Rotary Rush is on!
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RI R. Gordon R. McInally R. Gordon R. McInally President 2023-24 November 2023Next year, Rotary takes a step toward supporting peacebuilding in the Middle East and North Africa region when recruitment begins for our newest peace center in partnership with Bahçeşehir University (BAU) in Istanbul. A series of events in the coming year will recognize the new center at BAU and Rotary's work to promote peace. The 2024 Rotary International Convention in May will mark 25 years since the first Rotary Peace Centers were announced — coincidentally at the Rotary Convention in Singapore in 1999. Recruitment for the first cohort of Rotary Peace Fellows at BAU also starts in 2024, and selected candidates will begin their program in early 2025. Since its beginning, the peace centers program has prepared more than 1,700 peace fellows working in more than 140 countries to create a more peaceful world. That is certainly worth celebrating, but Rotary Peace Fellows are more than statistics on a page. Their actions have helped Create Hope in the World and will continue to do so. For example, Jennifer Montgomery and Gorett Komurembe — peace fellows from the program at Makerere University in Uganda — are co-founders of Magenta Girls Initiative. The international nongovernmental organization equips Ugandan girls and young women with the support and tools to overcome harmful gender norms, generational poverty, gender-based violence, trafficking, and trauma. Ndzi Divine Njamsi, another peace fellow who studied at Makerere, has taken lessons learned about Positive Peace and is sharing them with students of his own in Cameroon. He became interested in the Rotary Positive Peace Activator training program after witnessing extremism, online hate speech, and violence in Cameroon. Since completing the program, he has brought his lessons on peace to students at the Yaoundé International Business School and other organizations in the Central Africa country. The world needs more people like the graduates of the program at Makerere and our other peace fellows. To that end, we can all advance peace by encouraging our local peacebuilders to learn more about Rotary and apply for this impactful fellowship. Rotary members can also mentor candidates for the fellowship. Or you can work with peace fellows who have already graduated. They probably have an initiative or two that would benefit from your help. Our peace centers in North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia depend on financial support as well. The program at BAU was made possible thanks to a generous gift of $15.5 million to The Rotary Foundation from the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation. This new Rotary Peace Center will offer a one-year professional development certificate in peace and development studies for fellows focusing on peacebuilding within the Middle East and North Africa region. Peace must be waged persistently; it is the soil where hope takes root. But as with any journey, we take one step at a time. Let’s take those steps together. |
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Jeff Halverson selected as DG for 2026-2027 Jeff Halverson of the Waterloo Rotary Club has been selected as the District Governor for the 2026-2027 Rotary year. Congratulations Jeff!
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District Governor Carole Bernhard newsletter July, 2023 Greetings! The 2023-2024 Rotary Year begins and I am excited to ‘Create Hope in the World’ with my fellow Rotarians in District 5970. I am District Governor (DG) Carole Bernhard from the Bancroft Area Rotary Club, Bancroft, Iowa. I look forward to visiting each and every club, getting to know how you serve your community, the world and how you the Rotarian are doing. Really. Our Rotary president, Gordon McAnally speaks about continuity of purpose and plans to maintain Rotary’s focus on ending polio, empowering girls, and he supports the continued emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Rotary. President Gordon is also advocating for a greater focus on peace initiatives and he brings forward a new initiative this year—ending the stigma of talking about mental health. This new focus is personal for him, but Gordon is not alone, mental health issues can affect everyone and being able to speak about it, seek and find quality help, and receive support without judgement is important. Rotarians can help create hope for those whose lives are touched in this way and I am eager to see how our clubs embrace this new initiative. Thank you to those who were able to attend my installation last month. Your company and presence meant the world to me. Our indoor picnic hosted by S&B Farms Distillery was fun and the burgers grilled by Bancroft’s American Legion Post 377 were delicious. I know a few folks enjoyed the whisky and bourbon tasting! Sara and Brian Winkelman and their crew were gracious throughout. Thank you, Jeff, for stepping in for Don to pass on the District Governor’s pin. A special thanks to my husband, Tim. I could not do this without his support as my spouse and partner and I know his year as Club President and my year as District Governor will pass quicker than we realize. We have some new faces on the district team and some leadership opportunities for you to explore. Shannon Duncan is now District Governor Elect (DGE) and Ward Budweg is District Governor Nominee (DGN). We have had some changes