Community Events
The following events are being offered by progressive groups in our local area.
Stop the Reckless Iowa Gun Rights Amendment
A Message from our President
American Association of University Women
In 2021, the Iowa legislature repealed the law requiring a background check to purchase a gun. State lawmakers also repealed the law requiring a permit to carry loaded, concealed handguns. Had the people of Iowa demanded that these basic gun safety laws be removed from the books? No, according to the Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws Coalition (of which AAUW-Iowa is a member) a strong majority of Iowans support common sense gun laws:
At a time when more Iowans are dying from gun violence and most Iowans want to strengthen laws to keep us safe, state lawmakers instead want to further weaken Iowa’s gun laws.
On the November 8 ballot will be a constitutional amendment proposed by the Iowa Legislature to make ownership and use of guns a “fundamental right,” prioritizing gun rights over public health and safety. Whether they own weapons or not, Iowans of both major parties and especially those in law enforcement warn against adopting this constitutional amendment. See the article by Dev Kiedaisch (below) for more information about threats posed by the proposed amendment.
Our public policy directors, Dev Kiedaisch and Diane Kearns, represent AAUW to the Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws Coalition in support of our advocacy for “freedom from violence and fear of violence, including gun violence and hate crimes, in homes, schools, the workplace, and communities, and services to address the needs of victims of violence.” (This is one of the 22 public policy statements adopted by AAUW of Iowa and available on our website at: https://aauw-ia.aauw.net/publicpolicy/issues/public-policy-program/ .)
By meeting virtually rather than in person this year, your state board is conserving its funds for advocacy and action. We intend to print and distribute yard signs and take other action to support the work of the Coalition.
What can AAUW members in Iowa do to defeat this reckless amendment?
Karen Agee
AAUW Iowa Co-President, 2022-24
Program on the Reckless Gun Rights Amendment
The proposed Iowa constitutional amendment reads, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”
The Reckless Gun Amendment is not the Second Amendment. Most states have gun rights language in their state constitution that mirrors the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The amendment proposed by the Iowa legislature, however, goes beyond the Second Amendment. It prioritizes the right to possess and carry a gun without any infringement over the right to public safety for our communities and children. The Reckless Gun Amendment could lead to judicial invalidation of any reasonable gun safety measure that keeps Iowans safe.
To see the flier prepared by our Coalition, go to:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uuNWmUNDJGi9gsnNjSTri0VLfCVOW_4_/view
You can also access the flier on the Coalition’s website, iowansforresponsiblegunlaws.com. On that site, go to Take Action, and scroll down to Additional Information.
Dev Kiedaisch
Glenda Guster
American Association of University Women
In 2021, the Iowa legislature repealed the law requiring a background check to purchase a gun. State lawmakers also repealed the law requiring a permit to carry loaded, concealed handguns. Had the people of Iowa demanded that these basic gun safety laws be removed from the books? No, according to the Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws Coalition (of which AAUW-Iowa is a member) a strong majority of Iowans support common sense gun laws:
- 91% support banning carrying a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- 85% support prohibiting felons from possessing firearms
- 85% support requiring background checks on all gun purchases
- 83% support requiring gun safety courses before the purchase of a handgun
At a time when more Iowans are dying from gun violence and most Iowans want to strengthen laws to keep us safe, state lawmakers instead want to further weaken Iowa’s gun laws.
On the November 8 ballot will be a constitutional amendment proposed by the Iowa Legislature to make ownership and use of guns a “fundamental right,” prioritizing gun rights over public health and safety. Whether they own weapons or not, Iowans of both major parties and especially those in law enforcement warn against adopting this constitutional amendment. See the article by Dev Kiedaisch (below) for more information about threats posed by the proposed amendment.
Our public policy directors, Dev Kiedaisch and Diane Kearns, represent AAUW to the Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws Coalition in support of our advocacy for “freedom from violence and fear of violence, including gun violence and hate crimes, in homes, schools, the workplace, and communities, and services to address the needs of victims of violence.” (This is one of the 22 public policy statements adopted by AAUW of Iowa and available on our website at: https://aauw-ia.aauw.net/publicpolicy/issues/public-policy-program/ .)
