For our Oct. 13 program Shelly Schmit gave a summary of the history, organizations and governments that have been involved in the Polio Plus program. Rotary has contributed more than $2.9B to ending polio and has helped to vaccinate over 3 billion children in 122 countries. The world is down to about 45 wild virus cases in the world in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Welcome to our club!
Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. Community Service Grants
The Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. welcomes opportunities to support new and innovative programs and/or sustain current or ongoing programs that impact the quality of life in the Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty area. The areas of focus for Rotary International include the following: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. While these are Rotary’s areas of focus, the club is open to opportunities that may seem to fall outside these specific areas.
Due to limited resources, he Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. may not be able to fulfill all grant requests or fully fund all grant requests. Preference may be given to organizations/individuals with a history of Rotary involvement.
When completing the application, use as much space as necessary to explain the project. Also, feel free to include any additional information you feel would be helpful.
Funding requests of $500-$2,500 will be considered. The Submission Deadline is February 16, 2026. Click below to download the grant application.
Devon Strief presnented "Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. The current locations moved to in 2015 3910 Napolean Lane, Iowa City, IA.
The services & Atmosphere: Animal Adoption, Community Resourses, AmVoluntinal Servies, and Publc Safety and Outreach.
The mission of the Iowa City Animal Services cebters is protecting public and animal health through law enforcement, to Protect, rescue and provide safe tempoorary housing for homelses, stray, abused, or abandoned animals while working to place the animals in loving homes.
Volunteers hours in 2025, 12, 070.
Volunteer Opportunities
Cleaning the cat and dog areas, socializing, organizing donations.
Laurie Harston and Holly Blood spoke about Amada Senior Care. Amada offers three professional services. 1. In-Home Caregivers, 2. Funding Solutions, 3. Senior Community Guidance. Amanda recruits and train only the most responsible and qualified care givers who provide clients with: Bathing, Dressing, Toileting, Laundry, Mobility Exercise, Companionship, Medication reminders, light housekeeping, Meal Preparation, Transportation. Amada is non-medical.
They will review Long-term Insurance and Claims Management, Veterans' Benefits. They can help you determine if you need: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care or Nursing Homes.
For more information visit: www.AmadaCedarRapids. com or call: 319-382-3761
Kory May of Tellers Bridge was the speaker for today. He has been a storyteller for 19 Years,
TellersBridge is a non-profit organization in eastern Iowa that hosts live storytelling events, open mics, and community workshops in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Corridor.
Mission: The group celebrates the art of spoken-word storytelling by lifting up diverse voices building community connections1, and sharing personal human experiences.
Storytelling: Inform, inspire, influnence.
Storytelling usually comes form the heart. \
A storyteller will write and edit a story and repeat until the storyteller feels the story is correct.
A storyteller must be a great speaker.
Nancy Pacha introduced Rotary Leadership Awards( RYLA) World Affairs Seminar(WAS) students. RYLA is a life changing leadership training program where high students learn, develop and strengthen their leadership skills and participate in an atmosphere of trust respect, teamwork, and personal growth.
WAS bring young people together from around the world for an International conference designed to develop global leaders and engage citizens through an innovative academic program, thoughtful, discussion and exposure to different cultures and perspectives.
Seven students shared what thy learned, the friendships, they made and how these experiences have influenced the way they see themselves and the world around them,.
Claude Witte spoke on The Dance Marathon which is held the first weekend of February Friday 7:00 pm thru Saturday 7:00 pm. The Dance Marathon has raised over 39 million in the 32 years that it has been in existence.
The Mission of the Dance Marathon is to provide emotional and financial support for pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplants patients and their families.
Core Mission Goals: Support Patients, celebrate, Celebrate Survivors, Remember Heroes, Fight Pediatric Cancer.
Sponsors for Dance Marathon: Partner with U of I Stead Family Children's Hospital, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, U of I, Blue Sky Productions, Underground Printing, Monetary Avanos, Scheels, Pilot Wealth, Loves, C. H. Robinson, Hills Bank, Carousel Motors, K & V. Homes, Linn County, Iowa, McGrath Toyota, Iowa City, SSAB, NF Surface, Drap Properties, The Waldinger Corporation, Iowa Center for Advancement, Iowa Hawk Shop Follet, Iowa Fraternity and Sorority Life, United Financial. Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, Meardon, Supel and Downer P.C, L Iowa City Area Realtors, In Kind Donors, Glow Recipe, Best Buy, Coco-Cola, Hormel Food, Peppercorn Food Company, Pancheros, Graduate, Iowa City, Fareway, Chick-fil-i , Freddy's, Hancher Auditorium, Kwik Trip, Lindsey McGowan, New Pioneer, Ray Gun, Coralville Tribute Catery and Bar. Get Fresh.
