Happy 100th Birthday, Lew!

Posted on August 15, 2024 by | Leave a comment

During yesterday’s Rotary meeting, a “surprise party” came to fruition thanks to the combined efforts of our club’s Kitchen Fellowship and Scotch Whisky LHS Fellowship Groups of which Lew is a long-time member of both. Thanks to the Park Hotel staff for decorating the room with balloons and special Happy Birthday signage for Lew, too! Members and close friends of Lew were in attendance, and Rep. Scott Johnson made a special presentation to Lew to thank him for his military service on behalf of the State of Wisconsin.  Following our meeting, everyone was invited to partake in cake and whisky and to enjoy a special Lew slideshow prepared by club member Brian Basken.  Here’s a link to the slideshow:  https://youtu.be/WKn00ZONlj4.    

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August 7: FBI Field Office in Milwaukee Played Key Role in Taking Down Cyber Crooks Worldwide Which Involved 1.5M Victims

Posted on August 12, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Sharyn Alden

Charles Tubbs, fellow Rotarian, expert in homeland security and policing, introduced FBI Special Agent Amanda Knutson as the Rotary Club of Madison speaker, August 7.

Tubbs said homeland security has been preparing for what could be the next 911, but now it might be power grid disruptions or cybersecurity crimes.

Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Amanda Knutson runs Cyber Task Force and the Computer Analysis Response Team at the Milwaukee FBI Field Office. She said Genesis market crooks had accessed millions of “fingerprints” (passwords, banking information, and other sensitive identification) and they were selling the information on the dark web.

Genesis had 1.15 million bots for sale for as little as $10 each. Each bot contained about 80 million personal accounts. Users received an invitation from Genesis before buying the information.

How do you catch crooks on a global scale?  The plan was coordinated with FBI agents, police and Europol worldwide, and was successful due to one Milwaukee case agent’s unique approach.

Instead of going after the crooks, they went after the users.

The takedown, called “Operation Cookie Monster,” involved 44 FBI field offices in 16 countries and swiftly moved around the world, seizing domains, and making arrests, in one 24-hour period on April 4, 2023.

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

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July 31: Human Trafficking in Dane County

Posted on August 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Kevin Hoffman

Marlene Sorenson of the Zeteo Community in Madison spoke to Rotarians about an unrecognized and dark side of our community and the larger world. Human trafficking is compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. Purveyors in this trade are skilled manipulators and exploit vulnerabilities to trap their victims in a cycle of dependence, addiction, and abuse. Often, victims become trapped because they have no safe place to turn and lack education and life skills. Zeteo seeks to provide housing and support services to victims and their children so they can live independent, productive lives with dignity, purpose, and hope.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/w8_WYM7GzCs.

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July 24: What MSCR Has to Offer the Madison Community

Posted on July 26, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Kevin Hoffman

Executive Director Mary Roth gave an information-packed presentation about the mission of Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) and the many programs it offers and constituencies of all ages it serves. Even though MSCR is a department within the Madison Metropolitan School District, it has many community-focused programs that facilitate activity, engagement, enrichment and social interaction for all ages. MSCR also offers school age-based programs for elementary, middle and high school children. MSCR strives to be publicly accessible to all who want to participate regardless of physical, financial or geographic challenges. One marquee program that our Rotary Foundation supports and MSCR administers is the Goodman Rotary 50+ Fitness program. It is 30 years since its inception and is still going strong!

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/_ns1w1CgLns.

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July 17: Growing Up Farley: A Story of Addiction, Love and Forgiveness

Posted on July 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Kevin Hoffman

Actor and comedian Chris Farley died 26 years ago from a heroin overdose. His brother, Tom Farley, spoke to Rotarians and guests about his mental health journey through grief, recovery and connection. After Chris’s tragic death at the age of 33, Tom began speaking to school groups to try and prevent similar tragedies. However, this wasn’t enough. He needed to find connection to the root causes of how he and his family dealt with emotional issues so that he could connect with those already struggling with addiction. He counseled us to find our lane – to be who we are meant to be, not what you are expected to be by others. Don’t let trauma build up until it explodes; focus on healing rather than pretending; and be part of a team. Realize your authentic role.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK8nJ7CWgjg.

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July 10: Ribbon in the Sky: Soul, Funk, and the Enduring Power of Black Art

Posted on July 12, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Kevin Hoffman

Professor Alexander Shashko of UW Madison and a lecturer in African American history, gave an illuminating overview of the exceptional and significant impact Black art, and music in particular, has had on American and world culture. From the times of the enslaved to the present-day Black music in its various forms (Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Soul, Funk and more) is the communication medium that expressed hope, survival, innovation, identity, joy and greatness through and between generations. If we want to understand the world and young people and what they are experiencing, Professor Shashko urge us to listen to contemporary music – not just the melody but especially the words and what they are saying.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/hfpOSng1TVY.

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