Events

Each Board Chair will provide a vision of what to expect during our 2025-26 year that begins July 1st.  Members are encouraged to listen, learn, and decide where they want to plug in.  Exciting things happen when members explore opportunities to make things happen!  It's all in the details as we work together.

State Fair meeting for DMAM members and their immediate family (+1 and children in the K-12 & younger range).  

DMAM Rotary members need to respond to the RSVP request you receive tickets.  Tickets will be distributed at a designated SF entrance gate the morning of the meeting.  Only those who reserve tickets will receive tickets.  You and everyone in your party must be present to receive a ticket.  Those not attending forfeit their ticket(s).  

There will be more messaging regarding this meeting, so watch the Monday Memo and emails for additional details.  

Dr. Maija Cheung is currently a surgeon at Yale University and the Chief Medical Officer for Kids Operating Room – the world’s leading children’s surgery charity. 

Dr. Cheung graduated from Middlebury College, where she majored in geography with a focus on Middle Eastern Studies, minored in religion, and completed studies in Arabic. After graduating, Dr. Cheung spent time living and studying in Amman, Jordan, and then worked as an ORISE Fellow for Dr. Tony Fauci at the National Institutes of Health in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases working on global public health research and development activities. 

Dr. Cheung graduated from Dartmouth Medical School where she spent a year directing research and clinical program development in Peru as part of the Dartmouth Center for Healthcare Delivery Science and assisting in humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. 

Dr. Cheung completed her General Surgery Residency at Yale New Haven Hospital and was the first Yale Global Surgery Research Fellow.  Her research focused on capacity building and educational projects in pediatric surgery and trauma and emergency general surgery in Uganda.  She completed a fellowship at Yale in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery and stayed on as faculty initially at Yale New Haven Hospital and now through an appointment at the West Haven VA Medical Center. While at Yale she was also in an education leadership position as the Associate Program Director for both the Yale General Surgery Residency Program as well as the Bariatric and MIS Fellowship Program. 

During her residency at Yale, she worked with a group that would become Kids Operating Room (KidsOR). Since the founding of KidsOR in 2017 she has served on the International Advisory Board steering clinical development opportunities and data collection policies, and in 2021 was appointed as their Global Lead for Surgery.  She became the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for KidsOR in December 2023 as well as the CMO for the KidsOR commercial subsidiary Global Hospital which develops healthcare infrastructure and solar powered solutions in low-resource settings with all profit going to KidsOR to create capacity for children’s surgery around the world. 

Dr. Cheung’s expertise extends beyond clinical practice, encompassing a broad spectrum of global health initiatives.  She has spearheaded numerous projects aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure, increasing training opportunities for the health workforce, and promoting access to care in underserved areas.  Her work has taken her to remote villages, urban slums, and disaster-stricken regions where she has amassed extensive experience in addressing healthcare disparities across diverse populations. 

As a staunch advocate for health equity, Dr. Cheung has collaborated with international organizations, non-profits, and governmental agencies to develop sustainable healthcare solutions tailored to the unique needs of each community.  She is actively involved in research endeavors aimed at addressing pressing public health issues on a global sale and using her expertise to shape policy and inform evidence-based interventions through innovative and context-specific programs. 

District 6000 Governor's Club Visit

GARY DOLPHIN - VOICE OF HAWKEYE FOOTBALL

Gary Dolphin is in his 28th year as the play-by-play voice for Iowa football and Men's basketball and hosts the weekly Kirk Ferentz and Ben McCollum coaches radio show. He spent ten years in Chicago broadcast circles, calling Northwestern basketball and working for the Chicago Bears in TV production.

Mr. Dolphin covered High School sports in Iowa for 25 years, broadcasting state boys and girls, football, basketball, baseball, and softball tournaments. He has received multiple awards for his broadcasting, civic, and charitable involvement. Gary is a native of Cascade.  

Gary Dolphin will preview the annual Iowa-Iowa State football game for DMAM Rotary members. Since 1996, he has been the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football and men's basketball teams for Learfield/IMG College and the Iowa Hawkeye Sports Network.

Come join your fellow Rotarians for an evening of socialization! 

• We have reserved the Crescent Room and side patio for our group. 
• Drinks provided
• Food - Variety of heavy appetizers 
• DMAM members are allowed one guest to join in on the fun - please use the link below to RSVP!

