Board meetings of the Club are usually held on the 3rd Thursday of the month from Noon to 1pm. Members are welcome and encouraged to attend and can learn about the innerworkings of the Club, as the rotary year progresses and plans are developed.
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Welcome to Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary
7/15/25 Speaker Spotlight: Libbie Malecek of Oak Street Health
We’re excited to welcome Libbie Malecek as our featured speaker on 7/15/25! Libbie represents Oak Street Health, a rapidly growing network of primary care centers dedicated to improving healthcare for older adults on Medicare.
About Libbie Malecek
Libbie graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree focused in Event Management, with a minor in Business Administration. She brings a deep passion for community-focused healthcare. Known for her approachable style and commitment to patient-centered care, Libbie has played a key role in expanding Oak Street Health’s mission across Iowa and beyond. Her background includes work in healthcare outreach, patient advocacy, and building strong relationships between providers and the communities they serve.
Libbie’s work is grounded in the belief that healthcare should be proactive, personal, and accessible to everyone—especially seniors who often face barriers to quality care. Her leadership has helped bring innovative care models to underserved populations, and she continues to champion initiatives that prioritize dignity, respect, and wellness for all patients.
About Oak Street Health
Founded in 2012 and now a subsidiary of CVS Health, Oak Street Health is a national leader in value-based primary care for older adults.
With over 170 centers across the U.S., Oak Street Health focuses on preventive care, chronic condition management, and social support services—all designed to keep patients healthier and out of the hospital.What sets Oak Street Health apart is its holistic approach: patients receive longer appointments, access to community rooms and wellness activities, and support from care teams that include doctors, nurses, social workers, and behavioral health specialists. The organization’s mission is simple but powerful: “Rebuilding healthcare as it should be.”
Libbie’s talk will offer insights into how Oak Street Health is transforming the healthcare experience for seniors—and how community partnerships play a vital role in that mission.
RSVP Reminder
As always, please let Cindy know if you will be attending and if you are bringing a guest—or better yet, a prospective member!
Kindly RSVP by 9:00 AM on Monday, July 14. Here is an email link.
If your plans change after you RSVP, please let Cindy know so we can avoid leftover meals.
If you do not RSVP, you will not be able to take a meal until everyone on the RSVP list has received theirs.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to seeing you Tuesday!
🎒 Help Marion Kids Start the School Year Strong!
Donate a Backpack Today – All Donations Due by July 31st
As we gear up for another school year, Marion Rotary is proud to support the Marion Cares Back to School Backpack Program—a vital initiative that ensures every child in our community starts the year with the tools they need to succeed.
📘 What is Marion Cares?
Marion Cares is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and families in the Marion community through spiritual, educational, and social programming. Their mission is to walk alongside families, offering practical support and hope.
🎒 About the Backpack Program
Each year, Marion Cares organizes a Back to School event to provide new backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need. These donations help ease the financial burden on families and give kids the confidence to walk into school ready to learn.
✅ How You Can Help
- Donate a new filled backpack
- Drop-off deadline: July 31st
- Backpacks can be dropped off at our office on July 31st between 9 am and 6 pm. Our office is located at 1298 7th Ave in the lower level of the Carnegie building - you may enter on the East side. Thank you!
Let’s come together as a Rotary family to support this meaningful cause. Your donation can make a real difference in a child’s life this school year.
📦 Donate today and help Marion kids start the school year strong!
When the sirens sounds be reminded it is time for "Siren Wednesday on Thursday." We will gather on Thursday, August 8 at the Tuscany Grill after 5 PM. This is the location of the previous Edison Restaurant. Stop by for dinner, a drink or just to say hello. Family and friends are also welcome. Our regular location, The Edison, closed in June to rebranding to a new Tuscan Grill restaurant. If possible, Let Erik know if you plan to attend however that is not necessary but helpful. Tom and Vicki Barnes will be there to greet you.
Erik Miles
To all District 5970 Rotarians:
Rotarian Visit Day!
We would like to invite you to join us to observe a day of RYLA 2025!
