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Message from DG Stephanie Meyer
It’s so hard to believe that we’ve already reached the end of the Rotary year, and as you read this, I’ll be finishing up the International Convention in Melbourne.  I’m thrilled to be able to represent this fantastic district and am looking forward to sharing more about what I learn – and spending time with the nine other local Rotarians making the trek down under!
 
It’s been another great year for our district – and you are the reason why!  Our clubs have done a terrific job of supporting their local communities, as well as the needs across the globe.   Our foundation giving continues to be strong (and what a fun evening Gathering for Good was again this year!), support for eradicating polio once again exceeded our annual goals, and overall membership is outpacing several of our peer districts. 
 
As I look back on my time as District Governor, what I’ve most enjoyed is getting to know so many of you, visiting your clubs, joining your service projects…even dressing up as an otter on occasion!  There is so much heart (and joy!) in all you do, and I think that spirit is what will keep our organization going strong well into the future. 
 
And speaking of the future, I’m so excited to see all that your incoming District Governor, Jenalea Randall, will do!  She’s got a lot of great ideas, and I look forward to seeing those come to life (and helping in any way I can). 
 
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve…it’s been an incredible honor. 
 
Stephanie Meyer
District Governor

Club & District News and Events

Rotary and Polio Plus
IMAGINE” A WORLD WITHOUT POLIO!
THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES & NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!
 
JOIN ROTARY’S JOURNEY TO THE LAST CASE OF POLIO - Nearly 40 years ago, Rotary International embarked on an admirable journey – to rid the world of polio. Remarkable progress has been made since then as cases have drastically declined, and the lessons learned from these successes are now being applied to strengthen the response to other public health emergencies, such as malaria. By leveraging longstanding relationships with community leaders and innovative tools used to fight polio, Rotary is showing the world that dreams to deliver healthier futures for children everywhere can be made a reality.  To quote RI Past President, Ian Riesley, speaking at Melbourne this week, “We can be a part of history and finally eradicate polio, but we won’t get there without one quality: PERSISTENCE.”
 
We need to continue vaccinating the world’s children against polio, because polio anywhere is a threat everywhere.
 
Let’s be part of Rotary’s Journey to the Last Case of Polio and prove that District 5710 is PERSISTENT in its support for finally eradicating Polio.  It’s not too late for members and club’s to use the remaining weeks of this Rotary Year to make those extra fundraising efforts and send your donations to Polio Plus before June 3oth. Let’s see if we can beat last year by 10% and hit $160,000!  If your club hasn’t donated yet this year, please make that commitment now – use your next couple of meetings to remind your members to donate before the end of this Rotary Year.
 
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”
Call or email me for ideas or help: Jim Arnett, Polio Plus District Chair
 (913) 200-0514 ~ maajca@gmail.com
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Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update
COUNTDOWN TO HISTORY!
Week Ending 30 May 2023
Total number of wild cases in 2019:  176
Total number of wild cases in 2020:  140
Total # of wild poliovirus cases in 2021: 6
Total # of wild poliovirus cases in 2022: 30(20 in Pakistan!)       
Total # of wild poliovirus cases this week: 3(2/Afghanistan!)
      (compared with Total of 4 for the same period in 2022)
Total number of Circulating Vaccine Derived cases - 2023:87
 (vs. totals in 2020: 1113; & 698 in 2021, with 860 in 2022)
 
Please Donate @ https://www.myrotary.org 
OR CHECKS TO YOUR CLUB’S CHARITABLE ACCOUNT DIRECTED TO “POLIO PLUS”
District Grants Reminder
This year’s grant application deadline to apply for District Matching Grant Funds will be August 31, 2023.
 
Clubs should realize that they still have time to reach STAR Club status until June 30, 2023. Every club that gives at least $100 per capita to the Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund will receive additional district matching funds (currently projected to be about $700/Star Club). At this time, 17 clubs have already reached this level.  The remaining clubs still have time to get this bonus for 2023-2024 grants, but contributions must be submitted to Rotary International before June 30, 2023. 
 
