Our list of upcoming programs offer a wide variety of topics that you can offer to guests - maybe you could reach out and re-connect with your network and invite them to join us for lunch?
October 3...Political Forum: Iowa Senate and Iowa House candidates of Black Hawk County
October 10...U.S. House of Representatives Candidate -- Liz Mathis
October 17...Black Hawk County Supervisors Forum (All candidates invited)
October 24...U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
October 31...Secretary of State Candidate Joel Miller
November 7...Volleyball Banquet (Chaired by Barb Prather and Jaclyne Heller)
November 14...Football Banquet (Chaired by Wade Itzen and Rick Morris)
November 21...Thanksgiving Holiday (NO Rotary)
November 28...UNI Athletics Update with David Harris
December 5...First Mondays Birthdays and Networking
We are planning a MEGA-BIRTHDAY celebration at our December 5th meeting for all the October, November, and December birthdays. The political and athletic programs over the next several weeks will be front-and-center, but you can check the list below to reach out to these Rotarians ON their birthday!
Rotary International District 3181 organizes an International 2-Wheel/4-Wheel Ride in India - Ride for Rotary, The aim of the event is to promote International fellowship and exchange of Rotary views. The last 6 editions of the event have been an overwhelming success. More than 100 participants from 15 different countries have attended the event and have had wonderful experiences to take back home.
The funds raised through this event go to The Rotary Foundation. We have contributed close to $100,000 to TRF from the last 6 editions.
This year’s event will be held from 13th to 28th January, 2023. The 15 days event will start-off from Mahabalipuram (India) and can either be a motorcycle ride, or a four wheeler drive.
The ride will cover multiple Rotary Districts and many Rotary Clubs. Route map will be - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Madurai - Coimbatore - Ooty - Mysore - Madikeri - Mangalore
All Iowa House and Senate candidates on the Black Hawk County Elections ballot were invited to attend the forum on Monday. Kevin McCrindle will moderate the forum to ensure equal time to each guest. In advance, questions will be submitted from the club.
The following candidates are invited to join us October 3rd:
Iowa House Candidate Derek Wulf, District 76
Iowa House Candidate Kate Wyatt, District 76
Iowa House Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, District 61(Incumbent)
Iowa House Candidate John Bothwell, District 61
Iowa House Rep. Bob Kressig, District 75 (Incumbent)
Iowa House Candidate Jerome Amos,Jr., District 62
Senator Bill Dotzler, District 31 (Incumbent)
See link below for official list of candidates on the ballot in Black Hawk County...
Thank you for our wonderful Programming Committee for lining up programs for the rest of 2022 and the beginning of 2023!
Ashlyn Jungwirth, Amy Rousselow, Rachael Hoffman
Political Program Committee Members
Barb Prather, Steve Schmidt
Ex-Official Programming Committee Members
Annie Vander Werff, Jaclyne Heller
These Rotarians have dedicated several hours behind the scenes to bring a full list of engaging programs and guests to our meetings. Honor their service by inviting guests to an upcoming meeting!
Noel Anderson is the Community Planning and Development Director for the City of Waterloo. He is dedicated to the betterment of the Waterloo community as a person, a planner, and lifelong resident.
Noel is responsible for the development and redevelopment for the City of Waterloo. This involves the work of many, and he works to coordinate those efforts involving the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinances for the City of Waterloo for the development of buildings and land. Coordination of efforts for the growth and revitalization of community through Historic Preservation, Engineering, Building Department, Building Maintenance, Housing Authority, and Community Development Department's management of the federal Block Grant funding program.
Noel Anderson from City of Waterloo Speaking Monday 9-26
The entire month of October will be filled with political candidate guests speakers. We have reached out to candidates at all levels and watch closely as we are still waiting to hear back from some candidates! Kevin McCrindle will be moderating the forums and make sure candidates gets equal time to speak! Check out the schedule and invite your friends!
Reminder: Invite Friends to Upcoming Political Programs
Cedar Valley Gearhead Ministries helps place donated vehicles with families in the community in need of transportation!
Cedar Valley Gearheads is organized around the principle that in the name of Jesus Christ we can serve God and others by partnering with individual Community Agencies, and businesses around the Cedar Valley to meet the basic transportation needs of those most in need. Cedar Valley Gearheads Ministry was organized in 2006 and is located at 3606 Skyview Dr. in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Vehicles are donated from members in the community and Volunteers repair them to get them road ready for families in need. Cedar Valley Gearheads rely on volunteers, with knowledge of vehicle repair, to come as they are able 2 days per week for 2 to 3 hours a night. They use a 27- point inspection as nearly every car will need some type of repair from a simple oil change to transmission work.
Our hope is that we will provide families with the opportunity for a healthier life through accessing routine medical care, gaining education opportunities and a way to maintain employment and reliable transportation to childcare facilities. In return they will be able to become more self-sufficient in supporting themselves and their family.
We're asking you to join us as we "Imagine What's Next" for Rotary. #Rotary23 is happening 27-31 of May 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Take advantage of the discounted rate and register before 15 December.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank! - We will NOT MEET AT THE CONVENTION CENTER SEPT 12th.
Reminder that if you have not already signed up to volunteer Monday Please CLICK HERE to RSVP.
Volunteer hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. with flexibility to come a little earlier or stay a little later if desired. There is always something to do there!
Please use the Office/Food Pantry entrance, wear closed-toe shoes and bring work gloves to sort food, be prepared to work and have fun! A reminder - no lunch will be provided.
Following an emergency like the flooding in Pakistan, your contribution to The Rotary Foundation ensures that we can deliver supplies, provide health care, and support rebuilding efforts.
Can you feel the change in the weather? As Iowans, we all know what's headed our way...cold, cold, and more cold. Imagine not having a proper outer layer to keep you warm this winter - for hundreds of children in our area, that is what they'll face without our help. Operation Warm is again raising funds for NEW coats for kids who would otherwise rely on hand-me-downs or simply go without a proper warm coat.
You can bring your donation of cash or check to Dave Lee at a Monday meeting, or use the link below on the Community Foundation's website:
Wow! Look at this list of *14* Rotarians celebrating a birthday in September! This is the largest group in our club and we'll give each one a proper shout out Monday!
Derek Kimball - Executive Director of Cedar Valley Angels - will be our guest speaker on Monday, August 29th!
The Cedar Valley Angels mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.
With his play, Visions, a Rotarian has turned his addiction into art and provided new roles for former addicts.
In the winter of 1989, Robert Lo Bue experienced an awakening: He wanted to join the theater.
Lo Bue was working on the assembly line at an automotive plant. Nearing 40, he had no acting experience to speak of and a long history of drug and alcohol abuse. No matter. He auditioned for a production of The Passion Play near his home in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, and landed the part of Young James the Apostle.
His Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor was not pleased. "He said, 'No way. You got a wife in recovery and you just came out of rehab and you got a baby daughter. Your son is in counseling from both of you using. Your plate is full,'" Lo Bue recalled in his booming Jersey brogue. "I said, 'What do you mean? I want this. I need this!' He just kept screaming, 'Your plate is full!'"
Join fellow Rotarians for some after hours social time at The Ragged Edge Art Bar and Gallery! It is a hidden gem near downtown Cedar Falls; 504 Bluff St is just one block east of the public library along E. 5th St.
Christine Hess will be talking to us August 22 about the upcoming "Walk to End Alzheimer's" in the Cedar Valley. The event is Saturday, September 24.
All funds raised through Walk to End Alzheimer's further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
A team of #Rotary members has been working to meet medical needs for items such as surgical drills. Now their efforts focus on 24 August, when they will hold a 24-hour telethon to collect donations for #Ukraine.
By Emory Morsberger, Rotary Club of Gwinnett County, Georgia
Isn’t it a privilege to be a Rotarian who can actually serve others and make a difference in someone else’s life – and even more so if that life is on the other side of the world? I think so! I hope to rally fellow Rotarians on 24 August to join our movement, Helping Ukraine.
In 1998, I took a trip to Ukraine and have been yearning to go back since. The people there are so excited about their freedom. When the war broke out in February, I felt a strong call to do something to help these free-spirited people. I had been hearing about the massive destruction and wanted to do more than make donations.
When Chris Brand, a member of Rotary and President of Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) in Tucker, Georgia, USA, called me one morning to tell me there was an urgent need to take Stryker Drill Sets and other medical relief supplies over to the war-torn country, it was just the call I had been waiting for. Without hesitation, I said, “I’ll go.” On 6 June, I boarded a flight to Bucharest, Romania, and began my journey to Ukraine.
Stephanie A. Urchick is selected to be the 2024-25 president of Rotary International
Stephanie A. Urchick, of the Rotary Club of McMurray, Pennsylvania, USA, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2024-25, a decision that would make her only the second woman to hold that position. She will be declared the president-nominee on 1 October if no challenging candidates have been suggested.
With the world facing incredible challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, disasters driven by climate change, and conflict in many regions, Urchick says Rotary’s leaders can offer a vision and a plan for overcoming these challenges.
“Measures taken by Rotary leadership to survive and end critical challenges often make our organization stronger and more resilient for future events,” Urchick says. “This kind of essential leadership also creates new levels of cooperation, even among rivals, when Rotarians pull together as people of action to serve and solve a crisis.”
Katy Susong - President and CEO of Cardinal Construction - is our guest speaker on Monday!
Katy is a graduate of the University of Northern lowa and has been employed with Cardinal Construction since 2012. She was named CEO and President of Cardinal Construction last year, which makes her the first female CEO in the company's 127-year history. Katy leads the mid-sized commercial construction company that serves clients in senior living, education, industrial, and healthcare sectors. She guides the execution of the company's short and long-term strategic initiatives while providing leadership and guidance to everyone on the Cardinal team. She aims to create a strategy that everyone on our team can get behind to ensure that we are executing well on the projects that we have committed to.
Past #Rotary District Governor Magnus Elfwendahl celebrates peace studies
Some months ago, I participated in the celebration of 50 years of Peace and Conflict research at Uppsala University in Sweden. During the anniversary symposium some prominent international scholars reflected on big societal challenges and the future of peace and conflict research. Experienced practitioners shared their thoughts on how peace and conflict research can contribute to policy and practical peace work. The keynote speaker, Jamie LeSueur, head of Emergency Operations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), was a Rotary Peace Fellow during 2013-2015 when training for future peace work at Uppsala University.
Rotary Peace Fellow alum Jamie LeSueur on assignment in South Sudan. Photo by Corrie Butler IFRC
In 2020, LeSueur received the university´s prestigious Alumnus of the Year award. Today Jamie is working as a specialist in humanitarian relief and management in disaster and conflict situations, based in Turkey. He is also an excellent ambassador for Rotary´s work to increase the professional capacity in peace work. Jamie acknowledges the importance of his academic research training. This training skill is now helping him during assignments.
For Jamie, the Rotary Peace Fellowship opened a window to a better understanding of the world. He is now a resolute peacemaker and experienced professional doing good in the world – just like numerous other Rotary members. He is an excellent example of why we should keep supporting the Rotary Peace Centers program.
Everyone's reason for "Why Rotary?" is unique. That's why we strive to provide mentorship and community-building activities that tap into existing skills and build new ones. #PeopleOfAction
We know that people engage with Rotary to make connections, find opportunities for personal growth, and develop leadership skills, all while making a difference in the world.
A 2020 survey reconfirmed that our members, more specifically, value community service, friendship, and professional development. Knowing this helps us meet their needs and give them reasons to stay involved.
Our focus, then, should be offering more of these meaningful experiences. How do we do this? Two main ways are by fostering mentoring relationships and by supporting activities that let people use their skills in new ways or build new skills through membership and service.
Squeezing a teddy bear is comforting, no matter your age
With the help of sponsors, members of the Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International launched Happy Bears, a project to crochet and distribute teddy bears to a children's home and center for disabilities. pic.twitter.com/j5ElgZxVYT
Dr. Jared Smith - new Superintendent of Waterloo Community School District - is speaking to us on Monday!
Jared holds a BA in Elementary and Middle Level Education from the University of Northern Iowa, an MS in Educational Leadership from National Louis University, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Iowa State University.
Jared has taught and coached at both the middle school and high school levels. Prior to superintendency, Jared worked as an assistant principal and principal for ten years. Jared is an award-winning blogger, the host of The Group Project Podcast, and the author of Learning Curve: Lessons Learned on Leadership, Education, and Personal Growth.
August 4, 2022 is Waterloo Rotary Club Night at the Waterloo Bucks! There are only 5 tickets left as of 9am 7/22, so reach out to Mark Durbahn to reserve yours! If you have already requested tickets, Mark and other Rotarians will have them at the front gate at Riverfront Stadium - they'll be easy to spot in their Rotary shirts!
Kelly Sullivan and Agness Kress will be speaking on 2022 Irish Fest!
Agness Kress is a Digital Media Production Assistant at the City of Waterloo and has been involved with Irish Fest since the beginning. She is in charge of Merchandising/Web site and Ticketing.
Kelly Sullivan is a third-grade teacher and granddaughter of Albert, one of the five Sullivan brothers killed in World War II. She co-chairs the Heroes area of Irish Fest.
The logo for the 2022-23 Rotary presidential theme "Imagine Rotary" was designed by Riki Salam, an Australian aboriginal artist. He also created the logo for the 2023 Rotary International Convention which will be held in Melbourne.
Meaning of the design elements
There is, of course, a deeper meaning behind each element of the design. The circle in aboriginal culture for instance, signifies our connections to one another. The dots around it represent people and there are seven because of Rotary´s areas of focus.
The circle and the dots together become a navigation star – our guiding light. The solid line underneath is what is referred to as a digging stick and it is used when doing hard work. And since Rotary members are people of action – it represents a tool for getting things done.
The colors
The colors green, purple, and white are not necessarily connected to aboriginal culture. President-elect Jennifer Jones asked the new crew of Governors to use one, two, or all three when dressing for official events instead of using a theme jacket. “As we celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, I wanted all of us to be able to express ourselves differently in what we wear, but still have connection,” she explained.
A reminder NO meeting on Monday, July 4. Our first meeting of the new Rotary calendar year will be July 11th as EJ passes the gavel to Annie for her second stint as our club president.
The programming committee has been busy working on 2022-2023 program calendar!