Tuesday, July 29th 2025 is our Shark Tank Experience, which involves students creating a feasible service project that they can take home to their communities. Students will go through a series of scavenger hunt-like activities to learn more about the history of Rotary while brainstorming ideas for their service project. They will then present a seven minute slideshow to our head counselors and Rotarian guest-judges for a score, which will be given to them no later than that evening. We would love to have Rotarians join us to shadow a team lead in order to get hands-on experience with our program without having to commit to the entire week. This is a wonderful opportunity to get a better understanding of RYLA sponsorships and the profound impact the program leaves on our students and community.
We would like to invite you to join us to observe a day of RYLA 2025!
Tuesday, July 29th 2025 is our Shark Tank Experience, which involves students creating a feasible service project that they can take home to their communities. Students will go through a series of scavenger hunt-like activities to learn more about the history of Rotary while brainstorming ideas for their service project. They will then present a seven minute slideshow to our head counselors and Rotarian guest-judges for a score, which will be given to them no later than that evening. We would love to have Rotarians join us to shadow a team lead in order to get hands-on experience with our program without having to commit to the entire week. This is a wonderful opportunity to get a better understanding of RYLA sponsorships and the profound impact the program leaves on our students and community.
If you plan to visit, please send an email to (markmcandrews@msn.com) with the name of your club, the number of Rotarians in your party, and your planned arrival time. When we have a list of who is going to attend, we will send out more details!
Upon your arrival at the Harris Center on campus, we will have someone waiting to greet you. During your visit, we will match you up with a team to make the most of your time.
Suellen Kolbet
District 5970 RYLA Representative
District 5970 RYLA Representative
Foundation First Highlights – July 2025
By Michelle Bell, District Foundation Chair
A Record Year for Giving
- Total contributions to The Rotary Foundation: $294,950 (pending final reports)
- Annual Fund contributions: $213,273
- Polio Plus contributions: $62,031 (just $1,199 short of the goal)
- Gratitude extended to all Rotarians for their generosity and commitment.
Rotary Global Scholars Making an Impact
- Rotary Global Scholarships support graduate studies abroad to promote peace and global understanding.
- District 5970 has sponsored four Global Scholars in the past two years.
- Two scholars are completing their degrees this summer; two more begin studies this fall in London and Edinburgh.
Circle the Atlantic: Flight to End Polio
- A second world-record flight is planned for September 2025 to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication.
- Pilots: Rotarians Peter Teahen and Ed Galkin, with technical support from John Ockenfels.
- Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 210, N2160S
- Journey: 37 days, 8,800 nautical miles, with multiple fundraising events.
- All proceeds go to The Rotary Foundation and are matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation.
- More information on Circle the Atlantic: Flight to End Polio:
Meeting Summary: Featured Speaker – Malia Gudenkauf, Founder of Little Miss Finance
We were excited to welcome Malia Gudenkauf, founder of Little Miss Finance, as our featured speaker on 7/8/25. A Cedar Rapids native, Malia is a passionate advocate for financial literacy, particularly among young adults and women.
Malia shared her personal journey, which began in 2018 when she realized—just before graduating college—that she lacked essential personal finance knowledge. Motivated to change her situation, she educated herself, paid off $20,000 in student loans within 10 months, and began sharing her insights with others.
In 2019, she launched Little Miss Finance, a blog and educational platform aimed at making financial literacy fun, accessible, and jargon-free. Since then, she has spoken to thousands nationwide and coached over 100 individuals in creating personalized financial plans.
After leaving her corporate job in 2022, Malia committed full-time to growing her platform. Her work has been especially impactful in empowering women to take control of their financial futures in an often-intimidating industry.
Malia’s story is one of courage, creativity, and community empowerment. Her talk was both inspiring and informative, leaving attendees motivated to take charge of their own financial journeys.
Upcoming Events
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:
- Tuesday, July 15 – Zumba: Fit Fun at the Park – 6-7 p.m. – Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park
- Thursday, July 17 – Marion Big Band “Swingin’ at Sunset” Concert – 7 p.m. – Central Plaza at City Square Park
Take the Aquatics Park Survey
As the City of Marion continues to develop plans for a new aquatic center, City leaders want to understand how much of an investment, if any, taxpayers are willing to make. In partnership with Community Perceptions, every Marion household should receive a survey in the mail this week where confidential feedback will be gathered through a series of questions. The results will help inform the City Council as they determine whether or not to pursue a referendum in November. The survey will close on July 28. Additional information about the proposed aquatics park is available at www.cityofmarion.org/aquaticspark.
