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IC Noon Rotary, 3.7.19
The club was greeted by Rtns. Renda Greene-Fishman and Tara Minetos.
 
Our Meeting was called to order by President Steve Quigley.
 
Announcements:
 
Rtn. Brianna Wills announced that the Outbound International Scholarship committee is still accepting applications.  A college sophomore through graduate school student is eligible if he or she is traveling abroad for more than 6 months.  There are currently no applicants and the committee can grant two $2,000 scholarships with the option to grant an additional scholarship to a University of Iowa student. 
 
Rtn. Brianna Wills also informed the group that the UI DeGowin Blood Center is critically low.  Please donate if you can.
 
Rtn. Raj Rajapal has taken over 1,500 students to India to observe and learn from top non-profit organizations there.  His group has immersion trips to India for 2 weeks at a time and any philanthropist in the United States is qualified to go.  He is also planning on taking 60 students this summer to observe non-profits in India and help change the world.
 
Rtn. Steve Schomberg is co-chair of the Environmental Concerns committee and they are organizing their activities for the year.  Please join them after the meeting or contact Steve.
 
Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn announced that Hancher will host a free Air Force Band concert on Friday, March 15th, at 7:30 PM.  Please call 319-335-1160 or go to hancher.uiowa.edu to reserve your free tickets.
 
Rtn. Vern Folkman, chair of the Rotary Foundation committee announced and awarded the new Paul Harris Club members: Usha Balakrishnan, Sean McIntyre (Paul Harris Plus 4), Benny Hawkins (Paul Harris Plus 4), and Dr. James Down (Paul Harris Plus 6).
 
Rtn. Brianna Wills also informed the group that the UI DeGowin Blood Center is critically low.  Please donate if you can.
 
Rtn. Raj Rajapal has taken over 1,500 students to India to observe and learn from top non-profit organizations there.  His group has immersion trips to India for 2 weeks at a time and any philanthropist in the United States is qualified to go.  He is also planning on taking 60 students this summer to observe non-profits in India and help change the world.
 
Rtn. Steve Schomberg is co-chair of the Environmental Concerns committee and they are organizing their activities for the year.  Please join them after the meeting or contact Steve.
 
Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn announced that Hancher will host a free Air Force Band concert on Friday, March 15th, at 7:30 PM.  Please call 319-335-1160 or go to hancher.uiowa.edu to reserve your free tickets.
 
Rtn. Vern Folkman, chair of the Rotary Foundation committee announced and awarded the new Paul Harris Club members: Usha Balakrishnan, Sean McIntyre (Paul Harris Plus 4), Benny Hawkins (Paul Harris Plus 4), and Dr. James Down (Paul Harris Plus 6).
 
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Chris Peters introduced today’s speaker.  Peter Rolnick earned his PhD in Theoretical Nuclear Physics and taught at Truman State University.  Upon retirement in 2012, Peter and his wife relocated to Iowa City.  In addition to his work with the Citizens Climate Lobby, he is also an avid musician partial to blues.
 
Citizens Climate Lobby is a group that tries to understand everyone’s values.  It was founded in 2007 in San Diego, by Rotarian Marshall Saunders, and has over 100,000 supporters.  The group believes that the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is the next best step in combating climate change.
 
There will be irreversible, profound climate changes if we don’t act in the next 10-12 years.  Within 50 years, all the Carribean islands, coastal cities, and low-lying areas will disappear.  Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for 100 years.
 
Climate change is largely unpredictable in the short term.  Regulation is not the best solution to climate change as it’s politically unpopular, increases costs to businesses (especially small businesses), and ultimately hurts consumers (particularly middle and lower income citizens).  Caps & Trades, Subsidies, and a Carbon Tax all increase costs and hurt middle and lower income citizens.
 
The idea behind the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is to collect a flat fee of $15/ton of carbon produced (which would increase the price of gasoline by about 10 cents a gallon) and then give the money back to the American public through dividends.  The net effect is that the money most citizens will get back through the dividends will more than cover the increased costs associated with the fee – it is revenue neutral.  The House and Senate have introduced bills for the Act and it was the first bipartisan bill introduced in Congress in many years.
 
