June 2022

 DMARSPA JUNE 23, 2022, MINUTES
FORTE’ BANQUET CENTER
10:30 AM

1. President Marla Carr welcomed DMARSPA members and guests to the June 23, 2022,
meeting.
2. The presenter, Rhea Spigner, a KCCI news reporter, was introduced by Marla. Rhea is the
breaking news anchor for KCCI . Social issues is her passion. She won a diversity and
inclusion award. Rhea started her career in Georgia. She is a graduate of Walter Cronkite
School of Journalism and is pursuing her Master’s degree. Rhea thanked teachers for all
they do toward educating children to think. Each teacher helped her evolve into what she
has become. Her first on air slot was on “Slap Boulevard.” She packed up from Los
Angelas to Georgia. Her editor assigned her to four to six stories a day. Overwhelming
was one word. She realized that she was getting set up to failure. About nine months
later, she was fired. Rhea wondered if she was supposed to do this. She followed
Oprah’s story, who also got fired at her first job after nine months. Her mom sent her a
book called THE MAGIC. “Each day, you would do an activity. The reader should look
through life through a new perspective. As we get older, we lose that magic.” Next, she
moved to Augusta from Albany, Georgia. She had a similar experience, having to do it all.
Another stage to evolve, another lesson. A woman on the assignment desk, taught her no
matter how bad the day, something could be accomplished. She had never been to the
mid west, but a woman shared her agent who convinced her KCCI was a good place to go;
the news director was fantastic. Dave Busick convinced her to come to Iowa. Six years
later, she is still here. After thinking Iowa was cute, she learned there was much more.
The legacy of the station and the fact that the news director believed in her really motivated
her. After watching her for six years, people know she has grown. Dave taught her a lot,
but she also learned to be herself. As she became more herself, she began to be promoted
and exposed to more opportunities, like: “Promote Community.” This time taught her what
her purpose was. Eric Hanson was the one who reached out in the news room and asked
her questions about her perspective about what was happening in the world. He taught
her that people want to learn more about what makes us different. “Project Community”
happened in 2019. Because of Covid, everything came to a hold. But, it was a time when
everyone starting asking questions in the newsroom about injustices. She wanted to have
these conversations. She was glad people wanted to just listen; no judgment. They just
wanted to understand. She was so honored to become a teacher. That also led her to
realize her purpose-to teach about important topics. She realized how important these
moments are. Don’t forget how young you still are and the best is yet to come. Share the
knowledge to the next generation. We all still need it. An audience member asked her
what is her end goal. “My thoughts and dreams are more community impact focused,
instead of getting on the national stage.” When asked about what her initial thoughts on
Iowa were, she replied how early the sun comes up. Also, there is an “Iowa Nice.” People
take time to say hello. Surprised by diversity and pockets of cultures. What’s been your
biggest disappointment - “The lack of civility. We could have come together more, from
topics on legality, legislation, but we have not - legislature.” What do you want to do with
your law degree? “I prayed. The more I learned, the more I learned about social economic
disparity, so now, I just want to fill those gaps in many different ways.” Rhea unwinds by
cooking, reading, seeing trash TV shows, biking. Difficult stories are hard and heart
wrenching. In today’s climate, what would you tell new journalists? “The truth is the truth.
You should feel that you need to coat it, dumb it down. There is a way to make it more
tangible. We are trying to be sensitive to so many perspectives that we are losing following
the truth.” Is there anyone new that you are a mentor to? “Kayla, James, Scott Carpenter.
Weird as seeing myself as a mentor.”
3. Celebration of June birthdays followed by singing Happy Birthday.
4. Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence.

5. Lunch catered by Baratta’s .
6. Thank you to wait staff.
7. Introduction of visitors.
8. Business Meeting:
A. Secretary - Sherry Wilkinson. Minutes were filed as read.
1. Joke of The Day
B. Treasurer’s Report: Sandra Petree - General Account: balance on hand May 26,
2022, $5531.80. Deposits: $1563, Expenses: Baratta’s 5/9 - $1440.00,
Baratta’s 6/1 - $1160.00. Balance on hand June 23, 2022 - $4494.80.
Scholarship Account: Balance on hand May 26, 2022, $4569.37. Deposits -
$60.00, interest - $.02. Expenses- three scholarships - $4500.00. Balance on
hand June 23, 2022 - $129.39.
1. Dues of $18 need to be paid by June 30 to Sandra.
2. Thanks to Nancy Waldon for table decorations.
C. Courtesy Report: Dee Fleischacker. Ellen Rasmussen - for shoulder surgery.
1. If anyone has extra cards, please give them to Dee, as she supplies her own.
2. Dee thanked people who have donated stamps and cards.
3. Dee read answers to the puzzle.
D. Old Business:
1. Volunteer hours - Please keep track of your volunteer hours and turn them in
at the beginning of August meeting.
E. New Business:
1. Build membership. Invite retirees to our meetings.
2. Programs are confirmed for 2022-2023. Thank you for suggestions.
3. Iowa Hall of Pride is closing June 30, so no extra parking.
4. Tri Lex bought Baratta’s . Open to ideas for a new place to meet.
9. Announcements:
A. Sandra Petree has volunteered to organize the list of people who would like to make
table decorations and/or favors for our monthly meetings.
B. Nominations for new officers for 2022-2023.
1. Installation of officers in August.
C. Cashiers for next month - Paula Middleton Schaefer and Marian Langenberg.
10. Door prize - Joan Strenz.
11. “Thankful,” a reading by Marla Carr.
July program - Vintage Restaurants of Des Moines - Jerry Talerico.
Adjournment at 12:26 pm
Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Wilkinson
Secretary