The Hidden Hunger Next Door

September 9, 2026

Marcia Kasieta, Business Director, Badger Prairie Needs Network

Communicating with Providers: How to Get the Information You Need

August 12, 2026

Patty Witte, MD, Patient Advocate

Frustration in communication with medical clinics is all too common. By reviewing communication options and how each is most effectively used, patients and caregivers can get the excellent care they deserve. Dr. Witte will provide simple outlines and phrases to help you share information with and get clarity from your healthcare team. This will help ease feelings of being overwhelmed, dismissed, and confused.

Gain tools to

• Effectively communicate via electronic portal, phone, and in person.
• Construct simple phrases to use when something is uncomfortable, or the provider is moving too fast
• Advocate with confidence for yourself and someone you care about
• Reduce confusion and misunderstandings

Come Walk with Me

Finding Your Own Identity

July 8, 2026

Tina Hanson 

The journey back to yourself.

What if the peace you’ve been searching for isn’t somewhere else?

Through heartfelt stories of loss, travel, unexpected laughter, pink donuts, turtles on rocks, and ordinary moments that became extraordinary, Tina Hanson shares her journey of grief, healing, and discovering that the greatest adventure isn’t traveling the world—it’s coming home to yourself.

Rather than offering another list of things to achieve or fix, because you are never broken. Tina invites audiences to slow down, become curious, and remember the person they have always been.

Audience Takeaways

After spending time together, you may find yourself…

• Remembering the part of you that existed before the world told you who to be.
• Discovering that slowing down isn’t falling behind—it’s finally catching up with yourself.
• Seeing beauty in ordinary moments that have been waiting for your attention all along.
• Understanding that joy isn’t something you chase—it’s something you notice.
• Learning to trust the quiet wisdom of your own body.
• Replacing striving with curiosity and performance with presence.
• Realizing that what feels broken may simply be scattered.
• Leaving with permission to stop searching outside yourself for what has always lived within.
• Walking away thinking,
  “Oh…I remember her. I remember me.”

Each attendee will receive a copy of Tina’s poem, pieces, a reminder that even when life turns our puzzle upside down, the most beautiful piece we discover may be ourselves.

Final Five Voting—an innovative electoral change that incentivizes our politicians to work for We, the People

June 10, 2026

Rich Eng: Founder, Chair and CEO of Voters First Wisconsin; Former Executive of GE Healthcare

Tracy Hunter: Leader of Voters First Wisconsin Outreach and Speakers team

Tired of political dysfunction, endless polarization, and nonstop incivility in government? Do you wish there were a better way forward? Maybe there is. Final Five Voting—already being tested in places like Alaska—explores how combining nonpartisan primaries with ranked-choice voting can reward candidates who build broad support and create stronger incentives for collaboration instead of conflict. Rich Eng and Tracy Hunter will provide demos, real-world case studies, and an interactive mock election where you’ll cast ranked ballots and watch results unfold live.

See democracy in action and learn how:

• Final Five Voting changes the incentives that drive political extremism and gridlock
• This approach produces more moderate winners and encourages broader coalition-building
• Voters can gain more choice and a greater voice in elections

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Link to the video recording of the June session

Follow-up from Voters First Wisconsin with Links and Resources

Thank you all for participating in our Final Five Voting presentation/demonstration on June 10. We appreciated the thoughtful and curious questions and comments.

Here are some follow-up items:

1. If you haven’t done so, please consider subscribing to our monthly email newsletter here: votersfirstwi.org/keep-in-touch No spam; It just keeps you updated on the progress of our initiatives.
2. Here are some links to brief videos you can watch or share with others who are curious.
   • Video explaining the “Problem with Primaries” causing polarization and gridlock in congress (3 min): youtube.com/watch?v=6W4G82iwwJ
   • Video showing how Final Five Voting works (2 min): Final-Five Voting – The Institute for Political Innovation
   • Voters First Wisconsin – FFV efforts in Wisconsin: votersfirstwi.org/final-five-voting
   • Video series “The 4 Myths of American Politics” (3 min each): Home – The Institute for Political Innovation (political-innovation.org)
3. If you can connect us with other organizations that might be interested in a similar event, please email Tracy at tracy@votersfirstwi.org
4. ** I urge you to check out the trailer for “Majority Rules”, the compelling film about the Final Four Voting Journey in Alaska. You will be captivated by the trailer. There is a full-length version and a 30-minute version. https://majorityrulesfilm.com/
5. Watch for Final Five Bills to be reintroduced in 2027 and help us to inform others about the benefits.

