Summary of the Iowa City Noon Rotary Meeting on January 14, 2015
Katie Knight, President & CEO, United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties
Fellow Rotarian Kevin Monson, who is co-chair with his wife Julie of the 2016 United Way’s Campaign for the Common Good, introduced Katie Knight.
Katie Knight is new to our community but not to the United Way. She has 25 years of experience in United Way leadership positions. Most recently, she was in Sarasota, Florida. The United Way of Johnson County is a local, non-profit organization that has been serving Iowa City since 1919 and partners with 31 organizations to help our community by working to improve education, income levels and the health of our friends, family members, and neighbors who are in need.
We have low unemployment, a well educated work force, offer a safe place to live and work and have seen a 25% increase in the 65 and older demographic but still see 33% of our student body qualifying for free & reduced lunch, 23% of our student body still struggling on their reading proficiency by 4th grade and a large % of our households considered cost-burdened households. A household is considered housing cost-burdened when 30% or more of its monthly gross income is dedicated to housing.
The 2016-2016 campaign goal is $2,200,000. There is still time left to make a donation before the campaign wraps up at the end of February. The organization relies on its donations and large pool of volunteers to make an impact in our community and improve lives. Together we can do so much more!
“Live United. It’s a credo. A mission. A goal. A constant reminder that we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us ever day.”
For more information, please visit: http://www.unitedwayjwc.org/.
MEETING
Singing: Bob Crane led singing of America the Beautiful and Smile with Jim Conard on the piano.
Ride the Goat: The club heard from two goat riders, Nat Beebe and Matt Steele.
President Thais had the following announcement:
As you may know, Casey Kidwell has graciously taken over the pre-meeting Power Point for our club. Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to him to include in the weekly presentation. You can send information to: secretary@iowacitynoon.rotary.org or to: casey-kidwell@uiowa.edu. The pre-meeting Power Point is a great way to reach fellow Rotarians who may not be at the weekly meeting.
Bruce Kout had the following announcement:
Fore the House golf outing has been scheduled for Monday, June 6, 2016. The planning is underway and if you are interested in participating on the planning committee feel free to contact Bruce at: bakout@gmail.com or Brad Baldus at: bradbaldes@gmail.com. In just 14 years, Fore the House has raised more than $625,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois and is co-sponsored by our club.
Brianna Wills had the following announcement:
The finals for the Distinguished Young Women of Iowa will once again be held in our area on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Coralville Center for Performing Arts. The state program runs March 1-4 and the organization is looking for host families to house these remarkable women during the competition. If you are interested in hosting, please contact Brianna at: brianna.wills@gmail.com. Distinguished Young Women of Iowa is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarships, leadership and talent in young women.
Tim Terry had the following announcement:
Governor Terry Branstad delivered his Condition of the State address on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Tim is passionate about education and he wants to ask local business leaders to contact their legislators to ensure that school superintendents will receive their budgets within 30 days of the address as mandated by State law. This is essential in helping superintendents plan their fiscal years.
Effective immediately, we have a new Member Proposal Form to complete for all new members being proposed. You will find it on the information table prior to the meeting and it is also available to be emailed. We hope to have it available on our website soon. Please contact secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org to request a form.
Please remember that all members need to go into the ClubRunner system and update their own records in the membership directory as they have changes. We want to ensure that we have the most up-to-date information on all of our members. Please use this link: http://tinyurl.com/qxpm2we and follow information directly from ClubRunner on how to update your individual record.
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
Melissa Schooley introduced Visiting Rotarian Mary Pacha (Iowa City AM) as well as guests Aaron Warner (Mark Nolte); Katie Knight (Kevin Monson); Yabo Yan and Tong Gui (Tom Cook).
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Program: Tom Cilek; Attendance: Nancy Droll; Greeters: January 21 – Bryan Lawler and Mark Koch, January 28 – HD Hoover and Andre Perry, February 4 – Carlin Parish and Bill Windauer.