Stories
Join us Monday for the annual holiday luncheon! A plated meal will be served, and we'll have entertainment from East High student musicians. Captains Zac & Karissa Zumwalt from the Salvation Army will have the red kettle available to meet the greatest needs in our community. We will also collect funds to share with our amazing convention center staff who cook and serve us each week. Guests are encouraged and welcome, but we ask that you please RSVP before 10am Monday morning to ensure we have an accurate count for meals. |
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OFF SITE MEETING DECEMBER 9thOne Monday, December 9th, we will meet OFF SITE at I HOPE Waterloo to enjoy a Pakistani lunch. We will hear from Pastor Oliver Zia, Founder and Executive Chairman at Gospel Faith International Church, Quetta Pakistan. Pastor Oliver and his wife Ruby and two sons recently moved to Waterloo under a religious worker visa. They have been missionaries in different countries and planted 17 churches in different parts of Pakistan. Pastor Oliver began his journey many years ago as an affluent athlete for the country of Pakistan. He has been a bold witness for Christ in the midst of a culture that is frequently hostile to Christianity. God has used Oliver to lead many people to experience salvation and healing in Jesus. We are fortunate to be at the table with Pastor Oliver and his wife Ruby. She is a wonderful cook, enjoys cooking for and entertaining large groups, She is also a massage therapist. Oliver is assisting Michael Peters in the One with Jesus discipleship program (formerly International House of Prayer (I HOPE)). Together they are helping Christian pastors, leaders and believers multiply their ministry through Kingdom Discipleship and Healing. The International House of Prayer is located at 722 S Hackett Rd, Waterloo, IA. Near U-Haul and Young Plumbing and Heating off of University Avenue. |
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Rotary Birthday MachineDid you know our club has a "Birthday Machine"? Several years ago, one of our esteemed members Tom Arthur bought the club a plug-in Radon detector to be shared among our members. Tom was moved by one of our presentations about Radon and the prevalence of the radioactive gas in many midwestern homes. Radon increases the risk of lung cancer and is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. The original Radon detector needed to be re-calibrated after many years of use, so Steve and Liz Thorpe stepped up to purchase a new and easier-to-use battery-powered detector for our club. This month during the birthday table recognition, Mason will encourage members to check out the detector to take home and collect some readings, then use that information to buy a chemical test or seek a professional mitigation company. Think of it as a machine that helps your family have MORE BIRTHDAYS...it's a birthday machine! Fellow Rotarian Phil Nash shared this story with the club a few years ago: |
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December BirthdaysJoin us December 2nd and we'll honor Rotarians celebrating their birthdays this month:
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West High's Brady Dean is 2024 Football MVPSince 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. You can see the list of all the 2024 MVPs and photos of the ceremony on our website, www.WaterlooRotary.com |
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New UNI Athletics Director Keynote Speaker MondayJoin us on Monday for our Annual Football Awards Luncheon and hear from UNI Athletics Director, Megan Franklin! |
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NO MEETING NOV 25thThe Waterloo Rotary Club will take a Thanksgiving break and not hold a regular meeting Monday, November 25th. We will reconvene Monday, December 2nd to celebrate birthdays and conduct some club business. |
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Jada Smith of West High is our 2024 Volleyball MVPCongratulations to the West High volleyball team and their MVP Jada Smith! 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. For the 32nd year, area volleyball coaches choose their team's MVP, then by ballot of all the coaches, award the trophy for overall Most Valuable volleyball player who is entitled to display the trophy at her school for the next twelve months. You can see the list of all the 2024 MVPs and photos of the ceremony on our website, www.WaterlooRotary.com |
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Operation Warm just needs $400 !!First-grader Tyshon Harris has help from David Buck Nov 21 2011 MATTHEW PUTNEY Courier Photo Editor Our club is so close to raising all the funds needed to provide warm coats for kids in 6 Waterloo elementary schools - can you help us over the finish line? If you haven’t already donated please consider donating now to our Operation Warm project. Or if you have donated please consider making an additional donation. Donations can be brought to the club meeting today (November 11), or made through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s website. Thanks, David Lee Jim Seeley |
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Upcoming ProgramsOur 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? Dec 23 - NO MEETING Christmas Holiday Dec 30 - NO MEETING New Year's Holiday January 6th, 2025 - Tim Hurley / Waterloo World War II Heritage City Jan 13 - Jacob Bates Western Home Jan 20 - NO MEETING Martin Luther King Jr. - volunteer! Jan 27 - Keegan Crawford / Bank Fraud |
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Annual Rotary Volleyball Awards Banquet Nov 11Reminder...please come early Monday as we will be honoring area high school volleyball seniors and announcing who is selected as the MVP this year! We will start promptly at 12:10! We'd like to thank our PREMIER SPONSOR of the event, OMJC Signal... We also would like to thank our Presenting Sponsors... Friends of Rotary Sponsors Amy Rousselow, Barb Prather, Beth and Kevin McCrindle, Bonnie Smith-Davis, Brandon Marks, Bryan Burton, Dave Buck, Dave Lee, E.J. Gallagher, Frank Seng, Gene Leonhardt, Jaclyne Heller, Jay Crisp, Jim Schaffer, Jim Seely, Joan Rice, John Beecher, John Bunge, Kathy Braun, Lindy Lindenberg, Phil Nash, Ryan Cose, Tom Arthur |
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KWWL's David Warrington Speaking at Rotary Banquet on MondayOur Keynote Speaker for the Annual Volleyball Awards Banquet is David Warrington from KWWL! Born and raised in Eastern Iowa, David is thrilled to continue calling it home and telling its stories. He was raised in Central City, Iowa, a town of 1,200 people near Cedar Rapids. A graduate of Central City High School, he got his media start in sports broadcasting, announcing sporting events for the Central City Wildcats. |
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Nov 4 - Astor Williams on Proposed New Waterloo SchoolToday we will hear from Waterloo School Board member, Astor Williams.
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Reminder: Annual Volleyball Banquet Next Week |
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November BirthdaysWe have a birthday group this month led by everyone's all-time favorite song leader Hovey Brom! Hovey will celebrate his 99th birthday and we'll gather to send him good vibes in absentia.
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Former Army Media Reflects on World Polio DayWhy World Polio Day is my favorite dayPosted on October 22, 2024 By Jeffrey Walsh, Rotary Club of Bloomington-Normal Sunrise, Illinois, USA I am a former Army medic and a returned Peace Corps volunteer. I joined Rotary recently, and I am excited to be part of an organization that is working to eradicate polio. I would love nothing more than to help achieve our top priority by entering combat zones and going to distant countries. |
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Want to join the Programming Committee?President-Elect Larry Steffens is looking for Programming Committee members. Please e-mail him larrysteffens51@gmail.com if interested! |
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Dr. Jared Smith Speaking Monday on New SchoolWe will be hearing updates from Dr. Jared Smith - Superintendent of Waterloo School District - on the new high school plans. |
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Five Reasons to Attend Rotary Peace ConferenceLed by Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick, the 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, 20-22 February 2025, will be an opportunity for the Rotary community and our partners to build on Rotary’s contributions to promoting peace by exploring:
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Iowa's Second District Candidate Sarah Corkery Oct 21Candidate Sarah Corkery - who is running for U.S. House - is speaking today.
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Upcoming Community EventsThere are opportunities to volunteer or participate in upcoming community events. We'll use this space in our weekly Reporter to promote upcoming events that our fellow Rotarians are involved with: >> Winter WonderLoo - Nov 30th thru Christmas Downtown Waterloo Winter WonderLoo is Downtown Waterloo's holiday season of celebration! Join us for visits with Santa, Downtown Waterloo's Jingle Bar Hop, Visits with Santa, Merry Movie Magic, and activities for all ages! >> If you have an event coming up that you'd like to share with our members, email Mason |
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Guest Lunches Now $25Due to the large increase in food costs, guest lunches now cost $25/person. |
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Last Call to Sponsor Athletics and Academic Banquets |
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NewAldaya Lifescapes Presenting Monday |
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Congresswoman Hinson Speaking MondayJoin us Monday to see Congresswoman Ashley Hinson speak and answer questions. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson proudly represents Iowa’s 2nd district in Congress. 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 the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, 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. Prior to serving Iowans in public office, Ashley was a reporter for KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids. For more than a decade, she had the opportunity to connect with Iowa’s small business owners and community leaders. Ashley’s extensive reporting on rising healthcare costs, devastating flooding, and other critical issues impacting Eastern Iowa drove her to seek opportunities to better serve her community and take action to solve the problems she had covered for years. |
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October BirthdaysWe'll celebrate Rotarians born in October at our September 30 meeting - this group has over 300 years in combined service to our club and includes FIVE past presidents.
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Candidate Dave Sires Speaking Sept 30Iowa State Senate District 38 Candidate Dave Sires will be speaking at our club on Monday! Dave Sires is a businessman from Cedar Falls. He and his wife own and operate Cedar Village a manufactured housing community and a self storage facility. The manufactured housing business also includes new and used manufactured home sales.
Dave was born at Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls in 1960. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Holmes Junior High, and graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1979. He attended UNI in the early 1980’s studying economics. Dave Sires has always been a hard worker. When he was 10 years old he started selling sweet corn to make money and then bought his own tractor at the age of 13. He farmed 15 acres to start with and then as a junior and senior in high school farmed 75 acres. After graduation from high school he purchased an excavator and had his own excavating business which included building terraces, ponds and tiling. While operating the excavation business Dave had always worked along side his father in the manufactured housing business. Dave and his wife bought out his parents in 1991 and have been operating the community ever since. In 2003, Dave decided that a self storage facility would be a good complement to his business and he built Added Self Storage. |
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Upcoming Community Event: Pathways |
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Black Hawk County Supervisors Forum is TodayKevin McCrindle will be moderating a forum of our Black Hawk County Supervisors able to attend our meeting. If you have suggested questions, please send to Kevin prior to 11 am: kevin.mccrindle@mccrindlelaw.com. Black Hawk County has five elected supervisors... Chris Schwartz Tom Little Linda Laylin Daniel Trelka Tavis Hall |
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State Sen. Eric Giddens Speaking MondayWe will hear from Iowa Senator Eric Giddens today! He serves: Cedar Falls, Hudson, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, Gilbertville, Washburn, La Porte City, Traer, Dysart, Mount Auburn, and parts of Waterloo. In Cedar Falls, Eric was previously a math teacher at Peet Junior High School, a former member of the Cedar Falls Board of Education, and has worked at the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education where he led a program to help Iowa communities increase the adoption of sustainability practices. |
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Rotary International UpdateSophie Bamwoyeraki’s love for education began as a child, when she would read to other children in her neighborhood. As Rotary Club president in 2016, she helped transform Makukuba, a village where a child tragically lost their life walking 6 kilometers to school. Today, as a school principal, Sophie continues to inspire change by starting Interact clubs and empowering students through hands-on learning. Read the full story here |
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Rotary Zone Institute held in Texas Sept 5-8The Rotary Zone 25b-29 Institute was a gathering of Club and District Leaders to share to learn and become better equipped as Leaders. Our own Waterloo Rotarian and future District Governor Jeff Halverson traveled to San Antonio, Texas with his wife Mary Margaret. Jeff returned to Iowa energized to lead our District! Jeff Halverson is pictured here with Rotary International President Elect Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo District 5970 Governor Elect Nominee Jeff Halverson and his wife Mary Margaret with Rotary International Director Salvador Rizzo. |
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NO MEETING SEPT 2We will NOT meet Monday, September 2nd - enjoy a safe long weekend and join us September 9th when we'll hear from Black Hawk County Auditor Grant Veeder. |
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It's Time to Consider Organ DonationWith transplant changes afoot, Rotary members push to end global organ shortagesAnil Srivatsa drives an SUV plastered with stickers and slogans across India on a quixotic mission: to teach as many of the country’s 1.4 billion people as he can about the importance of organ donation. He’s one man in his truck, often accompanied by his wife, driving from town to town for several weeks each year to try to increase India’s organ donation rate, because it ranks among the world’s worst. “There is a deep cultural bias against organ donation in India,” says Srivatsa, a media entrepreneur who helped found the Rotary Club of Organ Donation in 2022. “There is much work to be done in this space, to counter misinformation and fear.” For Srivatsa, the mission is intensely personal. Ten years ago, he donated his left kidney to his brother, Arjun Srivatsa, a neurosurgeon and a member of the Rotary Club of Bangalore, who had chronic renal failure. On his driving tours, Srivatsa sleeps in a rooftop pop-up tent on his SUV. One of its decals says “Kidney donors are sexy!” He speaks to a Rotary club if there is one in town — there are more than 4,000 in the country — or he assembles what residents he can when there’s not. Read the entire article here:
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Limelight Arts Presentation MondayOur very own Jordan Bancroft will be presenting on Monday!
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Sheriff Tony Thompson August 19thWe will hear a presentation on mental health from Sheriff Tony Thompson today! Sheriff Tony Thompson took office on January 1, 2009, and was re-elected in November 2012 with nearly 70% of the vote, and again in November 2016 with 98.8% of the vote. However, his law enforcement career started much earlier when 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. |
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JOIN A ROTARY COMMITTEE TODAYWhether you are a NEW member or a seasoned member who wants to get involved; consider one of our many committees! Also, we will be looking for a fundraising committee so reach out to President Cathy if interested...cnicholas@blackhawkcounty.