If enacted, the Act will be effective – it will reduce Americans’ emissions by 33% within 10 years without harming the economy.  It creates jobs – it may reduce jobs in the fossil fuel industries, but it will create far more jobs in the sustainable energy field, resulting in a net increase in jobs.  It is good for people – reduced carbon output improves health.  It has bipartisan support – both sides of Congress are on board with a solution that everyone can get behind.  It is revenue-neutral – it doesn’t make the government bigger and all the money goes back to citizens.
 
The meeting ended at 1:00 pm as President Steve Quigley led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
 
MEETING:
Singing: America the Beautiful, Happy Birthday, and Vive le Rotary! were led by Rtn. Bob Crane with Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn on piano.
 
Rtn. Tara Minetos announced Lois Buntz (Cedar Rapids) and Karin Franklin (Iowa City AM) as visiting Rotarians.
 
Guests of Rotarians: Rachel Gomez (Jody 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
 
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
 
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.
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IC Noon Rotary Mtg Summary 2.28.19
Our Meeting was called to order by President Steve Quigley.
 
 
Announcements:
 
Rtn. Mark Pries, encouraged the club to attend the West High School SEIBA Jazz Festival on Saturday, March 2nd, 2019.
 
Rtn. Doris Preucil announced an upcoming event to support Habitat for Humanity Women Build. There is a 5k fundraising event on May 4th at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area. Register from 7a-815a, the race starts at 8:30 AM.  All proceeds benefit the Doris Preucil Women Build. Construction will take place April-November of 2019 and fundraising helps to cover the costs of building the home. Please support and thank you!
 
Goat Rider: Ruthann Papke was the club’s goat rider today.
 
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Brad Baldes introduced David Schwindt, Iowa City Police Officer. David introduced the data-driven justice program, a program to disrupt the cycle of mass incarceration & positively impact public service expenses.  Officer David Schwindt of ICPD served 5 years of his 18 years with the police department as the Downtown Liaison Officer. In 2017, David moved to a position where he focused more heavily on data-driven justice. David started in his new role with a goal to help agencies be part of the data-driven justice to get their data into the online platform. This platform allows different organizations such as hospitals, jails, and shelters to look at each other’s data and find patterns with people who are high-utilizers of these services. The data justified the need for housing with no restrictions. Cross Park Place is a demonstration project for the state of Iowa formed by the Collaboration Committee of the Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board —a permanent housing intervention proven to save both money and lives—and will be targeted for the chronically homeless of our community demonstrating high cross-system service utilization. David’s work helped to qualify grants for this type of housing. Cross Park Place, includes 24 1-bedroom apartments with 24/7 staff providing psychiatry and medical care on site. Programs are in place to ensure there are better interactions and outcomes for those in crisis. Another aspect of David’s work provides a way for officers to transfer information. This information is critical when working for those in crisis.
 
The meeting ended at 1:00 pm as President Steve led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
 
The Club enjoyed singing America the Beautiful & Viva le Rotary, led by Rtn. Bob Crane with Rtn. James Conard 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
 
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
 
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, Gene Fischer announced no visiting Rotarians today.
Guests of Rotarians: Joe Velasquez, (Barb Thomas); Meghan Polk (Margaret Reese); Rebecca Neades (Steve Quigley)
 
Program: Tom Cilek; Attendance: Nancy Droll
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IC Noon Rotary Notes 2.14.19
The club was greeted by Rtns. Greg Crosby and Nichole Daufeldt.
 
Our Meeting was called to order by President Steve QuigleyHe thanked Rtn. Jim Conrad for subbing for him while he was out of town (and missing the awful weather).
 
Announcements:
 
Rtn. Christina Kimerle, co-chair of the Rotarians Supporting Women Committee, announced that the $1,000 scholarship has been fully funded and the application and information is live on the Rotary website.  Preference will be given to a non-traditional student, such as a woman starting a second career.
 
President Steve Quigley informed the club that 110 people have completed the midyear survey regarding input on facilities, parking, food, and programs.  A committee will review the responses and inform the group.  Please submit your responses by end of the day on Friday.
 
