As tradition holds during the start of a new calendar year one typically reviews the past, reflects in the present, and makes or offers resolutions for the future. 

 

So, what occurred that may of have been noteworthy for the Rotary Club of Ames for the last Year? 

 

Programs and Speakers:  We experienced a wide variety of programs and speakers, from Wayne Clinton sharing with us on Martin Luther King Day of his experiences as an African American in Iowa, US Senator Joni Ernst offering her insights in Congress, State of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig updating us on agriculture issues in the State of Iowa, and hearing from our international partners from Same, Tanzania.   We also learned about the Ames Community Action Plan and about the Ames Resource Recovery Center and how we can be more diligent in our use of the products we use and how to be better stewards in recycling.  And the list goes on with a wide variety of programs, speakers, and opportunities to serve:  Story County Conservation, reading to third graders during our Act of Service week, and honoring our Heroes of the Community. We even took time to celebrate Valentine’s Day, a BBQ at the Miracle League Park, a Holiday Gathering at Sweet Caroline’s and set aside a program of “You Are Rotary” where individuals from our club shared their stories.

 

Service to Others:  As mentioned, several of us read to a group of third graders at the Ballard Elementary School, we continued our participation in Raising Readers, honored Hero’s of the Community, offered $20,000 in grants to local organizations in need, and provided food from our luncheons to local organizations to further be utilized.  A number of individuals participated at the Miracle League Field baseball gathering offering an extra hand for Saturday morning games, and your club continued with our worldwide initiatives with global grant submissions for water and sanitation in Africa.

 

Current Reflections:  We recently conducted a survey of members including, Young Professionals, New Members, Active Members, and “Inactive” Members to aid and guide us for future plans.  We are relocating to a different venue that will hopefully enhance our audio and video capabilities while having space and convenient parking in order to conduct our meetings.

 

Upcoming Plans:  To make your club experiences, whether on-line or in person, the best we can with enlightening and challenging programs by providing a set schedule of meeting on the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th Monday of each month with catered meals from a variety of sources.  To offer you alternative meeting opportunities with the introduction of our Evening Session on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month from 5:30-6:30PM.  With our new venue location enhancing our video and audio capabilities and transitioning from Zoom to YouTube (Even with closed captioning if all goes well).  Your Board is also actively working on the development of a new strategic plan, when completed and shared, will hopefully act as a steppingstone for our vision for our next century of service.

 

Service Above Self:  Commitment to one of our committees so that you may be further engaged in your Rotary Club of Ames.  To continue to be involved with the individuals in need on Saturday mornings at the Miracle League Field.  Pursue a “story walk” in one of local parks and initiate a “Rotary Walk” to raise funds and awareness for various projects.  To offer local community grants to our organizations providing services for mental health, combating hunger, promoting literacy, and fighting human trafficking.  To assist with the needs globally of individuals in fighting polio and with water and sanitation projects.  

 

My Request for a New Year’s Resolution:  Participate in your Rotary through your time, with your talent, and in the offering of some of your treasure.  Join in one more meeting per month.  Offer 2 hours of a Saturday morning to the individuals at the Miracle League Field this spring and fall.  Read to young people at the library.  Give to polio eradication, local organizations in need, and to our Global Grants.  Bring a guest.  Be an active member.

 

Thank you!

 

Kent Frankenfeld

Club President 2022 - 2022