Ben Bauer was born and raised in small town Central Wisconsin (Spencer, WI, population ~1,900). After high school he went to Western Technical College in La Crosse for a degree in Graphic Design and a certification in Web Design. His passion for quality design and helping people drove him back near home to Marshfield where he founded a printing and marketing company that he owned and operated for 12 years. Early in his career he also served as a youth leadership facilitator with the National FFA organization, training and developing the next wave of young leaders from all over the country. The business satisfied his hunger for design, creativity and service and the conference facilitation scratched the itch for travel and leadership development. Shortly after starting the business he joined Rotary in 2006 as member of the Marshfield Sunrise Rotary Club.
Ben’s Rotary story goes like many Rotary stories do. There’s a beginning, middle and end. There’s also a new beginning, a new middle and a hopeful future. When he joined it was for the purpose of networking and creating connections that would help him and his business thrive in the community. Rotary gave lots of opportunity for that and when the connections in the club had been made and he “learned everything he needed to know”, he started sitting at the same tables, talking to the same Rotarians and got bored. Skipping a meeting occasionally, turned into hardly coming at all and Ben was the dreaded “Rotarian In Name Only” (RINO).
Luckily, Ben attended the right club meeting in 2009 where he was asked to fill-in and serve as a counselor at the District’s Youth Leadership Camp, RYLA. This was Ben’s “aha moment” with Rotary. At RYLA, he got the personal fulfillment of developing young leaders, and learned about how big the network of Rotary is and the possibilities that come with it. Ben has served as co-chair of the District’s RYLA camp, Club President in 2015-2016 and an Assistant Governor from 2018-2020.
Rotarians are busy people, and Ben is no exception. He has coached varsity football with the Spencer-Columbus Rocket varsity football team, served in the local business community and on local boards like the Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Spencer Youth Recreations, Inc. and more.
Professionally, Ben is the Director of Awesomeness (some people call it Marketing) at Simplicity Credit Union, overseeing the marketing and public relations efforts of the credit union. As with many credit union professionals, a chance encounter brought Ben to Simplicity CU and he’s been in love with our movement ever since. Ben brings a diverse set of talents including marketing, graphic design, public relations and leadership. Ben’s team at Simplicity CU has also created a new CUSO, Exclamation Services which will provide back office support like Marketing, HR, IT and Operations services to small credit unions and businesses.
Ben is an active and passionate champion for credit unions. He serves in many roles including as a member of the i3 innovation program at the Filene Research Institute, a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), and a member of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing & Business Development Council Member Resources Committee, to name a few. He's been honored with several 'Diamond Awards' from the CUNA Marketing Council for excellence in marketing and was named a Credit Union Rockstar by Credit Union Magazine in 2020.
Personally, Ben’s wife and favorite person in the world is Katie Bauer. Katie is a special education teacher, an amazing mother and life partner. They have a son, Charlie who brings them an immeasurable amount of joy. Together, they love learning, camping, swimming, biking, hiking, kayaking or anything that takes them outdoors.
- Ashley Santolin reported that the La Crosse After Hours Club will be planning an excursion to the Loggers baseball game on July 14; they are sponsoring a Youth Exchange student from Japan; and they will have an Alpaca Family Farm excursion on September 17.
- Jonathan McKenzie's Rotary East Club is planning some changes to its meeting schedule, which will include a monthly offsite activity. Rotary East is searching for a new location for their meetings; they are currently meeting at Schmidty's, but may be moving to Piggy's Restaurant soon.
- Chris McArdle-Rojo is planning an iFeed event on Saturday, November 5th. There will be a number of groups who will be participating, and the meals that are packed will support refugees from the war in Ukraine. The fee for packing teams has increased to $700 this year.
- Rolan Covert is working to organize the Avenues of Service Event. His club is also sponsoring Moon Tunes again this year, and this has been successful. Rolan reported that 500 pounds of recyclable material were collected after the last event.
- Randy Mell reported that Rotarian Ann Thompson was designated an Honorary Member. The Caledonia Rotary is meeting at Elsie's on Main Street on the first and second Fridays of each month. Caledonia holds a social event on the last Friday of each month. The Caledonia Club has created a video which will be used to showcase their club on the local cable network. Caledonia Rotarians have been working to eliminate invasive species from Sprague Woods, and have obtained a grant to hire a local contractor to remove invasive plants from the lands adjacent to SpragueWoods. Caledonia continues its involvement with the Cameroon project, and is interested in cooperating with the La Crescent Club on other possible international projects.
- John Farnen reported upcoming plans to volunteer at Country Boom. The Apple Blossom Bike Tour will take place on September 17, and is being sponsored in part by the La Crescent Rotary Club

Jennifer E. Jones
President-elect 2021-22
Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland
Ontario, Canada
Jones is founder and president of Media Street Productions Inc., an award-winning media company in Windsor. She was chair of the board of governors of the University of Windsor and chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has been recognized for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award, a first for a Canadian. Jones holds a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).
As the first woman to be elected president, Jones understands how important it is to follow through on Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement. “I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion … begins at the top and for us to realize growth in female membership and members under the age of forty — these demographics need to see their own reflection in leadership,” Jones said. “I will champion double-digit growth in both categories while never losing sight of our entire family.”
Jones has been a Rotary member since 1997 and has served Rotary as RI vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. She played a lead role in Rotary’s rebranding effort by serving as chair of the Strengthening Rotary Advisory Group. She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for polio eradication efforts. She also led the successful #RotaryResponds telethon in 2020, which raised critical funds for COVID-19 relief and was viewed by more than 65,000 people.
Jones has also received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She and her husband, Nick Krayacich, are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society, Paul Harris Society, and the Bequest Society.
Presidential initiatives 2022-23
Diversity is one of Rotary’s longstanding core values and greatest strengths. Jones knows there is more to be done to ensure that Rotary’s culture exemplifies our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Rotary, with input and guidance from the DEI Task Force, has strengthened our commitment to DEI, resulting in a greater focus on celebrating every individual’s contributions, advancing equity, and creating a more welcoming and inclusive culture.
During the 2022-23 year, Jones encourages each of us to do our part to ensure Rotary is a welcoming and inclusive community by:
- Learning more about DEI in Rotary, including understanding definitions and how to celebrate and respect our differences.
- Determining why DEI matters to our club and community and how using DEI principles can help our club grow and become stronger.
- Raising awareness of DEI, including creating a DEI committee in your club that reflects the demographics of your community.
- Taking action on DEI in our club and community for instance educating yourself about underrepresented groups in your community in order to become a more knowledgeable and effective advocate for DEI.
Learn more and take action by reading the DEI presidential brochure.
Jones will also continue RI President Shekhar Mehta’s Girls Empowerment initiative, recognizing that empowered girls become empowered women. Share your Girls Empowerment projects on Showcase.
Service Above Self
La Crescent, MN 55947
United States of America