DMAM Monday Memo – May 11, 2026
Next Meeting:  Friday, May 15;  7:00 AM
Wakonda Club - 3915 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA
Program:  Michael LaValle – The Many Lives of Michael LaValle
 
Sergeant:  Tamara Kenworthy
Invocation:  Mike Brooks
Greeters:  Dan Keller & Ron Schmudlach
Club Service Table:  John Bouslog & Mark Craiger
Click Here for Upcoming Speakers

If you're unable to perform the duty assigned above, please find a replacement and report the change to Liz O'Connor at liz@rotaryclubofdmam.com.  Thank you!
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
May 15 Program:  Michael LaValle – The Many Lives of Michael LaValle
May 15 Connection Cafe sandwich-making, 8am following Rotary
May 15 DMAM Club Board Meeting, 8am in Blue View
May 15 DMAM Book Club, 4-6pm at the Flying Moose, details below
May 18 Deadline RFP Submission for up to $15k Community Service Grant, details below
May 20 Lunch & Link Social, details TBA
May 22 Program:  Founder's Day OFFSITE MEETINGS, sign up below!
May 29 Program:  Adam Shriver & Kerri Johannsen – Iowa's Cancer Crisis
May 29 DMAM Rotary Annual Meeting
May 29 International Service Committee Meeting, 8am in Blue View room
May 31 Deadline EXTENDED to Submit Applications for RYLA, details below
June 5  Program:  (Outdoor) Aaron Krueger & Alex McCarty – History of Wakonda & PCC
June 5  Incoming DMAM Board Information Session, 8am in Blue View room
June 5  Deadline to sign up for DMAM 2026-2027 Committees, details below
June 12 Program:  (Offsite) Mary Hunter – Goodwill presentation at Goodwill Headquarters in Johnston (Wakonda Closed due to Principal Charity Classic)
June 12 DMAM Club Board Meeting, 8am at Goodwill following Rotary
June 19 Program:  DMAM Founders Panel
June 19 Connection Cafe sandwich-making, 8am following Rotary
June 25 DMAM Rotary Social & President's Exit Party, details below
June 26 Program:  President Zach Bouslog Exit Meeting
 
 
**For more event details don’t forget to check our website!
Calendar of Events
DMAM BOOK CLUB THIS FRIDAY MAY 15
In the continuation of the avian/animal theme this month for Rotary social events Book Club will be held Friday May 15 at the Flying Moose at 8980 Hickman Road (just east of Stew Hansen Buick) starting at 4 PM until 6. Don't forget about a cash donation for Capitol View Library book donation.
 
Darrell (Boris) Smith
COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT APPLICATIONS - MAY 18 DEADLINE
We have dollars to give — and we need your help finding the right organization to receive them.  We are now accepting applications for our Community Service Grant. One nonprofit will be selected to receive up to $15,000 to support impactful work in the Greater Des Moines area. We're looking for organizations working in one of four areas:
 
  • Food Insecurity
  • Human Trafficking
  • Mental Health Services
  • Housing & Homelessness
 
Here's where you come in: think about the nonprofits you're connected to, the ones doing the quiet, unglamorous, important work that doesn't always get the spotlight. A board you serve on. An organization you volunteer with. A cause a colleague won't stop talking about (rightfully so).
 
Share this RFP with them. That's it. One email, one conversation, one text and you might just connect a great organization with the funding that moves the needle for them.
 
⏰ Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
 
The RFP is in the Download Files below. Questions can be directed to yours truly. Service above self, let's put it to work.
 
Anupam Mittra, Community Service Chair, anupam.mittra@gmail.com
COMMITTEE SIGN UPS FOR 2026-27 ROTARY YEAR
DMAM has wonderful opportunities to serve; connect with other club members and share your talents! Please sign up for your 2026-27 Committee. View this document 👉 (link) to see committee descriptions. You may sign up for multiple committees, if you wish.
 
 
Deadline to sign up is Friday, June 5th.  Members who miss the deadline will be assigned to committees at the discretion of the Club Administrator.
Committee Sign Up HERE
DMAM ROTARY SOCIAL & PRESIDENT'S EXIT PARTY
Our next club social is Thursday June 25th at The R&R Westfield Building in West Des Moines. We will be celebrating Zach's year as Club President and celebrating the club's 35th year anniversary!
 
