Events

Join us for the next Member Relations get together on Thursday, November 6th from 4-6pm at the Des Moines Embassy Club, 666 Grand Avenue downtown in the Ruan Building!

Parking:  There are two ways to park.

1. The Partnership parking ramp, just south of the Marriott; entrance is between 8th and 7th on the right-hand side of Locust. Skywalk access is available to the Ruan building.   
2. On-street parking is available with the ParkDSM app all around Ruan. 

Dr. Jon Van Der Veer is a nationally-recognized physician, innovator, and healthcare disruptor on a mission to reimagine how care is delivered and financed in America. He is the founder and CEO of Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care, a growing direct primary care (DPC) and 24/7 urgent care model that gives patients access to the effective, affordable healthcare they deserve.

Dr. Jon launched Exemplar Care to deliver what traditional Fee-For-Service models couldn’t: compassionate, whole-person care that prioritizes the time to build a strong patient-physician relationship. This relationship is foundational to superior care and experience. His partnership with Hy-Vee, one of the nation’s largest retail grocers, has brought this model to communities across the Midwest to deliver better health outcomes, lower costs, and happier patients.

Dr. Van Der Veer is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Before starting his own practice, he served as chief medical officer at both Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa, and CareMore Health in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Van Der Veer also worked as a primary care provider at UnityPoint Clinic Internal Medicine in Des Moines.

Earning his medical degree at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Van Der Veer completed his residency in internal medicine at Central Iowa Health System – Methodist in Des Moines. In addition to his clinical work, he is married to Dr. Emily Haines and they are proud parents of 3 wonderful children and run a small zoo at home with 2 fish, 2 snails, 2 tortoises, 2 cats, and 2 dogs.

Join us for our New Member Orientation on Friday, November 7, immediately following our regular Rotary meeting. In just 40 minutes, you'll gain valuable insight into Rotary, our Club, and all the benefits of your membership. You'll also meet fellow new members, our New Member Committee, and Board members—making Friday mornings even more welcoming! We'll gather in the Blue View room, just off the main meeting area.

Email Judy Ralston-Hansen at jamrhansen@gmail.com to let us know you'll be there!

Please join your fellow club members in supporting our Founders Day hosts on Nov. 14th at one of the four locations below. Submit your RSVP by 11/7 via this Google Forms survey.

If you are unable to access the Google Form you can RSVP directly to Melanie Lane at melanie@leverage-4.com

The four locations are:

1. Walsh Door, Marty Walsh,  2300 Delaware Ave, Des Moines (Capacity 45)
2. East Village Spa, Cassie Sampson,  300 E Locust Suite #313, Des Moines (Capacity: 30)
3. Peoples Bank, John Rigler,  12701 University Ave., Clive (Capacity: 24)
4. Forge Financial & Management Consulting, Dan Montgomery,  1245 Jordan Creek Pkwy #100 West Des Moines (Capacity: 20)

Melanie Lane, Vocational Chair

Join us at Smokey Row in Des Moines for the Quarterly Coffee Social hosted by the Member Relations Committee.  This is a great meetup for those who are morning people and are looking for another way to get to know other Rotarians. 

Contact the event chair (linked left) for more information, but no need to RSVP.

See you there!

Brianna Chonka is a dynamic event professional with a strong background in venue operations, sales, and client experience. As Sales Director of Artisanal Food Company at Rollins Mansion, she oversees client relations, venue tours, contract preparation, and event coordination while collaborating with the culinary team to craft memorable dining experiences. She has had the pleasure of being an employee of Artisanal Food Co at Rollins Mansion for the last eight years.  With a proven record of elevating community awareness and driving offsite revenue, Brianna combines creativity and organization to deliver seamless events. Brianna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management from Iowa State University. Known for her professionalism, leadership, and customer-first approach, she thrives in creating experiences that leave lasting impressions.

Our regularly scheduled Friday morning Rotary meeting is cancelled.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday!

It's the Winter Holiday Season!  Our next club social will be at Exile Brewing Company on Thursday December 4th from 4:00PM - 7:00PM.

Come join your fellow Rotarians for an evening of socialization in the Exile Snow Globe! Be sure to mark your calendars and send in your RSVP for this great event!

Exile Brewing Company, 1514 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Event Details

• We have reserved the Beer Hall for our group
• Drinks provided
• Food - Variety of heavy appetizers

Feel free to dress up in your favorite holiday attire!

RSVP (Encouraged for food)

Please use the Sign Up Genius link below to RSVP for the event.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49A4AB2CAAFAC34-59990149-dmam

DMAM members are allowed one guest to join in on the fun!

Thanks for being a part of the club! We look forward to having you join us for a great night of fun!

Tami Madsen is the Executive Director of Central Iowa Water Works, a regional water authority serving over 600,000 central Iowans.  She earned a Master of Environment Science in Hydrology from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler.  Prior to assuming the position of Executive Director at CIWW, she oversaw a multifaceted regional water authority responsible for both drinking water production and the reuse of treated effluent of two wastewater plants.  A fervent advocate for multi-jurisdictional water collaborations, Tami serves on the Midwest Assistance Program Board of Directors, whereupon, they provide technical water assistance to communities spanning the upper Midwest.

Our regularly scheduled Friday morning Rotary meeting is cancelled.

Enjoy the Christmas Holiday!

Our regularly scheduled Friday morning Rotary meeting is cancelled due to Wakonda Club's annual 2-week cleaning and refresh.

Have a great weekend!

Join us for the next Member Relations get together on Thursday, January 8th from 4-6pm at the Club Car Restaurant & Lounge, 13435 University Ave in Clive!

Our regularly scheduled Friday morning Rotary meeting is cancelled due to Wakonda Club's annual 2-week cleaning and refresh.

Have a great weekend!

Mike Draper is the founder and owner of RAYGUN. RAYGUN is, to Mike’s surprise, still in business. It started in Des Moines in 2005 and has now grown to 11 (going on 12!) locations across the Midwest. RAYGUN has also been called ’The Greatest Store in the Universe’ by RAYGUN (a real honor).

Des Moines A.M. Rotary Quarterly Foundation Board Meeting to follow the regular Rotary Meeting.

Join us for the next Member Relations get together on Thursday, February 5th from 4-6pm at Bevy's Tavern, 1300 50th St in West Des Moines!

Join us at Smokey Row in Des Moines for the Quarterly Coffee Social hosted by the Member Relations Committee.  This is a great meetup for those who are morning people and are looking for another way to get to know other Rotarians. 

Contact the event chair (linked left) for more information, but no need to RSVP.

See you there!

Event details TBA!

Des Moines A.M. Rotary Quarterly Foundation Board Meeting to follow the regular Rotary Meeting.