Annie, Jaclyne Heller, Amy, Ashlynn and Racheal had a great luncheon to discuss...
Music, it turns out, is medicine for the mind. This realization led Rotary member Carol Rosenstein to establish Music Mends Minds, a project dedicated to helping those with memory loss.
Carol Rosenstein was watching her husband, Irwin, slip away inch by inch.
At one time he had been a brilliant lawyer, a lover of Broadway musicals, a world traveler. But after his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2006, he developed dementia, and slowly everything changed. His gait flattened to a shuffle. The sparkle in his eyes turned into a blank stare. His mood soured. Worsening matters, the medications he took caused hallucinations and extreme agitation. As communication grew more challenging, Carol felt the distance between them growing.
Then, in 2014, something happened. Irwin, who had been a gifted pianist since childhood, sat down at the piano and began to play. As his fingers floated through American classics like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “Try to Remember,” Carol saw his posture straighten. The sparkle returned to his eyes. The husband she once knew came back, bit by bit, if only briefly. “I could see this human being resurrect and start to reconnect with his environment,” she says, “just like I had given him a dose of medication.”
Mystified, she called his neurologist and asked what was happening. “He said, ‘Carol, you are watching the power of music, changing brain chemistry.’”
That statement would go on to change not only their lives but the lives of countless others.
This vibrant hub of art, sports, and cuisine will host the 2023 convention, set for 27-31 May. Rotary members, participants, and supporters are invited to Imagine What's Next and explore the possibilities for Rotary's future.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion will also be an important focus during the event, which will be packed with thought-provoking speakers and practical breakout sessions. Rotary members in the Host Organization Committee are planning activities to show visitors why their city is known for world-class sports, cultural diversity, exceptional dining, and inventive street art.
Anyone who registers by 15 December will pay a reduced price.
After discovering new perspectives and being inspired by new ideas at the 2022 Rotary International Convention, attendees and virtual participants are looking ahead to next year's gathering in Melbourne, the sparkling second city of Australia.
This vibrant hub of art, sports, and cuisine will host the 2023 convention, set for 27-31 May. Rotary members, participants, and supporters are invited to Imagine What's Next and explore the possibilities for Rotary's future.
Anyone who registers by 15 December will pay a reduced price.
The 2022 convention in Houston, Texas offered plenty of inspiring moments as Rotary's global network gathered in person for the first time since 2019, following two conventions that were held virtually because of COVID-19. The convention offered participants new horizons to discover through in-person events and a robust schedule of virtual offerings (with recordings available through 31 August).
Our very own Vicki Mueller is our speaker on Monday on behalf of Pathways Behavioral Services!
Vicki Mueller is Executive Director of Pathways and has been at the organization for more than 20 years. She was promoted to Executive Director in 2021 and previously was Provider Services and Prevention Services Supervisor. Vicki is a graduate of Wartburg College and very active in the community, including serving on several state boards as well as the the Cedar Falls Booster Club.
Guests can arrive at 5 p.m. and we would have time for visiting and socializing before the start of a short program at 6 followed by dinner. We anticipate being finished and out of the building by 8:30. Help will be needed in signing people in, setup, and clean up along with serving the food. If you can help, or if you want to register guests to attend, email Larry Steffens.
Dr. Jared Seliger of Allen College is our special speaker on Monday!
Dr. Seliger joined Allen College in 2008 to develop the Nuclear Medicine Technology program. In 2015, he was named Associate Chancellor of Allen College and in 2018 he was named third President of Allen College.
#Stress is inevitable, but finding a coping mechanism can be life-changing! #Rotary members Mercedes Harris and Dr. Edward Charlesworth discuss how volunteering positively impacts communities and reduces stress with @abc13houston.
Have a safe Memorial Day, Rotarians - as you remember those who have served, honor them through continuing to serve your community. Our next meeting will be June 6th at the Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza.
On behalf of Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, I want to thank you all for joining us for our ‘Sites and Bites’ tour. It was a great honor to share with you the work that is happening in Walnut and Church Row neighborhoods.
I am attaching pictures of Kayla’s home dedication taken from Tuesday, May 17th. Her house was the house we walked through during our tour.
If you have any questions or would like to connect, please call me at (319)235-9946 or email at ddoes@webuildhabitat.org.
Sincerely,
Dylan Does”
Development Director | Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
Nearly 1,300 global grants are awarded each year, and ~200 are dedicated to scholarships— enabling access to #networking opportunities and to graduate-level studies. We're aiming to create lasting connections.
Click here to meet four Rotary Scholars, and find out how the connections they’ve made through Rotary are helping them change the world.
Our very own Rick Petersen is telling us the latest at Tyson here in Waterloo!
Rick Petersen began his career with Tyson Foods, then IBP, in 1990 in Madison, Neb as a frontline worker. Soon after he moved into a supervisory role and eventually was promoted to a plant leadership position. He has held several leadership positions in the company’s Storm Lake, Waterloo and Logansport, Indiana pork facilities. In 2021, Rick was named Complex Manager for Tyson Foods’ Waterloo pork plant. In his role leading the Waterloo facility Rick has prioritized opening more communication channels with team members, increasing involvement with local community leaders to strengthen collaboration, and reinforcing the importance of Tyson Foods’ core values and team behaviors.
We are looking forward to hopping on the bus for a tour with Habitat for Humanity to see the sites they are building around the community.
Reminder, on Monday, May 16 at noon we will meet in the lobby of the Convention Center as usual. Box lunches will be available for you to take on the bus. No badges will be given out. The bus will return to the Convention Center prior to 1:00.
Here's another hands-on volunteer opportunity that has a direct impact on our amazing downtown: Main Street Waterloo is hosting their annual clean-up Saturday, May 21st and this time THERE'S LUNCH! Main Street Sweep is an opportunity to ensure our downtown is a beautiful, healthy, inviting space after a long winter.
Last year more than 30 volunteers teamed up with Main Street Waterloo staff, business owners and property owners to rid downtown of more than 1000 pounds of litter. As we look to harness the power of people in our community to achieve great things by joining together. Bringing the beauty of downtown back lies in the cooperation and collaboration of our community. The simple act of cleaning can become a force that binds together people and groups working towards the same goal.
Last week, our guests from the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Libraries shared the children's reading program that Dolly Parton started in 1995. As of February 2021, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library had delivered over 155 million books at no cost to millions of kids in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. A documentary mentioned during our program is linked below if you'd like to learn the backstory of the program from Dolly herself:
If you want to get involved with the program, reach out to either of our presenters below:
Executive Director of Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health - Tom Eachus - will be presenting Monday!
Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center is a private, nonprofit, community mental health center accredited by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Our experienced staff design treatments to meet your specific needs. The Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center serves those with short-term and long-term needs, including those with depression.
5 million+ refugees, mostly women and children, have fled the war in #Ukraine. Seeking resources to meet basic needs— food, water and shelter. #Rotary members across the globe work to provide aid to the rapidly changing humanitarian crisis. #RotaryResponds
We will be having an informal social gathering at 1850 Restaurant on Ridgeway in Waterloo (next to Golf Headquarters)!
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. stop out and have a glass of wine and mingle with fellow Rotarians! Kaye Englin and Barbara Prather along with Jaclyne Heller decided it would be a fun "after hours" activity!
During her career, Kelly Stern has been a high school English teacher, school librarian, university instructor, public library youth services manager, and now library director at the Cedar Falls Public Library. Although her family moved away from the Cedar Valley when she was in 3rd grade and her father went back into the Air Force, she moved back here 22 years ago, because the Cedar Valley is home to her. She has been a member of the Cedar Falls Rotary Club for three years.
Jillian Rutledge earned a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa and a Bachelors of Liberal Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. She currently works as the Public Services Manager at the Waterloo Public Library, which entails supervising the Circulation & Reference staff & departments. Her professional interests include Intellectual Freedom, Collection Management, Readers' Advisory, Diversity & Inclusion, Long Range Planning, and her life interests are houseplants, hockey, roller derby, and the Grateful Dead.
Library Presentation on Dolly's Reading Program Monday
Dear Rotarian, As we near the end of the Rotary year, the board is reviewing membership, balances of outstanding dues, and working to get caught up so we can move into the new year with complete records.
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris April 19, 1868-January 27, 1947
After earning is law degree from the University of Iowa and setting up his law practice in Chicago, Harris gathered several business associates to discuss the idea of forming an organization for local professionals. He envisioned a place where professionals of diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
On 23 February 1905, Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey gathered at Loehr’s office in Room 711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago. This was the first Rotary club meeting.
“I was sure that there must be many other young men who had come from farms and small villages to establish themselves in Chicago ... Why not bring them together? If others were longing for fellowship as I was, something would come of it.”
In February 1907, Harris was elected the third president of the Rotary Club of Chicago, a position he held until the fall of 1908. Toward the end of his club presidency, Harris worked to expand Rotary beyond Chicago. Some club members resisted, not wanting to take on the additional financial burden. But Harris persisted and by 1910 Rotary had expanded to several other major U.S. cities.
Harris died on 27 January 1947 in Chicago at age 78 after a prolonged illness.
His death prompted an outpouring of contributions from around the world and his name continues to evoke the passion and support of Rotarians and friends of Rotary.
We were pleased to have our fellow Rotarian Dr. Todd Holcomb as our program April 18th
Dr. Todd Holcomb became Hawkeye Community College’s eighth president on July 1, 2019. Hawkeye is a comprehensive community college serving students in a 10-county region of northeast Iowa. Dr. Holcomb previously served as president of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska from 2010 to 2019. Prior to becoming president in 2010, he was vice president of student services from 2009 to 2010, which followed a six-year tenure as associate vice president for student affairs at Iowa State University.
Cedar Valley Women United's annual fundraiser "Charity and Charcuterie" on April 28! Proceeds go toward the women-to-women mentoring partnership program at Hawkeye Community College!
Lubomyr “Lu” Hewko, father of @JohnHewko, #Rotary CEO and general secretary, fled #Ukraine during WWII. Years later he helped charter the first Rotary club in Kyiv. Members from around the region reflect on how past actions inform today's relief efforts.
The Waterloo Rotary Club annually recognizes senior honor students of the Waterloo high schools and their principals. Through this recognition, the Waterloo Rotary Club congratulates its outstanding students and schools for their accomplishments, commitment to excellence, and dedication to developing leaders of the future. We are extremely proud of each participant and salute them for their achievements.
With over 10 million people displaced by the war in #Ukraine, #Rotary and @ShelterBox work together in and around the region to provide relief.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation on Ukraine.
Nearly 10 million peoplehave already fled Ukraine to other countries – that’s almost a quarter of Ukraine’s entire population.
6.5 million people are now estimated to be displaced within Ukraine. In addition, more than 12 million people are thought to be cut off in places most ravaged by the conflict. Many are unable to leave because of damage to infrastructure, lack of resources, and the increased security risk.
Join us today to celebrate Rotarians born in April - including a tribute to Bill Robert who passed in January of 2021. Bill would have celebrated his 91st birthday today, and his 69th year of service to our club. If you have stories to share with the group, please feel free to do so at our meeting today.
Lia Puggioni, a physician, gynecologist, and obstetrician, recounts her experience traveling to share information with clinicians at the Momè Katihoe clinic in Togo, Africa.
It was Saturday, 30 March 2019. I was awaiting the arrival of my fellow travelers at Fiumicino International Airport in Italy and reflecting on this new Rotary adventure on which I was about to leave to reach the Momè Katihoe clinic run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Compassion in Togo. There were so many doubts in my mind. Would I be able to teach the midwives how to use the ultrasound scanner and convey the basics to be able to interpret the ultrasound images? Would I be able to help the women that came to the clinic? What problems would I have to deal with?
Last week, fellow Rotarian Bonnie Smith Davis reported our former piano player Liz Porter passed away early in the morning of March 30th. She had just celebrated her 95th birthday in February, and several members of her family were able to travel to Cedar Falls to be with her. A visitation is set for later today, Monday April 4th, and funeral services will be Tuesday, April 5th.
Liz and Hovey were photographed in 2016 working out a song before a Rotary meeting.
As we prepare to welcome students and families to our in-person Academic Scholars Luncheon, we need some friendly Rotarians to arrive a bit early April 11th. Beth McCrindle is coordinating volunteers for our meeting, and needs a handful of Rotarians to greet/check-in guests, collect money, etc. If you can arrive at 11:30, please send Beth an email. You'll help our club honor these brilliant students for their academic achievements despite the challenges they faced the last two years.
Matt Nieman - General Manager of Lost Island - will talk about the new theme park coming Monday!
Matt is a born and raised Waterloo resident with two crazy kids and one more on the way. He has been with Lost Island Waterpark for 17 years and currently holds the General Manager position at the waterpark. Lifeguarding brought him into the industry, but so much more has kept him. He has had the pleasure of being part of the design, storyline, and construction for our new Lost Island Theme Park. With the help of our community, he is excited to continue to watch as we grow into an attraction known around the world.
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson proudly represents Iowa’s 1st district in Congress.
During her years as a reporter, Ashley shared the stories of countless Iowans on the local news. As their Congresswoman, she is bringing those stories to Washington to help shape federal policy and improve the lives of workers, farmers, seniors, veterans, and families in Iowa.
An Iowa native, Ashley is an award-winning journalist and a proud wife and mother of two. Ashley previously served in the Iowa state House and represented Iowa’s 67th House district, serving Hiawatha, Robins, Cedar Rapids, and Marion, where she currently resides. As a state Representative, she worked successfully to balance the budget, cut taxes, and protect the most vulnerable in her community.
In Congress, she continues to be a common-sense leader and pursue pro-growth policies. She has introduced and supported bipartisan legislation to improve child care access for working families in Iowa, root out corruption in Washington through federal lobbying bans, and create opportunities for workers in the community. She is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and House Budget Committee, where she oversees the government funding process and fights to ensure every taxpayer dollar is accounted for and spent responsibly. As a mother of two, she also has a keen interest in protecting the safety and security of Iowa families.
Our own Katelyn Tungland - Regional Director of Development for Junior Achievement will be presenting Monday!
Here's a little bit about our speaker...
Hi! My name is Katelyn Tungland, but a lot of people call me KT! I was raised in Hudson, Iowa and currently reside in Cedar Falls with my husband, Alex, our daughter Joslynn and our Australian Shepard, Chex! I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. Prior to working for Junior Achievement I was a JA volunteer and quickly fell in love with the program and wanted to get more involved in the community. JA has blessed me with a career that allows me to find a healthy balance between work and life! I love how JA focuses on youth education and entrepreneurship!
