Rotary File for Feb 21, 2017

 

Lynn Allendorf-- Speaker

Wayne Steen-- West Liberty RC

 

 

Deb Dunkhase reminded the group that District Conference is coming up May 4-6 at the Marriott in Coralville.  Many indicated they have already signed up, but there is plenty of room for more.

 

Phil Peterson gave an update on International Services.  We have been involved in many of the District 6000-sponsored international projects, and have had club members who have been leaders in these programs including Xicotepec (Jim Peterson), IA MOST (Deb Dunkhase), and RAG Clubfoot (John Ockenfels).  With the leadership of Hazel Seaba this fall we helped the local clubs to raise almost $5000 for PolioPlus, which was matched double by the Gates Foundation, for a total of $15,000 toward elimination of Polio.  We have also had a number of individual water and sanitation projects with Central and South American clubs.  Sue Cronin commented that Kiva is another international project our club is helping to fund.  John Ockenfels mentioned the article in the recent issue of The Rotarian about some Nigerian doctors who treated 210 children with clubfoot after their training through RAG Clubfoot efforts.

 

Deb Dunkhase reported with regret that Dick Huber's mother has passed away.  Visitation is 4-7 pm on Wednesday at Locke Funeral Home in Waterloo and the funeral is at 10:30 am on Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Waterloo.

 

Mark Patton is still collecting donations for his participation in Bowling for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program next Saturday.  He is still matching donations.

 

Phil Peterson is working on filling standing committee assignments for 2017-18.  Gary Haymond has requested that someone step forward as an Assistant Treasurer with the idea that they will fill the Treasurer role starting the 2018-19 fiscal year.  The board is looking to have officers serve at least three year terms, but recognize that others should be ready to step in for continuity sake and so that more members have an opportunity to serve.

 

Nan Johnson will be collecting books for the Shelter House Book Sale throughout March.  Please begin bringing good used books in for the sale.

 

Five members contributed happy buck thoughts.

 

 

Phil Jordan introduced Lynn Allendorf, the director of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Iowa.  The Entrepreneurial Center's role is to enhance the training and preparation of the state's entrepreneurs and to get more students engaged with entrepreneurial businesses.  In this effort the Center collaborates with many other economic development and entrepreneurial organizations in the state including 1 Million Cups, the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), NewBoCo, ICAD, the Economic Alliance, Kirkwood, the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce, and others.

 

Venture School is the flagship program of the Entrepreneurial Center.  It is held around the state several times per year in a six week curriculum and is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. 

 

Another aspect of the mission to help entrepreneurs is a program Phil Jordan runs that matches teams of students to work on projects with entrepreneurs each year.  These teams can look at particular issues being faced by early stage entrepreneurs and consult on the issue at hand.  Entrepreneurs can also hire students as interns and have half the cost covered through the program.