By meeting virtually rather than in person this year, your state board is conserving its funds for advocacy and action. We intend to print and distribute yard signs and take other action to support the work of the Coalition.
What can AAUW members in Iowa do to defeat this reckless amendment?
- Read information on the Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws website and take the actions suggested there.
- Contact others in your community and around Iowa.
- Donate to the Iowans for Responsible Gun Laws Coalition.
- Write a brief letter to your newspaper on this issue.
- Contact your Iowa legislators and let them know why you will be voting against reckless gun laws and amendments.
- Volunteer to distribute and display yard signs, when available.
- Vote NO! Defeat the reckless gun amendment!
Karen Agee
AAUW Iowa Co-President, 2022-24
Program on the Reckless Gun Rights Amendment
The proposed Iowa constitutional amendment reads, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”
The Reckless Gun Amendment is not the Second Amendment. Most states have gun rights language in their state constitution that mirrors the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The amendment proposed by the Iowa legislature, however, goes beyond the Second Amendment. It prioritizes the right to possess and carry a gun without any infringement over the right to public safety for our communities and children. The Reckless Gun Amendment could lead to judicial invalidation of any reasonable gun safety measure that keeps Iowans safe.
To see the flier prepared by our Coalition, go to:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uuNWmUNDJGi9gsnNjSTri0VLfCVOW_4_/view
You can also access the flier on the Coalition’s website, iowansforresponsiblegunlaws.com. On that site, go to Take Action, and scroll down to Additional Information.
Dev Kiedaisch
Glenda Guster
Golden Rule Peace Boat Coming to the Quad Cities October 14th to 17th
Historic Sailboat Supports UN Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons
Veterans For Peace
The storied Golden Rule anti-nuclear sailboat will arrive in the Quad Cities on Friday, October 14th, kicking off a series of local events to raise awareness about the growing danger of nuclear war and to build support for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The
34-foot wooden ketch is sailing on a 15-month voyage around the “Great Loop” of the central, southern and eastern United States, making 100 ports-of-call.
The Golden Rule is a national project of Veterans For Peace, which owns the boat.
The public is invited to see this historic peace boat, to hear about nuclear issues today, and to learn how we can stop the possibility of nuclear war!
Learn more at http://www.vfpgoldenruleproject.org/
Susan Leuthauser
The storied Golden Rule anti-nuclear sailboat will arrive in the Quad Cities on Friday, October 14th, kicking off a series of local events to raise awareness about the growing danger of nuclear war and to build support for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The
34-foot wooden ketch is sailing on a 15-month voyage around the “Great Loop” of the central, southern and eastern United States, making 100 ports-of-call.
The Golden Rule is a national project of Veterans For Peace, which owns the boat.
The public is invited to see this historic peace boat, to hear about nuclear issues today, and to learn how we can stop the possibility of nuclear war!
Learn more at http://www.vfpgoldenruleproject.org/
Susan Leuthauser
The Prairie Retreat September/October Schedule
Various Dates and Locations
Dreams - Learn to remember, interpret and program your dreams!
Monday, October 3rd at 10:00 am
2664 145th Avenue, Wheatland, IA (map)
Write down your dreams and bring them with you!
The focus will be on sharing and learning to interpret individual dreams. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dreams to analyze as a group. A dream incubation meditation will be offered as well as a dream retrieval exercise. Learn to remember, interpret and program your dreams to understand and apply the guidance received to gain greater insights into all areas of your life.
$25 includes lunch; Led by Marcia Florey
Where is Human Dignity in Racism
Thursday, October 6th at 3:00 pm
St Anthony’s, 417 N Main Street, Davenport, in the Parish Center (map)
An action plan to help end racism.
