April 15, 2012

 

 

Richard and Sharon Renk

 

My family has a long history with the WROF, Inc. My father served on the board for many years, so I learned about the WROF through him. When he retired from the board, I joined. I don't remember the exact year, but it has to be 15 years ago or longer.

For as long as I've been serving on the Board, one of the biggest challenges we face is being able to award scholarships in meaningful amounts, as the cost of college tuition continues to rise. In fact, a recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal stated, "The cost of college has far out-paced inflation over the past five decades, making it harder for students to work their way through college and come out debt-free, or even with manageable debt." (Read the full article)

My wife Sharon and I are great believers in giving back, and we also understand the importance of education, which is why we are such strong supporters of the WROF, Inc. We've had a good life, we're comfortable, and feel the best thing we can do is to give back to the community.

What really invigorates me is when our scholarship recipients come in and share their stories with the Board. I enjoy seeing how they've matured as a result of a college education, which we helped them obtain. People and their stories...that's what starts my engine in the morning. It's not about selling stuff and making money. It's about relationships.

The world has changed. We're not isolated here in the U.S. We're part of a world economy, and we have to compete in education...with China, with Russia, you name it. It's not me that's going to be competing, either. It's going to be our young people, and they have to be equipped. If we don't equip them, they will fall by the wayside.

Alanna Kolloshek is a past recipient of a WROF, Inc. scholarship. She now works as the stewardship coordinator for the Aldo Leopold Foundation, a conservation nonprofit located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. She manages the 600 acres of land that surround the Aldo Leopold Shack, a re-built chicken coop along the Wisconsin River where the Leopold family stayed during weekend retreats, which is now designated a National Historic Landmark. Kolloshek's job includes timber and prairie management, prescribed burning, invasive species control, and more.  She is also a supervisor and a mentor, overseeing the 9-month internship positions that ALF hosts, as well as several summer internships.

Kolloshek knows firsthand how important quality internships are, because her own career with Aldo Leopold Foundation began with an internship, which she accepted after earning her bachelor's degree in Forestry with an emphasis in Ecosystem Management and Restoration, and a minor in Conservation Biology, from UW-Stevens Point in 2004. She accepted the stewardship coordinator position in 2007.

In addition to working on Aldo Leopold Foundation-owned land, Kolloshek also works with private landowners across southwest Wisconsin through a regional collaborative called the Driftless Forest Network, a project she joined in 2010 after completing her master's degree in Natural Resource Policy and Planning. 

"As part of this project I work to better understand the reasons private landowners may or may not be actively involved with land stewardship, and how conservation professionals can be more effective at connecting owners with the resources they need to achieve their goals for their land," Kolloshek explains.

Kolloshek truly appreciates her work. "I am continuing to enjoy the many opportunities and experiences that come my way here at the Aldo Leopold Foundation and feel fortunate to have found such a great environment to work in," she says. "I want to express my gratitude to the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. for investing in my future and supporting my career goals!"

In her free time, Kolloshek works on stewardship projects on her own land, and enjoys hunting, fishing, reading, practicing yoga, and helping her parents with their greenhouse business. 

"Think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege." These words were spoken by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and really sum up what supporting the WROF, Inc. is all about. It is really our opportunity to make a MAJOR DIFFERENCE in the lives of young people striving to further their education and experiences in a variety of ways -- then all strengthening our rural Wisconsin heritage and adding to our rural vibrancy after they finish.

The WROF, Inc. has some very special investment packages now that provide individuals, organizations and companies with a chance to establish a named endowment for $10,000-$20,000 and have their support matched. So if your local rural organization has some dollars, but not really enough to get the job done, consider investing them with the WROF. You can designate the educational opportunity and location within Wisconsin. Recipients must be Wisconsin residents. 

We also have some wonderful matching opportunities right now for annual gifts -- yes -- one-time chances for gifts of $1,000 - $5,000 to be matched for immediate one-time use. Your gift could have an impact this coming September! 

The best way to understand all the options is to have a visit. I can help you sort out what maximizes the power of your giving -- a privilege indeed!