Offfice of Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2024* Contact:[email protected]? ?
Secretary Godlewski?s Northwest Listening and Learning Tour Highlights the State Office
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Menomonie, WI ? Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski completed a northwest Wisconsin tour last week that made stops in Rice Lake, Prescott, River Falls, and Menomonie. Secretary Godlewski met with municipal clerks, high school students, and faculty and students at UW-River Falls. Having deep roots in northwest Wisconsin, Secretary Godlewski understands how important it is to meet folks where they are and identify ways to best work together. This northwest tour is part of a larger effort to travel across Wisconsin as the newly appointed Secretary of State.

*Dunn County Municipal Clerks?*

Secretary Godlewski hosted local clerks in Dunn County to talk about the roles and responsibilities of Wisconsin?s Secretary of State and share the Secretary?s top priorities. Godlewski highlighted efforts to modernize that will make services more accessible, strengthen civic engagement and education, and expand economic opportunity.?

?The Secretary of State is a position in our constitution that folks don?t know much about. We have been traveling the state talking about how the office can best serve Wisconsin and listening to what people would like to see.??

The Secretary of State is required to work with local clerks and Secretary Godlewski has prioritized meeting with clerks across Wisconsin to identify ways they can best work together and deliver results.?

?Clerks are the cornerstones of our communities and wear many hats from providing vital records, administering county board or city council meetings, to running elections. Their role is critical, yet we are seeing an uptick in clerks resigning as threats and bullying has become more prevalent. As Secretary of State, I want to do everything we can to support our clerks who are public servants doing their best to support their communities and our democracy.?

Clerks in Menomonie

"Secretary Godlewski speaks to municipal clerks in Menomonie"

*Students at Prescott High School*

In Prescott, Secretary Godlewski spoke to students at Prescott High School where Mr. Jeffrey Ryan, a civics teacher, has been inviting elected officials for the past few decades. Past elected officials have included Governor Tony Evers, Senator Ron Johnson, and Senator Tammy Baldwin.? A priority for Secretary Godlewski is civic education and engagement with young people.?

?Our state is only as strong as the next generation, and it's critical we take the time to meet with young people and talk about how the government works and the different roles that are involved.? If the next generation understands our republic and what elected officials do, they will have the tools to be voters and active participants in our democracy,? Godlewski said.?

Secretary Godlewski talked about her role as Secretary of State and highlighted the office's functions:? Apostille and authentication services to ensure Wisconsinites can expand a business or adopt a child overseas, to the working with state records and archives, to supporting local government and strengthening democracy. At the end of the presentation, Secretary Godlewski gave a civics pop quiz and was impressed by the students' knowledge.? ?These ninth?graders really know their stuff and are eager to be engaged. Wisconsin has a bright future with them one day at the helm.? Godlewski said.

9th Grade Civics Students

"2nd period ninth grade civics students get a pop quiz"

*Roundtable at UW-River Falls*

Secretary Godlewski held a roundtable discussion at UW-River Falls with city clerk Amy White. The purpose of the roundtable was to share an initiative the Secretary was developing for students to work for their local clerk.? The program is a partnership between the Secretary of State, local clerks, and institutes of higher education that include colleges, universities, or technical colleges.?

?Young people want to get involved, and working for their local clerk can provide hands-on opportunities for civic engagement that support their local government and support democracy.??

The conversation also provided information on the roles and responsibilities of the Secretary of State and city clerk, as well as their career paths that led them to these important roles in public service.

?Local clerks do important work that is typically not front and center. As a result, young people don?t think about serving as a clerk as a career option. By providing an opportunity for a paid internship or work study position, we can foster an opportunity for students to know more. With many town and village clerks retiring we need a new generation to serve as clerks or with local government.?

The students had questions for the secretary and clerk and shared ways to make the program better.? They highlighted challenges from transportation to the best ways to connect with students about the opportunity.?

?The students are really engaged, and I?m thrilled they see opportunities with public service.?

UW-River Falls article about Secretary Godlewski?s visit can be found here [ [link removed] ].

Secretary Godlewski at UWRF

"Secretary Godlewski speaking to UW-River Falls students and staff"

? An online version of this release is available here [ [link removed] ]. ###


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