Tag Archives: Rotary Club of Madison

February 9: UW-Eau Claire – One of the Safest Places to Be During the Pandemic

Posted on February 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Jessika Kasten

On February 9, UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Dr. James Schmidt spoke to the club about the impacts of COVID-19 on his campus and the UW System Colleges. Dr. Schmidt credited the power of partnerships in making the UW-Eau Claire campus one of the safest places to be during COVID. Throughout the pandemic, UW-Eau Claire focused heavily on following public health protocols, testing and encouraging vaccination. To date, they have had no classroom outbreaks/transmissions in any of their classrooms, nor any outbreaks in their residence halls. As they developed best practices, they took their learnings and solutions out into the community to extend the Wisconsin Idea.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GksezUttNWo&t=3653s

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Posted in 2. Meetings, Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Club of Madison Guest Speaker, Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker

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February 2: Character Based Management for More Productivity

Posted on February 3, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Jessika Kasten

On February 2, Robert Beezat spoke to the Club about Character Based Management, offering keys to more productive and effective organizations. Robert talked about the critical job of managers and the importance that strong character plays in being a good, effective manager. If you reflect back on great managers you’ve had in your life, you’ll likely reflect on those who had integrity – meaning their actions reflected their words. Robert reminded us that although no one can be perfect, we can all be better. He encourages leaders to continuously evaluate themselves and invest time in improving their managerial skills.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10FioW_eO9E

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Posted in 2. Meetings, Rotary Club of Madison, Rotary Club of Madison Guest Speaker, Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker

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January 26: Fostering Prosperity for Latinx Dane County Residents

Posted on January 27, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Andrea Kaminski

Baltazar De Anda Santana, co-founder and executive director of the Latino Academy of Workforce Development, opened with the story of his immigration from Guadalajara to California with just $20 in his pocket. He said it hurt when people told him all the things they were sure he could not do, such as speak English, become a U.S. citizen, and get a college degree and a job with a decent wage. He said this is the story of many immigrants. In less than 20 years Baltazar has accomplished all of these things, and other immigrants are doing the same. While people of Hispanic origin make up 6.5% of the Dane County population, they are over-represented among the essential workers who have risked their lives to serve our community through the pandemic. Baltazar challenged Rotarians to welcome Latinx immigrants into the community and support policies that make it possible for them to prosper. 

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5nLCd1gXZg&t=2341s.

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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 19: State Line Distillery: Building Community One Bottle at a Time

Posted on January 20, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Andrea Kaminski

As a biology major at UW-Eau Claire several years ago, John Mleziva was interested in the science behind fermentation and brewing. Eventually he came to Madison to teach at Edgewood College. In 2012 he enrolled in a second master’s program, this time in Scotland and specializing in brewing and distilling. Then he returned to Madison, bought a small still and began testing recipes in his kitchen. He opened State Line Distillery in a beautifully rehabilitated facility on Madison’s east side in 2017. The first few years saw tremendous growth, but they had to shut the doors in March 2020 because of the pandemic. One day as John sat in the empty cocktail lounge wondering if the distillery would survive, he was asked to produce hand sanitizer for the state of Wisconsin. This kept State Line and many other distilleries afloat through the pandemic.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb-FaNWmXZM&t=405s

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

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DAIS: Making Adjustments to Provide Services During a Pandemic

Posted on January 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Andrea Kaminski

On January 12, Shannon Barry, executive director of Domestic Abuse Intervention Service, spoke about how her organization adjusted to support survivors through the pandemic. This required new strategies just when their clients’ own situations were more dire. During the Covid lockdowns, victims were isolated with their batterers. DAIS provides an array of personal services and advocacy and has the only domestic violence shelter in Dane County. The volunteers who previously staffed the DAIS 24-hour helpline were let go, and all staff members had to help staff the line. With a Paycheck Protection Program loan, DAIS has purchased additional phones, improved its technology and made the workplace safer.

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_vVhluFXRI&t=2269s

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Posted in 2. Meetings, Rotary Weekly Guest Speaker, Weekly Rotary Guest Speaker

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Climate Action: Local Challenges, Local Solutions

Posted on January 6, 2022 by | Leave a comment

–submitted by Andrea Kaminski

At our online January 5 Rotary meeting, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and WKOW-TV Senior Chief Meteorologist Bob Lindmeier spoke about the local challenges and solutions in Dane County related to climate change. Lindmeier set the stage as a qualified, trusted messenger with a passion for climate change education. He said the problem is simple, it has serious implications, and it is solvable. He cited ample peer-reviewed information to confirm that climate change is real and that it affects the natural environment, public health and economy of our area. Parisi outlined several initiatives instituted by Dane County government which are significantly offsetting the use of fossil fuels and saving taxpayers money. 

If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Ib5JQbbvU&t=1558s

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

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