Rtn. Dimy Doresca introduced visiting Rotarian Annie Vander Werff from the Waterloo Downtown club to give an update on The Community Health, Haiti water project.  Our club donated $5,000, which allowed for matching from District 6000.  The organization was founded in 2012 in Coralville to provide clinic trips and public health projects (like clean water) to Archaie, Haiti.  In 2016, the organization partnered with the Downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Noon Rotary, and Waterloo Downtown clubs, along with a club in Haiti.  The water project has three phases: (1) Surveying of water sources has been complete; (2) community action plans are in progress; (3) FRAPE Business Training Plans for communities interested in learning how to repair and manage water sources are pending.  Dimy wants to take a team to Haiti this Fall in partnership with the Cedar Rapids and Waterloo clubs, so stay tuned for more information.
 
President Steve Quigley announced that our recent speaker, the UI Dance Marathon, raised almost $3 million this year.  Our club’s board of directors, upon the recommendation of Verne Folkmann, made a contribution of $1,000 in memory of Calder Wills.
The club was greeted by Rtns. Greg Crosby and Nichole Daufeldt.
 
Our Meeting was called to order by President Steve QuigleyHe thanked Rtn. Jim Conrad for subbing for him while he was out of town (and missing the awful weather).
 
Announcements:
 
Rtn. Christina Kimerle, co-chair of the Rotarians Supporting Women Committee, announced that the $1,000 scholarship has been fully funded and the application and information is live on the Rotary website.  Preference will be given to a non-traditional student, such as a woman starting a second career.
 
President Steve Quigley informed the club that 110 people have completed the midyear survey regarding input on facilities, parking, food, and programs.  A committee will review the responses and inform the group.  Please submit your responses by end of the day on Friday.
 
Rtn. Dimy Doresca introduced visiting Rotarian Annie Vander Werff from the Waterloo Downtown club to give an update on The Community Health, Haiti water project.  Our club donated $5,000, which allowed for matching from District 6000.  The organization was founded in 2012 in Coralville to provide clinic trips and public health projects (like clean water) to Archaie, Haiti.  In 2016, the organization partnered with the Downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Noon Rotary, and Waterloo Downtown clubs, along with a club in Haiti.  The water project has three phases: (1) Surveying of water sources has been complete; (2) community action plans are in progress; (3) FRAPE Business Training Plans for communities interested in learning how to repair and manage water sources are pending.  Dimy wants to take a team to Haiti this Fall in partnership with the Cedar Rapids and Waterloo clubs, so stay tuned for more information.
 
President Steve Quigley announced that our recent speaker, the UI Dance Marathon, raised almost $3 million this year.  Our club’s board of directors, upon the recommendation of Verne Folkmann, made a contribution of $1,000 in memory of Calder Wills.
 
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Eric Weiler introduced today’s speaker.  Jamie Siefken is the General Manager and Executive Vice President of Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery.  Jamie was born and raised in Marion.  He was a graduate of Kirkwood and moved to Nantucket to learn the food and beverage industry.  He graduated from the prestigious Johnson and Wales University with a BA in Hospitality Management.  He worked in the restaurant industry in Chicago before returning home to Iowa.  He joined Cedar Ridge in 2010 as the General Manager, and is married with a son and daughter. 
 
Jamie began with a video about Cedar Ridge bourbon.  The bourbon in made from corn sourced from the owners’ family farm in Iowa.  The bourbon takes about four years to get to the shelf – grown, milled, mashed, fermented, distilled, aged, bottled, all right here in Iowa. 
 
Cedar Ridge was founded by Jeff and Laurie Quint in Swisher, Iowa as a winery in 2005.  They later added Iowa’s first distillery since Prohibition.  Before the distillery opened, Iowa imported 100% ($300 million) of its distilled spirits.  While the distillery makes vodka, gin, brandy, rum, and some other bourbons (basically everything but tequila), the main focus is “clean, approachable, drinkable bourbon.”  Cedar Ridge is Iowa’s 4th largest winery with 10 acres of vines, 10 varietals, and 5,000 vines.  Iowa ranks 47th in the country in wine consumption and 94% of wine in Iowa is imported.  For the future, Cedar Ridge is focusing on their bourbon, as Iowa produces corn and its “authentic by nature” brand is successful.  Cedar Ridge aims to be the #1 bourbon sold in Iowa (it is currently behind Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark).
 
The meeting ended at 1PM as President Steve Quigley led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
 
MEETING:
Singing: America the Beautiful and Smile were led by Rtn. Bob Crane with Rtn. Doris Preucil on piano.
 