For More information: dancemarthon.uiowa.edu
Co-President Liz Loeb introduced John Engelbrecht, Executive Director and Laura Moser, Community Stewardship Director speaking on Public Space One today. The original Public Space One is located at 538 South Gilbert, formerly The Mansion.
The new Public Space One is located at 225 & 229 South Gilbert. The mission of Public Space One is an artist-led community-driven contemporary art center. They aim to provide an independent, innovative, diverse and inclusive, experimental and on-commercial arts program space and resources for its members and the wider community. Public Space One was developed in 2002.
The Center for Afrofuturist Studies is an artist residency and programming initiative at Public Space One, dedicated to creating a world where Black artist are able to Thrive.
The CAS collaboratively produces exhibitions, workshops, public art and conversation on digital platforms, in Iowa City and beyond.
The PSI Medial Arts Co-op Media Arts is member-run community resource for creative production and experimentation in video, audio, and new media. The mission is to promote, encourage, and assist the production of media works and foster a local media arts community through providing access to equipment, space, education, and professional and collaborative opportunities.
The program today was Club Assembly 2
The 7 areas of focus were discussed.
Individuals were to complete a questioner and return to Liz and Peggy for evaluation.
Members were asked to join one of the areas of focus, then decide what projects can be completed this year.
Jasmine Tsai, Board member and staff and Mazahir Salih, Executive Director of Immigration Welcome Network of Johnson County were the speakers for today.
The Mission of The Immigration Welcome Network of Johnson County is an immigrant-and refugee-led membership-based organization founded in 2023 to prevent homelessness, build collective power, and advance housing social, and economic justice in Johnson County, Iowa. We organize low-moderate-income immigrant and nonimmigrant families, while ensuring our programs remain open to all individuals and families in need.
We transform moments of crisis into opportunities for leadership development, organizing, and long-term empowerment by centering immigrant leadersh9ip and fostering cross-cultural solidarity.
through collective action, we work to dismantle systemic barriers to housing, employment and inclusion while strengthening the ability of our members to shape the policies that affect their lives.
Our Values: Empowerment, Equity, Inclusivity, collaboration resilience. The Network was founded in 2023.
Ways to Help: Become a member, join a class, Volunteer, Attend Events, support our Work, refer landlords and employers to the Network.
The Voices of Resilience is a monthly storytelling series held every third Friday from 6:00 -8:00 pm Each0 gathering highlights the powerful personal stories of immigrant and refugees -uplifting voices often unheard and celebrating journeys of struggle, hope and unshakable strength. This fosters connection, food, empathy, and belong across cultures while honoring the resilience and contributions immigrants bring to our community
DREAM WITHOUT BORDERS: The Annual Gala will be held Saturday August 29, 2026 6-8 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 2355 Oakdale Road, Coralville, Iowa 52241.
James Tayler, Executive Director for Bur Oak Land Trust. The mission of the Bur Oak Land Trust is to advance biodiversity in Eastern Iowa by protecting resilient landscapes and connecting people to natural habitats like prairies, woodlands and wetlands.
Core Goals:
Advance biodiversity by creating spaces where native plants, flowers, bees, birds and animals can thrive.
Protect resilient landscapes through active land management, invasives species removal, and conservations easements.
Connect people to nature by offering education programs, volunteer workdays, and free public access to nature preserves.
There are over 500 endangered species in Iowa.
7 mammals, 19 fish, 17 reptiles, 4 amphibians, 32 butterflies, 9 nail species, 15 mussel's species, 356 plant species 13 lichens.
For more information contact: james@buroaklandtrust.org.
YiYang (John) Shen presented Asian Food. HE showed many pictures of exotic and unusual foods. Spiders, male and female organs, eggs with lots of fillers.
He Showed Gooey duck, Thai Blood Soup.
Today was a “Club Assembly” Part 1. Co-President Liz Loeb kicked off the Assembly by inviting Casey Cook -Co-President Elect and form Past Co-Presidents: John McKinstry and Mark Patton to give a synopsis of their year,
Mark said that members do so many things. He said that we told not to sweat the Small Stuff, however, the small stuff to one member may be a large stuff to another member. They talked about the value of the Companion Club.
They thanked the board members and a thank you to Vernette for all she does as Secretary.
Co-President Liz talked about where the Club has been and where does the club want to go this year and what do we want to accomplish? She discussed the Club Survey. The survey was taken by 33 members. There were 13 males and 20 females. Does the times of 7:00 am for morning and 5:00 Pm for Companion fit your needs. 2 members preferred 8:00 am, two wanted to begin the Companion Club at 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm. Suggestion for change. By Monthly have 5-10 minutes for fellowship. Have offsite visits and continue monthly board reports to the club.
