Recap from the July 31, 2023 Meeting.
Meeting Run by: President-Elect Mike Wedell
Invocation: Taylor Thorpe
Welcome to our members participating in our meeting through Zoom, Brad Bark, Melanie Alexander, and Carol Webb.
Happy News/Announcements: All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
Lindsey Phillips- Big Brother Big Sisters 45 Big in 45 Days continues. We have 26 of 45 bigs recruited so far. If you or someone you know has considered becoming a mentor, now is the time. Rich Dwyer- RAGBRAI success! Rich donated $5 for making it. Muscatine was the best town by far. Holly Peterson- Holly enjoyed a fun Family Reunion at her house and brought a guest, Josh Lary- he is a Barista and her assistant, also one of her greatest singing partners. Carolyn Levine- Thank you to everyone who attended the Human Trafficking speaker on July 18. The message shared was powerful. Naomi DeWinter- Thank you to volunteers and riders for RAGBRAI. Naomi donated $9 for the nine Rotarians involved in the event. James Nepple- $ for RAGBRAI. He rode with his sister-in-law. They rode until the heat index went over 100. A second announcement for the speaker against Sex Trafficking. Hearing from the boots on the ground is insightful. He would encourage Rotary and the community to continue bringing in public programming. Jessica Phab- $2 for each beer her husband snuck out of the Stanley Center last week. They both enjoyed the building tour, and Jessica loved inviting her husband to a Rotary event. Chuck Moody- Chuck’s youngest Son, Joe, is from CA, where he is a patrolman, and Marshall spent the weekend after riding RAGBRAI.
Club News:
- Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine’s Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
- ACH forms are available for easy payment of dues.
- Reminder the Mobile Food Pantry distribution is tomorrow, August 1. Please volunteer if you are available.
- Our club will hand out books at the first annual National Night Out hosted by the Muscatine Police Department from 6-9 pm tomorrow, Tuesday, August 1.
- Almost Friday Fest- Rotary will have a food tent at Almost Friday Events at the last two summer events on August 24 and September 28.
- Club goals for 23-24 Rotary Year- Increase membership to 65, 4 service projects with at least 20 members participating, two socials, contributions to Rotary International over $8000, Polio Plus contributions over $500.
Presentation-
Rotary Scholarship Winners and Members Q&A
Five of Muscatine’s brightest and best representatives and scholarship recipients. Four are here today.
Lucas Hardy (U of Iowa, chem. engineering)
Ella Schroeder (MCC, unsure of major but looking at teaching and Ag business)
Gabe Salazar (UNI, Digital Journalism Major)
Aubrey Haney (U of Iowa, Secondary Education Major)
McKenna Koph- was unable to attend.
Questions-
What are you most looking forward to in college? Next step and a bigger challenge football games and university activities, meeting new people, making new connections, and finding new independence. What makes you the most nervous about your next adventure? Online classes and meeting deadlines, forgetting to do laundry, I’ll miss my mom and my dogs, and a second for missing his mom. What are your Summer Plans before leaving for school? Working, relaxing, spending time with friends, interning at MUSCO, and working at GPC. Do you know who your roommates are? All said yes and shared where they will be living. All are living on campus, but one is staying home. What is the best advice you have received about moving on to college? Grandpa said- Follow your own path, and don’t give up. Grandma said- don't give up. Big Cat said to find people that fit you, don’t try to fit in with them. How will you describe Muscatine to new friends? Friendly and easy to get along with everyone. It’s a small, big school. I feel lucky to have grown up here. The Pearl of the Mississippi.
Missed the Meeting? Use the link below for a recording of the presentation.
Passcode: Rotary#1
Upcoming Meetings- August 7th Fellowship, August 14th Alcatraz Prison Break