The Voice

of Choice
MARC expands
to serve Sauk County

Contents Autumn 2014

On October 27, MARC staff and board president held an

open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the
launch of MARCs prevocational and supported employment
services in Sauk County. Baraboo Mayor Mike Palm and
representatives from the state Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation (DVR), the Sauk county ADRC, the Family Care
managed care organization ContinuUs, and Include, Respect,
I Self-Direct (IRIS), the state self-directed supports program,
participated with exhibits and information about the options
to people with developmental disabilities in Sauk County.
MARC is offering pre-vocational education, on-the-job
training, and coaching in a community job of the consumers
choosing (where they will earn the same wages as their coworkers).

MARC Sauk opens

Fall Fund Drive

MARC TV

Quality initiative

MARC East

MARC West

MARC RAC/RES

Mt. Horeb

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Opinion

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Making a clear choice about their career field and training

path can be a reality just as it is for any other member of the community. With hard work and
dedication, they will achieve their career goals and contribute gifts and talents to their
community, said MARC Program Director Trish Vandre. For all of us, our work life
Continued on next page.

Continued from page 1

is an important part of our personal
identity and what makes life
meaningful. This is no less true for
the employees working with
MARC.
MARC vocational specialists and
instructors spend time learning
about each individuals personality,
likes, dislikes, talents and abilities.
They also assist each person in
determining the type of work they
are interested in doing, what field
they are drawn to and in what type
of setting they prefer to work. Discovery of the areas where additional training needed is then
followed by classroom or hands-on instruction and practice in an actual work environment to
hone their new skills. By the time an employee approaches a potential employer in the
community, they are screened and ready to learn the specifics of their employers operations.
Depending upon the individuals desire and abilities, a coach may continue to provide on-thejob support even after hiring. This eliminates any need for specialized supervision by the
employer.
It is an opportunity to do well by doing good, said MARC Executive Director Russell King.
Employers who partner with MARC benefit from this ready workforce in a number of ways.
King said, The companys business image and standing in the community is enhanced. These
business leaders enrich their current staffs work life, increase employee retention, decrease
hiring and training costs, and perhaps cash in on state and federal tax incentives any and all
of which could boost the companys bottom line.
With MARC, whats good for business is also the
right thing to do.

Contact MARC Sauk

MARC services in Sauk County are funded through

the DVR, membership in the Family Care program
(via ContinuUs, Care Wisconsin or IRIS), or both.
Services may also be purchased privately by
individuals or families.

You can reach MARC Sauk office

at (608) 355-6272.
Baraboo Civic Center, 124 Second
St., Baraboo, WI 53913-2474

Inviting YOU to support MARCs vital mission

The MARC 2014 Fall Fund Drive YES I CAN is underway! Wont you help build a better
community for everyone by donating today?
Yes I can! We hear that often in our programs. We hear it from our participants with
developmental and intellectual disabilities when experiencing the warmth of friendship, the
empowerment of learning, the joy of having even a modest job, or operating a small microenterprise. Yes I can, inspires dreams, transforms lives and deepens our resolve to support
that exclamation.
Such are the miracles that you make happen at MARC. Now in its sixth decade, MARC continues
to expand its programs and services to the community. Without you, we could never have
achieved so much, and your support will write the next
Support MARC!
chapter of our amazing story.
You can send your donation to
MARC relies on the generosity of individuals and
either MARC at 901 Post Rd.,
businesses for support, and we need you to join the
Madison, WI 53719 or donate
hundreds who have sent MARC a donation. You have
online at www.marc-inc.org.
the power to help us achieve our shared goals.

Its not MTV its MARC TV!

In partnership with Channel CW 57, MARC has produced a series of TV commercials featuring
supported employment and the benefits to employers and participants. Each commercial
features a specific benefit including: the high retention rates of people with disabilities in
community jobs; how diversity is enhanced in the workplace by employing a person with a
disability; how our clients are screened, trained, and coached prior to placement in a position in
the community; and how people
with disabilities have a positive
impact on the work environment.
We also shot a fifth commercial
about MARC in general and the
comprehensive services we offer.
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.Continued from page 3

The commercials are airing up to 50 times a month exclusively on Channel CW 57, but you can
find them on Youtube, the MARC web site (ww.marc-inc.org) and the MARC Facebook page.
The more employers find out about the many benefits of employing people with disabilities the
more likely they are to make inquiries and take action on hiring. They will see how many
success stories there are and how employers can build a better community by employing
people with disabilities. Feel free to share the links as widely as you like:
http://youtu.be/YXSEox7wpnU
http://youtu.be/Cq_a_dvscRM
http://youtu.be/DqE71jIsmYM
http://youtu.be/45XXH4r44Mw
http://youtu.be/EFPbXp9wGPo

