Speakers
Committee Meetings
Sep 25, 2023
Committes complete quarterly work
Linda McCormick
Oct 02, 2023
Salvation Army
Brian Bidelman
Oct 09, 2023
Beacon of Hope
Lori Branderhorst
Oct 16, 2023
FD Parks and Rec
Club Information
Welcome to the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 11:45 AM
ShinyTop Brewing
520 Central Avenue
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
United States of America
Invocation Leaders
Club Executives & Directors
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Rotary Foundation
Youth Protection Officer
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Immediate Past President
Trerasurer
Board Member
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Rotary Club of Fort Dodge
James Knight, President
 
Home Page Stories
Rotarian Meyer appeared in picture for the Monday "Messenger" with a very feel-good article on the acquisition of an AI manikin to be used by the ICCC nursing program.  The presence of the AI manakin will simulate care provided to a sick person for a greater number of students each semester.  This act will significantly increase the number of nurses entering the work force.  This act was made possible through a consortium of ICCC and Unity Point Health.
Rotarian Kuhlman provided the monthly report from the Greater Fort Dodge Foundation and United Way to the Business Connection insert in the "Messenger."  Randy's chosen target for September is the growing status of family homelessness in the Fort Dodge Area.  He outlined several ways in which the Foundation/United Way are trying to proactively address this issue.
Sheriff Luke Fleener shared the need for a new Webster County Jail. Reasons given included:
  • Over the last five years, Webster County has paid $934,000 to other counties to house inmates. When adding employee costs, fuel, wear/tear on vehicles, the cost goes up to $1.4M.  
  • 40 yr old building that lacks important security features. There are also plumbing problems and other building issues.
  • The crime rate has increased, so the need for better facilities is more than ever
  • Due to a lack of capacity, some who would otherwise be jailed are not being incarcerated at all
  • Some offenders are released early (some would argue too soon) because there is no room
  • Added security features are important because outside counties will not take the most dangerous offenders, and people do not want to work in unsecure locations with dangerous criminals.
The $45.5M building would add 130 beds, and would be similar in style to the jail in Dallas County. The jail would have a central command center and pods, instead of the current linear model.  Expansion would be easier down the road if needed, by adding another pod. Dallas County has a model like this.
 
Webster County will be voting on this in November.
To educate yourself on the vote, you can visit:  https://www.webstercountyvote.com/
To find a town hall meeting and dates for current jail tours, visit: https://www.webstercountyvote.com/information-meetings
To understand the tax impact, visit: https://dadavidson.com/Webster-County-Tax-Impact
Rotarian Nelson appeared in the Thursday "Messenger" in a picture representing Shimkat Motors and Drake Ayala.  Shimkats and Ayala have entered into a sports NIL agreement for advertisement and publicity.   This is believed to be one of the initial NIL agreements for a Fort Dodge business and Dodger athlete.
Rotarian Fierke appeared on the cover of the Tuesday "Messenger" with a lead article on two actions of the City Council on Monday:  1) The City is preparing a financial participation plan with a developer to begin building the Plaza portion of the new construction around the former Crossroads Mall; and 2) Further improvements to the Northwest Corridor are beginning to be discussed with potential grant opportunities to fund them.  Both projects have been "in the works" for some time and it is good to see such major additions to the City.  
All Cultures Equal
 
On the anniversary of 9/11, we heard a presentation about Webster City-Based "All Cultures Equal." It helps people from a variety of cultures. Starting in 2001 to assist an influx of Laotians, the program now offers service in four primary areas: 
  • Food and Health
  • Language and Literacy
  • Immigration
  • Youth Programs
Since the program's inception, immigrants in the Webster City area have shifted in country of origin. Many are now Hispanic. Speaker Kathy Vaughn shared that immigrants from differing Hispanic countries may not know each other, yet benefit from many of the same services offered by ACE.  She shared examples of the immigrant experience, like unfamiliarity with cleaning carpet, flying kites, root beer floats, or opening cans of food.
Rotarian Ulrich was pictured in the weekend "Messenger: participating in the annual Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Golf Tournament.  He is also getting tips from ICCC Golf Coach Kris Graewin.  Several of Jesse's neighbors had expressed his need to acquire yard grass improvement tips from the ICCC Turf Management Team!
The following Rotarians volunteered to secure programs for these months. When a Rotarian is approached by an individual requesting to present to the Club, please refer the individual to the program coordinator for the requested month.
 
As of this posting the Club is still looking for Program Chairs for April and June.  If you are willing to take on that task please contact Renee McDonald.
 
Overall Chair for Programs - Renee McDonald 
 
August - Justin Mikos
September - Renee McDonald
October - Jim Knight
November - Steve Hoesel
December - Casey Johnson
January - David Fierke
February - Kraig Barber
March - Randy Kuhlman
April -
May - Teresa Naughton
June - 
July - Cameron Nelson
 
 
 
Secretary Teresa Naughton has been uploading Minutes and Financial Reports for the 2022-2023 Rotary Year to the members only section of the Website (Found under Folder Organization and then Subfolder Documents) and are available for viewing by accessing the Members Only Section.  Please contact Steve if you need to refresh your password.
 
Your Rotary Club provides an easy way for you to contribute to the Rotary Foundation, the major financial arm of Rotary that does Polio Plus and Foundation Grants.   The program permits you to ask the Treasurer to add an amount each quarter to your quarterly dues statement as a contribution to the R.I. Foundation.  The Treasurer then collects these amounts and writes a joint check to the Foundation for all funds contributed by members.  If you are interested please complete the following form and provide to Treasurer Kraig Barber/Elizabeth Stanek.