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Program for September 28
by Buck, David

Maj.  Beth Behn, just back from Iraq, will be our program at Landmark Commons.

            Major Behn, a West Point grad, returned two weeks ago from her second tour to Iraq and is currently on a 30-day leave from Fort Carson, CO. She's pictured here with an up-armored Humvee wearing about 50 pounds of productive gear despite a temperature of about 115 degrees.

            Next fall she returns to West Point for a second tour as a member of the faculty. Beth is the daughter of Parke and Marlene Behn of Cedar Falls.

"Teddy" Brings French, US Rotarians Together
by Buck, David


Vive le Rotary

            Teddy, his mother and Antoine (Tony) Pottecher, a member of the Rotary Club of Luxeuill Les Bains in eastern France, were guests in our club Monday. Teddy is on a nine-day visit to eastern Iowa in a quest to learn about farming in the US and about Deere and Company.

            Teddy, 24, suffers from a rare genetic disease which confines him to a wheelchair, but it doesn't slow him down. Members of the Rotary club near his small village raised the funds needed for the trip.

            At the Monday meeting Rotarian Antoine Pottecher delivered a letter from District Governor Marc Lamirey  from Vy le Ferroux and another from club President Catherine Maurice thanking Mason Fromm and others for their assistance. Catherine explained that the 20 members of her club worked for two years to raise the needed funds. One project was selling Rotary umbrellas; another was a concert.

            Also at our meeting Antoine invited members of our club to visit Lexeuil Les Bains, a small town in Franche Comte, 45 miles west of Mulhouse, France.  He presented a 12-minute video of Teddy and his hometown.

            Teddy returns home Friday with a lot of great memories; we who met him are left with a better understanding of the internationality of Rotary, thanks to those 20 French Rotarians.

District Changes Program to Train Club Leaders
by Buck, David

Next year incoming club leaders will participate in a multi-district seminar in Minneapolis

Governor Elect Roger Kueter has announced that next spring incoming club presidents will be part of an improved leadership training program with two districts in Minnesota and will benefit from an expanded program and international speakers. One of the speakers will be President Elect Ray Klinginsmith, an attorney from Kirksville, MO.

Other prominent speakers will include Rotary Director Tom Thorfinson from Minneapolis and former Foundation coordinator Mary Beth Gowney Selene from Madison, WI. Kueter notes, " Built into this working day and half seminar are breakout sessions on numerous Rotary presidential duties and responsibilities.  Additionally, there will be time to visit with presidents from the other two Minnesota/Wisconsin districts plus your own colleague presidents from our district. It will be an opportunity to learn, interact and even have some fun."

The seminar will be held in Minneapolis at the Airport Hilton February 26-27, 2010 and in Dubuque in 2011. Special reduced rates have been negotiated at both locations.

            Our district is one of the last in North America to attempt president elect training seminars (PETS) on it own. By joining the two districts to the north, and by expanding the event, more material will be covered.

            Kueter also plans to adopt another popular idea across the Rotary world-a pre-PETS event to be held on the Iowa Communications Network or ICN to give club leaders a jump-start on goal setting for their year.

            While our district has never traveled beyond its own borders for such an event, Roger expects that the excitement of top speakers and the location will attract all 54 incoming presidents from district 5970. Rotary International requires incoming presidents to attend PETS or a makeup session before they can serve. In some cases where this has not happened, the current club president may have to serve a second term.

To reduce travel expenses, Kueter is working to charter two busses to cross northern Iowa and pick up attendees.

              The two Minnesota districts, 5950 and 5960, are among the most progressive and successful in the entire Rotary world.

            Roger has attended two planning sessions already; among the programs issues settled to date is the selection of a master of ceremonies for the opening sessions-TomWinninger, a former member of the Waterloo club

Three Rotary Seminars in Manchester September 26
by Buck, David


Learn more about club membership development, the Rotary Foundation and ways to improve public relations for your club at free seminars Saturday.

            District leaders will offer three concurrent seminars at the Manchester Country Club this Saturday beginning with registrtion at 9 AM. The program will conclude with a noon luncheon.

            District Governor Gerald Retzlaff from Monticello has urged clubs to send a carload of members from every club to cover all three sessions. It's your chance to learn the latest on three critical subjects. If you're interested in attending and would like to carpool with others, let Kelli know.

             The seminars are free.

Local Charities to Get Their Wine Event Funds
by Buck, David

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.

            Arthur's goal of 40 new members this year and a net gain of 20 depends on efforts of every club member to look for qualified members and invite them to attend a meeting at no charge.