Events

The book to be discussed is The Scaling Curve, a new book about AI, by Claude St. John.

Through climate events, a worldwide pandemic, and shifting political forces our ability to feed ourselves and our community is facing ongoing pressures. Madison has long been proud of itself as a foodie city with a strong local food system. Lessons learned during recent events have proven that perhaps we aren't as resilient and sustainable as we think we are. A well functioning local food system can help feed our community even when outside sources of food may be limited or hard to access.

Join Chris Brockel, NPC Food Systems Director of FEED Kitchens, as he presents on Healthy Food for All is a food recovery program that attempts to capture as much edible locally available food as possible, before it becomes waste, and use it to help support families in need. Healthy Food for All is a backbone organization that supports agencies and programs that are directly feeding people through multiple initiatives including: retail food recovery throughout the county, pickups of prepared food from corporate cafeterias and events, and farmers market end of market food recovery. In an effort to support local farms and help them earn income and increase their capacity, Healthy Food for All also operates Buy One for A Neighbor at specific farmer's markets along with occasional "Buy Out the Market" events. Recently, Healthy Food for All has also started working as a distribution partner for programs that are specifically growing food to donate. 

Come hike with us along the Pheasant Branch Conservancy on May 18 at 4 pm. 

Meet at Orchid Heights Park. Orchid Heights lot

We will hike 4 miles, but there are opportunities to shorten the route if there are people who want to do a shorter walk.  

Please RSVP to the Rotary Office.

Hosted by Kristie GoForth.

2026 marks the return of the FIFA World Cup to American soil. With all eyes on the States for the World Cup, Forward Madison is proud to serve as our community's conduit to the World's Game. Conor Caloia, co-founder and co-owner of the operating businesses at Breese Stevens Field, will share how the genesis of Forward Madison revitalized Historic Breese Stevens Field, our place in the US Soccer ecosystem, the birth of our new Women's Club Rally Madison FC, and how our youth and community programs are playing a role in developing and enhancing the soccer culture in Greater Madison.

The books to be discussed are The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson & Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Hosted by Tanya Zastrow. Olbrich Biergarten (weather permitting) and Forward Craft & Coffee (rain plan).

Have you experienced the wonder of planting a tree and watching it grow from seedling to maturity?

Come meet the guy who wants to give every child this joy…and, in the process, beautify our neighborhoods, remove carbon from the atmosphere, and help instill in the hearts of our little ones a sense of magic, wonder, and love for our planet. What started as a seed in Minneapolis in 2010 has grown into a continent-wide movement ~ one of the largest and fastest growing tree planting initiatives in North America involving youth. Since 2010, Neighborhood Forest has mobilized over 4,500 schools, libraries, and youth groups, engaged over 750,000 volunteers, and given over 450,000 children in all 50 states (plus Canada and Mexico!) the opportunity to plant their very own tree!

Join Vikas Narula, Co-Founder of Neighborhood Forest, for an inspiring session and learn how you can help grow the forest in Madison and beyond!

Hosted by Ruby Conrad.

Join Rotary for the Annual Scholarship Awards Program and hear a presentation from Dr. Christine Whelan.

You already live "Service Above Self" every week. You show up, you give back, you lead in your communities and your businesses.

So why does purpose still feel like something other people have figured out? 

Dr. Christine Whelan, “Purpose Professor” at Emory University and fellow at the Center for Healthy Minds at UW-Madison, brings behavioral science research to a question Rotarians are uniquely positioned to answer: How do you use your gifts, in keeping with your values, to make a positive impact? In this interactive, funny and research-backed talk, Dr. Whelan walks you through a hands-on exercise that connects your vocational life, your service, and the things that actually get you out of bed in the morning. Brick by brick, purpose is something you build. And you've been building longer than you think.

Spain is the world’s third-largest wine producer, renowned for its diverse climates, indigenous grape varieties, and centuries-old winemaking traditions. From bold reds and crisp whites to sparkling and fortified wines, Spain offers exceptional value, complexity, and character across its celebrated wine regions.

Join us on Thursday, June 4th at 6:00 PM for a guided tour through some of Spain’s finest wines. Learn a little, have a great time, and enjoy an exceptional tasting experience.

