Member Spotlight!
2024 QUARTER 2 SPOTLIGHT: ERIN WELLS
Mosaic Member: Since 2021
Which Mosaic Sessions or Events have been most valuable to you and why?
There have been so many good sessions and events over the years! I really enjoyed learning more about our community with presentations such as Mai Ger’s presentation on Belonging: Hmong Americans; and History of the People of Wausau with the Historical Society and information on those living with dementia with Scott (ADRC-CW). I appreciate presentations that make me pause and think such as the presentation on “being colorblind” and the importance of using accurate pronouns. The ADRC-CW did a presentation on disability and it offered me an opportunity to collaborate with others and dig into topics as we prepared for the presentation. I learned a lot during the preparation process. The Connecting Communities event is very well done and I enjoyed the various sessions and connecting with others. I’m looking forward to the next Connecting Communities event!
Why Are you involved in Mosaic?
Mosaic offers easy to access trainings regarding diversity and inclusion. I appreciate the range of topics provided. It is important to continue to learn about our community. If we want to serve our entire community, we need to ensure we are knowledgeable and provide service in a way that is respectful to everyone.
How do you incorporate idea+b (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, plus Belonging) into your life?
Professionally and personally, I continue to learn and grow. I recognize that this is a continual process. I am with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin and we serve older adults and adults with disabilities. To be a welcoming agency, we need to understand what welcoming looks like to everyone and provide a respectful environment for customers, staff and everyone that needs our services.
2024 Quarter 1 Spotlight: Ron Alexander
Mosaic Member: 1 year as an individual. The non-profit NAOMI organization, of which I am a part, has been a member from the beginning.
Which Mosaic Sessions or Events have been most valuable to you and why?
I enjoyed the Connecting Communities Conference last Feb. Good information and networking experience! The content of many monthly learning Zooms has been helpful!
How do you incorporate idea+b (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, plus Belonging) into your life?
Person to person focus - building relationships!
Public advocacy - use my voice and feet
Model anti-racist behavior that I strive for!
Why Are you involved in Mosaic?
I value racial justice and equity! Gain power in the struggle and mounting challenges.
2023 Quarter 2 Spotlight: Kira James
Mosaic Member: 1 year
How does your organization incorporate IDEA +B (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, plus belonging)?
At Salelytics we strive to provide our employees with opportunities to make a positive impact on the people we work with and the communities we work in. One of the most effective ways to do that is through our Employee Resource Groups, which are employee led groups that serve as a resource for members, allies & organizations by fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. ERGs offer employees an opportunity to network, address common issues and concerns, and receive support from those who share similar backgrounds, interests, or experiences. Within the last couple of years, we became part of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, where we can advocate and be part of the link between business and government to promote equality and fairness for all. It is critical that this community continue the IDEA+B efforts to bring more people and businesses for this area to grow.
Which Mosaic Sessions or Events have been most valuable to you and why?
Personally, I enjoy the Taste of Wausau series, where I can learn about the various cultures and meeting new people. Professionally it is the monthly webinars. I can utilize snip-its of the videos during our Salelytics POWER of Women’s Employee Resource Group meetings. The Equality in Relationships for Women was fantastic.
Why Are you involved in Mosaic?
I wanted to be more active in the community and bring my experience from my ERG’s to the planning for the first Connecting Communities Conference. I also saw how Mosaic was able to bridge the gap of communication to ensure groups in the area had their events promoted to reach a bigger audience. As for our Sons Of Norway group, we wanted to get more active in the community again, as the last few years shifted our normal.
How many staff participate in Mosaic sessions?
During the live events a couple of people from Salelytics or the Sons of Norway do, however post live, we have 10-50 people viewing the recorded sessions to then discuss their thoughts and experiences.
2024 QUARTER 4 SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Watson
Mosaic Member: Since 2023
Which Mosaic Sessions or Events have been most valuable to you and why?
I have loved the Cultural Threads and the Annual Conference! The speakers and both events were engaging and have me so many tools and information to help me be a better advocate.
Why Are you involved in Mosaic?
The mission of the organization is critical for our community to keep and attract new neighbors and business to the area. Creating inclusive spaces for our residents and enlisting more allies helps in so many levels! Mosaic is an organization who starts these conversations and helps to educate and advocate!
How do you incorporate idea+b (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, plus Belonging) into your life?
I use these concepts all of the time when teaching in the classroom, to voting on policy as an alder to being a neighbor and friend. It’s critical that we celebrate and embrace our differences, we can learn so much from each other.
2023 Quarter 1 Spotlight: Leigh Yawkey woodson art museum
Mosaic Member: November 2021
Why is your organization involved in Mosaic?
As an organization committed to barrier-free visual arts experiences, we feel it is important to reach and be accessible to our diverse local community. We are an organization seeking opportunities to provide more professional development to our staff, because we can’t always provide them in-house. We also feel that it is vital in increase our diversity training. Mosaic helps us achieve this.