Wow, can you say time flies when you are having fun!
The month of July flew by and now we are seeing commercials for the beginning of football season. Before you know it, it will be time for fall sweaters and the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We are off to a good start making magic in District 5710, and I sure appreciate the club and district leadership support that I have received over the last month. Many thanks to everyone, especially to our club presidents, who are stepping up to make our district look great!
We have two great events planned in the coming months, and I would love to see you at one of them – or both! On August 17, we will once again be holding our TEAM Training session at Maceli’s Event Center in Lawrence. Our district trainers, DeEtte and Ellen, have been working hard to make this a fun and informative event. This is a no-cost event for attendees, and more importantly, you will get to spend the morning working and fellowshipping with fellow Rotarians from our district. This session is all about team building and will focus on public image, membership, and the Rotary Foundation; it will prove to be a great training session for both seasoned and new Rotarians alike. I am confident that you will get something out of our time together to take back to your club and/or enrich your own Rotary experience. And did I mention there will be brunch and Bloody Mary’s and fellowship time? Register here.
Registration will be open soon for our other upcoming, important district event – our annual conference! Join your friends and fellow Rotarians October 24-26 in Leavenworth for a few days of fellowship, service, and inspiration, as we continue to “Make Magic.” We will start with an optional tour of Fort Leavenworth on Thursday afternoon followed by a social event (with heavy hor’dourves/drinks) at JW Crancer’s. PDGs will move on to dinner and others may opt to visit one of our new establishments in town, The Willcott Brewing Company. Friday morning will find us at the Riverfront Community Center with breakfast, engaging speakers, fantastic breakout sessions, a couple of mini-power sessions and a dinner to recognize PDG Jenalea’s accomplishments. We will also look to and talk about the future and introduce club Presidents. We will have a grab and go breakfast on Saturday morning, get a quick group picture and head out to one of two (or three) service projects that we have planned. My goal is to have at least two Rotarians from each club attend our district conference. It is going to be an exciting, fun-filled weekend, and I hope you will join us…look for the registration link soon!
Lastly, I am excited to say that I have kicked off our Pocket Change for Polio Campaign within the district. With this campaign, I hope to continue working to end polio worldwide. I would like to see 100 percent giving in our district in support of polio. This past year we were fortunate to have over $107K donated in support of Rotary International’s End Polio Now efforts, with thirty-one of our clubs donating (thank you Jim Arnett for your dedication and commitment as our district End Polio Now Chair). I will provide more detailed information regarding the Pocket Change for Polio Campaign when I visit clubs in the months ahead. It is so important to continue Rotary’s efforts to fully eradicate this horrible disease; our work is not yet complete. One last polio effort that Rotary International offers is the Polio Plus Society which was started a few years ago. If you have not signed up to join the Polio Plus Society, I would encourage you to consider it today; need information? Click here.
Thanks for taking time to read the district newsletter; Mandy puts a lot of effort into our newsletter, and it is really worth the read. Hope you all have a great month ahead and take good care. Looking forward to seeing you in Lawrence on the 17th for brunch, bloody Mary’s, a little fun, and fantastic fellowship!
HELP YOUR CLUB JOIN THE RACE TO REACH THE END OF POLIO!
There is some discouraging news that there have been 17 cases this year of new Wild Polio Cases in the last two endemic countries, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Now Rotarians across the District and around the world are joining the race to finally end this disease. So far 12 of our 5710 Clubs have their Polio Plus Goals set. Now is the time for all of 5710 to commit to making this the year we all support Polio Eradication, so set those goals and plan those Polio Fundraisers!
In this coming critical year of Rotary’s support for a Polio Free World, here’s a few Facts to Share with your clubs and fellow members that highlight how your support is making a difference:
There are 20,000,000 Persons Walking on Earth Thanks to Rotary Beginning an Effort to Eradicate Polio
There is no cure for paralytic polio and no specific treatment. Only the polio vaccine will protect children from polio for the rest of their lives.
We have gone from 125 endemic countries to two.
We have gone from 350,000 cases of paralytic polio /year to 6 wild polio cases this year.
Rotarians have given $1.4 Billion to Polio Eradication. With matches from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation of $1.258 Billion, we have allocated nearly $2.7 Billion to polio eradication. Overall support from Rotary and its international partners exceeds $19 Billion.
Thanks to your generosity, The Rotary Foundation allocated $155 Million to polio eradication this past year.
All of the funds raised this coming year will be allocated to polio eradication efforts in the two endemic counties and other areas where we have had outbreaks including purchasing vaccines, funding overall operations and maintaining the vaccine cold-chain.
