Our Meeting was called to order by President Tara Lawson.
The attendees sang “Auld Lang Syne” led by Rtn. Aaron Schaefer and Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn.
President Lawson asked for a moment of silence for two reasons: that today is a National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, and for Rotarian Dick Kennedy who was a member of our club from 1967 -2023.
INTRODUCTIONS:
Visiting Rotarians: from the Bettendorf Club, former president Scott Naumann and Emery Styron from the Coralville North Corridor Club.
Visitors: Lindsey Gruber (Rtn. Margaret Reese), Jennifer Wilkins (Rtn. Ryan Bell) and Marilyn Grover (Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn). Tad Hultz (Rtn. Verne Folkmann) Cherie Cremers (Rtn. Bernie Cremers) Michelle Voss (Rtn. Margaret Reese) Tom Hall (Rtn. Shannon Ramsay), and Tony Wilson (Rtn. Rachel Rockwell).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rtn. Brianna Wills highlighted Rotary’s International Exchange Program. This program sends a local high school student to an international location for a school year. As a part of the exchange, our city will welcome an international student for a school year. Brianna’s daughter will be moving to Sweden to spend her junior year there and we are seeking local homes to host an international student. Typically, hosts will have the student for a 3-4 month period, not the entire school year. Host families do not need to have children at home and a host can be single. The second international program is the Outward Bound Scholarship Program which provides scholarships for college age students. Ideally, the stay is for a full year but they will support semester-length programs. There is an application and an interview for this program and information is available by reaching out to Brianna Wills.
Rtn. Verne Folkman presented a Paul Harris plus 4 pin to Rtn. Lynette Marshall.
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Margaret Reese introduced our speaker Michelle Voss, who is the Director of the Health, Brain & Cognition Lab at the University of Iowa. She has been on UI faculty since 2012. The goal of this clinic is to improve brain health. She highlighted how we all need mobility and cognitive health to be able to live a vibrant life and that we need to keep those 2 things as long as possible. As lifespans increase, we want that healthy brain activity to continue through a longer period of time. Alzheimer’s is the number one degenerative disease of the brain. When looking at what we can do, the biggest thing is to work your heart. What is good for your heart is good for your brain. It is also important to engage your brain (learn new things).
The unit is in the department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, located in the new building on Iowa Avenue. They work closely with the Dept of Health and Human Physiology and the Dept of Radiology. The lab is able to work on a person’s physical function, take images of the brain, and conduct cognitive tests.
They can study your cardiorespiratory fitness, and she highlighted the links between cardiorespiratory fitness and the heart and brain. Getting your heart rate up to increase your cardiorespiratory fitness has been proven to be beneficial to your brain.
In addition, it is important to engage your brain through things like social connections. Computer games can provide fun and unique ways to exercise the brain – there are some that push you out of your comfort zone and push your brain more and are thus more effective with those compared to the casual games. They are looking to find ways to create new ways for brain improvement. When playing games, playing a variety of games is more beneficial.
Cycling without Age is a new program where rides can be given to those that have physical limitations and cannot get out on a bike anymore. This is connected to the Iowa City Bike Library, which is one of Michelle’s passions. Other activities include a book club on the book Outlive by Peter Attia. They have been connected with the Senior Center. There is a 4-week book club at North Library and another will be held at the Senior Center this spring. See their Facebook page for more questions. They have an open study for people over the age of 70 and they would appreciate participants if you are willing to take the time to do so.
Next week, our meeting will feature Brent Stensky presenting on the Stories project in Iowa City.
President Lawson led the club in the Four Way Test before adjourning the meeting.
Program: Rtn. Margaret Reese; Attendance: Rtn. Nancy Droll.
Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Janice Baldes to include in the weekly slide decks emailed to members prior to each meeting and shown just before Rotary meetings at the Club. You can send information to: Rtn. Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.