MARC joins cutting-edge national quality initiative

As MARC is a cutting edge vocational service agency serving people with disabilities, we have
undertaken a new initiative designed to measure the effectiveness of our work against
published national standards and best practices. The measurement of effectiveness for
agencies like MARC is the first of its kind in the US. The program -- called Quality Work
Environment (QWE) -- is directed by the US AbilityOne Commission.
QWE is a goal-setting process aimed at maximizing the potential of employees with disabilities
by focusing attention on four key
areas:
enhancing wages;
providing opportunities for
work of choice;
creating collaborations and
links to community resources;
and maintaining supports
and flexibilities in the work
environment.
Progressive agencies that
Ryan (l) and Patrice (r) enjoy the MARC East trip to the
participate choose to have a
Mayer Farm in October. See page 5 for the story.

Continued on next page.

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.Continued from page 4

SourceAmerica consultant facilitate an agencys self-assessment. The MARC management team
participated in a self-assessment measured against accepted standards and developed a
strategic action plan to improve areas needing further attention or resources. We learned
where we excel, and where we wish to improve.
This year-long process of quality improvement and program participation will result, if
successful, in MARC receiving an AbilityOne/SourceAmerica certificate of achievement that
provides those we serve with added assurance of MARCs high-quality service.

MARC East
Making the most of a beautiful season!
The summer months were even
more enjoyable this year at MARC
East thanks to the gorgeous outdoor
space we now have to enjoy. Many
clients and staff had the opportunity
to be outside, swinging, playing ball,
riding the three-wheeled bikes, and
going for walks on the paved path.
As the seasons change, we are
enjoying the view of the fall colors
out the windows.
In preparation for a favorite holiday
Halloween the MARC East staff
The new MARC Easts outdoor space gives us all including
pulled out the decorations,
Larry (l) and Tami (r) -- a chance to make the most of
including the client favorites Dr.
Wisconsins summer.
Shivers and Little girl. Everyone
at East enjoyed a Halloween celebration with pumpkin carving, costumes, and Boo Bingo.
A recent outing to the Mayer Farm was a great success! MARC participants rode the hay rack to
the pumpkin patch, visited animals, slid down the corn chute, and had lunch outside.

MARC West
MARC staff spreads
the good news
MARC West was recently featured on TV Channel CW 57.
The focus was on the importance of employment for
people with disabilities within the Madison area. Agnes
Meier and Randy Klein presented information how
MARC can best be used to help people with significant
disabilities. Channel 57 reaches homes in 11 counties in
south-central and south-west Wisconsin, including Dane
and Sauk counties. The episode of Talk of the Town can
be viewed at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfpvio4mHW0

Richard (above) and Doug (below)

know how to get every last kernel of
fun from an October trip to the farm.
See the story on page 4.

MARC West case managers

Email is a very effective form of directly communicating.
Here are the email addresses of the case managers for
MARC West:
Yu Cheung Shum -- ycshum@marc-inc.org
Rhiannon Wiegel -- rwiegel@marc-inc.org
Margo Klassy -- mklassy@marc-inc.org
Kim Gobrecht -- kgobrecht@marc-inc.org
Agnes Meier -- ameier@marc-inc.org

MARC RAC/RES
The governor joins
the Project SEARCH
graduation
Eight Project SEARCH interns
completed a year of internships
within the VA and UW Hospitals in
a ceremony held August 22. Each
intern spoke about his or her
accomplishments over the course
David (r) snaps a happy selfie with Gov. Scott Walker (l).
of the year, and was handed their
certificate by keynote speaker,
Gov. Scott Walker. Walker spoke about the success of Project SEARCH and mentioned MARC as
one of the key partners. A favorite picture from the event was David Kellers selfie with the
governor! David is a big fan of the governor and was very excited about the visit.

New volunteers
The Recreation and Arts Center, at the MARC
Post Road location, has a few new volunteers.
Danielle and Justin, from Brightstar, volunteer
their unique talents on a weekly basis.
Danielle assists with bowling at Middleton
Sport Bowl once a week.
Justin volunteers twice a week. Wednesdays,
he takes individuals next door to the Jenny
and Kyle Preserve for some afternoon fishing,
and on Thursdays from 11:45 to 12:45 he can
be found playing his ukulele or banjo and
singing to a mesmerized crowd in the RAC.
At left, Sue and Eric get in the groove to
Justins musical talents.
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A day of service
MARCs Post Road location in Madison was honored to be selected as a location for the High
Point Churchs Day of Service on October 18. A group of nine volunteers worked from 10 AM
to 4 PM, staying two hours past their scheduled time! They completed a number of badly
needed projects, including weeding the flower beds, painting the stairs, and painting the MARC
van. The group had a great time, and MARC was blessed by the generosity of their time and
talents.

