Events

Videoconference

Gene Taylor was named the Director of Athletics at K-State in April 2017, and in almost six years under his leadership, the Wildcats have recorded championship performances on the field and in the classroom, in addition to continued fundraising success and immediately improving the facility infrastructure to enhance the experience of all Wildcat student-athletes.
  
Highlighting Taylor’s tenure competitively has been back-to-back Big 12 Outdoor Women’s Track and Field championships, four football bowl appearances, a Big 12 Championship in football and a Big 12 Championship and Elite 8 appearance from the men’s basketball team, while Taylor and staff fundraised and have begun to implement a department-wide facility master plan that will benefit all Wildcat teams.

Taylor’s strategic plan for the department places an emphasis on the student-athlete experience, while his leadership helped navigate the COVID-19 crisis, in addition to enhancing the department’s already-strong diversity and inclusion program, has been well documented.

Serving as Deputy Athletic Director at Iowa from 2014 – 2017 after having a very successful run at North Dakota State and rising through the ranks over 15 years at Navy, Taylor started his career in Athletics at Arizona State and SMU.  

Taylor and his wife Cathy, have one daughter, Casey, and a son, Jared.

I’ll give a brief history of the Crossroads Arts District neighborhood, and its transition from a blighted area of abandoned warehouses and historic buildings to one of the most vibrant and diverse mixed-use neighborhoods in Kansas City.

·       First Fridays

·       Graffiti Cleanup Program

·       Security Patrol Program

CCA’s initiatives to continue to improve the neighborhood

·       Urban Forest Initiative

·       Efforts to create a Community Improvement District (CID)

Robert is a licensed professional engineer in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP BD+C). Robert directed the development of LEED Prototypes for several large format retailers. He has extensive LEED documentation experience, and his company has participated in the successful certification of over 465 LEED projects covering more than 41,536,000 square feet in 48 states. Over the past several years Robert assisted clients in achieving EnergyStar Labeling for over 1,140 commercial buildings.

In 2013, Robert was instrumental in relocating his company from Overland Park to the Crossroads Neighborhood in Kansas City, MO. Dialectic, Inc. occupies approximately 20,000 square feet on two floors in the historic Zahner Building at 20^th and Central St. in the Crossroads.

Community Involvement

·       Crossroads Community Association-President (November 2018-Present)

·       Crossroads Community Association-Board Member (November 2014-Present)

·       Lake Lotawana Association – District 37 Director (June 2005-Present)

·       Lake Lotawana Association – Lake Improvement Board (January 2008-December 2018)

William Hayes is the founder of Trades CoWork Space and ReuseHomes LLC, a new thinking development company that is creating safe, stable, and affordable housing in areas of disinvestment.
 
Prior to founding ReuseHomes, William spent 3 ½ years helping to develop the largest Historic Re-Development project in the State of Missouri. East 9 at Pickwick Plaza is a $65 million dollar rehab of an entire city block located in downtown Kansas City and consists of 260 market rate apartments, a 293 car garage and approximately 40,000+ square feet of commercial property. William served as Director of Governmental Relations and ran the Commercial Real Estate division for the project. He was routinely involved in what was the equivalent of daily “value engineering” exercises on how to stay within budget and on deadline with 120+ contractors on the job, as well as attended weekly OAC (owner – architect – contractor) meetings. Pickwick, now fully operational and successful, and has since won many awards.
 
The last ten years have been the core building blocks by developing the skills necessary to successfully build ReuseHomes. The skills learned and earned through marketing and design allow for a keen eye in brand quality, and a high level of marketing and social media knowledge. His work in the development world has imbedded deep knowledge regarding best construction practices, architectural requirements, and managing large crews while juggling multiple time sensitive projects on a daily basis. His time spent within City Hall and at the State Capital has given him extensive knowledge of the political games and traps that are so easy to fall victim to.

Real Estate, Politics, Marketing; these are the three pillars upon which the future will be built. No matter how grand the idea or design, only the most solid foundation will determine not only how high one can go, but how long it will last. The Core principles; Environment – Community – Done Right.

www.tradecoworkspace.com

Introduced by Nancy Shawver

As Kansas City positions itself as a hub for economic investment and top destination to raise a family, KC Common Good is spearheading new initiatives to make our city safer.