If you have any questions regarding you club’s current giving to the Annual Program fund, please contact Greg Shondell, District 5710 Grants Subcommittee Chair, greg@HeathwoodOil.com.
The Rotary Foundation 
The Foundation and Gathering For Good committees would like to express a very big Thank You to everyone who participated in some way at our third annual Gathering For Good! We raised $23,915 for the Rotary Annual Share Fund on May 6th at Maceli’s. We, also, had several people who attended the Global Grants training that was presented by our Regional Grants Officer, Cecelia Walter. Another interesting result from that evening is that our district gained one more Major Donor – Level 1 ($10,000 lifetime giving) and one more Major Donor – Level 2 ($25,000 lifetime giving). I appreciate all of you who helped make this a successful event again this year!
 
Your District Foundation committee has been speaking to many of our clubs on several Foundation topics, including Endowment/Major Gifts, Global Scholars, Global grants, District grants, Paul Harris Society, Polio Plus, and alternative ways to give a significant gift to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). I encourage you to reach out to us if you would like us to present to you.
 
As of May 22nd, we have, as a district, given 70% of what we contributed last year to TRF Annual fund and 90% to Polio Plus. With one month left in our Rotary year, we are getting closer to matching or exceeding our numbers from last year. Over 80% of our clubs have donated at least something to one of the Rotary Foundation areas and we are all very delighted you did. If you have not made your contribution to TRF yet this year, I would encourage you to do so before June 30th. I know there are a few clubs that have mentioned they have Foundation fundraisers coming up in the next few weeks. We wish you much success in your efforts to raise more funds for TRF. If the Foundation committee can assist in any way, please feel free to reach out to us.
 
One way to make Foundation giving easy is through Rotary Direct. If you haven’t checked out this feature on www.Rotary.org, I encourage to do so. You can set up a monthly payment going to the Foundation that is conveniently deducted from the account of your choice. If you would like to be a Sustaining Member ($100 per year), that would only be $8.33 per month. If you would like to be a Paul Harris Society member ($1,000 per year), it would only be $83.33 per month. You can also direct your funds to whichever TRF cause or Area of Focus you wish or you may decide to direct them to the Annual Share fund which helps our clubs and district with grants each year.
 
Thank you for all of your efforts this year! I hope all of your remaining fundraising efforts are fruitful and fun!
District 5710 Membership Update
Attract New Members – Engage All Members
 
During this current Rotary year our clubs have added 202 new members which is fantastic.  Thank you to our club leaders and members for making this happen. However, we have lost 220 members which brings our net district membership to 1,941 – a net loss of 15 since July 1, 2022.  Meanwhile, our district percent of female Rotarians is at 35.1% of membership which is a slight increase since the start of the Rotary year.
 
With the end of our Rotary year a month away listed below are a few thoughts to remind you of ways you can help your clubs fine tune your 2023-2024 approach to reaching out to attract and retain younger Rotarians – as well of course potential members of ALL ages.   These ideas came from younger Rotarians during several district quarterly membership conversations held during the past two years.
 
Why as a young adult, I joined my Club
  • “When I joined, I was looking for a vehicle to help myself become something I might want to be. I wanted to do hands on work in our community. “
  • “A family friend invited me to a meeting where members were all very welcoming, and at this first meeting we did a service project. I was hooked.”
  • “I was attracted to Rotary by the kindness, generosity, and mission to impact the youth of my community.”
  • “This project was all about packaging clean underwear for underprivileged kids in school. The group was divided into teams and there was a contest to see which team could pack the fastest. This made this project a fun event!”
Suggestions when inviting prospects to a club event:  service project, meeting, social, etc.
  • As you invite, attract and introduce new members to your clubs find out why they are interested and what/where is their passion when it comes to service.
  • Rachel Correll, president of the Emporia Rotary Club, suggests as a club sell what you are doing locally and how you all give back to your community. Stressing local service gets potential members in the door.
  • Find out from prospects what kind of projects they want to do. Insure they they are joining for the appropriate reasons. They need to know up front before they join if your club can or cannot meet their expectations.
  • If a prospect or new member proposes a project in an area our club is not involved yet find a way to help that new member organize and do it if at all possible.  Does your club do this?
  • We must remember there are the three T ways of Time, Talent, and Treasure to serve. Some Rotarians can and want to contribute all three ways – other may only want to do or able to do one or two of the T’s.  And that is absolutely OK!
Last month we mentioned the new Rotary Getting to Know Prospective and New Members tool that can help us retain more new & current members as well as attracting more members to our awesome organization.  Here is the link: https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000050021/en-ca/files/sitepage/membership-club-resources/getting-to-know-prospective-new-members/GETTING-TO-KNOW-PROSPECTIVE-AND-NEW-MEMBERS---MEMBER-INTEREST-SURVEY.pdf
 
