Our guest this week will be Vern Cochran with Missouri River Energy Services. Vern is the Red Rock Hydroelectric Plant Supervisor and has photos and program about construction of the power plant being built at the Red Rock dam.
Welcome to Rotary International Water & Sanitation Month. During the month of March, The Rotary Foundation wants Rotarians around the world to Focus on initiating, sponsoring and supporting water and sanitation projects. With this month’s emphasis The Rotary Foundation is ensuring that this particular goal receives all needed support. Rotary clubs in District 5050, which includes British Columbia and state of Washington, are joining forces with the Zenith Rotary of Lome, Togo to apply for a Rotary Global Grant. Through association with The Dignity Toilets, the grant will purchase 100 new above-ground composting toilets. Since 2017, more than 100 such toilets have been constructed under the leadership of Nor’Wester Rotary member, Doc Reiss of Port Angeles, Washington USA. These toilets are designed to convert human waste into fertilizer. Addressing the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club, Reiss explained the significance of the project. According to him, “the toilets mean that families don’t have to relive themselves in the fields, where flood waters would increase unsanitary conditions and there are threats of snakes, scorpions and other predators. For every toilet built, it lowers the occurrence disease, helps protect ground water and keeps a family out of the fields.” The Rotary Clubs of District 5050 another international district also encompassing Canada and USA will contribute a total of $15,000 which will be matched by District 5020 bringing the total to $30,000. The Rotary Foundation will provide an additional $22,500 making the total amount raised to $52, 500. With each toilet costing $425, these funds would be enough to build more than 100 toilets between 2020 and 2021, providing between 600 and 800 people with toilets.
So far, during the 2019-2020 year, TRF has spent $18.7 million in grants for Water and Sanitation projects worldwide.
In the past 5 years, TRF has spent $100,657,464 in grants for projects involving Water and Sanitation.
You are invited to District Training Assembly on Saturday, March 28, at the DMACC Newton Conference Center, 602 N. 2nd Avenue W., in Newton. Check in starts at 8:30 AM with the program at 9 AM in room 210 A/C. Lunch will also be provided. All incoming officers are encouraged to attend as this training will immensely help clubs during the upcoming year.
Presidents Elect - Please encourage your incoming officers and team members to attend to help them prepare. If you can’t attend PETS, please make sure that you join us at Assembly.
Our District Governor Elect will summarize the Rotary Theme and goals for next year and our District Governor Nominee and District Governor Designee will be introduced. There will be breakout sessions designed specifically for areas of interest to Clubs: Membership, Public Image, The Rotary Foundation, Service to Youth, Innovation and Flexibility and Secretary Training.
If you need lodging the night before, we have a block of rooms at the Best Western Holiday Manor Hotel across the parking lot. Call 641-792-3333 and mention you are with Rotary to receive the Rotary rate.
This is a great opportunity to learn, network and have some fun with your fellow Rotarians from across the District. We look forward to seeing you there!
Kevin McLaughlin, Rotary DMAM and McLaughlin Investment, would like to do a program on Social Security Reform. Ron has Kevin's contact info.
Ev's guest on March 20th Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative is committed to having Central Iowa become an officially recognized Age-Friendly Region. I believe that our fellow Rotarians will be very interested in learning about the Age-Friendly Community work and how building a more Livable community will be beneficial for all who live, work and recreate in Indianola and throughout Greater Des Moines. Please contact me at 515-444-1237 or by e mail at agefriendlydsm@gmail.com to schedule a program.
Calendar
Meals From the Heartland
March 12th 6-7 p.m. & 7-8 p.m.
Cowles Fieldhouse
Simpson College Rotaract Club
Email: laura.nielsen@my.simpson.edu by February 28th.