Club Olsztyn (Poland) is collecting donations of essential items for refugees, primarily unaccompanied children, staying at Ostróda Camp. Donate to our designated fund to support victims of the Ukraine crisis here...
Contributions to this featured cause is eligible for Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
The annual NEIFB Empty Bowls event will be held on Friday, March 25th 2022 from 6-9pm at the Hilton Garden Inn. We are excited to welcome back all our attendees and supporters to the in person event. Throughout the event attendees will join us in learning about the Food Bank, while also raising awareness and educating the community on the issue of hunger. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets and bid on both silent and live auction items. Auction items include electronics, artwork, jewelry, sports memorabilia, experiences and several gift certificates much of which is from the local cedar valley business.
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in #Ukraine, we created an official channel for contributions to support the relief efforts underway by #Rotary districts. Learn more: https://on.rotary.org/3KiyhFt
A million people have fled Ukraine and are in dire need of emergency aid. The United Nations estimates that number could grow to as many as 5 million people displaced. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground to help displaced families.
Contributions to Disaster Response are temporarily being prioritized for districts impacted by the Ukraine crisis. Unspent funds will be available to any Rotary districts for Disaster Response grants.
Our fellow Rotarian Milt Dakovich passed away February 24th after a battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, March 1, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Waterloo, with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. President EJ arranged for a section of pews to be reserved for Rotarians. We'll hear more about Milt's service to our club March 7th from Gene Leonhart.
Our annual Rural Ag Day is next Monday, February 28. Members are asked to arrive about 11:45 to pair up with our farmer guests. The first woman head of Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Kayla Lyon - will be our keynote speaker.
To help stimulate local mangrove populations in the Philippines, the Rotary Club of Bacolod-Marapara teamed up with the Rotary Club of Victorias, the Rotaract Club of Marapara and other organizations to plant 1,000 mangrove seedlings.
On February 12, our club received this message through our website:
Dear Mr. President, Greetings from the Rotary Club of Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom District 1200 It is our custom each week at our lunchtime meeting to greet and toast a Rotary Club selected from around the World. On Monday 7th February 2022 at our lunchtime meeting we selected your Club the Rotary Club of Waterloo, Iowa, United States of America and we toasted you all. The Rotary Club of Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom District 1200 was chartered on the 10th March 1949 and we have 49 members. We meet each Monday at 1230pm in The Rotary Hall, Station Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. From the Rotarians of Chippenham we send you our warmest greetings and wish you well in your Rotary endeavours. President Richard Terrell - Rotary Club of Chippenham.
At our February 14th meeting, we snapped a panoramic photo and replied with this message:
Roger / Richard – thank you for reaching out across the pond and connect with our club! We read your email at our noon meeting today and an official motion was made and seconded to return a toast to your club. I attached a photo of all our present members lifting our drinks in honor of your club’s service and the hope that Rotarians worldwide will continue finding ways to connect and work together. Cheers!
EJ Gallagher, III, Waterloo Rotary Club President 2021-2022
Mason Fromm, Waterloo Rotary Club Past President 2008-2009
Today we will hear from several of our club's past presidents as they share memories and reflect on their year leading the Waterloo Rotary Club.
We will meet on the second floor of the beautifully refurbished Waterloo Convention Center. Ballroom A is our previous regular meeting room, but the escalators have been removed so if you want to avoid the stairs, the elevator is on the Commercial St side of the building. The skywalk connector to the parking garage may not yet be open for pedestrian traffic, so continue using on-street parking along Park, Commerical, 4th St, or Jefferson.
Since 2012, ShelterBox and @Rotary have been official Project Partners in disaster relief. By working together, we can provide even more families with vital shelter aid.
Having somewhere dry and warm to sleep, to prepare meals and be with your family is vital for starting the long process of rebuilding your life.
ShelterBox teams work with disaster-hit families around the world, offering emergency shelter and other essential items to support them in rebuilding their lives.
Every disaster is different and so is every community, so we spend time with those affected to make sure we can offer the right support at the right time to help them recover. See how we work.
Our teams can travel by boat, helicopter or tuk-tuk to get to the families who need your support – whatever it takes to get to the people who have lost their homes to disaster. See where we are currently working.
Steve Firman is the Director of Government Affairs for Grow Cedar Valley and the organization’s lobbyist at the State Capitol in Des Moines. He is also the Administrator of the Cedar Valley Coalition. This group, made up of representatives of 17 Cedar Valley government, education, and business organizations, collectively creates a set of federal priorities for the region and presents them to our Congressional delegation every year in Washington, DC. Steve is a pharmacist by profession and is very active in pharmacy advocacy activities. He serves as chair of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area board of trustees, chair of the American Pharmacists Association PAC Board of Governors and is a board member and past chair for Iowa Public Radio, in addition to being involved with several other local and state organizations.
We are pleased to confirm that the 2022 #Rotary International Convention will be an in-person event in Houston, Texas, USA, 4-8 June. We are offering a special registration rate of US$495 through 28 February at https://on.rotary.org/3Gwu8eR.
Rural Urban Day is a program where our Downtown Waterloo Club thanks agricultural producers for their part in the food that we all enjoy. Rotarians are asked to sponsor one or more guests for one of our largest meetings of the year. The cost $15 per guest, which is the cost of your guest's meal. If you would like to sponsor a guest, our committee will be happy to provide a guest for you. The Rural Urban Day committee will be at the registration table recruiting club members to sponsor guests, but you can email Larry Steffens right now if you want to sign up!
The committee consists of Larry Steffens, Rick Morris, Deb Pullin-VanAuken, Bob Regenwether and Chuck Paulsen. Our program speaker will be Kayla Lyon who is the Director of the Iowa DNR. Her program will center around current DNR programs involving agriculture producers.
Much of Thailand relies on tourism to stimulate their economy, and the COVID-19 pandemic left many without jobs. To help those in need, the Rotary Club of Eastern Seaboard helped with over 30 food drives to gather food and other items.
Come hear about the Veterans Way project! Mayor Hart will be speaking to our club about the city’s vision for Veterans Way January 31st
Veterans Way will honor veterans and inspire visitors by connecting and elevating existing downtown venues and amenities along East and West 4th Street from Sullivan Park to the Grout Museum, creating a destination and sense of place for visitors and locals. A special new feature includes the Sullivan Brothers Memorial on the newly named Sullivan Brothers Plaza.
The City has renamed the square block that the convention center sits on Sullivan Brothers Plaza, sealing this prominent city square with their name separate from the building itself. A memorial to the Sullivan Brothers will be installed on the east side of the building, providing space for gatherings, reflection and inspiration. Other features of Veterans Way include bridge and river lighting, 218 underpass lighting, a pocket park outdoor gallery and streetscaping. These enhancements will help connect existing memorials along the corridor.
Mayor Hart will be giving us an overview of Vision 2030 for the city of Waterloo!
Mayor Quentin Hart is the first African American elected to the office of Mayor for the City of Waterloo, Iowa. Preceding the election, Mr. Hart was the Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs for Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa, providing leadership for multicultural initiatives and promoting awareness and appreciation for diversity on campus and the community. In the eight years preceding his mayoral election, Mayor Hart represented the citizens of Waterloo as Ward 4 Councilman and was the first African American-appointed Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Waterloo.
A once in a lifetime opportunity is waiting for you 4-8 June. The 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas, USA. Click the image above for a short video featuring Rotarians inviting you to Houston!
Our very own Dave Buck is talking about long-time and devoted Rotarian Steve Thorpe and what he did for our club locally, nationally, and internationally!
Typhoon Odette made landfall in the island of Cebu on the night of December 16, 2021 and the sound of the howling wind and crashing debris during the night while we huddled inside our homes will be something that we will not be able to forget easily.
Amidst all the hardship that we are going through now in buying food & water, rebuilding homes and trying to get back to work, we have still been given a reason to smile.
As communications with the #Philippines improves, we are starting to better understand the grave impact left by #TyphoonOdette. With help from @RotaryClub Cebu, our team has been distributing aid to people who need it most, so far helping more than 5,000 people
Jessica Rucker of Main Street Waterloo is our speaker at our first meeting of 2022!
Jessica Rucker is the Executive Director of Main Street Waterloo, a volunteer driven, nonprofit dedicated to downtown Waterloo. Jessica has been a resident of the area for most of her life and has strong roots in the community, and the downtown area which serve as a backdrop for many memories. She is passionate about supporting small businesses and showcasing all that is amazing about our community.
Luke Jensen shared this article from the University of Iowa's website - you'll be so proud of our 2017 Rotary Youth Exchange student Holly Harris!
Growing up in the Midwest, Holly Harris always felt a connection with the opposite side of the world. Harris was adopted from China at just 10 months old, and she developed a passion for exploring differences between cultures. As she got older, her experiences through school and travel transformed her interest in life outside the U.S. into a dream career.
“Throughout elementary and high school, I took Spanish classes and really just fell in love with learning the language,” she says. “After high school, I went to Brazil through a youth exchange program. While I was living there, I learned Portuguese and decided I wanted to continue learning it on an academic level and make it part of my career.”
Harris will graduate this fall with a bachelor’s degree in Portuguese, a bachelor’s degree in international studies, a certificate in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, and a minor in Spanish. Her time on campus has been highlighted by her work as a research fellow assisting Armando Duarte, a Brazilian professor in the Iowa Department of Dance, with the translation of historical interviews about samba and Carnival from Portuguese to English.
Rotarians are People of Action. Throughout the world in disaster recovery situations, our compassion and commitment to service are a significant part of relief efforts. Right here, right now, your help is needed here in our own zones.
The tornado that touched down Kentucky has devastated communities in 18 counties in our District 6710. The loss of life in many small towns, such as Dawson Springs and Mayfield, is heartbreaking, and survivors have lost their communities, their homes and livelihoods. In many areas, there is limited electricity, resources for food, gasoline and supplies and medical services. Now more than ever is the time for us to live our hashtag, #Rotary Responds.
We see the decision to vaccinate as a civic and humanitarian imperative. Rotary is not a political or religious organization, it is a service organization and this is the lens through which we are advising you of our position.
Global vaccination is the path to ending the pandemic and the emergence of new variants. Rotary endorses and strongly encourages vaccination for all individuals including our members who are currently able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In areas where COVID-19 is surging, communities are facing extreme challenges, health systems are overwhelmed, and contentious rhetoric is dividing us. It is critical that the virus be contained so that the world may begin to heal. To that end, the purpose of this statement is to reinforce Rotary’s position.
Misinformation has become an “infodemic” that hinders the fight against COVID-19. In line with our Four-Way Test, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are committed to providing our members with science-based information.
Rotary International staff at One Rotary Center were required to be vaccinated by 10 October 2021, as a criterion for employment after that date. RI’s employee vaccination rate stands at over 99 percent.
Globally, Rotary is actively engaged in assuring equity in vaccine access to all people. Our efforts have included advocacy with the G-20, and a proof-of-concept program with GAVI/COVAX to leverage our frontline experience with polio eradication to facilitate vaccine delivery in several low- and middle-income countries where Rotarians are active. While we know many clubs are already deeply involved in COVID-19 prevention, we are working on additional strategies to multiply our collective efforts. GAVI/COVAX is a partnership including WHO and UNICEF focused on global access and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
Those children for whom vaccines are not currently available are at significant risk. Until vaccines are available for all children, the vaccination of adults is the best way to protect children who cannot be vaccinated. Pediatric admissions for COVID-19 are rising precipitously in areas of low vaccination.
Rotary salutes health care workers everywhere as they continue to provide lifesaving services. Local recognition of these heroes by each of our clubs can help to encourage them to continue their important work. Rotary abhors any harassment and attacks on healthcare workers.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs are encouraged to
set good examples by being exemplary role models;
redouble their efforts to support COVID-19 treatment, prevention, and vaccination efforts.
Vaccines have proven to be one of the greatest advances of modern medicine. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines save between 2 to 3 million children’s lives each year, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative estimates the polio vaccine has saved more than 19 million children from paralysis. Vaccines are safe, effective and are responsible for eliminating or controlling many other vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox, measles, rubella, and Ebola. And now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccines.
The eradication of polio remains a goal of the highest order for Rotary. We can apply the lessons we have learned in fighting polio to the efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regards,
Shekhar Mehta John Germ President, Rotary International Chair, The Rotary Foundation
CC: RI Board of Directors & Directors-elect, TRF Board of Trustees and incoming Trustees, District Governors-elect, Club Presidents-elect, Regional Leaders, COVID-19 Task Force, International PolioPlus Committee, Communications Committee
Fearing for his safety, Than Hre, a student whose activism had attracted the attention of Myanmar’s military government, fled his homeland in 2000. He made his way from Hakha, the capital of the country’s mountainous Chin State, to Guam, where he would wait two years before securing permission to immigrate to the U.S. mainland.
Get to know Jeff Hassman who was named the 2021-2022 District Governor earlier this year!
Jeff has a business degree from the University of Northern Iowa and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Jeff has nearly 20 years of professional experience in a variety of corporate, consulting and entrepreneurial environments, including working for Deere & Company, global consulting and establishing CVP Advisors. Jeff partnered with the team to form Efficient Technologies in 2014, where he is integral in strategy and finance.
S. Marathe, a young Rotary member with a vision impairment, recently authored a blog post on the characteristics of a great ally. As 3 Dec is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we want to highlight those characteristics.
As a young Rotary member who has lived with a vision impairment, I have come to understand the importance of allies. An ally is anyone that actively aspires to be inclusive and is intentional through their thoughts, actions, and words to consciously promote a respectful and inclusive culture.
Many organizations are actively attempting to address the low employee representation across minority groups of gender, culture, and disability and are adopting a range of strategies. But many times, it’s the day-to-day actions that make the most difference. For International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, I wanted to share some of the characteristics that make a great ally.
Jeremy Sorensen of MidAmerican Energy is speaking Monday to give us updates on their organization.
MidAmerican Energy Company, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, safely meets the energy needs of more than 1.6 million customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. A subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, we have more than 3,400 dedicated employees serving our customers every day across our service territory.