Our host for the evening will be Wayne Crokus, Manager of Steve’s University Ave, located at 3618 University Ave.

Tickets: $30 per person
Capacity: Limited to 16 guests

Space is limited, so reserve your spot early! Contact the Rotary Office at rotaryoffice@rotarymadison.org to RSVP.

We hope you can join!

Hosted by Yigit Uctum

Hosted by Denise Hanson.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Discover how a statewide fatherhood needs assessment sparked the development of impactful initiatives designed to support fathers and strengthen families. This presentation will highlight how fathers’ voices shaped the creation of the Fathers in Focus Conference, the Focus on Fathers Virtual Workshop Series, and the Fatherhood Peer-to-Peer Initiative—three connected efforts aimed at increasing father engagement, building community, and promoting family well-being. Attendees will learn how investing in fathers leads to stronger outcomes for children and communities, and how partners like Rotary International can help advance this important work.

Hosted by Ellen Carlson.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

For Zoom Participants:  Zoom link : https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87688529374?pwd=fCaFfXFmqAjVFofvaULpubdh2hWl2e.1&jst=2

Barry Burden is the professor of political science and director of the Elections Research Center at UW-Madison. His presentation will look ahead to the upcoming midterm elections across the country, highlighting the factors that political scientists have identified as important predictors of election outcomes as well as unique aspects of the 2026 election cycle.

Are you attending WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at the Overture on Thursday, June 18th? Or would you like to? 

June 18th

Dinner reservation option: Eloura Mediterranean Restaurant, 10 W Mifflin

5:15pm (show is at 7:30pm)

Join your fellow Rotarians for dinner ahead of the performance at Eloura restaurant, a 5 minute walk / 0.2 miles to the Overture. 

• If you would like to join me, please contact the Rotary Office to secure a spot on our 6-person reservation. 
  • After June 15th I will need to release any extra seats
  • Anyone canceling within 24 hours of the reservation will be responsible for a $10/person reservation fee which will be charged to my credit card by the restaurant.  
• If you have not already purchased tickets, they are still available. Make sure to use the promo code ROTARY at Overture.org. Prices shown reflect the discount.   

Hosted by Susan Schmitz.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Our meeting will be at the Masonic Center, at 301 Wisconsin Avenue.  You’ll enter the lower level ballroom from the Johnson Street side of the building. This will be Anthony Gray's last meeting as president, and we will welcome Mark Greene as our new president.  After the official changing of the guard, we’ll adjourn and have some time for informal conversations while enjoying some dessert and coffee.

The book to be discussed is The Universal Baseball Association: J.Henry Waugh. Proprietor by Robert Coover.

Hosted by Jennifer Ginsburg.

Hosted by Ranette Maurer.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

The American Revolution founded the independent United States and impacted the subsequent generations who founded Wisconsin. The Revolution's aspirations informed the state constitution and inspired the Civil War generation and beyond. Chris Kolakowski, Director of the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum, will explore Wisconsin's ties to the Revolution and present how it impacted the subsequent state.

Co-hosted by Peggy Lescrenier and Areli Estrada

Hosted by Tanya Lettman-Shue.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Forward Madison FC invites our members to join them for Rotary Night on July 15th! Tickets are available for purchase here, which include food and beverages plus a $5 contribution to our Madison Rotary Foundation from each ticket sold. Deadline to purchase is July 8th."

Heading into his 12th season leading the Wisconsin men’s basketball program in 2026-27, head coach Greg Gard has built a stellar resume in Madison, amassing a 237-128 (.649) record that ranks as the third-highest win percentage in school history. After spending 14 seasons under Bo Ryan—contributing to two Final Four runs—Gard seamlessly took the helm in 2015-16, earning the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award after navigating an interim start to a Sweet 16 appearance. Over his first 11 seasons as head coach, the two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year has guided the Badgers to two Big Ten regular-season championships, eight NCAA tournament appearances, and developed several marquee players, including consensus All-American Johnny Davis. Off the court, the Cobb, Wisconsin native remains deeply rooted in the community alongside his wife, Michelle, and their three children, having raised over $10 million for cancer research and patient care through their "Garding Against Cancer" initiative.