HeartsStrings grant brings beautiful music to our lives

MARC Recreation and Arts Center
(RAC) has once again been awarded a
grant from HeartStrings. The grant
enables the Rhapsodie Quartet from
the Madison Symphony Orchestra to
play in the RAC once a month. Not
only is the music beautiful, it also
touches the hearts of the
participants: At the last performance.
in October, one MARC participant was
so deeply moved that tears were
rolling down her checks as she
listened to the music.
The Rhapsodie Quartet brings
together some of the brightest stars
of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
United in their mission, the members
of the quartet create a fusion of
talent, passion and heart in their
performances.

The Rhapsodie String Quartet, includes MSO CoConcertmaster Suzanne Beia, Principal Viola Christopher
Dozoryst, Principal Cello Karl Lavine and violinist Laura
Burns. These superb musicians make monthly visits to our
community partners, bringing a full season of activities to
residents and caregivers. Participants are engaged in musicmaking and movement activities that are grounded in the
principles of music therapy.

Yahara Bay Distillerys Gallery Night

puts spotlight on MARC artists
The gallery at Yahara Bay Distillery hosted an October fundraiser for artists of MARC. Open to
the public, as part of the MMoCA art walk, this event highlighted three exceptional artists with
creative abilities ranging from photography, to painting, to jewelry work. With MARCs help, the
artists are able to own and operate their own business. All proceeds from the sale of artwork
from the gallery went directly to the business owner/artist.
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Continued from page 9

At the gallery opening, Yahara Bay Distillery

provided free tours of, and samples from, its
facility, along with appetizers, live music, and a
cash bar for guests, with a percentage of
proceeds going directly to the MARC program.
This was the most successful micro-enterprise event in MARCs history, with sales for the three
artists topping out at more than $1,000. The Yahara Bay staff members were also pleased and
said they saw a lot of new faces at Gallery Night, so it was very good for their business. Yahara
Bay is committed to having MARC artists back.

MARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

MARC can accept tax deductible donations. Such donations are typically used
to provide goods or services that would not otherwise be available.

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MARC Mt. Horeb

Celebrating inspirational members of the MARC family!
MARC Mt. Horeb held a Tree of
Caring dedication ceremony, October
14, in honor of two long-time
supporters, Bill and Muriel Olson. The
tree will serve as a way to hold the
Olsons up as inspirational examples
and recognize donors to MARC Mt.
Horeb for generations to come.
Over several decades of service the
Olsons have provided incalculable
dedication of giving to the MARC Mt.
Horeb center. The Olsons financial
and material gifts not only made the
MARC Mt. Horeb building and
additions possible, they also
stimulated a successful hub of activity
Muriel and Bill Olson (l) were thanked and honored by the
for MARC Mt. Horebs day and
MARC Mt. Horeb community as the roots of the Tree of
production services, supported
Caring. Others who donate will have their names
employment presence in the
engraved on the trees leaves. Also pictured are Russell
community, and micro-enterprise client King, MARC executive director, and Trish Vandre, the
MARC Mt. Horeb director.
ventures. The Olsons have served on
MARC boards and committees over the
years and have guided the organization to the success it has achieved. Both Muriel and Bill have
been outstanding community leaders in Mt. Horeb for generations, serving on numerous civic
and volunteer organizations too numerous to name.
MARC plans to duplicate the donor recognition tree display
at all MARC centers. The display will honor those
contributors who have make an impact on MARC and who
inspire others to help build a better community by
supporting programs and services offered by MARC.
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The view from here

Eventually, this dog wont hunt
Russell King, MARC executive director
Its easy to get confused by how government budgets are created, debated and implemented. ,
Mr. X can say Weve increased the bottom line budget for DD. Mr. Y can say The budget for
DD has been cut by 23% over the past 10 years. Oddly, both are telling the truth.
Example: New funding is budgeted for people living with developmental disabilities about to
graduate from high school but not enough new funds are budgeted to cover those services, so
money is shifted from older people already receiving services to the younger folks.
Lets say the DD budget is $100 this year and 50 people are being served. On average, each
participant has $2 available. The budget is increased to $110 for next year, but 15 new people
are to be served. Now even though the total budget increased each has only $1.69
available. Of course, its never equally divided. More likely, those 15 new participants will get
$2 each in services, leaving an average of just $1,60 for the rest.
But wait, theres more! Part of that DD budget increase will pay for new government staff
positions, subsidies for the contract-mandated Living Wage, and other expenditures.
This year, despite a budget increase for DD, agencies like MARC are being told at this writing to cut services to existing participants by almost half a million dollars ($135,000 in local funding,
plus $315,000 in federal matching dollars).
250.00%

Hold on, theres still more! The other way

dollars for DD services are cut is by diverting
them to the Living Wage, the minimum MARC
can pay. That direct diversion is never enough
to cover the Living Wage increase, and the
difference must be made up somehow by
agencies like MARC.

