February 7: Should Wisconsin Legalize Marijuana?

Posted on February 12, 2024 by | Leave a comment

-submitted by Joy Cardin

Ari Brown, senior research associate at the Wisconsin Policy Forum, presented data from two recent studies conducted by the non-partisan organization that examined marijuana laws nationwide.  They found Wisconsin is one of 12 states in the country without a medical marijuana program and one of 26 that doesn’t allow recreational marijuana.  Each state uses a different system for taxes and eligibility requirements. Three of Wisconsin’s neighboring states – Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota – have legalized recreational marijuana and 50% of Wisconsin residents now live within a 75-minute drive of a legal dispensary.  Michigan reported $2 billion in sales in 2023, Illinois had $1.6 billion, Minnesota’s recreational marijuana dispensaries won’t be set up until 2025.  Brown noted that bills in Wisconsin to legalize marijuana for any purpose have repeatedly stalled and a new bi-partisan bill to legalize medical marijuana is unlikely to pass.  

If you missed this program, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/wGl5WMivzoY.

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

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January 31: Wisconsin as BioHealth Tech Hub

Posted on February 1, 2024 by | Leave a comment

-submitted by Jessika Kasten

Bioforward’s Lisa Johnson and Accuray’s Daniel Biank spoke to the group about Wisconsin’s evolution as a biotech hub. Bioforward is a consortium of private and public partners working to change Wisconsin’s image to attract funding, talent and investment in our biotech industry. As part of their work, Wisconsin has now been designated as a Tech Hub and they are currently applying for Phase II grants to advance Wisconsin’s role on a global scale. Through private partners like Accuray, biotech can assist in developing personalize medicine, building economic assets in our state and addressing workforce challenges in the industry – ultimately improving health outcomes around the world.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/FFVx3ukD5w4.

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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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January 17: Dry January

Posted on January 19, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Jessika Kasten

Maureen Busalacchi, Director of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project, spoke to the group about the strong alcohol culture in our state and the ways that we can support calming that relationship to bring it more in line with the rest of the United States. Limiting our alcohol intake has many personal health benefits including weight loss, improved sleep, lower blood pressure, skin clarity – and more. We have the opportunity to change the culture by being more thoughtful and intentional about the role alcohol plays in our lives, events and communities as well as within our public health policy.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/GsPGyO4aDHM .

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January 10: A Refugee Family’s Journey to America

Posted on January 12, 2024 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Jessika Kasten

Professor Nam Kim spoke about his family’s refugee journey to flee danger and pursue the American Dream. Dr. Kim’s father was born in Korea and was separated from his family during the Korean War; his mother was born in Vietnam. They met and married in Vietnam, and fled to the Philippines, Guam and eventually the United States during the evacuation of Saigon. Ultimately, this is a story of hope and resilience, even through unfathomable adversity. Dr. Kim asked the group to consider the many ways of being “American,” as well as the complex identities and heritages of others.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/bQzzT3oSUPw.

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