Preparing for the 2023-2024 Rotary year -
 
As your club prepares for the 2023-24 Rotary year, remember that per the 2022 RI State of Membership Report, all our members want and expect to get out of their membership:
  1. Opportunities to do local community service – giving back to and helping those in our communities. 
  2. Professional & leadership development opportunities such as Kansas Leadership Center classes, the Rotary Leadership Institute, Toastmasters and other professional development courses in the RI Learning Centre.
  3. Connections with others, making friends, and fellowship.
RI President, Jennifer Jones reminds us that a member’s overall satisfaction is most directly related to the club experience. Here are some things our membership team encourages incoming club presidents to do to make sure they are offering a meaningful experience for everyone:
  1. Ask for member feedback as often as practical. Get to know them with the Getting to Know Prospective and New Members tool mentioned above.  Use the Member Satisfaction Survey (see our membership tab on our District web site for this) to assess the experiences you’re offering to members.
  2. When new members join your club, provide a new member orientation that offers a meaningful learning experience, personal connections, inspiration, and fun.  Introducing New Members to Rotary – found under the Membership Club Resource Tab on our District 5710 web page has many ideas to help. Click here    https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000050021/en-ca/files/sitepage/membership-club-resources/introducing-new-members-to-rotary/414_introducing_new_members_to_rotary_en.pdf  to find it.
  3. Engage with Rotary’s networks and resources to enhance the projects you do in the community and beyond.  An awesome place you can look is Bill Musgrave’s (District PI Committee member) District 5710 newsletter series showcasing service projects our clubs are doing.  This month it is Leavenworth and Bonner Springs. Next month – other clubs. And don’t forget to look under Rotary Showcase on My Rotary and our district web site for further ideas. 
Member experience is key and must be prioritized!
 
As always, questions, concerns re membership, please reach out to me at chuckudell@msn.com.
District Training
We mentioned last month that Heartland PETS 2023 was a success.  Thank you to all of the attendees who responded to the PETS survey. Your responses support that not only was the learning opportunity beneficial—but the majority of respondents reported it was ‘extremely beneficial’ as they prepare for club President responsibilities!  Also-your written comments were very thoughtful and helpful for when we begin designing PETS 2024!
 
District 5710’s next scheduled learning event will be Team Seminar on 19 August in Lawrence, KS. We will be sending out registration and specific information in July so keep an eye on your Inbox. Attendees can look forward to an engaging and fun ½ day event with presentations, discussions, and a complimentary brunch and beverages. As we Create Hope in the World, we will focus on Foundation, Leadership/Membership, Public Image and Training.
 
All District Kansas Leadership (KLC) Grants for 2023 have been awarded. It will not be until 2024 that we will be able to offer this three-stage leadership developmental program again. We, of course, will keep you updated and let you know when the 2024 KLC Leadership Transformation Grants are approved.
 
Yours in Rotary,
DeEtte and Ellen
Rotary History Moment
I’m going to shift gears for a bit, and the next few newsletters will have a serialized version of the history of District 5710, building out on the work of my predecessor as District Historian, Past District Governor Fred Krebs.
 