to our Area Assistant Governors—here is an overview: Area 1 –NANCY ANDERSON Algona Bancroft Area Estherville Area 2—NANCY NAEVE Spirit Lake Spencer Emmetsburg Area 3—LOWELL STOOLMAN Storm Lake Pochahontas Rockwell City Area 4 –MARK DOHMS Eagle Grove Ft Dodge Daybreak Ft Dodge Webster City & Webster City Satellite Area 5 –LISA ROTH Clear Lake Garner Forest City Area 6 –KURT QUAM Mason City Noon Osage Hampton Area 7—DICK MOELLER Iowa Falls Eldora Charles City Waverly Area 8 –MICHAEL BABCOCK Cedar Falls Cedar Valley Waterloo New Hampton Area 9—DON MEYER Mason City River City Sunrise Humboldt Clarion Decorah Area 10—TRICIA BEATTY Oelwein Independence Manchester Area 11—MICHELLE BELL Cedar Rapids West Cedar Rapids Daybreak Anamosa Area 12—DENNIS JORDAN Cedar Rapids (Downtown) Cedar Rapids Metro-North Linn County Area 13—SARA PINION Makoqueta Monticello Marion East Cedar Rapids Area 15—LINDA NUDD Bellevue Dubuque Guttenburg Area 16—BRUCE LINDHOLM Prairie Gateway Belle Plaine Cedar Rapids Sunrise Additionally, I want to introduce Annie Vander Werff, Waterloo our District Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair, and co-District Trainers, Helen Beneke, Pocahontas and Cynthia Adams, Iowa Great Lakes. We also have new co-Rotary Youth Exchange Chairs, Maripili Hassman, Cedar Falls and Shari Stoll, Linn County, who are working diligently with clubs, students, parents, schools, and country representatives to have another great RYE year! More information on all the district team members soon! We do have some leadership opportunities. District 5970 is seeking a Membership Chairperson, or co-Chair. This is a 3-year term and the position description is accessible on the website banner, or you can reach out to Suellen, Executive Secretary at des@district5970.org for a copy. We are also looking for a Public Image Chairperson or co-Chair. This is a 1-year term and the position description is also accessible on the website banner, or you can reach out to the above email for a copy. If you are interested in either of these positions, you may also reach out to me at carolebernhard50517@gmail.com to set up a zoom, or in-person meeting to discuss the position. I look forward to serving as DG, visiting your clubs, and building lasting friendships throughout our district and beyond this year! Let’s Create Hope in the World together! Sincerely, Carole L. Bernhard District Governor 2023-2024 |
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Future Leaders - Apply to attend Zone Institute on Oct 18-22,2023The Rotary Zone 25b-29 Institute is a gathering of Club and District Leaders , in Evanston, Illinois October 18-22, 2023, to share, to learn and become better equipped as Leaders. We welcome all "Future Leaders" to apply to join the Institute with their expenses paid by our District. Please make this opportunity known to everyone who meets the following criteria:
Application: Each applicant should complete the Application Form (below) and submit it by email to Suellen Kolbet at des@district5970.org on or before June 30, 2023. (Each applicant must also submit a short video presentation as described in the application form). |
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Service Above Self Award Recipient Dick Moeller At the District Conference held in Waverly on April 21 and 22, 2023, Dick Moeller of the Waverly Rotary Club was awarded the prestigious "Service Above Self" award. He is pictured here with his wife Linda, and three sons.
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2023-2024 Presidential Theme2023-2024 PRESIDENTIAL THEME ANNOUNCED  RI President-elect R. Gordon R. McInally calls for Rotary to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing. He urges members to engage in tough conversations and earn the trust that’s necessary to realize these values. |
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Announcement - District Governor for 2025-2026 Selected Ward Budweg of the Decorah Rotary Club has been selected as the District Governor for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year. Congratulations, Ward! |
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Interactors at the All Iowa District ConferenceDistrict 5970 & 6000 Interact Committees have designed five sessions and a service project for Interactors at the District Conference on Sat, Apr 23. The deadline to register Interactors and their accompanying faculty advisers is April 10. Contact district5970interactchair@  |
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Seeking District Governor Candidates for 2025-2026Seeking District Governor CandidatesAre you or a fellow Rotarian looking to grow in District 5970 and Rotary International? We’ve begun the search for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year District Governor. As District Governor, you’ll be charged with leading the district, serving as an officer of RI and most importantly inspiring our clubs to reach new heights . Get the complete position description. To apply, you must meet the following qualifications include:
If you’re ready to take on this Rotary leadership role please complete this Application. It requires your secretary's certification. Please send the completed form by Monday March 2, 2022 to District Executive Secretary Suellen Kolbet at des@district5970.org |
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Conference Hotel Registration InformationA dedicated website has been created to book hotel reservations online.
