July 23, 2020
We welcomed Julie Matternas with EveryStep. EveryStep is one of the oldest and largest non-profit organizations in the state. When Iowans face life’s most difficult moments, EveryStep offers support and empowerment in the right place and at the right time.
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July 16, 2020
Our virtual tour of the new Dallas County Law Enforcement Center was great! Thanks to Jerry Purdy for a great overview and insights into the project. 
July 9, 2020
Special thanks to Hanna Wolfe with the Des Moines Symphony for giving us a great show! We even received a great Charlie Daniels tribute. Please click below for more information on the Des Moines Symphony. We highly encourage you check out a performance. 
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July 3, 2020
Special Thanks to Shelby with Gym - N - Eat Crickets for telling us all about her amazing story, as well as sharing some of her favorite flavors of CRICKETS!
 
Crickets are a fantastic source of protein and provide a number of benefits over other potential protein sources. 
June 25, 2020
It is the time of year to pass the gavel and conclude our Rotary Year.  We celebrated some great accomplishments under President Brad and are thankful for his leadership, especially during this Spring with the pandemic.  Past President Brad set the bar high and we know President Ryan will continue moving forward. 
Waukee Rotarian of the Year-  Nathan Hardisty
Congratulations to Nate on being selected as 2020 Rotarian of the Year.  This award is well-deserved as Nate is the Committee Chair for our Community Services committee.  He is always there to help.  Nate has routinely put service above self.  Again, Congratulations and thank you for everything you do for our club. 
June 18, 2020
Our Rotary Club had an outstanding opportunity to hear from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.  Mike shared with us about the drastic impact this pandemic has on the agriculture industry with needs shifting from restaurant to home food consumption.  At one point, over 700,000 beef and pigs were past market date.  What happens to Iowa farms will be reflected on grocery store shelves and restaurants.  
  -DID YOU KNOW_
      In the US, Iowa ranks #1 in the production of corn and eggs
      1 out of every 3 hogs in the US are raised in Iowa
      Iowa is the #2 agriculture producing state in the Nation.
 
Thank you Secretary Naig!
 
Our Zoom attendees
June 11, 2020
Thank you to our own Dr. Allan Latcham for presenting to the club on the Cover-19 Pandemic. Dr. Latcham shared with us information, fact, figures, and precautions that can be taken now and in the future.  
June 4, 2020
 
It was GREAT to see our fellow Rotarians both in-person and on Zoom this morning.  Thank you to Jeff White-VP of Business Strategy for Flynn Wright on sharing Advertising Myths and Trends with us.  
Flynn Wright
May 21, 2020
 
What an exciting Zoom meeting this morning.  Thank you to Eric Hanson on giving us a behind the scenes look at KCCI studios. It was very interesting to hear all the different parts that go into a newscast normally, as well how you function during a pandemic.  We appreciated you sharing your many travels including seeing lions in Africa and flying 9 G's in an F-16. Thank you again and CONGRATULATIONS on your 20 year anniversary!
May 14, 2020 - Rotary by Zoom 
 
 
Thank you to Mayor Clarke for kicking off our club's initial weekly meeting by Zoom.  It was great to see everyone again! Mayor Clarke shared some interesting and surprising statistics about Waukee.  Did you know in 2019 Waukee had records in-
   --1,300 Building Permits
   --Over 120,000 Library visits and 212,000 materials checked out
   --Opening of Trailside Dog Park with 644 annual passes
   --Installed 38,000 feet of gas main.
 
Thank you again Mayor Clarke!
 
Update
 
Following the guidelines for gatherings by the Governor and Public Health Department, the Rotary Club of Waukee will be canceling all in person meeting until further notice.
 