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Rotary International UpdateDid you know Rotary has 34 magazines? More than half of Rotarians worldwide receive a regional magazine instead of the flagship Rotary magazine. These publications are produced independently by Rotarians, distributed in more than 130 countries, and published in 26 languages. They have a combined circulation of 764,896. Each magazine has a regional point of view but also includes articles and photographs of international interest from Rotary magazine. Click the link below to see all the various publications Rotary uses to keep members engaged and informed: |
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Can you help at the last Iowa Woo game?David Lee is organizing volunteers to raise money for Operation Warm through volunteering at the LAST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON Saturday night (July 27th)! If you have interest in learning more, please e-mail davidlee@cfu.net! |
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Boy Scouts of America - July 15thWe will hear from the Winnebego Council of the Boy Scouts of America on Monday! District Executive Laura Hayes has worked with Scouting America in some capacity for much of her adult life. She started in Scouting in the early 1990s as a District Executive in Northwest Indiana. After three years, a move resulted in a career change, and over the years she has worked as a Veterinary Technician, Music Teacher, Insurance Agent, and Stay-at-home-Mom and caregiver. |
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Results of Rotary SurveyCathy recently conducted a survey which about 20 Rotarians responded to. Here are the results.
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2024 Family Picnic - Thursday, July 25Sign up for the Rotary Family Picnic from 5-7pm at the Rotary Reserve - $8 for adults $5 for Children under 12. Pot-Luck sides and desserts, and Rotary will furnish meat, buns, condiments, Marcella’s baked beans, bottled water and lemonade. Meats will be hamburgers, brats, hotdogs, chicken breast - please email Larry to specify your choice for each person attending. Activities will be provided for the kids. Email Larry if you can help volunteer with set up/cooking/kids activities/clean up - remember the Rotary moto Service Above Self and our goal to make this a fun event for families! We look forward to having you join us...you're welcome to bring guests as well as prospective members. |
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July 8th Rotary MeetingWaterloo Rotarians will re-convene Monday, July 8th at the Waterloo Convention Center to celebrate July birthdays and a brand new Rotary year led by our 2024-25 President Catherine Nicholas! June 24th - Passing the gavel to President Nicholas is Past President Jaclyne Heller, joined by President-Elect Larry Steffens. |
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July BirthdaysAt our first meeting of each month, we recognize Rotarians celebrating their birthday - and July 8th we'll send a shout-out to these lucky people:
*Denotes past president of our club |
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Election of Officers June 24At our last meeting of the Rotary calendar year we officially confirmed our club executives for the 2024-2025 fiscal year! 2024-2025 Executive Slate Cathy Nicholas, President Jaclyne Heller, Past President Larry Steffens, President Elect Steve Schmitt, Secretary Treasurer TBD EJ Gallagher, Sergeant-at-Arms Amy Rousselow, Member/Membership Chair Bonnie Smith-Davis, Member Lauren Finke, Member Jordan Bancroft Member: New member Allison Beach Member: New member Rochelle Kane Member: New member Deb Pullen-Van Auken, Foundation Chair* Dave Lee, Warm Coats Chair* Kelli McCarthy, Business Secretary* *Non-voting member |
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District Governor Speaking June 24Carole Bernhard - District Governor - will be giving a brief presentation on Monday! |
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Rotary Event TONIGHT at the Waterloo BucksWaterloo Rotary Club has purchased 25 tickets to the Waterloo Bucks game tonight and Cathy still has some available If you are interested in attending the Waterloo Bucks game versus the La Crosse Loggers, please reach out to Cathy or Jaclyne. cnicholas@blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov or jheller@kwwl.com Weather looks great and it will be a blast for you and your family! |
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Arts in the Digital Age Presentation**JUNE 17 OFF SITE MEETING AT THE WATERLOO PUBLIC LIBRARY** Hear from fellow Rotarians Steve Carignan (Executive Director of the Gallagher Bluedorn) and Jordan Bancroft (Executive Director of the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony) on ways their organizations are reaching people in the "digital" age. We are more connected (digitally) than ever before. And also more lonely than ever before. Loneliness has an enormous impact on our health, our relationships and our civic lives. The Symphony and Gallagher are working to help people reconnect offline and share experiences that bring them closer. Come, learn the scope of the challenge and what we as a community can do to make things better. (Hint - Rotarians are better at this than some) |
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Rotary Business Meeting on June 24We will close out our Rotary fiscal year at the June 24 meeting. We will vote on the final ballot of board members for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. If you have interest in being on the board, please e-mail Cathy at cnicholas@blackhawkcounty. |
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Rotary International UpdateA fellow Rotarian does painting to raise money for children who need cleft lip and palate surgeries! By George Lewis, Rotary Club of Venice-Nokomis, Florida, USA Extraordinary. This is how I feel about Rotary. I’ll be 90 years old in June and joined Rotary at a relatively late age. I went on my first volunteer trip to Guatemala in 2006 to help install stoves for Mayan families. Those stoves changed their lives, and the experience changed mine. As we installed stoves, I enjoyed talking with the families and asked them what other assistance would be helpful. Most often, someone would reply that clean drinking water would be the most significant improvement. I promised them I would help, and that became my purpose in Rotary.
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Main Street Waterloo June 10th *OFF SITE*Our June 10th meeting is at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa @ 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls. A lifelong resident of the area, Rucker has deep roots in the community and the downtown district, which holds a special place in her personal history. Leading Main Street Waterloo since 2018, she plays many roles and wears every hat imaginable to make sure the job gets done. In partnership with dedicated volunteers, Rucker works to revitalize downtown Waterloo through historic preservation, economic development, and community engagement. Passionate about the community she lives and works in, Rucker will share news about downtown Waterloo and all it has to offer. Jessica is embracing the opportunity to create a positive change in her community - reminding us all that downtown Waterloo is YOUR downtown!
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Monday Meeting at Community Foundation of Northeast IowaRemember our meeting is offsite on Monday at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa in Cedar Falls. Address below... 3117 Greenhill Circle Cedar Falls, IA 50613
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Cultural Conversations and Birthdays June 3We are back at the Waterloo Convention Center on Monday and we will kick off June with Annie's Cultural Conversations and Mason doing birthdays! 50 Ways Culture Influences: A FUN social engagement opportunity inspired by the 50 Ways Culture Influences each of us! No way is right or wrong. It just is. You will engage in a guided conversation with your favorite Rotarians (choose your seat wisely). Answering 3 primary questions, learn how "the way you do it" is similar or different from your table mates. It's one of the tools we use during the cultural conversations hosted throughout the District.
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Rotary International Update"We increase our ability to adapt when we don’t turn a blind eye to a growing global mental health crisis but confront it directly & use our grassroots service model to find solutions tailored to immediate needs." - Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally After five days of friendship, excitement, and cultural connections, the 2024 Rotary International Convention in Singapore ended with a focus on the future. Speakers emphasized Rotary’s continuing mission to promote peace and goodwill and previewed next year’s gathering in Calgary, Canada. |
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Main Street Sweep May 18Here'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 18th and is looking for a handful of volunteers! Main Street Sweep is an opportunity to ensure our downtown is a beautiful, healthy, inviting space as we gear up to host thousands of visitors this summer. 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. At the link above you'll also find volunteer opportunities for future Main Street Waterloo projects like setting US flags and watering the beautiful flowers lining 4th St. Click through and lend your time and talent to growing and supporting our downtown district!
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Waterloo Schools Superintendent Speaking May 20We will hear the latest from Dr. Jared Smith on the plans for a new school in the near future in Waterloo. Dr. Jared Smith is the Superintendent of the Waterloo Community School District. With more than 10,000 students and 1,700 employees, Waterloo is among the 10 largest school districts in Iowa. Jared has taught and coached at both the middle school and high school levels. Prior to becoming a superintendent, Jared worked as an assistant principal and principal for ten years. 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 is an award-winning blogger, professional speaker, and author of two books, including the Amazon Best Seller Turning Points: More Lessons Learned on Leadership, Education, and Personal Growth.
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Rotary International UpdateClaire Chiang is speaking at #Rotary24 in Singapore! From humble beginnings to impactful leadership, she embodies our theme: Sharing Hope with the World |
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May BirthdaysCelebrate birthdays with us today - here are the celebrants:
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Rotary International Update |
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Black Hawk County Sheriff Office K-9 Presenting May 13Karla Altenbaumer - Community Engagement Officer - is speaking Monday! Karla has been with the Sheriff's Office for 10 years. Prior to that, she worked at the Cedar Falls Police Department for 5 ½ years. She is currently assigned as the Community Engagement Officer as well as First Shift Patrol. She is the newest K-9 Handler with her pup Mary. Mary is for Officer Wellness, Community Engagement, and Crisis Response. She is involved with many different activities at the Sheriff's Office including Peer Support Team Coordinator, Defensive Tactics Instructor, CPR Instructor, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, member of Honor Guard, and various other activities. |
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Rotary International UpdateWhat do Jack Sim, Alexandra Rose, and Dr. Obinna Onyekwana have in common? They all believe in breaking down barriers & supporting communities around the world. And did we mention they'll take the stage at #Rotary24? |
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Meeting Off Site at Caribbean Restaurant TodayWe look forward to having you join us at the Haitian-style restaurant on Monday, May 6 at noon.
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May 6 Rotary Meeting at OFF SITE LOCATIONA heads up we have our May 6 meeting OFF SITE at M & J Caribbean Restaurant at 926 La Porte Road in Waterloo. We will hear from the owners about their journey to Waterloo and their business in Waterloo. Since 2022, more than 1,000 Haitians and their families have made their homes in Waterloo and the surrounding communities. Jean and his wife, The Chef, know the value of offering a home-cooked meal, inclusive of all the familiar tastes of home. That is why, they decided to put their entrepreneurial and culinary skills to work by opening a Caribbean cuisine restaurant and bar right here in Waterloo. The menu boasts delicious rice and beans, chicken, fresh vegetables (with a kick), bullion soups, pattees, fried plantains, and the fixings that make for a beautiful, mouth-watering meal. Of course, no Haitian meal would be complete without an ice-cold Haitian Prestige beer. |
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Rotary International UpdateFrom reducing school drop out rates to conducting free breast cancer screenings, Rotarians are working to create lasting change and have fun along the way! United StatesOysterFest has been a calendar highlight of the Pacific Northwest’s fishing industry for more than four decades. The two-day festival is hosted by the Rotary Club of Shelton Skookum, Washington. Last year’s event, held in October, attracted 13,000 seafood enthusiasts and raised $170,000 for community organizations. SurinamePassing rates on secondary school entrance exams that have dipped as low as 50 percent have vexed officials in Suriname. The Rotary Club of Paramaribo Residence, whose members include several teachers or retired educators, is aiming to improve those results and reduce dropout rates. In October, the club instituted a mathematics training project for around two dozen teachers at schools serving older children. MacaoThe Rotary Club of Macau’s meeting place — one of the world’s most profitable casinos — has turned out to be an ace in the hole for the club. Sands China, the operator of The Venetian Macao, sponsors the club’s signature project, a Christmas party for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. NigeriaNigeria has one of the world’s highest breast cancer mortality rates, a statistic that has not gone unnoticed by the Rotary Club of Ikoyi. “With an incredibly scary rise of the incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria, the club became saddled with the huge responsibility of combating this scourge with every resource available,” says club member Winifred Ebiye Imbasi. AustraliaA stroll inspired Rod Morrison to suggest that his Rotary club in southeast Australia offer public tours of a structure that has long loomed beside the Barwon River: the 1878 Fyansford Paper Mill. Though listed by Australia as a heritage site, the mill and its legacy hadn’t received their due, says Morrison, a member of the Rotary Club of Highton. To read more details about these projects, click this link: |
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Iowa Woo Speaking April 29The Iowa Woo are a professional arena football team based in Waterloo, Iowa. Owners Jeff Holmes and Julia Stone will be presenting! The Iowa Woo will begin playing professional indoor football in May 2024. A total of five games will be played at the Hippodrome. Last summer, the team name and logos were announced. Woo was selected for multiple reasons as it pertains to trains and wrestler Ric Flair's legendary "Wooooooo!". Waterloo is home to the Dan Gable Museum, a wrestling museum operated by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Waterloo also has a historical tie to the railroad industry. "Woo" is a callback to blaring train whistles. |
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Senior Honors Luncheon April 22On Monday, held our annual Academic Honors Luncheon and recognized top students from local high schools graduating this year. You can see photos from the ceremony here. Our keynote speaker was Elizabeth Klinge, Evening News Anchor at KWWL-TV. Elizabeth Klinge came back to Iowa after spending the last three years as an Anchor/Reporter at KOVR-TV in Sacramento, California. She anchors the KWWL News at 5, 6, & 10 pm. Klinge grew up on a farm near Elkader, Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and graduated with honors and high distinction. After college, Klinge was a Reporter/Anchor at WHO-TV in Des Moines for nearly seven years. After that, she was an Anchor/Reporter at KCCI-TV in Des Moines for almost five years. She has been honored with an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Award for Best Morning Newscast and nominated for News Anchoring.
