Category Archives: Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

May 14:  Teaching Teens and Youth How to Build Financial Independence

–submitted by Sharyn Alden

On May 14, Rotary speaker, Robert Wynn, Found and CEO of CLIMB (Communities Learning to Invest and Mobilize for Business) provided insight into how they are helping youth gain personal wealth and economic stability.

Wynn said it all started with the question, “Why don’t we laser focus programs in terms of improving the capacity to build wealth for young people, especially black kids from low-income homes? “Our programs, accessible nationwide, are focused on youth and families, people of color, who have historically been underserved.”

Oregon High School senior, Pierre Nickles shared his experience as a CLIMB Youth Leader. Nickles, who has had the privilege of ringing the bell at the NY Stock Exchange, said, through CLIMB, he has learned a wide range of financial skills, including the power of compounding and the ‘Rule of 72.’

“Investing is a needed skill for financial freedom,” he said. “I’ve learned there is no age requirement to gain financial wealth.”

Wynn added, “If we are not economically successful, nothing changes, but if we are successful, we can transform the future.”

If you missed our meeting last week, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/SBNV1FQD4jE.

April 16: Life in the 119th Congress

–submitted by Rich Leffler

Congressman Mark Pocan explained to us the political conditions in this, our Trumpian Moment. Most of the tax cuts will eventually come out of Medicaid, etc., and go to the top 1%. DOGE will cut much less than its claimed $1 trillion of spending. Expect cuts in Social Security. Tariffs are chaotic, make no sense, “a monkey throwing dung.” So far, the legal system is defending the rule of law.

There is little resistance to these policies by Congressional Republicans, out of fear of Trump and concern for their families’ safety. An insightful question, was asked: What about resistance by Congressional Democrats to Trumpian authoritarianism? No answer was attempted.

If you missed our meeting last week, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/KFGcGwDGmDw.

April 9: Passing the Citizenship Test

–submitted by Rich Leffler

Caitlin Mackesey, head of the ESL and the Citizenship programs of the Literacy Network and a former student, now instructor, Alejandra Munoz Contreras, spoke to us of the effort to help immigrants prepare for the tests to become American citizens. They gave a pop quiz of some of the questions from the official test, which a sizable percentage of Rotarians could not answer correctly. Questions in Civics, U. S. government, and history. In addition, competence in reading, in writing, and in speaking must be demonstrated. Classes and tutoring are offered. Fifty people in the program became citizens last year and, so far, 18 this year. A great program, you say? The federal government just cancelled their $70,000 grant, with no notice.

March 5: Yang Tao Shares Vision Zero Making Roads Safer

–submitted by Valerie Renk

Yang Tao, city Traffic Engineering Director, shared Madison’s Vision Zero program is reducing traffic fatalities while increasing safety and health equitability for all road users.
Vision Zero focuses on systemic collision prevention. Tactics:
• Events educating safe behavior, safe vehicles
• Safe Streets Madison projects: speed management, altering street design
• Comprehensive pedestrian court(s)
• Using data to guide decisions
• Safety focused enforcement proportionate in impact
Vision 2020 was included in 2020 budget; first comprehensive report in spring 2024. Outcomes include 180 safe street projects funded; 40 miles of major street speed reduction, introducing “20 is plenty” citywide, safety improvement in street reconstruction.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/zqw9XWQyfoE .

February 26: Crisis Management Services in Madison

–submitted by Larry Larrabee

Sarah Henrickson, Clinical Team Manager at Journey Mental Health Center, and Shane Quella, Crisis Response Team Member shared a description of CARES (Community Alternative Response Emergency Services) that is funded by the City of Madison. Because uniformed officers responding to a behavioral crisis can send the wrong message and inadvertently escalate the situation, CARES provides non-threatening support to individuals by listening to them and trying to direct them to various support organizations. It can provide transport to different places and facilities that will give immediate assistance such as shelters and hospitals. Shane described an example of one of his recent interventions.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/IQ2p7s0KLdE.

February 5: Celestial Events in 2025

–submitted by Larry Larrabee

Jim Lattis, director of the UW Space Place, who manages the UW Washburn Observatory and teaches courses in introductory astronomy, provided a tour de force of what’s occurring in our heavenly skies. Dr. Lattis told us what to expect this year in the way of lunar (2) and solar eclipses (2, but not visible in the US.). He also explained sun spots and their effect on earth. We were informed about T. Coronae Borealis, the Blaze Star, that concludes an 80-yr. cycle with a 3-day burst of brightness. He also invited us to witness space events at the campus observatory two Wednesday evenings each month, weather permitting. Visit https://go.wisc.edu/washobs.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/NTtVuKhSWxk.