988 Decals Coming Soon
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marion City Council recently approved adding this number to select City vehicles to make the community aware of this mental health resource. Earlier this week, the City accepted a donation from HOPEwalk CR to cover the full cost of the decals and installation. In the coming weeks, this life safety message will be added to 18 vehicles in the City’s Police, Fire and Public Works departments.
Friends of the Marion Public Library Meeting
The annual board meeting for the Friends of the Marion Public Library will be held on Tuesday, July 22 at 5 p.m. Stop by the boardroom, located on the second floor of the Marion Public Library, to learn more about the group and ways you can get involved. Additional information is also available at the Friends of the Marion Public Library website.
Linn County Urban Ag Field Day Open House
The Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and Linn County Master Gardeners are hosting a field day open house at the Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, 4500 N. 10th Street. The event will be held on Thursday, July 31, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Explore the Linn County Master Gardeners urban gardens and learn techniques for your own neighborhood garden. The community is invited to explore the gardens at their own pace or join a scheduled presentation of the individual garden locations. Learn more on the ISU Extension and Outreach website.
Rookie of the Year! - Dean Houdeshell
Rotarian of the Year! - Katie Powell
Heads or Tails!
Bob Butschi Sr was the Champion!
Passing of the Gavel from Kyle to Alex!
Thanks Kyle for a Great Year!
Good Luck Alex!
A Successful Start for Shoes for Kids!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members and community, our waffle breakfast fundraiser was a resounding success! After covering expenses, we raised an impressive $4,060.20—a fantastic kickoff to our Shoes for Kids project!
With these funds, we’re thrilled to donate 100 pairs of shoes to the Marion Cares Backpack program this year! The shoes will be ordered in July and delivered in August, ensuring local children have the footwear they need for the school year ahead.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this event—your support truly makes a difference!
Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Honors, Awards, and a Spirited Showdown May 20th Rotary Meeting Recap
Our Rotary Club gathered on May 20th for another lively and meaningful meeting, celebrating achievements, recognizing dedication, and engaging in some lighthearted competition.
A highlight of the meeting was Cindy Shipley receiving another Paul Harris recognition, a testament to her continued generosity and commitment to Rotary's mission of service. Cindy's dedication exemplifies the spirit of giving that makes Rotary thrive.
Adding to the club's accolades, our Rotary Club was honored with yet another District Governor's Excellence Award, recognizing its ongoing efforts and contributions to the community. This prestigious award is a reflection of the club's passion for service and its unwavering commitment to making a difference.
To round out the meeting with some friendly competition, Dean Houdeshell emerged victorious in the highly anticipated rock-paper-scissors contest. While the stakes may not have been world-changing, the enthusiasm and camaraderie on display reminded everyone of the joy of simple moments and good-natured fun.
As the club continues its mission, these recognitions serve as reminders of the impact that teamwork, generosity, and community engagement can have. Here's to another successful Rotary gathering!
Marion Rotary Hosts Marion Leadership in Action Class of 2025
On Thursday, May 15th, Marion Rotary had the distinct pleasure of hosting the Marion Leadership in Action Class of 2025 during a special meeting. This dynamic group of 15 emerging leaders joined us for an engaging afternoon of connection, inspiration, and community spirit.
The highlight of the event was a presentation by our very own Seth Staashelm, a fellow Rotarian and proud MVP of the Marion Leadership in Action Class of 2023. Seth shared his personal journey through the program and offered valuable insights into the impact of leadership development in our community. He also introduced the class to the mission and service of Rotary, emphasizing the meaningful ways our club contributes to Marion and beyond.
It was a fantastic opportunity to build bridges between current and future leaders, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make the event a success. We look forward to seeing the continued growth and contributions of the Class of 2025!
Thanks to the Marion Girls Soccer Team for Removing the golf cart from the pool!
The golf cart has dropped!
The winner is Christine Landa!
Payout = $755!
Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club Honored Students for Promoting Safe and Drug-Free Schools
On April 29th, the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club hosted an event to recognize students from Linn-Mar, Marion Independent, and St. Joseph schools who have made significant contributions to creating a safe and drug-free school environment. This annual event, which has been a proud tradition for 33 years, brought together students, parents, and officials from the City of Marion and the school districts to celebrate the achievements of these dedicated young individuals.
The Rotary Club has long been committed to supporting and honoring the efforts of students who strive to make their schools and communities better places. This year's event was a memorable occasion, highlighting the hard work and dedication of students who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote safety and well-being among their peers.
Community members joined in celebrating these outstanding students and their accomplishments. Their presence and support helped to encourage and inspire the next generation of leaders in our community.
Shoes for Kids Waffle Breakfast was a SUCCESS!
By 7am, we were ready, and by 8am, the line was out the door. The community's support was overwhelming, and I am incredibly grateful.
While we are still tallying the total funds raised, I am thrilled to share that we served 317 guests! To put this in perspective, in 2019, we served 333 guests, and we haven't come close to that number since. This turnout is truly remarkable.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone in our team and club. Each of you played a crucial role in making this event a success. We couldn't have done it without you.
Next month, I plan to hold a wrap-up meeting to gather feedback and suggestions for next year's breakfast. If you have any ideas or comments, please feel free to email me.
Thank you once again for all your help. Let's start planning for next year!
Warm regards,
Katie Powell
Support Marion-East CR Shoes For Kids Program
Help us fund our Shoes for Kids program by donating your cans and bottles! Simply take them to any Can Shed location in the Cedar Rapids or Marion area. When your return is complete and payout is ready, request that the funds be donated to the Marion-East CR Shoes For Kids account.
Once our account reaches $100.00 or more, Can Shed will send a check to us via mail. It's important to mention the account name to ensure the funds are correctly allocated.
This is a fantastic opportunity to support our Shoes for Kids program throughout the year. Spread the word and take your cans and bottles in to make a difference!
Spotlight on Seth Staashelm: Marion Parks and Recreation Director
This week, we are delighted to feature one of our esteemed Rotary Club members, Seth Staashelm, who will also be our guest speaker. Seth serves as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Marion, where he has been instrumental in enhancing our community's recreational facilities and programs.
A Visionary Leader in Parks and Recreation
Seth Staashelm has been a driving force behind numerous initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for Marion residents. Under his leadership, the Parks and Recreation Department has seen significant upgrades and expansions, including the development of new parks, trails, and recreational programs. His commitment to fostering a vibrant and active community is evident in every project he undertakes.
Marion Aquatic Center: A Future Jewel for the Community
One of Seth's notable achievements is his work on the Marion Aquatic Center. Contingent on obtaining funding through a bond referendum set for November 2025, this state-of-the-art facility is planned to offer a variety of aquatic and recreational opportunities for all ages. From swimming lessons and water aerobics to family swim sessions and special events, the Marion Aquatic Center is expected to become a beloved destination for residents seeking fun and fitness.
We are delighted to announce that our Rotary Club recently received a generous donation of $1,000 from First Federal Credit Union. The check presentation took place at our Rotary meeting on 3/4/25, with C. Thomas Chalstrom, President and CEO of First Federal Credit Union in attendance to present the check.
This contribution will significantly help support our "Shoes for Kids" program and our upcoming waffle breakfast fundraiser. We are grateful for First Federal's enthusiastic support and commitment to our community.
Thank you to all members who attended the meeting and helped make this event special. Your continued support and dedication to our cause are greatly appreciated.
Our speaker for the January 28th Rotary meeting was our own Katie Powell. She discussed all things ClubRunner, providing valuable insights and tips on how to make the most of this powerful tool. Whether you're new to ClubRunner or looking to enhance your skills, this session was informative. We learned all about the ClubRunner phone ap, the Club Locator ap, the event tab, and the communication tab.
About Barnes Manufacturing Services (from LinkedIn).........
We are designers, engineers, and manufacturers of metal fabricated products. For over 3 decades we have been solving manufacturing challenges and advancing the industry of creating and making. We specialize in collaborating with your business to help you realize your production goals. Whether you are in a large production facility or a small business, working to optimize your manufacturing process or creating a new product- we are genuinely interested in the success of your company.
