Related Page

From sports events to large meetings, more and more groups are coming to Waterloo. Doubt it? Then why are there so many new hotels and motels in the city?

            The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Waterloo has had great success over the years in bringing people to the city for a wide range of events. Funded by the hotel-motel tax, the bureau's revenue has grown rapidly in recent years, partly because of the many attractions we've added.

            Bureau Director Aaron Buzza will tell us today some of the exciting success stories and reasons why more and more groups are choosing the CedarValley for their event.

The 14 birthday peope are:

 2         Barbara Prather

4          Bill Robert and Bette Wubbena

5          Jim Johnson

6          Bonnie Humble

8          Jim Whitmer

16        Duane Lindberg

22        Joni Hollen

24        Jack Locke

25        Steve Finnegan

28        Tunis Den Hartog and Jeff Finke

29                Larry Bucholz

30                Jeremy Kauten

               The country music star will help Rotary promote early childhood reading by providing books each month to children under age five.

            Dolly's Dollywood Foundation Imagination Library will select and ship the books. During an announcement ceremony March 9 in Atlanta, Dolly took time to autograph one of the books for a lucky young boy. . Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Foundation.

All nursing homes in Iowa have a Resident Advocate Committee under the jurisdiction of the Department of Elderly Affairs. They are composed of community volunteers who observe conditions in each nursing home and visit with residents about the nursing home.

 It is very hard to find volunteers to do this task. Because Rotarians are great about helping, Ravenwood Administrator Bob High is asking if members of our club would be interested in volunteering at his facility.

"As a Rotarian since 1976 in most of the communities that I have lived in,  I realize that we don't use Rotary to publicize our business but I didn't know about seeking volunteers," he notes.

If you would be interested in helping, contact him at 232-6808.

     There are many needs in our community, some of which simply need extra hands to get a project completed.  These "Opportunities To Serve" will be posted on our website, and I urge you to consider volunteering your time as a Waterloo Rotarian. 

-Mason

Sergeant at Arms Bill Robert has served the Waterloo Rotary Club for over 55 years.  He is faithfully at the registration table every week, and often has your badge ready for you.  He attends our board meetings and has a unique perspective on our club as one of it's longest-serving members.  Our club is very lucky to have such a fine Rotarian in our midst, congratulate Bill on his shiny new Honorary badge at our next meeting!

Fellow Rotarian Shannon Farlow was featured on KWWL - click here to watch!

Here is a short Courier article

Two Funds Lose $247 Million In Eight Months

As of February 28, both Rotary's and The Rotary Foundation's investments had declined in value in line with the markets, with investment losses of approximately $25 million and $222 million, respectively.  Although the markets reacted more favorably during the last two weeks in March, they remain extremely volatile.

It is expected that both funds will show increases for four straight weeks in March.

Rotary's General Secretary Ed Futa notes, "The current investment climate will continue to present challenges for all service and charitable organizations in the foreseeable future.  It is difficult to predict the near and long-term impact that the US Federal Reserve and Treasury policies will have on the financial markets.

"On a positive note, Futa reports, "Rotary's cash flows remain strong, and we have not had to sell any investments to operate.  RI's revenues from dues and other services and activities remain ahead of budget and prior year.  Rotarian contributions to The Foundation are up $6 million over last year.  We have cut all non-essential and discretionary spending for the balance of this fiscal year, and I am taking every action possible to reduce costs next fiscal year, with minimum impact on services to you and your Clubs.

"The significant decline in the market value of our Foundation's investments has diminished The Foundation's operating reserve, requiring the Trustees to take specific steps needed to continue programs and operations during this economic crisis," according to Futa.  "At their January meeting, the Trustees reduced the current fiscal year's World Fund program awards budget by $16.3 million.  Looking ahead, the Trustees will consider additional actions for fiscal 2009-2010 and beyond to fund existing program commitments and to pursue The Foundation's strategic goals within the current financial constraints.  In this regard, I would like to address several questions that Rotarians have raised about The Foundation's operations."

This year's Duck Race to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation will be held at the District Conference May 1st & 2nd.  Bring $5 per duck for your chance to win $500 towards your Paul Harris Fellowship.

This year's Duck Meister is Tom Arthur, with assistance from Chris Hurley and Sue Beach.  The Mason City Sunrise Club has organized this annual event, with all proceeds going to the Rotary Foundation, benefiting programs like Group Study Exchange, Youth Exchange, Polio Plus, and Matching Grants.

Our district has contributed almost $150,000 to the Foundation through the Duck Race.  In fact, our own Bill Robert has "won" 2 fellowships!

Fellow member Bill Roths submitted this "Opportunity To Serve" (OTS): The City of Parkersburg needs our help. The playground in the park was destroyed by last year's tornado and they are set to rebuild it better than ever.

They have the funding. They have the materials. Now they just need the labor. MidWestOne Bank is sponsoring an employee build day for the Parkersburg playground on Thursday, April 16. We are seeking volunteers who would like to spend the day outside helping rebuild the playground. No special expertise is needed! This is the first day of the build project, so there will be plenty to do. You may want to include that the planned build days are April 16-19 and April 23-25. The city already has plenty of volunteers for the weekend dates, but more are needed for the Thursday and Friday dates. Amy Truax is the contact person for volunteers. Her email is ajtruax@aol.com and her phone numbers are work 319.243.2111 and cell 515-371-0251

There are many needs in our community, some of which simply need extra hands to get a project completed.  These "Opportunities To Serve" will be posted on our website, and I urge you to consider volunteering your time as a Waterloo Rotarian.  Click the "EVENTS" link at the top of the page, then look for "OTS".  You can register for these events online if you login.

-Mason

Bill the used to own the Dairy Queen on 5th St, and he would bring ice cream for our students of the month?  Be sure to congratulate Bill on becoming an honorary member of our club.

Be the first to email me this Rotarian's name - I'll reveal his identity in the next Reporter, so stay tuned!