 Keep making a positive difference!

 Tracy Hunter for Rich Eng and the rest of the Voters First Wisconsin team

tracy@votersfirstwi.org

votersfirstwi.org

Generative AI: What is it, and How Can It Help Me?

May 13, 2026

Phil Scarr, BA, MA, Former Enterprise Cloud Architect at LabCorp and GE Healthcare, 33 years of IT experience 

Generative AI is the technology behind tools that can write stories, create images, and even carry on conversations. In this presentation, we’ll take a lively look at what it can do—and where it falls flat. We’ll separate science fiction from reality, showing that while it may sound smart, it doesn’t actually think or understand anything. That doesn’t mean AI isn’t useful; it’s necessary to understand how to use it efficiently and effectively.

We’ll look at Large Language Models (LLMs) and how they play a part in the AI landscape.

We’ll also tackle the big question: is this the road to true artificial intelligence? Not quite. Unlike Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), generative AI is more like a talented mimic than a thinking mind.

Expect relatable explanations, real examples, and a few surprises along the way

Click for Link to Phil’s Presentation

Springing from Grief

April 8, 2026

Peggy Weber, RN, MSN, Certified Grief Educator

Grief changes everything—but it doesn’t have to be the end of growth, meaning, or even moments of laughter. In Springing from Grief, Peggy Weber offers a compassionate and refreshingly honest look at the grieving process. Blending professional insight with warmth, inspiration, and gentle humor, this talk explores how people can move through loss while gradually rediscovering resilience, connection, and purpose. Participants will leave with practical perspectives and renewed hope for navigating life after loss.

From this talk, you will:

• Understand the natural stages and emotional rhythms of grief.
• Learn practical ways to care for yourself while moving through loss.
• Discover how inspiration, perspective, and even humor can help open the door to healing and renewal.

Grief Cycle Handout from Presentation

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [85.29 KB]

Fitchburg Economic Development Update

March11, 2026

• State of Fitchburg today
• Forward Fitchburg City in Motion, a place-based economic development strategy, including upcoming projects and areas of long-term development
• Fitchburg’s economic development toolkit to enhance infrastructure, foster small business growth, and attract investments
• Success stories of innovative partnerships
• Alignment of Dane County’s Regional Housing Strategies with Fitchburg’s Housing Plan, Initiatives, and Programs
• Fitchburg’s evolution to a full-service City

Download Mike’s presentation

Global Connections through Local Hosts both Domestic and International: The Power of Friendship Force

January 14, 2026

Jan Barbone, Outreach Coordinator

Discover how Friendship Force WI-Madison transforms travel into a powerful tool for cultural education through its unique model of reciprocally hosted homestays. In this inspiring talk, you’ll learn how the organization connects people from different countries, not as tourists, but as guests in each other’s homes—breaking down stereotypes, building lifelong friendships, and fostering true global understanding. Whether you’re passionate about intercultural exchange or curious about meaningful ways to explore the world, this speech will show how hospitality can be a bridge to peace.

You will:

• Learn how homestays create authentic cultural immersion beyond traditional tourism.
• Embrace the concept of reciprocal hosting and its impact on mutual respect and empathy.
• Discover how you can participate in or host an international exchange.
• Walk away with a renewed sense of how grassroots connection can shape global citizenship.

Behind the Counter: Making Sense of PBMs, Prescription Costs, and the new Fitchburg Family Clinic

November 12, 2025

Thad Schumacher, Pharmacist and Owner of Fitchburg Family Pharmacy

Curious about why your prescriptions cost so much, or why insurance covers some but not others? Thad Schumacher will explain how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) affect drug prices, and how you can cut costs. He will also outline the membership benefits of the new Fitchburg Family Clinic.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear understanding of what PBMs are and how they influence your medication costs
• Practical ways to save on prescriptions and out-of-pocket expenses
• Information about Fitchburg Family Clinic’s primary and preventive healthcare services