Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary Club

10/15/2026

Welcome to new Downtown members: Jack Moore, Lucas Sperfslage, Alyssa Davin and Matt Maahs. Last night was our ‘new member Rotary mixer’. This was an opportunity for new members to meet the board, and ask questions about their membership, and get to know each other. It was a great conversation and start to their CR Downtown Rotary journey.

10/15/2026

Monday, October 19 at noon is sure to be an interesting program, The True Costs of Cybercrime presented by Greg Edward and Brandon Blankenship. Join us at the DoubleTree in downtown Cedar Rapids.

10/13/2026

Need to update your Rotary wardrobe? Rotary District 5970 has signed up with Russell Hampton and part of the proceeds come back to our district.

Renew Your Rotary Wardrobe and Give Back at the Same Time! 🔄👕⚙️

Looking to update your Rotary apparel, name badge, or accessories? Now is the perfect time!

District 5970 is officially enrolled in the REACH Program through Russell Hampton. When Rotarians and Rotary clubs place orders with Russell Hampton and include our District 5970 code, a portion of the purchase comes back to the district.

That means you can refresh your Rotary wardrobe while helping support district programs and initiatives. It's an easy way to show your Rotary pride and make an investment in the work we do throughout our communities.

So whether you need a new polo, jacket, pin, name badge, or other Rotary gear, be sure to include the District 5970 code when ordering.

10/13/2026

You can bet on another great Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary program November 2 at noon at the DoubleTree Center in Cedar Rapids. Kim Pang, Executive Vice President & General Manager
Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center will be the speaker.

10/13/2026

Mike Duffy, Assistant Public Works Director for Cedar Rapids will share the challenges and successes of keeping our streets free of snow and ice. Join us, Monday, October 26 at noon at the DoubleTree in downtown Cedar Rapids.

10/07/2026

Please join the Cedar Rapids Metro Area Rotary clubs on Saturday, October 24. Everyone is welcome to join the walk.

Join local Rotary clubs for the World’s Largest Polio Walk! 🌎

On Saturday, October 24, World Polio Day, local Rotarians, family, friends and community members will come together for a walk through New Bo and Czech Village in support of Rotary’s global effort to eradicate polio.

📍 New Bo City Market
🕙 10 a.m.

Rotary has been fighting to end polio for more than 35 years. Since 1985, polio cases have decreased by more than 99%, and Rotary and its partners have helped immunize more than 3 billion children worldwide.

Come walk with us, bring your family and friends, and help spread the word about the fight to End Polio Now!

10/05/2026

Monday Noon Downtown

Our speaker: Layne Sheetz, Founder/CEO

Yesandia Improv is a
501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 🇺🇸
founded by Layne Sheetz to provide young performers—from middle school to college age—with stage time and training.

Operating under the motto
" ",

The organization emphasizes listening, collaboration,
and life skills over ego.
Core Programs and Offerings
Camp Yesandia:
An annual multi-day summer camp for middle l
and high school students that teaches
unscripted comedy,
character creation, and trust,
culminating in a public showcase.

▪︎ Improv Incubator:
An adult improv initiative established to offer ongoing classes,
workshops,
and performance opportunities for older participants and high school graduates.

Yesandia

▪︎ Youth & Young Adult Showcases:
Regular public events that frequently
pair student performers from local schools
(such as Washington, Kennedy, and Jefferson) with professional regional improv troupes.

▪︎ Community and Group Bookings:
Customized workshops tailored for elementary-to-high school groups,
corporate team-building,
and professionals needing spontaneous communication skills.

Upcoming Events

▪︎ A Night of Inspiration Fundraiser:
An evening of improv, personal stories,
and auctions on at the
Ellis House in Cedar Rapids to support the 2026–27 season.

Written by: Robin Tucker, Rotarian since '89
Proud Erskine & CwR alum, so loved hearing about my prior CR School sites 🏫

09/24/2026

Join the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids as we welcome Dr. Megan Franklin, Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa, for a look inside Panther Nation.

Her program, “The Legacy of Panther Athletics,” will explore the tradition, people and accomplishments that have shaped UNI Athletics—and the vision for building on that legacy in the years ahead.

Whether you Bleed Purple & Gold or simply enjoy a great story about leadership, teamwork and excellence, this is a Rotary program you won’t want to miss.

💜💛 The Legacy of Panther Athletics
🎤 Dr. Megan Franklin, UNI Director of Athletics
📅 Sept 28 | ⏰ noon | 📍 Doubletree in downtown Cedar Rapids

Go Panthers! 🐾

09/21/2026

Join us Monday, October 5 at noon at the DoubleTree in Cedar Rapids to hear Layne Sheetz, Founder and CEO of Camp Yesandia. This should be another great program.

09/03/2026

Wes Bruns is our speaker noon, Monday, September 14 at the Double Tree in downtown Cedar Rapids. Wes is a coach, husband, father and author of the book When Life Changes the Game. Hear his life story of personal triumphs and tragedies including the loss of 4 family members to carbon monoxide. Invite a friend and join us.