Category Archives: Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

January 24: Current State of Childcare in Wisconsin

Posted on January 26, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Jessika Kasten

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Executive Director Ruth Schmidt spoke to the Club about the current state of childcare in Wisconsin. She made the case that to have a strong workforce, we need to have a strong childcare system that is affordable to families, accessible and fairly compensates its workforce. Today, childcare workers with an advanced degree make an average of $12/hour with no benefits – and parents spend an average of 30% of their income in childcare costs. Ruth asked members to keep talking about the broken system and encourage Wisconsin to join other states in underwriting this critical component of workforce development.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/n2JQUMsyj4E.

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Posted in Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Club of Madison Guest Speaker, Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

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January 3: Get Out There! Madison Parks Have Much to Offer

Posted on January 5, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Jessika Kasten

On January 3, Madison Parks Superintendent Eric Knepp spoke to the group about the multitude of opportunities our local parks offer to improve our quality of life. Over 95% of Madisonians live within a 10 minute walk to a park, allowing us all to easily find ways to find joy, purpose and connection. The Madison Parks Department hosts a variety of events throughout the year, focused on health, exercise, education and more. We encourage everyone to commit to learn more and take advantage of them regularly, especially as we start a new year.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/p5_V80m5GWE.

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Posted in Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Club of Madison Guest Speaker, Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker, Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

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November 29: Addressing Loneliness & Isolation in Wisconsin

Posted on November 30, 2023 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Jessika Kasten

Kris Krasnowski, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Institute for Health Aging, discussed the many ways that social isolation and loneliness can negatively affect the health of our community, including putting people at higher risk for heart disease, dementia and more. Even before the pandemic, about 50% of U.S. adults experienced loneliness. The WI Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness is adopting a plan to address this topic that includes strategies like strengthening social infrastructure, mobilizing the health care industry and reforming digital environments. You can make a difference by reaching out to those you know who may need additional social connection.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here:  https://youtu.be/4W4MqvWrm20.

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Posted in Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Club of Madison Guest Speaker, Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

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November 1: An Introduction to Native American Pow-Wows

Posted on November 3, 2023 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Bill Haight

Anne and Josh Thundercloud of the Ho-chunk Nation spoke on Native American pow-wows, which are social gatherings held across the country. A traditional pow-wow focuses on social dances and songs of the hosting tribe. The American flag is often displayed aside the tribe’s flag in honor of the esteem the Native Americans hold for military veterans. The public is always welcome.

The brother and sister team ended the program with music and a dance, which soon had a couple dozen Rotarians joining the rhythm in a circle at the front of the room.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/7r2XOpDSMyY.

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October 25: Lynch Talks Transportation from Mules to BRT

Posted on October 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Valerie Renk

   Madison City Transportation Director Tom Lynch shared how transportation evolved in Madison at the October 25 Rotary meeting. Milestones:

  • 1869: Rail service begins; by 1899 Madison has 184 trains a day. State had to pass law limiting time streets can be blocked.
  • 1884:  Street cars begin; pulled by mules until 1892.
  • 1901: First modern cars appear. By 1916 cars outnumber horses in Madison.
  • 1949:  First beltline built (now W Broadway).
  • 1962: Passenger rail lost.
  • 1965: Cycling on state street/square outlawed.
  • 1968: Bus company leaves; city buys to maintain service

   Lynch shared that both public and private transportation are subsidized. Those first mule-pulled street cars offered 5 cent rides but cost the city 9 cents. Today’s Lake Street Ramp costs the city about $700/stall/year with revenue of $212, a subsidy gap of almost $500 per car. Streets are also 40% wider to accommodate parking, another cost covered by property taxes. 

   Three initiatives were reviewed by Lynch. Vision Zero is designed to safely and equitably prioritize traffic needs. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is finally happening. Modest means and BIPOC citizens are especially helped by new schedules and technology moving buses more quickly. Passenger Rail could bounce back from that 1961 loss if the city wins part of 102 billion available federal rail grants. Watch for November announcements and January public meetings.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here:  https://youtu.be/5mE3TKrILW4.

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Posted in Rotary Club of Madison Guest Speaker, Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker, Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

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October 18: Transformational Ideas Recognized

Posted on October 19, 2023 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Valerie Renk

Rotarians heard from fellow Rotarian Tara Grays how several ideas are transforming Wisconsin businesses. Great ideas were celebrated by honoring nine recipients of Wisconsin Innovation Awards. 

Hello Loom, a small-scale loom, makes it easier for people to start a fiber arts hobby, and was the first honoree example. Hello Loom is the size of a cell phone and just as portable.

Another honoree, Elephas, images a live Cancer tumor to predict which immunotherapy the tumor will best respond to.

Nurse Disrupted helps close the nursing shortage gap by deploying virtual nursing sessions from current staff.  

Other honorees included:  Synthetaic, NECTO, Virtual Foundry, Community Clothes Closet, and Managecore. 

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/a6BkBYDX0wc.

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Posted in Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Club of Madison Guest Speaker, Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker, Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

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