Thank you!
Stay safe and healthy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 12, 2020
Thank you to Dr. Brad Buck for sharing the 10 year plan of the Waukee Community School District! It was fascinating seeing the plans to accommodate rapid growth in Waukee while improving our schools and the future of education. Whether it comes to adding computer labs to renovating and building schools, the district works hard to provide to the needs of the students and their education. Can’t wait to what the future holds!
March 5, 2020
Thank you to Aissa Bah for a wonderful presentation about her country Mozambique. Aissa is from Nampula, a province in Mozambique, and is a senior at Waukee High School through the ‘YES’ program. The ‘Youth Exchange and Study Program’ is a full scholarship student exchange program that sends students to experience a different culture. Aissa was selected out of her province to come and live in Waukee! Miss Aissa also shared about her home life and the scenery that is present all around Mozambique. She encouraged us to become a host family because of all of the wonderful experiences that you can earn. What an informative presentation!
February 27, 2020
Another great program at Waukee Rotary today. Dave Horner introduced FBI Special Agent Kevin Kohler. Kevin has been an FBI Special agent for almost 20 years.
He investigates a wide-range of federal criminal violations. His primary area of focus is complex financial crimes, including bank fraud, insurance fraud, health care fraud, 
corporate fraud, embezzlements, fraud against the government, and public corruption.
February 20, 2020
Thank you to Stacey from Central Iowa Water Trails for discussing the projects all around the great state of Iowa! Stacey shared the importance of building these water attractions as they promote economic growth to smaller communities and bring the community together. She showed us photographs of the attractions that have been built and the ideas for further growth. So excited to see these upcoming projects come to life!
February 13, 2020
Thank you to Matt Beatty for a wonderful presentation on our February 13th meeting! Beatty is the COO of the Iowa Sports Foundation and shared about the Foundation. The Iowa Sports Foundation is a non-profit sports organization that promotes healthy living to Iowans. He shared about the upcoming events within the Foundation like the LiveHealthy Iowa and the Iowa Games! How exciting!
February 6, 2020
Thank you to Faith Derkenne and Darby Marsh for sharing about their Student of the Year Campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The LLS Student of the Year Campaign is a leadership opportunity where high schoolers around the country participate in a fundraising competition. All the money that is raised goes into the LLS, which is the world’s largest nonprofit that is fighting blood cancer. Faith and Darby have a goal of reaching $20,000!
Click to Donate!
January 30, 2020
Today’s Rotary meeting was held in the Waukee WILC (APEX building) where students in the program created and presented a PowerPoint on how we can advertise the Rotary Club of Waukee! Tyler Ransom and Will Broberg shared ideas like making targeted Facebook ads, Rotary apparel, and a modern designed website to get more people aware of our club. They finished their presentation with a tour of the WILC and the great facilities inside the building. Thanks to the Waukee students for working hard to help us promote our club!
January 23, 2020
Thank you to Mark Carter for sharing about Trailhead International in Ankeny. Mr. Carter started off with a very inspirational speech about the importance of the small things in life and how it can impact the future. He gave examples of the most famous people in history and how they changed society just by starting with something small. Not only was his speech motivating, the mission at Trailhead International is as well. Trailhead International is a nonprofit organization that raises funding for churches in developing countries. They also fund sport, feeding, and literacy centers! 100% of the money that is donated to Trailhead goes directly into the churches and community centers. What a great organization that is changing the world! Change starts with the small things.
Click to Donate!
January 16, 2020
TJ Juskiewicz from Iowa’s Ride was today’s speaker at this morning’s meeting. Iowa’s Ride is a week long bicycle ride that stops at many towns in the great state of Iowa. Mr. Juskiewicz shared the details about the Iowa’s Ride bike trail for this upcoming year and emphasized the importance of supporting the local businesses. Iowa’s Ride does a great job at making an economic impact in these small towns in Iowa. People from all over the world are registered to participate in this year's Iowa’s Ride! Thanks for sharing about this amazing opportunity!
January 9, 2020
Thank you Craig Thompson for sharing about the Grimes Storehouse in this morning’s meeting! Grimes Storehouse is a food pantry that was started by the Grimes United Methodists church. Their main mission is to be a food pantry that will “feed the whole person.” They also provide useful classes such as parenting, budgeting, cooking, and free medical clinics! Thompson shared about their expansion within the community by upgrading from a 350 sq ft space to 1500 sq ft and all of the help that they received throughout the process. Grimes storehouse has developed many partnerships in the community and is accomplishing the goal of helping people who struggle with food insecurity!
December 19, 2019
Our own Rotarian Roger Schlaefer presented his annual program about the history and origin of St. Nicolas (Jon Pintard) today at the Waukee Rotary club meeting. Young and old were asked to use their imagination when Roger talked about the history and origin of Christmas traditions around the world. Everyone loves a Christmas story but only Roger could enthrall members and friends this early in the morning. 
Water Works Park Design
Scott Crawford (center) RDG Planning and Design
Water Works Park in the future!
 
