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The Club's own Ann Meyer, Iowa House of Representatives for the Fort Dodge area, provided an end of session update for members. Needless to say, it was not a traditional session due to the COVID-19 reset. Highlights of her presentation are:

Ann championed a bill through completion and signature of the Governor to permit Webster County to split from the initial Mental Health Region to enable a new choice of joining with another adjacent district, or forming a new district. Webster County was not receiving good service from the District of its original assignment.
Three Child Care bills were brought forward: 1) A completed initiative lowered the entry guidelines from 185% of the Poverty Level to 125%; 2) A financial assistance to providers passed the House, but failed in the Senate - and will be taken-up next session; and 3) permitted an increase of eligibility age from 2 to 3 for toddlers in the state system to receive an increase rate of assistance.
COVID-19 severely affected the State budget, with some natural increase and use of reserves to provide a near 0 growth budget. Within this budget education was increased by $100 million. Next year is undetermined as the Revenue Estimating Committee has projected an initial 0 state growth, but the economy has improved within the last month and it is hoped that may provide an increased amount when the Legislature returns in December.
Ann is receiving background support to provide adult changing tables in the state rest stops on major highways. The measure passed in the House, but no time was available to debate it in the Senate, It will be considered in December.
Ann is gaining support for a distracted driver initiative that would make illegal any use of a cell phone while driving. She things it may pass in the next session.
In regard to C:OVID-19, she provided that state statistics show that the number of COVID-19 positives are increasing, but the number of hospital units used are decreasing. The good and bad news. She envisioned that hospitals will be back to providing full elective services soon.

Incoming President's Message by Cameron

Incoming President Cameron Nelson provide the following notes on the beginnings of his term:

He provided thanks to outgoing President Elizabeth Stanek for her accomplishments that will also be the foundation of his goals in the following areas:
Target at least four Service Projects (using some of the old and perhaps developing some new)
Target membership additions, particularly in the younger crowd by touting our new Family and Corporate Membership Options
Continue "Happy Dollars" for Polio Plus
Have at least four social events
Create several interactive programs
In his official capacity as incoming President Cameron provided to Stanek the following: 1) a Past President's Lapel Pin; and a Walnut thank you for service Plaque with brass plate and gavel for wall display. He provided considerable praise for her efforts, which were extended by other attendees on Zoon. Elizabeth would have been given a standing ovation, but that is difficult through Zoom.

Outgoing President's Message by Elizabeth Stanek

Elizabeth reviewed with the Club a summary of her report as our Outgoing President:

The original goal was to increase our membership by two. The Club added two new members, but in the process lost 5 for a net loss of 3. The COVID-19 epidemic severely curtailed this goal as the social functions that were to be used to recruit new members were cancelled. The Club did adopt new membership options for Families and Corporations that can be used into the next Rotary year.
The goal was to raise at least $150 for Polio Plus through "Happy Bucks." $175 was raised in the shortened year. This amount will provide approximately 292 Polio Vaccine doses.
The goal was to have four service projects. Before the COVID break we did: 1) Rang Bells for the Salvation Army; 2) Served the December Manna Meal; and 3) Contributed Blood as a group - or at least some of the less fearful.
The goal was to do four "out of Rotary Meetings", with one completed (Friskies) before the COVID break.
The goal was for four evening social functions of which two were held go good success before COVID.
The Club used funds to match a major Rotary District 5970 grant application to R.I. to purchase major equipment for the Community Health Center.
The Messenger will do a second major publicity for the Club (first being a major spread on Rotary in general) to showcase the students that would have been honoured at the 45th Annual Academic Appreciation Dinner that was lost to COVID.
Increased Club comrade was testified by club members present.

Considering the lost quarter due to COVID, a GOOD YEAR.

Picture of Rotarian in the "Messenger"

Rotarian Ann Meyer appeared in the Wednesday "Messenger" regarding the Governor signing a bill she created and sponsored/shepherd through the legislative process. Specifically, the legislation splits Webster County from it old Mental Health Service Area Alliance and permits the Supervisors to determine alternative options of either joining other counties, or developing its own district. The legislation had the support of local elected officials and made sense. Log into the meeting on Monday and learn other details.

