Cedar Rapids West Rotary 
    I held back this week's newsletter so I could include some updates from the Metro Rotary Council meeting. You'll find those below.
    I'm also really looking forward to Wednesday's meeting. We have a Paul Harris Award to present. There's also a good bit of time set aside to discuss groups or projects in our community that could use our support by way of a Rotary grant. 
    See you there! 
 
    Service above self,
 
    Mike 
 
 
Metro Rotary Council Updates 
The Metro Council met on Tuesday morning to get an update on the construction of the new Busse Branch Library in Cedar Rapids. The new library is expected to be open this September. 
 
Some other updates: 
  • The Metro Rotary Council now has a Facebook page and a LinkedIn page to help clubs promote the work they do in the community. Give them a follow! 
  • Don't forget to RSVP for the Stirring Up Good Soup Social on February 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Craft'd Coffeehouse in Downtown Cedar Rapids. Letting us know if you plan to attend and/or bring soup helps with planning. Free-will donations at the door will be given to HACAP on behalf of the Metro Area Rotary Clubs. The event is open house-style so you don't have to be there from start to finish.
  • Some clubs talked about the challenges of supporting high school Rotary clubs known as Interact Clubs. At a future Metro Council meeting, we'll discuss a possible Interact Club that's supported by multiple Metro Rotary Clubs.  
Learn more about Rotary Interact Clubs
This week: Rotary grant discussion 
Greeter: David Maier  Cashier: Lijun Chadima
The Rotary grant application process opens soon. Successful applications typically involve club participation both financially and some type of service work by club members. 
 
We'll have some table conversations to identify groups or projects in Cedar Rapids that we could support. By the end of the meeting, we hope to have 3-4 ideas to investigate further so we can narrow down our list and pick one to support. 
Rotary Club Grants
Last Week: Doug Alberhasky
Greeter: Pete Eddington  Cashier: Chuck Kudej 
John's Grocery owner Doug Alberhasky discussed an upcoming historical film about the Iowa City Beer Riots and the multiple breweries in Iowa City at the heart of the story. He also took us underground to show us the beer caves of Iowa City and the role they played in beer production. 
 
Death of a Brewer Facebook Page
Next Week: Ward Budweg 
Greeter: Cecilia Rokusek   Cashier: Mike Wiethorn
District 5970 Rotary Governor Ward Budweg will joins us for our next meeting to talk about activities around the District and what to expect in the year ahead. 
Get to know Bud
2026 Schedule 
 
January 14: Grant discussions and planning
Greeter: David Maier  Cashier: Lijun Chadima  
 
January 21: Ward Budweg
Greeter: Cecilia Rokusek  Cashier: Mike Wiethorn 
 
January 28: Service event at HACAP Food Reservoir 1515 Hawkeye Drive in Hiawatha. (We'll have a signup sheet once we get it from HACAP)
 
February 4: Mira Gibbons, violinist
Greeter: Stephanie Hall  Cashier: Betsy Kutter 
 
February 11: Jill Cejka, Deafinitely Dogs!
Greeter: Chris Carr  Cashier: Todd Happel  
 
February 18: TBD 
Greeter: Barb Werning   Cashier: Paul Kilburg
 
February 25: February Service Project 
 
March 4: Scott Olson, Cedar Rapids City Council 
Greeter: Claire Murphy  Greeter: Justin Kress 
 
 
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. 
 
 
Check your inboxes for your dues statement! Please contact Matt Teply if you have any questions.