Concerns about the club: Need younger members, enhance the role of the mentor program.
Suggestions for the club: Create a scholarship or started program to help with dues for the younger members. Offer lower due structure without breakfast.
Co-President Peggy Doerge talked about how Part 2 will be done. This assembly will deal with the 7 Areas of focus. Prior to this assembly there will be a survey of what areas of Focus each member are interested in.
The assembly will help determine the clubs focus for this year.
Co-President, Liz Loeb introduced Shannon Greene, CEO Ronald McDonald House the speaker for today.
The McDonald House was built in 1985; 2001 an addition was put on. In 2020, a remodel of kitchen and community room.
The Mission of the Ronald McDonald House is committed to providing essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare.
The Iowa City McDonald House provides 31 guest rooms private space for families on the NICU. Private space for families providing sleep, shower, and meals.
The Average Stay for a family is 31.7 days, average wait time 4 days, 98.3% occupancy.
Ronald McDonald Statistics: 352 Families, 11,001 singles served, $1,100,100 Food Costs served $100 per day, $1,650,150 Hotel Costs, $150 per day. 3,446.050 miles traveled 3,224 loads of laundry,
Counties Served: Johnson, Polk, Black Hawk, Scott, Dubuque, Cero Gordo, Clinton, Jefferson.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer, Donate, hold a Fundraiser, Sponsor a Meal.
The McDonald House is open 7 days a week form 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. They employ 9 full time and 10 pt time and over 300 volunteers.
Jim Peterson introduced Caleb Rainey. Caleb is the Director of Iowa City Speaks. What is Iowa City Speaks? Developed in 2019. Sponsored by (Iowa Youth Writing Project) IYWP and the Englert. It began as an after-school project for West High. The program went Hybrid in 2020. This was an enhanced opportunity for students. In 2026 Iowa City Speaks became part of the James Gang, Looking Back at Black Iowans, there is a lot of Black History that important in making change. Community matters.
Statistics from 2024 to Present: 4 Schools, 38 classrooms, 922 students +
The San Francisco Poetry Contest is: July 15-July 19. The airfare, hotel for 4 students and 2 coaches is $10,000.
If you are interested, you can make contributions to Iowa City Speaks 450 HEY 1 W, # 126, Iowa City IA 52246
John McKinstry introduced Richard Tyler speaking on Octagonal Barns. Richard gave the history of barns dating back to 1841 In Ohio, 1895 in Iowa, 1893 Seacrest Barn.
He talked about English, European, American, German, and Dutch barns and their differences. He talked about round barns. He showed pictures of raising the barns.
There were a lot of volunteers, parties and lots of food at Barn Raisings.
Richard talked about the different kins of equipment, lumber and nails used to build each kind of barn.
Mary Murphy introduced Deb Dunkhase for Open Heartland with a $1400 check as a Community Grant. Open Heartland is a non-profit in Iowa City Iowa, that supports immigrant, refugee and under-resourced families by providing essential recourses lisle food, clothing, and household goods, alongside programs for education cultural celebration and community building.
1970 there were 759 immigrants, 2020 1400 in Johnson County. During Covid, meals were packed consisting of: Rice, Pinto beans, Masaka flour, cooking oil, toilet paper, and diapers. This process has continued at Open Heartland. The food is packaged by volunteers.
There are partnering organizations: Big Grove, Rotary Clubs, West Branch Church Groups, and Altrusa.
Open Heartland offers a Christmas Gift consisting of a dozen cookies, bags of food, Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a $50. These packages are delivered to the families. Last year the effort was led by Bob Brooks, partner of Mark Ruggeberg.
The Iowa City AM Club awarded community service grants this year, including to the following organizations, which were presented with ceremonial checks on May 5. First, the Antelope Lending Library was represented by Cassandra Elton, Alexis, and Rowan (host Joan Garrity) and was presented with a ceremonial check for $1,700. Cassandra spoke to the club members about the hygiene station the Antelope Lending Library started in 2024 to distribute products such as toothbrushes, soap, tampons, and deodorant, and mentioned that the need is growing. So far this year, the Antelope Lending Library has distributed 470 items in 2026. Second, the club presented a check for $800 to Big Brothers, Big Sisters (host Jennifer Skarda/Casey Cook) represented by Dina Bishara. Dina shared with club members the outstanding work Big Brothers, Big Sisters is doing to enhance life skills and help young people find a path. Third, the club presented a check to the Immigrant Welcome Network (host Phil Peterson) represented by Jasmin (with baby Arlo) for $700 who spoke of the wonderful work the Immigrant Welcome Network is doing in our community in areas such as housing and English lessons.
