- October 22, 2024
- November 26, 2024
- December TBD
- January 28, 2025
- February 25, 2025
- March 24, 2025
- April 22, 2025
- May 27, 2025
- June 24, 2025
Welcome to Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary
In tailored coaching sessions, I specialize in decluttering and organizing spaces, creating functional and stress-free environments. I excel at identifying areas in life that need simplifying and crafting actionable plans for a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. My expertise extends to developing effective time management strategies, streamlining schedules, and prioritizing tasks for heightened productivity.
Beyond individual coaching, I contribute as an HR Solutions Partner at Katalyst Systems Impact. With extensive comprehensive human resources experience, I support leadership teams in aligning HR needs with their business models, fostering scalability, and enabling growth through ongoing support and strategic solutions.
As a dynamic speaker, I bring these insights and expertise to engaging and informative speaking engagements. Whether leading lunch and learns or addressing smaller audiences, I share practical strategies for personal and professional development. Let's collaborate to inspire and empower your team towards success.
We hope you can join us at noon on Tuesday at the Indian Creek Country Club, to hear what Trish has to share!
Please RSVP to Cindy by 9:00 AM Monday. Here is an email link.
Thank you for your interest in our Trunk-or-Treat event. Please review the available slots (see link below) and click on the Sign Up button to provide winter essentials for students who live at Marion Village, Squaw Creek Village, and students referred to us by Marion Independent. Please make sure to include the Student # on the item. Items can be dropped on Wednesday October 16th between 9 am - 6pm or Thursday between 10am-12pm. 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!
We are also accepting donations of NEW winter gear such as Hats, Gloves, Underwear, Socks, and Blankets.
Dr. Kristie Fisher began her term as President - Kirkwood Community College in October of 2023, making a return home for her. She is just the sixth president in the nearly 60-year history of the institution. She is a graduate of Kirkwood and was a first-generation student. Dr. Fisher previously worked at the college in various positions over the course of her career, including as Vice President of Student Services for nearly a decade. Before assuming the role of president at Kirkwood, she served as president of the Iowa Valley Community College District. Prior to Iowa Valley, Fisher worked in a leadership role for ACT Inc. She is currently a member of the State of Iowa Workforce Development Board, the Iowa Innovation Council, and the Eastern Iowa Airport Commission.
- October 22, 2024
- November 26, 2024
- December TBD
- January 28, 2025
- February 25, 2025
- March 24, 2025
- April 22, 2025
- May 27, 2025
- June 24, 2025
During a 10-week closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, Karen Besler (’00 DDS) realized there was something else calling to her outside of her Cedar Rapids dental practice. A desire to engage in humanitarian causes.
A combination of principles of her faith and experiences as a provider allowed her to take a leap and leave her practice behind and enter the world of being an active humanitarian.
Within three weeks of her last day in private practice, she came upon an opportunity to assist an international non-profit to help celebrate their 25th anniversary. It was sparked by listening to a podcast series by actor Rainn Wilson, who famously starred in “The Office” on NBC.
“I had this feeling that I would find the answer to my own desired path while listening to others share their stories and I was correct,” says Besler, “I was so compelled by listening to Rainn Wilson, who is a long-time board member for the Foundation, and the founder and CEO of the Mona Foundation, Dr. Mahnaz Javid, that I reached out to her immediately.”
Besler said she felt an instant connection while talking to Javid and it made partnering with the Mona Foundation an obvious choice. And the causes they support fall right in line with how Besler wants to make an impact.
The Mona Foundation works to support and provide access to education for children worldwide. The Foundation strives to eliminate barriers to education, empower women and girls, and foster ethics and service in individuals who can then uplift themselves, their families, and communities.
“The focus on empowering children, mainly vulnerable girls, in developing countries through education instantly pulled at my heart strings,” says Besler, “As I started down this path with the Mona Foundation, I realized many of the skills I gained from dental school and private practice are propelling me forward on this new path.”