Andrea Cassidy of Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), Ontario gets to empower women every day at her job as a midwife.
“The best part of my job is giving women permission to care for themselves.”
She’s able to offer free midwife care through Ontario Ministry of Health. Through this she can offer care to the most vulnerable populations. We’re proud to have a member like Andrea!
Since 1946 the Waterloo Rotary Club has enjoyed the honor each year to celebrate outstanding performance by high school athletes in the city of Waterloo and surrounding areas. Football coaching staffs at each school in the city nominate a senior MVP from their team. In a secret ballot, area sportswriters make the citywide selection. The winner receives the Glen "Doc" Miller traveling trophy as top player in his sport. The winner is entitled to display the trophy at his school for the next twelve months.
2021 Glen "Doc" Miller Most Valuable Football Player
Megan is a 2020 graduate from the University of Northern Iowa. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health and minors in Gerontology and Biology.
Megan was a part of the women’s basketball team at UNI between 2016-2021.
Megan will finish her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Northern Iowa in the spring of 2022.
Megan is from Epworth, Iowa and graduated from Western Dubuque High School in 2016. She is the daughter of Bruce and Lori Maahs and a big sister to McKenzie and Madison Maahs. She enjoys being with her family, hanging out with friends and cheering on her younger sisters.
Currently, she is the Administrative Program Coordinator at Peoples Community Health Clinic in Waterloo, Iowa. She began as an intern for Christine Kemp, CEO, during her undergraduate work in 2020. She was hired in June 2020. She loves the work that Peoples Clinic does for the community. She enjoys coming to work every day and being a part of a great team with the same goal in mind – to provide compassionate, high quality, affordable health care to all.”
Our club is honored each year to host the top volleyball athletes and award an all-around MVP trophy to one hard-working and talented senior - this year the trophy will be on display at Columbus High School thanks to Eva Christensen!
Let’s talk about one of #Rotary’s Causes: Protecting the #Environment The Rotary Foundation is committed to enabling members to take #climate action through land protection, sustainable agriculture and more.
Will climate change bring more poverty? Will we be able to stop its worst effects? Former Rotary scholars and peace fellows who studied environmental issues offer their thoughts. They discuss the struggles they face working to combat climate change, and what solutions give them hope.
On Monday, we had all the candidates running for Waterloo City Council attend our forum. - you can watch the Facebook LIVE video here. Our club extends appreciation to each candidate as well as our moderator Kevin McCrindle and time keeper Steve Schmitt. Annie Vander Werff and Jaclyne Heller are to be commended on securing all the candidates that joined us over the lunch hour.
Get excited...2021 Rotary Volleyball Banquet is November 8 and 2021 Football Banquet is November 15! A reminder this is a time to honor local high school senior athletes.
Guest speakers this year will be Megan Maahs (former UNI Basketball Player) at the Volleyball Banquet and Lance Dunn (former Minnesota State-Mankato Football player) at the Football Banquet!
This year’s Interact Awards are all about service-learning! Tell us about your service-learning experience by submitting a video, photo or essay by 1 December 2021.
Show us how your members are taking action across the globe, in your community, and in yourselves through service-learning. Start your service-learning journey by completing our service-learning course then share your experience in the 2021 Interact Awards. We are accepting videos, photos, and essays as part of the Interact Awards. Nominations will be accepted from 1 September 2021 at 00:00 Chicago Time (UTC-5) until 1 December 2021 at 23:59 Chicago Time.
North Star Community Services provides support services to some of our most vulnerable citizens, adults with disabilities living in north east, north central, and parts of central Iowa. Last year they supported around 4550 individuals. Executive Director Valerie Schwager and her team work very hard to bring in enough funding to cover basic operating costs, but it is a struggle to find extra for capital expenses.
The need for capital expenditures is now! Many of the facilities are aging and in need of important repairs. Support to those they serve comes first, so funds cannot be pulled away for capital repairs. That is why we are reaching out to you and your club!
Although services are provided from offices located in Mason City, New Hampton, Waverly, Marshalltown, Toledo and Vinton, it is the Waterloo facilities that North Star owns that have immediate needs. The cost will be approximately $168,000, but just $84,000 has been raised.
The Cedar Falls Rotary club has raised over $5,000 and received a matching district grant. This will help with a project at the University Avenue location. Please consider helping us expand this project or contact Valerie about something closer to your club. There is also a need to upgrade accessible transportation.
Fellow Rotarians, we are great at funding international projects, but this can help on the home front and is a hidden but very necessary part of our communities!
Please call Valerie Schwager (319-226-8344), Miller Roskamp (319-240-0087), or Mike Butler (319-239-6214), if you have any questions.
Look at this group led by longtime Rotarian and all-around amazing architect Hovey! With a very busy November program schedule, we saved our birthday recognition for November 22nd - all of these Rotarians have now completed their latest trip around the sun.
Brom, R. Hovey - Nov 05
Crisp, Jay - Nov 06
Allbaugh, David - Nov 08
Jenson, Luke - Nov 08
Miller, Donna - Nov 12
Thies, Shannon - Nov 15
Hall, Tavis - Nov 16
Hovey leads our club in years of service and age, and we are incredibly lucky to count him among our members. In January, he shared his World War II experiences with our club and if you were unable to join us, you can watch the program on our YouTube channel. Click this link to be directed there:
Can you help Henry Edsil track down a couple lost printed Rotary directories?
"I am trying to locate two small (approx. 3 inch X 8 inch) black leatherette ring binders of old Rotary members from the early 1960’s that a friend gave me. These contained printed bio sheets with photographs of Rotary members from that era. I brought these to Rotary sometime in 2019 (before the Covid mess) and left them for members to check out, but I don’t know who had them last. I’d like to get these back."
If you have them or know where we might find these, please email Kevin McCrindle or Mason Fromm, and we'll help reunite them with Henry!
We had a great turnout Monday, and all three candidates answered questions submitted by our members. You can watch the forum on our Facebook page by clicking here.
Meet the Candidates (bio information below is alphabetical order)...
Candidate Mayor Quentin Hart
Now serving his third term, Quentin Hart is the first African American to serve as Mayor of Waterloo, Iowa. Hart took the office in January 2016. He served three terms as Ward 4 Councilman from 2008 through 2015 including an appointment as first African American Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Waterloo.
Previously, Mayor Hart provided leadership for multicultural initiatives and promoting awareness and appreciation for diversity on campus and the community as Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs for Hawkeye Community College. He received his MAE in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs from the University of Northern Iowa and has a BA in Sociology from Minnesota State and a Liberal Arts Degree from Iowa Central Community College. Hart serves with the US Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, Accelerator for America Advisory Board, National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE), and President-elect of the Iowa League of Cities as wells as numerous regional and state organizations and appointments.
Candidate Margaret Klein
Born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, my family moved to Waterloo before I was one year old.
My father was a German immigrant and my mother was born in America. Dad worked at Rath and Mom worked at Chamberlain.
My 4 sisters and I grew up on a dirt street, called Phillips Street and then 1136 Independence Ave. I attended St. John Catholic grade school, Columbus Catholic high school, and the University of Northern Iowa.
Max, who is retired from John Deere, and I have been married for 52 years. We have 7 children, 24 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.
I supplemented the family income by working for the Catholic schools. 5 years ago, I first ran for the city council in Ward 1. I lost.
The very next year, I ran for the city council and won. I have served nearly 4 years and been amazed at the things I have seen and learned.
Candidate Sophia Mays
Sophia Mays is a United States veteran and is a resident of Waterloo, Ia. Attending school at the Waterloo community School. Elementary at Lincoln School. Went to Logan Intermediate and is graduated of Waterloo East High School. After graduating in 1999, she decided to join the Army. She was in the army for two years before she decided to leave the Army and to come home to Waterloo and has lived here in the city ever since. In trying to finding what she wanted to do she attended Hawkeye Community college where she received her certification in CNC Machining. She then switched her studies to liberal arts and has been more interested in the business aspect of Liberal Arts. she has worked construction jobs in trenching communication wiring. Working other jobs such as Tyson Foods cleaning and has also worked at Hy-Vee on Logan Ave. In 2008 she joined the campaign for Barack Obama as a volunteer an became involved in politics. Iowa was the deciding factor for whether or not Barack would win. Waterloo was very involved in that win. Sophia is considers herself as one who would do the work needed to be done.
Join us on Monday, November 1 to see many of the Waterloo candidates for City Council. Council Candidates confirmed to attend (as of 10/19): Dennis Halverson, Rob Nichols, John Chiles, Micki McCracken, Nia Wilder, Ray Feuss, and Dawn Henry. If you have questions for the candidates, please email them to Annie before Monday.
From skydiving to dyeing their hair, members have found unique ways to fundraise to #EndPolio. Check out six stories about how and why #Rotarians fight on to eliminate polio for good.
Italian food was served last week that made you think you were at Olive Garden!
If you've been missing the food and fellowship at Rotary - the good new is BOTH ARE BACK every Monday! The renovated 1st floor of the Waterloo Convention Center is beautiful and we'd love to see your face again now that' we're regularly meeting in person. Guests are also welcome, so check the upcoming programs and reach out to potential members with a lunch invitation!
Our very own Rich Frevert - Executive Director - will share the newest things happening at the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony!
Over the past 20 months, wcfsymphony produced a library of digital media in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This digital library includes performances, musician profiles and educational videos. I will be sharing examples of this library while talking about the impact of the pandemic on the world of music. I will also share information about our upcoming concerts including the Villains & Superheroes concert at Riverloop on October 30th and New Year’s Eve with Maddie Poppe on December 31st.
One City exists to create healthy environments that inspire transformation by bringing hope, love and opportunity into lives.
Dean Feltes is the Executive Director of One City United, a non-profit organization in Waterloo, IA. Dean has lived and worked in Waterloo for the past twelve years with a focus on equipping people to overcome barriers. Dean cofounded One City United in 2018 and over the past three years they have impacted nearly 100 people, through multiple programs, to overcome significant life and employment barriers. One City focuses on long term relationships as well as intense and impactful training, teaching and equipping so that individuals can thrive.
"#Rotary is committed to helping end poverty globally and to protecting the planet by pledging $97 million dollars in grant funding during 2022 for sustainable, member-led projects."
Join us October 4th - Dr. Robert Welch will be presenting on Tri-County Child and Family Development Council.
Tri County Child & Family Development Inc. is a local non-profit corporation. We have the privilege of holding the Federal grant to implement the Federal Head Start program in Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy counties in Iowa.
Tri County Child & Family Development is a single purpose agency founded 30+ years ago, with hopes of keeping a viable Head Start program in our area. Our mission has been to serve the children and families in these counties.
On Monday - at the Convention Center downtown - join us to hear from Ben Brustkern of Friends of the Family!
Friends of the Family works tirelessly to help survivors and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. We take pride in our advocacy efforts, which began in 1992. Over the years, we have expanded our organization to aid people in 27 Iowa counties thanks to generous donations and strong leadership from our staff and Board of Directors.
Líderes do Futuro is a girl-centered learning environment with storytelling tools for girls and allies to create social change. "Based on our girl-centered leadership approach, we launched an online and self-paced program on Canvas. It features 15 storytelling modules called “chapters” for girls to create and share stories according to their interests. The program offers guided prompts, multimedia resources, and discussion boards for them to build knowledge and act together across differences and territories. Initially in English, we hope to adapt it soon to other languages such as Portuguese and Spanish."
While our club did not meet last week we performed two volunteer projects as a group. On September 13 we helped at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in a food saving project in which 20 Rotarians participated in sorting, inspecting and repackaging produce and prepared food products so they could be distributed by the Food Bank. Click here to see us at work. We were able to save 1,000 pounds of food!
On September 14 and 15th club members again served as Room Ambassadors for the VGM Heartland Conference at educational programs held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cedar Falls. Each Rotarian worked in one of six rooms and helped the program run on time. We are hoping to help out next June as well when the program will return to the Waterloo Convention Center. Between work sessions we were able to dine together outside as shown in the pictures. Members helping out also attended training sessions by VGM staff on Zoom. Click here to see photos.
JOIN US AT THE WATERLOO CONVENTION CENTER for a look at our newly renovated "home"! There is still work going on outside and on the 2nd floor, but the ground floor looks amazing!
Alan Sweeney of the Grout Museum will give an update on new projects/exhibits this fall!
Starting September 20, we will start doing lunch at the newly renovated convention center! The convention center wants to know 5 business days before each meeting how many people are anticipated to attend. Please e-mail EJ at edjoe3@gmail.com on whether or not you will be attending. Our club will need to RSVP with the convention center each week so please remember to email EJ every week if you plan to attend the following Monday.
The work Champions of Change Winner Chris Hayter has done to reduce Malaria cases in Bakau by developing and constructing new drainage systems has had a life-changing effect on the community
The Bakau Drainage project has helped reduce the incidence of Malaria in Bakau by constructing, developing and maintaining a drainage system to address poor storm water management.
It was following a holiday to The Gambia in 2006, that Chris developed strong bonds with the West African country. In particular, she connected with the Bakau community, a village on Gambia’s Atlantic coastline to the west of the capital, Banjul.
After seven trips in seven years to The Gambia, it became evident there was a need to improve the education, health and environment of Bakau, and Chris needed to galvanise the community to work towards a solution.
So the seeds were sown for the ‘Oasis Project’, a charity which began in 2007. Chris founded the Starlight School which is responsible for the education of 200 children in Bakau.
Steve Carignan - Executive Director - will have a special presentation on Gallagher's upcoming shows!
Decades of dreams and three years of construction became a reality on April 6, 2000, with the dedication of the new Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa. Enabled by the generosity of Cedar Valley residents Ed and Cathy Gallagher and Carl and Peggy Bluedorn, as well as support from the university, the state and over 1,400 donors across Iowa, this was the first major center to open in Iowa in twenty years. The $23 million, 100,000 square foot complex features three state-of-the-art concert halls, a soaring glass-walled lobby and dozens of teaching and rehearsal spaces. All three halls have been designed with superb acoustics and intimate sightlines. The Great Hall also has cutting-edge theatre technology, enabling the center to present artists spanning from chamber ensembles to the biggest Broadway shows. Hosting more than 300 performances each year, the GBPAC showcases the world's finest artists, ensembles of the UNI School of Music, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and many other regional events.
