DMARSPA AUGUST 24, 2017, MINUTES
1. In lieu of President Justine Finley's absence, Sharon Cooley welcomed members and
guests to the August 24. 2017, DMARSPA meeting. She also thanked members who
brought school supplies.
2. Diann Mackey introduced Jim Swanstrom, who presented the program on Children and
Families Urban Movement. A graduate of Illinois State University, he has spent his entire
career working for non profits. CFUM started out as an outreach ministry for Trinity United
Methodist Church. The Black Panther movement distributed money across the country to
finance breakfast programs for kids. The church stepped up and said they would do a
meal for children. Twenty five years ago, they decided to become their own organization
and became CFUM. Five years ago, they became Children and Family Movement. It
increased their funding because it was no longer affiliated with a religious group. CFUM is
all about literacy. They operate in a challenging neighborhood. Moulton Elementary is
one of the schools. All of their kids K-5 go there. Twenty nine languages are spoken at
Moulton. High rate of poverty in the neighborhood,. One of the most affective tools is
literacy. Programs are from K-12. Reading is core to their existence. Every child that
starts with them graduates from high school. They try to create an environment where their
kids are successful. Currently, they are at capacity at 75 k-2. Gender specific has room for
30 girls and 30 boys at higher grade levels. A number of kids go to Harding Jr. High School
after Moulton. But, they have kids in all DM high schools, as well as Valley, Lincoln and
Ankeny. Fundraising is struggling to keep up; they've had to lay off some staff.
Unfortunately, the need is still there. Jim asked each of us how we can help CFUM. They
are in need of skilled volunteers who can come in and work with their volunteer
coordinators. They lease room from Trinity Church and rent a building on Sixth Avenue.
Last November they opened up a space at Moulton. Through the generosity of faithful
donors, they are about to embark on a building project at 9th and College, and build a new
facility. All four programs have waiting lists, so the new buildings will alleviate this need.
He thanked all for the donated school supplies.
3. August birthdays were honored by the singing of Happy Birthday, followed by the pledge to
the Flag and a moment of silence.
4. Lunch
5. Amy Doyle spoke to members about EMBARC during the lunch hour, Ethnic minorities of
Burma. It’s located in the old Target store on Euclid. Burma is divided by eight major
tribes, and is the size of Texas. Every ethnic group has its own language, dress, customs.
No common language of Burma. Very challenging to teachers. It is the largest refugee
group in the United States. Amy was here to tell about the group and to see if any
members could help. Burma has been in a civil war for over 60 years. Originally a British
colony, war resulted when Britain left. Most of the refugees came from camps. EMBARC
serves these refugees. Many of these people have spent their entire lives in refugee
camps. Iowa allows a certain number of refugees a year. Once you have family here, you
can be sent to your family. That’s how our refugee communities work. The largest group
of refugees are centered around packing plants, where they can earn a living and not have
to speak English. EMBARC was created to help the group understand what’s going on in
their community. One of their staff members speaks eight languages. They do it with
people who volunteer to be staff members. Volunteers go to schools, homes, businesses.
They also provide education and outreach. Four programs that might interest DMARSPA
members might be - walk-in clinics on Mondays(not medical, but provides daily life
information), ESL classes, after school tutors. EMBARCIOWA.ORG.
6. Dee announced 350 school items were donated.
7. Marilyn Reese presented the “Joke of The Day.”
8. Dee called the August 24, 2017, business meeting to order.
A. Installation will be moved to October when Elaine Wilkinson returns.
B. Secretary Minutes - Sherry Wilkinson
C. Treasurer’s Report - Rosemary Hillman. Checking account balance on July 27, 2017,
was $11,983.65. Deposits - $1403; expenses: Baratta’s - $1014, Dorothy’s
House - $500. Checking account balance on August 24, 2017, - $11,872.65.
Scholarship fund: On July 27 - $3,266.84, with interest of 17 cents. Balance on
August 24 - $3267.01. Total assets as of August 24, 2017 - $15,139.66.
