What would you think if I told you that local elections are the most important kind of elections, even outweighing national elections? Believe it or not, you can make the most change happen here at home by just participating in your local elections!

Unlike national elections, local elections help us in two ways:

*First, local elections help us acquire and improve needs that are specific to our area, like infrastructure, referendums, health and human services, education, and public works like water and electric.

*Second, local elections help us change the way leadership is structured and renewed. As outlined by the Campus Election Engagement Project, this includes positions like Mayors/City Managers, City Council Members, Judges, and even School Board Members and the Superintendent of Schools.

As community members and stewards of our communities in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, West Bend and Green Lake, it is our duty to realize the importance of civic engagement like voting in our local elections, as well as acting upon that importance. We all want to see changes in our community happen, so it is time for us to be that change!

Let us all do our civic duty and vote on April 6^th. To make our communities a brighter place, in order to harbor a better future for generations to come. We owe it to ourselves, our community, and our future.

For more info on upcoming April elections

this post was written by Cortland Henning and submitted by Anne Lemke

When MPTC Leadership Development student Nikki Toombs needed to choose a service learning capstone project, she knew just what she wanted to do! Nikki said, “I chose to take on this project because I wanted to help people who are going through tough times in our Ripon community. I also know the effects stress can have on a person — that is why I love the food pantry and what they do for those who could use a helping hand.”

Nikki designed an entire food drive event for the Ripon Community Food Pantry, complete with gathering a volunteer team, creating a logo, facebook page, web postings, business contacts database, silent auction fundraiser, flyers and outreach plan.

Nikki’s project helped the Ripon community gather 876 pounds of food donations at Webster’s Marketplace and raise $722 through the silent auction and monetary donations. Way to go!! One special donation was made in memory and honor of Ron LeMahieu; to help his family always remember the moments and love they shared. Nikki stated, “I think the little things, like a simple “thank you” go a long way. I have received some great feedback from people. My goal of getting the community together to support those in need is being recognized and I am achieving my goals!”

Congratulations on your successful project Nikki and on earning an MPTC Gold Community Impact Award for over 100 hours of service!

Find out more about Nikki’s project in the Ripon Commonwealth Press.

Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success.  The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real world environment. 

In 2018, MPTC started a community impact awards program where students can track their service hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, or Presidents Award for 200 hours of service learning or volunteering.

This fall we have awarded our third President’s Award Winner – Barbara Turner! Barbara earned the President’s Award with over 240 volunteer hours. For her exemplary service, Barbara was also recently honored with the Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader Award.

Barbara plans to graduate in May 2021 with her Associate Degree in Business Management. She has already earned an associate degree in Leadership Development.

Upon receiving the President’s Award, Barbara stated:  “I am very grateful and honored to receive this award. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mary Vogl-Rauscher, Leadership Development Instructor in MPTC, and Tracy M. Propst, the Executive Director in Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce, for the volunteering opportunity.” President Bonnie Baerwald said, “Barbara consistently demonstrates that she is a committed, dependable, hard-working individual with a high degree of integrity. She brings a positive attitude and a natural curiosity to plan, learn and do – no matter what the task or project. She has a tenacious gift to persevere and a real desire to make a difference in this community. Barbara has a proven track record for success and has demonstrated her commitment to lifelong learning and volunteerism.”

Congratulations Barbara!

It’s almost that time again! Spring Elections in WI! The Spring Primary takes place on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The main Spring Election takes place on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Besides local races that are important in your own community, statewide we are voting for WI State Superintendent of Schools and WI Circuit Court.

For more information on WI Voting go to My Vote WI.

For detailed info on all the candidates, visit VOTE 411.

Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) is a national nonpartisan project that helps administrators, faculty, staff and student leaders at America’s colleges and universities engage students in federal, state and local elections, working to promote a more equitable and inclusive democracy, and to overcome the ever-changing barriers to voting.  With support and guidance from our state directors, our schools help their students to register, volunteer in campaigns, educate themselves on candidates and issues, navigate confusing voting laws, and turn out at the polls.

Did you know?

*70 percent of cocoa is produced by small holder farmers in West Africa, primarily Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Indonesia, Brazil, and Ecuador are also major cocoa-producing countries.

*Cocoa trees take about five years to reach peak production and can continue producing at that level for about ten years.

*Chocolate is made from the seeds of cocoa pods, a tree-grown fruit. After harvesting, the seeds are removed from the pods and processed (fermented, dried, then roasted).

*It takes about 500 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate. In an average year, a cocoa tree produces enough fruit to make about two pounds of chocolate.

An estimated two million children work on cocoa farms. Up to 40 percent of these children are not enrolled in school. Many Cocoa farmers are exposed to numerous hazards, including dangerous tools, dust, flames or
smoke, hazardous chemicals, and physically demanding labor. Fair Trade standards prohibit child labor, and community development premiums are often used to improve access to education. Fair Trade standards also prohibit harmful chemicals and provide a framework for environmental sustainability. The Fair Trade minimum price protects farmers against market volatility by ensuring a minimum sale price for their crops.

We love chocolate and other products made with cocoa. It is part of our daily lives. At the same time, many people do not know how tough cocoa farming is, nor do they know the impact of choosing one chocolate bar over another. By choosing chocolate with the Fair Trade logo, you are standing up for the people and places involved in the cocoa industry.  MPTC bookstores carry Divine Chocolate bars. Look for the Fair Trade logo on all chocolate you buy at your grocery store or local market.

Find out more about Fair Trade and MPTC Fair Trade College!