When disaster strikes, #Rotary members respond. Here’s a snapshot of how a Rotary Global Grant helped Beirut after the 2020 port explosion. Members made this possible. Learn more about our grant program and how you can help:
The clouds of white smoke billowing into the air over Beirut were an ominous sign that something had gone terribly wrong in a storage hangar at the city’s port. Then a fireball of orange smoke and flames erupted straight up into the sky.
The massive explosion on 4 August 2020 killed more than 200 people, displaced hundreds of thousands more from their homes, and destroyed or damaged many structures. It was caused by a dangerous mix of materials that had been stored in the hangar — including ammonium nitrate, oil, kerosene, hydrochloric acid, miles of fuse wire on spools, and 15 tons of fireworks.
Like many buildings near the site of the explosion, Beirut hospitals were left with extreme damage, often making it difficult or impossible to treat patients safely. This led to a sudden surge in demand at other hospitals not directly affected by the blast.
As the magnitude of the destruction became known, Rotary clubs in Lebanon and around the world asked themselves what they could do to respond to a disaster that was playing out amid a deadly global pandemic. They soon realized that hospitals, some of which had been severely damaged, were in dire need of help. Beirut-area clubs received donations from clubs around the world; some worked with clubs outside Lebanon to apply for global grants from The Rotary Foundation.
Pursuing membership leads can be the first step to growing a passionate, engaged #Rotary club. Read KR Parthasarathy’s advice on motivating potential and existing participants to get involved:
The Rotaract Club Of Secunderabad Medicos donates oxygen beds to Gandhi Medical Hospital.
Doing something good in the Rotary world has always been my passion. The reach and access that I was afforded as an assistant governor in my district in India made it possible for me to reach my goals.
My endeavor to grow Rotary in my region began with an idea to revive our 52-year-old community based Rotaract Club of Secunderabad. It was chartered in April of 1968 and is one of the oldest Rotaract clubs in the world. Until the last few years, the club was slumbering with not much activity and not a lot of member engagement. We started at the top, revamping the leadership and bringing in passionate and active people. We were then able to induct 30 new members and discover ways to get them involved in voluntarily community services activities that they were proud to participate in.
Deb Pullin-Van Auken will be talking about the latest with the Rotary Foundation on Monday at the Best Western Hotel in downtown Waterloo.
The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions.
Lunch will be offered by GR Kitchen and Taps Restaurant. You may pay at the restaurant where you will also place your order. Please RSVP by FRIDAY 8/20 and let us know you are coming and if you plan on eating. Open 11:30-1:30 to members.
Special presentation and updates by director and board members!
Jim Koch - National Cattle Congress Manager - will present information on the history of the NCC as well as details on this year’s fair. Board of Directors Vice-President Deb Pullin-Van Auken will then add to that presentation with info on current restoration efforts and improvement plans. Steve Schmitt - Board of Directors President - will also be available for questions and to add to the presentation as needed. The meeting will be held at the historic Electric Park Ballroom. Tours will be available after the meeting for those interested in a more in-depth look at the fairgrounds facilities.
Texas and Nicaragua, what could possibly connect the two? #Rotary of course! The Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area has partnered with a non-profit organization to build a trade school in Nicaragua!
Frank Huezo, now a member of the Rotary Club of Kingwood, Texas, introduced his former club, the Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area, to the work of a local nonprofit called Fundación Chinandega 2001, which helps the children. Rotary members helped build a trade school, which trains students in practical skills such as woodworking, metalworking, welding, digital photography, and sewing. Funding from an expanding network of Rotary members in Texas and elsewhere also supported a hospital, a shelter for pregnant women, and a group home that helps blind children transition to mainstream schools.
Monday, August 23 we will meet at the BestWestern Hotel - Rotary Foundation update from Deb Pullin-VanAuken and lunch will be offered by GR Kitchen and Taps Restaurant. You may pay at the restaurant where you will also place your order. Please RSVP by FRIDAY 8/20 and let us know you are coming and if you plan on eating. Open 11:30-1:30 to members. edjoe3@gmail.com
Monday, August 30 - Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
Monday, September 6 - NO MEETING / HAPPY LABOR DAY!
September 13 - Service Project @ Northeast Iowa Food Bank
September 13, 14, & 15 Waterloo Rotary will be supporting VGM at their conference. Will you be able to work a shift? Email EJ for more details. edjoe3@gmail.com
Amy Eaton - Director of Marketing and Strategic Development at Women Lead Change - is our program August 9. Women Lead Change is dedicated to the development, advancement and promotion of women, their organizations, and to impacting the economy and future workforce.
Occupation: 33 years with Iowa Securities Investment Corporation – Executive Vice President since 1999 Hometown: Rochester, MN College: AA degree RCC, BS degree UW La Crosse, MBA Winona State Favorite Food: Gluten Free Donuts I make from scratch Favorite Movie: Second Hand Lions Biggest Pet Peeve: People not keeping their word Unique Fact: My Family runs the SE Minnesota Bluegrass Association Hobbies: Fiddle player with Cedar Valley Bluegrass, Genealogy and Fishing Favorite Quote: “Say what you’ll do and do what you say.”
We will NOT have a regular Monday meeting August 2nd, due to the Family Picnic held July 29th. August 9th will be our next meeting through Zoom and we'll hear from Amy Eaton about Advancing Women Leaders: Women Lead Change Launches Cedar Valley Women Connect
Future programs include:
August 16th - National Cattle Congress 2021 @ Electric Park Ballroom
Ashlyn Kullen - Business Development and Marketing Specialist at Cardinal Construction -- is one of our newest Rotarians!
Occupation: Business Development and Marketing Specialist at Cardinal Construction
Hometown: Waterloo, IA
College: Studied Communications and Public Relations at the University of Northern Iowa
Favorite food: Homemade Mac and Cheese
Favorite movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Biggest Pet Peeve: Knowing a surprise is coming, but not knowing the details of the surprise
Unique fact about yourself: I am recently engaged, so I can add wedding planning to my already long to-do list!
Hobbies: I am extremely family oriented. I enjoy spending time with my 5 nieces and nephews and watching my fiancé play competitive hockey. I love connecting with people in my community and serving at Sent church!
Favorite quote: "Excellence in the small things leads to success in the big things." -Christine Caine
This week's Rotary meeting is at Waterloo Center for the Arts and our program is a preview of "Little Miss Sunshine."
Based on the Academy Award-winning film, Little Miss Sunshine is an outrageously funny and surprisingly touching musical. Energetic Olive, enters a regional children's beauty pageant, the family thinks that their luck could change and embarks on a cross-country trek, chasing the coveted title of "Little Miss Sunshine." The show is filled with warmth, humor and a tuneful score.
Waterloo Community Playhouse is offering 4 performances this weekend and you can purchase tickets online!
To help divide up responsibilities, Jaclyne Heller and Micki McCracken will be scheduling the remainder of the programs for 2021. There are some already lined up by EJ/Annie, but please see us at the July 19 Rotary in-person meeting or e-mail us at jheller@kwwl.com and mmccracken@teamtricounty.org!
While nearly 130 billion disposable masks are thrown out each month during the #COVID19 pandemic, a #Rotaract club in Bangladesh is turning the waste into something useful. https://on.rotary.org/3hMZ6Gt
Our speaker Representative Sandy Salmon will join us IN PERSON and offered this synopsis: I will be speaking on why we should oppose the Equal Rights Amendment. I will outline the many unintended consequences of such a change to our Constitution. I will also explain how current efforts in Congress could result in the same damaging results as the ERA.
Sandy Salmon is serving her third term in the Iowa House.
Sandy and her husband, Matt, live on an acreage between Janesville and Denver and have lived in northeast Iowa 25 years. Currently, Sandy partners with her sister to manage the family farm in northwest Iowa. You can read her full biography in the link below:
A reminder the VGM Heartland Conference is September 13-15 with volunteers needed September 14-15! Please review times and let EJ Gallagher know if interested...
How about we sing Happy Birthday TOGETHER again? We'll honor these July birthday babies with a chorus of voices in the SAME ROOM at our meeting July 19th.
Mark your calendars - VGM is asking us again to volunteer at the Heartland Conference September 13-15. More details to come soon! If you already know you want to help, email President EJ.
Waterloo Rotary Club Family Picnic on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Rotary Reserve
Dear Waterloo Rotarians:
We are returning to our family picnic at the Waterloo Rotary Reserve Lodge located at 5932 N. Union Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Here Are the details:
MENU: Broasted Chicken Breast (White and dark meat), Marcella’s baked beans, corn on the cob, watermelon, coleslaw, ice cream of various flavors with dressings. Bottled water, coffee, iced tea, lemonade and chocolate and white milk will be provided as well.
COSTS: $12.50 for one person, $25.00 for a couple and $30 for a family of 3 or more-payment can be made by mailing to Waterloo Rotary Club, PO Box 118, Waterloo, IA 50704-0118 or by paying at the door in cash or by check. There will be a table by the front door to check you in and take payments if you are paying at the door.
WHEN WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU: Our head cook Larry Steffens needs to know by Thursday, July 22 at 9 a.m. if you will be attending and how many people will be in your group. Please contact E.J. Gallagher by email at edjoe3@gmail.com or by phone at 319-215-7078 (cell) or 319-234-2206 (landline). If you reserve and something comes up preventing you from attending please use the previous contact information to let us know.
There's still time to nominate an outstanding individual working to empower girls! Honorees will be recognized at key #Rotary events, including Rotary Day with
Equality is a fundamental human right that’s necessary for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Still, girls and women worldwide face inequities in areas including health and education, and they experience violence and poverty at higher rates than boys and men.
In keeping with 2021-22 Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta's goal of encouraging clubs and districts to empower girls in all of the service initiatives they undertake during his Presidential year, Rotary will honor six individuals – Rotarians, Rotaractors, and/or Rotary Peace Fellow Alumni - as Rotary People of Action: Champions of Girls' Empowerment during Rotary Day with UNICEF on 29 October.
This week's virtual meeting is a full agenda of items to kick off our new Rotary year! As we turn the page on the challenging 2020-2021 Rotary year, we'll discuss upcoming projects and plans to get back to in-person meetings!
Join us for our virtual meeting at noon to learn about opportunities for service work between the Cedar Valley and Haiti. President Annie will also share a re-cap of the Cultural Immersion Workshop last week which was sponsored by our club. Click the link below to join us at noon!
VICKI MUELLER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PATHWAYS BEHAVIORIAL SERVICES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WATERLOO, Iowa – JUNE 21, 2021 – After a nationwide search, Vicki Mueller was selected to succeed Chris Hoffman as Executive Director of Pathways Behavioral Services effective August 18.
“I am very pleased with the Board of Directors and their decision to promote Vicki to Executive Director,” said Chris Hoffman, current Executive Director. “When I retire in August, I know that Pathways will be in good hands and continue to positively impact the community for many years to come. Her years of dedication and growth make her a great fit.”
Hoffman – who has served in the position for nearly two decades -- announced his decision to retire in May and immediately a search committee was put together to begin the search process.
Mueller is no stranger to Pathways as she has just completed her 21st year with the organization and has served in multiple roles. Most recently, Mueller was Provider Services and Prevention Services Supervisor and served on the leadership team that oversees over 100 employees who help those in six counties dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues.
We will start signing in at 5 p.m. and will have a happy hour at 5:30 p.m. We will have a 10-minute program as in past years...Pledge of allegiance, officer introduction, brief history of the Reserve and invocation. Dinner will be available at 6:30 p.m. Cleanup will start at 8 p.m.
MENU: Choice of 12-ounce ribeye steak or boneless chicken breast, lettuce salad bar (baby carrots and celery, baked potato with sour cream and butter for topping. Dessert will include ice cream and strawberries. Coffee, iced tea, lemonade and milk will be provided. Our cooks state that there will be enough nonmeat items to take care of those who prefer a vegetarian meal,
BAR: Mix will be available. Please bring a bottled beverage to share. See Rotary 5 Way Test #5.
CHILDREN: This event will not have a children’s program –stay tuned for one at our July 29 family picnic. We can provide mac and cheese for children under 5 along with dessert and beverage at no cost. Children older than that can order a steak or chicken meal which will be charged at an adult price.
PRICE: $12.50 per person.
PAYMENT: By check to Waterloo Rotary, PO 118, Waterloo, IA 50704-0118 or pay at door
WE NEED TO KNOW WHETHER YOU WILL BE ATTENDING BY JUNE 18 with the number of people in your group and choice of either ribeye steak or chicken breast.
Waterloo Rotary Steak Fry—Thursday, June 24—5 to 8 P.M.
Rotary Reserve Lodge-5932 N. Union Rd., Cedar Falls, IA 50613
The program Monday is at Rotary Shelter - George Wyth. Please contact Mark Durbahn if you are able to come out early to help build picnic tables. He says they will start putting together at 10:30 - very fun and easy. Like putting together legos! mark.durbahn@aecom.com
Also to let us know if they will be joining us for lunch at Noon! We will have a program update and present an honorary member award to Marcella Ericson
Discover how #Rotary member Julie Dockrill trained medical workers in Mongolia in safer childbirth practices to save lives: https://on.rotary.org/2TczRDj
Did you know? Pollinators like bees contribute directly to food security and conserving biodiversity. #Rotary even has a fellowship dedicated to help #savethebees.
Rebecca McCarty is the Director of Mission Engagement at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley and will update us on what's happened the past year at Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley.
Main Street Sweep is TOMORROW, May 22nd, and our club needs more volunteers to register online. The more people we have, the more we can accomplish! Take a few minutes and watch the videos linked below of Dallas and let him inspire you....then sign up to volunteer :) Please share the volunteer link with your family, friends, co-workers.
We will meet at the Main Street office 212 E 4th St. for volunteer check in, coffee and donuts (sponsored by Bien Venu) and instructions. We will have some equipment available for use, but feel free to bring your own. The clean up supplies have been sponsored by Spellers True Value. Iowa Love is giving the first 30 volunteers who sign up a free shirt! Look at all of those incentives!
Former State Representative Doris Kelley and also Emerita Chair, Vice-Chair and Executive Director of the Iowa Board of Parole, will be our guest speaker. Her presentation is titled “ERA: it’s about time.”
Doris’s discussion will focus on how the Equal Rights Amendment came to be first introduced to the American public in 1923, actions since 1923 to make the ERA the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, U.S. House of Representative approval of the ERA, the U.S. Senate currently sitting on the legislation and research as to why the ERA is needed.
