Sauk County Institute of Leadership

11/04/2026

Congratulations to Ben Gruber, SCIL Class of 2025. A wise person in his life recently told him, "a great person doesn't seek to lead. They are called to it, and they answer." (Ahem, his daughter)..

We did it! I’m honored to be your next representative to Assembly District 51. I’d like to thank every one of you who showed up and helped out on this campaign. To every one of you who trusted me with your vote, I am honored and humbled. It is a responsibility that I take seriously. Forward!!

11/04/2026

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

All of the ‘failed’ tries carried a lesson that sounded like ‘not this one,’ but had something positive to teach, too - how the text was broken into separate messages, how the weights of the letters contrasted, how they played together in the layout, color choices, spacing, etc.

The accumulation of micro lessons (that had no bearing on anything of consequence, so no pressure), finally spilled out into something that I found acceptable.

In art, as in life, there are many possible solutions to a problem. If we have patience, persistence and the bonus of experience, we can find a better version than what author Ann Lamott calls sh*tty first drafts

11/02/2026

There's no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.

10/30/2026

Happy Friday!

We are overjoyed to have received the following testimonial from a participant in last year's cohort, SCIL Class of 2026

"Having moved to Sauk County from outside of Wisconsin, SCIL's focus on local leadership and communities was most interesting to me, and created a better, broader, deeper understanding of my chosen home. The immersive, interactive components helped me to develop skills and knowledge that were immediately applicable in real life situations."

📸: Sandy and Sara (SCIL Class of 2026) on their walk talk at White Mound County Park in April.

10/29/2026

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

One aspect of leadership that isn't talked about a lot is loneliness.

When we are weighing and making hard decisions, often the people around us or downstream from us don't understand the context and complexity and difficulty of having to make sense of a mess. Where do we turn when we seek insight, support or understanding when we do the gritty, hard work of leadership?

In the absence of people in our circle who 'get it,' the corrosive component of leadership can do a number on our stomach lining.

One of the key components of the SCIL program is to create a safe container for learning and communication. As one SCILster wrote in an evaluation of the retreat: "The connection we make here provides a missing emotional part of leadership. We often decide not to become leaders or don't continue as leaders when that part is missing."

Even the leaders we admire have quiet struggles.

In the second SCIL session, the question was asked of a panel of Sauk County Department Heads: "Who is a leader that you personally admire?"

To a one, they all responded by saying it was Sauk County Administrator Lisa Wilson. They gave their reasons.

Nice.

Sometimes the best compliment we can receive is one that comes to us behind our back. Sometimes the timing makes it more impactful.

I thought it was fitting that I report that positive pearl to Lisa. This year there has been a lot of clanging of swords in the county over the budget. There often is. Sometimes unpopular requests are made. Difficult decisions follow. There can be pain.

Leadership can be lonely.

Lisa's response to the feedback from her department heads? "It's been a rough budget cycle... when support feels scarce in the face of difficult choices, it's good to hear that what I am doing is worthwhile and matters... Thank you!"

For us, reaching out to another with acknowledgment of the challenges and loneliness of leading is, by itself, a leaderly step. We might be able to lighten their load and it costs us nothing.

We're in this together.

I'm just sayin...

10/28/2026

Congratulations to Sara Benton, SCIL Class of 2024, for receiving the Member of the Year award from the Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association. 👏

Upon receiving the award, Sara says, "Being part of WCSEA has given me the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated professionals who are making a difference in the communities we serve."

(And how cool that we received this wonderful news as a tip from a participant in Sara's class).

It seems we are on a roll with alumni receiving awards recently.. any others we should be aware of? Send them to us!

10/26/2026

If you want to have a village, you need to be a villager.

What if the village isn't something you find? What if it's something you build?!

10/23/2026

Happy Friday!

Catch up on all the latest SCIL News in our latest e-newsletter, including Morgan's Notes on Leadership - what makes him lean in to hear more?, a welcome to our new board members, and all about our October SCIL Day.

https://bit.ly/SCIL-Oct-News

10/23/2026

👋 to our current SCILsters all actively engaged during the speed dating with Department Heads session from our October SCIL Day

10/22/2026

Congratulations to John Peruzzi (SCIL Class of 2026) for receiving the Public Health Partnership award from Sauk County Health Department. 👏👏👏

He is also instrumental for organizing Habitat for Humanity's upcoming gala: Raise The Roof! will be held at Ho Chunk Gaming - Wisconsin Dells on Thursday, November 12th from 5:30 to 8:30. There will be dinner, silent, live, and ticket auctions, games, and a presentation celebrating all things Habitat for Humanity.

Tickets and more information can be found at hfhwisconsinriver.org.