As decreed by U.S. presidential proclamation, January 2021 is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. January is also known as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This is the time for each of us to learn about human trafficking in our city, state, nation and world, learn to learn to spot the signs of trafficking, and how we can help.

Did you know that Wisconsin is in the top five states for sex trafficking? The Highway 41 corridor from Chicago to Twin Cities has long been a “hotspot” for trafficking through our state. The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Human Trafficking Initiative is to make Wisconsin inhospitable to human traffickers and to support victim-centered strategies and partnerships throughout the state.

What is Human Trafficking?

• Human trafficking is the misuse of other people. This often happens for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Trafficking can occur at any age.
• Human traffickers often recruit vulnerable youth with force or deception. They may exploit youth through fraud, abuse of power, control, violence, or physical abduction. They may also threaten the youth or their family. Economic pressure can make a person more vulnerable to being trafficked.
• Trafficking occurs in cities, suburbs, and rural areas. It is a worldwide issue.
• Many youth who are being trafficked do not see themselves as victims. They may not realize they are being trafficked. From WI Dept. of Children and Families.

Globally, Fair Trade addresses child labor and human trafficking. As a Fair Trade College, MPTC is committed to education on anti trafficking. To learn more about efforts throughout our area please contact 5 Stones Fox Valley or any member of the MPTC Fair Trade College Team.

Thanks to MPTC Beta Mu Kappa Academic Honor Society students, 55 area kids will have warm winter mittens this winter season. Students hosted a Mitten Tree drive at all 3 campuses over the past month, and delivered the donated mittens to Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac and Boys & Girls Club of Washington County Jackson site this past week.

Karissa Schneider, Operations Director at Fond du Lac Club said, “We are so thankful for our partnerships with Moraine Park Technical College and this is no different!  Thank you to Phi Theta Kappa for holding a mitten drive to help keep our members hands cozy and warm.”  

Beta Mu Kappa is our local MPTC chapter for the international Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society. Students who maintain a 3.5 GPA or above after obtaining at least 12 college credits are invited to join the honor society. Check out our web page for more information on PTK plus our leadership and community service opportunities.

Way to go Amanda Leslie! For her Leadership Development Capstone service learning project, Amanda put together a virtual pet show fundraiser to support the FDL Humane Society and was able to raise $725! “Join me to support a good cause and possibly win a prize without ever having to leave the house! Donate $5 or more and message me a photo of your pet to enter into our virtual pet show and help raise money for FDL Humane Society Inc. Your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Winners of the pet show were announced on October 25th, 2020 on a virtual event! Thank you for your support!

Amanda’s instructor, Mary Vogl-Rauscher said, “Very Impressive Amanda!! You are a Rock Star!!” Associate Dean of Business, Bobbi Fields, said, “Amanda – I want to congratulate you on the success of your project and to thank you for your contributions to the community. I am very supportive of service learning and greatly enjoy hearing stories of how students effectively leverage the projects to enhance their education and their community. Undoubtedly, you have promoted your own professional profile; however, I see the benefits of your altruistic project yet another amazing outcome of your project. Again,  thank you applying the leadership skills you have gained in Mary’s program to promote your community. “

Amanda said, “The reason I chose this project is because I have always been passionate about animal welfare and rescue. Animals are precious to me and I want to help any way I can to aid in their protection.  We are in unprecedented times with this pandemic and many non-profit organizations, such as the Humane Society, have had to close their doors to the public and cancel upcoming public fundraising events.  This has deeply impacted them financially.  Therefore, my project was a fun alternative means to engage the community and help provide financial aid to an organization that does amazing work providing humane care and protection to animals in need, while keeping supporters safe in their own homes. The virtual pet show had an element of convenience and engagement for my supporters by having them share photos of their beloved companions in the contest, rather than simply asking for a donation.  There was 5 different categories they could enroll their pet into, which allowed for creative freedom and 5 chances to win. It was an encouraging experience interacting with so many individuals who had a similar passion and love for animals as me. There was so many generous donations from supporters resulting in a total of $725 and I can’t thank them enough!” 

Congratulations on your Bronze Award for Student Community Impact Amanda!

Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success.  The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real world environment. 

MPTC encourages students to participate in our community impact awards program where students can track their service learning or volunteer hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, or Presidents Award for 200 hours!

In the 2020 fall semester, despite all the Covid-19 challenges, 16 students earned awards and logged over 900 hours of service!

Congratulations to our Fall, 2020 award winners!

Bronze Award Winners

Completing 25-49 hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Megan Andrew, Medical Assistant
• Corrine Chalker, Medical Assistant
• Courtney Dickow, Medical Assistant
• Alexis Erickson, Medical Assistant
• Tanya Johnson, Medical Assistant
• Cindy Krueger, Medical Assistant
• Maggie Landowski, Leadership Development
• Amanda Leslie, Leadership Development
• Emily Lewis, Medical Assistant
• Whitney Liegl, Medical Assistant
• Kelly Pike, Medical Assistant
• Megan Ryals, Medical Assistant
• Barbara Turner, Leadership Development
• Rachael Wagner, Medical Assistant
• Allexis Wegner, Medical Assistant

Silver Award Winners

Completing 50-99 hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Megan Andrew, Medical Assistant
• Corrine Chalker, Medical Assistant
• Courtney Dickow, Medical Assistant
• Cathryn Kuslits, Medical Assistant
• Barbara Turner, Leadership Development
• Allexis Wegner, Medical Assistant

Gold Award Winner

Completing 100-199 hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Barbara Turner, Leadership Development

President’s Award Winner

Completing 200+ hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Barbara Turner, Leadership Development