Recap from the Nov. 22, 2021 Meeting.
Introduction by Mark Roberts from MPW, new club member and new board member. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Muscatine.
Meeting Run by President: John Kuhl
Invocation: Keith Porter
Guests: Steve Morenz- Rock Island Rotary Club and Vision 20/20, Scott Naumann- Rotary Club of Bettendorf, Brad Bark- Community Foundation, Andy Emmert- New Hope Foundation, From MCSA- Mya Ribbink, Kristopher Shoemaker, and Nik Horn, Holly Peterson- returning Rotarian, Online: Mary Jo Fincham- MCSA Board Member, Mike Dunlap- Crossroads, and Paula Durham- MCSA Board Member.
Happy News/Announcements: Lindsey Phillips-1st woman announced as wrestling coach for University of Iowa. Enjoyed a morning Roasting Marshmallows and having Hot Cocoa with students at McKinley, appreciate the schools for providing experiences like this, and it was good to be back in the school. Keith Porter- Enjoyed babysitting granddaughter, went to the Art Center, and excited to announce grandbaby #2 on the way. Megan Francis- Best wishes to Kayla Bartling in her next adventures and hopes she will not be a stranger, also wishing good luck to Jess Wittman with the opening of Holiday Lights by the Lake on Thursday, encourage everyone to stop by and send her a note of good luck. Also please keep those involved in the Towers Fire in your prayers as they are navigating a very difficult time. John Kuhl- Wonderful to have his daughter Gwen back from school for the holiday and nice to have Mike Wedell joining us in person again.
Club Announcements: November Fundraising Project: Operation Warm Coats- We will collect funds for the month of November to purchase warm coats for children in need right here in Muscatine. At the next 4 meetings we will have a coat displayed and we ask members to clip donations to the coat. Each coat costs $17 and must be purchased in boxes of 12 coats, our goal is at least $612 to purchase 3 boxes of coats. If you would like to arrange a donation outside of a regular meeting please contact Megan Francis at mfrancis@muscatinevision2020.org. Membership- Rotary has a goal to grow membership for the Rotary Year- our club currently has 65 members. The membership promotion is referred to as “Each One Bring One” For the month of November we are asking each member to bring a guest to at least one meeting to introduce them to the club. All guests will be free for the month, and potential members always receive a free meal. For each guest a member brings to a meeting they will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card.
Speaker
Scott Dahlke(MCSA)- Received his education at State University of New York where he studied Psychology and Human Services. In New York served as program director at a detention center assisting at risk youth. Spent 10 years in North Carolina as Director of a Wilderness Therapy and Education system serving at risk teens. After moving to Iowa, Scott worked for Robert Young in the Quad Cities. Scott is currently serving as Director of Muscatine Center of Social Action.
Program: Community Revitalization
Why Neighborhood revitalization? An American Community Survey from 2011-2015 identified a Housing deficit for Muscatine. We have heard the statistic that of the 16K employees in Muscatine there are 61% of those, over 9K, live elsewhere and commute into Muscatine because of the lack of affordable and work force housing, those are dollars we want to stay here in Muscatine. The same study identified that the median rent in Muscatine is $$762 with a median household income of $44K, while surrounding cities have lower median rent with comparable or higher household median income. What can we do? Collaborate for a better Muscatine. MCSA strategic plan has a focus on housing services including homeless prevention, supported rental, property management, housing stability and housing development. Goal is to move people along the housing continuum from homelessness to home ownership. Target Area for revitalization 5th,6th,7th and 8th streets from Mulberry to Cypress. This area is close to downtown, walkable to store, school and recreation. Currently 6 acquired properties.
Upcoming Meetings: Dec.6th: Update on the Quad Cities Airport- Ashleigh Johnson Davis, Dec. 13th Annual Club Meeting- Paul Harris Foundation, Dec 20th: District Governor Club Visit- DG Alka Khanolkar, Dec 27th- NO MEETING Holiday Break
Enjoy the Recording from Today’s Meeting:
Topic: Weekly Meeting
Start Time: Nov 22, 2021 11:38 AM
Meeting Recording:
Access Passcode: Rotary#1