Javid recently returned from a trip to India where she and an award-winning documentary producer filmed a documentary following a young girl who benefited from receiving her education through a partner organization of the Mona Foundation.
“I am excited to be given the opportunity to share our new documentary and the cause of the Mona Foundation at multiple venues throughout the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor area soon,” says Besler, “For anyone interested in this great cause, I encourage you to visit MonaFoundation.org.”
The documentary titled, “Light and Air” celebrates 25 years of the Mona Foundation and debuts Sept. 29.
- 1st Tuesday - Tell Me Something Good
- 2nd Tuesday - Interview a Rotarian
- 3rd Tuesday - Dad Jokes
- 4th Tuesday - Small Fundraising Game
- 5th Tuesday - TBD
- Members +5
- Average Attendance > 50%
- 36 Guests
- Host (3) Morning Mixers
- 25 Pairs of Shoes (=$500) for Shoes for Kids
- Create Rotary Slideshow with Upcoming Events
February 23, 2024
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has awarded $80,000 in grants from the Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust Fund to 19 nonprofit organizations whose work benefits Linn County residents, including $1,000 to the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club for Shoes for Kids. The recipients were selected through an annual competitive grant process that began in November. The Board of Supervisors received more than $500,000 in grant requests with $80,000 in available funds.
The Witwer Trust was established by Weaver Witwer, a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979. Mr. Witwer owned and operated a food processing plant, a number of local farms, and what became known as the Me Too grocery stores.
The Witwer Trust grant cycle begins Nov. 1 of each year. For more information about the Witwer Trust grant program, visit LinnCountyIowa.gov/Witwer.
Thanks to the Marion Sun for this story.
The Community of the Year Award is a celebration of cities and the visionary leaders that spark progress. It’s about innovative programs and initiatives that drive economic development, promote community engagement, provide places for residents to work and play, support public safety, amplify the arts and culture, and build open, inclusive, high-quality environments for all citizens.
Communities from around the country submitted entries for the Community of the Year Award. The size of communities ranged from towns with a little more than 1,000 residents to some of America’s largest and most well-known cities, and everything in between.
A panel of experts reviewed each entry with several criteria in mind, including the scope of the “quality-of-life” projects that were launched and the impact of each project, among other items. While we received many tremendous and inspiring entries, one stood above the rest.
“Marion is a great example of what can happen when a community, both its leaders and citizens, cast a vision for a tremendous quality of life for everyone. And the power is not just in the vision, it’s also in the determination Marion leaders showed driving these projects through to completion,” said Ashley Whittaker, editor-in-chief of Community Playmaker. “Through initiatives as diverse as their partnership to build a state-of-the-art YMCA to converting unused alleyways into accessible arts and entertainment space, we are inspired by the work they’ve done and continue to do.”
In 2007, city and business leaders in Marion embarked on a bold path toward enhancing their city. It started with polling residents for their thoughts on how to make Marion a better place. Their responses and conversations in community brainstorming sessions helped civic leaders develop a list of projects that met the needs of the community.
Once ideas were further refined, funding and partnerships were sought for a variety of projects that shape Marion today. These include:
- A new 75,000-square-foot recreation facility in partnership with the YMCA
- Uptown Artway- an unused, dumpster-filled back alleyway that was converted into a concert and art venue
- A state-of-the-art library, which includes a recording studio, teen area, art studio, demonstration kitchen, quilting machine, and 3D printer.
“It is a great honor for our city to be named, ‘Community of the Year,’” said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “We are grateful for the recognition as it places Marion on a national stage and endorses our focus on serving residents and giving them the best opportunities for an unequaled quality of life. Marion’s success is hard-earned by an energized team that works together and engages the entire community in moving the city forward.”
Check out our January edition of Community Playmaker to learn more about Marion’s incredible story.
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
Marion, IA 52302
United States of America