Kansas City is at a crisis level for homicide, domestic violence and other violent crime. KC 360 is a comprehensive, community-based approach to reduce violent crime, build stronger community relations, increase access to education and jobs and implement responsible justice reforms. Fifteen years ago in Omaha, Nebraska, a nonprofit called the Empowerment Network was founded to reduce violence through community-based solutions that collectively involve prevention, intervention, enforcement, reentry and reform and support services. Since this time, Omaha has seen a 74 percent reduction in shootings and its homicide rate has fallen to its lowest in 30 years. Modeled after the Empowerment Network, KC Common Good is bringing the success of the 360 model to Kansas City.

Klassie Alcine is CEO of KC Common Good, she brings a wealth of knowledge from her unique background and experience as a political consultant, crisis management expert, non-profit executive, and successful entrepreneur. The mission of KC Common Good is to create an environment where all citizens can live safely and have access to real opportunities. KC Common Good is a collective impact model requiring multiple organizations to work together in reducing violence. This approach has been successful in cities across the nation, spurring lower homicide rates and decreasing gun violence after implementation.

She is a multifaceted public servant dedicated to uniting communities, joyful leadership, and conscious action for Greater Kansas City. Before joining KC Common Good, she was the director of corporate and community partnerships at Central Exchange, where she managed community relationships, expanded corporate partnerships, and supported marketing strategies to empower Kansas City leaders. She holds a master’s in public administration with an emphasis in urban administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Henry W. Bloch School of Management, a bachelor of arts in Political Science and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Klassie is an entrepreneurship scholar from the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has a professional certificate in non-profit fundraising from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership. She is certified in the Science of Wellbeing from Yale University, gender equity, and conflict management.

Swope Health and KC Common Good will convene a community town hall, starting at 6:30 pm Wednesday April 5 at the Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St., Kansas City.

The town hall will offer an open discussion between the Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves, the Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier, and longtime Kansas City activist Alvin Brooks. 

The discussion will be led by Swope Health President and CEO Jeron Ravin, J.D. 

The evening begins with a reception 5:30 to 6:30 pm outside the Plaza Library Auditorium. The Town Hall begins promptly at 6:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public. 

Details: https://swopehealth.org/join-us-town-hall-on-violence-prevention/

The event is co-sponsored by Swope Health and KC Common Good.

Partners For Peace is a new collaboration to reduce violence in Kansas City, initiated out of an effort to go beyond the traditional approaches of arrest and prosecution. A key element of the program currently is reaching out to every victim of gunshot in Kansas City to help them avoid a future connected to violence. A governing board that includes Prosecutor Baker, the mayor, the new police chief and the director of the Kansas City Health Department, as well as community representatives, direct the program.

Jean Peters Baker is the Jackson County Prosecutor.  

Michael Mansur works as communications director at the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Larry Lunsford is Vice-Chair of The Rotary Foundation and will serve as a Rotary Foundation Trustee from 2021-2025.

Larry’s passion for Rotary and his invitation into the family of Rotary began during his college years when in 1982 he was selected as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar to Australia. Larry joined Rotary in 1991, served as his club’s President in 1997-98, served as District Governor of District 6040 (Missouri) in 2001-02, and served as Rotary International Director in 2013-15. He is a past member and Chair of the RI Membership Committee. Larry and Jill served as Aides to RI President Mark Daniel Maloney, and his wife Gay, for the 2019-2020 Rotary year.

In the 2020-2021 Rotary year, Larry served as Chair on the Rotary Peace Centers Committee of the Rotary Foundation, and also served his third year as a member of the Shaping Rotary’s Future Committee for Rotary International.

A certified public accountant, Larry is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  of Bernstein-Rein Advertising, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. Larry and his wife Jill have two children, Trent and Cara. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Ralph Foiles house, 9009 Chestnut, Lenexa, Kansas

Coffee, Bagles and Muffins provided

The network of Plaza Rotarian Jeff Chapman has filled many a program slot for our club - from providing entertainment to profound thought.  This week, in lieu of Miss Missouri, we have Jeff telling us about how his doodling for fun turned into a passion for making people laugh through political cartoons. Jeff's been published for over 20 years and he will share details about this sketchy journey. 

Volunteers will help set up for the prom from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm at 10918 Elm Ave Kansas City, MO 64134

Karen Eppler and Denise Holt are asking for four Rotarians to assist with the set up for the Crittenton Children’s Center Prom.  Bethany Ruhl has been associated with the Saint Luke's Hospital Crittenton Children’s Center for many years and she brings us a community service project opportunity, assisting with creating a magical atmosphere for the teenagers at the Center. 