On 12/6/24, members of our Rotary Club gathered at the Marion HyVee to participate in the annual bell-ringing campaign for the Salvation Army. This event brought together dedicated volunteers, who braved the chilly weather to spread holiday cheer and raise funds for those in need.
Throughout the day, our members greeted shoppers with smiles and the familiar sound of ringing bells. The generosity of the community was truly inspiring, as many stopped to donate and share kind words of support.
We are incredibly proud of our club's commitment to service and the positive impact we can make together. A special thank you to all the volunteers who participated and to everyone who donated. Your contributions help the Salvation Army continue their vital work in our community.
Alex Chalk - President Elect 2024-2025
Seth Staashelm - President Elect Nominee 2025-2026
Zach Schmit - President Elect Nominee 2026-2027
Cindy Shipley - Treasurer
Jeff Selfridge - Secretary
Cindy Shipley - Foundation Chair
From https://ecolips.com/
Like so many great American business stories, ours started small.
In the early 1990s, Andrea Danielson began brewing small batches of natural lip balm in her kitchen for her friends and family. She took great care in handcrafting the balm and packaging it in small amber glass jars to preserve the freshness of the pure ingredients. Andrea didn’t realize that by giving a sample of her natural lip creation to Steve Shriver, her life would be changed forever.
Steve had larger-than-life lips and was always searching for a better balm. When Steve met Andrea in 1995, he immediately fell in love with the lip balm, and moments later he also fell in love with Andrea. They were married in 1997 and Steve, a lifetime entrepreneur, quickly spent Andrea’s life savings on ingredients and packaging for the couple’s first product, Hemp Lip Buzz.
By 2003, Steve and Andrea built a specialized private label natural body care company focused on making high quality products for many other successful brands. Their company rapidly became a leading natural body care manufacturer in the Natural Products industry.
Their top sales rep, Jim King, also had a love for lip balm, and had a vision for creating a lip balm brand like no other. Together, the team pivoted from making products for other companies to making their own. Eco Lips had arrived.
From https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-houdeshell/
With 30 years of experience in the mobile machine industry, Dean is a passionate and driven engineering leader. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa and hold credentials as a Fluid Power Engineer, an Accredited Instructor, and a Professional Engineer.
His core competencies include engineering management, sales, lean manufacturing, fluid power system design, process improvement, and 8D problem solving. He has a proven track record of building strong teams, delivering innovative solutions, and achieving customer satisfaction. His mission is to leverage his technical and leadership skills to create value for companies and individuals.
From https://www.coachingwithdean.com/home
Everyone has the potential to be great. To realize this potential, one must be willing to set aside the expectations of others and focus on becoming the best version of themselves. It involves committing to growth, taking risks, and having an open mind. By doing so, we can create our own paths to greatness and achieve a level of success that few can even dream of.
Innovative Coaching Strategies empowers business leaders to foster creativity, innovation, and success. Services provided include vision and strategic planning, team building and creativity workshops, leadership development training, and business coaching and mentoring.
Kyle Low
2024-25 President
Hello fellow Rotarians!
I'm thrilled to introduce myself as the new president of the Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club. Here's a snapshot of who I am:
I was born in Camanche, Iowa—Go Indians! I'm a proud graduate of the University of Iowa. My career has included work as a public accountant, but I discovered my true passion in community banking. I have worked for Ohnward Bank & Trust in Marion for the last 3 years.
In 2019, I married the love of my life, Andrea Low. We are the proud parents of a lively 20-month-old boy named John, who keeps us on our toes and fills our lives with joy and excitement. I consider myself the luckiest man on earth.
We live in Marion and absolutely love our community, from the beautiful parks to the vibrant Uptown area.
I joined Rotary three years ago, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. As I step into this leadership role, my goals for the upcoming Rotary year are to boost attendance, enhance fundraising efforts, and most importantly, increase the FUN!
I'm excited about the journey ahead and can't wait to work with all of you to make a positive impact in our community.
Warm regards,
Kyle Low
President
Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club
Visitors are encouraged and welcome to attend, just be sure to email cindy@classictax.net and let her know to reserve a lunch for you.
Marion, IA 52302
United States of America