Rotary funding is providing the entire cost of UNICEF’s significant initiative in Afghanistan to convince parents to have their kids immunized and to work with local citizens to open up all areas of the country to polio vaccinations. Vaccinations consequently have reached a record number of Afghani children.
Rotarians in 2023 funded the entire operations cost of a national immunization day (NID) in Pakistan. Because of Rotary support, 40 million children received polio drops in a single day.
When we are asked why is Rotary fighting to end polio?
We say, “Together, We End Polio – So They Can Walk”
Thank you for helping to keep the promise we made to children everywhere...a polio free world.
And “We are…This Close” as shown in our “Countdown to History”
The purpose of the PHS is to identify, engage, and thank members who have the ability and desire to make substantial annual gifts to help communities close to home and around the world.
Did you know?
A member of the Paul Harris Society contributes at least $1,000 annually to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund or approved global grants.
We have 127 Paul Harris Society members in our district.
We have 50 members in the district who are eligible and just haven't taken the time to join. These individuals need to indicate their intent to repeat such a gift annually by joining the society using one of the methods below.
It is SUPER easy to join in one of five ways::
1. Complete the online sign-up form. Go to the Paul Harris Society page (rotary.org/phs) and choose Join. 2. Email or call Rotary’s Support Center (rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org, +1-866-9-ROTARY). 3. Mail a completed Paul Harris Society sign-up form to The Rotary Foundation.
4. Complete the form on the District 5710 website HERE.
5. Email Jennifer Berquist, the district coordinator, at jkberquist@gmail.com and she will email or mail you the form (whichever is your preference).
Additional questions? Please contact Jennifer at jkberquist@gmail.com or call 785.331.7115.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Lawrence for District 5710’s next scheduled learning event-- Team Seminar on 17 August from 8:30-1:30 at Maceli’s in Lawrence, KS. As in the past, all District Rotarians are eligible to attend. Many District and Club Leaders, including our new DG Tamara Sevcik will attend. We encourage all Rotarians interested in sharing diverse perspectives to attend. New ideas can strengthen our Clubs, help us grow membership and retain members. This is a no-cost event! Attendees can look forward to an engaging and fun ½ day event with presentations, discussions, and a complementary brunch and beverages (Mimosas and Bloody Marys included)! Mandy has sent out registration information; check your email!
RLI-
As we are now serving on the Rocky Mountain Division Rotary Leadership Institute Committee (RLI), we will be providing you some interesting information next month as multiple districts are collaborating to energize interest in RLI opportunities.
Reminders
Please let us know if your club is interested in hosting (providing a conference room/site) for an RLI (Rotary Learning Institute). We intend to keep a hybrid design: Friday a Zoom mtg from 5:30-8:30 PM, and the in-person session on Saturday from approximately 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Note the attached Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) scholarships opportunities below. Apply now so you can secure enrollment!
District 5710 has been awarded 25 grants to participate in the programs of the Kansas Leadership Center. The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a non-profit organization committed to fostering leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities.
The KLC offers three programs that build on each other:
•When Everyone Leadsis the introductory one-day program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It focuses on leadership as an activity – recognizing that every individual has the capacity to lead. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges. When Everyone Leads is valued at $149.
•Your Leadership Edge is the seminal, two-day deep dive into individual leadership for those who have completed When Everyone Leads. It focuses on helping leaders understand how to move out of their comfort zone and engage in meaningful leadership. It centers on the KLC’s leadership framework based on Five Guiding Principles and Four Profound Competencies. Your Leadership Edge is valued at $399.
•Lead For Changeis reserved for teams who have already completed the other two KLC courses. It is an immersive, three-day training that must be experienced in a team. Lead For Change is valued at $799 per individual.
Who Should Attend?
Each club should consider sending up and coming leaders from their club and community. The virtual sessions are an ideal option.. Leaders who have done the first program should consider the second program.
How To Register To Sign Up for When Everyone Leads or Your Leadership Edge, we ask that you do two things:
1.Visit the KLC website at: www.kansasleadershipcenter.org. Create a personal account and register using the code Rotary2024 to waive the tuition fee.
2.Notify District Learning Facilitators, of your interest in order that we might track Rotarians who are taking advantage of this grant.
•When Everyone Leadsis the introductory one-day program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It focuses on leadership as an activity – recognizing that every individual has the capacity to lead. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges. When Everyone Leads is valued at $149.