RSVP HERE

Shir Agha Safi is a former major and intelligence battalion commander in the Afghan National Army, where he served for 12 years leading counter-terrorism operations. After the fall of the Afghan government in 2021, he resettled in Iowa and founded Afghan Partners in Iowa, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Afghan refugees build self-sufficient lives. In addition to his role as executive director for Afghan Partners in Iowa, he is currently a student at John Dee Bright College of Drake University and a devoted father of two. Shir Agha brings a powerful story of resilience, service, and community leadership.

Event Details
We’re now FULL with 44 golfers signed up so thanks!

• Morning scramble format
• Open to all skill levels – fun and camaraderie are the focus!
• Post-golf lunch & awards on Woodland Hills Golf Course patio
  • Prizes for long/short drive, long putt, closest to pin, and more

Social Event to Follow at Tom & Laura Hudson’s home on the golf course (~1:30 p.m.), non-golfers welcome!
Hudson's Address:  6365 NE 8th Ct., Des Moines, IA 50313

Rotary Book Club is scheduled for Friday Sept. 19th at the Des Moines Biergarten in Water Works Park off Fleur Drive.

Time: 4 to 6ish. This is before Oktoberfest starts there that evening. 

There is no admission fee. Oktoberfest starts at 6:30 PM there with Tapping of the Golden Keg by Mayor Connie Boesen. The band Guilty Pleasures starts at 7:00 PM.   

Wir sehen uns dort!!!

Harry Smith is an award-winning American television journalist best known for his work as a correspondent and anchor with both CBS News and NBC News. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has covered presidential elections, major world events, cultural milestones, and human-interest stories with depth and warmth. At CBS, Smith anchored The CBS Morning Show and CBS News Sunday Morning, and later became a senior correspondent for CBS Evening News. He later joined NBC News, contributing to Today, NBC Nightly News, and Dateline NBC. Renowned for his versatility and storytelling, Smith has earned a reputation as one of broadcast journalism’s most trusted and enduring voices.  He is now a professor with his alma mater, Central College, where he teaches a class about igniting and nurturing “Curiosity.” 

Roy Johnson was born in Bellflower, California on February 25^th, 1949.  As his father served in the Navy for 20 years Roy spent his youth traveling the country, including time in the Dominican Republic where he learned to speak Spanish fluently.

After his father retired from the Navy in 1962 the family settled in Palmdale, California, where his father embarked on a career in the Civil Service.  Following graduation from high school, Roy joined the Navy on August 3^rd, 1967. 

Boot Camp in San Diego was followed by attending a little over a year of training to become a Sonar Technician prior to being transferred to his first ship which was homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

After two years on his first ship, it was back to San Diego for another year of training on a new sonar system, and orders to his next ship, homeported in Long Beach, California.

Following a shore assignment in San Diego teaching Anti-Submarine Warfare tactics and another sea duty assignment, Roy applied for and was selected for commissioning as an Ensign in the Limited Duty Officer program at the 14-year point in his career.  The remainder of his career was as an Electronics Materiel Officer where he would typically be responsible for various radar and communication systems.  Subsequently, he would serve on a Guided Missile Cruiser, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and two major shore commands.  At these shore commands, Roy was responsible for coordinating the upgrading of the secure voice communication systems on all ships in the Pacific Fleet, and his last shore duty command in San Diego held him responsible for the maintenance and upgrades to the Combat Systems suite of electronics on the six West coast aircraft carriers.

He retired after 30 years of service on August 1^st, 1997 as a Lieutenant Commander and makes his home in Ankeny Iowa with his wife.

Join us for our New Member Orientation on Friday, October 3, 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!

Valerie Van Kooten is the COO and Administrator of the State Historical Society of Iowa. A Pella native, Valerie previously was the Executive Director of Pella Historical. Before that, she taught technical writing and history at Central College in Pella. Valerie has loved Iowa history since she was a little girl. She currently serves as Chairperson of Marion County's Pioneer Cemetery Commission. In her spare time, Valerie and her husband Kent enjoy following their grandsons' ball games and school events.

The State Historical Society of Iowa has been in existence since 1857 and holds the records and artifacts of our state's earliest beginnings.  Like many other museums and non-profits, the Society is going through some rocky times.  Join Administrator Valerie Van Kooten to hear what's happened, what's being done, and how the Society is ensuring that Iowa's history will be safe into the future.

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

Putting an End to Human Trafficking
Presented by the Greater Des Moines Rotary Multi-Club Committee

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: a program focused on ending human trafficking throughout greater Des Moines while building momentum for community service.

 Cost:  $25 / person

 View the attached event flyer for more information, and follow the provided link to RSVP and donate. 

Our regularly scheduled Friday morning Rotary meeting is cancelled.

Please show your support Wednesday, October 15th at the CIVITAS 2025 event! 