Rosemary made a motion to provide a $100 gift certificate to Joelle and Bill
Snyder for their work with creating the Membership book. Motion passed.
Report will be filed for audit.
D. Courtesy - Dee Fleischacker: Cards were sent to Dorothy Perry for knee surgery;
Trudy Wolfe for a broken arm; Elva Pittman for a cornea transplant; Norma Ruth
upon her death.
E. Legislative - Gary Thelen (absent). In lieu of Gary’s absence, Warren Pitcher read the
report. Last week, the Register had two articles about IPERS. The first article
indicated IPERS had joined two other retirement systems in a class action
lawsuit against certain financial institutions claiming they had violated anti trust
laws by going together to benefit stock borrowers to get higher profits. Another
article appeared yesterday saying IPERS had an 11.7 percent return on
investments. IPERS has about 80 percent funding. For the past three years,
IPERS had a return of 8.64 percent.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Any concerns about the Directory should be emailed to Bill or Joelle Snyder.
2. Turn in volunteer hours to Shirley Corkhill today. State needs them by the
end of the month.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. State dues must be paid by October.
2. IRSPA state conference October 4-5 in Waterloo/Cedar Falls. Think about
getting a car load and attending.
3. The September meeting is designated as new member month. If you know
of someone who is interested in membership, please invite them for a
complimentary lunch.
8. Cashiers for next month, September 28, are Fran Ganoe and Mara Swanson.
9. Visitors were introduced.
10. Announcements: Jim Patch told a joke about burning calories. Dee thanked her callers.
The list for new callers will be announced next month. She asked some members to
come forward who have earned a gold badge for 100 percent attendance this year.
(Warren Pitcher,). Additional members were asked to come forward (Paula Schaffer,
Marilyn Reece) who have only missed one meeting this year.
11. Puzzle answers read by Dee Fleischacker.
12. The door prize was won by Joan Strenz.
13. Dee adjourned the meeting at 12:40 p.m. Our next meeting will be September 28 with
the program being “The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.”
1. In lieu of President Justine Finley's absence, Sharon Cooley welcomed members and
guests to the August 24. 2017, DMARSPA meeting. She also thanked members who
brought school supplies.
2. Diann Mackey introduced Jim Swanstrom, who presented the program on Children and
Families Urban Movement. A graduate of Illinois State University, he has spent his entire
career working for non profits. CFUM started out as an outreach ministry for Trinity United
Methodist Church. The Black Panther movement distributed money across the country to
finance breakfast programs for kids. The church stepped up and said they would do a
meal for children. Twenty five years ago, they decided to become their own organization
and became CFUM. Five years ago, they became Children and Family Movement. It
increased their funding because it was no longer affiliated with a religious group. CFUM is
all about literacy. They operate in a challenging neighborhood. Moulton Elementary is
one of the schools. All of their kids K-5 go there. Twenty nine languages are spoken at
Moulton. High rate of poverty in the neighborhood,. One of the most affective tools is
literacy. Programs are from K-12. Reading is core to their existence. Every child that
starts with them graduates from high school. They try to create an environment where their
kids are successful. Currently, they are at capacity at 75 k-2. Gender specific has room for
30 girls and 30 boys at higher grade levels. A number of kids go to Harding Jr. High School
after Moulton. But, they have kids in all DM high schools, as well as Valley, Lincoln and
Ankeny. Fundraising is struggling to keep up; they've had to lay off some staff.
Unfortunately, the need is still there. Jim asked each of us how we can help CFUM. They
are in need of skilled volunteers who can come in and work with their volunteer
coordinators. They lease room from Trinity Church and rent a building on Sixth Avenue.
Last November they opened up a space at Moulton. Through the generosity of faithful
donors, they are about to embark on a building project at 9th and College, and build a new
facility. All four programs have waiting lists, so the new buildings will alleviate this need.
He thanked all for the donated school supplies.
3. August birthdays were honored by the singing of Happy Birthday, followed by the pledge to
the Flag and a moment of silence.
