Rotary File for June 16, 2015
The June 16 speaker was John Funderburk, Director of Advocacy Alzheimer's for the Alzheimer's Association, Washington DC.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
The speakers were John Funderburk, Director of Advocacy Alzheimer's and the Work of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington DC. and the Iowa liaison for the Alzheimer's Association, Emily Holley. Funderburk is a former Rotarian from Greenville SC. He was impressed with AM Rotary because it is "the funniest Rotary club I've ever been to."
Alzheimers is the most expensive disease in the US, and the trajectory is frightening. Many have connections within our families and friends. Over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's and by mid-century the number affected by this disease will be 16 million. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US and also in Iowa. It is the only cause of death in the top ten without effective treatment, a cure on the horizon, or an effective method of prevention. Alzheimer's is not normal aging even though the risk does increase with age. We don't know what exactly causes it. It is the most common of 8 different forms of dementia. There is a genetic base for some forms of Alzheimer's, particularly early onset.
Liz Loeb commented that present treatments work on only 1 in 14 people patients with Alzheimer's.
Herb Wilson--IC Noon
LaDonna and Gary Wicklund--IC Noon
Pat Barron--West Chester, PA Rotary
Erin Probst-- Returning Outbound Exchange Student
LaDonna and Gary Wicklund--IC Noon
Pat Barron--West Chester, PA Rotary
Erin Probst-- Returning Outbound Exchange Student
Robyn Mills
Catalina Meseros-- Rebecca Schultz
In the News
Mark Patton expressed condolences on behalf of the Club to Deb Dunkhase and the staff of the Iowa Children's Museum on the tragic loss of a staff member. He recited the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.
Announcements:
Announcements:
FAMSCO - Phil Peterson talked about the last work day for packing up materials at the FAMSCO warehouse. When everything is moved it may be mothballed in a trailer until a new location is found.
Club assignments: Brian Clemons volunteered to do dishes June 16 and Karin Franklin June 23. The scribe June 16 is Amanda McFadden. Greeter for June 23 is Margy Winkler. Meals on Wheels driver is Brian Clemons for June 16, Mike Messier for June 23 and Mark Patton for June 30.
There will be no morning meeting June 30 as we have our Year-ender that evening at NorthRidge Pavilion at 6 pm. Dinner will be served but BYOB. Remember that 12th and Holiday Rd. will be blocked at that time so plan entry into the park from another other direction.
Casey Cook's endowment challenge is ongoing, Make checks out to Community Foundation of Johnson County and specify AM Rotary.
Deb Dunkhase described a proposed District grant submission for an early childhood literacy project. Board members will be polled for approval and members are encouraged to speak to Board members concerning support or concerns. This is a little description of the project: In Johnson county there are many, many home childcare providers. Most receive little training and many do not have much background in childhood development. "Play to read" is the proposed 4 workshop training program for 200 providers to be facilitated by the Iowa Children's Museum and 4-C's of Johnson County. They will be working with Coralville Public Library and may also have support from other public libraries in future years. Attendees will receive kits at each workshop to bring stories to life. Following workshops the workshop providers will do on-site visits to providers. The grant proposal will be submitted in partnership with Iowa City Noon club. Kits will include books and activity supplies. There will be many hours of volunteer opportunities available for Rotarians to develop and assemble kits. The process will be easy to replicate in years to come. The grant will need a $5,000 match from our club, with $3,000 in our budget already. Board will vote on whether to take on this project and commit an additional $2,000.
Coats project next year - Deb Ockenfels will be coordinating this project for District Governor Loring Miller, but we are not eligible to repeat our coat grant request for a second year. That will be the responsibility of other clubs in the district who have not already participated in a District grant for the Coats Project, although we can certainly donate outside of the District grant process. District grants must be submitted by July 1.
Happy bucks - Among the contributors were Jack Cameron, Herb Wilson, Roger Christian, Mike Messier, Deb Pullen-Van Aucken, Liz Nichols, Margy Winkler, Deb Ockenfels, Kris Ockenfels, Tom Novak, Phil Peterson, Dick Huber, Pat Barron, John Ockenfels, and Mark Patton.
There will be no morning meeting June 30 as we have our Year-ender that evening at NorthRidge Pavilion at 6 pm. Dinner will be served but BYOB. Remember that 12th and Holiday Rd. will be blocked at that time so plan entry into the park from another other direction.
