GET INVOLVED
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How May We Help You?
DO GOOD IN THE INDUSTRY
Volunteer
There are countless ways to make meaningful contributions to the restaurant industry as a volunteer.
WRA volunteer involvement includes advocacy and political outreach, supporting student education events, working directly with high school students, event support for statewide outings or career fairs, promotion of community programs, organization leadership and more.
- Advocacy & Political Action
- Student Connections
- Community Leadership
Your time and talents are incredibly valuable toward helping build our industry's future workforce, voicing your perspective on critical issues, supporting resources for restaurant operations and gaining momentum as a charitable industry.
TELL YOUR STORY
ADVOCACY & POLITICAL ACTION
The most powerful way to influence lawmakers is for restaurant operators to tell their story first-hand and explain how proposed legislation will affect their business. In-person testimony as well as email, letters and calls from restaurant operators are critical to WRA’s lobbying efforts on the local and state level.
WRA is always looking for operators and managers to contact lawmakers on issues affecting the restaurant industry and small business—whether by testifying at public hearings, attending Advocacy Day events or sending personal communications. You make a difference just by telling your story.
Student Connections
ProStart® Program
Wisconsin’s ProStart® Program is a high school curriculum and mentoring program introducing students to career skills in the restaurant and hospitality management industry. Over 100 Wisconsin schools, serving 6,300 students, currently participate.
Many restaurants have found ProStart students to be motivated employees who often become their best performers. These students commit themselves to the industry and are armed with foundational skills for success in foodservice roles.
Help inspire tomorrow’s chefs, managers, operators, suppliers and educators by getting involved in ProStart. You'll build the next generation of employees and make a lasting impact in the lives of others.
A PROFOUND IMPACT
CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
Share your expertise with students.
- Be a guest speaker in the classroom
- Conduct a hands-on demo for students
- Offer a field trip to your place of business
- Access an interested pool of employees
REAL-WORLD INSTRUCTION
BE A PROSTART MENTOR
Give back by teaching valuable skills.
- Coach a student competition team
- Provide real-world experience
- Train an enthusiastic workforce
- Make a lasting impact on students’ lives
INDUSTRY RECRUITMENT
VOLUNTEER AT EVENTS
Connect with future employees.
- Assist with student competitions
- Participate in career fairs
- Sponsor the career expo for students
- Volunteer at fundraising events
STUDENT COMPETITIONS
ProStart Invitational
The Wisconsin ProStart Invitational offers a chance for students participating in a ProStart Program at their high school to show off their culinary or management skills. The winning teams in each category receive scholarships and travel support as they represent Wisconsin at the National ProStart Invitational.
Volunteer support stretches across many aspects of this exciting competition—including event sponsor, product donor, equipment support, judging, student education, demonstration touchpoints and more. Your help is invaluable.
CAREER FAIRS FOR STUDENTS
PROSTART CAREER & INDUSTRY EXPO
The WRA Education Foundation's ProStart Career & Industry Expo introduces hundreds of high school students to careers in foodservice. Attending students build their skills through fun, interactive and educational experiences and learn about the many opportunities this industry can provide.
Attend, participate or sponsor the ProStart Career & Industry Expo for students to position your company in front of a pool of motivated young employees. Your involvement offers direct access to potential employees and future leaders in the foodservice industry.
INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Your volunteer time and efforts are put to great use for a good cause: improving Wisconsin's foodservice industry. Whether you're considering helping with event outings, connecting with a local network of restaurant pros, becoming a leader of a quality organization or diving into community non-profit support, WRA has a variety of opportunities to give back.
OUTINGS
EVENT SUPPORT
WRA and the Education Foundation hold many events throughout the year to help support each organization's mission, raise funds for valued industry programs and provide the chance for foodservice professionals to network.
Event support varies from helping plan an event to promoting an onsite raffle, observing a sporting station, and more. Planners and doers are needed.
LOCAL COMMUNITY
CHapters
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association's local chapters can help you connect and enjoy camaraderie with a community restaurant owners, operators, and managers in your area of the state.
Volunteer to help organize a chapter networking event in your region, plan a fundraiser for a good cause, reach out to restaurants for WRA membership recruitment or serve as a chapter leader.
LEADERSHIP
BOARD POSITIONS
Restaurant operators, industry suppliers and foodservice educators from around Wisconsin hold Board of Director positions for the WRA and its Education Foundation. Board members set organizational policies and provide valuable insight on programs and services.
To participate on the WRA or EF Board of Directors, please contact us. WRA distributes applications when a Board position becomes available.
SUPPORT MILWAUKEE NON-PROFITS
KITCHEN CABINET
The Milwaukee Kitchen Cabinet is a group of informed, active and motivated restaurant operators, helping to strengthen Milwaukee and area communities by partnering with local neighborhoods and organizations.
Restaurant professionals are encouraged to join this group and volunteer for events and initiatives that promote and support non-profit organizations in the Milwaukee area.
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