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            Courier Publisher Dave Braton and Editor Nancy Newhoff will explain how the local newspaper is dealing with new competition both for news and adverising at a time when younger residents are going elsewhere for news.

            The Courier is part of Lee Enterprises operates 49 daily papers, 300 weeklys and specialty publications in 23 states.

At our October 5 meeting, Program Chair Amber Jedlicka will deliver checks to the three organizations we selected to support at our spring Hops and Grapes Event.

             The three are the Cedar Valley Food Bank, the Boy Scouts and the Boys and Girls Club.

            Representatives of the three groups will return October 12 to explain how our funds will be used.

            Meanwhile, Membership Chair Tom Arthur hopes members will make an effort to invite guests to the October 5 meeting to hear the presentation by Courier Publisher Dave Braton and Editor Nancy Newhoff about how they plan to adapt to the digital era.

Our club has honored to have two amazing guests Monday at Landmark Commons.  Julie Ehlers from Iowa's Bravest and Major Beth Behn, on leave from her 2nd tour of duty in the Middle East addressed our members.

Matthew Wilde from the Courier was also in attendance, and provided a great story in Tuesday's edition, which you can read here.

After several years of inactivity, there's interest again; can we participate?

For several years our club participated in Rotary's International Youth Exchange long-term program. But in recent years with concerns about terrorism, it has been dormant. Now we have two Waterloo students interested in spending a year abroad, but for them and others to participate, we need to agree to take one or more inbound students.

The long term program is open to students ages 15 - 18 ½ for one academic year when they live with host families and attend a local school. Applicants need to be above average with demonstrated leadership in the community who are open to new experiences, be sponsored by a Rotary club and complete a written application and in-person interview.

While there is no fee to participate, students and their families must provide round trip airfare, purchase a health and accident insurance policy, receive a passport and student visa and have a minimum amount of spending money. Our district sets this amount at $4,200 regardless of the student's destination to equalize costs for all students. Most clubs who receive students provide an allowance and opportunities to travel.

Rotary's youth exchange program in our district has joined the Central States Youth Exchange Program which coordinates efforts to comply with U.S. law and to expedite visas.

One of the major stumbling issues in past years has been the difficulty in finding three or four families to host inbound students. There's no doubt that hosting a student can be a burden for the family, but those who have done so in the past say it's a very rewarding experience and frequently they host a second or third student.

The youth exchange program is not funded by the Rotary Foundation so it is open to sons and daughters of Rotarians. Students with knowledge in a foreign language are frequently but not always placed in a country where that language is common. But placement depends on the district chair's ability to negotiate an exchange with that country.

If you know of someone who is interested in applying, direct them to www.rotary.organd click on the heading "students and youth for details. They can also contact Mike Hamilton, the district chair, at lai@ncn.net. The interview process normally begins in November.

            Membership Chair Tom Arthur has asked members to bring a guest on the 5th and so far about 15 have agreed.

            As he explained Monday, new members are the life blood of our club and he hopes to induct 40 this year for a net gain of 20. Thru September we've added two and lost two.

            Because of the hoped for large turnout, please let Kelli know so she can be sure to have enough meals. Call 234-1440 or e-mail her at waterloorotary@waterloorotary.com.