Events

Please note location change to the Hovde Room in the Luther College Library.  It is the first meeting room on the right after entering the library.  Please park in the lot behind the library.

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

First Lutheran Church Senior Pastor and fellow Decorah Rotarian Mike Wilker will be sharing images and stories from his recent delegation trip to Namibia. Discover the vibrant connections between Namibia and northeast Iowa through Luther College, local congregations, and regional partnerships.

This relationship continues a connection dating back to the 1970s, when educational exchanges first brought Namibian students to northeast Iowa. Mike represented northeastern Iowa Lutherans at the installation of two new Namibian Bishops in February. He witnessed firsthand how international cooperation has strengthened both communities over decades. Learn how this longstanding relationship between Namibia and Decorah continues to foster educational, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges that benefit both regions.

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Our annual Spring Roadside Cleanup event is scheduled for Saturday, April 12. Please meet at Putnam Law Office at 8AM to pick up safety vests and bags.  We will also take a photo of volunteer present at that time.

If you would like to assist with the project but are unable to participate on the 13th, please reach out to Ward Budweg to make alternative arrangements.

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Mike Bollinger, fellow Decorah Rotarian and Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange (SSE), has offered to speak to our club about the SSE 50th Anniversary Celebration planned for August 8-9, 2025 at the SSE Heritage Farm site north of Decorah. The event will feature a variety of activities including speakers, farm and facilities tours, workshops, a seed swap, and live music.

SSE conserves biodiversity by maintaining a collection of over 20,000 different varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated plants, varieties with the ability to regenerate themselves year after year. These seeds (and tissue cultures or other plant materials, depending on how a plant reproduces) have the power to withstand unforeseen pestilence and plant disease, climate change, and limited habitat, and to stop dinnertime boredom forever. The SSE Heritage Farm serves as the headquarters of SSE and includes the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center and Gift and Garden Store, miles of hiking trails, a trout stream, display gardens and a historic orchard. The Heritage Farm serves as the principal location for housing the extensive seed collection and for hosting special events. The entire SSE team (including preservation and education staff, donor and member services, the garden crew, and order fulfillment team) is also based at the Decorah location.

Mike has a long and fruitful connection with SSE. He originally served as a member of their garden crew and contracted as a seed producer. For more than a decade, he has collaborated as the primary producer of transplants for the SSE plant sales with his wife, Katie, through their certified organic farm, River Root Farm. As co-founder of an agricultural solutions company, Mike has also provided support to SSE on greenhouse design and organic production practices. Mike has not only gained a practical understanding of organic and sustainable growing practices but also dedicated years of service as an active member on the board of directors for organizations focusing on farmer education services and local and regional food systems.

For more information on SSE and to register for the 50th Anniversary Celebration visit https://www.seedsavers.org/.

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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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken will be visiting our club to share information on the various projects and plans in store for the city of Decorah during the 2025 calendar year.

Mr. Goedken assumed the duties as Decorah City Manager on September 9, 2021. He previously served as City Administrator of Humboldt, where he served for nearly six years. Prior to that, he served in diverse roles as a Deputy City Clerk, underground utilities heavy equipment operator, and firefighter/EMT. He is a two-time graduate of the University of Iowa in Political Science and Economics and obtained his master’s degree in Public Administration from Drake University. He was born and raised in the Dyersville area. While in Humboldt, he oversaw several major projects including a five block downtown streetscape project, construction of a community daycare facility (of which he served as President), and the construction and donation of a 71,000 square foot recreation center.

Travis and his spouse Tara have four children. In his limited spare time he enjoys fly fishing or ice fishing depending on the season.

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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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

Please note the location change to the Hovde Room at the Luther College Library.  It is the first room on the left after you enter.  Please park in the lot behind the library.

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Cheryl Johnson, President of Iowa Grotto, member of the Cave Research Foundation - Eastern Operations, and member of the National Speleological Society will present on the discovery, exploration and preservation of Winneshiek County's Coldwater Cave, the largest cave in the Upper Midwest.

