Events

How did a free newspaper founded at the Dangle Lounge manage to become a vital voice in a city of discerning skeptics, winning prestigious awards and earning the loyalty of thousands? Since it first hit the streets in April of 1976, Isthmus has informed and engaged Madison readers with in-depth local news reporting and informed coverage of arts and culture, reported and edited with great care and financed by novel business strategies. Hear about the realities of newspaper publishing in particular and the media industry at large.  Like all journalists working today, Isthmus staff work to serve our audience and connect with sources in new and changing ways. Since its “reboot” as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2021, Isthmus has been led by editor and president Judith Davidoff and publisher Jason Joyce, both veteran Madison journalists.

April 22 marks Earth Day, a global reminder that caring for our planet also means caring for
each other. In this engaging, story-driven talk, Dexter Patterson, author of Birds of the Great
Lakes, shares how the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin is reimagining conservation through
joy, accessibility, and intentional design.

Drawing from real-world experiences and the sense of wonder that birding inspires, he
emphasizes practical ways to create inclusive, welcoming outdoor spaces where more people can
connect with nature and find their own spark.

Participants will leave with practical strategies, a new perspective, and a deeper understanding
that when more people experience joy and belonging in nature, both humans and wildlife benefit.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.