Cedar Rapids West Rotary 
    I held the newsletter to include some items from this morning's Metro Council meeting. 
  • The Prybil Junior Golf Classic needs volunteers to make this year's event a success. The golf event is the first week of August and volunteer signups come out in June. 
  • Don't forget this weekend's event at the Shakespeare Garden. They'll have everything you need to help refresh the flowerbeds. Learn more here.
  • Our Rotary zone is working on a polio awareness walk of some type on October 24. A Metro Council group has started planning. No big details right now. 
    Service above self,
 
    Mike 
This Week: Stephanie Hartson, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa 
Greeter: Bruce Hamous  Cashier: Justin Kress
 
Stephanie Hartson, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa, will share how one-to-one mentoring is creating measurable impact for youth across our community.
 
She’ll highlight how BBBS is helping young people succeed in school, build confidence, and avoid risky behaviors—while also outlining meaningful ways Rotarians can get involved through both volunteerism and financial support.
 
We're also be invited to join BBBS’s upcoming Big Magic Breakfast, a signature event celebrating the power of mentorship and community investment.
Last Week: Scott Chrisman, Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival 
Greeter: James Nelson  Cashier: Janette Fiedler
 
Film festival founder Scott Chrisman took us backstage and shared stories about the early days of the film festival and revealed what organizers have planned for this year. We also learned how streaming services and YouTube have provided more opportunities for budding filmmakers to share their creations. 
 
The Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival held its 23rd edition April 9-12, 2026. Friday-Sunday screenings will be held at Collins Road Theatres, the Olympic South Side Theater and the Ideal Theater & Bar. CRIFF received a record 121 entries this year – a testament to the amount of work Iowa-connected filmmakers are creating! 
Next week: April Service Event - April 22 from Noon to 1 p.m. Days for Girls, 6455 E Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
 
Days for Girls is an international organization that works to increase access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating Social Enterprises, mobilizing volunteers and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigma and limitations for women and girls. We've supported this group in the past and this is a rewarding way to spend your lunch hour. 
 
2026 Schedule 
 
 
April 15: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Stephanie Hartson  
Greeter: Bruce Hamous  Cashier: Justin Kress
 
April 22: April Service Event - Days for Girls, Noon-1 p.m. Click the link above to let us know you're coming.  
 
April 29 - Fifth Wednesday, Bring a new member event 
 
May 5: May Rotary Board Meeting, Zoom 
 
May 6: Teacher's Store, Lacey Becker 
             Big Drop Meeting following main meeting 
Greeter: Dana Nichols  Cashier: Matt Brandt
 
May 7: May First Thursday social gathering 
 
May 13: TBD 
Greeter: Rochelle Naylor Cashier: David Chadima
 
May 20: Kirkwood Scholarships, Bruce Hamous 
Greeter: Keith Collins  Cashier: Steve Bowman
 
May 27: May Service Event, TBD 
 
June 2: June Rotary Board Meeting 
 
June 3: TBD 
Greeter: Jeff Kaiden Cashier: John Zakrasek
 
June 4: June First Thursday Social Event 
 
June 10: Author Evelyn R. Carter, new book 
Greeter: Cecelia Rokusek Cashier: Penny Olson 
 
June 17:  Cedar Rapids Reading Programs, Meredith
Ash
Greeter: Chuck Kudej  Cashier: Chris Carr 
 
June 24: June Service Event - Ball Drop Audit - TENTATIVE
 
Can't make the meeting in person? Click here to join us on Zoom. Please tell us if you use this option as we evaluate what to do with our Zoom subscription.