200.00%
150.00%
100.00%
50.00%

The chart here shows how funding for DD

services to existing participants has been cut by
roughly 23% over the past 10 years, and how
the Living Wage has driven up MARCs
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2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

0.00%

Cuts to existing consumers

Increases in Living Wage

minimum wage by more than 220% (not including benefits). See the widening gap between
the red line (money going out) and the blue line (money coming in)? In a very rough way, that
gap shows us what makes our current system unsustainable.
Think of it like a bathtub: So long as the water coming in via the faucet is equal to the water
going out via the drain, you can take your bath; but if the faucet stream grows weaker by the
minute, and water runs down the drain at a quickening pace, it wont be long before youre left
dry and dirty.
In 2014, MARCs Living Wage earners will work just over 79,000 hours and earn just shy of
$900,000 (not including benefits). The Living Wage subsidy will be $12,900 about 16 cents
per hour. The chart below compares the minimum wage to the Living Wage and the mandated
cost to MARC. In broad terms, the unfunded portion of the Living Wage mandate costs MARC
an average of $290,000 every year.
The point is not that MARC employees make too much given the nature of their work, they
should be paid more but that the DD budget funds used to pay for the Living Wage both
fails to pay for the Living Wage and denies services to people who depend on those services.
This dog wont hunt. The tub is going dry. Choose your metaphor. The county has its own
challenges: Act 10 is a barrier; the county offers many vital services and those costs go up, too;
and serving people with developmental disabilities isnt high on every politicians priority list.
Because the people we serve need MARCs services, and because the people MARC employs
need to make enough to live on, waiting for a political miracle simply isnt a luxury we can
afford. And because there is no way to budget-cut our way into a more rational future, MARC is
looking to grow and create its way
forward. Its not an easy task, and
Minumum wage
12
its not a task that can be
10
accomplished by just a few: We
Living Wage
8
need everyone MARC peer
mandate
organizations, brokers, families,
6
guardians, consumers, government
Living Wage
4
subsidy
officials at all levels, employees,
board members, business partners,
2
Hourly cost of
donors and friends to help us
unfunded Living
0
imagine, analyze, plan and create.
Wage mandate
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Lets start today.
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In this, the season of giving, please remember MARC

Gifts of cash
This is the way most donors support MARC. You can send your check to MARC at 901 Post Rd.,
Madison WI 53593 or use our online donation button on the MARC web site: www.marc-inc.org .
Corporate Giving
We are fortunate to have a number of Dane County businesses providing financial and professional
support in the form of underwriting, donation of services, and expertise. We greatly appreciate their
support. As we grow at MARC, our mission will broaden and there will be new opportunities for
businesses and MARC to work together for the community good.
In-Kind Donations
Many individuals and businesses choose to make in-kind gifts or donate professional services. This
enables us to direct more of our resources toward fulfilling our mission.
Gifts by Bequest
A bequest can be made through your will or trust and is the easiest way to make a planned gift. It
can be in the form of a specific amount, percentage, or residue and can be made in honor or memory
of a loved one. Using this method, you keep control of the assets during your lifetime and make the
gift upon death. These gifts will support the future mission of MARC.
Gifts of Stock
By making a gift of stock you can deduct the current fair market value as a charitable gift, avoid the
capital gains tax on the appreciation, and provide support to MARC at the same time. As with a gift
of cash, a gift or stock can be unrestricted or used to establish a life income arrangement such as a
charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A gift annuity is an agreement whereby the donor transfers assets, such as cash or appreciated
securities, to MARC (via the Madison Community Foundation). In return, the donor receives a
guaranteed payment for the rest of the donors life. Gift annuities, which are income-producing gifts,
are popular with donors because they receive a charitable income tax deduction, possible estate tax
savings, a fixed payment for life, some tax-free income for a period of time, and possible capital
gains tax savings. You can also make a gift now and defer having payments made to you until a
future date. This type of gift is called a deferred gift annuity. The rates are generally higher than the
rates on current gift annuities depending upon the annuitants age and the length of the deferral.
Retirement Plans and Life Insurance
Did you know that you can set aside even a part of your
401(k) or life insurance policy as a gift to the MARC Inc.
or the MARC Foundation? Its very easy to do.

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