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Rotary International UpdateHappy Birthday to our Rotary founder Paul Harris! Learn more about our Rotary founder... Harris was born on 19 April 1868 in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. At age 3, he moved to Wallingford, Vermont, where he grew up in the care of his paternal grandparents. He attended the University of Vermont and Princeton University and received his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1891. In 1896, Harris settled in Chicago and opened a law practice. Four years later, he met fellow attorney Bob Frank for dinner on Chicago’s North Side. They walked around the area, stopping at shops along the way. Harris was impressed that Frank was friendly with many of the shopkeepers. He had not seen this kind of camaraderie among businessmen since moving to Chicago and wondered if there was a way to channel it, because it reminded him of growing up in Wallingford. “The thought persisted that I was experiencing only what had happened to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of others in the great city. 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.” Read the rest of the story here: https://www.rotary.org/en/history-paul-harris-rotary-founder
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Join in on Cultural Immersion WorkshopsJoin us for the next Cultural Conversation workshop: May 23, 2024 at Iowa Lakes Community College Register at link below... |
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Black Hawk County Conservation April 15Mike Hendrickson - Executive Director Black Hawk County Conservation - will be speaking Monday. He began his career in the conservation field with Adams County Conservation as a Park Ranger in 1989 and moved to Black Hawk County Conservation in 1991. Photo from Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier - Brandon Pollock |
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Rotary International UpdateYou could be here...
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi province, Thailand - Known as one of Thailand's most popular floating market, traders on wooden boats sell fruits, flowers, and street food. If you ever find yourself here, be sure to meet with the Rotary Club of Ban Phaeo. |
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Rotary International UpdateTurning food waste into food access @RFHarvest is a nonprofit founded by Rotary members in Washington, U.S.A that addresses both food waste and hunger by rescuing surplus produce from farms by gleaning and connecting it with those in need. Read the full story at the link below: |
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Friendship Village Presenting April 8Friendship Village will be presenting on Monday to talk about their "Lifecare" services. Friendship Village, a true continuum of care retirement community, can accommodate any need no matter your health condition or level of activity. We focus on physical, spiritual, social and mental health. From independent living to needing a little help now and again (assisted living) to dementia or memory-care services to rehabilitative care after surgery to skilled (palliative) care. We individualize to your needs including short-term stays. The Friendship Village campus is the only senior living community in the Cedar Valley offering Lifecare. Our trained and caring staff is ready to serve. Residents come from Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Waverly, Dunkerton, Independence, Evansdale, LaPorte City, Vinton, Hudson, Janesville, Grundy Center, and all around the Cedar Valley. |
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Rotary International UpdateThe #Rotaract Club of Amsterdam Nachtwacht International hosts festive fundraisers, with members from all over the globe. Through cozy gatherings, they support global causes, raising funds for childhood immunizations, disaster recovery, and more. This Rotaract club isn’t characterized only by its friendly vibe. Its members have developed something of a specialty in hosting festive fundraisers to support causes around the world from South Africa to Lebanon to the Pacific. The small club’s international reach is a product of its diversity: Most of the roughly dozen members are expatriates whose careers or studies have brought them to the Netherlands. Read their story here: A cozy club with a global reach | Rotary International |
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April BirthdaysWe have a concentrated but mighty group of Rotarians celebrating their birthdays in April - join us Monday to honor them!
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Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh Speaking April 1Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh will join us and share information on dementia at our meeting Monday. Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh is a professor of Gerontology and Family Studies and has coordinated UNI’s Gerontology program since 2007. She has a master’s and PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from Iowa State University, and has been published in research journals such as the Journal of Poverty, Journal of Community Health Nursing, Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, and the Journal of Community Psychology. Dr. Eshbaugh has more than 30 research publications in empirical journals. She teaches courses such as Research Methods, Family Relationships, Psychology of Aging, and Families, Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias. She has collaborated with various continuing care communities, adult day services, and hospices. In her free time, she enjoys doing semi-adventurous things with her husband (Bill), running, documentaries, hanging out with dogs of all sizes, and students who bring cookies to her office.
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See News Coverage of U.S. Rep Hinson's Visit to Rotary |
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U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson March 25U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson joined us downtown for our annual Rural Urban Day luncheon, and treated us to a violin solo! Many area farmers also joined us and had great agricultural-related questions for Representative Hinson. The event was live streamed and is archived on our Facebook page. KWWL had a camera crew at the event and provided a re-cap on the evening news - click here to watch Congresswoman Ashley Hinson proudly represents Iowa’s 2nd 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. |
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Rotary International UpdateMaking an impact since 1907. That year the Rotary Club of Chicago hosted a forum on public restrooms, known as "comfort stations." As a result, public toilets for men and women were included at the new Chicago City Hall building in 1911. Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. 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. HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPENThrough water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change. |
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Waterloo Rotary Club Donating $1,000 to Cedar Falls Rotary Club ProjectAt the last board meeting, the Waterloo Rotary Club voted to donate $1,000 to the Cedar Falls Rotary Club's project. The Rotary Plaza Memorial in Cedar Falls, Iowa, honors these Essential Workers and provides lasting teaching about our communities during the turmoil of the pandemic. If you would like to donate additional money, contact Project co-chairs Mike Butler at mike.butler52@gmail.com, or Gale Bonsall at galebonsall@gmail.com. You may also go directly to the Cedar Falls Rotary Club website to donate online at cedarfallsrotary.org. Donations to this 501C3 charitable foundation are tax deductible. |
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Rural Urban Day March 25U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson will be our special speaker on the latest in agricultural policy. We'll start the meeting PROMPTLY at noon, so please arrive early to meet and greet our farmer friends. Contact Larry Steffens for details! |
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Rotary International Update"Hej!" from Copenhagen, Denmark! Did you know there are 244 Rotary clubs and 8,000+ members in Denmark? The Rotary Club of Copenhagen was the country's inaugural club, chartered in 1922!
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Black Hawk County Elections - March 18th ProgramToday we will learn the latest from the Black Hawk County Elections Commission! Karen Showalter is the Black Hawk County Elections Manager. She has been in this position for nearly 8 years. She is state and nationally certified in Election Administration. In addition to her county work, Karen travels the state training other election administrators and precinct workers.
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Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier March 11Join us to hear from the Courier's Editor, Doug Hines! Douglas Hines - Chris Zoeller Courier Staff Photographer Douglas Hines, is editor of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, where he began working as front page editor in 1996. He worked as a reporter and an editor at newspapers in Cascade, Fort Dodge and Mason City before his stint at The Courier. A Forest City native and lifelong Iowan, he attended Iowa State University. |
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Rotary International UpdateRotaract club in Bangladesh rocks on, raises profile.It started with a bit of small talk. Several members of the Rotaract Club of Dhaka Orchid in Bangladesh’s capital city were telling fellow members about a rock concert they had attended a few days earlier. They were especially struck by the energy and enthusiasm of the younger music fans. As the excitement spilled into that conversation back in January 2023, the club’s charter president, Saddam Hossain Roni, got an idea. Not a fan of rock himself, he nevertheless saw the potential in having the club organize a concert of some of the top rock and metal bands in the country to boost Rotaract’s profile, attract members, and raise funds for projects. |
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Domestic Dad - Nick Barnett - March 4Today Annie is interviewing "Domestic Dad" Nick Barnett about overcoming a challenge to become the best dad and husband possible! Whether you know it or not, we’ve ALL met someone at some point that has struggled, who's had too much weight on their shoulders, and didn’t know how to talk about it. They probably didn't think there was a real issue until it was too late. So often we default to ignoring, drinking, or medicating through it. Those are difficult trends to break without help. You may have wanted to help someone else and just didn’t know where to point them, point them here. In the beginning of that journey, Dads are hard wired to suck it up and handle it ourselves. Also, while highly effective for those trying to get sober, Alcoholics Anonymous, rehab, detox facilities or state funded programs can be uncomfortable places to start. We built this brand as an ongoing project to provide a comfortable and encouraging place to start while helping people come together, drive success and save lives in the process. This interview is part of the Cultural Conversations series! |
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March BirthdaysCelebrate these Rotarians at our first meeting of the month!
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Rotary International UpdateAmid the bustling streets of Korea, where space is a luxury, a #Rotary club turned their attention to our larger-than-life furry companions. Because when it comes to shelter, every paw deserves a place to call home. |
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Feb 26 Program - Central Rivers AEACentral Rivers AEA provides many programs and services for children, families, schools, and communities, all of which fall under nine state-required standards for service. All of Iowa’s AEAs adhere to these standards for service and are evaluated to ensure quality by the Iowa Department of Education on a regular cycle. Chief Administrator Joel Pedersen and Regional Administrator Brena Huber will join us to present The Value of Iowa AEAs. This session will give an overview of what Area Education Agencies do and why they are essential. They will highlight partnerships with Waterloo CSD and other rural schools in the Cedar Valley. There will also be time for questions regarding current legislation and how that legislation could impact children, families, and communities. |
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Try Pie Presentation on MondayTry Pie is a social enterprise structured youth ministry that uses employment as an opportunity to engage and equip young women for their futures. |
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Rotary International UpdateScenes from Singapore #Rotary24 is where friendship and inspiration meet. In Singapore, you'll connect with #PeopleOfAction from around the globe at our biggest event of the year. Singapore awaits The Rotary International Convention is where friendship and learning come together to inspire you. In Singapore you’ll connect with people of action from around the globe at Rotary’s biggest event of the year. We’ll share fresh perspectives, inspiration, and hope – with each other and the world! The convention features world-class dining and cultural attractions, distinguished speakers, energizing breakout sessions, and much more. Join us 25-29 May 2024 in Singapore where we’ll be Sharing Hope With the World!
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Order and Pre-Pay TryPie Mini Pies Feb 12On Monday, February 19 we will have TryPie as our program at our weekly Rotary meeting. TryPie is willing to bring their famous "mini-pies" to the meeting for members who wish to enjoy dessert. The Convention Center will have ice cream to go along with. The flavors available to order are apple, cherry, raspberry, blueberry, peach blackberry, apple pear cranberry, and triple berry. Mini-pies will be served to members who order and prepay at the Monday, February 12th meeting. Please bring $5 to purchase one mini-pie and sign up for the flavor you would like. We will have a special sign up table at the February 12th meeting. No invoicing - please bring cash or check payable to TryPie to place your order on February 12. |
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Rotary International UpdateDanneile Davis is devoted to helping police and people from marginalized communities find common ground. From her participation in the #Rotary Youth Leadership Awards as a teen to her post graduate studies, service above self inspires Davis' career. As a 15-year-old sophomore at Suncoast High School in southeastern Florida, Danneile Davis was the definition of a high-achieving go-getter. “I was that kid in high school,” Davis recalls with a laugh. Clubs, classes like Volunteer Public Service, an internship at The Palm Beach Post — “anything I could do, especially leadership-type stuff, I joined.” So it made sense that Davis would jump at the chance to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in Port St. Lucie in 2008, though the experience turned out far different than she expected. Read the rest of her story here: |
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Waterloo Fiber Program February 12Eric Lage of Waterloo Fiber will be presenting Monday! Eric Lage will share all the latest and greatest on Waterloo Fiber! Below are some facts about Eric...
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February BirthdaysWe'll celebrate these Rotarians February 12th - join us!
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Rotary Fellows From Around the WorldEach year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers.Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses. Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,700 fellows who now work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank. Our fellowshipsThe Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.
Peace Fellowships | Rotary International
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**URGENT** Rotary Meeting at GROUT today 1/29/24The Waterloo Convention Center is having water issues and can not legally (or safely) host our meeting at noon - so we WILL MEET AT THE GROUT MUSEUM at Noon. Please use the main entrance in the upper parking lot via South Street. |
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House of Hope Presenting January 29Karin Rowe - Executive Director at House of Hope - is sharing things they having coming up this year and an update on their programs! Karin has spent over 15 years working with at-risk youth and social services throughout the Midwest. She’s a Chicago native, but she’s happy to be part of the Cedar Valley community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and twin boys.