Casey Cook's endowment challenge is ongoing, Make checks out to Community Foundation of Johnson County and specify AM Rotary.
Deb Dunkhase described a proposed District grant submission for an early childhood literacy project. Board members will be polled for approval and members are encouraged to speak to Board members concerning support or concerns. This is a little description of the project: In Johnson county there are many, many home childcare providers. Most receive little training and many do not have much background in childhood development. "Play to read" is the proposed 4 workshop training program for 200 providers to be facilitated by the Iowa Children's Museum and 4-C's of Johnson County. They will be working with Coralville Public Library and may also have support from other public libraries in future years. Attendees will receive kits at each workshop to bring stories to life. Following workshops the workshop providers will do on-site visits to providers. The grant proposal will be submitted in partnership with Iowa City Noon club. Kits will include books and activity supplies. There will be many hours of volunteer opportunities available for Rotarians to develop and assemble kits. The process will be easy to replicate in years to come. The grant will need a $5,000 match from our club, with $3,000 in our budget already. Board will vote on whether to take on this project and commit an additional $2,000.
Coats project next year - Deb Ockenfels will be coordinating this project for District Governor Loring Miller, but we are not eligible to repeat our coat grant request for a second year. That will be the responsibility of other clubs in the district who have not already participated in a District grant for the Coats Project, although we can certainly donate outside of the District grant process. District grants must be submitted by July 1.
Happy bucks - Among the contributors were Jack Cameron, Herb Wilson, Roger Christian, Mike Messier, Deb Pullen-Van Aucken, Liz Nichols, Margy Winkler, Deb Ockenfels, Kris Ockenfels, Tom Novak, Phil Peterson, Dick Huber, Pat Barron, John Ockenfels, and Mark Patton.
Speaker
The speakers were John Funderburk, Director of Advocacy Alzheimer's and the Work of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington DC. and the Iowa liaison for the Alzheimer's Association, Emily Holley. Funderburk is a former Rotarian from Greenville SC. He was impressed with AM Rotary because it is "the funniest Rotary club I've ever been to."
Alzheimers is the most expensive disease in the US, and the trajectory is frightening. Many have connections within our families and friends. Over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's and by mid-century the number affected by this disease will be 16 million. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US and also in Iowa. It is the only cause of death in the top ten without effective treatment, a cure on the horizon, or an effective method of prevention. Alzheimer's is not normal aging even though the risk does increase with age. We don't know what exactly causes it. It is the most common of 8 different forms of dementia. There is a genetic base for some forms of Alzheimer's, particularly early onset.
The Alzheimer's Association is committed to raising money for research. Research spending is a tiny fraction of spending on care via Medicare and Medicaid. To impact policy change, the Association's volunteers are talking to politicians about developing a plan to combat this disease through more research. They would like to see a commitment for increased funding for research in the platforms for both parties, as well as increased funding for care and support resources. Volunteers are helping to educate the politicians to Alzheimer's as a public health issue, much as cancer became a public health issue. The Association believes that, while government isn't the answer, it has to help by helping to shape public policy on the disease and funding research. Since all the presidential candidates are visiting Iowa now through the caucuses the Association is focusing its volunteer effort on talking with the politicians as they campaign here. As a non-profit obviously the Alzheimer's Association can't get into politics or support any particular candidate, but it can educate. Ideally, the next president will make a cure for Alzheimer's a national priority no matter which party wins.
There is a PAC associated with the Alzheimer's Association which is permitted to give to candidates. This PAC is 50-50 Democrats and Republicans.
In the last few years, advocates have made big gains primarily in research because research spending has increased 31% in three years. Two major bills directly pertaining to Alzheimer's passed, most recently, the Alzheimer's Accountability Act.
Emily Holly, who is a campaign professional organizer, a native Iowan and Luther college graduate, commented that Iowans provide a public service to the rest of the country during the caucuses. Issues are bigger than candidates and will outlive many candidates. The volunteers for Alzheimer's Association is "growing a movement" with a goal of treating or curing Alzheimer's by 2025. Emily is sending advocates all over the state to candidate events to raise the questions. She wants every cornfield and coffee shop to have someone questioning the candidate about Alzheimer's.
Liz Loeb commented that present treatments work on only 1 in 14 people patients with Alzheimer's.