Iowa City Noon Rotary

Watch today's meeting here: https://youtu.be/SQkh12IYE9o 

 

Just prior to noon, we went into Zoom breakout groups to be able to chat in small groups as though we were at a table with 8 or so fellow Rotarians and guests.

 

Our Meeting was called to order by President Barb Thomas.

 

We shared a moment of silence for Carolyn Gross, wife of Rtn. John Gross, who passed away Sunday. President Barb shared some words about Carolyn. Her obituary can be read here: https://www.thegazette.com/obituaries/carolyn-gross-20201014-0000224161-01.

 

Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn shared Zoom tips.

 

Rtn. Dave Brown shared that our first highway cleanup day will be this Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. We are cleaning the 1-mile stretch of Sand Road (South Gilbert) south of Terry Trueblood Recreation Area. Contact David-c-brown@uiowa.edu.

 

Rtn. Eric Weiler announced that our local club has donated $30,000 to help local charities. He introduced Tracy Tritle, who shared details about the committee and process of filtering applications with our partner, the Johnson County Community Foundation. Rtn. Chris Atchison shared the organizations that were awarded.

 

President Barb and Rtn. Eric Weiler introduced Rtn. Nancy Quellhorst, who shared her inspiration to give to Operation Warm - Giving Coats to Children in Need. Rtn. John Fraser shared a slideshow that 1 in 5 children are living below the poverty line and can use our donation to get them coats. $20 will buy one coat. You can donate any amount of money you choose online. Rtn. Deb Ockenfels shared that our district has donated 40,000 coats to date. You can give online: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/operation-warm-inc/join-iowa-city-noon-rotary-to-give-coats-to-kids-in-need or checks can be made out to Operation Warm, PO Box 822431, Philadelphia, PA 19182-2431.  Please make sure to add a note that shows our club name. All donations will receive a tax receipt. Monday, November 30 is the deadline for donations.

 

Rtn. Linda Farkas announced that World Affairs students from North Liberty wrote an article about their experience that was published here https://thelibertylivewire.com/4544/features/all-about-world-affairs/. She is looking for more volunteers to help organize the interview process with students. Contact linda.farkas@icloud.com.

 

Rtn. Kelly Stobb announced that we will be partnering with Maggie’s Farm Wood-Fired Pizza on Saturday, October 24^th, which is World Polio Day. They are donating 10% of all proceeds to Rotary’s Polio Plus Program. So get your pizza ordered for the first Hawkeyes football game!

 

President Barb shared that we received a thank you note from Garner Elementary teachers for the I Can Read materials that we donated.

 

Watch today's general meeting (upon request, the program speaker portion was not recorded) here: https://youtu.be/rG1RyhpK730

 

Our Meeting was called to order by President Barb Thomas.

 

President Barb Thomas announced that next Tuesday, Oct. 6^th, from 4:00-5:30PM, our Club will have its first virtual Rotary Social.  There will be breakout rooms, polls, and 3 “door prizes” - $50 gift cards to Bread Garden and Herteen & Stocker Jewelers and an overnight stay at the newly remodeled Highlander Bohemian Hotel. 

 

President-Elect Eric Weiler announced that there are 5 great candidates for two open Board seats and one awesome candidate for President-Elect.  Please vote by the end of the day on October 11^th.  The link to the ballot is here: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5APIjoEwtQTM2Gh.

 

The Rotary Moment of Gratitude and Positivity was delivered by Rtn. Mark Pries.  Mark remembers that every day in an investment in the legacy of his life and his community.  His largest gratitude is his wife of 48 years, Leslie.  The pandemic has brought them closer together.  He has lived a servant lifestyle, which is consistent with the Rotary 4 Way Test.

 

Rtn. Bill Oglesby shared a video about one of Rotary’s area’s of focus, which is the environment.

 

President Barb announced that our Environmental Affairs committee is adopting part of Terry Trueblood park.  They are scheduling a clean-up day in the near future.  Please reach out to Committee Chair Dave Brown if you are interested in joining the committee or the clean-up.

 

Rtn. Barb Thomas introduced today’s speaker, Phil Jasper.  Phil is the President of the Mission Systems Strategic Business Unit at Collins Aerospace.  A native Iowan, he has 26 years of experience in the aerospace industry and is very involved in his community.

 

Collins Aerospace has an impact on the world by keeping people safe, connected, and informed, all from Eastern Iowa.  Collins has gone through a number of changes in recent years, including an acquisition by United Technologies.  In April of 2020, Raytheon Technologies merged with United Technologies.  Collins Aerospace is one of four companies under Raytheon’s umbrella.  Collins has over 78,000 employees at 300+ sites globally, and employs more than 16,000 engineers.

 

Collins Aerospace has 6 strategic business units, serving nearly all aspects of the aviation, defense, and aerospace industry: Aerostructures (Chula Vista, CA); Avionics (Cedar Rapids, IA); Interiors (Winston-Salem, NC); Mechanical Systems (Charlotte, NC); Mission Systems (Cedar Rapids); and Power & Controls (Windsor Locks, CT).

 

There are more than 9,200 Collins Aerospace employees in Iowa.  The economic impact of having the company in Iowa is $3.2 million.  It spends over $100MM annually with in-state suppliers.  Core competencies in Eastern Iowa include: tactical communications (75% of military communications take place over Collins radios), simulation and training, precision navigation and timing, training and mission solutions, integrated avionics, cabin management systems, display systems, and missionized avionics.

 

The industry has been severely impacted by COVID-19 and resulting reductions in travel.  Collins is investing in ways to have a contactless travel experience, to protect passengers and staff.  Some innovations include solutions for check-in, bag drops, security, boarding, immigration, and even contactless lavatories.

 

The meeting ended at 12:57 PM as President Barb Thomas led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.

 

 

Visiting Rotarians included: Gary Wicklund (Vale, CO)

 

Guests of Rotarians: Casey O’Donnell (Ryan Bell); Mackenzie DeRoo (Barb Thomas); Phil Jasper (Barb Thomas), Diane Johnson (Kelley Drowne); Dee Hurst (Barb Thomas); Eran Roseman (Colleen Brown); Roni Roseman (Colleen Brown); Jen Blackhurst (Barb Thomas); Carrie Nickol (Kelly Drowne); Dawn Kluber (Barb Thomas); Ali Yildirim (Barb Thomas).

 

Program: Devin van Holsteijn; Attendance: Nancy Droll