Virtual Program Dates March 5 ǁ August 20 ǁ October 2-3 (Evenings) ǁ December 10
In Person Program Dates - Wichita
April 16 ǁ June 18 ǁ July 23 ǁ September 12 ǁ November 12
In Person Program Date – Kansas City
May 23
•Your Leadership Edge is the seminal, two-day deep dive into individual leadership for those who have completed When Everyone Leads. It focuses on helping leaders understand how to move out of their comfort zone and engage in meaningful leadership. It centers on the KLC’s leadership framework based on Five Guiding Principles and Four Profound Competencies. Your Leadership Edge is valued at $399.
Virtual Program Dates February 27-28 ǁ May 21-22 ǁ September 24-25 ǁ November 19-20
In Person Program Dates - Wichita
March 19-20 ǁ April 23-24 ǁ June 25-26 ǁ October 22-23
In Person Program Date – Kansas City
July 17-18
•Lead For Change is reserved for teams who have already completed the other two KLC courses. It is an immersive, three-day training that must be experienced in a team. Lead For Change is valued at $799 per individual. Those interested in Lead For Change must make arrangements through the District Learning Facilitators.
In Person Program Dates - Wichita March 26-28 ǁ August 6-8 ǁ October 15-17
Registration for all programs closes two weeks before the program.
July 30: World Day Against Trafficking in Persons Webinar
In observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, DHS Blue Campaign hosted a Human Trafficking 101 webinars in both English and Spanish for partners and the general public. Offered through Webex, “Time to Take Action: How to Recognize and Report Human Trafficking”and focused on educating adults who care for youth on recognizing and reporting this crime. More information can be found here:https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/endht/index.html
Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) Hosts Meeting with Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) Victim Assistance Program (VAP)
In early June, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) staff met with personnel from Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Victim Assistance Program (VAP). The CCHT provided a briefing on the Center’s recent expansion and the missions, roles, and capabilities of new units and sections, and both parties discussed potential opportunities for increased coordination, communication, and training.
The CCHT and the VAP work hand in hand to provide field agents with the resources they need to successfully investigate human trafficking while protecting victims, and train HSI special agents, CCHT staff, state and local law enforcement, and international law enforcement via the International Law Enforcement Academies.
The final numbers are in the books for Rotary year 2023-24. I, once again, thank all of you for your generosity concerning The Rotary Foundation! For last Rotary year, we have collectively given $247,038 to the Annual Fund-Share. We gave $107,097 to Polio Plus which is better than IPDG Jenalea Randall’s goal of $105,000! This could not have been achieved without all the efforts your clubs have made through your club fundraisers, the Gathering For Good auction, and all of your individual contributions. I especially want to thank Jim Arnett for his tireless promotion of End Polio Now efforts in D5710 and throughout our Region! You rock Jim!
This year we had $151,466 given to the Endowment Fund this year. This is the most we given to the Endowment Fund in over five years! Thank you to those of you who helped make this happen and thank you to Roger Aeschliman, our Endowment/Major Gifts Chair, for his promotion of this Rotary Foundation fund.
Now that we are one month into this Rotary year, I encourage all of you to make your Foundations giving goals now. For more information on how our Rotary Foundation works, I recommend you to take one of the Foundation modules on the Learning Center at www.Rotary.org. These learning modules are very informative and are relatively easy to take on your own time. Also, if you haven’t signed up yet, I highly suggest that you sign up for Rotary Direct. Rotary Direct is a very simple way to ensure that you meet your personal giving goals by allowing you to have a portion of your annual commitment contributed automatically each month or quarter from the account of your choice. If you have any questions about how to accomplish any of the Foundation opportunities available to you, please reach out to Faron Barr (fbarr@t-mfinancial.com) or any of the other Foundation Committee members.
Roger Aeschliman has spoken to several clubs about our Rotary Foundation Endowment and Major Gift opportunities. If your club has not had the opportunity to see his presentation, I encourage you to reach out to him (raeschliman@cox.net). I think you will find his presentation very enlightening. Even some of our long-term Rotarians are not aware of all the many possibilities concerning our Rotary Foundation. I have found Endowment and Major Gifts to be topics that are not mentioned very often in regular Rotary settings. It is helpful to learn more about the vast amount of options available with these vehicles.
I know some of your clubs are planning your District Grant projects and fundraisers right now. It is always rewarding to see the many ideas that you come up with to help your communities. Please do not forget to showcase these projects and fundraisers in our newsletter and on Rotary Showcase at www.Rotary.org. These stories help your Foundation team when we speak with other members and clubs about what we can accomplish using our District Grant funds. The deadline for submitting District Grants is August 31st. I look forward to seeing your proposals!