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Humboldt Rotary Fly in BreakfastThe Rotary Club of Humboldt recently organized a fly-in fundraiser breakfast. The event was attended by over 775 people and over $6,400 (gross) was raised to support community projects and scholarships for local students. In addition to the breakfast, attendees could purchase a ticket to take a short flight around the area. 85 plane rides were given. 32 pilots attended the breakfast. This annual event has been held for the last 20 years and is very popular in the community.  Front row L to R - Victor Meyer, Bret Davis, Bruce Watnem Back row L to R - Jeff Hassman (District Governor), Cheryl Rhead (Club President), Bill Hamm (Assistant District Governor), John Raine Picture courtesy of Kent Thompson, Humboldt Independent Newspaper
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Help from Membership Team at Rotary InternationalWe know that leading a club is a big job with many responsibilities. The Membership team at Rotary International can help by connecting you with resources designed to address the specific challenges you face. The Club Planning Assistant allows you to explore possible solutions to the biggest issue for your club and offers customized strategies, tools, and ideas designed to boost your club’s health. We expect the questions to take no more than ten minutes to answer, and you can visit Rotary.org/membership to take it as often as you need to. Follow this link to the Club Planning Assistant
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DISTRICT GOVERNOR NEWSLETTERSee District Governor Lowell Stoolman's June Newsletter here.
(Read more in the newsletter here.) |
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RI President-Elect Shekhar Mehta's Theme for 2021-22RI President-Elect Shekhar Mehta theme for 2021-22 - "Serve to Change Lives"  |
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Training Talk |
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One Rotary Summit WHAT: DISTRICT 5970 ONE ROTARY SUMMIT “Rotary Opens Opportunities” WHEN: January 26, 2021 (Option 1), January 30, 2021 (Option 2) TIME: 6:30 pm (January 26) or 10:00 am (January 30) WHERE: Virtual WHY: This is your time to learn, explore, and discuss how “Rotary Opens Opportunities” You will share how opportunities are important for all of us as Rotarians and Rotaractors. You will participate in focused discussions about Membership, Public Image, and The Rotary Foundation and how the three work together in Rotary. |
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New Hampton - Facetime with SantaBecause of the Pandemic, the New Hampton Rotary Club was concerned children would not have the opportunity to meet with Santa. They arranged for Santa to facetime from the North Pole, and were able to connect with 40 families. (The Grinch also made an appearance.) They even had callers from Michigan, California, and Canada! Merry Christmas to all!!!  |
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Rockwell City District Grant ProjectRockwell City Rotarian Peg Stoolman presents Automated External Defibrillators AEDs ( purchased with a matching grant from Rotary District 5970 and Rockwell City Rotary Club) to Pastor Chad Dietrich (Immanuel Lutheran Church) and Rev. Dillon Brandt (Church of Christ) for their respective churches.  |
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Cedar Falls Rotary/Cedar Falls InteractRecently, the Cedar Falls Rotary Club partnered with their local Interact Club to clear brush near the Rotary Prairie Park. The Prairie is a long term project of the club and is an asset enjoyed by the entire community with its many bike and walking paths.   |
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Webster City Rotary Turkey DinnerOctober 11 was a beautiful day for another successful Webster City Rotary Club Turkey Dinner!  Travis Lala, of our Rotary After Hours group donned the turkey costume to greet our drive-up customers.  Due to COVID restrictions, the meals were distributed as drivers arrived in two drive-up lanes.  Rotarians wait to dish up 1236 meals and transfer them out to the drive-up lanes. The Webster City Rotary Club has held its annual Turkey Dinner for 40 years. Whether we could continue the tradition in the year of the pandemic seemed to be a big question. It is usually held at the local high school, but that facility was not available to outside groups. The new Briggs Woods Conference Center was available if we moved the event up two weeks, and director Kelly Haman was willing to work with us and Central Catering from Hawarden to make it happen. A survey was taken of the members to determine if they were willing to proceed. After much discussion, it was determined that by following public health department guidelines, we could move forward. The committee responded quickly to adjust to a new venue, advance-only ticket sales, and