The club was greeted by Rtns. Jon Brown and Aaron Schaefer.
Our Meeting was called to order by Past-President Verne Folkmann.
Announcements:
Past-President Verne Folkmann reminded the club that Paul Harris’s birthday was April 19th. Paul was born in 1868 in Racine, Wisconsin and received his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1891. In 1905 he organized the first Rotary club in Chicago with 5 members. Our Rotary Foundation is named after him.
Rtn. Ryan Bell announced that on May 4th at 11AM, our club will be doing about an hour’s worth of tree maintenance at the Sailboat Shelter in Lake McBride Park. Jon Brown modeled the lovely t-shirt that volunteers will receive on Saturday.
Rtn. Susan Brennan, Executive Director of the Iowa City Community School District Foundation thanked the club for their support of the School of the Wild. This year, over 1,100 6th graders were able to attend. She has tickets to attend the Foundation’s annual breakfast – if you are interested, please contact her.
Rtn. Patty Roberts announced that this Saturday, at 8:30AM, the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity 5k run will take place at Terry Trublood Recreation Area. The 5k is named after prior Women’s Build honoree Christine Grant and will help support fellow IC Noon Rotarian Doris Prucil, this year’s honoree. Registration is still open.
Rtn. Trisha Smith announced that United Way’s 100th Year Celebration Kickoff Breakfast will take place next Wednesday, May 8th at 7AM at Big Grove.
Rtn. Bruce Teague reminded the club that the District Community Service Grant was awarded to the Birdhouse last year and the house still needs some Rotary-provided labor hours. Please contact Bruce to organize removing trees, chopping wood, and cleaning up pond rocks.
Rtn. Joe Barry thanked the club for sponsoring his son for the Youth Exchange. He will be studying in Switzerland, but is also required to attend the District Conference tomorrow. If someone can give him a ride, please contact Joe.
Rtn. Jon Brown asked the club to please send announcements to him so he can add them to the before-the-meeting slides. He invited the club to participate in the inaugural Plogging Event – running or walking while picking up trash – on Saturday, May 18th. You will also receive a Rotary T-shirt if you participate.
Past-President Verne Folkmann asked the club to bring guests and recruit new members, as we have no pending applications. He also announced that Fore the House Golf Tournament still needs sponsors for the wine pull and is still looking for general sponsors.
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Brianna Wills introduced today’s speakers, Salina McCarty and Lucy Barker, from Houses into Homes, a nonprofit organization created to serve our community’s most vulnerable individuals by providing them with beds, furniture, and other items to help them create homes.
Salina and Lucy created Houses to Homes to assist those transitioning out of homelessness or other displacement situations, such as domestic violence or natural disasters. Their mission is to create and strengthen the community. Eighty percent of adult receipients are female and over 2/3 of all recipients are children. The organization was created when Salina and Lucy learned that children at their families’ elementary schools were sleeping on the floor. They met with school and city officials, social workers, and other nonprofits to find a path forward to help families.
Their first delivery took place on February 13, 2018 and within the first year, 252 children were given a place to sleep, 213 mattresses and beds were delivered, and 109 households were provided with furniture. Houses to Homes has been growing fast and in the first 4 months of 2019, 39 households, including 40 adults and 100 children were served. By getting adequate sleep in real beds, children and adults can reduce depression, have better job and school performance, and have an increased quality of life.
In addition to helping families, Houses to Homes aids the environment by keeping beds, sofas, and textiles out of the landfill. Pursuant to Iowa law, citizens cannot re-sell even brand new mattresses.
Houses to Homes holds drop off hours periodically, but most donors require pick-up from volunteers and rented Uhauls. Once received, donations are cleaned, sorted, and labeled. The organization receives requests from referral agencies (50% come through the school district and many through the Domestic Violence Intervention Program). They prioritize the needs and organize pre-delivery visits to assess delivery logistics and family needs and preferences. Volunteers deliver the items to the families and over 3,000 volunteer hours were logged in the organization’s first year of existence (not including Salina and Lucy’s hours).
