Iowa Great Lakes Rotary

Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Iowa Great Lakes Rotary meets every Wednesday at the Maser Monarch Lodge at 12pm - Guests are welcome.

IGL Rotary is committed to serving the lakes area and has an annual car drop, Taste of Okoboji tasting event, and Move for Mental Health walk/run.

Over the past couple of weeks, the Rotary Club of the Iowa Great Lakes has had the privilege of giving back to organizat...
04/24/2026

Over the past couple of weeks, the Rotary Club of the Iowa Great Lakes has had the privilege of giving back to organizations that are actively shaping the future of our community.
From environmental conservation to youth development and global outreach, these efforts remind us what’s possible when people come together with purpose. 💙

We were proud to present quarterly donations to:
• Amy Heibult – Dickinson County Conservation Board
Supporting the Nature Playscape project, now nearing completion of construction plans and making strong progress toward its fundraising goal.
• John & Julie Batten – Live for Him Ministries
Helping fund an upcoming mission trip to Uganda.
• Patti Griffiths – Next Life Foundation
Supporting potential expansion into a beauty program to empower individuals with new skills.
• Jean Anne – Dickinson County Museum
• Regina Reed – Lakes Atlas
Be sure to check out their upcoming event this Saturday from 4–6 PM at The Well Coffeehouse and Eatery!
• Jane Kruse – Lakes Area Museum Alliance
• Nancy Vierkant – Get Up and Bowl for Special Olympics
Supporting local athletes as they compete at the state level.

Our program also featured Megan Vigdal from Lakeside Lab, representing the Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Program.
Since 1999, this program has played a critical role in monitoring water quality across 10 lakes in Dickinson County—collecting data multiple times each summer to help protect and sustain our local ecosystems.
Megan gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how samples are collected, analyzed, and ultimately used to make informed decisions that benefit our lakes for generations to come.

This is what Rotary is all about: supporting meaningful initiatives, strengthening our community, and making a lasting impact.

Last month, our club members stepped away from one of our regular meetings, rolled up their sleeves, and stepped into se...
04/06/2026

Last month, our club members stepped away from one of our regular meetings, rolled up their sleeves, and stepped into service.

We gathered around a shared purpose and volunteered to help build chlorine-producing units (CPUs) at Spirit Lake United Methodist Church. These units are distributed in communities with limited access to safe water and can serve between 1,000 to 10,000 people, depending on how densely populated the area is. For more information, including how to get involved, visit swimforhim.org.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve, grateful for the people who showed up, and grateful to be part of a club that continues to put “Service Above Self” into action. 💙⚙️💧

Our last Rotary meeting was one of those special evenings that reminds us what this organization is all about 💙Our progr...
04/03/2026

Our last Rotary meeting was one of those special evenings that reminds us what this organization is all about 💙

Our program for the evening was Spirit Lake Park Special Olympics, represented by Nancy Vierkant, Paula Gomez, Alex Vonehwegen, and several of their athletes. Their presentation was moving, inspiring, and full of heart. They shared how their program serves 30 adult athletes with the help of 4 volunteer coaches, creating opportunities for physical fitness, courage, growth, and joy all year long ❤️
These athletes practice throughout the year, compete at regionals, and for those who place at the top, advance to state. Their dedication is incredible, and it was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when a community believes in people and gives them the chance to shine ✨
They also shared about their upcoming fundraiser, Get Up and Bowl for Special Olympics, happening Sunday, April 19, at Juniper Lanes in Spirit Lake 🎳 This event is completely volunteer-run, with the goal of allowing athletes to participate at no cost. They are also growing their silent auction and would welcome donations from local businesses.
Thank you to Spirit Lake Special Olympics for the work you do, the hope you bring, and the lives you impact. We are grateful you shared your story with us 💛

We also were honored to recognize fellow Rotarian Rachelle Fratzke with Paul Harris +2 recognition for her heartfelt commitment to The Rotary Foundation. Rachelle, thank you for living out the spirit of Rotary through your generosity and service! 🌟