drive-up only option. (In previous years, diners had the choice of dine-in. take-out, and drive-up.) The public’s response was overwhelming. In two short hours, 1236 meals were dispensed in two quick hours. The delicious meal consisted of turkey (from 70 turkeys), dressing, and gravy supplied by Central Catering and the mashed potatoes (made from 800 lbs. of hand-peeled potatoes), green beans enhanced with bacon and almonds, and rolls, topped off with a Little Debbie Nutty Bar. As always, the leftovers were taken to Fort Dodge to Beacon of Hope, a shelter for homeless men. With proceeds of over $10,000, the club will be able to help support several organizations. In the past, contributions have gone to Meals on Wheels, UDMO, All Cultures Equal, Youth and Family Services, D/SAOC, Backpack, Power-Up Youth, 4-H, Foundation of Hamilton County, H.E.R.O., Kids Against Hunger, Crimestoppers, local food pantries, and high school scholarships. Forty of the Noon Club and Rotary After Hours group donned their Rotary shirts, aprons, and masks, had their temperatures taken, and went to their assigned work stations. Their overwhelming response to the event was that this may have been the best yet! So glad we did it. |
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Cedar Valley RotaryThe Cedar Valley Rotary Club is embracing this year's theme "Rotary Opens Opportunities" wholeheartedly. They have a small set of doors and each meeting one member is asked to open an opportunity in Rotary by choosing one of the doors. Pictured is Rotarian Justin Jensen who is able to support a local business with a gift certificate to one of our community's downtown districts. They have a variety of opportunities available and it will be different each week. They truly are "People of Action"!  |
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Local Rotarians Answer Iowa Food Bank Call for Help with $24,000
April 21, 2020 — As thousands of Iowans are unemployed and relying on food pantries to help feed their families during this worldwide pandemic, food banks are stretched to meet the needs of the hungry with unprecedented requests. Local Rotarians heard the call, applied for, and received a Disaster Response Grant from the Rotary International Foundation to help. The local clubs have asked that the District present a check to the Iowa Food Bank Association in the amount of $24,000 for immediate distribution. “In times like this, I couldn’t be more proud to be part of an organization that has, since its inception, had a mission of service above self, and a heart to serve those in need in our communities.” shared Michelle Bell, Rotary District 5970 Governor 2019-2020 and a member of Rotary Club of Linn County. “We have partnered with Linda and her organization before and know that she will allocate funds quickly to the local communities, per our Rotary Clubs, wishes to support the immediate needs. $7500 of the funding is designated to HACAP serving Linn and surrounding counties. Together we can help fight hunger.” The Rotary Foundation funding comes from previous gifts by Rotarians and other interested citizens all over the world. “To date, we are one of 40 Districts, out of 535, worldwide to receive this grant.” says Bell. “The Iowa Rotary District 5970 covers essentially the North half of Iowa, in which we have 51 clubs including nine in Linn County.” The District allowed those clubs to apply for $1000 each (of the total grant) to support COVID-19 needs in their communities. To date, 24 of those clubs have elected to send their funding to the Iowa Food Banks to support their fellow Iowans. “During these unprecedented times, the Food Banks serving Iowans have been notably affected with an increased need for food by more Iowans along with many challenges. The generosity of Rotarians across the state are deeply appreciated to help nourish hungry Iowans.” shared Linda Gorkow, of Iowa Food Bank Association. The economic hardships Iowans are facing due to COVID-19 are creating challenges for the food banks with the supply as well as demand. Food banks and their partner agencies have been ordering more than double the amount of food compared to distribution numbers prior to the worldwide crisis. “I am humbled and overjoyed by the Rotarian’s willingness to help the food banks and pantries serving food insecure Iowans. I send a heartfelt thank you to each local Rotarian. You have made a difference in the life of another Iowan.” adds Gorkow. The Iowa Food Bank Association (IFBA) is a collaboration of Feeding America food banks and affiliates that serve each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Together, the food banks serve over 1,000 non-profit organizations serving children, adults, veterans, and seniors. These organizations include food pantries, emergency meal sites, congregational meal sites, emergency shelters, and other sites that provide food to clients. As an association, the organization is coordinating efforts to alleviate hunger by supporting Feeding America food banks that serve Iowa. For more information visit, https://www.iowafba.org/ If you need assistance, find a food bank near you https://www.iowafba.org/partner-food-banks |
