Plaza Rotary At A Glance 03/18/2015

 
Bees and Spiders — When Cultures Clash
 
This week, we welcome Lt. Col. Brian L. Steed, an instructor in the Department of Military History of the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
 
He has served in the Middle East for more than 8 1/2 years; he has advised U.S. senior military leaders on engagement policy in Iraq and played a critical role in shaping U.S. defense policy and programs in the United Arab Emirates. 
 
He also served as a Jordanian army officer through the U.S. Army's military personnel exchange program and as a liaison to the Israel Defense Force, giving him rare perspective from both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
 
Steed has written four books dealing with cross-cultural influence, military theory, and military history. His latest book is Bees and Spiders: Applied Cultural Awareness and the Art of Cross-Cultural Influence. 
 
Paul Harris Society Members to be Recognized
 
Fourteen members of the Plaza Rotary Club have joined the District 6040 Paul Harris Society by making a commitment to donate at least $1,000 each year to The Rotary Foundation. Members of the Paul Harris Society receive a chevron that they can wear with their Rotary lapel pin of choice.
 
This Friday -- in conjunction with the "ceremony" to celebrate the Plaza club's new status as a 100 percent Paul Harris Fellow Club – those 14 Plazans will be recognized and presented with their chevrons.  They are: Elizabeth Usovicz, Cassy Venters, Jerry Venters, Larry Lunsford, Liz Thomas, Drue Thomas, Jeff Deatherage, Jane Brown, Gary Morgan, Steve Johnston, Ed Ladegaard, Bob Merrigan, Roger Samuel, and Terry Putney.  Jerry is D6040 Paul Harris Society Chair.
 
Diane Marty to Resign
 
At its monthly meeting March 11, the Board voted to accept Diane Marty’s resignation. In her letter requesting the move, Diane said:
 
“As you well know, it’s a pleasure and privilege to be associated with great people doing great work. My decision is not over anything that has or hasn’t been done by Rotary or the Plaza Club, but ranter a function of my current point in life where there are multiple priorities for work and family that I don’t feel I’m adequately able to balance at this point or the forseeable future with boys off to college and career happenings and opportunities both for myself and for Kirk. 
 
“I will certainly be a sideline Rotary advocate and cheerleader, and will look forward to remaining on 'the list' for events, fundraising outreach and the impromptu happy hour from time to time.”
 
Perhaps President-Elect Jane Brown said it best in her response: “It’s a great loss, but certainly understandable.” Diane, we look forward to your return!
 
 
Fun Afoot in Shoes Challenge! 
 
The Penny Loafers "took their leather to the linoleum" and picked up the pace to take the lead in the 2015 Shoes for Orphan Souls marathon.
 
The Loafers added an amazing 230 pairs of shoes in a single week, and now outpace the two competing teams. 
 
Lace ‘em up added a mere 18 pairs of shoes, but that was enough to hold second place. Team Goody Two Shoes added 33 pairs, but now slipped to third place.
 
Overall, the club is at 845 pairs of shoes — only 181 pairs shy of our target. At this rate, perhaps the club can set a new record before the competition ends April 10. Bring in your cash and shoes weekly.
 
Got Tickets? May 9 Reverse Raffle
 
Tickets are on sale now for the club's second annual Reverse Raffle fundraiser on May 9 at the Grand Street Cafe. 
 
Proceeds will benefit the Urban Ranger Corps, Hope House, Cristo Rey High School, PolioPlus (Rotary's effort to eradicate polio worldwide), and other Plaza Rotary beneficiaries in the community.
 
The Reverse Raffle will be the club's major fundraising event in 2015.  It will feature a $2,000 grand prize for the final number left in the drum, and numerous smaller prizes. There are more than 20 items in the silent auction including, for example: a NASCAR ride along, a golf package, Plaza view room at the Intercontinental, two Royals baseball tickets & parking pass, a private wine tasting, a private whiskey tasting and much more. Additional auction items are welcome. 
 
Just 150 tickets, at $100 each, will be sold, giving all buyers a 1-in-150 chance of becoming the grand prize winner. See Jacquelyn Blake for your tickets -- NOW! 
 
Upcoming Events
  • Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. at the 75th Street Brewery — meetings for the formation of the new Waldo-Brookside Rotary Club. Invite friends; spread the word. Contact: Dan Ryan.
  • Friday, March 27 — Bring aluminum cans and poptops to club meeting for the Saint Teresa Academy Interact Club Can Drive.
  • Tuesday, March 31, 4-5 p.m. Vocational Service Visit at  KC Vet Center, 4800 Main St. Sign up with Mike Theobald. Possible social opportunity after the visit…
  • Monday, April 6: Greater Kansas City Day/Royals Opening Day to benefit Rotary Youth Camp. Sign up! 
  • Friday, April 10, 7:15 a.m. — regular club meeting will be held at the Grand Street Cafe. This is our chance to give the Grand Street a trial run; please plan on attending. 
  • Saturday, May 9 — Second Annual Reverse Raffle, Grand Street Cafe. 
  • Saturday, May 30 — Block Clean Up on the Plaza -- more details coming soon. 
 
Sergeant’s Report
 
Friday, March 13
  • Rotarians in Attendance: 37
  • Change for Charity:  $67
  • Happy Bucks of Note:  Bill Schmidt announced the birth of yet unnamed grandson. 
  • Three-minute Rotarian: Three minute smack talk by anonymous K-State alum (Jeff Chapman).
  • Program:  Kirsten Borg, Politicians in Purgatory. Dr. Borg claims we all stand as lifelong witnesses to the Cold War and shared insights into her docudrama about the event.  The story unfolds in purgatory where women are in charge. Churchill, DeGaulle, Khrushchev, Nehru, and LBJ stand trial for their roles in the Cold War. Though her scenario is fictional, Borg researches each main character at depth in hopes of discovering how passionately these heads of state were dedicated to the nations they served. www.booksbykeab.com.