Liz Nichols introduced Alma Schulz, Rotary Youth Exchange Student to give her presentation. Alma spoke about her highlights of her year.
Pictures: Leaving Home, Sports, American Traditions: Halloween and Thanksgiving. The Wills took her to Florida in December.18th Birthday, Las Vegas, Golfing with friends, Prom with friends and Jenny Seylar.
Graduation Party/Farewell Party May 23, 12-3.
PDG Steve Dakin Rotary Club Boone and Shelly Schmit Werner talked about "Our Rotary Foundation"
The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of the environment and alleviation of poverty. It is a not-for profit supported by voluntary contributions. The seven areas of Focus are: Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Economic and Community Development, Environment. The three areas to donate to the Foundation are: Polio Plus, Annual Fund Share, and Endowment.
There is Iowa Rag for Clubfoot and Iowa based action group. There have only been 4 cases of Polio this year.
EREY $25.00 per quarter
Sustaining fellow $100 per year
Paul Harris Fellow accumulation of donations up to $1,000.
Paul Harris Society $1,000 per year
Major Donor 1 $10,000
Bequest Society 1 $10,000
Jim Peterson's presentation today was on Xiocetepec, He was joined by three Interactors that went on the Mexico mission with him. His first slide was of a pipe releasing all kinds of mud, and other matter. The Mission has been long term. It began with PDG Gary and Nancy Pacha in 1999 along with David Hansen. They worked with the It, has been a long-term High school project for students to go and work on the mission. College students also attend the trip.
They work with the Rotary Club of Xicorots . There are Interact, Inner Wheel and Pre-School involved.
PDG Tom and Carol Narak were Jim's partners prior to Tom's passing in 2023.
The members of the team are:
Jim Peterson-Planning with the Partners.
Allie Boge and Jasmine Sanasinh Project Team
Jenny Seylar Administration
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Mark Patton introduced the guest speaker Dr. Schnoor. Dr. Schnoor spoke of the serious of Climate Change. Dr. Schnoor is Professor Emeritus for the Department of Environmental Engineering.
Temperatures are rising everywhere affecting, fires, wildlife, and all people's lives.
Ice sheets are collapsing, coral reefs are threatened, ocean currents are temperature are rising.
We must adapt to change by November.
Stop Greenland gas emissions.
We must reduce CO2a at m from 408 to 350 ppm to stabilize the Climate and Remove Global Warming.
Disaster Prepwise University College of Public Health presented by Sato Shida. Who are we: Theory base preparedness, funded through grants and volunteerism-to provide a program free of charge to community members, Partnered with local non-profits and government agencies. Passionate about supporting disaster preparedness among older adults living in Iowa.
The program is designed to improve confidence, decease stress, teach people how to be prepared for disasters by creating a go bag.
For more information go to: cph-prepwise@uiowa.edu.
Liz Loeb introduced AG Ann Parker speaking on Club Foot. The Mission of Clubfoot is to inform, activate, connect, and engage Rotarians to create Ways and Means to support action for a world free of clubfoot disabilities.
Clubfoot is a muscledeabilating bone defect. Clubfoot disability: A global problem. 1 in every 750 live births. Twice as common in males. in both feet half the time. 200,000 born annually, over 1 million untreated globally.
The Ponseti Method: The Global Solution. Low-Cost, low-tech, 92% highly effective, can be used anywhere in the world, endorsed by professional societies, International GOLD STANDARD method of treatment.
How you can Help: Join the Rotary Action Group, Provide Financial support, assist with logistical support, provide nigh-time braces, assist with public awareness, advocate with governments and healthcare officials to provide facilities and resources to treat clubfoot.
For more information go to: www.rag4clubfoot.org
Ryan Bobst, Executive Director of the North Liberty Food Pantry gave an excellent presentation today. The Mission of the Food Pantry is "Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.".No one Deserves to go Hungry".
The Food Pantry serves with Dignity, less food waste, accommodate special diets, offer culturally appropriate food, and allows staff and volunteers to develop relationships. The New Food Pantry opened June 23, 2025. It has 10,500 sq. foot. It has clothing and food distributions. Individuals served: 2022-2436, 2025-4446. Pounds of Food distributed: 2022-19,352 2025-63,976.
Excellent presentation.
A Tour was given after the meeting adjourned.
Grandparents for Vaccines share their stories so that today’s children need not suffer the diseases of the past
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in Bolivia, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, and Australia.
Connect with the next generation of global and community leaders at the 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, Spain.
For years, polio pioneer Dorothy Horstmann stood in the shadow of great men like Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Now she’s ready for her close-up.
To discover the 2027 Rotary International Convention host city of Barcelona, start by getting lost.
Service Above Self
Iowa City, IA 52240
United States of America