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RYLA chooses Counselors for 2019
Melat Gebremariam and Quinlan Robuck These two young women have been chosen to plan and lead our 2019 RYLA Conference July 14-19, 2019 at Grinnell College. Melat is a student at George Washington University, Washington DC and Quinlan is a student at Minnesota State University, Mankato. We are excited about our upcoming task and are looking forward to a great conference. I am currently looking for Rotarian Volunteers to assist during the week of RYLA. We are planning for 240 students that will be placed into 20 teams. Each team will have a Team Leader and a Rotarian Volunteer to lead 12-14 high school students and perform activities to build leadership skills. The days are long but the reward is great knowing you will make a difference in the lives of young Rylarians. I have been a Rotarian volunteer for six years and look forward to helping with RYLA each year. Rotarian training will be held at Grinnell on June 15. To learn more about RYLA, visit the website at http://www.iowaryla.org/, check out the resources, and fill out your Rotary Volunteer application to apply. I would like to have 20 Rotarians identified by the end of the year so we can determine how many teams we can have. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at babcock@iowatelecom.net or give me a call at 641-257-9915. Please leave a message if I don’t answer. If you know of someone who would be interested in helping, please forward this to them. We will accommodate individuals that have physical restrictions. We are interested in your wisdom and experience as Rotarians that believe in Service Above Self and want to “Be the Inspiration” in 2019. Mike Babcock, 2019 RYLA Chair, New Hampton Rotary Club |
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National Volunteer Week Observed by Pocahontas Interact Club
The Interact Club of PAC from Pocahontas, IA, celebrated National Volunteer Week (April 15 - 21) by
They planned a weather pick-me-up by providing a "Soupy Weather? Soupy Supper!" for the Pocahontas community. The Interact Club partnered with the Pocahontas Area Community High School Art Department. Teacher, Bill Strack, threw 50 bowls and with the assistance of his art students, provided colorful bowls for those who bought tickets for the supper. Each bowl was taken home by the satisfied supporter of this Interact Club. Tickets were priced at $10.00 and the Interact Club made $700.00. They will split the proceeds among the following agencies: Congregate Meals of Pocahontas, Upper Des Moines Opportunity, and Meals from the Heartland. "Read More" to see photos.
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Toronto International Conference - Sessions available |
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Northern Iowa Rotarians change lives through Haiti Water ProjectFirst five of 46 wells dedicated in December Eight northern Iowa Rotary clubs are part of an international project to provide clean water access to 46 communities in .jpg) Haiti.The Marion-East Cedar Rapids, Algona, Mason City, Humboldt, Mason-City River Sunrise, Garner, Bancroft Area and Cedar Valley Rotary Clubs and Rotary District 5970 contributed more than $56,000 to the estimated $722,000 cost of the project. A Global Grant from Rotary International plus contributions from Haiti Outreach and Rotary clubs in Haiti, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Tennessee support the Rotary Pignon Sustainable Clean Water Access Project. “This is what Rotary is all about, changing lives and doing good in the world,” said District 5970 District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair Michelle Bell of Marion. Bell and eight other Rotarians from Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois traveled to Pignon in November 2017 to built relationships with Haitian Rotarians, Haiti Outreach leadership and government representatives. This past December, the project reached its first milestone with five well dedications/inaugurations. In all, the project will build 19 new community-managed wells and rehabilitate 27 dysfunctional wells over a two-year period. A community management program for sustainability is part of each well installation. In addition, all 46 communities will receive sanitation and hygiene education as well as a latrine for every household. Bell said 90 percent of residents of the commune of Pignon will have access to potable water within 500 meters of their homes. “This is history in the making,” Bell said of the Rotary project, noting that Pignon will become the first commune in Haiti to receive such a gift.
