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Off-Site Meetings at Area Businesses
Jan 10, 2020
This Founders Day allows members to choose to attend a meeting at one of these two locations:
Members need to email bevmclinden.dmamrotary@yahoo.com regarding the location they wish to attend, or sign up at a meeting prior to the January 10th Founders Day. This helps each host to adequately plan food quantities.
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Economic Development, Trade, Culuture & Education
Jan 17, 2020
Note: Two Speakers will be presenting January 17th. Artan Duraku - Minister Consular of the Republic of Kosovo Artan Duraku is a career diplomat with the rank of Minister Consular, of the Republic of Kosovo, as of April 2019 serving as head of the Mission of the Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo in Des Moines Iowa. Artan is Political Scientist and holds a BA in Political Science and MA in European Politics, European Defense and Security from University of Leeds in United Kingdom. During the service in the Kosovo Institution he served over 15 Years in different Institutions such as Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The last three years before moving to Iowa, he served as Head of Policy Planning Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some of the key activities in the institutions are Strategic Planning, Security Sector Review, Counter Organized Crime, and Migration Management. Main objectives of the service in Iowa are related to economic development, trade, culture and education. Artan is married to Zamira Hyseni Duraku and they have a daughter Erika, 9 years old. Astrit Zema - Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo Astrit Zemaj basic and postgraduate studies for management and economics as well as for international relations ended in Kosovo and Germany. In October 2009, he joined the diplomatic and consular service of the Republic of Kosovo and was appointed Consul of the Republic of Kosovo in Frankfurt (Germany). Under his leadership, in 2009, the first Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo in Frankfurt, in which he held the post of Chief Consular Mission, was established and consolidated successfully by November 2015. From November 2015, he was transferred at the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin, in the position of Deputy Ambassador. In October 2012, Astrit Zemaj, Consul of the Republic of Kosovo in Frankfurt, was proclaimed Honorary Member of the International Diplomatic Board, acting within the framework of the German-Asian Economic Forum, based in Frankfurt. In June of 2016, Astrit Zemaj, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Germany, held a lecture at the Academy for Diplomatic Culture - ICD in Berlin, on the theme: "Peacebuilding process, its preservation and advancement in the Balkans and the role of Kosovo". In December 2017, he was appointed "Charges d'Affaires ad Interim" in charge of the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Germany. During the nineties, Astrit Zemaj was actively engaged in political and military processes for the freedom and independence of Kosovo. After the end of the war in Kosovo, Zemaj has participated in the training operations of US and NATO forces in the framework of peacekeeping missions for Kosovo. In 2013 he published the book titled "The Legitimacy of Military Humanitarian Intervention in Kosovo". The book was promoted in New York and Frankfurt, and in 2014, by Monroe College in New York, USA was honored with the prestigious "Honor of the Moroe College" award. While in 2017 he published the second book "Europe at the crossroads and the rise of the Third Reich in Germany, 1918-1939", which is a single study of this kind in Albanian about the situation in Germany from a political, diplomatic, military and economic, between the two world wars, 1918-1939. Astrit Zemaj, lives in Prishtina. She is married and has four children, three girls and one boy.
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Healing and Overcoming Adversity
Jan 24, 2020
SANDRA ROHRER
Sandra Rohrer has been an esthetician for over twenty years. Her love for adventure has taken her to Cuba, El Salvador, and Colombia. She enjoys speaking, writing and is currently working on her memoir.
Her family lost everything in a house fire when she was a child, and her mother was murdered when Sandra was 19. Sandra's story includes not just the search for a murderer and trying to find the identity of her birth father, but is a story of healing and overcoming adversity. It took 20 years without anyone being held accountable for the murder until the story was featured on TNT's Cold Justice show. And now she is in the middle of writing a book about her story.
Recently, she told her “True Tall Tale” at the Hoyt Sherman Place for the Des Moines Storyteller Project. Her unique story of tragedy, joy, and overcoming heartache has led to a passion to see people walk in emotional freedom.
Sandra lives in Ankeny with her family and cockapoo.