Rtn. Greg Crosby visting Rotarian Annie Vander Werff (Waterloo Downtown).
 
Guests of Rotarians: Kellie Lala (Shawn Reinke); Amanda Shoemaker (Barb Thomas); Jamie Siefken (Eric Weiler); John Hannaford (Scott Finlayson); Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz (Jody Braverman); Steve Yagla (Dimy Doresca.
 
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
 
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
 
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.
 
The club was greeted by Rtns. Greg Crosby and Nichole Daufeldt.
 
Our Meeting was called to order by President Steve QuigleyHe thanked Rtn. Jim Conrad for subbing for him while he was out of town (and missing the awful weather).
 
Announcements:
 
Rtn. Christina Kimerle, co-chair of the Rotarians Supporting Women Committee, announced that the $1,000 scholarship has been fully funded and the application and information is live on the Rotary website.  Preference will be given to a non-traditional student, such as a woman starting a second career.
 
President Steve Quigley informed the club that 110 people have completed the midyear survey regarding input on facilities, parking, food, and programs.  A committee will review the responses and inform the group.  Please submit your responses by end of the day on Friday.
 
Rtn. Dimy Doresca introduced visiting Rotarian Annie Vander Werff from the Waterloo Downtown club to give an update on The Community Health, Haiti water project.  Our club donated $5,000, which allowed for matching from District 6000.  The organization was founded in 2012 in Coralville to provide clinic trips and public health projects (like clean water) to Archaie, Haiti.  In 2016, the organization partnered with the Downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Noon Rotary, and Waterloo Downtown clubs, along with a club in Haiti.  The water project has three phases: (1) Surveying of water sources has been complete; (2) community action plans are in progress; (3) FRAPE Business Training Plans for communities interested in learning how to repair and manage water sources are pending.  Dimy wants to take a team to Haiti this Fall in partnership with the Cedar Rapids and Waterloo clubs, so stay tuned for more information.
 
President Steve Quigley announced that our recent speaker, the UI Dance Marathon, raised almost $3 million this year.  Our club’s board of directors, upon the recommendation of Verne Folkmann, made a contribution of $1,000 in memory of Calder Wills.
 
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Eric Weiler introduced today’s speaker.  Jamie Siefken is the General Manager and Executive Vice President of Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery.  Jamie was born and raised in Marion.  He was a graduate of Kirkwood and moved to Nantucket to learn the food and beverage industry.  He graduated from the prestigious Johnson and Wales University with a BA in Hospitality Management.  He worked in the restaurant industry in Chicago before returning home to Iowa.  He joined Cedar Ridge in 2010 as the General Manager, and is married with a son and daughter. 
 
Jamie began with a video about Cedar Ridge bourbon.  The bourbon in made from corn sourced from the owners’ family farm in Iowa.  The bourbon takes about four years to get to the shelf – grown, milled, mashed, fermented, distilled, aged, bottled, all right here in Iowa. 
 
Cedar Ridge was founded by Jeff and Laurie Quint in Swisher, Iowa as a winery in 2005.  They later added Iowa’s first distillery since Prohibition.  Before the distillery opened, Iowa imported 100% ($300 million) of its distilled spirits.  While the distillery makes vodka, gin, brandy, rum, and some other bourbons (basically everything but tequila), the main focus is “clean, approachable, drinkable bourbon.”  Cedar Ridge is Iowa’s 4th largest winery with 10 acres of vines, 10 varietals, and 5,000 vines.  Iowa ranks 47th in the country in wine consumption and 94% of wine in Iowa is imported.  For the future, Cedar Ridge is focusing on their bourbon, as Iowa produces corn and its “authentic by nature” brand is successful.  Cedar Ridge aims to be the #1 bourbon sold in Iowa (it is currently behind Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark).
 
The meeting ended at 1PM as President Steve Quigley led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
 
MEETING:
Singing: America the Beautiful and Smile were led by Rtn. Bob Crane with Rtn. Doris Preucil on piano.
 
Rtn. Greg Crosby visting Rotarian Annie Vander Werff (Waterloo Downtown).
 