Ms. Johnson's interest in the science of speleology began as a child. She could hear water running through the ground near sinkholes on her family farm and was fascinated about what might lay underneath. A grade school field trip to Niagara Cave in Harmony, MN opened her eyes to the world below the karst topography of the Driftless. Due to a lack of available scholarships in the field she was unable to pursue a career in Geology; however, now that her children are grown she has the opportunity to pursue her passion for caves as a leisure interest. Her interest has grown into her involvement in cartography projects at both the local and national level.

Born and raised in rural Decorah, Ms. Johnson graduated from Decorah High School in 1999 and studied accounting at Luther College. For the past 10 years she has served as the office manager for the Chiropractic Offices of fellow Rotarian Kelly Reagan.

For more about the Iowa Grotto and the National Speleological Society please visit https://caves.org/grotto/iowa-grotto/.

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DRC Sponsor: Tim Cronin

Our club is pleased and honored to welcome accomplishd author, educator, and humanitarian Dr. David Markward, who will be speaking about his recent book From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America. In his book, Dr. Markward investigates the complex world of racism. It is a testament to his belief in humanity and the power of education to effect change. It invites readers to reflect on their own biases and work toward a more just and equitable future. From his upbringing in a predominantly white community to his lifelong pursuit of racial justice, the story is both inspiring and thought-provoking.

After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School and Augustana College, Dr. Markward earned two advanced degrees from Western Illinois University and a doctorate from Illinois State University. He started his career as a junior-high-school science teacher, then served as a coach, principal, school district superintendent (including for the Rock Island-Milan School District and Cedar Rapids Community School District), college instructor, and educational consultant.

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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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Merry Makers is a scripted comedy-based club formed at Luther College in October 2023. The club creates a space for Luther students to learn more about and practice various types of comedy including sketch comedy, improv, mime, slapstick and clowning. They also explore writing, direction, and acting in comedic theater.

The Merry Makers clown troupe "Cloupe Therapy" will be on hand to share their entertaining creativity with our club. Laughter is a guarantee!

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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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Mike Bollinger, fellow Decorah Rotarian and Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange (SSE), has offered to speak to our Rotary After Hours group about the SSE 50th Anniversary Celebration planned for August 8-9, 2025 at the SSE Heritage Farm site north of Decorah. The event will feature a variety of activities including speakers, farm and facilities tours, workshops, a seed swap, and live music.

SSE conserves biodiversity by maintaining a collection of over 20,000 different varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated plants, varieties with the ability to regenerate themselves year after year. These seeds (and tissue cultures or other plant materials, depending on how a plant reproduces) have the power to withstand unforeseen pestilence and plant disease, climate change, and limited habitat, and to stop dinnertime boredom forever. The SSE Heritage Farm serves as the headquarters of SSE and includes the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center and Gift and Garden Store, miles of hiking trails, a trout stream, display gardens and a historic orchard. The Heritage Farm serves as the principal location for housing the extensive seed collection and for hosting special events. The entire SSE team (including preservation and education staff, donor and member services, the garden crew, and order fulfillment team) is also based at the Decorah location.

Mike has a long and fruitful connection with SSE. He originally served as a member of their garden crew and contracted as a seed producer. For more than a decade, he has collaborated as the primary producer of transplants for the SSE plant sales with his wife, Katie, through their certified organic farm, River Root Farm. As co-founder of an agricultural solutions company, Mike has also provided support to SSE on greenhouse design and organic production practices. Mike has not only gained a practical understanding of organic and sustainable growing practices but also dedicated years of service as an active member on the board of directors for organizations focusing on farmer education services and local and regional food systems.

For more information on SSE and to register for the 50th Anniversary Celebration visit https://www.seedsavers.org/.

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***Location TBA***

Luther College alumnus ('97) Erika Billerbeck has been an Iowa Conservation Officer for the last 25 years. In 2020, the University of Iowa Press published her book Wildland Sentinel: Field Notes from an Iowa Conservation Officer. In this book, Erika takes readers along for the ride as she and her colleagues sift through poaching investigations, chase down sex offenders in state parks, search for fugitives in wildlife areas, haul drunk boaters to jail, perform body recoveries, and face the chaos that comes with disaster response. Using an introspective personal voice, this narrative nonfiction work weaves stories of Iowa’s natural history with a cast of unforgettable characters. Wildland Sentinel touches on what it means to be a woman working in the male-dominated field of conservation law enforcement.

