Speakers

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Nina Taylor is the President of a relatively new local non-profit organization called Women Empowered (WE). As our guest speaker at this meeting, she will offer our members additional information and insight into WE.

Overwhelming interest in WE during focus groups conducted in the summer of 2018 provided an awareness of the possibilities for women of all ages to come together and generate enthusiasm for their individual and collective goals. As a non-profit (501(c)3) corporation, WE members work in partnership for the betterment of all women, providing support in business, personal growth, family, health, and community. Their network of members provides resources, education, and support for women to become independent, confident individuals. The organization seeks to bring women together from all walks of life to share and appreciate each other, connect them through mentoring or shadowing programs, create a revolving loan fund, hold an annual conference with recognition of "Women of the Year" and other achievements, as well as other objectives designed to promote the livelihood of women in our community.

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx will be on hand to update our members on recent events and initiatives within the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office.

As Sheriff, Dan Marx serves as the chief law enforcement officer in Winneshiek County. Leading and managing the Sheriff's Office includes patrols, investigations, jail operations, civil processes, court orders, court functions and community/public relations. Sheriff Marx is a lifelong resident of Winneshiek County and has been involved with county law enforcement for the past 22 years. He was appointed to the position of Sheriff in 2015 and was elected to that position in 2016. He holds a degree in police science and criminal justice and is a member of Iowa State Sheriffs' and Deputies' Association.

DRC Sponsor: Carson Eggland

Scott Searcy will be with us on behalf of Northeast Iowa Montessori School and the Driftless Discovery Trail Run. The Driftless Discovery Trail Run is an annual fundraiser Scott and his wife Kelly organize to raise funds for Northeast Iowa Montessori School, Decorah Human Powered Trails (the creators and caretakers of the trails) and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department. Scott will discuss both the community impact of Montessori schools and the Trail Run. The Driftless Discovery Trail Run this year will be held on June 1st, and starts at Van Peenen Memorial Park.

More information on this year's Trail Run is available here: Driftless Discovery Trail Runs

DRC Sponsor: Gary Mineart

Our club will be joined at this meeting by David Lester, General Manager of the Oneota Community Cooperative (Co-op), along with Co-op Marketing Manger Nate Furler and Co-op Staff Member Kaija Kjome. They will be presenting information on their expansive remodeling effort already underway, including how the effort is being supported locally and the ways in which the refreshed store adds value to Decorah and the local community.

The Oneota Community Co-op started in 1972 as an informal group of people making trips to Iowa City and Minneapolis to purchase natural foods in bulk. The Co-op moved to the second floor of the Old Armory Building in 1978 and subsequently to three different Water Street locations in 1984, 1994, and 2088, ultimately landing at its present 312 West Water Street location. Today, the Co-op boasts a diverse membership of over 5,000 member/owners and annual sales in excess of $5.2 million. It features northeast Iowa's largest selection of bulk and local foods, as well as produce, nutritional supplements, organic foods, body care items, packaged and frozen foods; local, regional, and globally made fair trade items, sustainable gifts and publications, and a delicatessen.

For more information you can visit the Co-op website here: Oneota Community Cooperative, Inc.