Special Olympics Wisconsin Director of Development, Claire Essman and Coach/Member of Board of Directors, Ron Irwin spoke to the Club at Tuesday's meeting.  

 

Ron told the story of how he came to be involved in Special Olympics Wisconsin.  It all started 16 years ago at the birth of his son, Max.  Max has Down syndrome, and the words spoken to Ron haunted him for years.  "He probably won't have much of a future." Any parent could imagine what it would do to hear those words spoken at such a joyous moment as bringing new life into this world.  Ron wasn't buying it, and neither is Max or Special Olympics Wisconsin.  In competing as a Special Olympics athlete, Max has had great success, has created great memories, and has found inclusion among fellow-athletes as well as within his school.  The future for Max is bright!

 

Special Olympics programs have provided enormous benefits to people with and without intellectual disabilities.  By providing an encouraging environment in which athletes can compete, socialize, and exercise, individuals with intellectual disabilities receive both emotional and physical health benefits.  Additionally, athletes are provided with free medical screenings which provide screenings for general fitness, podiatry, hearing, visions, dental hygiene, healthy lifestyle choices and sports physicals. Each year over 1,300 health screens are performed, and since 2001 Special Olympics Wisconsin has provided more than 5,700 prescription eyeglasses to those in need, free of charge. 

 

Special Olympics Wisconsin has additionally worked with schools to create Unified Sports programs.  Unified Sports programs allow individuals with intellectual disabilities to compete along with individuals without disabilities.  These programs have helped to create a better understanding and acceptance by students without intellectual disabilities.  For a group that generally faces stigma, discrimination, social isolation and injustice, the Unified Sports programs has had an incredible impact.  Of those with intellectual disabilities, 93% who participated reported a significant change to self-esteem and self-confidence.  Among those youth without intellectual disabilities, 91% reported significant change in their social skills.  These programs don't only help individuals with disabilities, but schools as a whole.  

 

Of the more than 10,000 individuals who have taken part of Special Olympics programs, still 13 of 14 individuals with intellectual disabilities have not.  Hopefully nobody with intellectual disabilities is still living in a world where they believe they don't have much of a future, but encouraging education and participation could provide for an inclusive future for all individuals with intellectual disabilities.  I'm certain that any financial contributions would also be appreciated and put to good use.  To quote one of our country's great [village] presidents, "Send us money and we will spend it wisely." Donations can be made by going to http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org and clicking the Donate button. Volunteering opportunities or fundraising opportunities may also be available.  

 

MEQUON, WI, August 27 - Vertz Marketing and Concordia University Wisconsin are excited to announce the creation of the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Starting in the fall semester, there will be openings for up to 10 Mequon-Thiensville businesses to become a part of this innovative marketing and business mentoring program.

The Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center at Concordia University partners with select Mequon-Thiensville businesses to provide marketing and business development service to foster economic development in the region.

The Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin, Vertz Marketing and Rotary International have combined their forces to share their business expertise with the Mequon-Thiensville Business Community. These entities will provide FREE digital marketing and business development planning to ten qualified area businesses each semester.

 

“We are proud to be a part in creating the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center at Concordia University and help give back to our local community,” said Tim Vertz, founder and CEO of Vertz Marketing.

 

Young, growing businesses in the Mequon-Thiensville community are encouraged to apply for the fall 2018 program. Each business will be assigned up to three Concordia University student interns for the semester under the direction of Concordia University and Vertz Marketing.

 

“We had a lot of success in the spring 2018 semester testing this concept with Thiensville area businesses and we’re very excited to expand this into Mequon and our new partnership with Vertz Marketing to serve the community,” said Dr. Daniel Sem, Dean of the Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin.

 

Organizations including the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce, Thiensville Business Association, Thiensville-Mequon Rotary and Ozaukee Economic Development are signed on as business association sponsors to help recruit businesses to take part in the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center program.

 

“This is a great service for up and coming businesses in the Mequon-Thiensville community. With all of the economic growth in Mequon-Thiensville and many new businesses coming to the area, the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center is a great community service. We appreciate the commitment of Vertz Marketing and Concordia University Wisconsin in our community,” said Tina Schwantes, Executive Director of the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce.

 

Businesses can apply now for fall, 2018 programs at
https://vertzmarketing.com/concordia

For more information about the Vertz Marketing Rotary Small Business Innovation Center,
please contact:
Tim Vertz | timv@vertzmarketing.com | 414-379-1677
Dr. Daniel Sem | daniel.sem@cuw.edu | 262-243-2778
 

 

Rotary Club welcomes back Russell Brown, seen receiving his pin in the first image. Russell is pictured twice in the second image, first being being inducted into the Club, and second standing on a tractor in the photograph of Rotary Park first being built.  Russell attended Tuesday's meetings with his 3 grandchildren. It's great to have Russell back. 

 

One of our newest Rotarians, Heather Mader gave a thumbnail presentation at Tuesday's meeting. It is always a pleasure to learn a little about our new members. We look forward to hearing from Nick in just a few weeks. 

 

Rotary would love to have a large presence at the Gateway Project Open House on Tuesday evening at the Frank L. Weyenberg Library. Hope to see you all there.