Recap from the 2024 March 18, 2024 Meeting.
The meeting run by: President, Megan Francis
Thought of the day: John Kuhl- In recognition of National Supreme Sacrifice Day, which honors those who have made tremendous sacrifices for the sake and the good of others and those who sacrifice their lives every day for us.
Online Participation: We continue to offer a hybrid meeting each week. Members are invited to attend via Zoom or watch the recorded presentation anytime.
Joining us online are Melanie Alexander, Gretchen Nolman
Congratulations to the three Muscatine High School Students who completed the first annual 4-way test speech contest. Watch the meeting recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCbVhP_NXJA. One of the lucky winners will move on to represent our club in a regional competition. Thank you, Marc Hines and Naomi DeWinter, for coordinating the event.
New Member Introduction: Monica Koechle: Monica joined last summer and has enjoyed her time here. She has been married for 26 years with two grown children and 2 fur babies. She resides in Fort Madison. Monica is the Marketing Director of Service Master Cleaning Services. Monica was a member of Keokuk Rotary years ago. She is also a member of the Chamber Ambassadors and is happy to be a part of Muscatine. She enjoys being on the river, decorating, thrifting, and beach vacations.
Happy News/Announcements: All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
Megan Francis: The 2nd annual Aging Adult Resource Fair will be at Musserville Church on Friday, April 26, from 10 am – 1 pm. This event will kick off the new Senior Center pilot program set to open two days a week on May 6. Holly Peterson: Rescinded her resignation and publicly apologized to Marc as she promised to be a judge in the speech contest. She has been ill for three weeks and is dealing with some issues at home. Thanks to the Policemen and women who keep her safe. Mike Ruby: Happy to have his good friend Norlan Hinke here today. Norlan will be the District Governor in 25/26.
Club News:
- Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine’s Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
- ACH forms are available for easy dues payment.
- Mobile Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity: Use the link below to sign up for the next Mobile Food Pantry on April 2. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rmtNfi25shfn2S1LYG0e56iVwcMj2VA9X6FB5WU_vS4/edit
- April 13: Trivia Night for Sleep In Heavenly Peace. We are still accepting silent auction items.
- Sign up for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build event on Saturday, April 20. Shifts are 8:30-10:30 am or 10:30-12:30 pm. https://x.gldn.io/e/t4TXTFocBHb.
- Barth has been working with the City of Muscatine to secure trees for an Arbor Day tree-planting project. Rotary will match a $2,000 grant. Donald Consulting, CBI, and Rotary have committed $500. Looking to secure the rest, please talk to Barth.
- Steve set a date for the garage sale fundraiser. All proceeds will support Rotary projects. May 11th, 8 am-3 pm. Donations can be dropped off at Crossroads the week prior and will be held there. More info will be provided later.
- Mark your calendars for Frank Iliff’s Retirement Party Open House on March 22 from 5-8 pm at the Riverview Center.
Presentation-
MPW- Asst. Chief of Police- Steve Snider
Police and Community-
“The police are the public, and the public is the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent upon every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”
Sir Robert Peel
The police department connects with residents through Community Programs, Public Education, Community Involvement, and Department Programs. Community programs include Shop with a Cop, Junior Police Academy partnership with MCC, National Night Out, Crime Free Multi-Housing Project, Bigs in Blue, Code Blue, Skittles Program, and Coffee with a Cop. A favorite community event is the annual Public Safety Open House. Officers are required to engage with the community by getting out of vehicles for 30-minute foot patrols per shift. Other community involvement includes the YMCA Block Party, Reading Across America, Softball and Basketball games with the Special Olympics teams, dodgeball games at the schools, and Wii bowling tournaments with residents of Addington Place.
Public education events include the very popular “In Plain Sight” drug trailer, ALICE training within all schools, Run, Hide, Fight - for local companies & organizations, Social Media and Internet Safety, Criminal Street Gang awareness, drug recognition training, and defensive tactics training.
Missed today’s presentation? Use the link below to watch the recording.
Passcode: Rotary#1
Next Meetings: March 25- United Way Reading Mentors. April 1st- TBD, April 8th- Non-Profit update from Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Senior Resources Senior Center Project