• 30 acres of restored prairie
• Water management with contoured swales
• Invasive species management
• Food forest and biochar system
• Savanna restoration work
• Induction cooking demo

Hosted by Lindsey Giese.

Join the Cultural Awareness Fellowship group at Olbrich Gardens on July 21st from 6:00-9:00PM for Collard Fest. Lisa Dugdale will host this event for Rotarians and will provide a blanket for members to sit and gather at. Register for Free Here: https://www.olbrich.org/calendar/collard-fest?__cf_chl_rt_tk=EBybgp4ovyeT.gExKwygMIErrX4sNIECe4dup59GcLI-1783707766-1.0.1.1-rmuhmlseZYmCotfuK2T3zOVF3r0fcq51uCuQj9pmwnM

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Homelessness affects every part of our community, yet many people are unfamiliar with the network of organizations, partnerships, and strategies working to address it. This presentation by Natalie Erdman and Kristin Rucinski, explores Dane County's evolving homeless response system, the role of Madison's new men's shelter, and how collaboration among government, nonprofits, businesses, healthcare providers, and community members is creating stronger pathways from homelessness to housing.

Hosted by Amanda Jabs.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Join Dr. Joe Gothard, Superintendent, Becky Kundert, Senior Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, and Sonia Spencer, Senior Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, as they present the Madison Metropolitan School District's Early Literacy & Beyond, "It Takes a City," which focuses on fostering a community-wide culture of reading.  Our schools and teachers are shifting instructional practices to the Science of Reading and aligning with Wisconsin’s ACT 20 requirements. The district is implementing comprehensive strategies, including high-quality instructional materials, student-centered assessments, and personalized reading plans, alongside robust summer programming and district-wide reading challenges. To achieve these goals, MMSD actively collaborates with local partners while inviting community members to support student success through tutoring, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities. 

Are you attending THE GREAT GATSBY at the Overture on Thursday, July 30th? Or would you like to? 

June 30th

Dinner reservation option: Canteen, 111 S. Hamilton Street

5:00pm (show is at 7:30pm)

Join your fellow Rotarians for dinner ahead of the performance at Canteen restaurant, a 6 minute walk / 0.3 miles to the Overture. 

• If you would like to join me, please contact the Rotary Office to secure a spot on our 8-person reservation. 
  • After July 26th I will need to release any extra seats
  • Anyone canceling within 24 hours of the reservation will be responsible for a $10/person reservation fee which will be charged to my credit card by the restaurant.  
• If you have not already purchased tickets, they are still available. Make sure to use the promo code ROTARY at Overture.org. Prices shown reflect the discount.   

This is our last scheduled show of the 2025/2026 Season. I’ll be back in a few months with plans for the next season. 

Hosted by Ashley Quinto-Powell.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Join former United States Attorney for the Western District of WI, John Vaudreuil, as he discusses the Supreme Court's decisions, voting rights, and the voting process.

Hosted by Rowan Childs.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Join Mike Gomoll as he presents on Wisconsin's Musical Heritage. From the electric guitar, to sampling, to clean drums and fuzzy guitars, today’s modern music would not be the same (perhaps even unrecognizable) without the inventions and creativity of some Wisconsin-ites. Plus Wisconsin has been home to a few “What Happened?” moments as well.

Hosted by Rhonda Adams.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Mary Beth Collins will define “civic health”, why it matters, and how we can all be a part of building a more civically healthy Wisconsin and world. Learn about the current state of Wisconsin’s civic health — including considerations of the media landscape, trust and mistrust in institutions, social capital, polarization and connecting across differences, elections and other democratic and public sector processes.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Lasagna

Hosted by Tu Le.

Join the Rotary Club of Madison's Summer Bowling League, the Base Bowling League and bowl with our Team "Fort Wayne Tin Caps" at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9PM until September!