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District Executive Secretary In Place
Suellen Kolbet of New Hampton is our new Executive Secretary for Rotary District 5970, effective July 1. Our District encompasses 53 Rotary clubs across the northern half of Iowa. Suellen Kolbet is a University of Northern Iowa graduate with a degree in office administration. She returned to her hometown of New Hampton to accept a position as financial clerk. She spent 10 years as deputy city clerk and became city clerk in 1994. She retired from that position on May 25. She joined the New Hampton Rotary Club in 1994 and was club president in 2001-02. Suellen has been the club’s secretary/treasurer since 2001. This year, she completed two decades of service as Chickasaw County representative on the United States Selective Service Board. She also serves on the New Hampton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Iowa League of Cities Executive Board. Suellen's email is DES@district5970.org
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The GIFT of a LIFETIME! See what Rotary Past VP Jennifer Jones says about it!District 5970 Rotarians: Our donations should include Rotary Foundation. But did you know of the Iowa-based Rotary Action Group "Club Foot Rotary Action Group"? Please view this 60 second video, read further and consider RAG4Clubfoot. You could give "Iowa's Gift to the World!" https://youtu.be/EPj1gGVArBg “Contact Patty Roberts of the RAG4Clubfoot Board to arrange for a speaker at your Rotary club. Speakers are available to present in all parts of Iowa. Contact Patty by phone at (502) 494-0402 or at patriciaroberts7@icloud.com |
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President Elects: North Central PE Training Rochester MN March 8-10Your President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) is in Rochester on March 8-10, 2018! This conference equips PEs in District 5970, plus Iowa District 6000 and 2 more districts in Minnesota-Wisconsin! Register now and join many other PE's and District Leaders to prepare you to lead your club. Our District expects all President Elects will attend. Some clubs also send the candidate who follows the President-Elects as President, to attend twice. PETS Conference Registration for PEs is paid by our District. Use code PE5970 at check-out to charge the registration to our District. Be sure to reserve your Hotel. Hotel and travel expense is paid by your club. Three hotels are listed with special NCPETS Seminar rates. Other charges or a non-PE attending... the pay-to is correct: Iowa State University is managing our registrations for Rochester. Inquire to registrations@iastate.edu. Go to www.ncpets.org to register today! |
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Rotary District 5970 Clubs Earn Prestigious Rotary Award
Success in membership growth and retention, foundation fundraising, youth activities and community support earned Rotary District 5970 a prestigious 2016-17 Presidential Citation. Seven Rotary clubs in the district also qualified for the hard-to-achieve recognition. |
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Job Opening- District Executive Secretary JOB OPENING: Part-Time District Executive SecretaryDistrict 5970 's Executive Secretary (DES) is retiring on June 30th 2018. In preparation, we will be hiring a DES to allow time for the new person to learn the job. Please find in the link attached with the job description for this position. If you or someone you know are interested in applying for this position please send a cover letter and resume to District Governor Elect Neil Fell at dg2018@district5970.org.Applications will be open until 10 November at 5:00pm Central Time. Interviews will be held on November 17th in Waterloo, Iowa. Position Summary / Purpose:
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One Rotary Summit: Strengthen Our Clubs!.png){kind=small} By spending just three hours at a One Rotary Summit, you can:
Join other enthusiastic District 5970 Rotarians at Marion: Marion, IA | Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 Indian Creek Country Club | 2401 Indian Creek Rd. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. | $15/person (includes meal) Register now at: rotaryseminars.org/ |
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DG Ralph Smith Club Visits!Follow DG Ralph Smith, as he visits various clubs across Iowa this year. His "Club Visit Schedule" is on this Home Page (left side). Clubs: Be sure to send your DG Ralph Smith photos (send a fun one!) to both: Gateway (Ely) August 4: Marion-East CR Aug 8 CR Sunrise Aug 10 (Board)    Osage August 2:  Waverly July 20 Bellevue July 28:   |
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Join "Rotary at the State Fair" Aug 17Join us for a few hours or the entire day on Thursday, August 17 at the Fair! The various meeting times throughout the day are listed in this flyer, to catch up with the group. Don’t forget to wear Rotary attire! At the fair will be Past RI President Ray Klinginsmith with Rotarians from Iowa and northern Missouri Districts 5970, 6000, 6040.
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2017 RYLA Report from GrinnellOur 2017 RYLA class experienced the premier Iowa Rotary Youth Program in July. Read the report from OurGrinnell.com for more details!   |
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RYLA and YRYLA Next Steps!
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Dubuque Rotary - Annual Golf Outing for Veterans Freedom Center June 5, 2017: 12PM Registration - 1PM Shotgun Start - 6PM dinnerHelp the Dubuque Veterans Freedom Center by golfing at this event! Golf, Dinner, Raffels, Prizes! Register at www.dubuquerotary.org or download the promotional flyer for details.