This month’s installment is all Fred’s scholarship.
 
History of Rotary District 5710
 
When Paul Harris started Rotary in 1905, he had two great goals. One was friendship among a diverse group of business and professional persons.  The other goal was fellowship in service projects based on vocational talents. Over the years the concept of community evolved to include local community and a vision of global community leading to world peace.  By 1912, Rotary was international with clubs in six countries in the U. S., Canada, and the British Isles. By 1917, Rotary had a Foundation dedicated to “doing good in the world and building world peace.”  By 1922, there were 975 Rotary clubs in 22 countries on six continents.
 
Starting Rotary in Eastern Kansas
 
Rotary was established in eastern Kansas when the Topeka, Kansas, Rotary Club, sponsored by Club 13 of Kansas City, Missouri, Rotary Club started in October 1914.  Among the Charter Members was Governor-elect Arthur Capper, the first sitting Governor to be a Rotarian (Rotarian, Jan., 1915).  Capper, publisher of the Topeka Capital and Capper”s Weekly, was the major publisher in Kansas.  His annual party for crippled children became a forty-year tradition with the Topeka Rotary Club. Was it a coincidence that the first major gift of the Rotary Foundation (1930) was $500.00 to the Crippled Children’s Society (later Easter Seals)?
 
Among the members who joined that first year was Cecil Howes, Topeka correspondent for the Kansas City Star from 1906 to 1949.  Howes was a frequent contributor to the Rotarian and for over thirty years wrote a weekly column in the Star on Kansas history. He was a major contributor to the Kansas Historical Quarterly and the founder of the Shawnee County Historical Society. Howes served for twenty years as secretary of the Topeka Rotary Club. In 1937 he was the Special Representative in starting the Holton Rotary Club and he became the first District Governor for District 123, the direct predecessor of District 5710.
 
Meanwhile, in District 11 and then District 8, Rotary emerged in eastern Kansas under the leadership of two clubs sponsored by Club 13—the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri, Topeka (1914) and Kansas City (1916). These two clubs would start or be the direct ancestor of 38  clubs in District 5710. In addition, Topeka started the Dodge City Rotary Club in 1915, while still in District 11, which included parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
 
During World War I, Rotary Clubs in District 11 supported troops at Fort Sill, Fort Riley, and Camp Funston. Clubs promoted recreational programs, provided medical, hygiene, and food supplies, and visited wounded soldiers.  Cecil Howes reported on these projects in two articles in the Rotarian.  During the 1920s, clubs developed projects in park development, library promotions, civic education, public health, and beautification. Emphasis was on community service projects and Rotarians serving as ethical models.  Fundraising for victims of natural disasters was also a major emphasis. In light of the Great Depression, RIP President Eugene Newsom (1929-30) initiated major expansion of the community service section of the Manual of Procedure. (He is the father of PDG “Buck” Newsom 1990-91.)  Rotary Clubs in District 11 sponsored food drives, clothing drives, coal drives, emergency shelters, and conservation and construction projects.
End Human Trafficking News
We invite you to increase awareness about human trafficking this month by starting (or sharing!) one of the Justice U online courses, such as the free 1-hour Human Trafficking Awareness course, which is part of the Learn How to End Human Trafficking Series. 
 
 
You can access these courses at: courses.learnwithjusticeu.com
 
Rended Heart update
 
Chosen: A Rended Heart Boutique has relocated to the upper floor at 1014 Main St, Unit B in Grandview. This new space gives the boutique improved visibility and a larger space.
 
Chosen sells lightly used, high-end clothing and accessories. Survivors of sex trafficking work in the boutique, learning retail, inventory, and merchandising skills. Proceeds benefit Rended Heart to continue serving survivors. Rended Heart is the recipient of the work done through our 2021 Rotary Global Grant.
 