Rotary members may not know that women and men have the same legal rights in only six countries out of the 187 countries in the world and 94% of Americans want the ERA to become law of the land. Because the Constitution proclaims a nation’s values, we need the ERA because our nation must close the book – once and for all – on the idea that equality of rights is a debatable issue.
Representative Salmon planned to join us May 17th to talk about the Equal Rights Amendment, but the extended legislative session required a new date TBD.
May 5th Cedar Valley Career Expo- Connect with students for summer employment, internships, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, full and part time positions during the inaugural 2021 Cedar Valley Career Expo. Employers and organizations set up at 7:30 for an 8oclock start time. The event ends at 3pm and spot interviews are available. Register by completing the registration form here as booths are available on a first come first serve basis. We will provide a table and two chairs (more upon request and please let us know if electricity is required). This is a free event. We will also launch our career corner with our "Dress for Success" Closet and Career Development Kiosk (a location where I can post open positions for the students to access).
UNI-Cue & the Waterloo Career Center Summer Internship Program- The University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education and the Waterloo Career Center is excited to announce our inaugural Summer Internship Program. Students 16-19 years of age have an opportunity to work for companies in high demand careers, while receiving pay, mentorship and soft skills. We pay the students, as companies are only responsible for assigning tasks, tracking hours, and general supervisory duties. Business orientation will take place on May 10th at 3pm. For additional information please contact Megan at megan.holbach@uni.edu
WCC Sports Marketing Networking Event The Sports Marketing class is planning a golf outing as their class project. This will take place at South Hills Golf Club on May 19th at 3 pm. The objective of this assignment is to plan an event that allows for networking with the business partners of the WCC. Each hole will have a sign promoting a career path(s),and two students from each area by the sign. This is to chat with the golfers about their experience at the WCC.For more information please contact Jill Schares @scharesj2@waterlooschools.org.
We'll hear from fellow Rotarian (of Cedar Valley Club) Jessica Rucker, she's the Executive Director of Main Street Waterloo and has dozens of events coming up.
Main Street Waterloo is dedicated to enhancing the vitality of downtown Waterloo through historic preservation, economic development and community engagement. Downtown Waterloo is home to 2,100 residents and 5,500 day-time workers; $70,000,000 worth of annual commerce and averaging $8,000,000 in annual private re-investment into the district.
President-elect EJ Gallagher learned this week that former Rotarian Emile Leighty passed away last year in Florida. Emile was a member of our club for over 10 years, then moved back to Florida after Ike passed away. The link to her obituary is below and it includes a short bio with details of her long life filled with music, art, and love.
Our club is saddened to learn of Sue's passing last week. Sue learned just about a month ago that she had Stage IV Liver & Pancreatic Cancer during a series of doctor visits after a fall.
Please keep her husband Steve and their families in your thoughts and prayers, her obituary link is shared at the bottom of this story.
Just 3 short years ago, Sue was profiled in this YouTube video produced by Grow Cedar Valley.
Sue’s list of service includes:
Board Chair of Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber (now Grow Cedar Valley)
Served on the Finance Committee, Executive Committee and Board of Grow Cedar Valley
Greater Cedar Valley & Chamber’s recipient of the 2018 Fulfilling the Vision of One Award
YWCA Board Member
Cedar Valley United Way Board of Directors and Finance Committee
Waterloo Rotary member
Also was active with many other community organizations.
Sue was a cheerleader for the Cedar Valley and was an unstoppable force for the things she believed. Her goal was to make the Cedar Valley a better place to live, work and raise a family. Her honesty and integrity never waivered. Sue was a friend and mentor to all. She will be greatly missed by SO many! RIP Sue! You are now a bright and shining star in the Cedar Valley!
Memorials can be made to UnityPoint Hospice, c/o Allen Foundation, 1825 Logan Ave., Wloo 50703 or donor’s choice of organization. Mailing address is 4120 Diana Dr., CF 50613
Executive Director Joy Briscoe and Accelerator Director ReShonda Young will be presenting on the 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium. The organization is a non partisan 501 C3 aimed at increasing personal and professional development, stimulating the creation of generational wealth and financial empowerment and building networks of influence with navigational support for Black Professionals.
In response to the unique needs for entrepreneurs to recalibrate during the COVID-19 induced recession, 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium launched the Cedar Valley Black Business & Entrepreneurship Accelerator (CCMBEA) to proactively serve the needs of the African American business community and better understand where considered action could do the most good.
By Steven Sanbo, past governor of District 6690 and Zone 30 assistant Rotary coordinator
What I recall most are the hundreds of faces. Faces of hope. Faces of relief, gratitude, fear, joy, excitement, desperation, anxiety and yes, faces with tears all hidden behind masks during my volunteer shift at a mass vaccination center in Arizona, USA, on 26 February.
The only other time I had seen hundreds of faces filled with so much emotion was leading a Rotary mission trip in Guatemala in November 2014 to open a trade school. That morning an earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude hit the San Marcos region 40 miles from where we were working. It was the largest earthquake to hit Guatemala since 1976.
That afternoon I and two other Rotarians volunteered to be first responders with Shelter Box leaving at 04:00 the following morning for San Marcos. You could see it on their faces. The villagers cried for help, support, food, water, shelter, hope for missing family members amid the destruction and crumbled houses. I was there to provide hope.
Chris Dunn graduated from UNI in 2012 with Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communications. Since, he has worked at several area not-for-profits, currently being employed as the Outreach and Communication Coordinator with Cedar Valley Hospice for the past five years. Today, Chris will be giving an overview of care provided by Cedar Valley Hospice and how it differs from other types of healthcare.
At Cedar Valley Hospice, we do much more than provide hospice and palliative care for our patients. We also look after the well being of their families and our community members through grief support, education and ways for the people of our community to get involved. Cedar Valley Hospice believes one person can change a life, so we invite you to connect with us today.
Rotary honored six members as People of Action: Champions of Health on World Health Day 7 April, in recognition of their work to improve the foundation of good health at home and across the globe. The work of these members proved especially important and challenging due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
They will also be recognized at the 2021 Virtual Convention for their outstanding contribution to health.
Our club has lost another towering figure of community service - Steve Thorpe passed away Saturday, April 3. The family received friends at services this week, and Locke Funeral Home has a webpage where memories can be shared:
Join us to celebrate April birthdays...this group was denied proper recognition last year as the pandemic changed everything. Let's show this group some love!
Do you want to learn how Rotary's membership strength is in our diversity? Join Emily Tucker, Regional Membership Chair for Rotary International, at the Virtual District Conference on April 30 and May 1.
#Rotary member Maria Kliavkoff and her club are inspiring conversations and connections focused on the eight Pillars of Positive Peace.
What difference can one conversation, one action really have? As a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada living and working in the border area between Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, I have always had a passion for peace. By good fortune, I have had the opportunity to meet four RI presidents, and I asked each what polio eradication has taught Rotarians about peace. The answer that inspired me most came from past RI President Barry Rassin, who told me “peace happens one conversation at a time.”
Rotary International has had a long relationship with the United Nations from its founding where over 40 Rotarians had role in drafting the United Nations Charter. Later an English Rotary club came up with the idea of UNICEF. Rotary has been a non-governmental observer at the United Nations for many years and Rotary's efforts in world wide disease prevention and health promotion including programs such as Polio Plus involve cooperation with the World Health Organization which is a UN affiliate. The speech today will deal with challenges to democracy from the rise of global populism and the prospects for internationalism and cooperation with this development and in a post COVID world.
Iowa United Nations Association Executive Director - Debra DeLaet, Ph.D.
Beth McCrindle is our amazing coordinator of the special luncheon and has the following words...
This honors program will be different this year-obviously without the “lure” of lunch and getting out of the building for part of the day we tried to make the formatting more appealing. The program will be a fabulous video of all of the honor students from Columbus, East, Expo, Valley, Waterloo Christian and West put together for us by the Superintendent’s office. Surrounding the video will be words of advice and congratulations offered by those our club as honored in the past who are all graduates from Waterloo.
Katie McCrindle Kroeger. Honor student who went to Spain as a Rotary Exchange Student between West and Wartburg. Now an outdoor enthusiast living in Colorado.
The Rotary International Convention, scheduled for 12-16 June 2021, in Taipei, Taiwan, will now be a virtual event in response to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
We are sorry that we will not see you in Taipei this year, but this decision, made by the Rotary Board of Directors, is necessary to protect the health of everyone involved. We will share more details about the 2021 Rotary International Virtual Convention soon. Here’s what you need to know now:
This year’s “Duck Pluck” will take place on May 1, 2021, virtually. The winning ducks will be plucked out of Michelle Bell’s hot tub during the District Conference!
Mr. Norman Ussery - one of our own dedicated members - is talking about the Waterloo Community Playhouse updates!
Norman Ussery Norman was raised in the Virgin Islands where he worked in several theatres, taught at University of the Virgin Islands and was co-founder of St. Thomas’ Pistarckle Theatre. He graduated from Duke University and has worked at Twin City Stage in Winston Salem, NC, the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, NC, Theatre Tallahassee in Tallahassee, FL, and Theatre Arlington in Arlington, TX. Through his career, he has been an avid participant in the American Association of Community Theatres and is an advocate for collaboration in the arts, especially among theatres. He currently serves on the board of the Iowa Community Theatre Association. His background includes management in both professional and community theatres. In addition to theatre management, he has worked extensively as an actor and a director, mostly in the southeastern US and the Caribbean.
The City of Waterloo’s 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan process is underway! Our partners at deNovo have created a community survey to gain input from Waterloo residents and anyone who visits, works, or cares about the community.
Tell us what makes Waterloo great and be entered to win a prize pack with tickets and swag from Waterloo favorites such as Lost Island, the Waterloo Black Hawks, Waterloo Bucks, a Waterloo golf package, Phelps Youth Pavilion passes and more just for sharing your thoughts.
Your input will help us develop a vision for the future of Waterloo. Be a part of your community’s success by sharing your thoughts on Waterloo’s best features and opportunities.
Improving sanitation in communities around the world is part of our history.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
Like many things this year, Empty Bowls will look a little bit different with the event taking place entirely online. Throughout the event week join us in learning about the Food Bank, while also raising awareness and educating the community on the issue of hunger. This will be done through a variety of different online medias. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets and bid on both silent and live auction items.
Since 2002, good progress has been achieved to boost girls' enrollment in school. However, an estimated 129 million girls worldwide remain out of school and face multiple barriers to education.
These include distance to school, cultural norms and practices, school-related gender-based violence and early or forced marriage. Boys and girls face barriers to getting a good education in conflict-affected areas where safety and security can be compromised, and in households that depend on their labor or income.
Rick Harnish co-founded the High Speed Rail Alliance in 1993 with a passion for revitalizing the region he grew up in, lives in and loves. The Alliance builds the political will for systemic change by advocating for integrated rail and transit networks connected by 200+ mph high-speed lines. By connecting cities, towns and airports, the high-speed trains will dramatically expand economic opportunities and slash carbon emissions.
The Rotary Clubs of Kingston and area are continuing their tradition of community service by providing volunteers as ushers and screeners for the local COVID-19 immunization clinic at the INVISTA Centre.
There are four Rotary clubs and two Rotaract clubs in Kingston, and members from all six clubs are assisting this effort.
“Rotarians have been assisting Kingstonians for 100 years in many areas, particularly support to youth, seniors, and the underprivileged,” said Mike Moore, local Rotarian. “COVID has presented an entirely new challenge for Kingston. So, Rotarians and Rotaractors have responded by donating significant sums of money to the Food Bank, have helped deliver food to needy families, produced and distributed masks to disadvantaged families, and will be helping KFL&A Public Health in perhaps the most positive, impactful event of our lifetime, vaccinating our residents.”
To celebrate 75 years of cooperation and a shared history of working together toward a healthier and more peaceful world, Rotary presented the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, theWorld Health Organization (WHO)and UNICEF, with its highest recognition: The Rotary Award of Honor.
The Rooted Carrot Co-op Market is a grassroots effort to establish a community-owned grocery store that emphasizes local, healthy, and sustainable.
Tom Wickersham is a member of the Co-op’s board of directors. During the the day he serves as the Program Director at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.
Get a guided tour of the Rotary World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois.
As one of the two Rotary clubs normally conducting club meetings at One Rotary Center in Evanston, Illinois, USA, members of the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse were touched by General Secretary John Hewko’s inspirational tour of Rotary World Headquarters. Seeing Room 711, the location of the first Rotary meeting, was a reminder that club members later this year will once again walk by it on our way to club meetings, just as we did prior to the pandemic.
In past years, our Club has celebrated Presidents Day by honoring and learning about our club’s history from our Past and current Presidents. This year we will not have a table or dais, but we will have the opportunity to hear from some of our Past Presidents about their term in office and other memories about our club. Join us using the Zoom link below and celebrate our club's current president Annie Vander Werff, and all our past presidents who have carried our club for 106 years!
Dr. Jay Paul Ginther M.D., 74, of Waterloo, passed peacefully at 2:30am on February 4, 2021 at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital after a long history of battling heart problems. Music that he had performed with the Metropolitan Chorale played in the background. His wife, Ann, and their three adult children, Katrina, Greg, and Alex were with him. He believed in God the Creator that holds all of nature in balance, and he believed that death was an opening to the fullness of God's presence. In the end, Jay was sorry to leave us, but too tired to stay any longer.
Jay was born July 10, 1946 in Jersey City, NJ to Dorothea (Halloran) Guinther M.D. and John Paul Guinther M.D. Jay attended Wesleyan College in Connecticut where he was active in the Glee Club and Church Choir. Jay earned his M.D. from Columbia University in New York City. He was completing his surgical internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital where he met his wife Ann (Willenbring) Ginther.
In his youth, Jay was very active in the Boy Scouts of America. In his 30's he ran the Boston Marathon. As an adult, he was involved in the Rotary Club. He was passionate about traveling around the world to experience new cultures, foods, and study history. Jay was a wine enthusiast and active member in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls wine club. Jay and Ann loved music and sponsored many symphony fundraisers. Jay enjoyed nature throughout his life; whether it was gardening, exploring national parks, or walks with his wife through local trails in Waterloo. He was also a proud member of Mensa.
