Club Information
Cedar Rapids Sunrise

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 7:00 a.m.
Matthew 25 Groundswell Cafe
201 3rd Ave SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
United States of America
We are meet at Matthew 25 Groundswell Cafe, 201 3rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids. Order your breakfast on your way into the meeting, as our guest!
District Site
Bulletins
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Home Page Stories
Highlights
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Welcome to 2025! 
 
  • Weekly Rotary Programs at Matthew 25: 
> Jan 23 - John Wasta, Rotary Foundation Updates
> Jan 30 - Sara Mentzer, Bob Carlson:  Plans for "Prairie Summit Y" .. the new YMCA facility at the College Community Schools campus
> Feb 6 -  Rob Davis - Iowa Flood Protection update City of Cedar Rapids
> Feb 13 - TBD - Possible evening Club Social Event
> Feb 20 - TBD - 
> Feb 27 - Jackie Nau - Understanding Tourette Syndrome
> To be scheduled:  Area Substance Abuse Council Jessie Lobb, ASAC
  •  Recent Programs and Events Highlights: 
> Jan 9 -  Greg Neumeyer - Robins "Planning for GROWTH" - parks, homes, trails and businesses! 
> Jan 2 - We met and interviewed our Global Scholar Applicant and parents - Ashton Knatz! 
> Dec 12 - Dean Houdeshell - Innovative Coaching Solutions. Engaging, smart talk on organizational leadership.
> Nov 21 - Jenny Bosking - "The ARC" and wonderful services they provide to our area. 
 
Program/Speaker suggestions are always welcome.  Contact Bruce Lindholm or email CRSunriseRotary@gmail.com
 
We hold our weekly meeting at 7am Thursdays at Matthew 25, 201 3rd Ave SW., Cedar Rapids, Iowa   All are welcome!
 
 

Alliant Energy - Duane Arnold Solar News
Kimberley Dickey, the Duane Arnold Solar project developer manager, presented their Duane Arnold I and II projects to our club earlier this year.
 
From our warm reception for her, we were invited to visit the Duane Arnold Solar II project site under construction, in July.  That project update is here.  
 
A recent public meeting introduced the Duane Arnold IV project, as reported here. It may be sized about the same at Duane Arnold I and II together.
https://corridorbusiness.com/nextera-energy-outlines-plans-for-duane-arnold-solar-iv-project-in-linn-county/   Solar is becoming an alternative to wind turbines for clean energy. 
 
Cedar Rapids Gazette Photo

Sunrise Rotary "Transform Week" Project at Matthew 25
Every year in the last week of June, Matthew 25 organizes volunteer teams from business, non-profits and clubs to work on home improvement projects.   The homeowners are challenged with funding and physical abilities, and are grateful for project teams who can fix, paint, replace and 'clean up' older homes! Up to 150 volunteer team members from many organizations made a big difference every day that week. 
 
This year Sunrise Rotary members joined the Lin-Mar High School Robotics Team on a project, to clean up the landscaping of weeks, brush, dig out old steel fencing, remove/haul away some trash and planting grass and flowers.  Photos of the boys (and our new President Bob Schell) highlight the "after" pictures.  Lunch was served to the 150 volunteers at Matthew 25.  

We forgot to get 'before' pictures of the yard! 
 
 
 
 
  

 
   

      
 
 
 

     

 

  
 
 

Rotary Year Wrap Up! 
The Rotary Year summary on June 25, 2024
 
President Lynette Markofski reviewed our many accomplishments of the 12 months ending.   
 
Incoming President Bob Schell received the president's gavel and our charter certificate. 
 
Club Secretary Ben Stutt was honored with Darrel Berry Rotarian of the Year award.  Ben handled the Secretary duties AND led the Annual Sunrise Rotary Golf Fundraiser!  Both were great accomplishments. 
 
Our new Rotary Year begins July 1.  Congratulations to all Rotary Members and Rotary Families! 
 
 
 
 
Shakespeare Garden
Fall 2024 Shakespeare Garden Cleanup is postponed due to construction. 
 
Sunrise and West Rotary Clubs joined the Shakespeare Garden volunteers April 20 for a clean up effort. 
 
The Shakespeare Garden is our 2024-2025 Linn County Rotary Community Project, funding major improvements and supported by ALL Eight Linn County Iowa Rotary Clubs! 
 
  
 
The metal gateway feature was fabricated by Marion/East Cedar Rapids Club, Rotarian Tom Barnes (Barnes Mfg, Marion, IA), and installed at the Ellis Boulevard entrance in June 2024! 
 
  
 
Other updated features are shown below. 
 
Fundraising continues for this beautiful riverside garden!    https://friendsofshakespearegarden.org/
 
 
 
 
 
 
Families Helping Families Golf Event! 
Sunrise Rotary and Families Helping Families joined forces and hosted a great Golf Event on May 23
 
22 teams competed for fun-prizes on a beautiful spring day! 
 
