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Your Weekly Kiwanis Club of Rock Island Newsletter
2008-2009 OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
  DENISE ORMSBY
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
  ADAM BAIN
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
  CRAIG KNOBLOCH
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
  STEVE SCHRODER
SECRETARY
  MIKE BELL
TREASURER
  DARYL EMPEN
2008-2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMMITTEES
HOUSE
  DALE GRABAU
  MILT HEDQUIST
  DARYL TOWNSEND
  BOB VANDEVORDE
  BRIAN VERDUN
INTER-CLUB
  JOE ROBB
MUSIC
  JONATHAN TURNER
BULLETIN
  BILL CLEAVER
GRANTS
  JOHN CALIFF, CHAIR
PROGRAM CHAIR APRIL
  TOM HANSON
SONGLEADER AND INVOCATION SCHEDULE
INVOCATION
TBA

SONG LEADER
TBA
MEMBERSHIP ROSTER
For a listing of our full membership roster, 
 
click here.
OUR WEBSITE
For more indepth information on our club, visit www.kiwanisclubri.com. 
Volume 88 No 154 April 6, 2009
  Upcoming Events/Fundraisers/Dates
Rose Day, Wednesday, April 22nd. 

Peanut Day, May 8-9
Opening Act
       Empress Denise called the meeting to order.  After the usual opening duties, we dispensed with the group singing this week, much to the delight of the membership. 
      She reminded members that Rose Day tickets are due, and Rose Day is Wednesday, April 22nd.  As usual, you can pick up roses at Zimmerman's or wherever you indicated on the sale ticket. 
      We then had the pleasure of inducting three new members into the club: Chris Osterhaus from Printing Unlimited, Scott Davis from AllState Insurance, and Rondi Doyle from the Child Abuse Council.  After learning about our new members, we inducted them with our rousing rendition of "When Kiwanis Calls", so we did get to sing after all.
      There were several announcements from the membership.  Liz Loveless reminded everyone of the NAMI Walk on Saturday, May 2nd.  You may sign up with Liz or online, or if you are interested in sponsoring the race.  Rod Jennings reminded everyone about the Rebuilding Together Quad Cities workday on Saturday, April 25th.  We will be painting a home in Rock Island, and working with Wells Fargo and Augustana.  Contact Rod if you want to sign up.
      Jim Ash reported that Joe Robb was entering surgery today for open-heart surgery.  John Califf also had an update on Daryl Townsend, who is recovering at home. Please keep both these members in your thoughts.
            2nd Vice President Craig Knobloch announced we have 65 people in attendance, including Todd McGreevy from the River Cities Reader, and Ron Stewart, Minister at Broadway Presbyterian Church (and a prospective member).
      We raised $29 for Happy Sad Dollars.  Of note, Bob Tapprich announced his retirement from Zimmerman Honda, but that the company would continue to pay his membership in the club.  Now that's corporate citizenship! 
      Under Fun & Fellowship, Mike didn't even pretend to give the members a chance.  Mike Swartz donated the first drawing of $4 back to the club, and Les Bohnert chose black, and lost in the very first round in his attempt to win the $46 rollover drawing. 
The Feature Attraction
    Tom Hanson, this month's Program Chair, introduced Steven Bahls, President of Augustana College.  President Bahls talk was titled "Balance in Higher Education".  He discussed the three-legged stool of higher education - a quality system of community colleges, state or public universities, and independent colleges.  One-half of all graduates in Illinois are from independent colleges.  He then went on to discuss some myths and factsabout independent or private colleges.  These include:
1.      "Private colleges are only for the elite or wealthy."  In reality, actual family income is the same for private versus public colleges.
2.      The four-year graduation rate at private colleges is as high as the six-year graduation rate at state institutions.
3.      "The cost of a private college is far more than a state college."  In reality, the average debt load of a private college graduate is only $2500 more than a public college graduate.
4.      Augustana will give out more than $33 million in scholarships next year.
      President Bahls also discussed the economic impact of independent colleges.  Augustana alone employs 600 people, and creates an economic impact of more than $100 million for Rock Island and the Quad Cities.  He closed by urging us to support all college students by creating volunteer and internship opportunities.  He then answered several questions from the audience.

Future Attractions

April 13              Mike Zapolski
                         Philosophy of Division III Athletics
April 20              Dr. Robert Haak
                         Vocation vs. Jobs and Careers
April 27              Joe Vermeire
                         State of Area Schools and School Systems