Guests of Rotarians: Kellie Lala (Shawn Reinke); Amanda Shoemaker (Barb Thomas); Jamie Siefken (Eric Weiler); John Hannaford (Scott Finlayson); Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz (Jody Braverman); Steve Yagla (Dimy Doresca.
 
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
 
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
 
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.
Read more...
IC Noon Rotary, 2.7.19
The club was greeted by Rtns. Nancy Quellhorst, Mike Carberry, and Ed Cranston.
 
Our Meeting was called to order by President-Elect Jim Conard.
 
Announcements:
 
Rtn. Christina Kimerle, co-chair of the Rotarians Supporting Women Committee, accounced that the $1,000 scholarship has been fully funded.  Please contact Christina or Tara Minetos if you know of any woman in the community who wishes to apply.  Preference will be given to a non-traditional student, such as a tradeschool or cosmetology student.
 
President-Elect Jim Conard let the group know that he will be going to President-Elect training in March in Ames.  He is looking for ideas for goals or other input.  Please call Jim or send him an email with any input.
 
The club was greeted by Rtns. Nancy Quellhorst, Mike Carberry, and Ed Cranston.
 
Our Meeting was called to order by President-Elect Jim Conard.
 
Announcements:
 
Rtn. Christina Kimerle, co-chair of the Rotarians Supporting Women Committee, accounced that the $1,000 scholarship has been fully funded.  Please contact Christina or Tara Minetos if you know of any woman in the community who wishes to apply.  Preference will be given to a non-traditional student, such as a tradeschool or cosmetology student.
 
President-Elect Jim Conard let the group know that he will be going to President-Elect training in March in Ames.  He is looking for ideas for goals or other input.  Please call Jim or send him an email with any input.
 
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Mike Carberry introduced today’s speaker.  As County Supervisor, Mike said the best thing that he can do is hire good people and get out of their way.  Mike didn’t have the pleasure of hiring Gary Boseneiler, but defintitely stays out of his way.  Gary is an Air Force retiree and has been on the job as Director of the Commission of Veterans Affairs for Johnson County since 2012.  He has been named the best VA coordinator in the state of Iowa.  Gary is a Hawkeye and Cubs fan and is simply known at Sgt. Bo.
 
Bo was a communications specialist in the Air Force, laying phone lines, then crosstrained as a flight mechanic, working on a variety of aircraft.  Bo then had the opportunity to teach ROTC at the University of Iowa, and move back to the Midwest.
 
Iowa in rare in that it has a Veterans Coordinator in all 99 counties.  Bo’s job is to connect all honorably discharged veterans and their family members to the benefits they have earned.  These benefits can include healthcare, disability payments, GI Bill education, cemetary plots, and assistance obtaining military records.  The County Commission of Veterans Affairs does not work for the VA, but they work with the VA.
 
Not all veterans are eligible for VA hospital benefits.  Only veterans with service-connected disabilities and those with low incomes are eligible.  Bo’s office connects veterans with temporary financial assistance and also has a homeless veteran outreach worker who engages with Shelter House and the VA hospital to help veterans obtain special vouchers for housing.
 
More than half of the veterans that Bo helps are Vietnam vets, who have cancer, diabetes, and Parkinsons disease as a result of Agent Orange exposure.  For Vietnam combat vets with particular disorders, there is a presumption of a 100% disability, which entitles them to a $3,000/month tax-free benefit.  Last week, the Court of Appeals announced a decision to expand this presumption of disability to Bluewater Navy veterans, who served offshore in Vietnam.  As of 2014, veterans who are 100% disabled are expempt from paying property taxes in Iowa.
 
According to last year’s census, there are 6,400 veterans in Johnson County (reduced from 7,200 the prior year).  The Commission of Veterans Affairs brings $23 million per year into Johnson County, largely through 100% disability claims and the GI Bill.
 
The meeting ended at 12:50 pm as President-Elect Jim Conard led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
 
MEETING:
Singing: America the Beautiful was led by Rtn. Jim Conard with Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn on piano.
 
Rtn. Ed Cranston announced that there were no visiting Rotarians.
 
Guests of Rotarians: Gary Boseneiler (Mike Carberry); Dr. Aaron Hildbreth (Ryan Bell); Don Rhodes (Andrea Rhodes).
 
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
 
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
 
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.
Read more...