2020-2021 Sports at ICCC

Kevin Twait, Athletic Director of ICCC, visited with Rotary on Monday and provided a brief outline as to how sports at ICCC can be accommodated with COVID-19. Essentially, a system is in place to have all sports begin, but flexibility may well become the norm as nobody knows how the process will go. The plan is:

Begin by bringing 135 football players to campus on July 6th. The team will be housed in one of the tower dorms in controlled room environments. Pods of 4-6 students will work-out, eat, and attend sessions together. This is done to help limit the spread of the virus if any one becomes infected. The concept is that if a student tests positive then the pod can be quarantined and perhaps not affect the rest of the team.
Each player and staff member will be tested for COVID-19 when they come on campus and at other times as necessary.
Temperatures for all staff and players will be checked at least twice daily and must be less than 100.4. If higher, the individual is referred immediately to the health department.
Social distancing will be practiced whenever possible (given that drills will require contact) but weights, etc. will be done in groups of 48 with deep cleaning completed after each group completes their tasks.
All classes will become twice a week sessions of 90 minutes with 30 minute between class intervals to permit less groupings and socializing between classes. Fridays will be for special labs and personal meetings with teachers/students.
There will be spectators in the stands. Some details are still to be worked out, but generally at ICCC games social distancing will be possible without much trouble.
Recruiting has been especially affected as ICCC can host a limited number of students on any given day and still maintain social distancing. The life of enrollment and counseling staff has been made most difficult.

ICC recently was awarded their 11th of the last 12 Daktronics Trophy awarded to the best JC Athletic Program by past year success from a pool of 500 schools - doe snot include 100 schools in California. They have also captured 4 of the 5 national Learfield JC Sports program awards given to a pool of 600 schools (includes California). However, Kevin was most proud that last year the Athletic Program achieved a GPA of 3.03 that was the highest for any JC Athletic Program in America. The ICCC student body achieved a 2.79. The coaches stress academics packaged with study tables, weekly grade checks, and required tutoring. Grades are very important for athletes wishing to transfer to a four-year school. The athletes are students first and athletes second.

Picture of Rotarian in the "Messenger"

Rotarian Cheryl O'Hern appeared in picture in the Saturday/Sunday "Messenger" announcing that she will be addressing a virtual conference of approximately 10,000 Small Businesses on the Hill. Her presentation is recovering from COVID-19.

Minutes and Financial Reports

Posted by Stephen Hoesel on Jun 15, 2020

Minutes and/or Financial Reports for the 2019-2020 Rotary Year have been posted to the members only section of the Website and are available for viewing by accessing the Members Only Section.

The latest addition:

Minutes for the June 15th Board of Directors meeting
Financial Statements for Month Ending May 31st, 2020.

Monthly Program Chairs

Posted by David Fierke on Feb 01, 2020

The following are tentatively identified as the key person each month that will schedule club meetings for that month. Please contact the appropriate person to ask for a program to be scheduled.

July - Cameron Nelson

August - Cheryl O'Hern

September - Rhonda Fitchett

October - Cameron Nelson

November - Amy Bruno

December - David Fierke

January - David Fierke

February - Kraig Barber

March - Elizabeth Stanek

April - Michael Devine

May - Teresa Naughton

June - David Fierke

Club's Application for Funds for Various Projects

Posted by Stephen Hoesel on Feb 01, 2020

Rotary is a service organization comprised of community leaders of various professions dedicated to humanitarian causes locally and throughout the world. The club budgets funds annually for a variety of local causes that may be made available for requests made throughout the year for which the Board of Directors may want to support. To make application for funds, complete the application online by clicking HERE.

Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club Grant Guidelines

Mission: Rotary is a service organization comprised of community leaders of various professions dedicated to humanitarian causes locally and throughout the world. Simply put, Rotary is an organization that is out to do "good" in the world.

Vision: It is incumbent upon the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club and its Board of Directors to be good stewards of available resources. The club budgets dollars annually. The budget may fund identified programs. The club also has a small “Special Fund” available for requests made throughout the year for unbudgeted causes, which the club and Board may want to support.

Eligibility for the Special Fund: Grants must have the support of one or more members of the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club. Funds are granted in support of humanitarian causes. Causes may relate to youth, poverty prevention/intervention, community betterment, health care, human services, and more. There are many, many good causes. There are also limited dollars. Grant awards will not exceed the dollars available in the special fund. Preference may be given to one-time projects or to programs that are deemed to have sustainability. For example, grants may be given to a building projects to provide some seed money to start an educational program that the schools will fund in the long term. Collaboration with other funding sources is encouraged.

Process: A Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Grant Application must be completed for consideration utilizing the on-line application form.

Once received, the Club President will present the Grant Application to the Board at the next regular Board meeting. The President will also communicate the balance of the Special Fund.
The Board will consider the Grant Application and vote on the request, deciding one of three outcomes:
- The request will be fully funded
- The request will be partially funded
- The request will not be funded.
The Club President will communicate the decision with the grant requestor.
If dollars are to be awarded, the Grant Application, with approval note, will be given to the Club Treasurer to pay and the treasurer will cut a check.

Easy Way to Contribute to the Rotary Foundation

Posted by Stephen Hoesel on Feb 01, 2020

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 John Nielsen.

Welcome to Fort Dodge Noon Rotary

Service Above Self

Elizabeth Stanek, President