Vision

Improved quality of life for all Dane County Citizens through significant volunteer service.

Mission Statement:

To make a positive impact in the community by recruiting volunteers 55 and older to help deliver priority services to people of all ages, providing Dane County with a valuable resource.

History of RSVP:

Included below are highlights and milestones from RSVP of Dane County's history:

1972: RSVP of Dane County is established under the sponsorship of the Dane County Planning Council.
1973: The Colonial Club of Sun Prairie becomes the sponsor of RSVP.
1975: The Driver Escort Program is organized in rural Dane County.
1977: RSVP becomes a self-sponsored 501(c)(3) incorporated agency. Margie Zutter is hired as Group Projects Coordinator.
1978: Mary Stamstad becomes Executive Director of RSVP of Dane County.
1980: RSVP receives a special grant to develop a National Clearinghouse on Intergenerational Programs and to publish a newsletter.
1983: RSVP becomes computerized through a bequest.
1985: The first direct mail fundraising campaign is launched.
1987: RSVP partners with the Madison Police Department to provide volunteers for their information desk.
1988: RSVP receives a national award from Generations United for intergenerational program development.
1990: The City-County Information booth is staffed by RSVP volunteers.
1992: RSVP becomes a founding member of the Wisconsin Intergenerational Network (WIN).
1993: A Senior Youth Alliance grant is received for Service-Learning Projects.
1994: A Summer of Safety grant involves volunteers in many community safety and crime prevention projects.
1995: Triad, a crime prevention and safety program for older adults, kicks off on National RSVP Day.
1997: Mary Stamstad retires after 25 years of service. Rita Meihsner is hired as RSVP's Executive Director.
1998: A new support group, Friends of RSVP, is formed to focus on direct-mail fundraising.
1999: RSVP helps form CSCI - Community Service Center Incorporated - to purchase its current building.
1999: The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is launched with an America Reads grant.
1999: RSVP takes a giant technology step: Each staff member is provided a computer, e-mail, and the web site is launched.
2000: The Driver Escort Program celebrates 25 years of service.
2001: RSVP of Dane County receives the Wisconsin State Literacy Award.
2002: RSVP partners with United Way of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison's Schools of Hope Americorps*VISTA Literary Project.
2003: The first Dane County TRIAD Crime Prevention and Safety Conference is held. David Tetzlaff is hired as Executive Director.
2004: RSVP volunteers perform the first In-Home Safety Assessments and give Disaster Preparedness presentations.
2005: RSVP hires its first Director of Development to enhance fundraising efforts.
2007: RSVP and its partners, United Way of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District, are awarded an AmeriCorps* State grant for the Schools of Hope Project.
2007: RSVP celebrates its 35th Anniversary.