The prom is scheduled on Friday April 21, 2023. Volunteers will help set up for the prom from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm at 10918 Elm Ave Kansas City, MO 64134.  Set-up involves decorating, rearranging rooms, some time on ladders to hang twirls/stars from ceiling in room and hallway, help putting together backdrop, tablecloths and centerpieces on tables, etc.  The prom organizers may also need volunteers for the getting attendees ready...hair, makeup or nails.

Please note the volunteers must be 21 years of age, sign a confidentiality waiver and be COVID vaccinated with documentation.  Contact Denise Holt 913-526-3381 or dholt@linccc.com to volunteer.

Bethany Ruhl, our Club Service Chair, is announcing that there will be a Spring Walk-about at Bo Steed's acreage in Daviess County.  AKA the Farm. There are miles of walkable trails on the 140 acres, about 80 acres in woods and the rest is sort-of-open grassland.  Bo guarantees there will be wild asparagus to pick and morels, for those who are sharp-eyed.  The date is Saturday April 22 from before lunch until you decide to wrap it up.  The farmer says he will be there all day.  The address is 15230 Titan Ave., Winston MO  64689.  It is north up I-35 and about 75 minutes from the Plaza.  Details on food and games etc. to follow.  Rotarians, family and friends are all welcome.

Scott founded the MR340 in 2006.  11 boats entered the race.  It has grown to over 500 boats currently registered for the 18th Annual event this August.

The prresentation is a brief rundown of the history of the race and where we are headed.

Contact Nancy Shawver at nancy@nancyshawver.com

A professional mediator will share with you his “nuggets” gleaned from hundreds of mediations that you can use to help you in life.

Jack Bangert is a professional mediator. He has mediated/resolved hundreds of civil cases over the past 15 years. As a facilitator, he has learned valuable tips and tools and thoughts in high stakes litigation cases you can use in your everyday life and business.

Mr. Bangert has more than 40-years of experience in commercial and civil litigation. He is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Only 32 attorneys in Missouri are recognized as having met the stringent requirements for the NADN, and he is one of only four NADN members in Missouri to have been conferred with “Diplomate” status.

He is an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. He has taught at over 20 trial academies, including the Missouri Bar Trial Academy, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers Trial Academy, the Missouri Judicial Trial College, and the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy

Introduced by Dave Robinett

Contact Bill at 816-977-3853 or schmidtwilliam1219@gmail.com

What Is String Sprouts?

Specifically designed for underserved children ages 3 - 8, String Sprouts KC is a FREE music education program created to support school readiness and the recipient of a $4,310 grant from KC Plaza Rotary. 

From the generous support of our community students receive FREE of charge:  

•    Violin or Cello

•    Weekly small group lessons

•    Weekly parent/caregiver education sessions

•    Quarterly Opportunities to perform

•    Annual concert with a Symphony (UMKC Conservatory Orchestra)

Students are provided with their very own violin or cello. The revolutionary curriculum uses researched-based techniques to build a foundation for future academic success through 32 weekly group violin lessons annually for 5 years.   Caregivers are involved each week, learning parenting tools that help support their Sprout both academically and emotionally.

Located at 5 partner sites on both sides of the state line, as well as conducting 4 classes during the school day in 2 KCPS locations. Sprouts KC is the first El Sistema-based music education program focused on the earliest learners.

Plaza Rotarians – Please sign up for the Hands-On Contribution to Accompany the grant funds: 

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

String Sprouts & The Symphony Concert (MAY)

May 6th - noon.  White Recital Hall - 4949 Cherry, KC, MO 64110

Parking lot director - performance 10:00 am (1 position)

Lobby to backstage monitoring during rehearsal 10:00 am (2 positions)

Instrument tuning at 10:15 (1 position)

Child/caregiver seating 10:30 (2 positions)

VIP seating 11:00 a.m. (1 position)

Hand out seed packets immediately following the performance (1 position)

Help at the snacks table 11:30 am (2 positions)

4th Quarter Sprouting Up Concerts (MAY)

Provide and Deliver Cookies

Cookies may be homemade or if store bought they should be individually wrapped.