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Rotary Club & Interact Group Celebrate FoundationThe Pocahontas Rotary Club & the Interact Club (high school Rotary youth group) marked the century milestone of the Rotary Foundation by celebrating with pizza, ice cream & brownies along with a scavenger hunt organized by the Interact advisor, Katie Wilford. Interactors and their Rotary advisors are pictured here. Rotarians Mary and Clifford Clayton explain the Rotary Foundation to the Interact Club members.   Click Read More below to see the next page! |
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President Elect Training - Ames, IA - March 9-11DGE Ralph Smith is encouraging as many District Rotarians as possible attend this event and give a warm Iowa welcome to RI President-Elect Ian Riseley. See this information provided by Jacque Andrew, General Chair of the upcoming NCPETS training to be held in Ames, Iowa March 9-11.
Spread the word. Seating is limited! The dinner event with Ian Riseley is Friday night March 10. Club President Elects - Be sure you have registered for PETS! Your registration is paid by our District if you attend in Ames. Register on the NCPETS web site. www.ncpets.org |
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Grant Management Training April 8 - Last SessionsJoin our District Foundation team for Grant Management Training. This is required to apply for a Grant. .png){kind=logo} Click here for the District Calendar and select April. Chose one of 2 remaining seminars on April 8 in Webster City. Register as a Guest or Member, for the first-time Seminar, or the re-certification Seminar. Questions? Contact any Foundation Committee member, or Michelle Bell. Reminder: Applications for District Grants are due June 15.
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Rotary.org Website has a New LookRotary.org has a new look! The public areas (before you login) are new. Click on "Read More" to see information from RI President John Germ.
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Be Part of Iowa's Gift to the WorldBe part of Iowa's Gift to the World DG Jim Coloff sent an email earlier with information on how D-5970 Rotarians can help give children all over the world the gift of walking through the RAG4clubfoot. Thanks to a generous matching donation, all contributions to the Iowa’s Gift to the World campaign will be matched, 100%. Rotarian Action Groups are grassroots movements from Rotarians who see a specific need and devise/find an opportunity to address that need. The RAG4clubfoot is just such an example. Iowa Rotarians can "gift" children all over the world with the ability to walk by helping train doctors to use the Ponseti Method for treating clubfoot. Because the RAG4Clubfoot is registered as a 501c3, your donations are tax deductible; however, it is not part of the Rotary Foundation and neither Foundation credit nor Paul Harris points are awarded. For more information on how to give, go to https://iowasgifttotheworld.org/ |
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Make This Your Year To Host a Youth Exchange StudentMake this your year to host a Youth Exchange student All clubs in the district are encouraged to get involved with Youth Exchange by serving as host clubs for incoming youth exchange students. Host clubs are not required to recruit and send a student abroad. The cost to clubs is minimal, and hosting a high school student from another country will be a wonderful experience for your fellow Rotarians and your community. Students arrive in late August, attend your local school and return home in May or June 2018. If your Youth Exchange Committee would like more information on hosting a student starting in August 2017, please contact DG Jim Coloff at 319-231-5003, or jim@coloffmedia.com. He will get you more information on this unique opportunity. |
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A new RYLA! "Young" RYLA Info below
Another RYLA is in the works – this one for middle school students and we’re calling it Young RYLA. It came to be after we heard time and again from RYLA graduates, "I wish I’d had this sooner," and "This would be great for my little brother (or sister). So after three years of the planning, we’re ready to open our first YRYLA.
click story title to read more...
RYLA and Young RYLA Club Reservations are due January 15
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Decorah Rotary "5th Thursday Service Projects"
About a year ago we started implementing what we call our "5th Tuesday Service Projects". In every month with 5 Tuesdays, we have an evening meeting which revolves around some type of service project.
On November 29, Decorah Rotary made 50 care packages for the 50 service personnel from our local Army reserve unit, currently stationed in Kuwait. These boxes held items such as beef jerky, magazines, movies, nuts and snacks, chewing gum, homemade baked goods, and hand written letters from elementary and middle school children.