Rotary International President Holger Knaack shares the importance of taking on big challenges and increasing our impact to create new opportunities.
The Covid pandemic, while bringing so much suffering to the entire globe, has also enabled Rotary to open opportunities in many different ways, such as this institute and the virtual meetings we hold. These are so important as they bring leaders together to brainstorm on how to take on the challenges ahead. We are now in a time of rapid change and we have to keep working together to ensure Rotary comes out of this difficult time in a much stronger position,” said RI President Holger Knaack, while delivering the convocation address at the GETS event for RI zones 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Striking a pensive note, he said, “Rotary was founded in a world that doesn’t exist any longer, it is a different world now, which moves faster and is harder to comprehend. And it is filled with crises to manage. And yet it gives us new opportunities.”
He said even before this crisis, people were meeting and keeping connected to different friends in different ways. “Social media and online connections were already there but they have now become more important. We are all now used to working virtually. Most important, the younger generation that has grown up in this world, has a stronger desire for service and connections.”
Kevin and Beth have been Rotarians for a long time and one aspect they’ve always enjoyed is attending makeup meetings while traveling. Years ago Kevin attended a meeting of the local club in Iguacu, Argentina, and was the only English speaker there. The difficulty was - he was staying in the rain forest and no cab would drive him back after the dinner meeting. Thank goodness for his College German class and another visiting Rotarian from Berlin! They were able to communicate sufficiently to get a “volunteer” to drive him back! (“Will it build good will and better friendships?” Yes!!)
The McCrindles have attended so many meetings of the Princeville Club in Kauai that some consider them Ohana (family) members. There are many others but obviously all this has changed since the Pandemic! They now don’t have to find another virtual meeting-they can continue meeting right here in Waterloo! They both agree that when traveling it’s a “fun” (5th of the 4-Way Test!) way to stay.
Our club has lost another member this week, Dr Jay Ginther has passed away. His wife Ann specifically reached out to Beth McCrindle to notify our club and shared these words:
You can read Jay's blog about bone health and osteoporosis here:
We'll update the club with service details as they become available, please keep Ann and their family in your thoughts.
For over 50 years, Hawkeye Community College has distinguished itself as one of Iowa’s best community colleges. They're known for an environment that is academically challenging, for our caring faculty and staff, and for providing students the latest technology.
Fellow Rotarian and President of Hawkeye Community College Dr. Holcomb will share what's happening and expound on new initiatives on campus.
Deb Pullin-Van Auken has an update on our Rotarians who are giving to the Rotary Foundation.
Cheers to Us!
In these pandemic times, it is important to recognize members of our club that have shown the spirit of philanthropy through OUR The Rotary Foundation, including those that have achieved the EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) level (they give at least $25 per year to the Annual Fund) and those that are sustaining members (they give at least $100 per year to the Annual Fund). Let’s celebrate the spirit of philanthropy ( + = number of $1,000 level donations after achieving Paul Harris Fellow status):
The Job Foundation is a local non-profit with a mission to equip K-12 students and their families for economic advancement. This is accomplished through a comprehensive approach that stresses financial education, stewardship training, academic achievement, and attainment of key resources to increase financial stability. The Job Foundation envisions a world where all children, from every socio-economic background, are well-equipped with the financial skills, knowledge, and assets needed for their financial and life success.
https://thejobfoundation.org/
Kelsey Umthun earned her BA in Family Services and a certificate in Nonprofit Management. She began working at The Job Foundation in 2016. Kelsey has walked alongside students and families in the program for four years and currently serves as The Job Foundation’s Director of Development.
Rotary members rise to the challenge of the #Covid19 pandemic to distribute 800,000 masks to first-responders and essential workers in ten cities
In the early morning of 29 September, a cargo ship carrying 800,000 face masks arrived at the Port of Boston. Over the course of the following 14 days, those masks were delivered to first responders, healthcare providers, and frontline workers in cities, towns, and villages across New England.
This is a story of service and leadership. It’s a story of how our District and Zone responded to a crisis, rallied its resources, put boots-on-the-ground to bring disparate and far-flung communities together to spread goodwill. Most importantly, it’s a story about working together and using our collective professional backgrounds through the Rotary network to make a difference.
I am so grateful that Mason Fromm reached out to Bill Robert and his family recently.
Had Mason not connected with Bill and his son Mike, we might not have had the chance to lift Bill up, send cards, or share Rotary memories with him during what turned out to be his final days. (Mason compiled a book of the 2020 Reporter highlights for Bill).
Mason shared, "Bill Robert passed away on Sunday morning (January 17th) about 12:30. They had just moved him into hospice Friday evening, and Saturday brought another day of more pain, medications, and "fuss" that Bill didn't appreciate. However, Mike was able to share our Reporter archive with him and he said Bill shared memories about a few of our members.
I'm so glad we were able to get the book in his hands Friday and I hope Bill felt the love of his club in his final hours.
Mike said there will not be a memorial service, but I asked him to reach out if our club can be of any assistance to the family."
67 years to be committed to an organization like Rotary is admirable. We will celebrate the life of Bill Robert at our meeting today with a moment of silence. If you are not able to be with us, please take a moment to remember Bill - and if you're moved to stop by Dairy Queen - I'm sure it would make him smile if you chose to eat an ice cream cone in his memory!
Yours in Rotary, Annie Vander Werff President 2020-21
We hosted around 60 members and guests for Hovey's presentation January 11th, but there was simply too much story to fit in a single meeting. We heard "the rest of the story" January 18th.
Watch Hovey's complete story on our YouTube Channel:
Efforts to #endpolio in India have had lasting benefits: stronger health systems, improved vaccine delivery & robust disease response. Congratulations on 10 years without a case of wild polio, now let’s end polio for all!
Normally held in the fall, this year's One Rotary Summit has moved to January offering two VIRTUAL 90-minute sessions. Save these dates...
Tuesday, January 26th @ 6:30 pm
Saturday, January 30th @ 10:00 am
ORS is one of Rotary's best training programs that offer new ideas and best practices to help your club work on three key areas... membership, foundation, and public image.
With the President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in March, ORS can compliment pre-training for your incoming presidents, and president-nominees. But, any Rotarian can attend at no cost, plus no travel! So watch for registration info out soon and plan to join us for One Rotary Summit!
Our very own Hovey Brom (yes, that's him in uniform) will be presenting and you DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT. He served under General George Patton in WWII and has done so many amazing things in his 95 years! Learn more about him in this 2012 Courier article
“Right now, I can see all my patients through my mobile phone,” says Prakash Paudyal, a pulmonologist and member of the Rotary Club of Jawalakhel, Nepal. Paudyal uses a Kubi device to turn a tablet into a “mini-robot” for remote monitoring of his COVID-19 patients who are in isolation at Nepal National Hospital. Paudyal learned about the Kubi and other telehealth practices during a vocational training team trip to the San Francisco area last year. “I do one round with all my [protective] gear on, and then I see all my patients through this mini-robot,” he says, thankful that the Kubi helps protect him from exposure to the virus.
The use of telehealth has surged worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, a study by McKinsey found that 46 percent of consumers are now using telehealth, up from 11 percent in 2019. Broadly defined, telehealth includes everything from virtual visits with a doctor to remote monitoring of a patient’s vitals to mobile health technologies.
James Gude, a California physician who founded a telemedicine practice called OffSite Care, says that when a doctor conducts a video consultation with the assistance of an on-site nurse and with access to a patient’s records and diagnostic test results, it can be nearly as effective as seeing a patient in person. “With a nurse there to help me examine you, I can order and look at everything I need,” he says. There are also sophisticated “robots” that allow a doctor to see a patient via videoconference and even send instrument readings, allowing the doctor to listen to a patient’s heart through a stethoscope, for example.
The people who fill the truly essential roles in society are often in short supply
By Joe Queenan Illustrations by Sébastien Thibault
From time to time, societies run low on the things — and the people — they really need. We wake up one day and realize that there are too few doctors. Or far, far, far too few nurses. Or it suddenly dawns on us that there aren’t enough teachers, engineers, or plumbers to go around. There are certainly never enough guys who work well with sheetrock.
Other professionals we have in spades. There are always more than enough landscapers, baristas, actors, masseurs, personal trainers, hairdressers, IT guys, and chefs. Nor are we ever in any real danger of running out of hedge fund managers, ballerinas, real estate agents, claims adjusters, standup comics, bartenders, aspiring singer-songwriters, or car salesmen. But the people who fill the truly essential roles in society are often in short supply.
Something like this may already be happening with Good Samaritans. From time to time, societies run desperately low on the kinds of devoted, implacable altruists who are always ready to pitch in and make the world a better place.
Our club typically ends each calendar year with a 2-week hiatus from regular meetings. We will not virtually meet December 28th or January 4th and hope our members will stay healthy and warm until we reconvene on Zoom January 11th.
Maternal health projects give Rotary clubs in Uganda a sense of purpose during COVID-19 restrictions
In March, the Ugandan government moved rapidly to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing a strict lockdown and closing schools before the country had experienced more than a handful of reported cases.
The measures have been credited with saving lives and limiting the spread of the virus in the country, which had recorded only 1,200 cases and five deaths in August as the continent of Africa approached a million.
Still, those measures didn’t come without a cost, including lost jobs and hardships on pregnant women unable to reach a hospital due to the travel restrictions. Reuters reported that one woman in Kampala struggled for 90 minutes to reach a hospital a mile and a half (about 2.4 km) away. Both she and the baby died. In addition, the Women’s Probono Initiative, an advocacy group, reported cases of six other women and two babies dying during the lockdown.
When the Rotary Club of Rubaga, Kampala, heard of the reports, they knew they had to act to provide a safe transport option. The club donated an ambulance to provide medical transport to residents of Kikajjo, about a 40-minute drive southwest of Kampala. Betty Mwesigwa, the club’s immediate past president, says Kikajjo has densely populated, lower-income areas.
Monday the 21st, our last meeting of the year, we will celebrate the season with a holiday performance and presentation by the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony!
Please join us virtually and invite some guests! This is a perfect prelude to the holiday season. We will also spend some time reminiscing about our favorite holiday traditions, recipes, and past times.
Please wear your festive holiday hats and attire. There will be prizes!
On Monday, December 11th, Wade Itzen delivered the Glen "Doc" Miller trophy to our 2020 MVP Alex Feldmann and Columbus Football Head Coach Brad Schmit (2004 MVP).
Our "virtual" award ceremonies in November for student athletes did not allow us to present the trophies to each MVP, so Rotarians delivered them to the schools afterwards. Here is the link to see our Volleyball MVP Jenna Brown from Don Bosco.
Major Shannon Thies of the Salvation Army is talking about the fundraising they are doing this year.
Every year The Salvation Army is able to assist local people in need throughout the Holiday Season by providing a wide range of both broad & specific assistance services/programs. By giving your support through volunteering, fundraising, donating or sharing the word about our mission - those in need around your community can continue to have access to these life changing services & programs.
Below are two links to donate to the Salvation Army. All money stays local!
ROME, Italy (December 4, 2020)— In the face of surging infections in Italy, Rotary and the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are taking action to support the country’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
As part of an 18-month partnership, USAID will provide US$5 million to The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s philanthropic arm, to support Italy’s pandemic response, prepare communities for future outbreaks and address the long-term social and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Given all the political guests and athletic awards - we did not find time at a regular meeting to honor our November birthdays. So we'll have a double-header and list our November and December birthdays at our December 7th meeting:
I'd like to share an update on the Global Grant you helped to fund here in Iowa.
All equipment has been purchased and installed at the four health care centers. One of the sites, Eastern Iowa Health Care Center has seen a huge increase in patients since the August 10 Derecho that came through Cedar Rapids. Our grant was nearly completed at that time.
Please know that the Rotarians and residents of Iowa thank you for believing in this project and for helping our residents living in poverty gain a basic human right: healthcare.
I personally thank you all for an unprecedented Global Grant collaboration in the US with contributions from India and Brazil and Minnesota.
Yours in service,
Michelle Bell Assistant Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator District 5650, 5970 and 6000 2019-2022
Zone 29 International Convention Promotion Chair 2021 Taipei, Taiwan
Mike Hoffman from Cedar Valley Makers will share information about providing free workshop space, access to tools, and expertise for those working on projects in the pursuit of education.
Stories of service from around the world with Rotarians...
By Brenda Cressey, Trustee and Rotary Member of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA
Several years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to take part in a multi-project mission with more than 100 Rotarians, spouses, Rotaractors and even a few new Rotarians from Rotary District 5280. We flew to Panama to visit project sites, perform cataract surgeries, and deliver wheelchairs.
There were several “Rotary moments” on that trip, but the truly unforgettable moment for me was when a grandfather, having no legs, was presented with the gift of mobility in the form of a bright red wheelchair.
Seeing his grandson in tears reminded me that we not only changed that grandfather’s life, but the life of that young boy who had been lovingly carrying his grandfather everywhere since he became big enough to do so. Moments like that one are why I never miss an opportunity to promote the World Fund and encourage others to support it with their generous giving.
Our very own Deborah D. Pullin-Van Auken will give us a foundation update on Monday!
What’s new with YOUR The Rotary Foundation? What’s The Rotary Foundation doing to help with the global pandemic? With the global pandemic drawing away everyone’s attention, what’s going on with Rotary’s long-running polio fight? I hear about all the international activities The Rotary Foundation is involved with, but what do they do for us in our district and our local community? Is there any way I can help with The Rotary Foundation’s local and international initiatives?
World Children’s Day is a special moment for bright young minds to speak up, demand their rights and show the world their boundless potential.
World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children.
This year, the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in a child rights crisis. The costs of the pandemic for children are immediate and, if unaddressed, may last a lifetime.
It’s time for generations to come together to reimagine the type of world we want to create.
Kids are reimagining a better world. What will you do?
Longtime Waterloo Rotarian Ron Johnson passed away October 30th at age 93, and we hope to have his son Barry and other family members join us for an upcoming meeting.
Our dad, Ron Johnson, took great pride in being a member of the Waterloo Rotary from when he joined in 1969 until he resigned his membership in 2015 due to "increasing age". We all have wonderful memories of attending the annual Rotary picnic. We also appreciate the important role that Rotary played in dad's life. He may have put it best in his letter of resignation when he said "I thank all of the members for excellent programs and lasting friendships. It truly has been a good ride."