Party located on the West Side Patio
 
Event Details
We have reserved the back patio space and will have a live band (Saints & Sinners)
There will be some tables and chairs for seating. I'd recommend bringing along your favorite lawn chair.
- Rotary Event starts at 4 PM and runs to 8 PM
- Food (Snappy's BBQ)
- Drinks will be provided.  
 
RSVP (Encouraged for food headcount)
Use this sign-up link to RSVP
 
DMAM members are allowed one guest to join in on the fun!
 
Thanks for being a part of the club! We look forward to having you join us to celebrate Zach's years as DMAM Club President!
 
Any questions? Feel to reach out to me at ryan@ssb.bank
Ryan Newton, Social Committee Chair
RYLA APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 31

Empower your children or grandchildren in grades 9–11 by encouraging them to apply for the scholarship-funded Iowa RYLA conference at Grinnell College this July. This intensive program helps future leaders develop vital communication skills and emotional leadership through the lens of "Service Above Self". It is a week-long investment that allows students to expand their comfort zones, connect with peers across the state, and return inspired to impact their local communities.

Rotarian Volunteers needed as well: Apply here to join in the fun and support the leaders of tomorrow.

View the event flier in the Download Files below, and check out their website, linked here.

SIGN UP FOR DMAM FOUNDER'S DAY - FRIDAY DEADLINE TO SIGN UP
Join us for DMAM Founders Day on Friday, May 22, 2026 - a special opportunity to celebrate our Rotary community while showcasing member businesses. This event will replace our regularly scheduled Rotary meeting at Wakonda and will be held from 7:00–8:00 AM at host locations.

Choose one of the following locations to attend:

  • Iowa Coalition for Public Charter Schools 
    (Des Moines Prep Charter School)
    95 E 5th St, Des Moines
    Hosted by Mike Huguelet | Capacity: 50
  • Pennie Carroll & Associates Real Estate
    3232 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines
    Hosted by Pennie Carroll | Capacity: 40
  • Group Benefits, Ltd.
    12006 Ridgemont Dr, Urbandale
    Hosted by Chris Haviland | Capacity: 45

A big thank-you to our generous hosts for opening their doors and making this celebration possible. We hope you’ll join us to connect, celebrate, and support the incredible businesses in our Rotary network.

Please RSVP here by May 15
Get Your Rotary DMAM Branded Apparel
In partnership with member Tom Triplett and Triplett Office Solutions, we are offering Des Moines A.M. Rotary branded apparel for members to purchase!
Shop Now
Delivery Options: 
  • Delivery to a Friday Rotary meeting (based on item availability)
  • Pickup at Triplett Office Solutions, 3553 109th Street, Urbandale IA 
  • Shipping to your location for an additional shipping charge. 
For questions regarding orders, please contact Triplett Office Solutions at (515) 270-9150 or email kkinning@tripletts.com.
DISTRICT 6000 & ROTARY INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
Click on the blue links to view event details.
  • June 13-17 in Taipei, Taiwan
    2026 Rotary International Convention — Open to all Rotary members, deadline to register is Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
  • Apply to Join District 6000 Board of Directors
    Interested in representing DMAM and making an impact at the district level? Fill out the word doc (below in Download Files) and return to Bill Bruce, District Governor Elect at bbruce9@live.com
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS  
 
5TH ANNUAL JOHNSTON ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT
 
You're invited!  Hit the course on Monday, June 22, 2026 at Hyperion Field Club and support local organizations. 
 
We have some extra motivation this year—our very own DMAM group took home the trophy at last year's tournament! That means we have a title to defend, and we’d love to see a strong showing from our membership to keep the momentum going.   
 
Whether you're looking to compete for the top spot or just enjoy a day on the course with fellow Rotarians, we encourage everyone to form a foursome or two to support the event.
 
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • DMAM Rotarians are welcome to submit corporate and community event information for distribution to members as part of the Monday Memo.
  • Keep announcements brief!
The submission deadline is the close of business each Friday and must contain only text (no pictures or graphics).
Download Files
Community Service Grant RFP
RYLA 2026
District 6000 BOD Application
How to View Rotary Invoices

DMAM Rotary Social Media

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