A 30 year veteran law enforcement officer from Wisconsin, an award winning leader, husband, father of six children, and a survivor, Dave is an experienced and highly regarded public speaker. Dave Funkhouser aims to deliver education, inspiration and motivation to a variety of audiences in both the public and private sector. Dave strives to make every event a memorable experience, placing a large emphasis on inspiring the audience to help them reach their full potential. Get ready to be inspired in an authentic way that leaves you ready to face life's ever-changing challenges. You will laugh, learn, and leave inspired. You will learn to recognize opportunities to grow as a leader You will have a renewed spirit and appreciation of life. You will LEAD!

Dave will be a guest speaker on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at our First Responders Retreat. We are excited for you to hear him talk about what he's been through. He is a great addition to our already great week we have planned. 

Given that the purpose of this retreat is respite and decompression, having access to quiet time and nature with activities like fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and more is a primary focus for our guests. Other options as yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and breathing techniques, sitting by campfires, watching nearby wildlife such as eagles, loons, deer, fox and more will be available. Guests will be able to escape some of the pressures and stresses of work and everyday life and have time to relax and reflect. Peers are made available for support and camaraderie. Guests can stay in cabins with other first responders and peer supporters. Guests will be given time for conversation to share what they are experiencing and realize that they are not alone. 

We hope that the first responders will be able to rebuild self-esteem, know that they are valued and supported, feel encouraged to make a plan going forward that includes self-care and go home feeling recharged and headed toward a better quality of life; something they all deserve.

During our 2022 Fall Retreat, our group took an excursion to the breath taking Bond Falls in the upper peninsula of Michigan.  Listen and watch as our treasurer, Liz Bartholomew, takes a walk down the path towards this falls. Do you notice how the sound gets louder and louder?