Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Judy Meyer, Coralville North Corridor

Announcements

Nenu Piragine indicated that Rotary was ahead in the United 10millioncharitymiles.com vote.  As of the meeting on the 31st Rotary was about 3000 miles ahead of the nearest competitor.  The miles give-away to charities ends December 31.

Casey Cook announced a $1370 net on the nut sales.  Brian Adamec sold the most with 33.  About 55% of club members participated. The proceeds will go to support club-sponsored youth programs.

Judy Meyer talked about her innovative Judy’s Jammies project which she started with her Coralville NC Rotary Club.  There are about 400 needs in the Iowa City area every year for fresh night wear for domestic violence victims.  Both adult and kid sizes can be used, but the emphasis is on providing abused women with pajamas.  Very often battered women leave in a hurry in an abusive situation and do not bring clothing with them.  The project buys new flannel jammies mostly at as much as a 70% discount through the project’s partnerships with Target and Kmart.  The Coralville Club and Meyer have raised about $600 so far and get the pj’s for around $10 to $15 each with their discount.  Anyone who would like to contribute new pajamas can buy flannel pjs in sizes large to 2x.  Leave the tag in.

Remember the Month Opener is at Donnelly’s at 5:15 until whenever on Monday evening. 

Chris Knapp announced that 119 people will be attending the 25th Anniversary banquet on January 14.  Thanks to the whole committee for putting together a great event.  There will be no morning meeting the 14th.

What Jazzes You Up with Karin Franklin

Karin Franklin grew up in Latham, NY just outside Albany and lived there until she was 20.  She learned the value of participating and giving back to the community from her mother.  Her older sister was also a mentor and taught her to be strong in order to survive (the sibling relationship). 

Karin enjoyed a long career in community planning for the City of Iowa City and is now retired.  She became interested in this field when she spent time in Pittsburgh and became interested in how that city used public-private partnerships to help out poorer neighborhoods.  Karin obtained her bachelor’s degree at UI, but it took about 14 years in between work and family responsibilities.  She studied Russian, political science and American Studies and got her degree in American Studies. 

Karin always wanted to go into the foreign service and ultimately Rotary has provided her with the opportunity to travel and be of service internationally. The first RI conference she attended was in Barcelona and it was a marvelous experience. She has also been involved in Iowa MOST, FAMSCO, and was the Noon Club’s president a few years ago.

Karin has much community volunteer experience beyond Rotary.  She is a member of the Oaknoll and UI Community Credit Union Boards and the Mercy Foundation.  She is chair of the Credit Union board now and has been on that board for 12 years. 

Karin has a variety of hobbies. She likes to cook, read and is a member of two book clubs.  She loves to travel, attend UI women’s basketball and she enjoys bicycling. 

Happy Bucks wound up the meeting with people talking about the volunteer commitments that have been most meaningful.

Happy New Year!

Liz Nichols,

Scribe