Robin Shepard, author of A Keg of Their Best, will talk about his new book published by the Wisconsin State Historical Society Press.  Wisconsin has long been known as “The Beer State,” and the history of its capital city brims with stories of brewing innovation—from the city’s earliest beer-makers and long-forgotten farmstead breweries to today’s experimental microbrewers and enterprising taprooms. In A Keg of Their Best, journalist and beer expert Robin Shepard offers an authoritative history of Madison’s brewing legacy and its key figures from the 1830s to the present. Drawing from newspaper accounts, ancestry and property records, hundreds of personal interviews, and the archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Shepard has compiled a thorough tribute to Madison’s beer-making heritage—including every known brewery in Dane County since the 1840s. Copies of A Keg of Their Best will be available for purhcase via credit card at the luncheon.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Asparagus Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

Hosted by Susan Schmitz.

Darcie Lange Olson will speak about the Falls Free Dane Coalition.

As life expectancy increases, we may find ourselves fortunate enough to consider how we want to age. For most everyone, aging with dignity, health, and independence are valued. This is why addressing falls is so important, as falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults. Wisconsin leads the country in deaths from falls for individuals over age 65, but falls are not inevitable. The Falls Free Dane Coalition, led by Safe Communities, is actively working toward reducing fall risk and increasing resilience in our community. Members of the Falls Free Dane Coalition include representatives from a variety of local agencies, educational programs and many individuals with an interest in improving the safety of older adults. The coalition members provide evidence-based and evidence-informed educational programs and promote resources to reduce fall risk.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Pan Asian Buffet

Hosted by Jason Salus.

Join Lynne Sexten, President & CEO of Agrace, for an engaging look at how dementia is reshaping the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Learn about its growing impact, the challenges faced by caregivers, and how Agrace is pioneering the United States' first Dementia Village. Inspired by the internationally recognized Hogeweyk model in the Netherlands, this innovative approach moves beyond traditional memory care to embrace a social model centered on autonomy, purpose, and meaningful daily living. Attendees will discover how thoughtful design, small-scale living, and community integration can enhance quality of life for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Salmon

Rotarians attending will be hosted by LaShonda Lewis.

From their website: “Sips & Slices is going global! Grab a drink and embark on a culinary tour of the world as you sample internationally-inspired bites from a diverse array of local chefs. The afternoon also includes live music, a silent auction, paddle raise, wine pull, and raffles. One hour before the event opens, there will be a VIP Pre-Event featuring drink samples from around the world paired with curated bites. Don’t miss this flavorful, passport-worthy experience at The River’s new home on Packers Ave! All proceeds benefit The River, Dane County’s busiest food pantry.”

Tickets must be purchased for this event: https://www.riverfoodpantry.org/sips-slices-26/ - with more details featuring the Global Cuisine and Chefs.

Hosted by Brian Basken

Guest Speaker is Moses Altsech.

Hosted by Amanda Jabs.

AI is everywhere in the headlines right now, but most of what gets covered is hype, not reality. As Director of AI Innovation at Recovery.com and a founder who built and sold a healthcare AI company, Nick Myers has spent the last few years finding out what actually works when you deploy AI inside a real tech-enabled organization, and what doesn't. He'll open by drawing a clear line between what AI can genuinely do today and what's still marketing noise, then ground the rest of the talk in RecoveryAI, the AI assistant his team built that only answers questions using a treatment center's own verified data. He'll also briefly walk through PULSE, the decision framework he developed to figure out where AI is actually worth deploying before spending a dollar on it. The goal isn't to sell you on AI. It's to show you, honestly, where the technology stands today.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Mushroom Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

If you are interested in golfing at this event, please contact the Rotary Office at rotaryoffice@rotarymadison.org or call at 608-255-9164.

Hosted by Lisa Smith.

Italian Wine Pairing Night at Cento with Sophia Georges, Certified Sommelier

Tuesday Sept. 22nd

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

$35 per person 

Wine and appetizers

Room for 30 seated guests.

Please RSVP to the Rotary Office.

Hosted by Steve Mintz.

Parks and Libraries have a lot in common: they're both free, available to anyone, and encourage connection - to learning and exploring, to healthy recreation, and to engaging with others in your neighborhood or community.  Learn about this new connected service model on Madison's northeast side with CJ Ryan, Assistant Parks Superintendent, and Tana Elias, Madison Public Library Director.  After more than a decade of planning, the Imagination Center will open to the public on September 25 at 1818 Parkside Drive. Rotarian Joy Cardin will interview CJ and Tana on the Imagination Center.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Taco Bar

Rotarians attending will be hosted by Regina McConnell. 