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Eliminating Barriers to Financial Access For Underserved Communities
Feb 07, 2020
Nana Coleman is originally from Milwaukee, WI and graduated from Drake University in 2013 with a degree in Actuarial Science. He is a credentialed actuary, presently working in modeling and risk management in the Life Insurance Division at Principal Financial Group. Outside of work, he gets his hands on a variety of things that tend to be incredibly unrelated, some of which include: membership in the Zeta Kappa Lambda chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and leading some of it's local educational initiatives, being one of the co-founders and a current board member of Pyramid Theatre Company, serving as the Des Moines Roosters Australian Football Club's current president (you should join us!), among other things that present interesting problems to solve. HIs interest in financial inclusion began nearly 10 years ago as he sought an intersection between his aptitudes in mathematics and his fundamental interest in human dignity. He started Bridge Solutions, LLC, a research and design firm in 2017 to more actively pursue that interest. |
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Animal Welfare & Consumer Protection
Feb 21, 2020
Mindi Callison is the Founder and Executive Director of the national nonprofit organization, Bailing Out Benji which exists to provide the most current and accurate data surrounding the commercial dog breeding industry. Mindi founded Bailing Out Benji at 21 years old after falling victim to the puppy mill industry by way of a local pet store, who offered her a credit card with high interest. Upon learning about the pet store/puppy mill connection and learning about the predatory lending practices that these stores utilize to take advantage of low-income families, Mindi knew that she needed to act. Bailing Out Benji and its research have been instrumental in passing humane ordinances across the country, they have also been the driving force behind exposing the national puppy laundering scheme that is currently happening in numerous states. What started in small town Iowa has quickly grown into a national nonprofit with volunteer teams all over the country.
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New Recycling Center
Feb 28, 2020
Leslie Irlbeck is the Deputy Director for Metro Waste Authority, where she has worked for eight years. She is responsible for setting strategy and implementing initiatives for the agency’s administrative functions, including finance, human resources, and public affairs. This includes contract management for Central Iowa communities as well as issue management, media relations, and social responsibility for internal and external stakeholders.
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Vending Machine Manufacturing
Mar 06, 2020
Heidi Chico CEO of the Wittern Group, named one of the leaders in the vending manufacturer by Automatic Merchandiser, has a unique marketing perspective forged by her strong spirit and extensive knowledge in the convenience service industry. These experiences are the basis for her conviction that enduring customer service and quality are created through continuous process improvement through lean manufacturing of equipment that creates convenience throughout the controlled dispensing spectrum. Heidi has served on local board like the Greater Des Moines Junior Achievement Board, and Drake University, and on the Iowa YPO chapter. Currently she is a board member of the Wittern Group, as well as the Des Moines Cold Storage. Heidi is very active in the National Automatic Merchandising Association. She has served as Chair in 2018 as the first woman, as well as a culmination of leadership positions she’s held on the NAMA Board of Directors since 2006 involving Government Affairs; WIN (Women in the Industry); NAMA Executive Forum; the Executive Committee and the NAMA Foundation. |
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Infectious Disease
Mar 13, 2020
Brian joined the United Nations Foundation in 2015 and serves as Director of Global Health Advocacy. In this capacity, he oversees and implements government relations strategy for the Shot@Life campaign, a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to increasing support for U.S. and UN programs that reduce vaccine-preventable child deaths in developing countries. He also leads UNF’s USG advocacy strategy related to the Global Health Security Agenda. He is responsible for managing direct engagement with congressional offices and federal agencies and works closely with the global health community to develop and support policy positions that strengthen global child immunization and health security initiatives. Prior to joining the Foundation, Brian served for five years in the health policy office of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), chaired by Senator Tom Harkin. His portfolio included global health, infectious disease, vaccine development, and biosecurity. Brian received his bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a year studying abroad at the London School of Economics. He earned his master’s degree in Global Health Security jointly through the American University School of International Service and the George Washington School of Public Health. His research focused on implementation and evaluation of the International Health Regulations |
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The Survival of the News
Apr 03, 2020
Kathie Obradovich, editor-in-chief for Iowa Capital Dispatch, launched the not-for-profit news operation in January 2020. She leads an experienced staff covering state news and politics and writes a weekly column. More than a dozen Iowa newspapers and news sites are now regularly publishing Iowa Capital Dispatch content. Kathie has more than 30 years of reporting experience in Iowa. She worked for 16 years at the Des Moines Register, most recently as opinion editor and political columnist. She has been a regular reporter on Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" and a frequent guest on other state, national and international news programs. She's also a lecturer for Iowa State University's Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. She’s an Iowa State graduate who grew up in Ames. |
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Rotary International
Apr 17, 2020
