Nenu Piragine introduced Yasmina Sahr talking on" SWANA" What is it?  Why is it?  She is studying advance for SW Asian, North Africa, and Arab communities. SWANA-South, Western, Asian North Africa and Arab. The Muslims celebrate RamAan den by fasting from Sunrise to Sundown. Yasmina said To Support the International SWANA Community is to be Anti-Imperialism:  Against Colonization, Pro Women's Right and Pro Choice, Anti-Racist Anti Sexual violence, for, For Healthcare Equity-Amti-Police Brutality.  It is important to understand the terms of the 1st world, 2nd world and 3rd world and the south. 

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT:  Educate yourself and your peers without depending on SWANA Americans to work for you.  Amplify, but don't speak for, Be an informed consumer. Promote Arab American History Month.  Pay attention to Global Events, Many SWANA Americans have family living abroad.

President Jenny called the meeting to order at 7:05 am.  Prior to the meeting several members labeled dictionaries. The members delivering. dictionaries:  Phil Peterson, Mark Patton,

Peggy Doerge, Joan Garity, Sue Cronin, Pam Ehly, Joan Nobling, Chris Knapp, Vernette Knapp.

The meeting today was to brainstorm on what we could do for a District Grant.  President Elect Theresa Burns talked about some changes to the process this year for completing a grant.  The entire process for District Grants will be done on Club Runner.  Goals must be entered in My Rotary on R. I. site. She talked about the point grading system. She also had a list of this current year's community grants.   Several members talked about previous grants.  Hazel-Human Trafficking Bill Boards:  Alta said there is still a board up by Mt. Plesant.

Amy:  13 Buddy Benches Elementary Schools.  Deb:  Talked about The Coat Project, last year was the Shoe Project, Pam: Talk about Family Sanction Room at the Childrens Museum.

Everyone talked about grants at their tables.  The ideas will be shared next week. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 am. 

 

Today we were off site at Open Heartland.  Deb Dunkhase founder of Open Heartland gave a summary of what is Open Heartland.  She said that they were very lucky too have a home at their current location.  The building had not been used for three.  There were many volunteers to spruce the building as to what it is today.  It began with a few people needing help.  Today there are 350 families that need help.  Open Heartland is a 501C3 nonprofit organization.  The members have a leadership team that has helped to determine what the members need.  Tutoring the children, learn to sew-Deb Ockenfels started a sewing club. Everything is free of charge.  The PM Satellite club once a month packs food bags consisting of sugar, cornmeal, wipes, and other items that the family needs. The one main concept of Open Heartland is friendship, Acts of Love.  She said multiple families live together because they do not have the funds to live alone. 

Deb Dunkhase and Mark Ruggeberg gave tours of the facility. 

 

Karin Fraklin, Program Coordinator for January, introduced Ann Ruckdaschel, Program Director of Carin Hands and More for the last three years. Her experience gives her the opportunity to work with elderly, those with different abilities, those with mental heal issues and last, but not least, pre-adjudicated inmates. In 2004 Mayor Bruce Teague began home health care. In 2011 and 2012 the community became involved.  In 2023 there 9 homes serving the community.  There are day programs to help individuals learn basic things as to how ride the bus, go to art museums, play cards.  The idea is to provide socialization.  Home Health Care is available.   There is a cost 2 hours minimum, 4 hours at $30.00 per hour. Over 4 hours is $20 per hour.  Currently there is a staff of 30, The day program has a staff of 18.

Liz Nichols, December Program Coordinator, discussed how the "Book Table Talk Would Work" If a person has more than one book, each person should talk about one book and if there is time talk about a second book.  This meeting is dedicated to Pat Schnack who passed away December 26, 2021.  Liz Nichols talked about her book Red Hotel.  This book dealt with hotels that targeted for terrorism.  Beth Belding also had a book on hotels:   Mistress of the Ritz taking place in Paris.   Ann Romanowski talked about cookie decorating.  She brought some of her creations. Brian Adamec talked about mental health.  The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn Sack.  Vernette Knapp talked about The Boys from Bloxi by John Grisham. John has had 47 best sellers.  This book is about an attorney trying to take down drug lord's establishments.  Margy talked about Lessons in Chemistry.  This book made her laugh, and it was a fun book. 

Kate Malkusak (majoring in International Studies: Global Health, Spanish, & Arabic at the University of Iowa with an expected graduation date of May 2023) presented about her recent Rotex Study Abroad experience in Santiago, Chile. Kate had been a Rotary Exchange high school student in 2018-2019 in Spain, attended RYLA,  and is involved in Roteract. Her experience in Chile enabled her to improve her Spanish as her host family did not speak English, she was able to observe the voting process, met other students at the University she attended, took day trip to museums, participated in cooking and other classes, and attended cultural events. Academically, Kate participated in a "Health Program, 2 Spanish classes, Health Studies Seminar, 60 hours of clinical observations over the semester...[and a] Native Culture Class," learning more about indigenous cultures. Kate had the opportunity to learn more Spanish medical terminology and visited hospitals in Santiago. As part of her experience, she learned more about public and private health care in Chile and their differences. Kate personal travels included to San Pedro de Atacama, La Serena, Valparaiso, a cultural celebration Pelluhue, and  celebrating her own birthday by hiking in Patagonia. Kate benefitted by being able to make medical observations, using and improving her language skills, expanding her worldview on health care, and improving her cultural competence. Kate's goal is to work for a nonprofit in global health. She appreciated the financial aid from Rotary, which made her semester experience in Chile possible, gave credit to Rotary Youth Exchange for the experience, and thanked Rotary and those present. Kate has a blog where Rotarians and other can learn about her experience at https://katherine-malkusak.wixsite.com/kate-s-semester-abro