As always, thank you to all of you who make Our Rotary Foundation shine in D5710!
Rotary International has a new BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal)! Our fantastic organization wants to increase the Endowment Fund to $2.025 Billion by the end of 2025! Districts have been challenged to raise $1 million each and our district leadership team has accepted the challenge.
Over the next 18 months we will be on a journey to show District 5710 has the mettle to get this done! This is the first heads-up that we are thinking big!! If we collectively get this done our international foundation will be able to increase permanent annual grants and awards to over $100 MILLON a year – without even counting the normal, generous annual gifting we already make.
I have every confidence we will make this happen but it starts with a plan and a team. If every club would nominate a member to serve on this Million Dollar Journey campaign that would be a great start. Club Presidents, especially, but anyone, please reach out to me to discuss how we are going to get after this. The Rotary Endowment currently has $1.74 Billion in assets and bequests/pledges. $2.025 Billion is not a ridiculous number for a worldwide effort.
Rotary International professional Lizzy King (1-847-866-3017 or Elizabeth.King@rotary.org) is eager to visit with anyone about making a major gift or funding the Rotary endowment.
I want to speak to your club about endowment and major gifts. Call me at 785-267-8782 (daytime work) or raeschliman@corefirstbank.com (same) to connect and get energized about the Rotary International Foundation.
Learn to minimize on-line safety risk for our youth
The CAAHT Club is co-sponsoring a seminar to address abuse challenges faced by victims and how we can identify, prevent and address them before they become mainstream. Today, we are spending more time online and on our devices than ever before, which has created new safety risks for youth, victims of gender-based violence and others. As such, it has become increasingly important to develop skills that prioritize our digital safety. This timely seminar will cover doxxing, fake nudes, stalkerware, smart-home abuse, and others. We will discuss including unauthorized account and device access, online harassment, impersonation, nonconsensual tracking, online dating violence and more. Don’t miss this important seminar addressing emerging issues in digital safety and how to keep yourself and our youth safe!
Gardner Rotary kicked off the new Rotary year by giving a donation to the Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation in the amount of $15,000. Tim Brady, Director of the Foundation explained to the club how the money would benefit the kids in USD 231 with the We Care Fund and Grants to teachers. At that same meeting, District Governor Tamara Sevcik spoke to us about the goals and focus of Rotary International and District 5710 for the next year - this year's theme is the Magic of Rotary!
The core of our club is service, and this month we supported families in Gardner by volunteering at two Harvesters events and at Hope Market - a local food bank. What a great way to start the new Rotary year!
KCK Rotary celebrates Wyandotte County’s leaders of tomorrow with college scholarship programs.
This August, seven exceptional students from Wyandotte County are heading to college with the full faith and support of the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary Club… and scholarships to help pay their way!
AK, a student from Piper High School, and TN, a student from JC Harmon High School, will each receive $1,500 scholarships to attend college and pursue their dreams!
Five scholars selected by the Hispanic Development Fund will receive a total of $10,000 in scholarships supported by the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary club and matched by other donors and universities.
The KCK Rotary Club further supports education in our community by donating books to an area literacy program, recognizing teacher excellence, and sponsoring RYLA attendance for area students.
Great to see our dear friend and fellow Rotarian John Nonnemaker pictured here with President Tiffany Andrews; John joined us this month to present on water purification projects in Central America.
Our club continues to be a 100 percent Paul Harris Fellow Club!
Keeping Rotary Park Clean during the spring/summer/fall months! Future Interactors pictured here with Rotarians Marcia and DG Tamara!
Recently the Rotary Club of Leavenworth made donations to several community organizations. Shown below are community members accepting their donations. President Tiffany Andrews presents $500 to facility manager, Christie Reed, Alliance Against Family Violence. President Tiffany (with Governor Tamara Sevcik) presents $500 to Myranda Agnew (far right), Executive Director, of the Leavenworth Community Shelter of Hope. President Tiffany presents $500 to Jackie Masoner, Catholic Charities Manager, Family Support Center-Leavenworth. President Tiffany presents $500 to Sister Amy Wilcott, Leavenworth Attainable Housing.
Thanks for your service Past President Blake Waters (pictured here with incoming President Tiffany Andrews). Welcome to the helm of our club, President Tiffany; here's to making a little magic in your year ahead!
Looking for a good time, ice cold beer, delicious food, a little exercise and great fellowship, please join us for our 2nd Annual German Volksmarch --- see flyer below for additional information and to get registered!
