Metro North Rotary Notes:
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Prayer & Pledge: Joel Miller
Guests & Visitors: Jesse Thoeming, Speaker
Pam Goedken, guest of Shelley Schroeder
Announcements:
- Jokes of the day: Why did Jesus give all of the sick women stilettos? Because they said they wanted to be heeled!!
Q: Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?
A: He didn't have any guts!
- We sang happy birthday to Scott Kruger
- Michaela Davis received her new member badge. Michaela works for Purdue University and joined Rotary to get more involved in the community.
- Boys & Girls Clubs are looking for volunteers to help serve Thanksgiving Dinners. This year's dates are:
- Taylor Elementary School: Tuesday, November 13th, 5pm
- Olivet Presbyterian Church: Wednesday, November 14th, 5pm
- Hoover Elementary School: Friday, November 16th , 5:15pm
- If you're able to help, please sign up using the SignUpGenius link
- Join us for Rotary One Summit – October 24 at Indian Creek Country Club in Marion Dinner at 5:30pm and program at 6pm Sign up at:https://district5970.org/event/rotary-one-summit-1/
- You will…
- 1) Be prepared to answer the question, “Why Rotary?”
- 2) Be inspired to build membership, enhance public image, and do humanitarian service through The Rotary Foundation
- 3) Understand the value of being a Rotarian
- 4) Be inspired to be a part of Rotary’s Public Image campaign, People of Action
- 5) Be the Inspiration, living out Rotary’s theme for 2018-19
- 6) Take home a One Rotary Toolkit for use in your club
- Next week we will not be having our regular meeting here at the Butcher Block as we will attend Miracles in Motion in Swisher, 2049 120th St NW, Swisher, IA You should have received an SignUp Genius from Sharon to indicate if you can attend or not and your lunch choice. If you didn’t get it please let Sharon know so she can resend or check your junk box. Therapeutic Equestrian Center we use horses to work effectively with adults and children who, due to disabilities or complex medical conditions, need assistance in developing the kinds of everyday skills that allow them to function more independently at home, school, or work.
- Sunrise Chili Cook-off at El Kahir Shrine 905 Tower Terrace Rd, Hiawatha on Thursday, October 18. Stan is making the chili and Jon Brightwell is helping to serve. Please give any donations to Stan to help us win.
- Grant time - you should have received an email from Nate Weber about the MNR grants. They are due by October 31st. You can share with outside organizations that support under privileged kids
- Looking for a volunteer to take over sponsorships for Lager Lympics - not making the asks, but organizing committed sponsors and making sure they have paid.
- Prospect Meadows: Our club will be supporting the Rotary effort by seeking donations for the $500 baseball sponsorships. You will be receiving a call from a board member about supporting Prospect Meadows https://www.gocedarrapids.com/prospect-meadows/donate/rotary/
- Communications committee is looking for note takers. This is an easy way to get involved in the club. Reply to this email if you are interested.
- If you have any Facebook updates to share on the MNR page, you can send to TJ, Shannon, Sarah H. or Patti.
Speaker:
Jesse Thoeming, Cedar Rapids Downtown District at Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
Born and raised in southern Illinois, less than an hour from St. Louis. He gradated from Murray State in 2003 with a Bachelor's of Science degree. Following college commencement, Jesse lived in St. Louis and Dallas prior to moving to Cedar Rapids in October 2004 for an aerospace service provider who had landed a contract with Rockwell Collins and worked in that business for nine years, moving his way into Senior Management positions and obtaining his MBA in Executive Leadership. Served as Business Unit Manager for a Civil Engineering firm for three years. He then worked independently for a year and a half on several endeavors including the publication of debut novel. He was hired by the Economic Alliance in March of this year as Director of the Downtown District. He's been married to his wife, Sarah, since 2014. Traveling, competing, writing and nightlife are his primary hobbies.
The damage caused by the 2008 floods was considered the 6th largest disaster. Today it is considered the 26th largest disaster. Why did people reinvest in Downtown Cedar Rapids after the flood?
1) The rebuilding process was very flood conscious
2) The vibrancy of a city's core district is what attracts people to a city
Why was Cedar Rapids successful in coming back after the flood?
In 2007 the first framework was put into place as the city was planning to move Cedar Rapids forward. If not for the flood, many of these projects wouldn't have been possible. After the flood, because the framework has already been laid, many of the same ideas were accomplished post flood.
8 Priorities for Continuing to Move Cedar Rapids Forward:
- Invest in Impact Opportunities
- Energize the Connectors
- Activate Mays Island
- Embrace the River
- Champion Urban Living
- Create a Culture Quad
- Distinguish Downtown
- Coordinate District Priorities
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Notes prepared by: Sarah Hoeger
