FRIDAY, January 29, 2010 MEETING NOTES Volume 44, Issue 18

We had 21 Optimists & guests today. The only guests were our speakers. The Mystery Greeter was Milt Rewey who greeted Tom Nall – Milt felt sorry for Tom’s broken wrist. John Dutcher, John Urness, Tom Nall, Gary Engelke, Steve Lane and Ernie Thalmann wore their Optimist shirts today.

Today’s Speakers – Ed White – SWWRPC
Anne Killian – UW-P Speed Networking

Here are Ed White, President Tom Nall and Anne Killian. Anne spoke first about UW-P Speed Networking on Feb 11 from 6 – 8 pm. Ed spoke afterward about Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

Anne works as an Event Coordinator for UW-P Alumni in the Career Center. UW-P Speed Networking is a chance for alumni and community leaders to help students with their interview skills. A volunteer will be given a question. Students will sit down with the volunteer as a prospective employee. The volunteer acts as the hiring official and asks the student the question.

They listen to the response and give feedback on how the student presented him/herself. The student goes to the next volunteer and does the same. At the end of the process there will be time to mentor one-on-one.

Ed spoke about the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. It is in its 40th year. He says lots of people have heard of them, but don’t know what they do. Larry Ward is the Director. There are 3 major programs – Community Planning – led by Todd Johnson - does Smart Growth plans and other planning efforts around the 5 county region. Amy Seeboth is the Transportation Program Manager. This group looks at all forms of transportation including rail, air, ship, roads, bike and walking.

Ed is the Economic Development Program Manager. Economic Development is hard to define. He works with local governments to improve business climate. He was successful in getting a $1.45 Million grant to help fund a $2.5 million project in Belmont to upgrade the waste water plant so that Montchevre can retain 130 jobs. He applied for grants for Platteville and Mineral Point as well.

He spoke about the new Economic Development Master Plan. It is a lengthy document but is posted on line to read. It focuses on 5 areas: Regional Recognition, Broadband access, Transportation, Ag value-added ventures, and Housing for workers.

Thanks for the wonderful speeches!

 

This Friday - Confucius Institute – Chinese New Year

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 13 - Tri-Star Basketball - Armory

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

February 12 – Cody Brigman - UW-P Veterans Club

February 19 – Coach Gard plus 5 - UW-P Basketball

JOKER DRAW

Tom Nall was the lucky one selected. He cut the Joker – as you can see in the photo. He will split the $100 minimum pot. The other half goes to Childhood Cancer. We start with a full deck next week.

SWIS District will have its 2nd Quarter Conference in Whitewater on Feb 5 & 6. Register before 1/29 and the registration fee is waived. Paula O’Reilly, an OI Trainer, will be there. They will have a demo from the Whitewater wheelchair basketball team.

UPDATES

The District Tri-Star Basketball contest will be on March 20. Bucky Badger will be at the SWIS contest!

Our Tri-Star Basketball contest will be on Saturday March 13, at the Armory, the week before the SWIS District competition.

BOARD MEETING

The next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, February 11th at 7 AM at Badger Brothers.





















Optimist International | SWIS District | Platteville, Wisconsin--Information



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Last Modified: February 1, 2010