Watch today's meeting at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwWCvJ1fdbw&t=23s

 

Our Meeting was called to order by President Barbara Thomas

 

 

President Barbara Thomas took a moment to share that Rtn. Jesus Garcia welcomed to the world Felix Marcus Garcia born within the last week.

 

Rtn. Ryan Bell – Ride to End Polio is coming up April 10.  It is a virtual event this year and easy to participate. Between now and April 10 please exercise for 30 minutes and pledge $30 to the End Polio committee.

 

Rtn. Brad Baldes – Save the date for the 20^th annual golf tournament, Monday, June 7, at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City.  This is a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House. More details: https://rmhc-eiwi.org/events/fore-the-families/

 

Rtn. Dave Brown – Rotary Clubs of Iowa City Tree Planting on Saturday, April 24, at 9:00 a.m. at Court Hill Park and the Adopt a Highway is at 10:00 a.m.

 

Rtn. Mark Pries - Rotary Kerber Community HeartSafe Initiative is delivering an AED this afternoon. The AED is being delivered to GuideLink (a new support service for people in dangerous situations (chemical, alcohol, emotional) – an EMS program.

 

Rtn. Chris Atchison – Reminder that District grants are open for application.

 

Rtn. Eric Weiler – Saturday, April 24 is the District Annual Conference. More information at https://rotary6000.org/event/conference---stories-and-fellowship---boone/

 

Rtn. Verne Folkmann – Recognized Rtn. Margaret Reese for her donations to Rotary International making her a Paul Harris +2.

 

The Rotary moment of positivity and gratitude was given by Rtn. Carlin Parish.

 

 

PROGRAM: We’ve Come A Long Way: Women’s Role In Growing Rotary. Panel moderated by Rtn. Linda Muston.  Five female past presidents shared highlights of their term in office.  Rtn. Linda Muston started by sharing a historical fact that it was not until 1987 women were admitted into Rotary. In contrast, today 55 percent of membership in the AM club are women and their club has had ten (10) female presidents. Rtn. Linda Muston was inducted as the first president of Rotary in July 1993. During her term she worked with the District in disbursing funds specifically set up for flood relief. Rotary was focused on sending used medical textbooks from the University Hospital to Africa. It was twelve years before there was another female president; Ann Paker. 

 

Rtn Ann Paker shared it was by accident she became president.  At one meeting she was asked to put her name in the hat. She was a 5^th generation Rotarian. Rotary International celebrated their 100^th anniversary and local Rotary celebrated their 90^th anniversary. The annual convention was in Chicago where Paul Harris founded Rotary in 1905. That year they had the first official team trip of Miles of Smiles. The biggest change was moving from a printed newsletter to an online digital form.

 

Rtn. Karen Franklin shared members donated nearly $111,000 to local and international projects. New projects started included the I Can Read project, the Ponsetti project started its Rotary affiliation, blood drive, and sign improvements with a Rotary 6000 grant.

 

Rtn. Thais Winkleblack was president during the 100^th anniversary for the club. Members donated $51,500 to local libraries and $11,000 for future projects.  Created a book talking about the local Rotary legacy, designed a new logo, and created an archive for club documents.

 

Rtn. Usha Balakrishnan was focused on new member recruitment specifically targeted to younger professionals and students. Club was the largest club in the State of Iowa. Road trip to Evanston, IL to International Rotary Headquarters. Launched Rollin’ with Rotary installing blue bike racks in Iowa City with funds from a Rotary 6000 grant. 

 

The meeting ended at 1:00 PM as President Barbara Thomas led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.

 

 

Visiting Rotarians included: Rtn. Karin Franklin from Iowa City AM Rotary and Rtn. Hazel Seaba from Iowa City AM Rotary.

 

Guests: None.

 

Program: Devin van Holsteijn; Attendance: Nancy Droll