Mark Daniel MaloneyPresident 2019-20Rotary Club of DecaturAlabama, USAMark Daniel Maloney is a principal in the law firm of Blackburn, Maloney, and Schuppert LLC, with a focus on taxation, estate planning, and agricultural law. He represents large farming operations in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, and has chaired the American Bar Association’s Committee on Agriculture in the section of taxation. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar Association, and the Alabama Law Institute. He has been active in Decatur’s religious community, chairing his church’s finance council and a local Catholic school board. He has served as president of the Community Foundation of Greater Decatur, chair of Morgan County Meals on Wheels, and director of the United Way of Morgan County and the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. A Rotarian since 1980, Maloney has served as an RI director; Foundation trustee and vice chair; and aide to 2003-04 RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe. He also has participated in the Council on Legislation as chair, vice chair, parliamentarian, and trainer. He was an adviser to the 2004 Osaka Convention Committee and chaired the 2014 Sydney Convention Committee. He also served as Future Vision Committee vice chair; Foundation training institute moderator; Foundation permanent fund national adviser; member of the Peace Centers Committee; and adviser to the Foundation’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools Target Challenge Committee. |
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Creating Livable Communities -#4AllAges
Apr 24, 2020
KENT SOVERN Kent Sovern retired from everyday work in July 2018 after serving seven years as the State Director of AARP in Iowa. During his tenure with AARP, Kent was among the small cadre' of State Directors who led the organization to develop tools, resources and programs that helped build and support Livable/Age-Friendly communities across the nation. Today, Kent is the AARP Livable Communities volunteer - serving as one of the Co-Chairs of the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative. He also works with AARP's Livable Communities national office team as a navigator and advocate; helping civic leaders to create more livable and age-friendly communities throughout the nation.
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Likeability Matters...even on Zoom
May 01, 2020
Bill Graham Likeability Matters … Even on Zoom People prefer to do business with people they like.
From “how they look” to “filling their tank”, people prepare when they go to a meeting, Internet interactions require similar, but different, preparation. This program will identify those primary elements that can make your team’s Zoom … zoom. ] Biography Bill Graham's tools help his clients become better, more impactful communicators. His likeability programs enable professionals – CEOs, salespeople, scientists, engineers, architects, executives, bankers, doctors and even elected officials, to personalize their interactions. Bill spent over a decade training writers and giving the daily story notes for 7,000 hours of the Procter & Gamble soap operas, Guiding Light, As the World Turns, and Another World. He helped make those complicated stories simple enough to create an emotional connection with the audience. Today, his storytelling programs help people find their own stories and deliver valuable messages. Prior to working in television, he spent 12 years as the producing director of Olney Theatre, a professional Equity theatre outside of Washington, DC. He delivers leadership communication training for legislators from 26 U.S. states, Mexico, and Canada for the Council of State Governments. He is on the faculty of the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management, and he has taught communication and leadership at York University’s Tisch School for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management and Seton Hall University’s Leadership Communication program. |
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How Grant Funds are Being Utilized
May 08, 2020
DMAM FOUNDATION GRANT RECIPIENT PRESENTATIONS - MAY 8TH On May 1st we will hear from half of this year's grant recipients. Here is a list of the organizations who will present at Fridays meeting, with a brief explanation of how the funds will be - or have been - used. Join us for this powerful and informative program!
Another grant recipient presentation date is planned in October to accommodate presentations by the remaining recipients. |
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The Smithsonian—Beyond the Museums
May 15, 2020
Dr. Richard Kurin is the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, the first person so designated in the 171-year history of the Institution. As a member of the Smithsonian’s senior leadership team, Kurin focuses on strategic direction, institutional partnerships, public representation, philanthropic support and special initiatives. Prior to his current role, Kurin served as Acting Provost and Under Secretary for Museums and Research from 2015, and from 2007, as Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture. During the preceding two decades, he directed the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage with its annual Folklife Festival on the National Mall and the Grammy-winning Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, working with major cultural figures and grassroots artists from across the U.S. and around the world. He also produced major national celebration events associated with the opening of museums and monuments, presidential inaugurals and the Atlanta Olympics. Kurin served on the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO and helped draft an international treaty, now ratified by 170 nations, to safeguard living cultural heritage. He led efforts to save heritage in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and has overseen projects for saving heritage endangered by natural disaster in Nepal and the U.S., and by human conflict in Mali, Egypt, Iraq and Syria. Kurin serves as Smithsonian liaison to the U.S. President’s Committee for the Arts and the Humanities and the White House Historical Association, and is a member of the U.S. Department of State Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee. An anthropologist with a doctorate from the University of Chicago, Kurin specialized in the study of South Asia, conducting years of fieldwork in India and Pakistan. He has held Fulbright and Social Science Research Council fellowships, taught at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and authored six books, including Reflections of a Culture Broker: A View from the Smithsonian, Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem and the best-selling Smithsonian’s History of America 101 Objects. He has been honored by Harvard University’s Peabody Museum, the International Council of Museums, the American Anthropological Association, the American Folklore Society and the Cosmos Club. He is an elected fellow of the American Academy of the Arts and Sciences.