Please support Rended Heart through donation of clothing and shopping! Hours are Mon-Thu 10 -6 p,, Fri – Sat 10 – 2 pm. 1014 Main St, Unit B, Grandview, MO.
Recognizing More Outstanding Clubs Helping Improve Lives in NE Kansas
This month the District 5710 Membership and Public Image Committees recognize two amazing Rotary Clubs in our district – Leavenworth and Bonner Springs Clubs for their many outstanding service projects in and around their communities.
 
Rotarians Get Hands-On in Leavenworth
 
Leavenworth Rotarians are making themselves seen in all corners of the community, according to Derek Wohlgemuth, club president. Their recent projects include:
  • Cleaning and maintaining the city’s 20th Street Trafficway roadside and the 10th Avenue Park.
  • Assembling Backpack Buddies weekend meals for area school kids
  • Collecting unused over-the-counter medicines for the Saint Vincent Clinic.
  • Supporting Catholic Charities’ Operation Food Locker food pantry.
  • Raising over $35,000 for the Relay for Life run/walk to fight cancer
  • Ringing Salvation Army Christmas Bells
  • Delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound residents, and for the Community of Hope Shelter
  • Cleaning yards for the elderly on Rotary Day of Service
  • Serving meals at the annual Office of International Students and Scholars Thanksgiving Dinner
The District 5710 Membership and Public Image Committees congratulate the Leavenworth Rotary Club for serving and helping others.   
 
Bonner Springs Rotarians Serve Community
 
For 45 years, the Bonner Springs Rotary club has sponsored the annual Tiblow Trot run to raise money to fight polio and provide scholarships to area youth. In addition to this traditional event, the club raised over $7,000 this year on behalf of the Vaughn Trent organization that provides emergency assistance to students and families in the Bonner Springs School District.
 
You’ll also find Bonner Springs Rotarians:
  • Distributing Halloween Candy in conjunction with the city parks department,
  • Ringing Salvation Army Bells at Christmas,
  • Serving ice cream at city band concerts, and
  • Providing $1,000 scholarships to four deserving students every year.
Bonner Springs is a better place thanks to President Bruce Coleman and the Bonner Springs Rotary Club
 
We highlight these, and other club’s projects, to encourage all clubs to stay active in their communities to promote their volunteer efforts, one-on-one with their neighbors, and through traditional and social media. We are urging all clubs to stay active in their communities, and. This isn’t bragging. The number one way to attract and retain new members to Rotary is through our active community volunteerism.
 
Volunteer service is shown to be the keyway to attract and retain prospective members to join Rotary.  Remember to reach out and invite non-Rotarians to participate in your projects.
 
Watch for more clubs’ projects our next District newsletters. 
 
Major Gifts Update
Bill Richter, Endowment and Major Gifts Chair
 
The Rotary year ends June 30. Latest reports from The Rotary Foundation indicate that Rotarians in District 5710 have had another year of outstanding giving in support of Rotary’s good work in the world, despite major economic concerns about inflation and debt ceiling uncertainty. With a good final month, Annual Fund, Polio Plus, and Endowment giving should all surpass last year’s totals. Six major gifts (gifts of $10,000 or more) to TRF from District 5710 Rotarians have been made in 2022-2023. A brief review of those gifts will demonstrate some of the variety and impact of such gifts. I know that some of the donors wish not to be publicly recognized for their generosity, but I want to express appreciation to all.
 
Three of the donations were outright gifts to “Annual Fund – SHARE” in the amounts of $25,000. $10,000, and $14,442.81. The odd amount on the last figure indicates that the gift probably consisted of appreciated securities. “SHARE” indicates that the donated funds will be divided between the World Fund (for Global Grants and other international work) and District 5710 projects.
 
One $10,000 gift was donated from an IRA to PolioPlus. Those funds will be part of The Rotary Foundation’s battle to eradicate polio and will be matched $2:1 (or 2 dollars to 1) by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. So, the $10,000 became $30,000 total for PolioPlus.
 