Finally, we got to celebrate a fun and memorable moment from our Car Drop fundraiser 🚗💦 The car officially fell through the water at 10:16, and Annie held the lucky ticket. Congratulations, Annie! What a fun way to wrap up a great fundraiser 🎉

We had the opportunity to hear from Bethany Brands at Rotary yesterday as she shared her story and the role of a County ...
03/20/2026

We had the opportunity to hear from Bethany Brands at Rotary yesterday as she shared her story and the role of a County Attorney ⚖️

They serve as the chief law enforcement officer and chief prosecuting attorney for the county. They are also responsible for:
👉 Prosecuting criminal cases
👉 Providing legal advice to county department heads and elected officials
👉 Representing the county in civil matters.
It’s a position that requires legal expertise, integrity, and a deep commitment to the community.

Thank you, Bethany, for sharing your heart for service, and your dedication to the lakes area 🙏

We were pleased to welcome Mary Dreier from the Lakes Area Museum Alliance (LAMA), a collaborative network of 13 museums...
03/13/2026

We were pleased to welcome Mary Dreier from the Lakes Area Museum Alliance (LAMA), a collaborative network of 13 museums across Dickinson County. Founded three years ago and supported by Spirit of Okoboji, the alliance works to promote the area’s cultural attractions by bringing together museums focused on local history, art, nature, music, and regional heritage.

By collaborating on exhibitions, sharing resources, and coordinating programs, LAMA helps preserve and celebrate the region’s cultural and natural history while encouraging residents and visitors to explore these local treasures.

One exciting initiative is the “LAMA Express Tour,” where participants visit four museums by party bus and enjoy a special activity at each stop. The event was a big success and is expected to return again this summer.

Mary also highlighted a few of the region’s hidden gems!
The Higgins Museum of National Bank Notes houses the largest collection of bank notes in the United States, while the Wi******er Store Museum features the largest private collection of Wi******er items in the nation.

Several upcoming events are happening at the Dickinson County Museum, including:
Way Back Wednesday every Wednesday at 10:00 AM
Stroll Back in Time Downtown Spirit Lake on April 30 from 5:00–7:30 PM, and
Cemetery Talk on June 7, with more info to come

To learn more about the many museums and experiences available throughout the Iowa Great Lakes area, visit Lakes Area Museum Alliance online at lakesmuseums.org

Last week we had the privilege of hearing from Patti with the Next Life Foundation, which just celebrated 10 years of ch...
03/10/2026

Last week we had the privilege of hearing from Patti with the Next Life Foundation, which just celebrated 10 years of changing lives in Mbuguni, Tanzania.
Next Life is a Christian vocational center where students learn practical trades like tailoring and carpentry, gaining skills that help them support themselves and their families.
One story that really stood out: many students walk 2–3 hours each day just to attend school. Because of this, the foundation hopes to build a dormitory so students traveling long distances can live on campus and focus on their education.
Their graduates leave not only with valuable skills, but also with confidence, and hope for the future.
To learn more about the incredible work they’re doing, visit:
www.NextLifeFoundation.org

Another great meeting at Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club! We were proud to recognize Ronald Knutson with his Paul Harris Fe...
02/06/2026

Another great meeting at Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club!

We were proud to recognize Ronald Knutson with his Paul Harris Fellow Plus-Four lapel pin, honoring his continued generosity and commitment to Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self. Ron, thank you for your dedication to our country and our community!

Our program featured Ashley Tieden, a Naturalist with the Dickinson County Conservation Board. Ashley shared about her work caring for all the animals at the Nature Center and supporting engaging conservation programs for people of all ages across our county. Her passion for stewardship, and connecting our community with nature was evident!

To learn more about the Nature Center and upcoming programs, visit:
https://dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com/nature-center/

On our last meeting, the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club welcomed John McMahon from Gentiva Hospice as our program speaker....
01/27/2026

On our last meeting, the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club welcomed John McMahon from Gentiva Hospice as our program speaker.
John shared meaningful insight into the work Gentiva Hospice does across our region and the powerful role volunteers play in caring for patients and families when it matters most. His message was a great reminder that service isn’t always about fixing. It is also about showing up with compassion and presence.
Thank you, John, for your time and for the important work you and your team do in our communities. 💙

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