Plaza Rotary at a Glance 04-27-2016

Posted 
on Apr 27, 2016
 
 
This Week’s Speaker
Larry R. Bradley, “Neither Liberal Nor Conservative Be: An Action Plan for People Disgusted by Polarized Politics”
 
Larry R. Bradley is the author of Neither Liberal Nor Conservative Be: An Action Plan for People Disgusted by Polarized Politics.
Bradley says Americans have been taught to think of politics in terms of a horse race. Everything they read or see on TV is completely focused on how the horses (candidates) in the race are performing. But he isn't going to talk about the horse race. 
 
His thesis: why the design of the race track is inadequate, how the rules we use to conduct the race are irrational and why those factors give us the unsatisfactory results they do. He recommends three changes to fix those shortcomings, changes that do not require a Constitutional Convention, Constitutional Amendments, tortuous interpretations of the Constitution or term limits.
 
Larry's passion for the future well-being of the country he served so long and his concern for the direction he saw that country taking as a result of its political system caused him to found The Center Strikes Back, write Neither Liberal Nor Conservative Be and create the DVD Program "Why The Two Party System Isn’t Working Anymore: And What to Do About It."

In addition, Larry has become the impetus behind efforts to ensure the will of the majority prevails by bringing Instant Runoff Voting and other voting reforms to elections in all fifty states.
 
These Shoes are made for Traveling: Shoe Caravan
Plaza Rotarians, including Frances Reddis, and Dave and Beth Bahner, as well as members of the Lee’s Summit, Raytown and Waldo Clubs will be delivering shoes for the Shoes for Orphan Souls Caravan Thurs., April 28 between 7-8:30 a.m. to the Summit Technology Center north parking lot 777 NW Blue Parkway. If you are nearby, come out and join us!
 
Stay tuned next week for a report on the number of pairs of shoes our club collected, as well as shoes collected from around the district. Kudos to those of you who shopped, collected and donated to make it possible for orphans to have a new pair of shoes!
 
May 6: Deadline to Submit Nominations for the Vocational Service Award
Scott Weaver, chair of the Vocational Service Committee, is seeking nominations for the club’s Vocational Service Award. Qualified candidates are non-Rotarians who exemplify outstanding professional achievement and high ethical standards; actively gives back to the community; and personifies Rotary’s Four-Way Test.  Please submit your nominations to Scott on or before May 6.
 
May 14: Bloch Cancer Survivors Park Clean-up
It is time to do some spring ‘cleaning’ at the Bloch Cancer Survivors Park on Sat., May 14. Come, roll up your sleeves, bring your work gloves, rakes and spades, and plan to have some fun! The fall clean-up date is Sat., Sept. 17. This is a bi-annual community service event where Plaza Rotarians contribute some sweat equity to spruce up the park in the spring and fall.
 
 
May 20: Arrowhead Stadium Tour – Vocational Service Event
On Fri., May 20 at 3 p.m., we will have our own private guided tour of the Arrowhead Stadium facility.  The tour will last 90 minutes and include seeing the press box, Scout Investments club level, locker room, field, and the Chiefs Hall of Honor.  Bring a prospective member or guests. Click here to add your name to the list: http://whoozin.com/MKF-VPG-R3DC.
 
May 21: Reverse Raffle Auction
Please bring your checks and auction items this week!
Going once! Going Twice! Sold! Bring your auction items for the Reverse Raffle this Friday! The committee will be “staging” the items this Sunday and would appreciate to have all auction items in hand.
 
So far, 55 Rotarians and friends have purchased tickets for this awesome event to support Urban Rangers, Hope House and the Plaza Rotary Foundation. If you have not paid and want to be a part of a fun evening of music, beverages, great food, camaraderie, and raffle and auction excitement, then bring your check Friday.
 
Our most generous host, Will Hodgkinson, is not only offering his home for this fun event, but he also is offering his wine collection of about 60 premium bottles of wine and top-shelf liquor for us to enjoy. We will also have scrumptious food to nibble on.
 
Here is just a sample of the many auction items:
  • $1,000 cash
  • A weekend night stay at the Hampton Inn, restaurant and movie package
  • Milburn golf package
  • I’m Your Handyman package
  • Wine tasting event
  • Makeover/photo shoot package
  • Spa package
  • DJ entertainment package
  • Linden Lounge – dinner for 6
  • George Brett signed baseball
  • All sorts of fabulous gift baskets
Cost is $75 per person.
Event details: Sat., May 21, 6:30 pm to 9:30 p.m., Home of Will Hodgkinson, 8101 W. 66th Terr., Mission, Kan., 66202.
 
Plaza Rotarians are Generous Donors to RI Foundation
Rotary International Foundation Chair Jennifer Kyle recently reported that Plaza Rotarians are very generous when giving to the RI Foundation. For example, out of a total of 59 members, 43 are sustaining members; our per capita giving to the annual fund is $263.43; $470 is the average giving to RI Foundation; 16 club members are now Paul Harris Society members which means they have committed to giving $1000 annually to TRF, and our club’s all-time giving to the Rotary Foundation is $474,000!