Assembly Meeting Minutes - 11/30/2021

Brian W. opened the meeting at the Grist and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance followed with the Four-Way Test.

1. Kyra Lostetter – 3^rd reading
2. Beth Naughton – 2^nd reading

not present

Raina

Sandy M

​​​​​​​Aaron G.

 

Birthdays – Ed and Eli

 

Birthday raffle – Dec 7^th for November birthdays; Janine, Jim, Ed & Eli. Scott E did his earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program

 

Dr. Laura Alwin,  President, and Sue Johnson, 

Unity Project Action Committee (UPAC) Community - Police Partnership Committee Co-Chair, of the Unity Project in Fort Atkinson visited The Lake Mills Rotary.  

 

The Unity Project's  mission is to increase Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion in the community. The Unity Project has a dedicated, and strong, history of being “change-agents”. They use community volunteers to help foster positive changes.  The Unity Project always looking to expand cultural experience, and integration, within our community.

 

Dr. Laura started by saying, 

"Let me ask you a question.... What's your PROBLEM? What is something you want to resolve?"

 

When she made a move into a new hometown and kept hearing 3 words (racial slurs) over and over again.  She knew she had to act and help make a change.  She knew this was a community problem.  

 

She gathered leaders of the community for a night of pizza to discuss her concerns and strategies for resolving it.  She knew she had to DO SOMETHING!  They were all onboard and starting working together to implement changes.  

 

Dr. Laura spoke about a few key projects they were recently involved in helping make an impact in the community.  

 

1.  UPAC School Partnership Committee works hard to  build, and foster, relationships with the Fort Atkinson School District.  

 

Through partnerships with Scholastic Books, $1000 Grant from the United Way, and a $15,000 Grant from Fort Community Credit Union, they were able to supply a wide array of books  to reflect diversity in the heritage of students to public schools.  

 

 

2.  Started a Community-Police Partnership team  to work with the community and local law enforcement to :

FURTHER EQUAL JUSTICE

BUILD BRIDGES OF COMMUNICATION

FOSTER BETTER UNDERSTANDING

Sue Johnson, committee Co-chair, shared some of the ways The Unity Project is working to build bridges and improve communication.   The goal is to make sure everyone, regardless of their heritage or skin color feels safe and is treated fairly.  

 

The Unity Project has also been involved in:

• Tacqueria De Amor Fundraiser for a local family with a mother and son battling cancer.  
• Potluck at Hispanic Church--making  positive changes to building better
• ANNUAL FORT FALL FIESTA-2021 limited to 30 booths--100% BILINGUAL
• Annual Community Dance for Differently Abled
• Partnered with MATC to form a committee of Hispanic Leaders to develop programs focused on enhancing the experience and ability to learn. 
• Helped organize Pride Events in Madison

 

One of the most impactful projects that has helped lead to positive changes is when Derek Barsaleau, former White Nationalist Leader and Unity Project Action Committee (UPAC) Director was interviewed by Black Professor, Dr. Ozalle Thom of UW-Whitewater.  

 

Words of advice from Dr. Laura and Sue on how to get started to make a positive change or impact...

"just get started and others will follow you" 

"do something"

'find like minded people and go for it"

Thank you to Dr. Laura Alwin and Sue Johnson for joining us to share more information about the Unity Project. 

If you would like to learn more, get involved, or make a donation, please visit the website https://www.fort4all.com/