Club Achievements Recognized at District Conference
 
The Rotary District Conference was last weekend (Oct. 16 & 17) on the campus of Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. With the theme of “Celebrating the Gift of Rotary,” the conference was intended to be an extension of the theme of this year’s R President, “Be a Gift to the World.”
 
There were a number of plenary and breakout educational/motivational sessions — Plazan and PDG Jerry Venters led breakout sessions on RYLA and the Rotary Leadership Institute and teamed with PDG Jeff Romine for an interactive hour of Rotary Trivia. 
The conference also included recognition of significant achievements by clubs throughout the district in the 2014/2015 Rotary Year. The Kansas City Plaza Club fared exceptionally well.
 
At the banquet on Friday night, the club received a Presidential Citation, an award that is given for balanced achievement in several areas: membership growth, Foundation giving, and Rotary service. Seventeen Rotary clubs and two Interact clubs received the award for their work in 2014-15.
 
Plaza Rotary also picked up a special Membership Initiative Award for helping in the formation of the Waldo-Brookside Rotary Club. Fittingly enough, the awards were presented by Past District Governor Cassy Venters.
 
The limelight continued at the Saturday morning plenary session, with the KC Plaza Club named as one of 20 clubs in the district as a Star Club. Star clubs are clubs whose average giving to The Rotary Foundation is at least $100 per club member; Plaza Club was recognized as the No. 1 Club in the District in per capita Annual Fund giving. Plaza per capita giving was $609.85; the districtwide average was $116. 
 
The Club also received a Certificate of Appreciation from RI President Gary C.K. Huang for its contributions (more than $15,000) to the PolioPlus Fund of The Rotary Foundation.
 
Past Club President Bob Merrigan accepted the awards for the club.
 
“It was immensely gratifying and a tremendous honor to be able to accept these awards on behalf of the club,” he said.  “Thank you so much for your continued hard work and dedication. You do set the standard!”
 
Congratulations, Plazans, on an outstanding 2014-15!
 
Denise Holt Honored as Club Champion
 
Denise Holt, the Plaza Rotary Club’s  “utility player” extraordinaire, was honored at the District Conference as the Club Champion. 
 
 In nominating Denise for the recognition, President Jane Brown described Denise as “dynamic and unwavering,” and said that Denise is “an endless source of ideas to make our club better.”  
 
District Governor Ralph Cupelli presented the Club Champion award to Denise at the Governor’s Banquet on Saturday night.  
 
Plazans Randy Steinman, PDG Elizabeth Usovicz and PDG Larry Lunsford also attended the conference.
 
Congratulations, Denise! 
 
 
District Pars v. Polio Scores Big
 
The second annual District 6040 Pars v. Polio Golf Marathon has reached almost $22,000 in pledges and donations to support the worldwide campaign to eradicate polio, Plazan Jerry Venters, chair of the fundraising event, announced at last weekend’s District Conference.  
 
Although final reports aren’t in, Jerry announced that the event had raised at least $21,817, which may be matched by nearly $44,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  The Plaza Club raised $8,711.  
 
Vocational Visit Friday

You still have time to join fellow Kansas City Plaza Rotarians this Friday, October 23, for a special tour of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local Union 124. 

The tour begins at 3:00 PM Friday. Meet at the Union at 301 E. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64114.
 
 
Chili Time!
Round up your best chili recipe if you want to compete at the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club’s Annual Chiefs Watch Party! 
 
The winner of the chili contest will receive a $25 gift certificate from World Market. 
 
If you don’t want to compete, you can still come and enjoy some fun with your Rotary Club friends (no matter what happens with the Chiefs). Sign up to bring a side dish or dessert; hot dogs and drinks will be provided. 
 
The party starts at 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at Bill and Celine Moran’s home, 8927 Sagamore Road, Leawood. 
 
 
Thanks to special correspondents
Jerry Venters and Bob Merrigan
for their reports in this week's issue.