RSVP's mission is to make a positive impact in the community by recruiting volunteers 55 and older to help deliver priority services to people of all ages, providing Dane County with a valuable resource.
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Seeing
History through the Eyes of our Seniors
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Each spring, a handful of RSVP volunteers come together at James Madison Memorial High School to take part in a very special Oral History Project. Year after year, JMM teacher Robin Staley hosts volunteers to be part of her history lesson for the day. For several, participating in this project has turned into a commitment that has spanned the decades. "
Last year I walked around among the oral interview groups, getting a little misty-eyed about perhaps not seeing some of these people again," said Robin. "We are reaching that point in terms of their ages. A few of these people...have been coming in for me for 20 years, so I feel pretty attached to them."
The volunteers, who are all in their 80s, 90s, or even 100 years old, spend the entire school day participating in small group interviews with nearly 100 students in total, on what their lives were like during the Great Depression and WWII. The students then compile a written documentation of the oral history. Robin mails out a copy of the reports to each of the participating volunteers for them to keep and share with their family. In turn, it's hoped that the students will continue to share and discuss the history they have learned through the volunteers' stories.
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Volunteers who participated in the annual Oral History Project at James Madison Memorial High School on May 5, 2017.
Standing: Myron Anderson*, Fannie Hicklin, Marilyn Celeschi, William Payne* and Robin Staley (JMM teacher).
Sitting: Fred Leidel*, Permela Lee DeSpain*, Mary Kraak* (
*RSVP Volunteer)
RSVP Volunteer Not Pictured: Robert Coffin
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Talking with Robin and the students, it's clear they are excited to have the opportunity to hear about history from someone who lived it, versus learning out of a textbook. This year, we were especially lucky to have Emma Wathen, an advance production student from the Department of Communication Arts at UW-Madison, volunteer her time and talents recording this year's Oral History Project interviews. Emma rotated from group to group and captured segments of each of the volunteers' stories. She is in the process of compiling a very special video that will not only be shared with our volunteers and their families, but also future history classes and community members.
DeForest Middle School also hosts an annual history project. RSVP volunteers visited the school in May and shared their life experiences with the students. The project focuses on perseverance and overcoming life's obstacles. The middle school students interviewed the volunteers and then completed a PowerPoint presentation to share with them when they're invited back the following week. It was great to once again witness the appreciation these students had for hearing history through senior community members.
Today's students clearly understand what a treasure it is to have these individuals volunteer their time and share their stories with them. As Andy Rooney once put it, "The
best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person."
Volunteers are needed to serve in many capacities within the Intergenerational Program. If you are interested in volunteering with children, or for more information about any of RSVP's Intergenerational Volunteer Opportunities, please contact Andrea Beaster at 608-441-7894 or email at
abeaster@rsvpdane.org
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Triad Crime Prevention &
Safety Conference & Expo
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Triad of Wisconsin/RSVP Triad of Dane County's 15th Annual Crime
Prevention and Safety Conference Expo
Taking Positive Steps in Uncertain Times: Learning to Stay Safe
Friday, September 22, 7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
American Family Insurance Training Center, 6000 American Parkway, Madison $35/$25 for age 60 + Includes continental breakfast and lunch
Plan to join other seniors, area law enforcement officials and senior
agency staffers for this important conference on crime-related and safety
issues that affect older adults.
The day will include a
Welcome by Rock County Sheriff, Bob Spoden on
"Why Law Enforcement Needs the Community and Why the
Community Needs Law Enforcement" at 8:45 a.m. and a Keynote speech by
Trudy Gregorie, National
Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Executive Director and National Triad
Association Board Member on "The Value of Triads for Community Response and Prevention of Crimes That Target Older Adults" at 9:00 a.m.
Workshop topics will include elder abuse, safe driving strategies, psychology used by con artists, heroin/opioid treatment projects, tools for tech savvy seniors, elder depression and suicide, identity theft, personal safety tips, aging in place, hoarding, and elder rights project.
Major Sponsors: Old National Bank, Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Foundation, Ho-Chunk, Area Agency of Dane County, Dane County Sheriff's Office, Triad of Wisconsin, RSVP of Dane County, Corporation for National & Community Service
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Thanks to our major Sponsors
MG&E and
Ho-Chunk Nation
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Important Dates
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RSVP Events
Friday, Sept. 22
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Triad Crime Prevention and Safety Conference and Expo
American Family Insurance Training Center
Thursday, Oct. 26
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
(doors open at 10:30)
RSVP Volunteer Recognition Event
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RSVP's office closings:
Monday, Sept. 4
Labor Day
Bus Buddy Events
available
by appointment, contact Diana Jost, 441-1393 or djost@rsvpdane.org
Cottage Grove:
Free Car Winterization October 21, 8 a.m.-12:p.m.
Meineke Car Care
Call for reservations-839-8588
Cottage Grove Triad
Verona:
Free Car Winterization October 13, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hometown Auto
700 S. Nine Mound Rd.
Car-Fit Program
October 13, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hometown Auto- 700 S. Nine Mound Rd.
This is a program through AARP, AAA or Madison College that determines how you 'fit' in your car for maximum safety.
West Madison:
Free Car Winterization October 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Firestone at West Town 7105 Mineral Pt. Rd. Call for reservations, 441-7897
For more information, contact
Mary Stamstad at
Visit RSVP at Walgreens
Senior Discount Days
RSVP distributes File of Life packets & other info at Walgreens each month. Stop by to
enjoy the senior discount!
Tuesday, Sept. 5
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at
Mineral Point Rd. & Cottage Grove Rd. Walgreens
Tuesday, November 7
11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at
Raymond Rd. and E. Washington Ave.
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Volunteer Now!
Current Opportunities
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Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County
517 N. Segoe Rd., Ste. 300,
Madison WI 53705
608-238-7787
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