola Alayande, District Governor 2018-2019
Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani - Amigos Secretary and President Nominee for 2020-2021
Thursday, September 13 - Rotary New(er) Member Orientation
This orientation was a collaborative effort of the Rotary Clubs of Amigos Milwaukee After Hours, Mitchell Field, New Berlin, West Allis, and Whitnall Park.
Three Amigos Rotarians participated in this orientation that was very well received.
Tues, September 11- Farewell to Gustavo de Arriba
Sadly we said farewell to Gustavo de Arriba. He only recently learned that he has been hired at a new company based in Denmark .We know we will see him again but will miss his leadership, his joy, and warm welcomes at our wonderful little club.
Tuesday, August 28 - 6 - 8 pm - Service Night - Cathedral Center Dinner Service
Our club's 4th time serving dinner to the women and families residing at Cathedral Center. We had a lot of fun and one of our Rotary members volunteered with his family and a friend.
Rotarian acts of kindness make this world a better place, especially for the poorest of the poor. By collecting used or unused sunglasses Rotary Amigos de Milwaukee will prevent blindness among the poor for Guatemalan farmers.
Stritch announces Alumni Award Recipients for 2014
The Cardinal Stritch University Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the 2014 Alumni Award Recipients.
Through the awards program, Stritch annually honors individuals for their professional and personal achievements, which have made a significant impact in their field, and whose life and character have earned the respect and admiration of their peers and professional colleagues.
The 2014 winners are:
The Mother Bartholomew, OSF Lifetime Achievement Awar Jeanette Mitchell, Ed.D. Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service, ’01
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Oleksandr Tolchynski will be a Junior at New Berlin West this fall. RC MKE Amigos After Hours sponsored his attendance at this years' World Affairs Seminar where he joined other teens for a week experience at Carroll College to develop greater awareness and tools to work toward world peace.
Halyna Salapata is the President of WI Ukrainians and will share with us the conditions and current situation for Ukrainians now living in Wisconsin AND in Ukraine. More information will be available as to how the Amigos Club will participate and support the upcoming Ukrainian Festival on Sunday, August 16 at the Franklin Beer Garden / Croatian Park. We will also further discuss how the District Grant that Amigos applied for and received to support medical equipment for hospitals in Ukraine.
Vevette Hill-Nwagbaraocha is an assistant director in 
Jon is a retired U.S. diplomat. Now a member of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and the Rotary Club of Calcutta, India. He also served in Brazil, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq and as Director for South and Central Asia at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and as a Middle East Foreign Policy Advisor in the Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy at the Joint Staff. He later worked as the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium, and Director of International Trade and Investment for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Jon holds J.D., MBA, and BS degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm. 
RIP had its world premiere from July 17th-28th, 2024 at Next Act Theatre's performance space in Milwaukee, WI. Many Amigos Rotarians and District Governor Peter Bosch attended several performances. Rob is available for Rotary Club programs to share the journey of the idea, the journey, and "what's next". Watch for a future date when he will present to the Amigos Club.
This program promotes civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s upper elementary and secondary students. The We the People print textbooks' and enhanced ebooks' interactive strategies, relevant content and the simulated congressional hearing make teaching and learning exciting for both students and teachers. The We the People curriculum is an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of the United States constitutional democratic republic. The program enjoys active support from state bar associations and foundations,and other educational, professional, business, and community organizations across the nation. Since its inception in 1987, more than 30 million students and 75,000 educators have participated in the We the People program.
2/04 - Primitivo Torres, Immigration Lawyer - 
Tuesday, November 19 - Strategic Plan for Amigos Club - District Direction presented by Past District Governor and Strategic Plan Committee Chair Jeff Reed
Tuesday, November 5 - District Governor Steen Sanderhoff at Antigua 
Tuesday, October 29 - Social and Dinner at Alem Ethiopian Restaurant - 307 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
Tuesday, August 6 - Guatemala Literacy Service Project Q&A - Erik Moesser, ElmBrook Rotary Club
Tuesday, July 16 - New Member Intro - Erik Carranza.jpg)
Tuesday, July 2 - 6-7 p.m. - Meeting was via CHIME Internet Teleconference
Tuesday, June 18 - 
Tuesday, May 14 - Not Without My Father: One Woman's 444-Mile Walk of the Natchez Trace - Author Andra Watkins
Rotary Amigos is sponsoring a table at this wonderful event. 
Saturday, May 4 - 8:30-11:30 am - SERVICE DAY at Hunger Task Force Farm 
Saturday, April 27 - 9 am - Noon (Noon - 2 pm After Party) - SERVICE DAY - Annual Milwaukee Riverkeepers Clean-Up Day - Amigos Rotarians did this event last year
ROTARY IMPACT-WATER & SANITATION AROUND THE WORLD
Pictured from left to right - Past District Governor, Amigos Founder and current President Angela Rester
Sadly we said farewell to Gustavo de Arriba. He only recently learned that he has been hired at a new company based in Denmark .We know we will see him again but will miss his leadership, his joy, and warm welcomes at our wonderful little club.