See School Addresses at the Bottom of the Form

5/16 at KCK Early Childhood Center, 4:45 pm -year 2 & 5 violin (5 dozen cookies)

5/18 at Holliday Montessori at 4:00 pm - year 2 & 5 violin (3 dozen cookies)

Approaching Ukraine's nine year defensive war against Russian invasion and aggression as a military strategist, Scott will share three questions that stay with him as we watch events continue to unfold, and some considerations on where things are likely to go in the months ahead.

About M. Scott Weaver

Scott is a retired Army combat veteran who served as a strategist, infantry officer, and scholar.  His strategic-level assignments focused on Southwest Asia and Europe.

As a strategist at U.S. Central Command, U.S. Embassy-Baghdad and the Army War College, Scott led the development and delivery of key strategic analyses, operational plans and policy products that supported U.S. national aims in Iraq, Afghanistan and Southwest Asia. He worked Theater strategy and plans for U.S. Central Command several times during 2002-2013.

Scott’s operational experience included Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Kosovo Air War (Operation Allied Force), Operation Northern Watch, and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.  He served nine years on the faculties of the Army’s three degree-granting institutions.

Scott is Director of Operations for the Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also works with Academy Leadership as an executive coach and facilitator.

His community activities include chairing the Community Veterans Engagement Team for Johnson County Community College; serving on the executive committee of the KC Chapter of the Association of the United States Army; serving as a city of Westwood, Kansas planning commissioner; membership with the Rotary Club of Kansas City Plaza; and volunteering with the local Boy Scouts Council.

Our Giving Grove project will be a big project as orchard plantings go – we will be hand-digging holes and planting 50-55 fruit and nut trees.  Fortunately, we will have the assistance of two other organizations.  But, be prepared to get your hands dirty and receive a bit of a workout!

Neighbors in the area will be invited to drop by, learn about the new orchard, and receive a box of fresh food courtesy of Kanbe’s Markets.

Here is the link for our club to sign up to help plant fruit trees on May 12^th, 8:30-12:30 p.m.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BABAA2CA5FA7-maple

The orchard will be planted in the northeast corner of KCMO's Maple Park, located at the intersection of Paseo (just as it turns into Cliff Drive) and Lexington.  Street parking will be available.  Tools and gloves will be provided.  Please bring a water bottle.  A food truck will be provided from 12:30-1:30 p.m.  If you are trying to find information on the day of the event, contact Ralph Foiles at 913-481-2587 or before May 12, rfoiles@processprotection.net

Reform Movement In Wyandotte County by Former Mayor Carol Marinovich

Session description

1. The political situation when you first came got involved

2.  The resistance the reform movement faced.

3. The impact of the reform on ordinary citizens in Wyandotte County.

4. Where we are today as far as the longevity of the reform movement

SEWCIAL & COLUMBUS PARK ART CRAWL

6 pm Friday, May 19, 2023

KC Plaza Rotary and The Sewing Labs invite you to a special open house event at 6 pm Friday, May 19, at The Sewing Labs, 512 Campbell St., featuring a presentation by small business owner and upholsterer Laura Rowzeen .  An art-crawl in the Columbus Park Neighborhood will follow the open house.

The event is a social (or “sewcial”) open house and opportunity to network with students and staff of The Sewing Labs. Light refreshments and beer and wine will be available. If you’ve never visited The Sewing Labs, this is a great chance to visit and explore the warmly welcoming environment within.

The Sewing Labs is a partner with Plaza Rotary in the new RISE Microloans (Rotary Investing and Supporting Equity), an initiative of the Justice Committee. Additionally, several KC Plaza Rotarians meet monthly and serve as mentors for sewing students at The Sewing Labs. (Mentors are Roger Samuel, Denise Holt, Liz Holt and Nancy Shawver, plus not-yet Rotarians and friends: Adrienne Dickinson, Lori Roop, and Jennifer Parker. There’s still room for additional mentors; if you are interested, reach out to Nancy.)

The event is timed to coincide with Third Friday Art Crawl in the Columbus Park neighborhood, 6 pm – 9:25 pm. The Don Bosco Community Center often has art displays, as do Trap Gallery https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100022668385805 525 Gillis St., and Eight One Five gallery, https://eight-one-five-gallery.jimdosite.com/, 815 E. 5th St. Happy Gillis https://happygillis.com/ other businesses, and private homes sometimes host pop-ups as well. All are in walking distance of The Sewing Labs.

