Speakers
Brian Bidelman
Oct 09, 2023
Beacon of Hope
Lori Branderhorst
Oct 16, 2023
FD Parks and Rec
Social Time
Oct 23, 2023
Learn more about your fellow Rotarians
Bill Kent, Roger Porter
Oct 30, 2023
FD Community Schools
Club Information
Welcome to the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 11:45 AM
ShinyTop Brewing
520 Central Avenue
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
United States of America
Invocation Leaders
Club Executives & Directors
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Rotary Foundation
Youth Protection Officer
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Immediate Past President
Trerasurer
Board Member
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Rotary Club of Fort Dodge
James Knight, President
 
Home Page Stories
Rotarian Elizabeth Stanek was pictured on the cover of the Tuesday "Messenger."  Her agency, Linking Families and Communities will be the beneficiary of proceeds generated by the October 7th Octoberfest at the Oleson Park Bandshell.  Live music will be provided in a simulated Bavarian Octoberfest "Beer Garden" setting.  TV coverage of the Iowa football teams will be provided in tents.  
Rotary's guest speaker was Captain Linda McCormack of the Salvation Army who provided an overview of their programs of service to a variety of Human Service needs of the community.  Captain McCormack has been in Fort Dodge for three years after serving for five years in Branson, Missouri in a similar capacity.  Service to humanity has been her family's business with a father serving in Michigan during the 1960s riots.  Programs highlights are as follows:
  1. Feeding - The Salvation Army serves lunch Monday to Fridays, generally to 50-70 individuals.  Over 186 separate families are served in a Month.  For many this may be the only warm meal for the day.  Clientele include the homeless, the very low income with little or no resources, and other needs.  Clients must be residents of Webster County, as verified by first order documentation.
  2. Toys - Within the agency and through partnerships with other Webster County agencies toys are collected and distributed to children who otherwise may not have a Christmas.
  3. Partnering with Johnson/ICCC Thanksgiving Dinner.  They help where needed and provide turkeys and other foods that may be donated through their programs.
  4. Budget Help - Gas. utilities, rental help, medical access, etc. are common occurrences.  Linda will testify that the local economy is deteriorating, and more people are becoming needy.  She estimates that only two individuals within the city are officially homeless. All the others have access to vacant houses, friends, etc.
  5. Family Nights - The center provides movie nights for those who can come.  Movies are generally targeted to children who otherwise would not see a movie.
 
Issues for the Agency:
  • The bucket money during the Christmas season is their only source of revenue to provide assistance to needy clients unless other mid-year contributions are found.  Therefore, on January 1st Linda will reconcile accounts and then set the budget for the next year.  Last year was not good for the buckets as severe weather hindered the primary final weekend.  Rotary will again be scheduled for bell ringing.  Rotary does very well in collecting funds for the Kettles.  A typical year brings in about $400,000, but costs are going up quickly through inflation, etc.
  • An old building adjacent to their campus has been demolished and a new storage building will be constructed with funds from benefactors dedicate to that purpose.  Linda emphasizes that no "kettle funds" will be used for the building.  The agency's vehicles have been vandalized recently and need overnight shelter, storage space is at a premium in the main center, and etc.
  • And finally, the Salvation Army responds quickly to disasters, both locally and nationally if directed by the National Organization.
A free Blessing of the Animals event will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church 1007 1st Ave South in the parking on Sunday, October 8th at 2:00 pm.
 
Please bring your furry or feathered friends on their leashes or in their cages, or a picture of a pet (past or present), and a lawn chair for yourself. Have those members of your family blessed because they give so much happiness to our lives. 
 
**If it rains, the event will move inside.**
 
There will be a free-will offering with all donations going to Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa.
 
This event is sponsored by St. Mark's Episcopal Church and our friends at Grace Lutheran Church.
The following Rotarians volunteered to secure programs for these months. When a Rotarian is approached by an individual requesting to present to the Club, please refer the individual to the program coordinator for the requested month.
 
As of this posting the Club is still looking for Program Chairs for April and June.  If you are willing to take on that task please contact Renee McDonald.
 
Overall Chair for Programs - Renee McDonald 
 
August - Justin Mikos
September - Renee McDonald
October - Jim Knight
November - Steve Hoesel
December - Casey Johnson
January - David Fierke
February - Kraig Barber
March - Randy Kuhlman
April -
May - Teresa Naughton
June - 
July - Cameron Nelson
 
 
 
Secretary Teresa Naughton has been uploading Minutes and Financial Reports for the 2022-2023 Rotary Year to the members only section of the Website (Found under Folder Organization and then Subfolder Documents) and are available for viewing by accessing the Members Only Section.  Please contact Steve if you need to refresh your password.
 
Your Rotary Club provides an easy way for you to contribute to the Rotary Foundation, the major financial arm of Rotary that does Polio Plus and Foundation Grants.   The program permits you to ask the Treasurer to add an amount each quarter to your quarterly dues statement as a contribution to the R.I. Foundation.  The Treasurer then collects these amounts and writes a joint check to the Foundation for all funds contributed by members.  If you are interested please complete the following form and provide to Treasurer Kraig Barber/Elizabeth Stanek.