What do we mean when we discuss diversity, and how does a greater understanding of the diversity within our local community help us to grow as leaders? These were some of the questions that this year’s Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) cohort met to discuss on November 14^th at the Frank Fischer Senior Center in Wisconsin Dells.

I have a book on my shelf called "Mastery: the Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment" by George Leonard. Mr. Leonard talks about how the pursuit of excellence and mastery at anything requires a lot of practice, patience and a willingness to embrace the plateau. The plateau is that long, dreadful stretch between blips of progress. In our instant gratification culture, we want success to come easily, quickly and in linear fashion. 

Sauk County, October 10, 2024 - “Growth through the gift of others” is how retired Sauk Prairie School District Administrator Cliff Thompson sums up the importance of connection and openness to others’ ideas in leadership. This theme was recurring throughout the October session of Sauk County Institute of Leadership.

The 2024 Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) officially launched on September 12-13 with a retreat at the Durward’s Glen Retreat Center. This program is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders within our community. SCIL brings together twenty participants from throughout Sauk County and from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences to grow together as leaders and individuals.

Reedsburg Leaders receive SCIL Leadership Award

The recipients of the 2024 SCIL Leadership Award are the dynamic duo of Reedsburg City Administrator Tim Becker and Vierbicher Principal and Community Development Consultant Kurt Muchow.  

Pictures can express what words cannot. The Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) conducted its ninth and final session on Thursday, May 9th in Baraboo. Participants now see themselves and their SCILster colleagues differently than they did when they began together in September 2023. The day’s agenda gave them a firsthand glimpse of their growth.

The Sauk County Institute of Leadership is pleased to announce that Jeff Wright, will keynote the SCIL Connect Leadership Lunch: Celebrating 25 Years of SCIL on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The topic will be on “Lessons in Leadership.”

On April 11th the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class met at White Mound County Park for a day themed “Leadership in Nature.” Matt Stieve, Parks and Recreation Manager for Sauk County, started the day with a discussion about the importance of vision, planning and communication in his work. He told several remarkable stories about the acquisition of, vision for and popularity of White Mound Park.

On March 14 the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class of 2023-2024 started their seventh of nine sessions by visiting the Sauk County Law Enforcement Center.

Captain Lewis Lange, Sauk County Jail Administrator, shared the importance of having time to decompress and reset to be a better leader for his staff. One of the jail teams’ greatest assets is having support from their co-workers and their supervisors to help them keep a positive outlook on the daily challenges they deal with as they oversee 10 residents in the Sauk County Jail.

Over and over, members reflected on how important this journey has been for them: how it has allowed them to discover and reaffirm things about themselves that have been invaluable; how SCIL is so unlike any other leadership program that they've been a part of or heard about; and that it's not just another leadership tool kit, it's a journey towards becoming individually and uniquely skilled in the use of leadership tools.

“Do you consider yourself creative?” The opening questions asked at the February 8th gathering of UW Extension’s Sauk County Institute of Leadership in Spring Green, WI. When UW-Madison Extension Sauk County Educator Morgan McArthur asked this question, less than half of the 20 participants said yes.. The conversation continued and participants soon realized that problem solving is a form of creativity, often required in the workplace. Soon, everyone was realizing the important role creativity has in their lives

Reedsburg, WI On January 11th the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) opened the second half of its year with an agenda full of surprises. The class met in Reedsburg to learn about a variety of topics, ranging from factories, county economics, substance abuse and leadership synergy.

A couple of years ago, after introducing the graduating SCIL class to the County Board of Supervisors, one of the supervisors said to me, " I've been watching this program with interest in recent years and it seems to be getting better and better. What do you attribute that to?"

I didn't have to think long (and I didn't have long to think). I suggested that the difference-maker was connectedness.

The topic of the day was Authentic Leadership at the monthly gathering of the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class on December 14th. Participants began the day hungry to know more about this core concept of leadership. By day’s end they were full.

On November 10th the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class of 2023-2024 gathered for a day centered on diversity, equality, and equity. Morgan McArthur, UW-Madison Sauk County Extension Educator and SCIL Facilitator, organized a day that was filled with testimonials, connect-working, and stories that instilled motivation to go out and lead better. SCILsters benefited from presentations by Santo Carfora, Serge Koenig and Lance Tallmadge.

Sauk City, Wisconsin. On October 12, a group of leaders from all corners of Sauk County descended upon the 6:8 Inc. facility in Sauk City. The group is part of the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL), facilitated by UW-Madison Sauk County Extension Educator Morgan McArthur. SCIL is a 9-month leadership program aimed at growing the leadership community within Sauk County.

Durward’s Glen (September 22, 2023) – Twenty local residents and leaders kicked off the 25th year of the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) at a leadership retreat. The retreat, held at Durward’s Glen Retreat Center on Thursday, September 14th and Friday, September 15th, served as the initial team building event. Individuals introduced themselves and shared their leadership story along with what they expect to learn from their SCIL experience.

On Thursday July 13 the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) held their annual SCIL Connect Networking Lunch at the UW-Platteville Baraboo-Sauk County campus. There were over 50 attendees, composed of members of the business community and current and former classmates. The luncheon event offered time for networking, an overview of the SCIL program, and a keynote address.

Join us for a SCIL Connect Networking Lunch! Thursday, July 13, from 11:30 - 1:15pm, at the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Campus. This networking lunch features keynote speaker Brenda DeVita, Artistic Director at the American Players Theatre, who will speak on “Creative Leadership in Extraordinary Times.”

At the graduation ceremony for each cohort, SCIL awards its “Excellence in Leadership” award to either an individual or leadership team that exemplifies the character and principles that you have been studying during the past 9 months.