Monday Morning

We had 20 members at Monday’s meeting along with our guest speaker, Secretary David Ross from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Steve Millin had another “Happy Buck” for the Badgers still dancing in the NCAA Tournament. Gary Miller announced that we had a successful InterClub to the Noon Club last Tuesday. Jackie King was the 50/50 Raffle winner and she drew the Nine of Hearts, not a winner. Next week’s drawing will have 26 cards with five pay cards and a pot of at least $346.

Secretary David Ross, Department of Safety and Professional Services

Secretary Dave Ross drove up from Madison on Monday morning to join us for breakfast and tell us about the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Governor Scott Walker signed the 2011-13 state budget, creating the new Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) – formed by combining the Department of Regulation and Licensing and parts of the Department of Commerce.

DSPS is responsible for ensuring the safe and competent practice of licensed professionals in Wisconsin. The department also administers and enforces laws to assure safe and sanitary conditions in public and private buildings. It provides administrative services to the state occupational regulatory authorities responsible for regulation of occupations and offers policy assistance in such areas as evaluating and establishing new professional licensing programs, creating routine procedures for legal proceedings, and adjusting policies in response to public needs.

The Department licenses and regulates more than 200 different types of credentials. The agency also provides centralized administrative services to nearly 100 boards, councils, and advisory committees. The boards, councils, and advisory committees have varying levels of responsibility and professional oversight based on statutory provisions.