KCMO City Council Forum on Violence Prevention , FREE and open to the public. 5:30 to 7:30 pm Tuesday May 23 at the UMKC Law School, 500 E 52nd St., Kansas City, MO 64110. Parking is located on the north end of the building, enter on Oak Street.

KCMO City Council candidates will be participating in a conversation moderated by KCUR's Steve Kraske.

This event is sponsored by KC Common Good and KCUR.

Justice Committee invites you to come and learn -- get prepared for the June 20 City Council election and learn about solutions / ideas for violence prevention in Kansas City.

Description: Offering recreation and outdoor amenity spaces, Greenline KC will create a stage for neighborhoods along the loop to express themselves along the path, fostering cross-cultural interaction and appreciation.  Over the past decade, other cities have developed similar concepts: the High Line in New York, the Beltline in Atlanta, the Underline in Miami, the 606 in Chicago.  From art districts, to historic neighborhoods, to heritage trails, it will be a new way to explore the core of our city.

Bio: Jared Campbell is a life-long resident of the Greater Kansas City area.  He graduated from William Jewell with a B.A. in political science.  A long-time community volunteer while working in the nonprofit and personal insurance sectors, Jared joined the staff of the Downtown Council and their Downtown Community Improvement Districts as a Resident Engagement Project Manager in October 2020.  His work focuses on quality of life issues for the residents of downtown, policy work at the city and state level, and project management such as with the Greenline KC project.  In his free time, he enjoys traveling and photography.  Jared current Jared currently lives downtown with his wife, Katie, and their dog, June.  He is also a member of Rotary Club 13.

Dan Margolies

As a now retired reporter covering breaking news and legal affairs, Dan sought to demystify often-complex legal issues in order to expose the visible and invisible ways they affect people’s lives. He covered issues of justice and equity, and sought to ensure that significant and often under-covered developments got the attention they deserved so that readers were equipped with the knowledge they need to act as better informed citizens. 

Dan is the Co-host, The Kansas City Symphony on Classical KC

Videoconference

You are invited to The Sewing Lab's Training Program "graduation ceremony" at 6 pm Friday, June 16, at The Sewing Labs, 526 Campbell St., Kansas City. 

The Sewing Labs will graduate eight students from its Sewing salon training into the paid apprenticeship portion of their training.

There will be hors d'oeuvres and light refreshments. It's an opportunity to meet our partners at The Sewing Labs, see the facility and meet the graduates. 

And, the event occurs on the evening of the Columbus Park 3^rd Friday Art Walk. It's a great night to visit Columbus Park.

As a reminder, The Sewing Labs is our partner in the RISE Microloan project, led by the club's Justice Committee. If you have questions or want more info, reach out to Nancy Shawver. 

Opportunity to support Black entrepreneurs and entertainers: BLK PRD, a "mini" comedy showcase, at the Bird Theater, 103 W 19 St, Kansas City, MO. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 

Details:

Contact Erik Dickinson at erik.dickinson@urckc.org or 816-682-6098

Vine Street Brewing is Kansas City's first Black-owned brewery. Located at 2000 Vine Street, the brewery is in a renovated public works building in the historic 18th and Vine District. The KC Plaza Beer Club and Justice Committee will gather there starting at 4:30 pm Thursday July 6 for conversation, fellowship, craft beer and in support of this unique Black-owned business.

Please join us! Learn more about Vine Street: https://vinestbrewing.com

Plaza Rotary will be among the first groups to meet and support the brewery following its grand opening!

Clare Marie Kuebler Miss Missouri 2022 School: University of Missouri College Major: Bachelor of Science in Education Scholarship Winnings: $16,000 Scholastic Honors: Graduate from the University of Missouri in May 2022 Graduated Magna Cum Laude Recipient of the Tri Delta

Virtual Meeting

Ashlyn Rozean hails from Plainville, Kansas and graduated from Hays High, then went on to become a professional cosmetologist, the career she continues today in Olathe. Ashlyn has been singing her whole life. Her dad was a musician and sang in church. Ashlyn has been playing her “uke” for 8 years, and she loves the versatility of music she can play on it. To catch her live, she plays at breweries and bars, private events and basically wherever she gets a chance to play. Look for “Ash in the Grass,” Her performance name. She has a TikTok @ashinthegrass3 and You can book her for events by emailing ashinthegrass@gmail.com.

