Past President Devin van Holsteijn called the meeting to order.

 

Members celebrated October birthdays by singing “Happy Birthday,” led by Rtn. Will Schwickerath.

 

Visitors: No visitors or visiting Rotarians were present.

 

 

Literacy Champions:
Devin announced that the Rotary Club delivered 801 books to area schools and raised $3,915 through the Literacy Champions Party. Special thanks were extended to Rtn. LaDonna Wickland and the Literacy Advocates team, as well as Rtn. Kecia Boysen for hosting the party.

 

World’s Largest Polio Walk:
Devin announced that the World’s Largest Polio Walk will be held in the Quad Cities on Saturday, October 24. For more information, visit www.poliowalk.org.

 

RYLA/WAS:
Rtn. Linda Farkus announced that the club still has $10,000 to raise for RYLA and WAS. Members were encouraged to review the brochures on the tables and help ensure that no students will be turned away from these life-changing opportunities.

 

Open Heartland Volunteer Opportunity:
Devin shared an announcement on behalf of Rtn. Mark Ruggerburg of the AM Club. Volunteers are needed to assist with exterior landscaping cleanup at Open Heartland on Saturday, October 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event will be held at Open Heartland, 3 E. Benton Street, Iowa City. Members are encouraged to lend a hand and support this community effort.

 

 

Rtn. Margaret Reese introduced today’s speakers, Rtn. Rachel Rockwell, Executive Director, and Chastity Dillard, Development and Communications Director, with Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County: A Safe Space for Every Neighbor.

 

Margaret also announced that the Neighborhood Centers will host a Playground Benefit to support the Towncrest Center playground on Sunday, October 11, from 4–6:30 p.m. at Tavern Blue. The family-friendly event will feature live music and a silent auction.

 

Rachel opened by acknowledging the recent loss of a child who had been part of the Neighborhood Centers community since the age of four. The Neighborhood Centers family has been mourning the loss, and the entire team has been deeply impacted. Much of the organization’s recent focus has been on honoring Ahmed Osman, 10, and his teacher, Hannah Jorgensen, who were tragically lost in a drowning at Lake McBride. Rachel shared that the tragedy reinforced an important lesson: we need each other. During times of crisis and need, differences can fall by the wayside as communities come together to support one another. She emphasized that the Neighborhood Centers is much more than a childcare organization, it is a resilient community hub that responds to the ever-changing needs of local families and neighbors.

 

Rachel and Chastity then highlighted the many volunteer opportunities available through the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County. The organization operates three locations—with 17 classes—serving the Broadway neighborhood, Pheasant Ridge neighborhood, and the new Towncrest Center. At each location, staff and families are dedicated to creating safe spaces and brighter futures for the community.

 

The speakers highlighted several ways Rotarians and other community members can get involved, including reading to young children, tutoring, AM Greeters (7:30–9 a.m.), interpretation support, translation support, including helping translate materials into the languages served by the organization, and community navigators, who learn about neighbors’ needs and help connect them with available resources.

 

There are also opportunities to support special projects and seasonal activities, including: grant research and writing, data management support, inventory support, spring landscape design, holiday Adopt-a-Family and outdoor cleanup.

 

As many Rotarians know, the Rotary Library at the Towncrest Neighborhood Center is now open. This partnership with the Neighborhood Centers continues to provide meaningful opportunities for community connection and support.

 

Those interested in volunteering can visit ncjc.org/volunteer or contact Chastity Dillard at chasitity.dillard@ncjc.org for more information.

 

Next Week’s Meeting: Thursday, October 8, Erik Lie, Professor, Tippie College of Business - Catching Cheats: Everyday Forensics to Unmask Business Fraud, 2026.

 

Program Chair: Rtn. Haley Rosendahl
Attendance: Rtn. Nancy Droll

 

Please send newsworthy items and/or photos to janicebaldes@gmail.com for inclusion in the weekly slide presentations.

For questions or additional information regarding club administration, please contact the Club Secretary at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.