Bulletin for December 16, 2014
Rotary Bulletin for December 16, 2014
Last Week’s Program: Matt Strawn, is affiliated with Iowans Supporting Israel. He recently returned from a trip to Israel and gave a report on the trip and efforts to build support for Israel in the United States, and also the efforts underway to for further peace talks in Israel.
The bipartisan group of politicians and business leaders traveled to Israel in the Fall of 2014. During the visit they met with local citizens as well as business and community leaders. Matt explained that the greatest threats to the region, according to the people he spoke with, were Iran, Hezbollah, and ISIS.
Matt suggests that during the upcoming caucus seasons when Iowa becomes the focus of political discussions, that all candidates should be asked their vision of the US the middle east and that we should expect substantive discussion on this issue.
Thank you for an interesting program and thanks to Matt for his efforts in this very complicated ongoing dispute.
Coming attractions:
December 16th:
Lori T. Chesser, Immigration Department Chair, Davis Brown Law Topic: Immigration Update
December 23rd:
Lt Col Anita Elliott, Vice Commander Iowa Wing, Civil Air Patrol Topic: Iowa Civil Air Patrol
December 30th:
Joe Brennan, Head Coach Iowa Barnstormers Topic: Iowa Barnstormers Football
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Polio Plus: Doug Hillman, our erstwhile Treasurer, has Iowa Energy tickets for sale. The tickets are donated by the Iowa Energy basketball team as a fundraiser for Polio Plus. For each $16.00 ticket the Iowa Energy will donate $8.00 to Polio Plus. If you would like to buy some tickets let Doug know and he will bill you on your January invoice. Also, if you would like to donate the tickets to a youth group, or other entity, tell Doug and he will help coordinate this also.
Christmas Gifts: Kristin Pike is spearheading efforts to buy gifts for four families who have 13 children ages 1-13. Club members are asked to donate $20.00 each to help provide funds to buy the gifts. Doug will bill you on your January dues statement for this as well.
Social Event: Carolin Gibson reported on the 12/5 social outing held at the Tavern on the 50th. A good time was had by the dozen or so who participated. The date, place and time of the January social event are yet to be determined.
Bikes, Bikes, Bikes: Harold Hulleman announced that the last two chances to do bike repairs for 2014 were Thursday December 11th and Saturday December 13th. Fear not as Harold promises more opportunities in 2015.
Dictionaries: Lisa Remy substituted for Dictionary Chairman Chad Eichorn and reminded us that the dictionary project for 3rd graders is in full swing. There is a sign up list for deliveries. Please contact either Lisa Remy or member Chad Eichorn for details.
Quiddity: The Quiddity committee will meet on December 16th to consider nominations for officers for the coming year.
Fill those cups: President Mike reminded us that the money contributed weekly to the cups is used to fund our high school scholarship fund. Please keep that in mind and give freely.
Chris Nelson reminds us that our exchange student Augustina is currently playing basketball on the Valley JV. He also indicated that she is interested in participating in other various activities so if you and your family have something of interest coming up or even something simple, given Chris a call and he will help coordinate with Augustina.
Farmers Market OJ Stand: President Mike reported on recent board discussion about our orange juice stand for the upcoming season in May of 2015. A coordinator will be hired to help with the set up and tear down of the equipment each week thus making it impossible for some folks to work who are unable to carry the equipment from the basement to the street and vice versa. The coordinator will also be available during the sales portion to assist in the operation as needed.
In 2014 we raised over $7,000 selling OJ and breakfast pizza. Well done!
Special Christmas Concert:. Through the magic of the season Bob Start has arranged for a “free concert” by the Des Moines Jazz Band featuring music of the season on December 21st at 2:00 p.m. at Java Joes.
Three Minute Speaker/Sergeant at Arms:
Kay Kramer shared some interesting things that have happened in his life and asked us to ante up for the scholarship fund by contributing to the cups. Kay told us while he lived in the Bahamas during his wife Mary's service as ambassador, he was referred to as S.i.r. Kay (Sir is an acronym for “spouse in residence”). He told of an early business venture which after several months and lots of enthusiasm and activity, he only lost a little bit of money. And in an early athletic experience he received the tip off at the second half of a basketball game, raced to the hoop and scored a contested basket only to find that he had made two points for the opposition.
Thanks for sharing Kay.