Click the image below for more information.

It's that time again!  The Annual DMAM Live Auction event is scheduled for Friday, October 24th - as many of you know (and for you newer members), this is a highly-anticipated event each year and cannot happen without YOU!  As we've done in years past, we are asking members and their businesses to consider donating an auction item towards the cause - please and thank you!  All collected items will then be auctioned off back to DMAM members during our meeting on 10/24.  The cause you may ask - over the past 4 years, we have provided north of $50,000 worth of coats, hats, gloves, undergarments and snow boots to the kids of Capitol View Elementary.  You all showed up last year and helped us raise $19,810 in less than 30 minutes..... Let's do it again!!

If you or your business are willing and able to provide a donation, please reach out directly to discuss:

Zach Bouslog 515.422.2377 or Jordan Bouslog 515.402.9131

Previous year's donation items have included:

• round of golf at local club
• wine or booze packages
• gift cards
• civic/musical/sporting event tickets
• experiences **these are always hot items for the auction!
• timeshare/vacation rentals
• home goods
• keepsakes/collectibles
• business offerings

We hope to have our lineup of auction items confirmed by October 17.  Thank you in advance for those willing to donate - we couldn't do this without you!  As a reminder, 100% of the money raised will directly fund the students of Capitol View Elementary School to ensure their warmth this winter.  We cannot express enough gratitude for your commitment to helping those in need.

As you consider your donation in advance or bid the day of, please remember our motto:  Service Above Self.

Thank you again for all you do.  We appreciate each of you DMAM'ers!

ZB

Zach Bouslog

Businesses are the lifeblood of Iowa’s communities, empowering Iowans to live, work, play and give back in fulfilling ways. Advocating for Iowa’s businesses and people is an endeavor Nicole Crain, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), has dedicated her career to. Nicole strives to be as vital to Iowa’s businesses and industries as they are to our communities.

Nicole’s background and skills encompass public policy, governmental relations, communications, community relations, member engagement, and financial and operational management. She most recently served as Iowa ABI’s executive vice president, handling finance and operations for the organization, leading membership efforts, and working in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation on childcare issues. She also previously served as senior vice president of public policy and director of government relations for ABI.

Before returning to ABI in 2012, Nicole was president of the Iowa Taxpayers Association. Prior to her roles with ABI, she served as director of government affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa. Simpson College, where Nicole graduated magna cum laude, recognized her as an outstanding alumnus in 2011. Following college, Nicole spent almost two years in Washington, D.C., with the firm of Lesher & Russell, where she worked on behalf of global agri-business companies on federal issues.

Nicole is an experienced advocate for ABI members on employment, environmental and economic growth, among other important public policy issues. As a mission-driven leader, enriching the business community and expanding on opportunities for businesses in a variety of industries in every corner of the state remains her priority and passion. Her personal history as a Blockton, Iowa native and daughter of small-business owners who operated a restaurant in a southern Iowa farming community has provided intimate insight into the unique needs of small-business owners in a variety of industries.

Outside of work, Nicole loves to spend time with her husband and family fishing and enjoying the outdoors. She is also devoted to mentoring students and giving back to her alma mater by serving on its board of trustees. Additional advocacy and volunteer opportunities have led her to sit on the boards of BIPAC, the Iowa Women’s Foundation and Iowa Healthiest State Initiative.

Wear your Halloween Costume to our regular Rotary Meeting!  There will be prizes provided by the Member Relations Committee for the best costume.

Prize categories might include: 

• Most creative
• Scariest
• Most mysterious
• Friendliest
• Most Unique 

Thanks for your participation - keep it simple and bring your costume fun!! 🎃 

Book Club is scheduled for Friday Oct. 31 at the new Highland Underground at 3612 6th Avenue Suite 100, Des Moines (1/2 block south of Euclid on west side of street) from 4 to 6 PM. Attendees encouraged to wear their Halloween costume from the Friday AM meeting. Best scary story wins a prize!!

Darrell (Spooky) Smith

DMAM is once again supporting Reggie’s Sleepout, raising funds to end youth homelessness here in central Iowa. It’s on Saturday, November 1st at Drake Stadium, benefiting the Iowa Homeless Youth Center and YSS.  This year’s Honorary Chairs include the Governor, state legislators and others who have supported us for years. This is proof that everyone can agree on staying up all night if it’s for a good cause.

You can register, volunteer, or donate — every $50 gives a youth a night of safety and support.

And if sleeping on the ground isn’t your thing, you can still help by sharing the event — or just claiming you were “there in spirit.”  
One night of awareness for countless nights of safety.  Join us!

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!