4. Lunch
5. Amy Doyle spoke to members about EMBARC during the lunch hour, Ethnic minorities of
Burma. It’s located in the old Target store on Euclid. Burma is divided by eight major
tribes, and is the size of Texas. Every ethnic group has its own language, dress, customs.
No common language of Burma. Very challenging to teachers. It is the largest refugee
group in the United States. Amy was here to tell about the group and to see if any
members could help. Burma has been in a civil war for over 60 years. Originally a British
colony, war resulted when Britain left. Most of the refugees came from camps. EMBARC
serves these refugees. Many of these people have spent their entire lives in refugee
camps. Iowa allows a certain number of refugees a year. Once you have family here, you
can be sent to your family. That’s how our refugee communities work. The largest group
of refugees are centered around packing plants, where they can earn a living and not have
to speak English. EMBARC was created to help the group understand what’s going on in
their community. One of their staff members speaks eight languages. They do it with
people who volunteer to be staff members. Volunteers go to schools, homes, businesses.
They also provide education and outreach. Four programs that might interest DMARSPA
members might be - walk-in clinics on Mondays(not medical, but provides daily life
information), ESL classes, after school tutors. EMBARCIOWA.ORG.
6. Dee announced 350 school items were donated.
7. Marilyn Reese presented the “Joke of The Day.”
8. Dee called the August 24, 2017, business meeting to order.
A. Installation will be moved to October when Elaine Wilkinson returns.
B. Secretary Minutes - Sherry Wilkinson
C. Treasurer’s Report - Rosemary Hillman. Checking account balance on July 27, 2017,
was $11,983.65. Deposits - $1403; expenses: Baratta’s - $1014, Dorothy’s
House - $500. Checking account balance on August 24, 2017, - $11,872.65.
Scholarship fund: On July 27 - $3,266.84, with interest of 17 cents. Balance on
August 24 - $3267.01. Total assets as of August 24, 2017 - $15,139.66.
Rosemary made a motion to provide a $100 gift certificate to Joelle and Bill
Snyder for their work with creating the Membership book. Motion passed.
Report will be filed for audit.
D. Courtesy - Dee Fleischacker: Cards were sent to Dorothy Perry for knee surgery;
Trudy Wolfe for a broken arm; Elva Pittman for a cornea transplant; Norma Ruth
upon her death.
E. Legislative - Gary Thelen (absent). In lieu of Gary’s absence, Warren Pitcher read the
report. Last week, the Register had two articles about IPERS. The first article
indicated IPERS had joined two other retirement systems in a class action
lawsuit against certain financial institutions claiming they had violated anti trust
laws by going together to benefit stock borrowers to get higher profits. Another
article appeared yesterday saying IPERS had an 11.7 percent return on
investments. IPERS has about 80 percent funding. For the past three years,
IPERS had a return of 8.64 percent.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Any concerns about the Directory should be emailed to Bill or Joelle Snyder.
2. Turn in volunteer hours to Shirley Corkhill today. State needs them by the
end of the month.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. State dues must be paid by October.
2. IRSPA state conference October 4-5 in Waterloo/Cedar Falls. Think about
getting a car load and attending.
3. The September meeting is designated as new member month. If you know
of someone who is interested in membership, please invite them for a
complimentary lunch.
8. Cashiers for next month, September 28, are Fran Ganoe and Mara Swanson.
9. Visitors were introduced.
10. Announcements: Jim Patch told a joke about burning calories. Dee thanked her callers.
The list for new callers will be announced next month. She asked some members to
come forward who have earned a gold badge for 100 percent attendance this year.
(Warren Pitcher,). Additional members were asked to come forward (Paula Schaffer,
Marilyn Reece) who have only missed one meeting this year.
11. Puzzle answers read by Dee Fleischacker.
12. The door prize was won by Joan Strenz.
13. Dee adjourned the meeting at 12:40 p.m. Our next meeting will be September 28 with
the program being “The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.”
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