Speakers

The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware… joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware

Henry Miller

 

For Bill Pritchard, his awareness of Rotary did not truly begin until after he had already been a Rotarian for several years.  A district governor-elect asked for a cup of coffee meeting.  During the meeting Bill was asked how many District Conferences he had been to?  Bill’s answer was none, which prompted this follow-up question:  Why would you join an organization that you obviously care enough about to attend meetings with your busy schedule, but not care enough to give even one days-worth of investigation into the ways they serve and give back to their local communities? 

 

Bill did not have a good answer.  So, he attended his first District Conference in 2010.  And he became AWARE… 😊

 

That awareness quickly grew to involvement.  Since 2010, Bill has held numerous club and district posts and responsibilities – starting with becoming a Youth Exchange Counselor in his club in 2010 (still active) and the first Ethics Committee chair for District 6250 in 2011.  He has served as the District 6250 Membership Chair, the District 6250 Youth Exchange Inbound Coordinator, and was President of the Rotary Club of La Crosse in 2014-2015.  His worth at the district level expanded to the Zone and Multi-Zone levels – serving as Curriculum Director for the 19 districts of Central States Rotary Youth Exchange as well as the Assistant Rotary Zone Coordinator for Zone 28. 
 

It is well known that Rotarians do not get involved for accolades (or the pay 😊), but Bill has been honored as Rotarian of the Year by both his Rotary Club (2012-2013) and District 6250 (2011-2012).  He has been recognized for his efforts in the area of Membership (2016) and in assisting with the local area Interact Clubs (2016), and most recently was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rotary Works Foundation (2015-2016).

When not involved in a Rotary project, Bill is the Branch and Portfolio Manager for Stifel Financial.  When he can, he enjoys finding moments to chase small white golf balls around a golf club near his home in Holmen, Wisconsin when not on his boat on the Mississippi River.  Bill is blessed with two wonderful daughters, hundreds of Youth Exchange Sons and Daughters around the world, and a wife who he adores.