 

Marge Winkler asked Kate when and how were you first inspired--Kate replied that at RYLA, she learned from her counselor, Megan, about her experience as a Rotary Youth Exchange member and inspired, Kate then transferred to City High and graduated early in order to be an exchange student. In response to another question about her observations about health care in Chile, Kate replied that she observed different levels of health care and doctor availability, was able to converse with a doctor and other professionals and observed a surgery. In response to a question from Phil Peterson, Kate said that public universal health care was paid for by taxes and private care was paid for by individuals. Covid was prominent initially and then a mask mandate went away in October. Kate's program was through IES. In response to other questions, Kate said she had wanted to learn a character language and started Arabic in Spain because there is a lot of Arabic influence in the southern half of Spain. Kate wants to work in international health care at a not for profit (e.g., Gates Foundation) and eventually travel and implement a health program. When Jenny Seyler asked "what was the hardest thing and most growth," Kate said that about half way through the semester, she felt that her Spanish was not improving as much and as quickly as she had hoped and that she has learned she cannot compare herself to others and further said that at the end, "my Spanish has improved beyond measure."

President Elect, Theresa Burns called the meeting to order at 7:05 am. Mark Stanley, Foundation Chair, shared The Rotary Foundation minute. The Rotary Club of Peterborough announced Friday November 18 that the club's application for a Rotary Foundation of Canada Grant to fund vocational training for women in Badikhel, Nepal has been approved. by R. I.  68, 874USD will fund the training of 140 Nepalese women in skill that will enable them to work in their chosen professions or to run their own businesses.

Nepal has the 6th largest rate of child marriages in the world.  Rotarians hope this training will promote female empowerment and self-sustainability that will have a long term effect in Nepal.  

Ann Romanowski shared that Tate High School Food Pantry will have a fundraiser at Wildwood Saloon Dec. 4, 2022 4:00-7:00 pm. Music by HomeBrewed..

225 cookies are needed for Open Heartland Christmas party for 225 families.  If you are interested in making cookies, notify P.E Theresa Burns.  Cookies are needed by December 17.  

The program was all members writing two items they are thankful for.  The items could not be about health, family, or Rotary.

Cassey Cook read them to everyone. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 a.m..  

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Patton, November Program Coordinator, introduced the speaker James Larew, Attorney at Law. James talked about his career as attorney for Iowa Governors.  He then talked about the Railroads in Iowa.  He talked about all the advantages of living in Iowa being between the two greatest rivers.  He talked about Alan Dakin and Virgil Hansen and their friendships.   

Chris Knapp, October Program Coordinator introduce Kelly Hayworth, Coralville City Administrator since 1988. Kelly received his B. B. A. and M. B. A from University of Iowa.   He has ridden 28 RABRAI.  Kelly talked about many improvements being made to Coralville.  A very large project is the 1st Avenue/Interstate Interchange.  This is called a Diverging Diamond.  The project has a budget of $40 Million Dollars and expected to be completed sometime in 2-024.  There will be new pedestrian and bicycle paths. There will also be a much easier access for all the truckers to refuel.

Forever Green Heights:  280 acres being developed.   There will be 1000 new housing units:  Single Family, Duplex, Row Houses, and a Senior Facility.  This should be completed in five years. The Auburn Ridge Sub-Division will be complete in fall of 2022.  The 5th Street Improvement project will be several components and completed in fall of 2025.

These improvements to:  St. Morrison Park, City Hall, Coralville Public Library and the pool, Police and Fire Departments.

 

Coralville will be celebrating the 150 years October 2022-2023. 

The 5th and 10th Street Roundabout will be completed after all the 5th Street improvements have been made.  May begin sometime in late 2025 or 2026.

 

Chris Knapp, Program Coordinator for October introduced Geoff Fruin, City Manager of Iowa City. "Is there a Round About in your Future"?  He talked about the population growth in Iowa City 1990 there were 2485 new residents, 2000 new residents 5642, and 2020 new residents 6966.  H talked about the city's strong response helping to weather COVID, state reform, and inflationary pressures.  Goeff talked about tackling critical infrastructural quality of life with roadways, utilities, and parks.  At this time there is a capital improvement from 2022-2026.  

The city continues to work on Student Housing, Arts, Culture as Economic Development.  Some examples, Film Scene, Englert, Public Space One, James Gang and the Muesum of Art.

Fed Recovery:  Forest View Relocation helping residents to find affordable housing.  

Casey Cook did "What Jazzes You Up" with Margy Winkler.  Margy said she was not sleeping worrying about Nancy Pacha and Sophia her granddaughter.  What made Margy happy was the beautiful sunrise today!  She is happy she is able to do so many things.  Attitude is the key to Happiness.  She loves reading a good book, playing French horn, piano, golf and tennis.  When she was getting her master's degree, she did some fencing.   Casey and Margy did a very comical program today.