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Grout Museum District Presenting January 22Jenny Bowser of Grout Museum District will be speaking Monday on the latest exhibits and events happening! Jenny Bowser is the Exhibit Coordinator for the Grout Museum District. She was born and raised in the Cedar Valley and earned her undergraduate and master’s at the University of Northern Iowa in History with an emphasis in Public History. She's been with the Grout Museum since 2019 and absolutely loves it. |
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Community Events - Empty BowlsOur friends at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank have the annual "Empty Bowls" fundraiser coming up March 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn! 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. For $40, a ticket includes entry to the event, registration for auction bidding, delicious soup, a beverage and a raffle ticket! Click link below for details... Empty Bowls | Events & Campaigns | NEIFB
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NO ROTARY Meeting January 15thIn honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.; we will observe the holiday and not hold Rotary today. |
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Waterloo Community Playhouse January 8thCHRIS ZOELLER - Courier Staff Photographer Alan Malone is the Associate Artistic Director of the Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor's degree in theater performance. He studied the Meisner Technique in Chicago at the Actors Center, and with Larry Silverberg in New York City, and also studied stage combat at the Actors Gymnasium in Evanston, IL, and at First Frontier in Xenia, OH. |
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Policy for Adverse WeatherThe club’s policy for canceling meetings due to bad weather reads as follows: “If Waterloo public schools have been closed by 8 AM on a Monday, there will be no meeting that day. If Waterloo schools have not closed by 8 AM, Rotary will proceed as scheduled. The cancellation notice will be submitted to KWWL-TV, KCRG-TV, KGAN-TV and the following radio stations: KFMW, KOKZ, KWLO, KXEL, KCRR, KKCV, KOEL-AM and Mix 96FM.” |
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Blue Badge RecognitionDuring a brief ceremony December 18th, four Red Badge members, Christine Hess, Jake Bates, Rochelle Kane, and Erin Tink, were presented their Blue Badges. In her address, membership chair Amy Rousselow (right) lauded their commitment to attendance and active participation, acknowledging that each Rotarian had truly surpassed the criteria, thus deserving their status as Blue Badge recipients. (not pictured, but also surpassing criteria in absentia, Allison Beach) President-elect Catherine Nicholas (left) presided. |
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Black Hawk Gaming Association Dec 18thEmily Hanson - Executive Director for Black Hawk County Gaming - will be speaking on Monday! Black Hawk County Gaming Association (BHCGA) is the Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) for the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo. As the QSO, BHCGA is the nonprofit license holder and responsible for allocating a percentage of the Isle’s revenue for community betterment in accordance with the Iowa Excursions Boat Gambling Act. State law requires BHCGA distributes at least 3% of the annual gross revenue off the tables and slots each year. |
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Rotary Christmas Program December 11Make your plans now to attend Christmas Dinner at Rotary on December 11, complete with special dessert and live entertainment! Plus, we are taking a special collections for the Salvation Army, tips for the Convention Center staff and an opportunity to purchase ornaments to raise money for RYLA program. Get excited to hear from a Christmas Caroling Group from LaPorte City! |
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Your Chance to Donate to Cedar Falls Rotary ProjectIn case you missed the program earlier this fall, consider donating to the Cedar Falls Rotary Club project that honors essential workers with a Rotary Plaza Memorial in Downtown Cedar Falls. The Rotary Plaza Memorial in Cedar Falls, Iowa, honors these Essential Workers and provides lasting teaching about our communities during the turmoil of the pandemic. The monument includes three eight feet tall by five-foot-wide granite monoliths and seven stainless steel covering bands. Four granite podiums highlight the Essential Workers and the ideals of Rotary. The $1,000 giving level granite pavers are available for donors to have their names, the name of a friend or loved one or the name of a business engraved. A granite donor wall will be constructed featuring donors of other levels of giving. |
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Rotary at Northeast Iowa Food Bank December 4thCome volunteer at Northeast Iowa Food Bank this Monday, but eat an early lunch as NO FOOD is allowed for consumption while volunteering! Please arrive at the Food Bank between 11:45 and 11:55. You can park in the big parking lot outside of Food Bank, but not near the building. Come in the door that says “Food Pantry/Office Entrance,” when you get into the building, go in the office door and say you are with the Rotary Group. Please wear closed toes shoes. Address is 1605 Lafayette. |
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Be Part of a Rotary CommitteeInterested in getting more involved? Check out the list of committees available...
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December birthdaysWe have a pair of Rotary birthdays in December, but they will celebrate with family before we are able to recognize them at a meeting...reach out to Frank and Jim with well wishes!
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Help Us Pass Out Coats This WeekWould you like to help pass out coats to help children in need in Waterloo schools? Check out the schedule and let Dave Lee know if you can stop out this week! It's that time of the year...time to pass out coats to children in need within the Waterloo Schools system! Dave Lee - who graciously organizes - is asking for volunteers at the following times next week.... Monday, November 27th, Lincoln Elementary—2:00 PM Tuesday, November 28th, Highland Elementary—10:0 AM St. Edward’s Elementary—2:00 PM Wednesday, November 29th—Irving Elementary—10:00 AM Cunningham Elementary—1:00PM Friday, December 1st—Lowell Elementary—10:00 AM Please call or e-mail Dave if you are interested in helping. David Lee (319) 231-2188 |
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Monday's Program...Birthdays and More!Join us Monday for Birthdays, hear from Annie on her recent Rotary Conference experience, RYLA update from Cathy and committee opportunities from Jaclyne! |
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Glen "Doc" Miller Football MVP AwardCongratulations, Mason Knipp from Columbus High School, 2023 Glen "Doc" Miller MVP! 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. 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 overall MVPs are entitled to display the trophy at his school for the next twelve months. The 2023 MVP was announced at the November 13th Waterloo Rotary Club Football Luncheon. You can view the ceremony on Facebook LIVE and share the link with family and friends who were unable to join us at the Waterloo Convention Center. |
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Ted Batemon Keynote Speaker at Football Banquet MondayTed 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. Below is some information about Ted... |
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Annual Volleyball Awards Banquet Nov 6thSince 1946 the Waterloo Rotary Club has enjoyed the honor each year to celebrate outstanding performance by high school athletes in the city of Waterloo. Area volleyball coaches choose their MVP's and then, by ballot of all the coaches, award the trophy for overall Most Valuable volleyball player. Congratulations to Alexis Even of Don Bosco High School, she is entitled to display the trophy at her school for the next twelve months. Watch the 2023 awards ceremony here: Facebook LIVE stream - click here to watch. View photos from the ceremony here, and if you'd like to share photos to be included on our webpage, email Mason Our Keynote speaker was Hawkeye Community College Volleyball Coach Tyann Wolfensperger. |
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November BirthdaysWe'll honor fellow Rotarians' November birthdays on the 20th:
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Need Helpers for Check In!If you are a new member who'd like to earn your blue badge or are a long-time member who just wants get more involved...consider helping EJ check in at front desk! Send EJ an email if you'd like to show up about 11:45 to help hand out badges before our meetings. |
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Candidate Forum Oct 30Waterloo Rotarian Steve Schmitt moderated a candidate forum on Monday and you can see the entire program on our Facebook page. Mayoral candidates: Quinton Hart Wayne Nathem At-Large candidates Ashley Chappell Corey Holmes Steve Simon Jonathan Grieder was unable to attend but sent a statement Ward 4 candidates Sarah Cherveny Belinda Creighton-Smith Josh Gramlich was unable to attend |
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Lt. Governor Adam Gregg October 23Lt. Governor Adam Gregg shared an interesting initiative with our club: Iowa United First Aid. It is a pilot program in three communities to leverage technology and volunteerism to decrease emergency response time in rural areas. His entire presentation is archived on our Facebook page. Adam Gregg serves as Iowa’s 47th Lieutenant Governor. In his role, he is also Chair of the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform and Co-Chair of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. At the national level, he serves on the executive committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, and as Chair of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association. He has also served as a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow focused on leadership in education policy and was chosen for the Aspen Institute Rodel Fellowship. |
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Rotary International UpdateTwo Iowa Rotarians Traveled the World for the "flight to end Polio." Four years ago, Iowa Rotarian Peter Teahen was enchanted by the idea of flying around the world. He called upon Rotarian John Ockenfels to join him. Together, they planned their expedition and tied it to an apt cause: polio eradication. In this episode of Rotary magazine’s podcast, Peter and John recount their journey circumnavigating the globe to raise money and awareness in the fight against polio. |
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Rotary International UpdateGirls break boundaries, shatter stereotypes and combat exclusion. On #InternationalDayOfTheGirl we celebrate the empowerment of girls and women, and the programs that champion them. |
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Waterloo Youth City Council Speaking MondayGlen Keith will be here to share information about the students involved in Waterloo's Youth City Council. The first Waterloo Youth City Council was officially sworn in at the Martin Luther King banquet on January 21, 2019. The WYCC is made up of 28 students from Columbus, East, Expo, and West High Schools along with five high school advisors and two co-directors. The WYCC empowers young people to think critically, debate civilly, and forge consensus on the most critical issues facing our city. The WYCC seeks to harness the passion and idealism of our youth today to create a better future tomorrow. Some key initiatives the WYCC has been involved in is the city's revamped recycling program in 2019, youth mental health, and volunteering throughout the Cedar Valley. The WYCC averages over 1,000 volunteer hours per year. The WYCC was recognized this past Spring with the Governor's Volunteer Service Award for their actions serving Waterloo and the greater Cedar Valley. |
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October 10 is World Mental Health DayTune in for a live discussion about prioritizing mental health. #Rotary President @GordonMcInally will be joined by Dr. Pallavi Gowda, a U.S. Army veteran, and other guests! Register for the webinar at this link. Download event flyer here. Visit our Rotary Zone website here. |
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Grow Cedar Valley Presenting MondayCary Darrah and her team at Grow Cedar Valley will be updating us on the latest information on their organization! Formerly known as the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, Grow Cedar Valley is your valued business partner. We are the leader in bringing business and community together to grow opportunities for the Cedar Valley. Cary Willoughby Darrah is President & CEO of Grow Cedar Valley – the regional economic and community development organization. Prior to assuming the role in 2018, she was Vice-President of Community Development for Grow Cedar Valley as well as President of the TechWorks Campus – an industrial redevelopment project and subsidiary of Grow Cedar Valley. Cary and her husband Frank have 4 children and 9 grandchildren – all living in Iowa! |
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Cultural Conversations - October 2ndJoin us for a conversation with Chaitreli Reddy, a Wartburg psychology major from India. We'll also hear from Cedar Falls Rotarians on their "Rotary Plaza" project near the Ice House/Little Red Schoolhouse. |
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Rotary International UpdateRotary clubs in Morocco and@ShelterBox are responding to the devastating earthquake alongside Moroccan authorities and other national NGOs — providing tents, thermal blankets, solar lights, and kitchen sets to those without adequate shelter in mountain villages. Winter is coming. It threatens communities higher in the mountains who have been left without adequate shelter. The Rotary Foundation Trustees established a new Morocco Earthquake Response Fund in September 2023 to support immediate relief efforts for people affected by the devastating earthquakes. Donors can give directly to relief efforts led by Rotary members. You can give online, by check, or by transferring District Designated Funds: |
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October BirthdaysHappy birthday to these October-born Rotarians! This is a steady group - no additions or lost members since last year's birthday table. Join us to sing and celebrate on Monday!
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Black Hawk County Public Health September 25
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Rotary International UpdateThe Rotary Foundation established a new Morocco Earthquake Response Fund to support immediate relief efforts for people affected by the devastating 8 September earthquake. You can give online, by check, or by transferring District Designated Funds:
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Make-a-Wish Iowa Presenting on MondaySara Kurovski is speaking Monday about Make-a-Wish Foundation. Sara is passionate about those that she serves. In 2013 she became the first female mayor for the city of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. That journey was a result of her career starting out at a local government agency, Metro Waste Authority, and obtaining her master’s in public administration; while serving on local boards such as the Board of Adjustment, Plan and Zoning, and Polk County Conservation. Sara’s story landed her on the Lean In website and then in the second edition of Lean In: for Graduates by Sheryl Sandberg. |
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Rotary International UpdateRotary Members Provide Modular Housing to Ukraine Natalia Perehrestenko’s life changed forever on 16 March 2022. That’s when her home in the Ukrainian village of Moshchun was demolished by a Russian attack. “The house was destroyed as a result of a projectile hitting the room where my daughter lived with her child,” she says. “Thank God, by the time the house caught fire, we had already been evacuated.” |
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Cedar Valley Hospice Speaking MondaySpeaking today will be Annika Wall from Cedar Valley Hospice. Annika works as a community engagement specialist, educating individuals and groups across 15 counties through presentations, informational fairs and fundraising events. Part of her role also involves running the organization's social media pages and website - be sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn if you do not already. Today, she will be talking about Cedar Valley Hospice's programs and services offered in our community. |
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September BirthdaysLook at this long list of September babies! We'll celebrate these Rotarians when we re-convene for our next meeting on the 11th, but Wade and John will have had their cake by then.
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Beverly Hinders-Trost Has PassedOur club has lost a long-time member who exemplified Service Above Self. Beverly Hinders Trost passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charles City Iowa on Saturday, September 30 at 11:00AM with inurnment at Riverside Cemetery, Charles City following the service. Pastor Russ Leeper will preside. Friends and family are invited to gather to visit at the church for an hour prior to the service and to stay following the service for a simple luncheon. |
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GBPAC and Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Presenting August 28Our very own Steve Carignan and Jordan Bancroft will be presenting Monday about their respective organizations. 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. wcfsymphony is a professional orchestra based in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa. Our mission is sharing live music, championing innovation, and celebrating our common humanity. We do this with inventive, contemporary approaches to ensemble performance which engage audiences meaningfully in live music. |
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Love INC Presenting Monday, August 21Love INC of Cedar Valley is one of more than a hundred Love INC locations across the United States and Kenya, who partner with over 7,800 Christian churches to serve hundreds of thousands of people in need.Love INC fosters collaboration and organizes holistic care to help churches serve their neighbors through resources and relationships. By networking churches together, each church is able to lean into their strengths, knowing that their neighbors will be cared for by the body of Christ within their community. We help churches help people by developing a network of local churches and connecting them with opportunities to serve their neighbors in need. Sometimes that can look like helping with food, personal needs items, furniture, transportation, or a work project. Other times, it looks like offering educational classes, providing mentorship support, and hosting community events. But it’s always about each church leaning into its strengths and working together with others—because we are better together. Our guest August 21st will be Lucy Kerns, who grew up in the Cedar Valley and has spent much of her life in ministry. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Adolescent Ministry, Lucy returned to the Cedar Valley to work at an IT Firm, then bi-vocationally, and finally full-time in ministry at Cedar Valley Church in 2018. During this time Lucy earned her Master's degree in Ministry and Leadership and was ordained in the Wesleyan church last July. As she learned about the needs in the area, she felt compelled to join Love INC's Board of Directors because of the way Love INC prioritizes and respects the dignity of individuals, and desires to help in times of trouble, while caring for the whole person. |
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UnityPoint Health, Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Speaking August 14Tom Eachus will be presenting Monday. He is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and current Executive Director of UnityPoint Health, Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center. Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center (BHGMHC) is a private, nonprofit, community mental health center accredited by the Iowa Department of Human Services. The BHGMHC serves those with short-term and long-term needs. It has been in operations since 1949 and their primary mission is to meet the needs of the local community. Tom obtained his Bachelors Degree in Social Work from UNI in 1980 and his Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa in 1985. Prior to joining the Mental Health Center in 1988, he worked at the Bremwood Lutheran Children's Home in Waverly and the Cromwell Children's Unit at the Mental Health Institute in Independence.
