Events

DRC Sponsor: Jon Lund

To help realize the dream of the Natopiwo Eluwai Women's Center in northern Tanzania, the Burnsville Rotary Club in Burnsville, MN and the Arusha Clocktower Rotary Club in Tanzania have been working jointly on a Rotary International District/Global Grant to support the initiative. Building on the 25-year Luther College and Decorah partnership in Eluwai, it seems natural that the Decorah Rotary Club would want to consider partnering in this effort. This presentation will introduce the project and context and begin a local Rotary Club conversation about a global partnership. We will also explore the possibility of a "service in action" (i.e., sweat equity) trip to Eluwai, organized through Luther College, for Rotarians participating in the project from partner Rotary chapters.

Our presenters include Lori Stanley, retired professor of anthropology who began Luther's partnership in Eluwai, co-leader of 18 January (J) -Term courses in Tanzania, and currently serving as the Natopiwo Partners president; Jon Jensen, professor of philosophy and environmental studies, co-leader of several Luther J-Term courses in Tanzania, and Natopiwo Partners treasurer; Decorah Rotarian John Moeller, retired professor of political science, co-leader of two Luther J-Term courses in Tanzania; and Decorah Rotarian Jon Lund, retired director of Luther's Center for Global Learning, frequent traveler to Tanzania, and Natopiwo Partners board member.

Luther College has been deeply involved in the life and work of the Maasai community of Eluwai in Northern Tanzania. Since Luther’s first J-Term Program in Eluwai in 2002, 253 Luther students, 11 different faculty members, and a handful of staff members have experienced community life in Eluwai.

In 2017, Natopiwo (Lifted Up), a registered non-profit, non-governmental organization was founded in the Monduli region of Northern Tanzania where Eluwai is located. Since its founding, Natopiwo has focused on supporting Maasai families through education, community-based environmental work, the empowerment of women and girls, and the distribution of basic provisions during times of crisis.

In 2024, Natopiwo Partners was founded in Decorah as a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to collaborate with and support the important, ongoing work of Natopiwo. Both Natopiwo and Natopiwo Partners operate on the principle that the most impactful community development work involves projects that emanate from the expressed needs and wishes of community members themselves and that directly address one or more community priorities. The Natopiwo Eluwai Women’s Center is a project that emanates from and directly meets the needs of the community.

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Decorah Rotarian and past District 5970 Governor Ward Budweg and his spouse, Decorah Rotarian Jacky Budweg, traveled to Taiwan in June in conjunction with the annual Rotary International Convention being hosted in Taipei. As part of that journey, they represented our club and district in the End Polio Now Taiwan Cycling Tour. Ward and Jacky will reflect on and share their many amazing adventures and experiences while traveling in Taiwan.

The End Polio Now Taiwan Cycling Tour started from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan and finished at the Taipei Music Center. The tour spaned seven days and six nights along the scenic east coast, visiting some of the most beautiful sites of Taiwan. Participants raised funds and awareness to help Rotary's End Polio Now campaign.

The 2026 Rotary International Convention took place in Taipei from 13-17 June. It was hosted at the Taipei - Farglory Dome and the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, with over 38,000 attendees from 140 countries and regions.

Most Decorah Rotarians know Ward and Jacky in a variety of contexts. In addition to their Rotary leadership roles, their yard and driveway were an annually recurring construction zone for the Rotary Nordic Fest float. They are co-authors of the 2020 book The World at 10 MPH. The book provides a fascinating look at their global, 1,106 day, 33,523-mile joint bicycle journey across six continents from 2007-2010.

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Chris Lindell serves as chair of Rotary District 5970’s District International Service Committee (DISC), a team of experienced Rotarians who help clubs expand and strengthen their international service. The DISC connects clubs with Rotary resources, expertise, potential partners and other clubs while encouraging greater collaboration throughout the district. Chris will provide an overview of the state of international service in District 5970 and highlight the many ways clubs and individual Rotarians can make global connections—from youth and cultural exchanges to international projects and Global Grants.

Expanding Rotary international service opportunities not only extends Rotary’s impact around the world, but also gives members more ways to become meaningfully engaged. Strong international connections can help clubs attract new members, retain existing members and provide the kinds of experiences that make Rotary membership rewarding.

A second-generation Rotarian, Chris has been a Rotarian for 38 years and has belonged to four Rotary clubs, including four years with the Rotary Club of Auckland, New Zealand. He is a past president of Cedar Rapids West Rotary and has held numerous club and district leadership positions, including serving as the District Global and Peace Scholarship Chair.

Chris is a native of Le Mars, Iowa, and married his high school sweetheart. They have two adult children. Following careers in jewelry, utilities, banking and engineering, Chris fully retired in 2024. He is an avid bicyclist and musician—and a self-described computer geek.

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email.