Watch today's meeting here: https://youtu.be/BJszQ5SH--I

 

Our Meeting was called to order by President Barb Thomas

 

 

Rtn. Kelley Drowne provided Zoom reminders.

 

President Barb Thomas asked the club to keep Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn in our thoughts, as his grandfather is going into hospice care.

 

President-Elect Eric Weiler announced that we will meet next week in person at the newly remodeled Highlander Hotel.  The Zoom option will continue to be available.  The piano has been tuned and is ready to go. The hotel, like many establishments, has staffing challenges, so please exercise patience.  All members need to order and pay in advance.  It will be a boxed lunch at first, with the hope to move to a buffet soon.  The cost will be $15 and will include a drink, sandwich, sides, and will also have a vegetarian option.  We are recruiting Rotarians for our technology team – please reach out to Eric if you are interested in helping facilitate hybrid meetings.  An email will come early next week with a link to order lunch and a new Zoom link for the meeting.  

 

District Governor Elect Alka Khanolkar thanked President Barb Thomas for her exceptional service and encouraged her to join the District team.  Alka also reminded the club that everyone is invited to the gavel passing from District Governor Steve Dakin to her.  It will take place on June 27^th at the Keokuk Club from 1 to 3PM.

 

 

The Rotary Moment of Gratitude and Positivity was delivered by President Barb Thomas.  She is so proud of everything our club has accomplished during this pandemic year.  In addition to all our projects and incredible donations to worthy community partners, we inducted 7 new members – all virtually.  Barb thanked the Board for their service, Past Presidents, committee chairs, the notetakers, and those who handled Zoom logistics to make this year happen. 

 

President Barb Thomas reminded the everyone that our club has an amazing legacy and it is up to each of us to continue to make things happen.  Many Rotarians delivered deep appreciation and gratitude for Barb’s phenomenal year.  President Barb officially passed the gavel to President Eric Weiler.

 

Eric thanked our 272 club members for all they do.  This new year’s Rotary International theme is “serve to change lives” with the challenge to be more involved in community service.  The other goal is increasing membership, which has remained stagnant for the past 20 years.  He challenges each Rotarian to bring and sponsor a new member each year.

 

Eric is dedicated to making a smooth transition to successful and meaningful hybrid meetings.  He also wants to focus on engagement and connect members to projects about which they are passionate.  Eric wants to get to know every member and learn everyone’s “why.”

 

The meeting ended at 12:58 PM as President Barb Thomas led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.

 

 

Visiting Rotarians included: Gary Wicklund (Vail, CO); Alka Khanolkar (District Governor Elect); Amy Nicholson (Iowa City AM); Elsa Janle (Iowa City A.M.)

 

Guests of Rotarians: Lori Merlak (Eric Weiler); Rebekah Tilley (Barb Thomas); Allison Hershberger (Barb Thomas); Winifred Lezine (Barb Thomas); Margaret Griffin (Barb Thomas); Shannon Henderson (Barb Thomas)

 

Program: Devin van Holsteijn; Attendance: Nancy Droll