Tag Archives: Madison WI

June 8: A Wisconsin for All – Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)

Posted on June 8, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Kevin Hoffman

Our own Rotary Club of Madison member Dawn Crim, the Wisconsin Secretary of the DSPS, spoke to the membership about the important role the DSPS plays in the conduct of our everyday lives.  This important agency touches everyone, directly or indirectly, by ensuring that industry (such as construction and other commercial businesses with safety responsibilities), licensed professionals (such as healthcare and legal practitioners), and public policies are operating in the public interests of safety and economic development.  She cited a few of the many programs from health care to prescription opioid control to clean energy to military veteran transition to equity and inclusion that support and protect citizens and businesses. 

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/fs0jpPYUuDg.

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June 1: Rotary Scholarship Program Grows in 2022

Posted on June 2, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Valerie Renk

Rotarians met 26 outstanding scholars at the June 1 luncheon. More than $388,000 will be awarded to the 2022 class of Madison Rotary Foundation scholars over the next four years.

Laura Peck, Chair, introduced the scholars; President Teresa Holmes presented each with a certificate.

Daniel Obi, 2017 French Scholar, gave a keynote. He shared how his Rotary scholarship and mentor relationship with Neal Fauerbach made a real difference helping him work towards becoming a Physician’s Assistant. 

Roger Stauter was also inducted as a new member. His introduction included he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma.  The meeting was sponsored by Jen Savino, KW2.   

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Posted in 2. Meetings, Annual Madison Rotary Foundation Scholarship Program, Rotary Club of Madison

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May 25: Reshaping The Future of South Madison

Posted on May 26, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Janet Piraino

On May 25th, Madison’s Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development Matt Wachter talked about the great redevelopment plans for Madison’s South Side. South Siders told the City they wanted new gathering places, affordable child care, better parks, improved bike and pedestrian infrastructure, increased transit service and better connectivity across Park Street.  Most importantly, they wanted to avoid gentrification of, and displacement from, their neighborhoods.  The City is focusing on The Village on Park, the Thorstad property and the Perry/Ann Street corridor. Common elements of the plans include transforming giant parking lots into buildings/programs that foster affordable housing, create job opportunities, support small business and improve amenities.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1n8Hl72np0&t=1317s.

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

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May 18: WI Sec. of Agriculture Randy Romanski

Posted on May 23, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Janet Piraino

WI Sec. of Agriculture Randy Romanski gave Rotarians an overview of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and discussed the impact of agriculture on Wisconsin’s economy.

In addition to advising and providing financial support to farmers, DATCP regulates food safety, animal health, consumer protection laws and the meat packing industry. Agriculture is critical to our economy, with one in nine Wisconsinites employed in agriculture. Wisconsin is fourth in the world in cheese production.

Romanski’s presentation included a visit from Alice in Dairyland, who promotes Wisconsin agriculture products. He gave shoutouts to past Alices in attendance, including our own Carol Koby.

If you missed our Rotary meeting last week, you can watch the video here. (Our thanks to WisEye for videotaping our guest speaker last week and for allowing us to post it on our club’s YouTube channel.)

https://www.youtube.com/user/rotaryclubofmadison

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May 11: Mike Falbo on UW System Leadership Transition

Posted on May 11, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Valerie Renk

Mike Falbo shared a path to university system success on May 11; 37,000 degrees will be granted this year by the UW System. Falbo is the interim president of the University of Wisconsin System.  He was a regent for 11 years, being appointed twice. 

Jay Rothman takes over the helm as system president June 1, following a national search that started in January. Falbo served on the search and screen committee when he visited all UW campuses and talked with many stakeholders. Rothman led Foley & Lardner, where he developed his leadership skills. Rothman grew up on a farm in the Wausau area. 

Falbo originally told Rothman, “You have zero chances of getting this job, but you’ll learn a lot from the process.”  While he has no academic experience, Falbo described Roth’s qualifications, saying a good leader knows their strengths, a great leader knows their weaknesses. 

The UW System is big business, with 40,000 employees, a $6 billion budget, and 165,000 students.  Falbo said the system is trying to leverage positives such as the Chancellor group, making it campus driven. They are building into a strategic plan in a short time frame, finishing by end of 2022.  He found separate groups during the campus visits, so team building is important. 

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHpAC9x0XYo.

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Posted in Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker, Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

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May 4: Ukraine/Poland Border in 48 Hours

Posted on May 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

submitted by Valerie Renk

Alan Klugman and Joe Shumow shared details May 4 of their humanitarian visit to the border of Poland and Ukraine.  They visited four refugee centers, meeting with volunteers and some of Poland’s three million Ukraine refugees as part of a Jewish Federation delegation. 

Their visit lasted only 48 hours, but they heard stories of a lifetime. They met a refugee who told of meeting family with a son paralyzed from the neck down. The family took turns carrying him for three days, finally collapsing. With help from many, they were able to finally emigrate safely to Warsaw.   

Another moving story was an 87-year-old-woman, left at the border with volunteers by her son who went back for family. This made the elderly woman relive World War II memories.  Happily, her son was able to reunite her and his family.

It was powerful, they said, to sit in Warsaw and feel safe, as this is an historically war-torn

area. The Polish government paid for two of the refugee centers and other resources. Over three million refugees have been accepted in Poland; 300,000 Poles have opened their homes to offer safety at their own cost.

What can we do to help?  Giving is paramount. Many groups are raising money, including Jewish Federation (www.jewishmadison.org) , and Rotary international (https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-responds-ukraine-crisis).   

Volunteering is also needed; local volunteers were all races and religions of people who had a previous connection to Ukraine who wanted to give back. They were often sharing a sweater, a blanket, a cup of coffee, and a hug.  Volunteers are needed who speak Russian.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zeu_VSr5Uo&t=1504s.

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

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