DG Mike Ruby visits, YMCA Update

Welcome

It was nice to see some occasional Corporate members and guests at our club meeting.

Corporate members, Adam McLaughlin (LJ Roth) and Shawn Redlinger (Greiner Buildings)

LJ Roth's Dominique Comick and Bob Lamb

District Governor Mike Ruby 

Thanks to DG Mike Ruby of Muscatine for an inspiring and unconventional message. "farm your Rotary soil just a little deeper this year."

DG Mike Ruby

Greetings to the Rotary Club of Washington,

Many thanks for a wonderful visit with the Rotary Club of Washington. It is obvious you have a good, solid board of directors who are committed to making the club as strong as possible.  As we talked about membership challenges I saw several people taking notes so perhaps some of the ideas that were suggested may be considered in the future by the board.  

The support the club has given to the bike project is indeed very admirable.  This is a perfect example of the club’s Service Above Self commitment to have a positive impact on the lives of people on the other side of the world.  For 97 years the RC of Washington has done so many projects, both big and small, that have truly carried out this year’s theme of Rotary: Making a Difference. 

The club is very fortunate to have a good meeting room so that you can have Rotary related items permanently displayed.  The majority of clubs can only dream of having “their own” room.  

Seeing some of the projects the club has been involved in, walking through the town square and observing the sound system of the band shell, touring the fantastic performing arts center, taking a quick look at the fairgrounds, and again being reminded of so many special things about Washington, was a real treat.  I have vivid memories of arriving in Washington on RAGBRAI being dog tired but having a ball on the town square. 

As I mentioned, I am willing to return to Washington sometime after the first of the year to help guide the club in the topic of your choice.  This can be a meeting with just the board or the entire club, your decision.

Thank you for the gift of the “Rotary House”.  We have a special place in our 3 season porch where we will enjoy it for many years and recall today’s visit with the Rotary Club of Washington with fond memories.  

As stated in the story I shared, I encourage the club to find ways to farm your “Rotary soil” just a little deeper this year.  When you do, everyone is a winner.

A million thanks to you, Michelle, and to the rest of the club for a job well done.  Jo Anne and I found the club to be very open, friendly and welcoming.   The club is a highly respected part of the District 6000 Rotary Family.  

Sincerely,

Mike Ruby

District Governor

World Bicycle Relief

Thanks to Jim Gorham for spearheading fundraising on the World Bicycle Relief project. Washington Rotary raised $2,943 which is enough to purchase 20 bicycles (@ $147). Rotary District 6000 will match that for a total of 40 bicycles!

Each of these made-in-America "Buffalo" bicycles will be shipped to Africa where they will be assembled and distributed for free to individuals in need of transportation to better their life. In our case, it will primarily be students needing transportation to school.

Michelle Redlinger, Jim Gorham, DG Mike Ruby

DG Mike Ruby, Jo Ann Ruby, and Michelle Redlinger

YMCA UPDATE

YMCA of Washington County leaders gave the Club an update on the YMCA's phased approach to building a new facility at the corner of West 5th St. and North D Ave.

Thanks to Interim Director Amy Schulte, YMCA Board Director Rachel Nicola, and Red Oak Rotarian and Development Consultant, Nick Zimmer.

Nick Zimmer, Amy Schulte, and Rachel Nicola

Amy Schulte and Rachel Nicola updated the Club on progress toward Phase 1 and Phase 2 of their construction project. This is a layout of the 2 floors in Phase 1.

YMCA Phase 1 Building Layout

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 17: Larry Fishback - RYLA
August 24: Denise Erpelding - Turkey Dinner Planning
August 31: Matt Greiner - TBA!
September 7: Club Forum!
September 11: Rotary Turkey Dinner
September 14: No Club Meeting

Leonard Goeke

It is sad to note that former Rotarian Leonard Goeke has passed away at age 87. Leonard was a member of Washington Rotary for 28 years while he worked at Northrup King (now Syngenta Seeds) and into retirement. Leonard's funeral is Friday at 11am at Jones Eden Funeral Home. On Thursday evening, there is a visitation from 5:00-7:00pm at the funeral home. Please keep Leonard's family in your thoughts and prayers. He was a real character and wore some wild vests every day.

DG Mike Ruby, World Bicycle Relief & Rabies in Ethiopia

Make a special effort to attend Rotary on Thursday to meet and hear a message from District 6000 Governor, Mike Ruby and his wife Jo Anne. This will be just his 6th club visit as District Governor.

DG Mike & Jo Anne Ruby

John Winga

It is with heavy heart that we report that John Winga, a longtime Rotarian, businessman, and musician has passed away on Sunday evening from a recent illness. His memorial service will be Monday, August 7th at 10:30am at the United Presbyterian Church. Plans for a visitation are still developing.

John Winga

Please keep John, his wife Carol, and his children and grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.

Welcome Guests to Washington Rotary!

Amy Schulte from the Washington County YMCA brought her daughter, Abby to Rotary.

Amy Schulte and Abby Schulte

Jim Gorham brought his wife Karen to Rotary.

Jim & Karen Gorham

Adam McLaughlin and Melanie Roth from L.J. Roth Restoration Services brought their colleague Dominique Cornick to Rotary.

Melanie Roth, Dominique Cornick, and Adam McLaughlin

Gary Murphy brought a bunch of his family, including Sylvia Murphy, who was our program!

Gary Murphy (far end) and Sylvia Murphy (nearest) with more family in between

World Bicycle Relief

Thanks to a Rotary program last month, we've been energized to help donate to the District's project this year - World Bicycle Relief, which is providing $147 Buffalo brand, heavy duty bicycles to students, entrepreneurs, and business people in Africa.

District 6000 and private donors are matching locally donated funds to multiply the number of bicycles purchased. Most of the bicycles donated from District 6000 will be targeted to young students to help them more easily participate in their education.

Washington has raised $2,943 which is enough to purchase 20 bicycles! And then those funds will be matched!

Check out a YouTube video of the impact of these bicycles on a young girl student.

Rabies in Ethiopia

Sylvia Murphy talks about rabies in Ethiopia

Sylvia Murphy works at the federal CDC and gave an informative presentation about efforts to confront a rabies epidemic in Ethiopia in eastern Africa. Most rabies in Ethiopia is spread by wild or semi-wild dogs, and her team worked to vaccinate as many dogs as they could.

Because the opportunity to spread diseases like rabies through easy international travel, the need for the US to help address preventable diseases in foreign nations is great.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 3:  DG Mike Ruby visits Washington

August 10:  Sue Basten - Update from the Washington County YMCA

August 17:  Larry Fishback - Report on RYLA from students

August 24:  Denise Erpelding - Turkey Dinner Planning

August 31:  Matt Greiner - TBA

September 11: Rotary Turkey Dinner

Check out the District 6000 online Newsletter!