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August BirthdaysJoin us to celebrate this month's birthdays - we have a majority woman-led group, as well as 2 past club presidents to honor.
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August 7 Program - First MondayWisly Dange Motivates people to impact change. He is a leader, community coordinator, and people organizer. In this Cultural Conversations interview, Wisly Dange will talk about his recent travel experience from Haiti to the US. Sharing about his journey, the cultural nuances and realities he has learned along the way, and about his work experiences both in the US and in Haiti. His work experiences include: the Co-Founder, The Green Bridge Global Entrepreneur Training & Leadership Academy; Leader of All Things Logistics, Motivator, Philanthropist, Speaker, Change Maker, English Instructor, Director of Operations for the Community Health Initiative, Haiti. |
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Family Picnic was a HOT oneThis year's Family Picnic found scorching hot temperatures at the Reserve, so everyone appreciated the air conditioning. If you have photos to share from the evening, email them to Mason, otherwise, you can click this link to see photos snapped by President-Elect Cathy and Past-President Lauren. (Thankfully, no injuries reported from the epic balloon-sword battle pictured above) |
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NO MEETING JULY 24This week is our Annual Family Picnic at the Rotary Reserve on Thursday the 27th - see story below for details. We'll meet back at the Waterloo Convention Center Monday July 31st. |
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Waterloo Community Foundation Speaking July 17The Waterloo Community Foundation was incorporated in 2015 with the sole purpose of providing a conduit for past, present, and future Waterloo residents to invest funds specifically to enhance Waterloo and the immediate area. The first grant was awarded in 2016. Rotarian Erin Tink will be presenting Monday about the latest with the foundation. The opportunities in our city will continue to be as diverse as the people in it. Our commitment is to stay engaged with the work of our local nonprofits and the needs of our neighbors so we can connect donors to the causes that matter. Every investment in our community makes a lasting impact, not only today but for generations to come. It takes all of us to inspire growth and opportunity in Waterloo. We want to help you play your part in investing in the city we love. |
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Cedar Falls Community Foundation Speaking July 10Sally Kleiss Timmer - Executive Director of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation - will be speaking on Monday. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation inspires and connects individuals, families, and organizations to enhance our community, support non-profits, elevate educational opportunities, and build legacies through philanthropy. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation funds and resources help enrich our local community with educational, art, recreational and cultural opportunities. Scholarships for students and nonprofit grants for schools, libraries and other local causes are provided each year by individuals, families and businesses inspired by their planned giving. Our mission and our purpose are focused on building lasting legacies through philanthropy to impact lives now and forever. |
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July BirthdaysJoin us at our first meeting of the new Rotary year July 10th to celebrate these spicy members born in the hottest month in Iowa!
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NO MEETING JULY 3RDWe hope all our members will celebrate safely this 4th of July and renew their pride and patriotism in all of our united states! Our next meeting at the Waterloo Convention Center will by July 10th and we'll celebrate July birthdays and hear from the Cedar Falls Community Foundation. |
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World Refugee Day Program June 26thWorld Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20th. On Monday, June 26th from Noon-1:00 pm, The Waterloo Rotary Club will celebrate, honor, and recognize World Refugee Day at our monthly “Cultural Conversations Lunch Series.” The meeting will be at the Waterloo Convention Center. According to the United Nations, “Around the world, every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe.” Waterloo Mayor Hart reports, “The Cedar Valley has welcomed nearly 500 refugee families in the last year.” Edgar Ramirez, Workforce Liaison with the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services highlights that, “during the 2020 – 2021 school year in Iowa, 177 World Languages were spoken by over 30,000 students ages K to 12 grade. Nearing a 60% increase in English Language Learning (ELL) since 2010.” Both Mayor Hart and Mr. Ramirez, along with World Grace Project’s Executive Director, Karen Everling, will be presenting at the Monday, June 26th meeting. Dignitaries, organizations, and partnerships in the Cedar Valley welcoming newcomers are encouraged to attend.
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June BirthdaysWe'll celebrate June birthdays at our June 26th meeting - here's the list of distinguished June babies:
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IMOM Presenting Monday, June 19Iowa Mission of Mercy Presenting on June 19 The Iowa Mission of Mercy (IMOM) will be coming to Waterloo on October 13-14, so we have Dr. Martin Averill, retired Waterloo dentist and IMOM Local Planning Committee Co-Chair, and Laurie Traetow, Iowa Dental Foundation Secretary/Treasurer, speaking to our club on June 19. |
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Looking for past/present Peace Corps volunteersDistrict Governor Don Meyer received the message below and wanted to share it with all the clubs in our district: >> As we approach the end of the 2022-2023 Rotary year, we are writing to share a tremendous opportunity for your district, by asking for your assistance in identifying those in your district, or their family members, who have served in the Peace Corps in the past. Peace Corps is a US government agency that trains and deploys volunteers to provide international development assistance and is currently in over 50 countries post-pandemic. Rotary International and the Peace Corps have been service partners since 2014, in recognition of its shared vision to promote peace and friendship through volunteer international service and successful collaborations at the local level. Partnering for Peace is the small volunteer organization working to facilitate joint RI-PC service opportunities through networking, technical support, and fellowship. This year, we want to tap the potential to grow Rotary’s membership and engage in meaningful service opportunities worldwide. Specifically, we invite each District Governor throughout the US to ask Club Presidents in your district to help identify Rotary members with any connections to Peace Corps: an outgoing "Peace Corps Volunteer", a “Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV)”, PC family and friends. |
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Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs - June 12Join us at an OFF-SITE VENUE to hear a program from Yolando Loveless, the Director of Veterans Affairs in Black Hawk County. Yolando L. Loveless is a native of Waterloo, Iowa. He attended East High School, and Northern Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) prior to joining the military in 1984. Loveless’ highest enlisted rank was Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), and in November 2009 was commissioned to Chief Warrant Officer, and thereafter he volunteered and completed a one-year tour as Project Manager while embedded with the US Army supporting the Multi-National Forces in Iraq. Yolando Loveless is married to Chiquita Loveless a retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer (23 years) who serves as Director, for Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice at the University of Northern Iowa. He has a daughter Jazmen, and two grandchildren Amir, and Amiya. Yolando is the son of Jessie and Caroline Loveless who is both retired from John Deere. Loveless currently serves as Executive Director and County Veteran Service Officer, where he has helped over 7,200 veterans in Black Hawk County and surrounding areas. |
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District Governor Speaking June 5Don Meyer - District Governor - will be presenting on Monday! Don Meyer is serving as District Governor of District 5970 for the 2022-23 Rotary year. He is a member of the Waverly Rotary Club where he is a Past President, and he’s also Past President of the Forest City Rotary Club where he first joined Rotary in 1985. Don served District 5970 as District Foundation Chair from 2017-2020. Don is retired after working as an architect for 12 years, and in the fundraising profession for 35 years at Waldorf University and Wartburg College. He currently serves as Executive Director for the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School Foundation. Don has also served his community of Waverly as the Chamber of Commerce Board Chair and as a member and Past President of the Historic Preservation Commission. Don’s wife, Kris, is also a Rotarian, and they have two grown children and one grandson. Don looks forward to meeting members and updating our club on District activities. |
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Rotary International UpdateOver the last 20+ years Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust (CART Fund) has raised over $11.2 million for Alzheimer's research, primarily by collecting pocket change from #Rotary clubs. Nancy Rogers seemed too young to have Alzheimer's disease. But in 1999, her husband, Norm, knew something was wrong. First, she misplaced a couple of pocketbooks. Then, she started getting lost on the 11-mile commute from her office to her home in Raleigh, North Carolina. "I would get a call from a highway patrolman 60 miles away in Greensboro saying that your wife is here at 7-Eleven, and she's lost," remembers Rogers. As the years passed, he had to explain to his grandchildren why Grandma didn't know them. "It's horrible," he says. "It's the longest goodbye you'll ever have in your life." Read the full story here: |
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Rotary International UpdateLive from the #Rotary23 stage, it's Grammy award-winner, @gabymorenomusic Gaby recently traveled to Guatemala with @JenJonesRotary. Together they visited a school involved in the Guatemala Literacy Project and led a sing-along. And she'll be joining us at convention! |
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Secretary of State Paul Pate Speaking May 22Monday we will hear from Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate. He will be talking about anti-trafficking initiatives as well as other items going on within the state. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has dedicated his life to public service. Now entering his fourth term as Iowa’s Commissioner of Elections, Secretary Pate is guided by three core principles: service, participation and integrity. Under Secretary Pate’s leadership, Iowa has become one of the top three states in the nation for election administration. The state has broken numerous records for voter registration and participation during his tenure. Secretary Pate successfully instituted Iowa’s online voter registration system in 2016. He has also taken steps to protect election integrity by drafting Iowa’s Voter ID laws and defending them in court multiple times. Secretary Pate also established a post-election audit system and greatly enhanced Iowa’s election cybersecurity. His civic education programs, voting accessibility initiatives, and election cybersecurity efforts have been recognized nationally by National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and the National/Student Parent Mock Election organization. The Secretary of State’s Office is the small business portal for the State of Iowa. For six of the past seven years under Secretary Pate, Iowa has seen a record amount of new business filings. Secretary Pate implemented a Fast Track Filing system in 2018 that greatly enhanced the speed and efficiency of the process. |
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Rotary International UpdateAccording to a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, #loneliness can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. The #Rotary Club of Chichester Priory is tackling loneliness one chat at a time. For Vera Cranmer and Sylvia Worden, two friends in their 80s, it's hard to overstate how much they look forward to their regular visits with the teenage students at a local college on England's south coast. "We savor these visits like reunions with long-lost friends," Worden says. The women live independently in their homes in Chichester, a picturesque and vibrant cathedral city near the sea. But Worden, who once worked as a teacher there, was widowed a few years ago, and her outings in town are far less frequent. Cranmer, too, has had to cope with feelings of isolation. |
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Together For Youth Presenting on May 15Shawna Jesse and Joni Spencer of Together for Youth will be presenting on Monday. Celebrating over 30 years of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention & Parenting Partnerships Together For Youth (TFY), located in Waterloo, IA is our area's adolescent pregnancy prevention and teen parent support network. TFY strives to provide information and resources for teens, parents and professionals in the Cedar Valley. Our partnerships with community agencies have resulted in a significant decline in Black Hawk County teen birth rates in recent years. Our community team is dedicated to empowering young people to make informed decisions about their sexual health. |
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Rotary International UpdateSing along with students in a Guatemala Literacy Project school and @GabyMorenoMusic on her song “Fronteras” live from the classroom in Chajalajyá, Guatemala! |
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Gates and Byrnes Park Update May 8thPaul Huting will be speaking on the Gates Park and Byrnes Park renovations! Our own Mark Kuiper will also be presenting. Mark is a partner with RITLAND+KUIPER Landscape Architects and a long-time member of our Rotary Club. Mark obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor and Master of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University. He is a licensed landscape architect and an accredited Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) professional. Mark’s wife, Shonda, is a professor and chair of the statistics concentration at Grinnell College and they have two married sons. Huting is the City of Waterloo Leisure Services Director, a graduate of Waterloo West High and Iowa State University, lifelong Waterloo resident and has been employed with the City of Waterloo 43 years. |
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Reminder: May 1st meeting at Mersim's in WaterlooFirst Monday will be held at Mersim's Kitchen! (Don't come to the Convention Center) Keeping with our Cultural Conversations on the First Monday of each month, the Waterloo Rotary Club will experience a touch of the Bosnian cuisine at Mersim's Kitchen. We will have a buffet style-lunch prepared for us by Chef Mersim. To ensure you get the best 'taste' of the authentic cuisine, beverages beyond water will be available at individual expense. However, the meal will be covered by the club. In addition, we will hear from the owners as they share their story of how Mersim's came to be. Doors will open at 11:55. Mersim's is a full-service restaurant with a bar and private events room. They offer traditional Bosnian dishes in addition to modern American cuisine. Mersim's is located at 126 E Ridgeway Ave, Suite A, Waterloo, IA 50701. Learn more on their website: https://mersims.com/ |
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May BirthdaysThese Rotarians will be honored at our off-site meeting May 1st - join us at Mersim's to celebrate!