Their biggest needs are storage, transportation (trucks), and paid staff. Lucy and Salina both work full time jobs and have families. Houses to Homes delivers two times per month and have as many as 7 deliveries scheduled each time. They have a waiting list and an average wait time of 4-6 for families to receive deliveries. Their storage units and truck rentals cost them about $1,200 each month. They recently received their 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation, but are not eligible for community grants until 2020/21, so they are in great need of cash donations. They also appreciate donations of time and items.
The meeting ended at 1:00 pm as Past President Verne Folkmann led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
MEETING:
Singing: America the Beautiful, Happy Birthday, and Vive the Rotary! were led by Rtn.Bob Crane with Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn on piano.
Rtn. Aaron Schaefer announced visiting Rotarian Jeff Capps (Downtown Cedar Rapids).
Guests of Rotarians: Salina McCarty (Brianna Wills); Lucy Barker (Brianna Wills); Rachel Lehmann (Angelica Vannatta); Gary Rogers (Mace Braverman).
Program: Tom Cilek; Attendance: Nancy Droll
Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Jon Brown or 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: Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com or Jon Brown at mjonBrown@taxesplusiowacity.com
It is our policy to have all members silence their cell phones before the meeting and refrain from answering their cell phones during the meeting out of respect to the speaker and fellow members.
Our Meeting was called to order by President-Elect Jim Conard.
Announcements:
Rtn. Christina Kimerle announced Fore the Families Golf Outing, supporting the Ronald McDonald House is approaching on June 3rd. Your $150 golf registration provides fresh fruits and veggies to the House for one week. The team level of $600 pays for 1 family to stay at the Ronald McDonald House for one week, please support and register, as we expect this golfing event will sell out.
Rtn. Ryan Bell announced that our help is needed at Lake McBride on May, 4th at 11a for maintaining the trees that we planted last year. Please join us!
Quaretto by Bacewicz, First Movement; violin students of Rtn. Doris Preucil performed today: Oriana Ross, Kaya Zdan, Taejune Yoon, Oliver Bostian.
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Andrea Rhoades introduced program speaker: Don Rhoades, Veteran Employment Specialist with the University of Iowa. Don has been a champion for Veterans for over 30 years. Don works at the Department of Veteran Affairs in job development and placement of Veterans after they return from deployment. His work includes vocational rehabilitation, hiring, training and working with other rehabilitation counselors who do the same. Don helps Veterans with the transition from active duty to being students at the University of Iowa. Don discussed the features and benefits and eligibility requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the VR&E Program (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services). The challenges are making Veterans and employers aware of these tremendous services.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Don explained that eligible Veterans have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, they may be eligible for this VA-administered program.
100% of college tuition is paid for 36 months
Pays the Veteran to go to school
Yellow Ribbon Program – This program will pay Veterans resident tuition & fees for a public school and the lower of the actual tuition & fees or the national maximum per academic year for a private school.
VR&E Program, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services for Veterans
Don explained that Veterans may receive services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Servicemembers in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.
VA's Education and Career Counseling program is a great opportunity for Veterans and Servicemembers to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure the most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their goals.
The meeting ended at 1:00 pm as President-Elect Jim led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
The Club enjoyed singing America the Beautiful, led by Rtn. Bob Crane with Rtn. Devin Holsteijn on piano.
MEETING:
Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Jon Brown or 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: Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com or Jon Brown at mjonBrown@taxesplusiowacity.com
It is our policy to have all members silence their cell phones before the meeting and refrain from answering their cell phones during the meeting out of respect to the speaker and fellow members.
Our Greeter, Assata Caldwell announced visiting Rotarians, Chris Knapp, Cedar Rapids Downtown, Jill Olson, Marion; Past District Governor John Ockenfels
Guests of Rotarians: Oriana Ross, Kaya Zdan, Taejune Yoon, Oliver Bostian; (Rtn. Doris Preucil); (Rtn. Joe Barry & Guest); Landon Waddilove (Rtn. Jerry Waddilove)