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Mission China
May 22, 2020
Steve Church is serving at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China as the Chief of Staff to the Ambassador. In his role, Churchill is responsible for working with the Ambassador to advance the strategic priorities for Mission China. Many DMAMers will remember him well as a former member of our club. If you have questions for Mr. Churchill, email them to our program chair Tom Cavanagh at tom@bccadvisers.com. He'll answer as many as time allows. |
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Supporting Farm Workers in Iowa
May 29, 2020
Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel has served as the CEO of Proteus, Inc. since August 2019, but has worked with the organization for over seven years. He has over 10 years of nonprofit administration and leadership. Daniel serves as Tri-Chair of the Social Capital within Capital Crossroads, City of Bondurant Planning and Zoning Commission, and is on a variety of other community boards and advisory councils. He has a Doctorate of Education in Leadership from Creighton University, an M.A from the University of Alabama, a B.A. from Grand View University, and an A.A. from Iowa Central Community College. Daniel was awarded the Community Vision Award for Challenging by the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute in 2019. In 2018, Daniel was named the Influencer of the Year at the Young Professionals Connection and Des Moines Register Young Professional of the Year Awards. In 2017, he completed the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s Community Leadership Program. Daniel received one of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 awards in 2015 and in 2012, he received the Karen Packer Spirit of Collaboration Award at the Iowa Cancer Summit.
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First Hand Tales of Daring U.S. Coast Guard Rescures
Jun 05, 2020
Nevada Smith grew up in many small towns throughout Illinois. After graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1990, he enlisted in the Coast Guard and was stationed onboard Cutter Scioto, a buoy tender in Keokuk, Iowa, from 1991 to 1993. He earned his “Wings of Gold” after graduating from Navy Flight School in 1995 and flew H-60 Jayhawk helicopters in Cape Cod, MA; Kodiak, AK; San Diego, CA; Elizabeth City, NC and Astoria, OR. He retired as a commander in 2015 and presently works at Tampa International Airport. He and his wife, Julieta, have two daughters, Catalina (18) and Vanessa (15).
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ISU Athletics & the Sports Media Profession
Jun 12, 2020
John Walters is the Director of Broadcasting for Cyclones.tv and the radio play-by-play voice of the Cyclones. John is entering his 18th season calling Cyclone football and men's basketball games on the Cyclone Radio Network. Prior to joining Iowa State full-time in 2012, John was the Sports Director at WOI-TV for 16 years. He also spent 13 years at KCCI-TV. John and his wife, Joni, are each graduates of Drake University. They live in Ankeny and have three daughters. |
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Mental Health and Self-Care During COVID-19
Jun 19, 2020
Each year Dr. Jennifer Ulie-Wells trains thousands of educators, young people, families, and community providers on a variety of school mental health (SMH) topics. In 2013, she founded Please Pass the Love Youth Mental Health Initiative which provides systemic training and support for thousands of educators, schools, and districts across the Midwest while hosting the only school mental health conference in the state. In 2019, she launched the Iowa School Mental Health Alliance, an active stakeholder group with hundreds of leaders. In 2018, she launched an online school mental health program in collaboration with Drake University. She actively engages in national school mental health capacities including the National School Mental Health State Summit with leaders of federal agencies such as SAMHSA, HHS, HRSA, DOE, DOJ, and the University of Maryland Center for School Mental Health. She is a member of SMH communities of practices and the national Family School Community Alliance with scholars from across the nation. She works for Drake University as an adjunct professor. Her research focuses on racial/cultural trauma, self-care, and creating sustainable school mental health systems. |