At this special, all-member gathering of the Decorah Rotary Club, Erika will talk about her book, tell stories, and take questions. Books will be available for purchase and personalized signature by the author for $20.

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DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

**Please note the special meeting logistics provided below**

Luther College alumnus ('97) Erika Billerbeck has been an Iowa Conservation Officer for the last 25 years. In 2020, the University of Iowa Press published her book Wildland Sentinel: Field Notes from an Iowa Conservation Officer. In this book, Erika takes readers along for the ride as she and her colleagues sift through poaching investigations, chase down sex offenders in state parks, search for fugitives in wildlife areas, haul drunk boaters to jail, perform body recoveries, and face the chaos that comes with disaster response. Using an introspective personal voice, this narrative nonfiction work weaves stories of Iowa’s natural history with a cast of unforgettable characters. Wildland Sentinel touches on what it means to be a woman working in the male-dominated field of conservation law enforcement.

Erika plans to discuss her book, tell stories, and field questions at this special, all-member meeting of the club. She will have copies of her book available for purchase and personalized author signature for $20.

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**This presentation will have a special Thursday evening meeting time for accommodating both our Noon and After Hours Rotarians, as well as their spouses and significant others. It will also be advertised to the public on a free and first come, first served basis. The club will be hosting this special presentation at the VFW, with hors d'oveures and cash bar available. Due to anticipation of the popularity of this presentation, prompt email responses to the forthcoming special event announcement will be important and needed for planning purposes.

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Former Provost Dr. Brad Chamberlain was named the 12th president of Luther College in November 2024 and assumed the office with the start of the Spring 2025 semester. He will be visiting our club to provide brief news updates from Luther and will open the floor up to questions and a dialog with Rotary members.

As Provost, Dr. Chamberlain brokered new academic programs and expanded the Office of Student Success with the addition of Advising, the Career Center, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching and the Writing Center to create an integrated student success model, the first of its kind at Luther. Prior to those duties, he was Vice President for Mission and Communication from 2019 until 2022. He led the implementation of Luther’s first integrated brand strategy, developed the college’s first strategic internal communications plan, and co-led the COVID Response Team. Joining the college in the fall of 2001 as a visiting professor, Dr. Chamberlain earned tenure in 2007 and became a full professor in 2014, serving as Chairman of the Chemistry Department from 2014 to 2018.

Graduating magna cum laude with his bachelor’s in Chemistry from Gustavus Adolphus College, Dr. Chamberlain earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Before joining the Luther faculty, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University. He has continued his education with professional certifications in fundraising management from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy; in diversity, equity and inclusion from Cornell University’s online campus; and in strategy from the Harvard Business School.

Dr. Chamberlain's presidency comes at a unique moment both in the long history of Luther College and also for higher education in America. He service has begun with emphasis on leading the Luther community into his guide points of honesty and hope; pride and belief, supporting the vision of Luther College becoming the standard for preparing its students for lives of meaning, purpose, and service.

Married to Luther alumnus Julie Torkelson Chamberlain ('96), they are the proud parents of Decorah High products and Luther students Drew (’26) and Liam (’29).

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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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Dr. Laird Edman, a cognitive psychologist and recently retired college professor, will talk to us on research he has done about why religious and secular rituals are so meaningful to us. Almost all important events in the life of a person or family, in communities, and even nations, of every culture and religion down through human history, are marked by some kind of ritual…even when we don’t notice we are doing it. He will show that while the reason why we do our rituals “this way” is usually lost to us over time, they are essential to who we are and where we belong by helping us with the meaning, changes, and challenges during our lives.

Dr. Erdman holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. His research has been published in journals and books including The Psychology of Religion and Spirituality and The Oxford Handbook of the Cognitive Science of Religion. He has taught at various institutions and is presently a professor emeritus of psychology and a research professor for Northwestern College in Iowa, and also served as a visiting scholar at Oxford University. He is a member of the American Psychological Association's Council of Representatives and serves on the executive committee of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.

For more information on Dr. Erdman's research please visit his website at https://www.lairdedman.com.

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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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

After Hours program details TBA

After Hours program details TBA

After Hours program details TBA