 
 
Latest News
Novmeber 15 - Ray "Bubba" Sorensen
Yesterday our club had the pleasure of hearing from Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, the painter of the now famous Freedom Rocks. The original rock stands at 12 feet tall, weighs 90 tons and is repainted annually, on Memorial Day, by Sorensen to honor the United States Veterans from all wars and branches of service. His art has gained national recognition and is a popular motorcycle pitstop for travellers. Painting almost 100 rock murals for veterans in his career, Bubba has set the goal to put a Freedom Rock in every county in Iowa. A true inspiration, thank you Bubba, for your art, and thank you to all our Veterans, we are grateful for your service!
 
November 1 - Teahl Bader

The regular Thursday morning meeting of the Rotary club of Waukee was fortunate to have the first attendance by our 2018 Waukee High School intern, Elle Kramer, who wrote the following synopsis of the presentation by Teahl Bader:

"Did you know 30% of children live in single-parent homes in Iowa? Today our speaker Teahl Bader shared about her work at Single Parent Provision, a group dedicated to the support of single parents and their children in central Iowa. As Teahl reite...rated many times, most single parents do not plan to become one, and it is her and her non-profit’s mission to make the journey for parents and children more manageable in any way that they can. Single Parent Provision has built a community of families in like situations, and their work serves hundreds in the Des Moines area. Thank you, Teahl, for sharing your powerful mission with us today and for all the work you are doing to better our community!”

The presentation was well received by the club members and they are delighted to have Elle as this years intern to support club activities.

October 18 - Greg Edwards
A spirited presentation by Greg Edwards, CEO of the Des Moines Convention and Business Bureau about the exciting things happening in the Greater Des Moines area hospitality and tourist industry and the increasing number of conventions and events was the program at todays Waukee Rotary Club.

Erna Morain introduced Greg Edwards and Ashlynn Zemlicka, her intern who will be joining the District 6000 team. President Elect, Brad Kobernusz, aptly filled in to run the meeting.
 
October 11 - Dan Dutcher
Dan Dutcher, Community & Economic Development Director for the City of Waukee, came and spoke to the club today. He gave us an update on all the exciting things going on around town, including the large Apple project.
 
October 4 - Bif Ridgeway
Thanks to Bif Ridgeway from Bike World for stopping by the Waukee Rotary Club this morning. He also brought by some props and showed us some of the different bikes they offer.
 
September 20 - Ellie Engelbrecht
Another fun meeting today at the Waukee Rotary. Ellie Engelbrecht stopped by to educate the Rotarians about the Iowa Lions Eye Bank.
 
September 6 - Chris Connolly
Chris Connolly from the Iowa Event Center joined us today. He gave us a peak inside what goes on in the Event Center and a bit of the history of the building. We can't wait to see what exciting events come to Des Moines next year!
 
August 23 - District Governor Visit
Thanks to our District Governor, Tom Narak, and his wife for stopping by and sharing their vision for the upcoming Rotary Year. There are a lot of things to be excited about and we are excited to see Tom's vision come to reality in the next several months.
 
August 9 - Opportunity on Deck
So much excitement this morning at the Rotary Club of Waukee. Dylan DeClerck was the speaker and told us about his organization: Opportunity on Deck, which provides free-of-charge athletic opportunities for children in the greater Des Moines area. For more information check out the website at www.opportunityondeck.com

August 2 - David Kurns
Today the Waukee Rotary Club was fortunate to have David Kurns, Editorial Director Meredith AgriMedia, as a speaker who presented an update on the success and dynamic changes going on at Meredith Corp. Meredith is now the largest publishing company in the world and will be bringing more senior jobs to Des Moines as a result of the acquisition of Time Inc.
 

 
 
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Waukee!
 
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world?  Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship.  Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a global network of diverse professionals who share your drive to give back.
 
We meet Thursday mornings, 6:45am - 8:00am at Des Moines Golf & Country Club.  Guests are always welcome.  For more information please email info@waukeerotary.org