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Rotary International Update |
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Reminder: Like the Waterloo Rotary Facebook PageIf you haven't already - check out and like our Rotary Club Facebook page....you might even see Annie's recent interview on KWWL... |
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"Reading with Jean" Program April 24thSusan Card of Cedar Falls will join us at the Waterloo Convention Center Monday and share her story of the "Reading with Jean" program she created in honor of her mother. This program is where volunteers read to residents in skilled care and with dementia at Western Home Communities. |
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Rotary International Update"We want to put an end to illiteracy and create positive change." Grammy award-winning artist Gaby Moreno @gabymorenomusic shares her passion for a brighter future for children in Guatemala with #Rotary President |
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Annual Student Honors Luncheon April 17Our very own Lauren Finke organized the 2023 Honors Student Recognition Luncheon for top seniors at area high schools. Keynote speaker was Shanlee McNally of R.J. McElroy Trust. Shanlee McNally is Program Officer of the R.J. McElroy Trust, a graduate of Northwestern University and a graduate of Waterloo West High School. You can see all the photos at this link: |
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Pictures from Cultural Progressive Dinner NightOver 70 Rotarians and Community Members attended this new event at the Waterloo Convention Center April 13th! Money raised is going to Northeast Iowa Food Bank and Operation Warm (both voted on by our membership)! Click here to see the photos |
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Rotary Projects Around the GlobeUnited States Members of the Rotary Club of Kaka‘ako Eco, Hawaii, tossed 5,000 mud balls filled with beneficial organisms into the Ala Wai Canal in Waikiki as part of a rehabilitation effort to make the waterway fishable and swimmable. CanadaGuelph, Ontario, is one of 25 Canadian municipalities to sign a pledge with the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, to welcome people who have fled countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine. ItalyThe Rotaract Club of Milano Nord Est Brera collaborated with an art publisher to produce a book of photography featuring women who have had breast cancer surgery to put a face to the fight against the disease. United KingdomOne coin at a time, a whimsical contraption celebrates a legendary Scottish locomotive while raising thousands of dollars for charity. UgandaWhen the Rotary Club of Malta constructed its second primary school in Uganda, it made sure to consider the needs of menstruating girls in the design of washroom facilities.
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Allen Child Protective Center April 10April is Child Abuse Prevention Month so we have Miranda Kracke of The Allen Child Protection Center Speaking to our club April 10th. The Allen Child Protection Center (ACPC) provides assistance for children or dependent adults who may be victims of abuse, or have witnessed a violent crime. The ACPC uses a multi-disciplinary team approach and works closely with the Department of Human Services and law enforcement. The center provides forensic interviews, medical examinations, family advocacy services, and mental health counseling. |
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The Global Fight Against Polio Continues@WHO and @Rotary are helping communities say goodbye to polio with the support of local polio eradication workers like Hafsat from Nigeria, who’s delivering vaccines to those that need it most to people in her community. Hafsat Ibrahim, (right) a polio core trainer with the World Health Organization (WHO) and mother of five, is proud of the many lives she has protected from polio in her community in Kano State, Nigeria. Her role has helped shape community attitudes toward vaccination, as well as provide the salary necessary to start a small business to support her family. “I worked with WHO to make sure every child is immunized [and] all my five children have got the vaccine … I'm very happy because their immune system [has] increased and also they are healthier,” Ibrahim told Global Citizen in August. “I have seen the transformation because now that the vaccine is accessible, [there is] no more paralysis of children in the community; no more threat of wild poliovirus.” As a mother, resident, and experienced health care professional, Ibrahim understands the importance of protecting her community from the deadly disease, and how the journey to eradicate polio at home in Nigeria has had wider implications around the world. |
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First Monday - April 3rdJoin us today for our monthly Cultural Conversations program - our guest will ALSO join us next week at our Progressive Dinner and prepare some delicious Jamaican food! |
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April BirthdaysWe'll celebrate these Rotarians born in April at our first meeting of the month:
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End Polio UpdateAt a recent End Polio Now event at the House of Commons in London, @Rotary International President
@JenJonesRotary reminded Rotarians that we must (and can!) finish the job to #EndPolio. |
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Wanted: Board Members/Officers for July 2023-June 2024Would you like to get involved on the Waterloo Rotary Club Board in the next fiscal year? Jaclyne Heller our President-Elect is going on maternity leave soon - please reach out to her if interested in learning more! Also, looking for a President-Elect for new term and she will tell you the legwork for that position is already ready to go for first six months thanks to the Programming committee! E-mail Jaclyne @ jheller@kwwl.com
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Greener Shepherd March 27th |
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Small Rotary club in Ecuador’s Andes delivers big on water projectHigh in the Andes, an indigenous community had been waiting more than a decade for clean drinking water.
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Exceptional Persons Inc Presenting March 20thExecutive Director Katie Slade will be speaking March 20th. Katie Callahan Slade was born in Dysart, Iowa. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa in 2002. Katie started with EPI in 2008. She wore many “hats” for the agency including becoming a Client Facilitator certified in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as Organizational Development Director until she became the Executive Director on August 31, 2022. As the Executive Director of Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI), Katie believes in EPI's vision of working together we will realize a future where all people are recognized and valued – encouraged and supported to live, work, and grow – in their communities. |
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Run with Rotary in DenmarkOn an ordinary day last August, people at a park in Copenhagen, Denmark, saw something extraordinary: a stream of runners all adorned with floating, bobbing pink balloons. The balloon carriers were part of Run With Rotaract, a three-year-old event organized by District 1470’s Rotaract clubs. This year, it raised money for education in Malawi. The balloons served as tickets for the approximately 65 participants. And, says Philip Flindt, a member of the Rotaract Club of København Nord, they performed the equally important function of attracting public attention. “It created something weird for people to look at — people running with pink balloons,” Flindt says. “It was a way to reach people in the community around the park. They were asking, ‘Is this a bachelor party, a bachelorette party? Why are you running with these balloons?’” Flindt never seems to lack creative, eye-catching ideas. It’s clear why he’s the Rotary Public Image Coordinator (RPIC) for Zone 18, the first Rotaractor to serve as an RPIC. He’s been promoting Rotaract since he helped found his club on 13 March 2013. That date, he’s quick to note, is the anniversary of the certification of the first Rotaract club in 1968. Read the full story here: |
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Nominate your Favorite Nonprofit to Receive FundsTwo non-profit organizations will be chosen to receive funds from the "Progressive Cultural Dinner Event" fundraiser! Nominate your favorite nonprofit organization in the link below (no more than 50 words) and then the club will vote on to select the top 2. Deadline is April 1. |
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Rotary International UpdatePlease join us in celebrating the first recipient of Rotary International's Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award, Chin Mei Lu from the Rotary Club of Taipei Taimei, Taiwan |
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Progressive Dinner April 13th |
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March BirthdaysJoin us March 6th to honor these Rotarians celebrating their birthdays this month:
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First Monday Cultural Conversations SeriesTruth Be Told. We are Human. As we continue to "seek to understand rather than stay comfortable" we welcome Robert Ackerman to our First Mondays conversation. Robert Ackerman is the coordinator of the One City United "To Work" Program whose sole mission is to provide transportation to and from work for individuals with transportation barriers. Getting to work consistently and on time daily is essential to removing stress and experiencing a thriving life. To Work was developed to provide a low-cost shuttle service that people can count on, helping them stay employed and equipped to succeed. It is just one more barrier that we can overcome to bolster our community towards success. Robert will share his story as a high level military professional, living an alternative lifestyle, and his journey from addiction to recovery. Please join us, invite guests, as we continue to generate a curiosity that emerges into compassion, empathy, and a shared perspective that breaks down barriers for you, and the people you do life with at home, work, and in your community. Want to get your team involved? Learn more here. |
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Rotary International UpdateImagine What's Next at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia |
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Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig Visit Feb 27thWe had a great turnout of guests for our annual Rural Urban Day; Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig joined us fresh off returning from a trip to Asia. Click here to see photos and remember to thank not only the farmers and producers, but all the employees in related industries that bring food to our tables. Elected as the 15th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in November 2018, Mike is focused on expanding our markets, promoting careers in agriculture, and improving water quality and land stewardship. Mike is committed to leading efforts to expand economic opportunities for Iowans and is an advocate on behalf of the hard-working men and women who keep us fed and fueled. Mike is a graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake with degrees in biology and political science. He and his wife Jaime have three boys. |
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Rotary International UpdateCelebrate our 118th anniversary by exploring the new #Rotary timeline and see how our network takes action around the world. Our 1.4 million members join community leaders, friends, and partners in a global network that is addressing challenges around the world. It started with the vision of one man—Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago in 1905 to exchange ideas and form meaningful friendships. He saw Rotary as a force for ethical leadership, civic service, and peace—ideals he would promote throughout his life. |
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Join a Rotary Committee or the Board!Are you interested in getting more involved with the club with minimal extra time commitment? Join the board or one of many committees the Waterloo Rotary Club has to offer! See below for ideas... Waterloo Rotary Board - July 2023 new fiscal year...See Annie Vander Werff or Jaclyne Heller Academic Honors Luncheon - April 17...See Lauren Finke Ag Rural Day Commitee...See Larry Steffens Football Banquet...See Wade Itzen Fundraiser - Cultural Progressive Dinner...See Annie Vander Werff Annual Summer Picnic...See Todd Wordel or Larry Steffens Membership Committee...See Amy Rousselow Operation Warm...Dave Lee Programming Commitee...See Jaclyne Reporter/Social Media Committee...See Mason Fromm or Jaclyne Heller Volleyball Banquet...See Barb Prather or Jaclyne Heller |
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Rural Urban Day is February 27 - Sponsor a FarmerIowa's Secretary of Agriculture - Mike Naig - is joining us February 27. If you would like to sponsor a farmer, please email Larry Steffens |
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Rotary International UpdateFrom a film academy to a beehive— join Rotary President @JenJonesRotary and @Sibongile as they meet the people behind the projects that foster community and connection at Nakivale Refugee Settlement. |
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Dr. Todd Holcomb of Hawkeye Community College February 20thHawkeye Community College President Dr. Todd Holcomb is giving us updates this Monday! 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. |
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Serve on the 2023-24 Rotary Board or on Committees2023-24 President-Elect Jaclyne Heller July 2023 will be here in a few a months! Please reach out to Jaclyne if you would like to serve on a committee or on the Rotary board this next fiscal year! A reminder Jaclyne will be out on maternity leave June-September (most likely) so we also need extra volunteers to help lead meetings/announce programs during that time frame! Reach out if you'd like to get involved! |
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Rotary International UpdateWe're beginning to hear from #Rotary clubs responding to the earthquake that has devastated areas of Turkey and Syria. Here are some ways to get involved:
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Cedar Valley Trails February 13Peter Komendowski will be sharing highlights of the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership! Peter serves as president of The Partnership for A Healthy Iowa, is a former Chair of the Partnership, and succeeded Senator Grassley as Chair of the Face It Together Coalition which authored Iowa’s “Blueprint for Healthy Communities. He also founded Friends of Iowa Trails and the Iowa Trails Summit and was honored by the National Park Service as Iowa's Trails Person of the Year in 2013. He has been a member of the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership Board of Directors for over 15 years. |
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Rotary International UpdateNearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Through microloans, occupational training, and partnering with local communities, #Rotary helps provide sustainable solutions to poverty around the world! Rotarians make amazing things happen, like: Breaking the cycle of poverty for women: Most of the women living in rural Guatemala do not have the collateral to get loans from regulated financial institutions. The Rotary Club of Guatemala de la Ermita helped 400 local women complete financial literacy courses so they could pool their money and fund their own microlending program. Skills development, business training: In Esmeraldas, Ecuador, Rotary members helped grant more than 250 microloans and train more than 270 community members in sewing, baking, plumbing, microcredit, business management, and leadership. Sustainable farming: In west Cameroon, soil erosion and loss of soil fertility have significantly reduced farmers’ harvests. Rotary members gave farmers the skills they needed to improve soil fertility, control soil erosion, and market their produce. The results: increased crop yields and profits. |
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Cultural Conversations PreviewTruth Be Told. I Am Human. Cultural Conversations Series Your Waterloo Rotary Club President, Annie Vander Werff will be interviewing Julie Molisho, the founder of a nonprofit organization called The River ARC; an advocacy and resource center connecting members of the Congolese community to resources in our area. |
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We are on SECOND Floor todayMonday, February 6 we will be meeting on the 2nd floor of the Convention Center. It is recommended to use the skywalk to avoid the work that will be going on the first floor; but not required. |
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February BirthdaysJoin us February 6th for First Mondays and to honor our members born in the shortest month of the year:
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Rotary International UpdateToday, #WeRemember the beauty and fragility of Jewish Salonica, a thriving community all but destroyed in the Holocaust. The beauty and fragility of a pluralistic metropolis By Carl Gershman I have nurtured a special interest in Thessaloniki, the northern Greek city on the edge of the Balkans, since I traveled there in 1996 to attend a conference on rebuilding democracy and civil society in the Balkan region after the breakup of Yugoslavia. While in Thessaloniki, I decided to take the opportunity to learn something about the city's rich Jewish history, particularly under the Ottomans when it was called Salonica. I had read Balkan Ghosts by Robert Kaplan, who traced the modern history of the region, from the assassination that triggered World War I to the ethnic warfare in Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia. And the organization I headed, the National Endowment for Democracy, supported civil society groups working against such brutalities in the Balkans. But exploring Thessaloniki's Jewish past offered new perspectives on the region's history. |
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January 30 - ReShonda Young of Bank of JabezBank of Jabez will be a Waterloo, IA based certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that will promote economic growth in the underserved communities. Although we will be a full-service financial services institution that addresses the banking needs of all people within the community, we will have intentional focus on servicing our community's underbanked, low-income, and minority populations. ReShonda was born and raised in Waterloo, IA and graduated with her BA from Wartburg College. She has been an active voice on Working Family issues, advocating for pay equity for women, and many other issues that will benefit working families. ReShonda is a founding member of the Iowa Main Street Alliance, a board member of the national Main Street Alliance, and was honored in April 2015 as a White House Working Families Champion of Change. She serves on the boards of Waterloo Center for the Arts, Black Hawk Economic Development, Link Christian Community Development, and Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. ReShonda is also the founder of Popcorn Heaven, a gourmet popcorn chain that opened in Waterloo, IA in February of 2014. ReShonda licensed Popcorn Heaven locations in North Carolina, Maryland, Illinois, California, Missouri, and Iowa. |
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Pack the Dome Successful EventMore than a dozen members of Waterloo Rotary Club participating in volunteering at "Pack the Dome" at University of Northern Iowa. The event was organized by our very own Lauren Finke of Volunteer Center and Barbara Prather of Northeast Iowa Food Bank! Over 80,000 children will be served from the event alone!
