Rotarian Meyer appeared in the Thursday “Messenger” as the House passed revisions to a Senate approved bill to strengthen evidence of citizenship for securing a driver's license and English Proficiency for securing a CDL. The revisions will be sent back to the Senate for potential approval and submittal to the Governor.
Rotarian Meyer appeared on the cover of the Wednesday “Messenger” with an article discussing the potential move within the Senate to eliminate the publication of official records in Newspapers in favor of a state website for all notices. Meyer stated that she was not aware of this move as no action has occurred or will occur yet this year of the General Assembly.
Rotarian Kuhlman provided the Second Opinion to the Wednesday “Messenger” in which he outlined how helping a child in poverty is a much better alternative and is cost effective versus dealing with juvenile problems that occur later as a result of child poverty. This is the reason that the Fort Dodge United Way attempts to have a wide variety of programs to fight child poverty.
It is easy to contribute to the Rotary Foundation, the major financial arm of Rotary that does Polio Plus and Foundation Grants. An icon has been added to the top of the club webbsite and appears on the eBdulletin. Click on this applet and you will be directed to Rotary International to their web portal that takes you through the easy contribution process. If you have issues in this process, please contact Treasurer Elizabeth Stanek or Foundation Chair Bill Kent.
Did You Know?
Club documents can be found in the members only section of the website, 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.
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 apply 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 project 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.
The Iowa House unanimously approved a bill to make changes to the Dyste's care for those with mental health issues. The bill now goes to the Governor.
The Fort Dodge Study Club
Founded in 1935, the Fort Dodge Study Club is a tax-exempt women’s organization with a mission of promoting philanthropic service, charitable giving and community spirit.
Eleven women started the club, deciding not to start a sorority chapter but to create their own organization instead. In December 1935, they hosted their first charity ball in December. Tickets were $1/couple, and the event raised $100. Proceeds went to a visiting nurses organization, to help pay for the $5 cost of a tonsillectomy for children in need. The visiting nurses were the club’s primary beneficiary for a little over 30 years, before the club decided to support other worthy local organizations. Each year, the club invites organizations to describe their needs and then the club votes on the cause they wish to support that year. The club has supported such causes as Backpack Buddies, AFES, Operation Christmas, LifeWorks, The Lotus Project, and more. In addition to the fundraiser’s beneficiary, the Club has helped in other ways by serving a Manna Meal, painting rooms at the YWCA and finding baby supplies for needy families.While the Study Club’s members were once capped at 35, any woman who wishes to join may do so.
This Year’s Beneficiary: The Emily Joy Averill Foundation
Emily, daughter of Tim and Katie Averill, graduated from St. Edmond in 2011. Emily was involved in competitive cheer, music, chamber choir, and tennis. She was on the honor roll throughout her high school years. During the summer after graduation, she died in an auto accident. The family wanted to honor her memory, so in 2012 they developed the Emily Joy Averill Foundation. Trinity Regional Medical Center donated a medical supply van, which was converted to creating a free library on wheels called The Joy Mobile. Now in 2026, van needs to be replaced.
This year’s fundraiser will be held on Thursday, April 16, at the Laramar. The social hour begins at 6pm. DJ Bingo begins at 7pm. There will be a silent auction and food. Tickets will be available at the door.
Over the years, the Fort Dodge Study Club has donated over $388,000.
How Can You Help?
- Donate.
- Join the club
- Attend Thursday’s event
- Reach out if you know of a cause worthy of supporting
Rotarian Janet Secor appeared in the Monday “Messenger” with pictures of the celebration by the Community Health Center (or at least her hair appeared). Janet is pictured helping her grandson at one of the kid's booths. Janet has volunteered for 19 of the 20 years the CFC has been in operation. That is true dedication.
Rotarian Flattery provided the Second Opinion of the Saturday “ Messenger” by outlining his vision for the City. An emphasis will be to use the Corridor of Commerce example to tackle problems in the Downtown.
Iowa-Yucatán Partners: A 60-Year Legacy of Friendship and Service
What started as a chance connection has blossomed into one of the most enduring international partnerships in the Americas. Janet Secor recently shared the story of the Iowa-Yucatán Partners program with our Rotary club, highlighting six decades of cultural exchange, humanitarian work, and lasting friendship.
A Partnership Born from Curiosity
The Iowa-Yucatán partnership traces its roots to the early 1960s, when President Kennedy helped establish a hemisphere-wide network of state and country partnerships. Iowa Governor Harold Hughes made the connection with the Yucatán, and in September 2025 the partnership celebrated its 60th anniversary.
A History of Meaningful Service
Over the decades, the Partners have made a tangible difference on both sides of the border — providing student transportation, funding scholarships, supporting the Hogar de los Angeles (like a Ronald McDonald House), and caring for the elderly at Casa de la Divina Providencia, a home for 60–90 seniors sustained entirely by donations. Most remarkably, 120 children were brought to Iowa for life-saving heart surgeries, with efforts now underway to develop that capacity locally in Yucatán.
Exploring the Yucatán
Janet has been involved with the partnership for about 16 years. Trips to explore the area always include stays in locally-owned hotels like Casa del Balam in Mérida and local tour guides showing local offerings. Mérida blends Mayan heritage with Lebanese, German, and Korean cultural influences. Historical highlights include Casa Montejo, the Mundo Maya Museum, and the Monumento a la Patria, where the Tree of Life — Yucatán's enduring symbol — is prominently featured.
Culture, Food, and Fun
Yucatecan cuisine is distinctly its own, with turkey, pork, and chicken as staples. A Mérida chef once cooked an authentic meal at Iowa Central Community College. The group visited Café Riqueza, whose owners have a personal connection to the partnership through a daughter who received heart surgery in Iowa. Cultural highlights included traditional dances by the Alma Danza troupe, a henequen rope-making museum, the 1,200-year-old Yaxunah Ruins, and a meteorite museum.
Looking Ahead
Janet is planning another trip to the Yucatán for January 2027. Contact her directly for details and to sign up. Text her at 515-570-7736.
Can you help? Of COURSE you can!
Many hands make the work light, as they say. To that end, will you volunteer your hands?
There is no one scheduled to line up programs for the months of June, July, August, and November. Will you sign up for one of these months?
The work is not difficult. It entails lining up four programs to present to our club, communicating the line-up with the club secretary, and looking out for that person when they show up (or asking someone else to do that if you can't be present). Programs can be about the greater Fort Dodge area, a human service program/need, an upcoming event, a personal development topic, a professional development topic, or more.
Please consider being part of the solution today, and let Teresa Naughton know your month selection. Email her at tnaughton@lifeworkscommunityservices.org
Thanks for your consideration.
