May 13, 2014 Bulletin

Rotary Bulletin for May 13, 2014

Last Week’s Program:  The program was provided by attorney Channing Dutton of West Des Moines.  Channing spoke about climate change, an issue he has become very involved in and passionate about in recent years..

Many reports are available for all of us to read and he provided us with samples from various scientific reports.

One of the key elements of his discussion involved a measurement of carbon dioxide in Hawaii.  Carbon dioxide has been monitored for several decades and has increased steadily throughout that time.

Science has documented the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and it is believed that the carbon dioxide increase has directly impacted climate and weather conditions throughout the world.

This is one of the most, if not the most, important issue confronting all of us at this time.  Significant changes in climate and weather could have wide reaching and devastating effects on all aspects of life including available water and food production.

Channing urges all of us to become informed and take an active role in doing whatever we collectively can do to address this significant problem. He provided a website so that individuals can sign on and learn more and take an active role.  The website is www.citizensclimatelobby.org.

It was interesting that Russ Ver Ploeg provided the invocation a few weeks ago on Earth Day to address climate change.  Russ was kind enough to share his invocation and I reprinted it below.

April 22, 2014  Rotary Invocation

Dear God:

With today being Earth Day we pray for your creation, our planet.   We pray that ALL the world’s leaders recognize the gravity of our situation and take effective action in response to global climate change.   We pray that the few of us in this room and the many of us across this globe join to take those many small steps towards preservation of our natural environment. 

Most importantly, we pray for our children and their children because after we’re gone we hope that they will praise our foresight rather than lament our inaction.

In your name we pray, Amen

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

District Governor Jacque Andrew visited our club and gave a brief report on the recent very successful district conference in Ames.  She also brought along a guest, Emily Caperariso who is a potential rotary member.

Thank you Jacque for all of your efforts as Governor.

Harold Hulleman reported on a recent bike giveaway at Indian Hills Middle School which involved many Burmese refugees who could not have been happier with the bikes they received.   Member Dave Carlson reports that his wife teaches at Indian Hills and she mentioned that the energy throughout Indian Hills was very positive throughout the day as people were celebrating with the children who received bikes. 

This reminds us all of the benefits of this very beneficial community service project.

Thanks to Harold for all the efforts on the bike project and for all those who have had a hand in the bike project.

President Tom reports that Chris Nelson and his family operated the orange juice stand at the Downtown Farmers Market on opening day, Saturday May 3^rd, and reported records sales of approximately $1,900.

President Tom also announced that at the district conference, our club received a citation for the largest percentage in membership growth (12%).

Another storty from the District Conference involved the 2014 Bunny Harper Golf tourney where the Des Moines AM club successfully defended its title on May 1^st at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames on ideal day for golf with temperatures in the mid 40s tempered by a brisk northwest winds.    Well, as the Cubs like to say, wait til next year.

President Tom also announced that there would be a joint Des Moines metro Rotary club meeting at 7:15 AM on June 20^th at Drake University.

It was also announced that the Rotary Riverwalk Park on the Des Moines River which was funded nearly entirely by Rotary clubs will begin construction this summer.

Tom reported a follow up conversation with some of the people from Creative Visions.  Tom reported that he and other members of our club will be trying to reconnect a student through music.  This particular student has studied the viola.  There may be more to come on this topic.

Exchange Students:

Student host families are still needed.  Please talk to Tom or Chris Nelson.  There is a graduation party for the exchange students to be held at Doug Pfeil’s house on May 25^th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Three Minute Speaker/Sergeant at Arms:

Brad Brown was our three minute speaker and shared his biography.  Brad attended East High in Des Moines where he became a runner in cross country and track which led to a track scholarship at the University of Iowa.  During college Brad worked in carpentry and began a career in business upon graduation.  He has held interesting positions in companies involving office systems including Wang Laboratories.  He currently works for Principal in business consulting on areas of business valuation, buy-sell and retirement plan issues.  He’s been married for twenty-five years to his bride, a West Des Moines Valley graduate, and has two daughters in college.