There were two shifts of thirty assembly tables with over 10 volunteers per table. Bonnie Smith Davis reported her table had ages 6 to over 70! Click this link to see photos, and if you have some images to share, email them to Mason |
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Rotary International President-Elect Outlines InitiativeRotary International President-elect R. Gordon R. McInally called for members to capture the world's attention and lead the way toward possibilities far beyond our current expectations. |
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Engineer Wayne Castle of City of Waterloo Speaking MondayWayne Castle - Associate Engineer of City of Waterloo Engineering Department - is joining us Monday to give us an update on projects going on in Waterloo! Wayne Castle Biography Graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Licensed Land Surveyor and Civil Engineer in Iowa. Employed with the City of Waterloo for the past 14 years, currently overseeing the Flood Control system, bridge inspection and repair program, storm water management program, and street overlay program, along with being the liaison with the railroads. Serve on the Iowa Storm Water Education Partnership (ISWEP) board and am the City’s representative for the Middle Cedar River Watershed Management Authority (WMA). |
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Rotary Dues ReminderIf you have NOT been receiving your invoices for your membership dues - please reach out to Kelli McCarthy ASAP. We are trying to make sure our finances are up-to-date with our "new" financial coordinator, and are finding many members are NOT receiving emails. Unfortunately, there are dozens of reasons emails won’t get delivered, and each recipient may have a unique situation. ClubRunner is the company hosting our website and club emails - they have a couple different articles in the links below that might help you troubleshoot your email provider settings: https://www.clubrunnersupport.com/kb/articles/why-are-some-members-not-receiving-emails-blocked-list If you are unable to resolve email issues on your own, reach out to Mason for advice or assistance. |
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Rural Ag Day is February 27We are pleased to announced Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa - Mike Naig - will be our special speaker for Rural Ag Day! More details to come, but be thinking of inviting farmers to invite! The Rural Ag Day committee will be sharing more in upcoming meetings. |
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Day of Service January 16th: Pack the DomeOn Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2023, the Waterloo Rotary Club would like to invite members to participate in "Pack the Dome" at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls! WE WILL NOT HAVE A NOON MEETING JANUARY 16th so your whole day is open to volunteer at the UNI Dome or other community service. This event is an annual initiative hosted by UNI to benefit the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and families throughout the Cedar Valley. |
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First Monday - JanuaryWe'll kick off our First Mondays Cultural Conversations series January 9th; the first of 6 conversations will be with a familiar face - Chef Lumarie Soto-Rodriguez. She will talk about her life growing up in Puerto Rico and answer questions about cultural nuances important for everyone to know. There will be a time for questions and answers. Rotarians are encouraged to bring a guest! |
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January BirthdaysJoin us for the First Monday meeting and we'll honor the Rotarians celebrating birthdays in January. Kevin McCrindle, Jan 06 Todd Holcomb, Jan 07 Bonnie Smith-Davis, Jan 17 |
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Sponsor a Ukraine Family through Rotary InternationalRotary International is collaborating with @WelcomeUS, and you can #BeAWelcomer #Rotary clubs and members in the U.S. can now sponsor a person or a family that has fled the war and help them relocate to the United States. Learn more: https://on.rotary.org/3GFNmlk |
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What Happens With your Gift to RotaryWhat happens when you give the gift of Rotary? - We provide polio vaccines - Hand washing stations educate students on hygiene - Hospitals have up-to-date equipment - Opportunities for local female entrepreneurs are expanded. You can make a difference in this world by helping others in need — from supplying a vaccine to protect a child from polio to training peacebuilders in conflict resolution to help build a more peaceful future. With your help, The Rotary Foundation can make lives better in your community and around the world. |
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Bette Wubbena ObituaryHow can we even begin to list her involvement in this community?? Some highlights include the Waterloo Jayceettes, the Waterloo Downtown Council, My Waterloo Days Committee, the Alan Heart Foundation, Go Red for Women, The Ambassadors, and so much more!! She loved to shop ... and spoil her granddaughter. She loved to support and encourage us all. She loved to see us all be the best versions of ourselves - like no other we may ever know! People were her passion. This community was her passion. WE were her passion! She loved us all! Bette loved Christmas quite possibly the most. She had many favorite Christmas songs, but "Silent Night, Holy Night" was her favorite. She cherished the candlelight services tremendously. She believed as her father did, that Christmas isn't just a season, it's a spirit of joy, love, and kindness to share with everyone all year 'round. That's part of why Christmas was often a little difficult for her. She would talk often about how much she missed her dad (among others). Bette would want us all to cherish everyone in our life all the time - be fair to one another - forgive often - and, most importantly, don't sweat the small stuff! Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2022, at Locke at Tower Park in Waterloo. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Locke at Tower Park; also, for one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family. |
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Rotary Annual Christmas Celebration December 19Our Rotary Christmas Celebration will be December 19! Please invite a friend, co-worker or significant other to attend. $15 for guests and we need a headcount as soon as possible. Please e-mail Annie at annie@theregenerateprocess. |
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President Nook Speaking Monday at RotaryPresident Mark Nook is joining us Monday to go over highlights of the University of Northern Iowa. Mark A. Nook began serving as the 11th president of the University of Northern Iowa on February 1, 2017. Prior to this appointment, he served as chancellor of Montana State University Billings (MSUB). Originally from Holstein, Iowa, Nook has committed his Midwest education and values to higher education for many years and on many levels. He is dedicated to ensuring every member of the university community reaches their individual educational, professional and personal life goals. Prior to serving as the chancellor at MSUB from 2014-2016, Nook was the senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin System from 2011-2014. He also served as provost (2007-09 and 2010-11) and interim chancellor (2009-10) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and in a variety of roles at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. |
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Rotarian Bette WubbenaSad news to share this week...Long-time Rotarian and friend to many - Bette Wubbena - passed away on Sunday. Arrangements are pending and we will share as soon as details are available. Thoughts and prayers with Bette's family. |
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First Mondays Program this Week...Join us Monday to celebrate October, November, and December birthdays then network with your fellow Rotarians! |
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Review your Membership Info!A note from our Membership Chair, Amy Rousselow... We are requesting members go in and check their Rotary contact info and update any outdated details! Below are the login details. Amy will have cards available at the next few meetings for those who are not comfortable doing it online. Visit: waterloorotary.org Click: member login (top right) -If you don't remember your login/password, email Mason to reset it) Click: member area (top right) From the light blue menu, select My ClubRunner tab and just below that My Profile Click the edit button to update your profile and then the save button when you're done Amy Rousselow will also have membership update cards available for those who do not wish to edit their profiles online. |
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Giving Tuesday29 November was #GivingTuesday! Thank you for supporting our Foundation. With your gifts, we will continue creating positive change in communities worldwide. |
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UNI Athletics Director David Harris SpeakingBe sure to attend Rotary this week and hear what is going on with University of Northern Iowa Athletics! David Harris will be presenting! During his short time at UNI, Harris has built a culture of success in the field of play, in the classroom and in the community. He has also distinguished himself as a leader in the Missouri Valley Conference and the NCAA. In the spring of 2019, Harris was appointed to the NCAA Division I Council. The 40-member council is responsible for the decision-making for NCAA Division I and is made up of athletic directors, athletic administrators, senior women administrators, faculty athletic representatives and student-athletes. As part of his responsibilities, he was appointed to act as the council rep for the Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee. Under Harris’ leadership, in the fall of 2018 UNI Athletics announced Panthers Rising, a strategic plan to achieve unprecedented success in academics, competition and all of its endeavors. |
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Rotary International UpdateAt the age of 18, Zach Skiles enlisted in the U.S. Marines. A bright, sensitive kid with an easy smile and a quick laugh. At 22, he began to experience the impact of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). |
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December BirthdaysWe have a small but mighty trio of Rotarians celebrating their birthday in December...this group has collectively served our club for 82 years!
Since we had a jam-packed political program calendar in October and honored high school athletes at our November meetings, we'll have a super-birthday table celebration on December 5th. |
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Rotary International UpdateVocational training team empowers fathers in Mongolia Jennifer Scott, a member of the Rotary Club of Central Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, is a past governor of District 9685. She is a member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers and works in law and mediation. Mongolia, a country caught between two giants – China and Russia, is a long, long way from Australia and I never planned to travel there. However, like many Rotary projects, it is through networking and circumstance that you find an opportunity to make a difference. Mine came as part of a vocational training team to Mongolia to conduct workshops to empower single fathers. In 2017, I ran into Kathyrn Johnson, a fellow mediator, who had just returned from Mongolia where her brother was making a documentary. She had met Professor Namjil from Ulaanbaatar University, who told her how he had been asked for help by a group of 150 single fathers, many of them disabled or unemployed or both. The men were from Erdenet city, a mining town about 300 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar, and were lost in a culture where the very notion of a father raising their children alone was alien. Professor Namjil explained how it was not uncommon in Mongolia for women to be better educated than the men due to their nomadic tradition. Boys were kept behind to assist with the seasonal movement of the herds while women could be sent to gain their education as a means of assisting the welfare of the family. In recent years this was causing a societal problem. The men felt their traditional skills of horsemanship and herding were no longer useful in an urban setting, causing a feeling of disempowerment which led to depression, alcohol abuse and domestic violence, particularly in the mining towns with high unemployment. As the women were better educated and thus more confident than the men, they would separate from their husbands, and sometimes from their children, in pursuit of better jobs. This resulted in a very high divorce rate. |
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2022 Rotary Football MVP Carson HartzCongratulations to Columbus High School senior Carson Hartz for being selected the 2022 Rotary MVP! 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. |
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Football Banquet Speaker is Pete Moris of UNIJoin us November 14th to honor area high school football teams and award the Glen "Doc" Miller Football MVP trophy! Our keynote speaker is Pete Moris, Director of University Relations at UNI! Pete brings high profile media relations and marketing experience to UNI. Since 2015, Pete has served as Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg where he led marketing and communications campaigns to grow the donor base and increase the national profile of Hokies’ Athletics. At the University of Oklahoma, Moris led a public relations and media campaign to unveil the $370 million renovation project of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. As Associate Director of Public Relations for the Kansas City Chiefs, Moris coordinated public relations and event management for four Super Bowls. Additionally, he has served on the media relations teams at the NCAA Final Four, the College Football Playoff Championship Game and multiple major collegiate bowl games. Pete holds bachelor’s degrees in public relations and writing from Loras College, and he is a graduate of the Disney Customer Service Training Program. We will stream the ceremony on Facebook LIVE, so if you are unable to attend, you can watch it here. Be sure to "Like" the Waterloo Rotary Facebook page to receive future notifications. |
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Rotary International UpdateFor #Rotary member Krystyna Wilczyńska-Ciemięga the decision to open her home to refugees fleeing the war in #Ukraine was simple, stating "the character of every Rotarian is based on a preference to give rather than to take." #RotaryResponds On 24 February 2022, Russia invades Ukraine. Its 22nd Army Corps advances on the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia, the city on the Dnieper River in southeastern Ukraine that is home to the Morhun family. On 27 February, Olena Morhun leaves Zaporizhzhia with her daughters, Alisa and Sofiia, and her son Vitalii. Read the full story below: |
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Reminder: Rotary is Upstairs for Football BanquetWe are looking forward to seeing everyone upstairs on Monday! Wade Itzen and Rick Morris have been organizing this year's football banquet and hoping for a great showing by Rotarians to support these outstanding athletes! |
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Volleyball Honor Luncheon Nov 7thCongratulations to West High senior Sahara Williams - the 2022 Rotary Volleyball MVP! Sahara accepted the travelling trophy at the Waterloo Rotary Club's annual Volleyball recognition Luncheon. Our keynote speaker was Caitlin Opp, Assistant Director of Marketing for UNI Athletics. Since 1936 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. Area volleyball coaches choose their MVP's and then, by ballot of all the coaches, award the trophy for overall Most Valuable volleyball player. The winners are entitled to display the trophy at her school for the next twelve months. We streamed the ceremony on Facebook LIVE, so if you were not able to attend, you can watch it here. Be sure to "Like" the Waterloo Rotary Facebook page to receive future notifications. |
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Happy Birthday, Hovey!On November 5th, Honorary Rotarian Hovey Brom celebrated his 97th birthday and our club is so lucky to count him among our members. Hovey has served the Waterloo Rotary Club since 1963, is a veteran of World War II, and is a talented architect with a resume of several iconic Cedar Valley structures including the Waterloo Convention Center where we meet on Mondays. With Veterans Day later this week, we wanted to share Hovey's 2-part presentation from January 2021 while our club was meeting over Zoom. Click the link below to watch Hovey recount his experiences being drafted and travelling through Europe, then becoming a musician. |
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November BirthdaysWe have a stable group of Rotarians born in November, including Honorary Member Hovey Brom, who leads our club in both age and service!
Since we had a jam-packed political program calendar in October and will honor high school athletes at our November meetings, we'll have a super-birthday table celebration on December 5th. |
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Operation WarmA group of Downtown Waterloo Rotarians met at the Waterloo School District warehouse October 25th and sorted the bulk delivery of Operation Warm coats (four pallets) into groups for each of six elementary schools. Distribution to students will be done in the coming weeks, so those members that could not participate will have a fun opportunity (Will it be FUN?) to serve the community and see the twinkle in the students’ eyes when they get their new coats! Some of the Rotarians who helped this morning had to leave before the attached photo was taken, but their service is appreciated! If you would like to help support Operation Warm, click this link: https://www.cfneia.org/giving/give-today?fund=659 or email Dave Lee to volunteer to hand out the coats in November! There will be a sign-up sheet at the next few meetings. |
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Secretary of State Candidate Joel Miller Speaking MondayWe hosted Secretary of State Candidate - Joel Miller, a Democrat - Monday, October 31st. We invited the Republican candidate, incumbent Paul Pate, but he was not able to schedule a visit. Joel grew up on a dairy farm outside of Independence, Iowa. After graduating high school, Joel served as a deputy sheriff and as a part-time police officer. In 1977, Joel entered the United States Army and served 3 years on active duty attaining the rank of Sergeant. Following his time in the United States Army, Joel returned home, went back to college, obtained a degree in electronics engineering technology, and worked as an IBEW electronics tech for AT&T. From 2002 to 2005, Joel served on the City Council of Robins, and served as the city's mayor from 2006 to 2007. In 2007, Joel was elected in a special election to serve as Linn County Auditor, the second largest county in the state. Since 2007, Joel has been re-elected in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. Joel has been married to his wife, Sylvia, for 44 years and they have three adult children and nine grandchildren. We streamed Joel Miller's remarks on Facebook LIVE, be sure to "Like" the Waterloo Rotary Facebook page to receive future notifications. |
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Rotary Member Doesn't Miss a Meeting for 52 YearsDuring his 52 years as a #Rotary member, Texas district judge Ronnie Yeager has never missed a meeting. How did he maintain that streak when his family took a 3-month vacation along the coast of Australia? Find out: Ronnie Yeager, 84, joined the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass, Texas, on 1 May 1970. Over the 52 years of club meetings since, he has had perfect attendance. His extraordinary tenure in Rotary earned him a special recognition letter in September 2020 from then-Rotary International President Holger Knaack. |
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Senator Grassley Speaking at Rotary MondayU.S. Senator Chuck Grassley was our guest speaker Monday, October 24th. Senator Grassley - a Republican - is seeking his eighth term in office. FAST FACTSBORN: FAMILY: OCCUPATION: His challenger - Admiral Michael Franken - was invited to attend and was unable to confirm a date at this time. We streamed the senator's remarks on Facebook LIVE, so if you could not attend, visit Waterloo Rotary Facebook page to watch. |
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Welcome to World Polio DayThe livestream of Rotary International and the World Health Organization’s World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for mothers and children two-day conference begins Friday, 21 October. Join Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, and RI President Jennifer Jones, as they discuss the state of polio eradication and its broader relevance to global health. This conference will address not only the status of polio eradication and what’s next, but also the potential for community-based solutions to improve global health, particularly as it relates to maternal-child health. Welcome to #WorldPolioDay 2022 and Beyond at @WHO in Geneva, Switzerland. |
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Programs are filled through February 2023There have been a lot of requests for programs recently...a reminder that all programs are booked up through February 2023! Please send recommendations with that time frame in mind! E-mail Jaclyne at jheller@kwwl.com with any ideas for March 2023 and on... |
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Black Hawk County Supervisors Forum on MondayOur very own Kevin McCrindle will be leading the forum of Black Hawk County Supervisor candidates Monday October 17th. Questions asked come from members of the Waterloo Downtown Rotary Club. The following candidates are invited to the forum, as they are listed on the official ballot for Black Hawk County...
We will stream the forum on Facebook LIVE, so if you can't attend, be sure to "Like" the Waterloo Rotary Facebook page to receive notifications. |
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Rotary International Update"END POLIO NOW" reaches the top of the world! Read the account of Australian Rotarian Ken Hutt who spent years planning a record-setting trip to Mount Everest: |
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U.S House Candidate Liz Mathis Oct 10Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives for Iowa's 2nd District Liz Mathis joined us for lunch, and her visit was streamed live - you can watch here. Democratic candidate Mathis is a former journalist and nonprofit leader. In 2011, Liz was elected to the State Senate representing parts of Linn County. As Senator, Liz has spoken up for families struggling with the state’s Medicaid program and created countless measures that focused on children, Iowa’s economy and educational growth. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, Liz has worked to help Iowa family farmers and farming communities. And she’s assisted Iowa families and businesses struggling to recover from COVID-19 and during the recent derecho disaster, she helped them find a warm meal, seek resources or get back on their feet. We had the Republican candidate, Ashley Hinson, speak to our club earlier this year. |
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Local News Coverage from first forumOur first candidate forum of this election season gained some media attention from our friends at the Courier - click the link below for their story... If you missed attending the forum, you can watch the archived video on our Facebook page. We'll continue to share our upcoming candidate programs through Facebook LIVE, so be sure to "like" our page to receive notifications when the video starts! |
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Rotary International UpdateDr. Mexan Mapouka worked healing others as a young doctor in a war zone. Now, he’s pursuing a master’s in public health as a fellow at the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center learning to combine his medical knowledge with conflict resolution. “This is a tremendous program that gives people who can’t afford to continue their graduate education a chance to do so,” Mapouka says. “It also trains the next generation of people who will take the lead in places like the Central African Republic where peacebuilding is needed.” Read the full story below: |
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October BirthdaysWe 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! |
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Rotary Ride/Drive Event for Rotary in IndiaRotary 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 |
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FIRST Political Forum on MondayPHOTO: 2016 Iowa House Candidates Forum 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:
See link below for official list of candidates on the ballot in Black Hawk County... |
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Programs are Lined up the Rest of the YearThank 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! |
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Noel Anderson from City of Waterloo Speaking Monday 9-26Noel 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. |
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Wisly Danger of Haiti Joining us Virtually on Monday 9-26 |
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Reminder: Invite Friends to Upcoming Political ProgramsThe 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!
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Cultural Immersion Workshop is Coming upRegistration is now open for the Cultural Immersion Workshop that is partnership between Rotary and Hawkeye Community College! Free to current Rotary members... |
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Gearhead Ministries Speaking Sept 19thCedar 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. |
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Rotary International UpdateWe'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. |
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Northeast Iowa Food Bank Volunteering on MondayWe 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. 1605 Lafayette St., Waterloo, IA, 50703 |
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Rotary International UpdateFollowing 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. |
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Operation WarmCan 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: And stay tuned to learn how YOU can help distribute the coats... First-grader Tyshon Harris has help from David Buck Nov 21 2011 MATTHEW PUTNEY Courier Photo Editor |
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September BirthdaysWow! 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!
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Cedar Valley Angels at Rotary MondayDerek 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. |
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Rotarian Turns Addiction Into ArtWith 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!'" Read the rest of the story here: |
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Rotary Social Event September 1Join 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. Thursday, Sept 1st - 4:00 - 6:00 Special thanks to Kaye Englin for organizing. |
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Alzheimer's Association Speaking MondayChristine 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. |
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Rotary at Work in UkraineA 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. |
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Rotary International UpdateStephanie A. Urchick is selected to be the 2024-25 president of Rotary InternationalStephanie 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.” Read the full story here: |
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Boys and Girls Club PresentationOur very own Bryan Burton - Interim Executive Director - is presenting on Monday, August 15th to share what is going on at the Boys and Girls Club! |
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August BirthdaysJoin us Monday to honor these Rotarians who celebrate their birthday in August!
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Cardinal Construction Presenting MondayKaty 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. |
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Rotary International UpdatePast #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.
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.
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Rotary International UpdateEveryone'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.
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Rotary International Update
Squeezing a teddy bear is comforting, no matter your age — Rotary International (@Rotary) July 15, 2022 |
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Dr. Jared Smith Presenting at Rotary MondayDr. 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.
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Rotary Night at the Waterloo BucksAugust 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! |
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2022-2023 OfficersWaterloo Rotary Club Officers 2022-2023 President...Annie Vander Werff Past President...E.J. Gallagher President-Elect...Jaclyne Heller Co-Treasurer...Joan Rice Foundation Chair...Deb Pullin-Van Auken Youth Exchange...Luke Jensen Member Grants Chair...Mark Durbahn Board of Directors Vicki Mueller Dave Lee Cathy Nicholas Amy Rousselow Bryan Burton Larry Steffens |
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Irish Fest Program on MondayKelly 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. |
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Rotary International UpdateThe 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 elementsThere 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 colorsThe 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. |
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July BirthdaysThese lucky Rotarians celebrate with FIREWORKS! Join us July 11th to honor this distinguished group of summer babies.
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NO Meeting Monday July 4thA 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... |
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International UpdateMusic, 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. |
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President EJ Gallagher Presenting MondayE. J. Gallagher recently returned from the International Rotary Convention in Houston! He will share all of the highlights of the conference! |
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Rotary International UpdateThis 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. |
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Rotary International UpdateAfter 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). Imagine Melbourne | Rotary International
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REMINDER: June 13 meeting at Waterloo Public LibraryThe Waterloo Public Library has reserved a room for us on Monday and there will be box lunches served for lunch!
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Pathways Behavioral Services Presenting MondayOur 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. |
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Annual Steak Fry June 23Guests 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. |
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Allen College President Speaking MondayDr. 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.
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June BirthdaysJoin us Monday, June 6th to celebrate these 5 very deserving Rotarians:
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Rotary International Update#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. |
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NO MEETING MAY 30 - MEMORIAL DAYHave 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. |
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Habitat for Humanity Thank You Note“Dear Rotarians, 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 803 West 5th Street, Waterloo, IA 50702 | (319) 235-9946 | (319) 281-0833 |
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Rotary International UpdateNearly 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. |
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Rick Petersen of Tyson Speaking May 23Our 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. |
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Rotary International Update |
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Habitat for Humanity Bus Tour MondayWe 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. |
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Former FBI Agent Randy Van Gent Speaking May 9Special thanks to Bob Manning for arranging his friend Mr. Randy Van Gent to present on Monday! |
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Rotary International UpdateThe ability to create change can feel intimidating. Together our passion and perseverance make lasting change. Learn how our members make an impact... |
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Imagination Library DocumentaryLast 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: Kelly Stern (left), Director, Cedar Falls Public Library Jillian Rutledge (right), Public Services Manager, Waterloo Public Library |
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Tom Eachus of Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health CenterExecutive 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. |
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Rotary International Update5 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 |
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Rotary "After Hours" Social was a SuccessPicture from Tuesday night gathering...missing from photo is EJ Gallagher and Rachael Hoffman! |
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Rotary Social Event on Tuesday, April 26We 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! Come for ten minutes - come for the full hour... |
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Library Presentation on Dolly's Reading Program MondayLearn about Dolly Parton's initiative for the Waterloo and Cedar Falls libraries! Meet our presenters... Kelly Stern (left), Director, Cedar Falls Public Library 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 (right), Public Services Manager, Waterloo Public Library 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. |
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Rotary Dues ReminderA note regarding Rotary membership... 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. |
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Paul Harris Birthday was this week!!Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris 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. Learn more about Paul Harris here...
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Dr. Todd Holcomb of Hawkeye Community College Speaking MondayWe 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. |
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Cedar Valley Women United EventCedar 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! Register here... |
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Rotary International UpdateLubomyr “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.
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Annual Academic Scholars LuncheonThe 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. Photos from the ceremony can be seen here |
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Rotary Helping UkraineWith 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 people have 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. |
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April BirthdaysJoin 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.
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Dementia Friendly Iowa April 4 |
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Rotary International UpdateLia 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? Click here to read Dr. Puggioni's story. |
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Liz Porter has passedLast 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. Click here to read her obituary |
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Rotary International UpdateIn this interview from a Houston, Texas TV station, Rotary's commitment to eradicating polio is discussed as well as hearing from a polio survivor: |
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Volunteers Needed for Scholars LuncheonAs 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. |
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Lost Island General Manager Speaking MondayMatt 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. |
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U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson Speaking MondayU.S. Representative Ashley Hinson joined us March 21st - click here to see photos. 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. |
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Rotary International Update |
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Annual Duck Pluck |
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Junior Achievement Presenting MondayOur 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! |
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Rotary International UpdateClub 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. |
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Foodbank Annual Fundraiser March 25The 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. |
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March BirthdaysJoin us to celebrate Rotarians born in March...including two NEW members!
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Rotary International UpdateIn 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. |
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Lauren Finke of Volunteer Center Speaking MondayThe Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley (VCCV) partners with 200+ community organizations in Black Hawk County. |
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Milt Dakovich ServiceOur 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. |
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Director of Iowa DNR Speaking on February 28Our 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. |
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Rotary International Update |
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Toasting Across the "Pond"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 |
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Presidents' DayToday 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. |
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Shelterbox Canada/Rotary PartnershipSince 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. |
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Steve Firman Speaking Monday at RotarySteve 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. |
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Rotary International UpdateWe 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.
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House of Hope Presentation MondayDusky Steele - Development Coordinator of House of Hope - will be our speaker Monday.
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Rural Urban Day - February 28thRural 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 |