Celebrating 50 Years of Empowerment and Inclusion: VARC’s Golden Anniversary Retreat

A full ballroom of VARC staff from every division at the Chula Vista resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

WISCONSIN DELLS, WI—In a vibrant celebration of community and commitment to its mission of service, disability service provider VARC held its 50th Anniversary Staff Retreat at the picturesque Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells on June 5. The occasion brought together dedicated staff from all corners of the organization, pausing operations at thirteen locations to honor a remarkable milestone—half a century of unwavering support for individuals with varying abilities across southern Wisconsin.

The resort was transformed into a colorful tribute to VARC’s brand and mission, adorned with sunrise-inspired décor in the organization’s signature hues. Eye-catching posters showcasing client success stories, an impressive 30-foot VARC logo photo banner, and an illuminated electric sign created an inspiring backdrop for the day’s festivities.

As the ceremony commenced at 10 AM, HR Director Shai Burzynski took center stage as the day's Master of Ceremonies, warmly welcoming staff to their tables. The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as guests poured into the ballroom, enjoying a delightful spread of hors d'oeuvres and chilled water. President & CEO Elizabeth Filter soon took the microphone, emphasizing the significance of the occasion and the organizational accomplishment of 50 years running. “Today, we not only celebrate our past but also look toward a bright future,” Liz proclaimed, highlighting VARC’s invaluable work over the last five decades.

President | CEO Liz Filter greeted over 200 attendees at VARC's All-Employee Retreat and introduced keynote speaker Tom Thibodeau.

Liz ended her remarks by introducing the program highlight of the morning: an inspiring keynote address by Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at the University of Viterbo. Tom has spent forty years of his career developing and promoting his signature Servant Leadership program and philosophy to students and community leaders on a national stage. The culmination of his efforts resulted in the founding of the first and only Master of Arts in Servant Leadership university degree in the nation. His speaking events are universally well-attended, and VARC leadership was ecstatic to have him deliver his keynote presentation just for VARC, entitled "Services is Love Made Visible."

In this keynote speech, Tom emphasized the importance of service to our clients, as well as the foundational role it plays in supporting those who provide the services. There were interactive moments during the talk when the room broke off into groups and engaged with each other about service, connection, and growth through mutual support.

Tom Thibodeau graced the stage at the VARC 2025 All-Employee Retreat in honor of its 50th year.

Tom Thibodeau engaging with VARC employees, digging into what it means to serve and what we can do to uplift each other.

Officers from VARC's leadership team followed Tom Thibodeau's talk, presenting the current status and program highlights of VARC's Client Services, Operations, and Human Resources. Shai Burzynski, Director of Human Resources proudly reported a growing department, the rollout of new employee benefits, and the future launching of internships and volunteer programs at VARC.

Shai Burzynski, Director of Human Resources, delivering status updates and new changes coming to VARC's Human Resources Department.

Next up to the podium was Travis Boylen, VARC Director of Operations. Travis expounded on the impressive size of the operations staff across the divisions and the massive impact production has made in Wisconsin communities. "Over the last 10 years, we have served more than 100 unique customers, fulfilled 110,000 orders, and produced a staggering 156 million individual pieces," said Travis. "That’s not just production—it’s consistency, quality, reliability, and trust built over time by each one of you here."

Travis Boylen, Director of Operations, sharing operational updates, anecdotes, and accomplishments to an audience of over 200 VARC employees.

Shelby Neubauer, Director of Client Services, presented current metrics on the breadth of VARC's Client Services, citing an impressive 760 clients organization-wide. She presented the positive results of VARC's annual client satisfaction survey, showcasing an overall 95% client satisfaction rate with the quality of VARC's services. Shelby outlined future initiatives in Client Services, such as the expansion of Transition Services, the increase in ExploreAbility events across the divisions, a revamping of VARC's vocational skills curriculum, an increase in community partners recognized with VARC's Inclusive Employer Award, and further refinement of policies and procedures pertaining to intake referrals, billing practices, and effective client documentation.

Shelby Neubauer, Director of Client Services, presenting the results of VARC's latest Client Satisfaction Survey, and exciting department goals for VARC's Client Services Program.

The day also included a celebratory luncheon featuring a delectable two-course meal, accompanied by the excitement of a scavenger hunt that fostered team spirit and connection among staff. The winner, Lori DeVries from the Racine Division, walked away with a delightful gift basket, adding a touch of fun to the gathering. As they dined, guests enjoyed snapshots and scenes from a retrospective photo slideshow depicting VARC's origin story from 1975 onwards.

After lunch, VARC Director of Strategy Megan Tully led an interactive session titled “Shaping Our Future Together,” encouraging table discussions about future goals aimed at enhancing the daily experiences of VARC staff across every program and division. Each breakout group coalesced their responses and read off suggestions for improvements, small and large, as leadership listened and took notes. In a post-event survey, staff shared that they felt heard, their words were valued, and they enjoyed the opportunity to personally learn more about their colleagues in a relaxed and collaborative setting. "It was a nice activity; a good opportunity to connect with people from other locations," said one anonymous survey taker. These moments of camaraderie built a foundation that supports not only VARC's day-to-day work but also its long-term mission and vision.

Megan Tully, Director of Strategy, leading an interactive discussion on how to enhance the daily experiences of VARC staff throughout every department and division.

The afternoon shone a light on exceptional employees, with awards presented to individuals who exemplify the values of VARC. Sarah Hepp of the Sauk Division received the Rising Star Award, Candace Sikraji of the Racine Division earned the Compassionate Collaborator Award, and Craig Jacobson from the Vernon Division was honored with the prestigious VARC Legacy Award for his over 40 years of dedicated service to VARC. Each recognition was met with thunderous applause, celebrating the dedication and hard work of those who make VARC a beacon of hope and support.

The final surprise of the day came from General Manager Brenda Thorne from the Juneau Division, who presented Liz Filter with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in honor of her compassionate and visionary leadership. Liz's years at the helm of VARC are marked by rapid expansion, innovative changes to the business model, and an increased focus on inclusion and stronger community ties for both our clients and the organization. Liz intimately knows VARC's past, has a strong vision for VARC's bright future, and possesses a passionate team of hundreds strong to help her every step of the way.

The event concluded, and everyone boarded their respective shuttle buses to head home with specially branded swag bags that included branded water bottles and lunchbox coolers. They also returned with good memories, new connections, and a deeper understanding of the scope, size, and impact of VARC.

From their own words, the all-employee retreat was a resounding success. In the aforementioned post-event company-wide survey, staff rated their overall experience as an impressive 4.4 out of 5. It was clear from their feedback that these opportunities to come together matter deeply across all departments and locations, with one employee saying, "[It was] wonderful getting everyone together and being able to see all the different departments in one place." Tom Thibodeau's energizing Servant Leadership presentation was repeatedly praised, with staff calling it "excellent as usual" and "wonderful as always." His words reinforced our collective commitment to service and to uplifting one another.

Events like this reinforce the heart of what VARC is: a team committed to each other and to the individuals and communities we serve. The organization would like to thank everyone who helped to make this milestone retreat such a meaningful day.

Source: Based on results from our All Employee Retreat Post-Event Survey, June 2025.