Mercadito offers an open and healthy place where the community can share their cultural heritage and culinary traditions, breaking barriers and challenges community members face when accessing healthy foods in a place where smells are mixed with a sense of home and security.

GGF Tree Tour and Meeting at Leopolds Bar and Cafe, Tuesday October 6

The next GGF meeting will be Tuesday October 6 and will cover part of Larry Hands' tree tour of Madison followed by a sit down at Leopolds Bar and Cafe at 1301 Regent Street.

Anyone wanting to attend the sit down but not interested in the Tree Tour can meet the group at 5 pm at Leopolds where we have reserved the Book Nook from 5-6 pm.

Dave Edinger and John Braden will carpool for those interested in the tree tour, meeting at 3:30 pm on Orchard St next to Leopolds.  (Feel free to drive separately)

The Tree Tour will cover the first part of the Tour that you can see in the Attachment.

We will start by parking on Orchard Drive just east of the junction of Mineral Point Rd with Segoe Rd.  We will walk to the nearby grand Oak tree.  From there we will continue on the Tour to see the Sycamore Tree, Hackberry Trees, and Pin Oaks, finishing at Camp Randall.

Nearby is Leopolds at 1301 Regent Street where we have the Book Nook reserved from 5-6 pm.  

Our topic for the Tour is of course the individual trees that we will meet and, at Leopolds, we will discuss the value of Wildness/Wilderness.

Hosted by Kristie GoForth.

Join Charles Franklin as he discusses the November elections. How do voters see the candidates, parties and issues in the elections for governor and for the legislature this November? Fresh Marquette Law School Poll data will offer a look beyond the horse-race to the issues that are motivating voters, and their perceptions of the candidates and parties, with less than a month to go to Election Day.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Picnic Menu - BBQ Grilled Flank Steak, Fried Chicken

Hosted by Regina Millner

Hosted by Sedrick Page.

For the first time in its history, the Chazen Museum of Art has undertaken a complete overhaul of all 24 of its permanent collection galleries simultaneously. While projects of this scale are not uncommon for art museums, the Chazen's approach to reimagining the display and interpretation of its collection is distinctly innovative. Amy Gilman, Director, and Kate Wanberg, Exhibitions and Collections Project Manager, will discuss how the Chazen decided to move beyond traditional organizing frameworks such as chronology, geography, or theme and how the new design will encourage deeper engagement with the collection.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Lasagna

Hosted by Steve Mixtacki.

Hosted by Casey Oelkers.

Trust shapes whether people show up, speak up, and work together, and right now it’s under strain. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer finds people pulling inward, trusting those who look, think, and live like them while growing wary of everyone else. Yet the same research points to an unexpected source of hope: employers remain the most trusted institution in public life, and people expect them to help bridge divides.

Angela Russell, Founder and Principal of The Undercurrent, will walk through what this year’s data reveals, how these patterns show up in employee engagement and workplace culture, and why the most promising responses are happening locally. Drawing on the work of WEAVERS, people who build connection across difference in their own neighborhoods, and the Social Trust Index, she will offer practical ways business and civic leaders can strengthen trust in Madison, starting within their own spheres of influence.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Asparagus Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

Hosted by Dave Ewanowski.

Join Laura Hilty, Principal of HealthX Ventures, as she traces how Epic’s growth sparked a Madison healthcare technology ecosystem. This talk will explore how digital health has grown beyond the medical record, what AI may make possible next, and how HealthX uses its knowledge of healthcare to identify ideas that can work in practice.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Salmon

Hosted by Denise Hanson.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to University of Wisconsin–Madison Professor Francis Halzen for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy cosmic neutrinos. How can a telescope buried in Antarctic ice help us understand the universe? Dr. Lu Lu, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and the Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, will introduce these elusive particles, explain how researchers detect them at the South Pole, and explore what they reveal about some of the universe's most powerful cosmic accelerators. Dr. Lu will also highlight Wisconsin's role in this international effort and look ahead to what comes next, including how artificial intelligence can help us make more discoveries.

Lunch Service by Blue Plate Catering.