Events

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Register to attend our evening meetings the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm at Edgewater in West Des Moines. Come as a guest at no charge!

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

The Sunflower Gala will include amazing food and drinks, cultural entertainment, engaging speakers, a silent auction, and lots of opportunities to learn more about how you can support Ukrainians right now. The show will educate and immerse you in the culture of Ukraine. You don't want to miss this unique opportunity!

All proceeds will be sent to Ukraine by Iowans for Ukrainians, a local non-profit dedicated to funding small to medium projects in Ukraine. We focus on protecting soldiers and supporting families who have been displaced by the war. Iowans for Ukrainians is an entirely volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization, with no overhead costs. So far this year the organization has purchased bulletproof vests, boots, drones, meal kits, vehicles, hydration packs, tourniquets, parts for vehicle repair, uniforms, disguise netting, baby food and diapers, and shirts for hospitalized soldiers.

Food will be provided by L & L European Delights, The Girls Catering, and Bash Catering., Dessert will be provided by Cakes for Ukraine.; Drinks will be served and provided by Apres Bar Co.; Beer will be provided by Exile Brewing Company.

More information on the Sunflower Gala here!

Register to attend our evening meetings the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm at Edgewater in West Des Moines. Come as a guest at no charge!

The illustrious Katie Roth has kindly opened her home for a West Des Moines patio social. Please bring an appetizer or beverage to share and enjoy the fall weather! 

RSVP for address and driving directions.

Join us for this fun outdoor service event where we plant trees in our local community! Meet Saturday at 9am @Columbus Park, tree planting will conclude around noon. After getting our hands dirty, enjoy the conversation and fellowship with a well deserved lunch with fellow friends and Rotarians.

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Hope Bibens is an Associate Professor of Librarianship and Director of University Archives and Special Collections at Drake University.  She currently serves as president of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress and has served as chair of the Society of American Archivists’ Congressional Papers Section.  Prior to her arrival at Drake, Bibens was Project Archivist for Indiana University’s Modern Political Papers Collection in Bloomington, Indiana where she processed the papers of Senator Richard Lugar, Congressman Dan Burton, and Congressman Mike Pence.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Monmouth College, a Master of Arts in American History from Indiana University, and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University.  She lives in Des Moines with her husband Robert and two-year-old daughter, Hattie.

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Get an insight from someone in the know! Rich Willis will address what is the outlook for the auto industry in 2023? Is the auto industry in trouble? Will car sales go down in 2023? Will, the car shortage be better in 2023? What’s happening in the used vehicle inventory? Where have all the computer chips gone?  What’s the future of autonomous cars? What’s the future of the electric vehicles? Electric vehicle - the cars are faster and quicker than gas powered vehicles, but a key factor to slower adoption is primarily due to lack of available batteries and charging technology. The average price paid for a new vehicle in the United States in September was $48,000.

Register to attend our evening meetings the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm at Edgewater in West Des Moines. Come as a guest at no charge!

Meeting location at SpareTime Entertainment (thank you for hosting us!)

Address:

340 Jordan Creek Pkwy,
West Des Moines, IA 50266

All are welcome

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Register to attend our evening meetings the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm at Edgewater in West Des Moines. Come as a guest at no charge!

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Anthony B. Coleman, DHA (Doctor of Health Administration) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadlawns Medical Center. He assumed his responsibilities on December 6, 2021. Anthony (Tony) was born and raised in Southern California and enlisted in the U.S Navy, serving onboard warships in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. After completing two full sea tours, Tony was commissioned as a Naval Officer. While in graduate school, Tony worked in a rural South Carolina hospital where he discovered his passion for eliminating health disparities among vulnerable populations. During his tenure as a Naval Officer, Tony served in various roles of increasing responsibility, including: Department Head, Medical Administrative Officer onboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) and CFO and Executive Board Member at Naval Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina. Some highlights of his 20-year military career include earning the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist designation, Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer qualification and the Executive Medicine additional qualifying designator. While in the military, Tony received a Secretary of Defense appointment to serve as a United States Senate Youth Program Military Mentor and served as Treasurer of the National Association of Health Services Executives, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the advancement and development of African American health care leaders and to elevate the quality of healthcare services rendered to minority and underserved communities. Tony is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and holds the dual distinction of being an Executive Development Program Fellow and Executive Diversity Scholar. He is also a Marshall Memorial Fellow (MMF) of the German Marshall Fund, a non-profit organization designed to increase transatlantic cooperation. During his time as an MMF, Tony traveled to Belgium, England, Spain, Hungary and Germany to study the complexities of the European universal healthcare system.

Broadlawns Medical Center has served as Polk County’s safety net hospital since 1924. If you haven't driven by or had medical services there recently, you will be in for a surprise. Mr. Coleman will talk about the growth of the Center and how it continues to serve the community.

