PROGRAM:
President Jim Conard introduced today’s speakers, Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels, who are about to embark on their around the world Flight to End Polio.
The meeting ended at 1:00 PM as President Jim Conard led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
MEETING:
Singing: America the Beautiful was lead by President Jim Conard.
Peter and John, who are cousins by marriage, began by thanking their supportive wives and emphasized that their number one goal is to get home safely. Peter initially wanted to do a solo flight in his single engine plane, but his wife insisted that he have a partner. It took John about two weeks of careful consideration to get on board.
The trip, which will include 29 stops in 17 countries, over 51 days, is scheduled to depart on March 24th. The trip took 18 months to plan. There are only about 300 pilots alive today that have ever completed a trip around the world like this. Currently, Coronavirus is threatening the flight – many of the countries they are planning to visit are shutting down airports. Other challenges have included the high costs of landing in international airports, high fuel prices and limited availability, and administrative challenges in obtaining visas and permits for entry into some countries. Peter and John are covering ALL THE COSTS associated with the flight (about $70,000) to ensure that all money raised through the Flight will go to the Rotary Foundation and help end Polio forever.
Peter and John have already received an outpouring of support from Rotary clubs around the world – many clubs have assured them safety and support when visiting countries that may not otherwise be safe to visit. Peter and John will be stopping at Rotary clubs on the trip to spread the word. Collins Aerospace is donating a survival raft and kits as well as
concierge flight planning and weather tracking services.
Peter and John are asking fellow Rotarians and the public for their support. They have a goal of raising $1,000,000 to fight Polio; the Gates Foundation will be matching all donations 2:1. You can also like and share their Facebook page and follow them on their journey on their website: flighttoendpolio.com. You can also invite them to speak to your group or organization now or after their trip.
This Saturday, the Eastern Iowa Airport is hosting a drive in/fly in pancake breakfast from 7:30-11:00AM. You can see the plane and all the equipment and view the Rotary iron lung education exhibit trailer. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children, with all proceeds going to the Rotary Foundation.
Rtn. Heather Croskrey announced Rtn. Deb Ockenfels (Iowa City AM) as a visiting Rotarian.
Guests of Rotarians: Ed Farkas (Linda Farkas); Alissa Brandt-Jarrett (Ryan Bell); Melanie Gross (Sara Sedlacek); Bill Easton (Ryan Bell).
Program: Devin van Holsteijn; 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.
