Events

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.

OF INTEREST TO ROTARIANS -- A chance to support one of the students of The Sewing Labs, Kenya Martin, who will present her fashions at Kansas City Fashion Week's Evening Runway Show, 7 pm Wednesday Sept. 20.   Details at https://kcfashionweek.com/schedule/2023/fw-wednesdaynightrunwayshow

Use code KENYA23 for 20% off ticket price!

Roger and Kathy will use this special zoom meeting for last minute preparations for our major fundraiser on September 23.

For details go to, https://www.eventcreate.com/e/kcplazapickleball 

Carbon Positive KC is an initiative that encourages awareness and action to address climate change. The program offers a way for you to offset your personal carbon footprint by investing in verified national and international projects, with a portion of the investment contributing to local projects and local green education. 

How it works: you complete an assessment to determine your household’s carbon footprint (based on your travel, energy costs, gasoline usage, etc.). Commit to a monthly fee schedule, with the investment offsetting your greenhouse gas emissions. You already pay to have your trash picked up, why not pay to clean up your carbon trash? And if you can be carbon neutral (net zero emissions) why not become carbon positive (removing more CO2 than you produce)?

Brian is a business strategist and leader of The Foundation for Regeneration, focused on economic development, ecological health, and community empowerment. Brian has a 15-year history working in the philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and impact investing. He describes himself as a global citizen focused on tikkun olam "repairing the world."

The Plaza Rotary club is signed up with After the Harvest for the morning of October 3rd (3-4 hours) starting at 7:30 am.

Volunteers will “rescue” nutritious fruits and vegetables from going to waste and donate them to agencies that serve hungry people, primarily in Greater Kansas City. Our volunteers go into fields after harvest, picking what’s left in fields that might otherwise end up in landfills.  After the Harvest, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the largest local produce donor to Harvesters—The Community Food Network. Learn more at aftertheharvestkc.org.

Ralph Foiles will start a signup sheet this Friday at our Club meeting.

Damon Daniel is the President and CEO of AdHoc Group Against Crime, an organization that for some serves as the trusted bridge between the community and criminal justice system and for others the emergency room for social services. He answered the call to come to AdHoc in 2015.

Mr. Daniel is a native of Kansas City, with a wide range of experience within the field of social justice that spans 25 years. He holds a degree in Urban Affairs from the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Under Damon’s leadership at the AdHoc Group Against Crime, thousands of families in the Kansas City Metropolitan area impacted by violence have received much needed mental health and victim services. In 2018, Damon developed a Civil Rights Monitoring program to ensure pedestrians are being treated fairly and equally in the Westport Entertainment District.

He loves serving his community. Mr. Daniel’s has served on the 16th Circuit Judicial Commission. This commission helps fill judicial vacancies. He was also appointed to the Jackson County nominating committee for the Ethics, Human Relations, and Citizens Complaints Commission. And recently Damon has been appointed to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Safety and Justice Committee, and the Kansas Governors Grants Program Advisory Board.

Damon can also be heard every weeknight on Carter Broadcast station KPRS Hot 103 Jamz, bi- weekly on Gospel 1590 AM and 106.1FM where he makes public announcements about various public safety and social issues.

Delivering Healing and Justice.  Kansas City is experiencing its most violent year on record. Victims trust AdHoc Group Against Crime to provide compassion, to help them deal with the crises precipitated by the violent crime, to help them navigate the criminal justice system, and to walk with them and help them begin to heal.

Attendees will learn about the comprehensive services AdHoc Group Against Crime provides, and what is needed to further our work and how as community members they too can help deliver much needed healing and justice.

Jackie Lange moved from Dallas Texas to the tropical highlands of Panama in 2010.  She was looking for, and found, a place to live where she would never need an air conditioner or a heater again.  The lower cost of living was a big plus too.  She lives in a small farm surrounded by beautiful mountain views and tropical rain forests. Shortly after moving to Panama, friends asked her to organize a tour of Panama because they were looking for a place to relocate to also.  Little did she know that would turn in to a thriving business.   Since 2010, Jackie has completed 208 relocation tours of Panama ( as of April 1 2023) and helped 1000s of people relocate to Panama.  She’s known throughout Panama as the “Retire in Panama Expert” 

Get our Free ebook, Living and Retiring in Panama!  A new chapter will be delivered to your inbox every two days.  It also includes our eBook, Fund Your Freedom Overseas to learn several ways you can make money when you move to Panama.   You’ll learn:

> Top 10 Reasons to Move to Panama
> Cost of Living in Panama
> Affordable Healthcare and Health Insurance Options
> Retiree Benefits and Visa Options
> Panama Seasons and Weather
> Best Places to Move to in Panama
> 13 Things the Offshore Gurus Don’t Tell You

Frank White III is the President & CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). Before assuming this role, he was Vice President of Development with RideKC Development Corporation, a division of KCATA. White took the helm of the KCATA in August 2022. He is the first African-American to hold this seat. Within his first year, White is being credited with improving internal systems resulting in easing KCATA’s staffing shortage, significantly improved customer satisfaction results, and building valuable relationships with funding partners locally, regionally and nationally. He uses his love for speaking to discuss leadership in general, and the future of transportation.

White has a B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas. He is very active in his community and serves on various nonprofit boards. He is an alumnus of the Eno Transit Senior Executive Program Class of 2019 and is a Fall 2019 Graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership Program. He is an alumnus of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce Leadership Missouri Program Class of 2021.

White is married to his high school sweetheart, Rechele. They have three daughters, Kaiya, Micah, and Reghan, a granddaughter, Leah and a Dutch Shepard named Jack.

Chiefs Watch Party and Halloween Party

Sunday, October 29th at 3pm Aileen Murphy's Home for the Chiefs vs. Broncos Game! Friends and family are all welcome. We will grill potluck style. Come dressed as your favorite Chiefs player or in Halloween Costume! Costumes encouraged, but not required! Please RSVP with Club Service Chair Bethany Ruhl (bethanyruhl@gmail.com) with how many people you'll be bringing and sign up to bring a potluck dish, something to grill or a fun Halloween treat! We'll be at the home of Aileen Murphy 4744 SW Gull Point Drive, Lee's Summit, MO 64082.

Please contact Terry Putney at tputney@whitmantransition.com for registration information.  KC Plaza Rotary Club expects to have at least two tables of diners.