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Speaker Bio:
 

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Dr. Wendy Wintersteen became the 16th president of Iowa State University on Nov. 20, 2017, after a nationwide search, followed by a unanimous vote of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. The first woman to hold the university’s highest office, Dr. Wintersteen has served Iowa State for more than 40 years in several capacities.

The university's brand campaign, Innovate at Iowa State, captures Dr. Wintersteen’s vision of a university with boundless opportunities for students and faculty to move their innovative and entrepreneurial ideas forward. The centerpiece is the 144,000 square foot Student Innovation Center, the technology-rich campus hub for students, classes and clubs excited to create marketable solutions, hold pitch-off competitions and envision new businesses. The Start Something Network encompasses the growing portfolio of academic courses in innovation and entrepreneurship offered in every undergraduate college.

Under her leadership, Iowa State has established national prominence in innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education – ranked #11 out of 300 public and private universities by the prestigious Princeton Review two years in a row. Iowa State also received the 2021 Model Program Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education by the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, noting “Iowa State’s program was expansive in its scale and boldly embraced the challenges of engendering innovation and entrepreneurship across its campus.”

Dr. Wintersteen is advancing Iowa State University for the 21st century with priorities and aspirations expressed in ISU’s new strategic plan: to be the most student-centric leading research university where students, faculty and staff flourish in a welcoming and inclusive environment; to be the university that fosters lifelong learning, creates opportunities and forges new frontiers; and to be a trusted partner for proactive and innovative solutions.

Prior to becoming president, Dr. Wintersteen served for eleven years as the inaugural endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. During her tenure, Iowa State’s agricultural programs ranked in the top 10 worldwide, CALS enrollment rapidly increased to become the third largest college of agriculture in the nation, research grants increased markedly, awards for teaching excellence grew, and the college achieved a 98% placement rate for its graduates. 

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Speaker Bio

Gabe Claypool has been a developer, operator and owner in the railroad logistics industry for over a decade. Between 2011 and 2017, Gabe served as President, COO and board member of Dakota Plains Holding Corporation, a publicly traded company on the NYSE focused on the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota. During this time, Gabe successfully managed over $80 million in CAPEX projects, 50+ employees and the safe transloading of over 100,000 rail cars. Gabe co-founded Cedar Midstream, which sold its Cushing, OK, crude oil storage project in 2016. Prior to co-founding Des Moines Industrial in 2019, Gabe developed Oklahoma-based oil field logistics solutions, including a rail terminal and water infrastructure.

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Lt Col (Retired) Chad “Bubba” Lewis was born and raised in Des Moines, growing up across the street from the airport, watching jets fly overhead every day.  It was at a very early age he developed a passion for aviation and decided to pursue a career flying jets.  He attended the United States Air Force Academy and graduated in 1998 with a degree in Operation Research.  While at the Academy, Chad also played on the intercollegiate baseball team and began his flying training in gliders and single-engine aircraft. After graduation, Chad moved to Enid, OK and attended pilot training at Vance Air Force base, where he earned one of five fighter slots and was selected to fly the F-16, or “Viper”, as it is known in flying circles.  Chad served 12 years in the active duty Air Force with assignments in Germany, New Mexico, Las Vegas, South Korea and Phoenix.  He was deployed multiple times in support of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom wear he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in Iraq.  He was also selected to attend the Air Force’s Fighter Weapons School in 2006, where he learned the latest fighter tactics and earned the equivalent of a master’s degree in fighter aviation.  In 2009, Chad was selected as one of the first 10 pilots in the Air Force to fly the F-35, the newest fighter in the inventory, as the initial cadre developing the syllabus and academics to teach others how to fly this new jet. When the time came to move to Florida and start the F-35 assignment, he decided to decline the assignment and move back home to fly F-16’s in Des Moines with the Iowa Air National Guard. In 2012, Chad was deployed with the 124th Fighter Squadron, “Hawkis”, to Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After only three and a half years in Des Moines, the Iowa Air National Guard was selected for a remission to fly MQ-9 Reaper drones.  Again, Chad was forced to make the tough decision to stay home and learn to fly a new aircraft or move to continue flying F-16s.  He and his family decided to move to the nation’s capital and fly with the District of Columbia Air Nation Guard. Chad flew alert missions and deployed three more times in the six years he flew in DC.  Chad retired in 2019 as the 113th Operations Support Squadron Commander.  Lt Col Lewis resides in Urbandale, IA with his wife of 23 years, Kelly, and 18 year old daughter, Riley.