The presentation will consist of a history of racism in the US, and a Q&A session with a panel of speakers. After the Q&A you will be asked to discuss ways you can share the information at your church and your communities. A light meal will be served.
Our panelists include: Dr. Nancy Stone, Rev. Rudolph T. Juárez, Mayra Herndandez,, Ryan Saddler and Thomas Mason IV. Fee: Free will offering
visit theprairieretreat.org for more information
Lori Freudenberg
olpretreat@chmiowa.org 563-374-1092
Monday, October 3rd at 10:00 am
2664 145th Avenue, Wheatland, IA (map)
Write down your dreams and bring them with you!
The focus will be on sharing and learning to interpret individual dreams. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dreams to analyze as a group. A dream incubation meditation will be offered as well as a dream retrieval exercise. Learn to remember, interpret and program your dreams to understand and apply the guidance received to gain greater insights into all areas of your life.
$25 includes lunch; Led by Marcia Florey
Where is Human Dignity in Racism
Thursday, October 6th at 3:00 pm
St Anthony’s, 417 N Main Street, Davenport, in the Parish Center (map)
An action plan to help end racism.
The presentation will consist of a history of racism in the US, and a Q&A session with a panel of speakers. After the Q&A you will be asked to discuss ways you can share the information at your church and your communities. A light meal will be served.
Our panelists include: Dr. Nancy Stone, Rev. Rudolph T. Juárez, Mayra Herndandez,, Ryan Saddler and Thomas Mason IV. Fee: Free will offering
visit theprairieretreat.org for more information
Lori Freudenberg
olpretreat@chmiowa.org 563-374-1092
Community Science and Awareness Campaign
Saturday, October 15th at 8:00 am
Freight House Farmers Market
421 W. River Drive
Davenport, IA (map)
Mississippi River City and Towns Initiative
This follow-up event to last year's data collection will kick off the next phase of the program. The Quad Cities is the ONLY region in the U.S. chosen for this phase.
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) project will focus on trash capture in waterways and on raising public awareness about land-based sources of marine plastic litter and debris in your community.
The project goals are as follows:
1. Install trash capture devices
2. Undertake Community Science Activities
3. Implement Inland Litter Public Awareness Campaign
Download a flyer
Lori McCollum
421 W. River Drive
Davenport, IA (map)
Mississippi River City and Towns Initiative
This follow-up event to last year's data collection will kick off the next phase of the program. The Quad Cities is the ONLY region in the U.S. chosen for this phase.
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) project will focus on trash capture in waterways and on raising public awareness about land-based sources of marine plastic litter and debris in your community.
The project goals are as follows:
1. Install trash capture devices
2. Undertake Community Science Activities
3. Implement Inland Litter Public Awareness Campaign
Download a flyer
Lori McCollum
2022 Upper Mississippi Conference
Wednesday and Thursday, October 19th and 20th at 8:00 am
Stony Creek Inn
Moline, IL (map)
River Action
"Changing Climate - Evolving River"
This two-day event has several well-known speakers and dinner is offered on Wednesday evening. You can attend one day or both. Early registration, in which you will get half off the registration fee, ends October 1st.
Ray Wolf, Science and Operations Officer, NOAA, is the keynote speaker at 9 am on the 19th. Art Cullin, Pulitzer Prize Journalist and author of Storm Lake is speaking at the Catfish dinner that evening. The keynote speaker on Thursday the 20th is John Delaney, Biologist, USGS, Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center.
Lori McCollum
Moline, IL (map)
River Action
"Changing Climate - Evolving River"
This two-day event has several well-known speakers and dinner is offered on Wednesday evening. You can attend one day or both. Early registration, in which you will get half off the registration fee, ends October 1st.
Ray Wolf, Science and Operations Officer, NOAA, is the keynote speaker at 9 am on the 19th. Art Cullin, Pulitzer Prize Journalist and author of Storm Lake is speaking at the Catfish dinner that evening. The keynote speaker on Thursday the 20th is John Delaney, Biologist, USGS, Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center.
Lori McCollum