Rotarian Ward Budweg's son, John, had been on two tours overseas, so helped us with what is most appreciated. He also spoke at the meeting, expressing what the packages from home truly mean to those away from their families. It was very touching. Submitted by Kelly Reagan
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Dubuque club sells art prints to raise fundsDubuque club offers To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Mississippi riverfront development, the Rotary Club of Dubuque commissioned a painting by renowned artist Gary Olson of the Port of Dubuque. The club is selling limited edition and numbered lithograph prints for $79. Proceeds will benefit its Humanitarian Grant Program, which supports area nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of others and making Dubuque a great place to raise families. Click here to learn more or purchase a print. |
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Two ADGs complete district rosterTWO ADGs complete district roster Rotarians Nancy Anderson and Sara Pinion bring the total number of Assistant District Governors serving District 5970 to 14. Anderson is working with the Iowa Great Lakes, Estherville and Spencer clubs. Pinion serves clubs in Maquoketa, Monticello and Anamosa. |
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Shoe project pairs Decorah, Moshi clubs
Thanks to an article in The Rotarian magazine, a relationship between the Decorah and Moshi Rotary clubs and the travels of two intrepid Decorah Rotarians, children in Moshi, Tanzania now have sandals that adjust to five sizes and help protect them from soil-transmitted diseases. Decorah Rotarian Ward Budweg helps
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Algona Rotary Club District GrantDistrict Grants don’t have to be complicated or a lot of work. The Algona Rotary Club’s 2015-2016 Grant is a great example. They purchased a Teacup Merry-Go-Round, a Merry-Go-Cycle and two benches for Algona’s Veteran’s Park. The new benches, shown in this picture, proudly display their club name and the Rotary emblem! Hundreds of children and their parents will visit these benches annually.
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Jim Coloff
District Governor Elect (2016-2017)
Joe Gitta
District Governor (2015-2016) )
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Mason City Friday April 22nd at the Mason City Library:
Recertification Class 1 pm - 2 pm
GMS Seminar 2:15 pm - 4 pm
Marion/ Cedar Rapids Saturday April 30th at the Marion Public Library:
Recertification Class 1 pm - 2 pm
GMS Seminar 2:15 pm - 4 pm
Register online at: https://rotaryseminars.org/
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RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a life-changing leadership training program for young men and women where leadership skills and principles are learned, developed and enhanced in an atmosphere of trust and respect. The purpose of RYLA is to encourage and assist current and potential youth leaders in methods of responsible and effective leadership. Many past RYLArians from around the country have said, “It was the best week of my life!”
We currently have 243 applications, 90 from District 5970 and 153 from District 6000 for youth to attend this year's conference. So the numbers are up again this year and we're excited! For more information on the volunteer opportunities, please email District 5970 RYLA Coordinator Dave Kutter.
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Everyone is welcome to come to Cedar Falls June 27!
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All Rotarian golfers – head to Mason City for the District Golf Outing! See details and Registration on the District website Calendar Event. CLICK HERE.
A limited number of carts are available. Call 641-423-9693 to reserve.
For the Registration Form> CLICK HERE.
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Deadlines are quickly approaching for students to apply for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). If you have students interested, please have them completed the Student Application Process (New Online Application) which is now available at www.iowaryla.org. Clubs should note that March 15 is the deadline for clubs to send in registration fee ($400 per student) to reserve slots for the number of students they plan to sponsor this summer (RYLA will be held July 26-31, 2015.) The Rotarian Volunteer Application has also been posted on the RYLA website - if you or someone you know would make a good Rotarian Volunteer at RYLA, please consider applying. It is a fun, rewarding, exciting, life changing experience for Rotarians as well as the conferees. That’s why Rotarians keep coming back. Dates for volunteers include a June 20 training and then July 25-31 for the conference. Applications for volunteering are due April 30. Visit www.iowaryla.org for additional information.
RI President Gary C.K. Huang chose Light Up Rotary as his theme for 2014-15. Huang is urging club members to Light Up Rotary by hosting a Rotary Day in their community, continuing our fight against polio, and increasing club membership. "Light Up Rotary is more than our theme. It is how we make a difference — every day, in every club, and every country we serve."
Polio took a hit at this year's Rotary convention in Sydney, Australia.
The biggest news was the $101 million pledged to polio eradication. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbottopened the convention on 1 June with a commitment from his government of $100 million to the PolioPlus campaign. Two days later, Sir Emeka Offor, executive vice chair of Chrome Group, announced a $1 million gift to The Rotary Foundation to help end polio.
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Shoe project pairs Decorah, Moshi clubs.jpg)