The remaining two gifts were made to “Endowment Fund – SHARE” in the amounts of $50,000 and $21,537. As with the Annual Fund donations, the earnings of these endowed funds will be divided between the World Fund and our district, but in this case in perpetuity. The larger donation was a “Legacy IRA.” As I mentioned in an earlier newsletter article, the SECURE ACT II, passed last December, gives people over 70.5 in age a one-time opportunity to make a qualified charitable distribution of up to $50,000 from a traditional IRA to create a charitable gift annuity (CGA) or charitable remainder trust (CRT). So, this gift will provide the donor a lifetime income in addition to providing permanent support to Rotary’s work both internationally and in our district. The smaller of these two gifts, using appreciated securities, was added to a previously-established charitable remainder trust. That CRT will provide two of the donor’s heirs lifetime incomes and then be used to generate support for Rotary’s good work both at home and abroad.
 
In short, opportunities are numerous and varied. Anyone contemplating a major gift to TRF should reach out to district leaders or foundation staff for assistance. As PDG Faron Barr announced in a previous newsletter, Roger Aeschliman Raeschliman@corefirstbank.com will become District 5710 Endowment and Major Gifts Chair July 1. I wish to express my gratitude to Roger for assuming this responsibility, to DG Stephanie Meyer and other district leadership, to Faron Barr and the other members of the district TRF committee, to Rotarians who have assisted me on the district E/MG committee, to key Rotary Foundation staff, to Mandy Sheldon for her production of this excellent monthly newsletter, and to all of you whose donations to The Rotary Foundation and whose Rotary service work miracles and change lives.
Upcoming Club Events
 
Each month we will share with you upcoming Club Events, that you might like to participate in.
 
Topeka South Annual Golf Tournament
June 16, 11:30 am Registration and Lunch
1:00 pm Shotgun Start
Cypress Ridge Golf Course
 
Manhattan & Konza Rotary Club's
Annual Golf Tournament & Social
June 19, Registration @ Noon
Shotgun Start at 1:00 pm
CAAHT Club
“Growing up in a Porn Culture: Challenges and Solutions” will be presented by Dr Gail Dines, Founder and President of Culture Reframed, on June 20, 12:00 noon at the CAAHT Rotary meeting.
 
Prior to 2000, most young people, especially boys, would first encounter pornographic images in magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse. Their access to these (mainly) soft-core images was limited, so it was not a pivotal issue in terms of the sexual health and development of young people, and pornography did not serve as the primary source of sex education. Since 2000, the internet has become the main vehicle for porn, and hardcore porn is just a click away—it is free, violent, and based on the degradation and abuse of women and children. The proliferation of the smartphone, together with the growth of teen-targeted social media sites, has opened up yet more avenues for teens to access hardcore porn. This presentation will explore the most popular social media platforms accessed by young people today, linking the social media and porn industries and the harmful effects of their exposure on young people. Today, online porn has become a primary source of sex education for young people around the world.
 
Focusing on the public health approach, this presentation will highlight how Culture Reframed helps parents and professionals who work with young people to navigate this precarious terrain of hypersexualized social media and pornography. I will discuss our research-driven online courses and resources for parents and professionals, including our new Sex Education with a Porn-Critical Lens Curriculum.
 
Please contact Patti Mellard, patti@keystaffing.com for the Zoom information to attend this meeting.
Emporia Rotary
On May 20, members of the Emporia Rotary Club braved the bugs and the heat to help fix Double E Camp, a girls scout camp located outside of Emporia. After the long winter, much work was needed to help prepare the camp for girls to enjoy this summer.  Club members trimmed trees, stacked brush, removed an old tent platform, and replace an outdoor shower.  Along with the work, the club also donated $500 to help replace damaged tents. The club also challenged the Lions and the Kiwanis to match our donations of time and treasure. Both accepted the challenge making the total donation $1500 and bringing the number of volunteers to over 25.
 
The Emporia Rotary Club has a long history of supporting Camp Double E Camp. In 1928, Rudy Downs and V. J. Paxton purchased for $600.00, eight acres northwest of Emporia and deeded it to the Emporia Rotary Club. The property on the south bank of the Neosho River was intended for the propose of a boys camp. The property was not used for at least a year but it was eventually used by the Boy Scouts on weekends for camping.
 