A report will be coming from the golf committee and FHF in the week ahead. 
Flight to End Polio Report
    

ONE ENGINE, TWO PILOTS
AND A 2:1 DONATION MATCH

 
After nearly 90 days they are HOME!!!!

Cedar Rapids Gazette front page article April 9:  Read or Print PDF

https://www.flighttoendpolio.com/#

Use this link to Donate!   Contribute to Rotary Foundation - Polio Fund! 
 
Read their story, see photos, share the Facebook page with friends. https://www.facebook.com/flighttoendpolio
 
Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels raised awareness for polio eradication by piloting a single engine aircraft all the way around the globe! 
​
Peter and John departed from Cedar Rapids, Iowa May 5, 2023 in a Cessna T210M (single engine) airplane. Along the way, they attended events and encourage support of ending polio forever throughout the world.
 
YOU can promote the completed flight, start conversations, and encourage Polio funds for Rotary with friends and strangers!  
 
Rotarians and friends in D6000 and D5970 are promoting awareness and this fundraising effort. Donations will go toward PolioPlus Fund. 
 
Peter and John arrived home July 30 and are reunited with their spouses!
 
The crowd moving out to greet the brave Rotarian pilots!
 
 
 
 
 

Rotary International Conference in Minneapolis! 

Great News from our District Governor:

I am excited to share that the 120th Rotary International Convention will be hosted just to our north in Minneapolis, MN May 26-30, 2029!

More than 15,000 Rotary members and participants from around the world will gather in the Twin Cities to connect, learn from each other and various experts, and share ideas for bringing positive, lasting change to communities across the globe. 
 
Along with our sister District 6000, I have expressed to the host committee that D5970 will assist where needed. In my visits this year I have spoken about how RI Conventions have influenced me personally and how they show the impact Rotary has around the globe.
 
I invite you to take advantage of this opportunity, when it’s so close, to experience what a difference Rotarians make worldwide!
 
The 3 Sunrise Rotary Community Grants Completed in 2022. 
Sunrise Rotary awarded these THREE grants.  They were funded 50% by our fundraising and 50% by the Rotary Foundation.
  • Catherine McAuley Center.   Equip their new childcare center, enabling parents to learn without distractions. 
  • Abbe Health/Aging Services.  Prepare at-home older adults to use tablets to connect to others. 
  • ChildServe Coralville.  Assist with purchasing Speech Therapy Apps to help non-verbal children. 
Sunrise Rotarian volunteers engaged on completing these projects AND volunteered with the organizations in their critical work. 
 
Why we are in Sunrise Rotary

When asked this morning, "why are you a member of the Sunrise Rotary?" here are some member responses:

  • "I like the impact we have locally AND internationally"
  • "Carrying out service above self."
  • "I like the local service projects and the community relationship that comes from serving."
  • "It's an opportunity to grow in leadership and make a difference in the lives I care about."
  • "Interpersonal development, networking, and making a difference."
  • "Learning about local organizations and the services they provide this community."
We invite you to be part of the exciting service projects, amazing network, and morning breakfast meetings. If you are interested in learning more, please message us! Visit our Sunrise Rotary Facebook Page to learn more!  Contact us at CRSunriseRotary@gmail.com. 

 

Rotary Links
 
Speakers
Sara Mentzer - Director Marketing & Development
Jan 30, 2025 7:00 AM
New Prairie Summit YMCA Project
Rob Davis -Cedar Rapids Flood Control System Mgr
Feb 06, 2025 7:00 AM
CR Flood Control Projects - Update!
Possible Rotary Social
Feb 13, 2025
Watch for news!
TBD
Feb 20, 2025 7:00 AM
TBD
Jackie Nau
Feb 27, 2025 7:00 AM
Tourette Syndrome
View entire list...
Join Great People at Rotary! 
Are you looking for a way to engage in the Cedar Rapids area community?   Serve alongside some great Rotarians!   
 
Check us out.  Visit our weekly meetings, any Thursday morning at 7:00 AM.   Just walk in - breakfast is on us.  Matthew 25/Groundswell Cafe.  201 3rd Street SW, Cedar Rapids IA
 
Contact us directly.   Click to Email CRSunriseRotary@gmail.com or our Membership Chair, Eric Harris
 
Share your profile with us using this Profile form. It is limited to our Membership Chair and Club Secretary. 
 
Not sure yet which club to consider? Start your inquiry at our Rotary Leads portal and we will talk and point you to one or more clubs.  

Site Pages

 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Bob Schell
President Elect
Mary Schell
Secretary
Ben Stutt
Treasurer
Karen Nemecek
Foundation Chair
Bob Schell
Membership
Eric Harris
Club Grants Management
Bruce Lindholm
Programs Chair
Bruce Lindholm
Club Social Activities
Lynette Markofski
Immediate Past President
Lynette Markofski
Service Projects
Lynette Markofski
Club Public Image
Bruce Lindholm
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