Upcoming for the Rotary Club of Leavenworth:
10 August --- Rotary Park Clean Up
31 August --- OTC Med Drive (with the Lansing Lions Club)
14 September --- Volksmarch
12 October --- Non-perishable Food Drive
11 November --- Veterans' Day Pancake Breakfast & Parade
It’s official. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the rededicated "Welcome to Manhattan" sign along the Bill Snyder Highway (K-177) occurred on a beautiful July morning. The sign was originally erected in 2005 as a gift to the City of Manhattan for the sesquicentennial with support from the Kiwanis, Optimists and Rotary. Over the last year, the Welcome sign along K-177 was refurbished and the Welcome sign on K-18 was relocated near the Scenic Drive exit. The Kiwanis, Optimists, and the Konza and Manhattan Rotary Clubs contributed to the efforts along with new partners, the Lafayette Lodge, the Manhattan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. Rotarian Dave Lewis served as emcee.
Over the last month, Rotarians unpacked about 20 pallets of returned Amazon products for the Community Cares Chest. It was Christmas in July for about 50 nonprofits culling through everything from home décor, sinks, scooters, wheel chairs, wagons, pet products, changing tables, car parts, and even a trombone.
President Randy presented Bob Ward with a Paul Harris +4 pin in recognition of his continuing support of the Rotary Foundation.
The Club is recruiting volunteers for Just-Tri-It on August 10, and the Speedy PD Race & Walk on August 24.
Manhattan Konza Rotary Club began July with a new President. Andy Hutchinson, 2023-24 President passed the gavel to Ben Kohl, 2024-25 President.
The Manhattan Konza Rotary Club has new board members for 2024-25.
President: Ben Kohl
President-Elect: Diane Hinrichs
Past President: Andy Hutchinson
Secretary: Adrienne Hayes
Treasurer: Paul Dittmar
Sergeant-at-Arms: Kirk Crabtree
Club Service Director: Joan Pierce
Club Service Co-Director: Jason Buening
Community Service Director: Rob Wild
Community Service Co-Director: Sheila Walker
Foundation Director: Emily Dixon
Grants Director: Chris Brandt
International Service Director: Memory Buffington
Membership Director: Diane Hinrichs
New Generations Director: Kirk Crabtree
Program Director: Julie Gibbs
PolioPlus Director: Trevor Jensen
Public Relations Director: Ben Kohl
Water Matters Coordinator: Andy Hutchinson
Manhattan Konza Rotary Club donated to and participated in the dedication of the relocated and renovated "Welcome To Manhattan" sign.
Some members of the Manhattan Konza Rotary Club and the Manhattan High School Interact Club participated in the Potluck Patriotic Pebble Painting Party. We painted patriotic rocks so children can find them at the 9/11 Day of Remembrance event that will take place in Manhattan, in September.
Manhattan Konza Rotary Club enjoyed listening to guest speakers. Glen Scott, from the Kansas Turnpike Authority talked about cashless tolling. Dr. Adam Walker, President and CEO of the Kansas State University Alumni Association talked about the upcoming Alumni Association 150th Anniversary Celebration. Kansas State University Head Football Coach, Chris Klieman, talked about the upcoming football season.
Overland Park South Rotary Club member Shawn Roberts thanks Enrique Chi, lead singer of the Latin rock n’ roll band Making Movies and the founder of Art as Mentorship (AAM), for his presentation to the club. Enrique’s non-for-profit based here in Kansas City is a youth music program that empowers young people, through music, to write their own success stories. We learned about AAM’s programs including The Rebel Song Academy, AMERI’KANA and The Lab. You can find out more information Art as Mentorship here: www.artasmentorship.org.
Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update
The purpose of the PHS is to identify, engage, and thank members who have the ability and desire to make substantial annual gifts to help communities close to home and around the world.
Addressing Tech-Enabled Abuse
Great to see our dear friend and fellow Rotarian John Nonnemaker pictured here with President Tiffany Andrews; John joined us this month to present on water purification projects in Central America.
President Randy presented Bob Ward with a Paul Harris +4 pin in recognition of his continuing support of the Rotary Foundation.
Overland Park South Rotary Club member Shawn Roberts thanks Enrique Chi, lead singer of the Latin rock n’ roll band Making Movies and the founder of Art as Mentorship (AAM), for his presentation to the club. Enrique’s non-for-profit based here in Kansas City is a youth music program that empowers young people, through music, to write their own success stories. We learned about AAM’s programs including The Rebel Song Academy, AMERI’KANA and The Lab. You can find out more information Art as Mentorship here: 
.png)