This meeting will be available on Zoom.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

A.J. Salinas is the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. He started his role with the organization in August, 2022. A.J. was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended North Central Missouri College for 2 years on a baseball scholarship where he got his associates degree before getting his Bachelor Degree in Business at Graceland University. After graduation, A.J. moved to Des Moines where he started his career in the non-profit sector. Starting at Children and Family Urban Movement, a non-profit that provides before and after-school care and provides meals and food to the community, A.J. had a variety of roles that included, program staff, Head Breakfast Chef, Development Assistant, Development and Communications Manager, and Director of Development. After 4 years with the organization, A.J. accepted the Associate Executive Director at Al Exito, an organization that works with LatinX youth and families in the state of Iowa. Overall, A.J. has dedicated his professional career to working with youth throughout the state of Iowa. He has been recognized as a young leader in the community and selected to participate in the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines’ leadership cohort. He has also attended conferences across the country about social justice and is a contractor for a national organization working on social justice issues. He hopes to bring his experience to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa to continue to grow our Club and support more youth. When A.J. is not in the community, he is spending time with his wife, Maddie and his 1-year old son, Mateo.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Iowans for Israel is a not-for-profit bipartisan organization encouraging citizens across Iowa and America to support and defend the rights of the Jewish State of Israel. 

As Israel is recognized as America’s closest strategic ally in the volatile Mideast region, we as Iowans stand with her supporting her sovereign right to exist free from terrorist attacks, and for the right to defend her citizens, homes, schools, businesses and territory. We acknowledge her sovereign right to exist and pursue what is best for Israel’s people. We encourage elected officials and citizens across the state of Iowa and America to support and defend the rights of the state of Israel.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Ray Cole's television executive career spans five decades, and he has held leadership roles on the boards of the National Association of Broadcasters, ABC Television Affiliates Association, Television Bureau of Advertising and Broadcasters Foundation of America. Ray is a past recipient of the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award. He was inducted into the Iowa Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015, and it was only recently announced that he'll be inducted into the prestigious national Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 this May (the only other Iowa-born member of this Hall of Fame is Johnny Carson!). Ray's book, Hangin' with Winners, dropped just over one year ago and has since been featured on Good Morning America, The View, the Tamron Hall Show, the Jimmy Kimmel Book Club and ESPN. 

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Celebrity Auctioneer Jason Dent (Big Brother season 19) will help raise funds for the WDM Community on Tuesday, February 7^th.  When he isn’t on TV, he is a rodeo clown under the name Whistlenut & Ole.  You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see Jason in action and have some fun bidding on local auction times.

Here are some links if you’d like to learn more about our auctioneer:

Whistle Nut & Ole (@whistlenutandole) • Instagram photos and videos [instagram.com]

Jason Dent | Big Brother Wiki | Fandom [bigbrother.fandom.com]

Whistle-Nut & Ole 2016 Tralier – YouTube [youtube.com]

Other items being auctioned off:

• Weekend getaway to Clear Lake 
• Virtual Reality Headset: Meta Quest 2: Immersive All-In-One VR Headset | Meta Store | Meta Store
• Numerous gift cards and baskets

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Iowa has a thriving and vibrant startup ecosystem. And it’s one of our best kept secrets – nationally. We’ll talk about what makes it unique and how you can get involved.

Donna Ramaeker Zahn’s career has been agriculture and innovation focused from the beginning; recognizing the role that each plays in the vibrancy of economies and advancement of solutions. As a former Research Director for a Fortune 500 company, she was an intrapreneur that designed an innovative technology acceptance approach that took culture, science, ethics and critics’ views into account prior to new product launches. But her entrepreneurial spirit was fostered in High School, as her parents required each of their 12 children to secure a loan and start a business.

With more than 30 years of experience in management, strategic planning and public relations she spends her time in the global and local arenas. Globally, Donna helps decision makers in developing economies integrate genetic innovations into their portfolios.

Locally, she’s been involved in the startup scene since 2008 and is currently an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Iowa State University Startup Factory where she focuses on business strategy and development, establishing valuable connections for startup founders. She is past chair of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Technology Commercialization Committee, and is currently serving on a Committee making decisions about federal funds for startups. Donna is known for devising creative solutions in undefined areas.

Join your fellow rotarians for "social hour" at the Urban Cellar. This business donated to our live auction - show your support and hope to see you there. (we'll have high top tables reserved)  See you there.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Dementia Friendly Iowa promotes change and education in communities across Iowa to create a more informed, safe, and respectful place for people living with dementia and their caregivers. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, at least 66,000 people are living with dementia in Iowa, and this number is expected to grow to at least 73,000 by 2025.

As the number of people living with dementia in our state increases, so must public awareness and ability to serve this population in the state of Iowa.

Meeting location at The Salisbury House:

Address (click for driving directions):

The Salisbury House

4025 Tonawanda Dr

Des Moines, IA 50312

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Kimberly Baeth is the president of Golden Openings Inc., a company she started in 1997 at age 26, when she realized there was no such thing as giant working scissors. 

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa