Category Archives: Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker

Meet Club President Ellsworth Brown

Posted on July 16, 2015 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Valerie Johnson; photo by John Bonsett-Veal

DSC_0038Rotarians got to know our 2015-16 President, Ellsworth Brown, better this week, when he pledged transparency, revealed his personal story and his goals for his Rotary leadership year.

If you love history, you may know him professionally.  Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society for 11 years, he is the former President and CEO, and trustee of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and also of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.     Prior to this, he was director of the Chicago Historical Society. Brown was president of the American Association of Museums from 1990 to 1992, and is a director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

If you love Rotary, you’ll be glad to hear his goals for this year include designing a major international outreach project with financial support from various sources including Rotary International, as well as instituting a high impact project centered on “building a strong, diverse but united and sustainable Madison community.”  This second project will include viewing our activities through a racial lens and supporting specific job training and career pathing actions.

With 44 committees, fellowship groups and events throughout the year, steering the club is a major work effort for the President. Brown told the group he appreciates the depth of the membership, what each member offers Rotary, and how they connect the club to the community. “You work hard to say yes,” he said.

Telling about his work, Brown shared more about the Wisconsin Historical Society.  The society has a dozen historical sites around the state. They are the official state archives and 60% state funded. They hold four million photographs and three million texts in 38 linear miles of shelving among 12 library/archive sites. “We aim to be useful” is their simple motto. They hold Daniel Boone’s papers, the student non-violent coordinating committee materials, and colonial newspapers, among many other treasures. “We have museum to help ensure we live in a civil society,” Brown said.

Dorothy, his wife of 50 years and whom he met on his first day of first grade, was at the luncheon. They live in Fitchburg.

Brown concluded with a quote, “The past is never dead, it isn’t even past.”

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Discussion on Updates to Madison’s Beltline

Posted on April 30, 2015 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Mary Helen Becker; photo by Loretta Himmelsbach

Barta Lynch 4 29 15

Two experts explained the planning and strategy for beltline improvements and changes on April 29. The first to speak, Larry Barta, has worked with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for 31 years. He has managed improvement projects and corridor studies in all District One counties, including managing the expansion and relocation of 38 miles of I-39 from Dickeyville to Dodgeville. He began by noting that the most efficient traffic plan is the grid. In Madison, because of the lakes, we have a wheel, with heavy traffic on the “spokes” of that wheel. The beltline, which is under major reconstruction at this time, is very important and has several problems that need attention, including too many crashes, bottlenecks, and its age — it is simply too old. Half of the traffic exits are just 4 interchanges. New corridors on the northside of the city, including the North Mendota Parkway and a Waunakee corridor are important. Each day the Verona Road section handles 125,000 vehicles a day. An alternate route between Verona Road and I-90, south of the city, has been suggested, but the cost and impact make it impractical method of removing traffic. Alternate modes of transportation including bus rapid transit, express routes and commuter rail are being considered. Commuter rail through the isthmus and out University Avenue could remove some traffic from the Beltline. The DOT is working with Madison Metro, a separate entity, to plan improvements.

The second speaker, Tom Lynch, has been with Strand Associates for 23 years. He focuses on major corridor studies and environmental impact studies. He discussed “scenario” planning and explained “Madison in Motion” and the Sustainable Transportation Master Plan, including current plans and trends. Bus rapid transit and beltline bus riders could reduce beltline volume. Studying how people travel is important. Increasing use of public transit and bike use could be significant on the isthmus, but less so on the beltline.  The issue is important to all citizens and is being studied and addressed.

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Have the Conversation and Do It Now…

Posted on April 23, 2015 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Linda Baldwin; photograph by Loretta Himmelsbach

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Jim Jaeger and Sandra Nuernberg urged all Rotarians and guests to begin the process of planning for future medical care.  Jaeger and Nuernberg represent the Association of Spiritual Caregivers working with Meriter Foundation and the Gundersen Medical Foundation in La Crosse.

All of us have likely thought about end of life care; some of us have created a living will or other advance care document.  But how many of us have had the “conversation” with our family, friends and agents about end of life care?   60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is extremely important, but 56% have not communicated their end of life wishes.

Jaeger and Nuernberg showed a video about a couple who were having the conversation.   Benefits include peace of mind, putting your family at ease about what decisions to make for you when you are unable, having an agent to represent you who is willing and capable of advocating your wishes on your behalf.  And knowing what you want done at end of life will potentially save money and extend life by taking the pressure off.

Jaeger noted that Advance Care Planning is a process, beginning with you and others understanding that decisions will need to be made in the likely event you will not be able to do so.  Next you need to reflect on what you do want to happen, then have a discussion with loved ones, medical advisers and agents about your wishes.   Those choices will be written down and then this should be part of your medical record.

Also, plan to review this document over time as your situation may change and you may want to alter your plans.  There are resources and organizations to help you have “the conversation”.   For an information booklet answering commonly asked questions about advance care planning, contact Gundersen Health System,
La Crosse, WI 800-362-9567, ext. 56748.

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Next in Madison: StartingBlock Madison

Posted on April 16, 2015 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Larry Larrabee; photography by Loretta Himmelsbach

Austin Reed Wolter

George Austin (center), Madison’s former Planning and Development director and President of AVA Civic Enterprises Inc., provided the introduction about what StartingBlock Madison is planning to do to encourage, develop and grow entrepreneurs by bringing them into an entrepreneur hub that will place them in contact with peers, mentors, investors and consultants.

The building will be located in the 800 block of East Washington Avenue and American Family Insurance is funding the construction of the first 50,000 sq. ft. phase of a 160,000 sq. ft. building.

Founded in 2012, StartingBlock Madison is dedicated to encouraging entrepreneurs, growing Madison’s economy and providing educational opportunities regarding entrepreneurism.  It will be able to do this because of the strong support of MG&E Energy and American Family Insurance.

Dan Reed (left), Managing Director of American Family Ventures, spoke about his company’s investments in new technology companies in areas like automobile safety through their Direct Venture Capital program.  Their support of StartingBlock Madison is an extension of this concept.

Gary Wolter (right), Chairman & CEO of MGE Energy Inc., sees StartingBlock Madison as expanding the Madison entrepreneurship environment and helping to grow the economy.  He explained the stretch goal as “how can I change the world?” and sited those Madison entrepreneurs that have done that such as Jamie Thompson’s Cellular Dynamics, Pleasant Rowland’s American Girl and Judy Faulkner’s Epic.

The positive response to the three presenters and the concept of StartingBlock Madison that represents the combined efforts of corporate, educational, and civic entities including the City of Madison suggests StartingBlock and the entrepreneurs it cultivates are sure to be successful.

We would like to thank Madison City Channel for videotaping our meeting this week.  The program will be rebroadcast on analog basic channel 98, digital channel 994 & AT&T U-verse 99 as follows: Friday, April 17 at 8 PM; Wednesday, April 22 at Noon; Friday April 24 at 5 PM; Sunday, April 26 at 5 PM.  You can also watch this program on the WEB.

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Autism Research and Treatment in Wisconsin

Posted on April 9, 2015 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Carol Toussaint; photo by Loretta Himmelsbach

Graupner Sallows 4 8 2015What is autism and why do we read and hear so much more about it today than even a few years ago?  Drs. Glen Sallows and Tamlynn Graupner addressed that question for the Rotary audience Wednesday, April 8.  They  explained that research such as they are engaged in has added to the understanding of the causes and interventions which means even mild cases are now included in the statistics.

Speaking in tandem, raising questions and responding to the symptoms that trigger parents, teachers and physicians to look for autism (ASD), the speakers noted that “everyone looks for it now” so, of course, it is more  prevalent.  Not that long ago it was thought that between two to five of every 10,000 patients were diagnosed with ASD.  Fewer people were looking for it because no one thought there was a treatment.  Now it is estimated that there are 1 in 108 people in Wisconsin with ASD and reporting is more accurate  because of both research and improved methods of record-keeping.

The news that autism, characterized by symptoms of delayed social language, delayed social interaction and repetitive/unusual interests, can be diagnosed at 12 months or even younger is the key to successful treatment.  That about half of treated children improve to the average range, understanding language, improve on behavior and self care, and most will speak, is positive news.

Dr. Sallows is cofounder and President of the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) and has been working in the field of autism for over 25 years.  Dr. Graupner is cofounder  and CEO of WEAP and her research through the UW Waisman Center involves studying the brain bases of the symptoms of autism.  Both are dedicated to continuing to find new ways of addressing autism.  If that results in reporting a higher incidence of ASD, it does not mean an epidemic.  It will mean more attention to and perhaps improved means of intervention at a younger age.

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Wisconsin is Open for Business

Posted on April 2, 2015 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Bob Dinndorf; photo by John Bonsett-Veal

KleefischLieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch discussed our State government’s commitment to making Wisconsin a great place for employers, entrepreneurs, small businesses and workers through tax relief and especially job training.

The Lt. Governor is a former small business owner and news reporter. Widely credited for coining the phrase, “Wisconsin is Open for Business,” LG Kleefisch has played a key role from day one in business growth and retention in Wisconsin.

As Wisconsin’s “Jobs Ambassador” and leader of the Governor’s Small Business Summits and Tax Reform Roundtables, Lt. Gov. Kleefisch touched on a range of topics that could be characterized as “overcoming adversity.” She opened with her personal story about how she staged her run for the Lieutenant Governor’s seat. Rejected by her own party as a candidate, she ran in the 2010 primary against three opponents. At that same time, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Still hospitalized on Election Day, she was released to vote on the condition that she return for continuing treatment. She did and won on two fronts: the election by 21 percentage points and successful treatment of her cancer.

In terms of overcoming economic adversity, the Lt. Gov. quoted a Wall Street Journal headline: “Uncertainty is the enemy of recovery” as a means of characterizing the Wisconsin approach to economic recovery. She stated “we’ve given families and businesses certainty” and cited several measures illustrating that result in Wisconsin unemployment at 4.8%; 156,000 people have gone back to work and that local property taxes have been lowered.

A continuing issue is the skills gap in Wisconsin that prevents many jobs from being filled. She asked Rotarians to check out the website http://www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com which displays 84,915 jobs are unfilled in Wisconsin at the time of the Rotary meeting (the number had increased to 85,206 less than an hour following our Club’s meeting as this summary was being written). The site will be enhanced soon to add even more job postings aggregated from other sites. As part of the solution, she said “Wisconsin has a fantastic technical college system.” Ultimately, the goal is about fulfilling our State motto: Forward!

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