In 1944, the club raised the issue that the Boy Scouts were not using the camp and investigated a possible sale of the property. The investigation lasted into 1945 and the camp, then known as Rotary Park, was not sold. For the next 5 years, there were negotiations as to the use of the land. In 1950, a long-time lease was made between the Rotary Club and the Girl Scout Council.
 
A cabin was completed in Spring of 1952, and used for the first time in the summer of 1952. According to an Emporia Gazette article from 1953, people believing that the park was public property used it for picnics, wiener roasts, and “isolated parking”. The property was used and abused. The Girl Scouts were attempting to curb the vandalism and theft on the property so it could fully use the facility.
 
From the 1950s to the 1990s, the facility was leased to the Flint Hills Girl Scout Council for leadership, skill development, and camping for the young ladies of the Flint Hills region. In 1994 the club decided to deed the land to the Flint Hills Girl Scout Council for one dollar. But the deed was specified to include a reverter clause and a specification for land use to protected the club from liability and ensure that the club would be used to benefit the scouts for years to come.
Leavenworth Rotary
We were happy to induct our home town musician, Melissa Etheridge, into our club as an honorary member this month.  She is shown here with our Sergeant at Arms, Karel Sigtenhorst; welcome to Rotary, Melissa!
President Elect Blake Waters was recognized as a PHF plus two this month; shown here with club Foundation Chair, DeEtte Lombard. Happy to welcome Diana Weaver into our club; shown here at her induction ceremony with her sponsor, President Elect Blake Waters; welcome to the club, Diana! President Derek presenting the district's new member kit to Edd Hingula.
We hosted our semi-annual non-perishable food drive this month; pictured here are Suzie Lawson with one of our young community members donating items and Vice President Caroline Webster with our chair of this event, Gary Cordes.  Our community members step up to help Rotary donate over 1000 pounds of food and monetary donations twice a year!
High School "Senior" visits are coming to a close for the year; last to visit us for the year were students from Lansing High School, Cole Hahn & Bella Whitlock (granddaughter of long-time Rotarian, Wayne Shehorn); Cole & Bella are pictured here with President Derek (left) and senior visitor committee member, John Robinson.
 
Upcoming for our club:
 
Passing of the Gavel Ceremony - 12 July
District Governor Jenalea Randall Visit - 19 July
Relay for Life - 26 August
Oktoberfest & Volksmarch - 14 October
Manhattan Rotary
On May 6, Rotarians from the Manhattan and Konza Rotary Clubs completed home repair and gardening for Homestead Ministries, a safe place for women who have left the sex trafficking industry or experienced domestic violence. Flower beds were cleaned and mulched, the trim around the house was painted, a fence was fixed, stumps were cleared, old satellite dishes were recycled and more. A lot was accomplished in three hours or less.
 
Local nonprofits and agencies continue to benefit from the relationship with Feed the Hungry, the Overland Park Rotary, Konza United Way, Manhattan University Christian Church and our Club. Products of benefit to those in need including vitamins and laundry detergent have been in demand over the last month. Representatives from agencies such as the Flint Hills Breadbasket, Be Able, the Senior Center come to Ag Press warehouse on Wednesdays and pick up products at the Community Cares Chest saving their budgets to purchase other needed items.
 
The Bill Snyder Half Marathon Race was held on Saturday May 27th from 6:30 am to 11 am. Our club staffed the last station near the finish line where all runners for the 5K and ½ marathon pass. Rotarians cheered on the runners and hand out water. Over 1,200 ran the races this year.
 
A check for $500 from cup money was presented to Mike and Lisa Irvin for the Flint Hills Foster Teen Camps (FHFTC). The goal of the camps is to provide a safe place where foster teens can relax from the stress of uncertainty and experience activities that allow them to be kids, build trust and give them HOPE.
 