Free event, Kansas City Public Library Central Branch Weds, Aug. 2 -- 5:30 pm reception, program begins at 6 pm (also available via livestream on YouTube).

Written by father and daughter Richard and Leah Rothstein, the newly released Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law builds on Richard’s 2017 book The Color of Law, which posited that racial segregation in housing is the result of federal, state, and local policies.

In a discussion of Just Action, Leah Rothstein looks further at that pernicious connection while also suggesting strategies and changes to policy that can be enacted at a local level to promote inclusive housing. Her presentation is livestreamed at youtube.com/kclibrary (no RSVP necessary).

Michael L. Parson was sworn in as Missouri’s 57th Governor on June 1, 2018. Governor Parson came into the role of Governor with a lifelong commitment to serving others and over 30 years of experience in public service. He previously served as the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri from 2017–2018.

Workforce development and infrastructure have been the top priorities for Governor Parson. He and his administration have achieved historic bipartisan progress on both issues through programs like Missouri One Start, Fast Track, MoExcels, and the transportation cost-share program. Working with the General Assembly, Governor Parson established the Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges throughout the state. This coupled with largest state in increase for transportation funding in 25 years, means road and bridge revitalization projects in every corner of the state to better serve Missourians.  

Governor Parson also served six years in the U.S. Army and as the Sheriff of Polk County from 1993–2005. He served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005–2011 and in the Missouri Senate from 2011–2017.

Governor Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson live in Bolivar. Together, they have two grown children and six grandchildren. He was raised on a farm in Hickory County and graduated from Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri. He is a small business owner and a third-generation farmer who currently owns and operates a cow-calf operation near Bolivar.

Contact Roger Samuel to register, roger.runner@gmail.com.

Born and raised in Kansas City’s East Side communities, Mayor Quinton Lucas has served as the 55th mayor of Kansas City since 2019. 

As mayor, he led Kansas City’s adoption of the nationally acclaimed zero-fare transit initiative.  Mayor Lucas also championed the resurfacing of hundreds of miles of Kansas City’s streets and sidewalks, addressing a year’s long maintenance backlog in every Kansas City neighborhood.    

Having experienced homelessness in his youth, Mayor Lucas created the City’s first Housing Trust Fund, spurring the development of hundreds of units of housing attainable for Kansas Citians earning incomes between $0 and $42,000 per year.  

Mayor Lucas has promoted Kansas City globally, bringing new conferences and businesses to the City and securing the City’s position as one of only 11 American cities to host the 2026 Soccer World Cup.  

Understanding Kansas City is at its best when all are represented, Mayor Lucas has promoted women and persons from historically underrepresented groups to a majority of the seats on City boards and commissions.  

Mayor Lucas is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and obtained a law degree from Cornell University. Lucas volunteers extensively with area schools, churches, and organizations, including teaching and providing mentorship to inmates in local prisons.  A lawyer and teacher, Mayor Lucas is a member of the law faculty at the University of Kansas.  He and his wife, Katherine, are the proud parents of one son, Bennett. 

Inspiring Women’s Night – August 18 at KC Current

Club Service Chair, Bethany Ruhl, has arranged for a club event to join the KC Current’s second annual Inspiring Women’s Night on August 18.  The event begins at 7pm and tickets will be $27-$38.  KC Current is celebrating roles where women have been under-represented.  RSVP with Bethany at bethanyruhl@gmail.com.

We will welcome Elizabeth home to the KC Plaza Rotary club after a two-year term on the Rotary International Board of Directors.  While she continues some international appointments and projects, she will be serving in the club as foundation chair.   On September 8, she will give us an inside look at a Rotary Director's responsibilities and work.

It’s Homecoming Day on September 8 for Elizabeth Usovicz

Past Rotary International Director July 2021-June 2023

Social Event:  Drinks and Dinner with Elizabeth and KC Plaza Rotarians

Socialize and catch up with Elizabeth at the happy hour, find out what she is doing now on the International Rotary level, welcome her back and celebrate her contributions.

Friday, September 8th from 5-7pm

at Grand Street Café, 4740 Grand Ave, Kansas City, MO 64112

Please RVSP by August 1 to Club Service Chair Bethany Ruhl at bethanyruhl@gmail.com

so we can be sure to meet our order minimum for Grand Street.  Approximate Cost: $20-25/person.