Ted Batemon will share his amazing journey of achieving life goals after overcoming challenges!
My story is about overcoming incredible odds and being able to walk again after being told I would be paralyzed, I call it the most selfish I ever prayed.
Like so many other things this year, our normal club operations have been adjusted in response to Covid-19. Thankfully, we have technology that allows us to see and hear each other while we stay physically separated. By early summer, Art Cox stepped up to host our Rotary meetings on Zoom and we were able to break into "rooms" of 4-5 members and catch up with each other before the program - just like sitting at tables pre-pandemic.
The link to join our meeting is the same every week, so you can add it as a bookmark in your browser or create a recurring appointment in your calendar. We encourage you to share the link with people you think would like to attend and one day join our club. We have more than 110 active members in our club, but only about 30 join us for meetings each week. If you haven't joined us for a virtual meeting yet, there's PLENTY of room on the screen for you (even if you don't want to turn on your camera!).
Just click the logo below to join every Monday at noon!
Area coaches and media voted on the Most Valuable Player for 2020.
Columbus High School, Don Bosco High School, Waterloo Christian High School, Waterloo East High School and Waterloo West High School are the featured local schools. Valley Lutheran High School is typically involved but did not have a team this year.
Click here to view the player names and photos...and to see our 2020 MVP!
For true economic development, women are essential
Here’s why these organizations and their Rotary club partners are supporting local women’s entrepreneurship with financial literacy, small business loans, and one-on-one advisors.
by Anne Stein
Women’s economic empowerment contributes to a nation’s growth and to the world’s economic health overall. Studies have shown that it boosts productivity, increases economic diversification and income equality, and supports economic resilience. And income loss associated with gender discrimination costs the world economy an estimated $12 trillion and well as a reduction of 16 percent of cost to the global GPD.
2020 volleyball team photos are shared below so our club can see the faces of the athletes that not only competed against other teams this year, but battled a global pandemic to continue playing the game they love. We'll meet virtually this year to honor the teams and award a gifted young woman the travelling MVP trophy. Our club congratulates each athlete and honors their commitment to taking extra steps this year to keep their team healthy.
I studied at the University of Kentucky where I majored in Broadcast Journalism and minored in Political Science. There, I competed for the school's Division 1 gymnastics team for four years.
Although I received my education from the Bluegrass state, my roots go back to Southern California. Ever since I was five years old, I've always said I wanted to be the anchor for the TODAY Show one day. Now being here and working for KWWL, I feel like I'm getting closer to achieving my dream.
Sheriff, Iowa House, Iowa Senate and U.S. House all were invited to speak at our Rotary Club. This week, two candidates will round out our month of political candidate speakers.
After returning home, many students miss their lives abroad. Rotex helps keep the international connections going.
by Diana Schoberg Illustration by Viktor Miller Gausa
Riikka Muje had a fantastic time when she lived in Brittany, France, in 2011-12 as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. “At the beginning it was hard,” she recalls. “I didn’t speak the language. I didn’t know anyone. But then it’s amazing how you can form a life in another place.”
After her exchange, adjusting back to life in her hometown of Rovaniemi, Finland, was just as hard — until she joined a Rotex alumni association, Rotex for short. Rotex alumni associations are groups of Rotary Youth Exchange alumni who act as intermediaries between Rotarians and Youth Exchange students. They provide mentoring and organize events with exchange students in their home country as a way to give back and keep their international connections alive.
Ron Steele interviewed both candidates running for Iowa's First District for U.S. House of Representatives this week for his weekly show The Steele Report. You can watch the show Sunday mornings after "Meet The Press" on KWWL.
As our plane approached the ancient city of Alexandria, I peered out of my window to behold a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea meeting the Nile river at dawn. A fitting prelude to an amazing five days in Cairo - “the city of a thousand minarets". As a student of peace studies, I have been captivated by the historic and modern struggles of the Middle East. I’m grateful to have experienced Egypt — it’s people and culture — nearly a decade after the Arab Spring revolutions swept the region. It was an invaluable opportunity that broadened my perspectives on conflict, peace and resilience.
Terrance Stevenson - Rotary Peace Fellow, MSc Economics and Finance for Development
In November, we will honor seniors from local high schools in their respective sports of volleyball and football.
On November 9th we'll honor volleyball athletes and our guest speaker will be Alaina Kwan of KWWL, former University of Kentucky gymnast.
Then, November 16 we'll honor senior football athletes and our guest speaker with be Ted Batemon of Electronic Engineering, former Wartburg College football player.
While the format will look a lot different this year due to Covid19, it is important that our club continues to recognize the hard work and dedication these athletes, coaches, and families have made to their sports. The travelling trophies will be awarded to the MVP from each sport, just as we have done for decades!
ElsaMarie D’Silva of Mumbai began her career as a flight attendant, eventually rising to become vice president of network planning for one of India’s largest airlines. Learning about the fatal 2012 gang rape of a young woman in Delhi, an unusually heinous crime that led to public outrage, led D’Silva to make a dramatic career switch.
D’Silva is the founder and CEO of the Red Dot Foundation, which works with nongovernmental organizations in India, Nepal, and Kenya to address street harassment and violence against women. In addition to community workshops, the foundation empowers women to document catcalling, groping, and other incidents through an online crowdmapping platform called Safecity. D’Silva was also a Rotary Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Our first political candidate will join our Virtual Rotary meeting Monday, October 12th.
Sheriff Tony Thompson took office January 1, 2009(Article),was re-elected in November of 2012 with nearly 70% of the vote, and again in November of 2016 with 98.8% of the vote. His law enforcement career started much earlier however... He joined the US Army as a military police officer in 1988. He retired from the Iowa Army National Guard in 2009, with 21 years of service. His career with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office began in March of 1994 and he has worked in the Jail, Special Services, Patrol, and now Administrative Divisions. His prior assignments include: Drug Education Officer, Community Services Coordinator, Computer Crimes Investigator, Patrol Officer, Public Information Officer, and SWAT Team leader prior to taking command of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office.
The U.S. lost a remarkable leader on Sept. 18, 2020, when Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at age 87 after a years-long battle with recurrent pancreatic cancer. Famously nicknamed “The Notorious RBG,” Ginsburg’s career focused on ending gender-based workplace inequities for men and women.
No matter your political affiliations, it’s tough not to notice the similarities between Ginsburg’s impactful career and the evolution of Rotary over the past few decades:
In the 1950s, she was one of just a handful of women admitted to Harvard Law School. It wasn’t until the 1980s that women were allowed to join Rotary.
In the 1990s, RBG made famous her “dissent” standings, in which she went against popular opinion to mainstream “gender blind” law, for equal rights for men and women in work and education. In Rotary, women became district governors for the first time in the mid-1990s.
As of this year, RBG is one of just four women to have served as Supreme Court Justices. The first female Rotary International presidential nominee was appointed in 2020 for the 2022-2023 election.
We’ve come a long way in Rotary and in society for raising the bar for equality standards among men and women. RBG’s work made a lasting impact that parallels our Four-Way Test: truth, fairness, goodwill, and mutual benefit.
We are getting ready to ship 40 to 50 tons to help Nicaragua. This is year 19. We started with one school with 40 kids and now we have 2,400 kids in 14 schools. In year two we focused on Casa Materna (shelter for pregnant moms). Since 2003 we have delivered 19,000 healthy babies at our shelter and given them a layette bag with everything they need for a new baby at home. We also send many school supplies and extra clothes.
Since 2001 (when we sent about 25 tons) we have now exceeded 1,000 tons of help for great kids, moms, and families who need a hand up.
We will start unloading a semi trailer Monday, October 5th at 8 AM in the "old" Food Bank building at #ast 11th St and Sycamore. Anyone who can help should call Liz and Steve Thorpe 319-830-3012, Dave Lee 319-231-2188 or Jim Seely 319-830-5988.
Tune in and see our very own Steve Carignan moderate one of the forums.
The Black Hawk/Bremer League of Women Voters will sponsor virtual candidate forums in the month of October. A forum for Black hawk County candidates will be Thursday, October 8th, 7p.m. – 8:30 p.m. via zoom. The forum for metro Legislative candidates will be Thursday, October 15th ,7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. via zoom. The Forum for Bremer County candidates will be Thursday, October 22, 7 to 8:30 pm. The public is invited and may access the forums on https://www.facebook.com/BlackHawkBremerLeague
Facebook Events will be created for each forum, and available as Facebook Live.
The public will have an opportunity to submit questions on-line.
For more information, please contact Jean Seeland, 319-493-2015.
World Polio Day is October 24—How Does Your Club Plan To Take Action?
We have much to celebrate! Africa has now been declared free of the wild poliovirus. Rotarians continue to move closer to the goal of total eradication. Plan an activity in your club. Ask your club leadership about what is being planned for World Polio Day to promote polio eradication.
Dedicate a club meeting to polio eradication awareness. Invite a guest speaker who is a polio survivor. Invited your local media to the meeting. Have a discussion aimed at increasing awareness of Rotary’s fight against polio.
Host a virtual viewing party for friends and club members to watch the official Rotary International Online Global Update on October 24.
Show the “5 Ways to End Polio” video at your club meeting. You can find it at this link:
A really great End Polio Now toolkit is available to help you plan and celebrate. This toolkit has press releases, banners, posters, social media messages, infographics and educational materials. Visit this link to view those materials:
Our club is now seeking donations to support the Operation Warm project. Coats are $20 each and the club will MATCH 100% of all donations up to $2,500.
Be sure to purchase your coat (or coats) by Wednesday!
There will be no meeting today since we hosted the Family Picnic last Thursday. Please plan to join us October 5th when we meet virtually and celebrate October birthdays!
Our very own Nick Rossman will be reviewing the latest happenings at Waterloo Public Library, as they are doing things in a new way with the COVID-19 environment we are currently experience.
John Hewko and CEOs across industries share their best advice with Adam Mendler in his Lessons in Leadership series.
Over the years I have interviewed hundreds of America’s top leaders and a question I love asking is: “What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders?” Here are the answers I received to that question from ten CEOs of successful organizations - across of a wide of industries - who I interviewed in my Lessons in Leadership series:
John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International: In addition to stressing that all leaders reflect on their personal and organizational core values, I would simply suggest that those in the for-profit sector take a critical look at how social value is part of their firm’s mission. Broadly, if the 19th century for-profit sector valued “reward,” and the 20th century benchmark was risk and reward, then the 21st century will be defined by risk, reward and impact. For many years, it was difficult to answer the inevitable question: How do you blend and measure social and financial returns? This is no longer the case, but it requires some bold collaboration between the private sector and non-profits to act on this insight. Finally, I firmly believe that trailblazing leaders are made, not born. Rotary’s founder Paul Harris wasn’t blessed with once-in-a-lifetime talents, but he was able to articulate a vision that inspired others. He was able to act on his vision to form a new social network well before anyone ever heard of Facebook or LinkedIn.
Hear from our own Rich Frevert - Executive Director of Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony - and Jason Weinberger - Artistic Director - and learn the latest and greatest from their organization.
Sixty-five years ago, in 1955, I was diagnosed with polio. I was two years old, so I was unaware of what it meant to have been infected with the poliovirus, but I became more aware of it in subtle ways as I got older. And at some point, I understood what my mother meant when she said I was “one of the lucky ones.”
Among my childhood memories, getting the oral polio vaccine is as vivid as the classroom drills that taught us to seek safety under our desks in case of a nuclear attack. While I can now joke about how sturdy school desks must have been back then, there’s no amusement in my recollection of lining up outside the local firehouse for the Sabin sugar cube — that was serious, important business. I knew it then, and I know it now.
We'd like to hear what our members are up to with helping other in the community. Have a non-profit fundraiser coming up? Or did your organization donate to a non-profit or group in need? Send me a note and some photos and we will put in the Reporter! E-mail Jaclyne @ jheller@kwwl.com
Make change and make time for your health this fall.
Rotary Transcends Embracing Change - We are Change Makers!
The year 2020 has shown us that we are more resilient than we ever imagined - as individuals, teams, and Rotarians. Rather than shrinking from change, we have embraced it and made this Rotary year one for the record books:
We’ve adapted to virtual meetings - including the Rotary International Conference.
We’ve donned our masks - some Clubs have even ordered specialized Rotary masks for members who choose to wear them.
And really, we’ve done the same things we’ve always done...a little differently.
Through it all, we’ve gained a new appreciation for what it means when we do get to come together. As Rotarians, we know we are better together, even if we are physically apart. We take on challenges as a unit - none of us is an island. By embracing these challenges as a team, we can go about our work with a spirit of service and a renewed perspective.
Ten clubs in Ontario, Canada hosted virtual events in 2018 and 2019. Find out their tips on creating your own event.
After many years of celebrating World Polio Day with proclamations, updates from Rotary and health leaders, and flag-raising ceremonies, the 10 Rotary clubs in District 7070 (Ontario, Canada) took a different course in 2018. An in-person event held in a new global classroom and simultaneously streamed live is now serving as a great model as we approach holding our first World Polio Day live event in a COVID-19 world.
Just three years ago, Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology, a post-secondary school in Oshawa, Ontario, constructed a new Centre for Collaborative Education, which included a Global Classroom. The center allows students to learn from, and share with, students and experts from around the world in real-time. The class brings cultures from around the world together to share information about each other’s culture and countries. The clubs of the Durham region all helped provide funds for the creation of the center and global classroom.
You are invited to join us at this year’s "socially distanced-style" Waterloo Rotary Club family picnic! Please RSVP by Friday, September 10 so we can plan accordingly.
The details:
Cost: $25/family
When: Thursday, September 24
What time: Doors open at 5, food 5:30-7:30 pm *Program @ 6:30
Where: Rotary Reserve on North Union Road in rural Black Hawk County
Rotary and its GPEI partners celebrate a monumental achievement, say global eradication of wild polio is possible with the continued dedication and persistence of Rotarians.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on 25 August announced that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of its African region. This is a historic and vital step toward global eradication of polio, which is Rotary’s top priority.
After decades of hard won gains in the region, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) — WHO, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the vaccine alliance — are proclaiming the milestone an achievement in public health. They offer it as proof that strong commitment, coordination, and perseverance can rid the world of polio.
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