 
Join us for the annual Manhattan/Konza Rotary Club Golf tournament is June 19th at the Manhattan Country Club.
  • 4 Person Scramble. Registration opens at 12 pm. Shotgun start is 1pm.
  • The Entry Fee is $125 (includes box lunch, green fees, cart, range, and prizes). For Rotarians, $50 of the fee goes to the Rotary Foundation in your name. 
  • $150 Hole Sponsor recognized with company name on identified hole. You will be invoiced from Konza Rotary. Pay by credit card through the invoice now or by check made payable Manhattan Rotary Club.
  • Register for Rotarians and guests here.
Manhattan Konza Rotary
In early May, the Manhattan Konza Rotary Club and Manhattan Rotary Club teamed up to do yard work and landscaping at the Homestead house. Homestead provides housing, support, and transitional care to women exiting sex-trafficking and prostitution. Club members helped with gardening, tree stump removal, painting and more!
Overbrook Rotary
Colleen Mendoza, Economic Development Director for Osage County, is thanked by Overbrook Rotary President Larry Butel after Colleen briefed the club of all the new developments that are going on in our county. 
Overland Park Rotary
The focus in May, for the Overland Park Rotary… public service and new beginnings.
 
We kicked the month off with a diaper drive for toddlers and infants being cared for through Growing Futures Early Education Center of Overland Park, having heard of their need from Executive Director Larry Lewis, Jr. Our club heard from Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez. Chief Donchez shared all that is accomplished in keeping Overland Park a safe place to work and live. And, Shawnee Mission School District Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard, provided an update on the accomplishments of the district.
 
Overland Park Rotary also celebrated the new beginnings of two high school graduates from Shawnee Mission South High School – Caroline Hiebel and Jayme Pickering (pictured below). These two young women were selected to receive in scholarships from our Rotary Foundation, chaired by Rotarian Erik Rome. Caroline and Jayme have been involved leaders in their Interact Club and are wonderful examples of ‘service above self. Both will use their scholarship money to pursue a degree in law. 
 
“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”  Booker T. Washington
Topeka South
Topeka South Rotary is hosting their annual Golf Tournament on June 16 at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Topeka, KS.  The tournament is a four-person scramble and cost is $90 per person which includes green fees, cart and refreshments. Proceeds from the tournament support the Rotary Foundation. Follow this link to sign your team up:  www.TopekaSouthRotary.GolfGenius.com 
Valley Falls
Members of the Valley Falls Rotary Club, Dr. James Rider, Thiana Brown, Jim Braum, and Rhonda Troxel helped clean out the gutters at the Valley Falls Humane Shelter.
Western Johnson County
Our club recently visited Fire Station #5 in Lenexa!  Club members got a tour of the firehouse and learned more about how the station supports the western Lenexa community, which includes the southern half of Shawnee Mission Park.  The tour included seeing their day-use area, sleeping rooms, weight room, and, of course, the firetruck!  We wrapped up our visit by bringing dinner for the crews as a THANK YOU for the tour and for all they do to keep our community safe!
 
In early-May, our club partnered with the Lenexa Rotary Club to provide drink sales at the annual Lenexa Art Fair.  The Art Fair features art from roughly 50 KC-area artists, as well as live music, activities for kids, food trucks, wine/beer tasting, and more.  Profits from the drink sales benefit both our club and the Lenexa Rotary Club to be used for community projects.
A few of our club members also squeezed in a trail cleanup walk in May!  Our club is responsible for a .8 mile section of the Clear Creek Trail in Western Shawnee (located near Woodland and Shawnee Mission Parkway).
 
Lastly, club members wrapped-up May by visiting The Golden Scoop in Overland Park.  The Golden Scoop is a local ice cream shop located on the southwest corner of 95th & Nall and employs folks with developmental disabilities.  Did you know they were recognized as Yelp’s 2022 “best ice cream shop in the state of Kansas”?  After hearing their story, we chose The Golden Scoop as one of two organizations we wanted to support with our 2023 Music Bingo fundraiser.  This year we were able to give both The Golden Scoop and the Ronald McDonald House KC each a check for $1,000!

 
 
 
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