It’s not often an entire continent eradicates a disease, but on Aug. 25, 2020, that happened when Nigeria was declared polio-free, clearing the virus from its last redoubt in all of Africa. The person who did more than any other to drive polio to continent-wide extinction was Dr. Tunji Funsho, a former cardiologist and now the chair of Rotary International’s polio-eradication program in Nigeria.
Funsho could have retired years ago, but in 2013, with polio still paralyzing children across Nigeria, he decided to step up to lead the Rotarians’ effort. Together with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the WHO, the CDC and UNICEF, Funsho and Rotary helped lead National Immunization Days, getting millions of doses of the polio vaccine to children in cities and villages around the nation. They also sponsored health-education initiatives at community centers, mosques and even birthday parties. This summer, the country marked four years without a case of wild polio, qualifying it for its polio-free certification, leaving Afghanistan and Pakistan as the only places in the world in which polio remains endemic.
“Certification will be an achievement,” Funsho told TIME in 2018. “But we’re not in a hurry for that. We’re in a hurry to make sure no child is paralyzed.” In Nigeria and in Africa as a whole, that moment has arrived.
Rotary International's Polio-eradication program in Nigeria
One of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in 2020 – recognized for his work as a Rotarian and role in the eradication of Polio in Nigeria.
Over 30 members in attendance! We will do this again, and will resume our weekly meetings, virtually, beginning April 3, 2020, 7:15 AM.
Many of us were missing our Rotary community, so we thought we'd try a VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR! This gave us a chance to connect informally, try to work out the technology, AND of course, allowed us to reconnect as a community.
The Plaza Rotary Club donated $3,261 to the PAL KCK which is being used in together with some $1,500 from the KS Park Commission to install an Archery range in the PAL facility. We received a thank you from the organization, and an update on the status as follows:
80% of the equipment is in hand, with the balance anticipated in the next week or so
New lighting and floor repairs have been completed in anticipation of the installation of the new equipment.
February 1 is the "target" date for complete installation
Plaza Rotary Club members will be invited to view the facility and shoot a few arrows in the next weeks.
The program continues to grow at a rapid pace with 800 children now enrolled. They eagerly await the launch of the new archery program that is especially welcome and as another indoor program to pursue during the winter.
Heart to Heart International is seeking volunteers:
44 Individuals of all ages are needed for a March 28th 'disaster simulation" where the next team of disaster response team volunteers will be run thru the paces. You can find all event details at the sign up link below.
Nolan Finn, Business Development Account Executive for The Purple Guys, and Kelli Jennings, IT Manager with the Developer Acceleration Program at Commerce Bank, have applied for membership to Plaza Rotary Club and their applications have been approved by the Board.
Kelli is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, has participated with Habitat for Humanity, and enjoys traveling abroad and playing board games.
Nolan is a graduate of the University of Kansas, has participated with Big Brothers/Big Sisters while in college, and enjoys golfing and basketball.
Please take a moment to say hello to our newest Plazans!
In years past, club members have sometimes suggested -- during a club meeting-- to donate our weekly Change for Charity collected money to go to a charity that is speaking at the club that day. Though this has been done prior, Plaza Rotary will not be doing this going forward as it is not in accordance with our By-Laws. Any money disbursements are decided by the Board, not spontaneously announced at club meetings, and MUST go to a 501(c)3 charity.
If you are inspired by one of our program speaker's efforts for their charity and wish to have the Plaza Rotary Club donate to that charity, please follow the process in our By-Laws.
The Club Board met approved plans to proceed. As in years past, we’re “tweaking” the format both to leverage current strengths (i.e., what is working well) and address member concerns (i.e., what could be working better). For example, while we want to continue to broadly “celebrate service” we are going to be even more specific in drawing attention to the Rotary six areas of focus. We also want to financially benefit even more local charities.
You’ll see this reflected in our just-completed Call for Sponsors brochure. Steven Rotkoff has been scheduling meetings with prospective supporters and, in fact, has already secured our first new commitment: The Kauffmann Foundation for $1,000.
I hope you have a chance to look over the attached prior to our meeting Friday. We’re anxious to get started … and we'd love to have your help if you’d like to be on the committee. See you Friday!!
The Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club has adopted two families with children at Gordon Parks Elementary School, a Charter Elementary school at 3715 Wyoming, Kansas City, Missouri. Click on the whole story for suggested gift items.
This Friday will be the last meeting where money will be collected so that shopping can be done and the presents wrapped hopefully before December 5th. I have already purchased two winter coats for the first family and winter coats for the girls in the second family. If you would like to help with the purchasing, please contact Frances Reddis at freddis2014@hotmail.com or 816-853-3256. We also plan on having a gift wrapping session at a place and time yet to be determined.
(Gordon Parks Elementary School Adopted families-- continued....)
Bo Steed wanted to share today's Inspirational Moment with everyone again, it's a great piece to read in the morning, to set your mind right.
_______________________________________
GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
The Rotary Foundation notified the district’s Microcredit Chair, Randy Steinman (Kansas City Plaza Club), on October 24th the next $25,000 installment for the microcredit grant has been wired to the district. These funds are part of a $125,000, five year Global Grant project to provide business startup loans to women living in poverty in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
To date this project has helped approximately 80 women start businesses with small loans of $250-750 US. The profits from these businesses help repay the loans and create an income stream to help these women lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Of these women 32 have already repaid their loans in full.
The signing of the Microcredit Memorandum of Understanding in Santo Domingo. (pictured right: Randy Steinman D6040 Microcredit Chair. Right District Governor Manuel Gomez Achacar, DG 4060 201-2020)
Plazans had a wonderful visit with the GSE Team from the Dominican Republic! Thanks to our host families and members who set up wonderful vocational visits for our visitors. I think they had a great time with us!
Hosts: Shawvers, Schmidts, Lindens, Bradshaws, Merrigans, and Berkbueglers
Helpers, Vocational Connectors, & Drivers: Jennifer Kyle, Karen Eppler, Jim Mitchum, Scott Weaver, Joanna Bradley
Despite threatening skies and intermittent showers, the 2019 Games for Good event was held as planned Saturday, October 5, on the South Lawn of the National WWI Museum & Memorial.
34 nonprofit organizations registered to exhibit and 17 of these fielded teams in the wacky, yet challenging competitions. If anything, intermittent brief showers boosted enthusiasm rather than dampened it for all participants. Three organizations emerged victorious and Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club President Erik Dickinson awarded prize money at the weekly club meeting 10/11:
• Cornerstones of Care – 1st Place, $3,000
• Legal Aid of Western Missouri – 2nd Place, $2,000
It was very nice, recently, when RI Director Larry Dimmitt issued an invitation to this group to join the recent Zones 25B and 29 Institute held in Overland Park, KS.
Looking ahead, on November 1-2, the Kansas City area will be privileged to host RI President Mark Maloney, and Gay Maloney.
Mark will be the keynote speaker on Friday night, November 1 for the annual District 5710 (Kansas) Rotary Foundation Dinner at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
The following night, Saturday, November 2, Mark will be the keynote speaker for the annual District 6040 (Missouri) Rotary Foundation Dinner at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Those district websites have information for those interested in attending either of those events.
Thanks to each of you for your continuing service through Rotary.
Thank you all for signing-up to help with the fall cleanup of the Bloch Cancer Survivors Park on November 2. We will begin at 9:00am. KC Parks and Rec should provide gloves and trowels, but feel free to bring along your favorite gardening supplies just in case. If you haven't signed up but would like to join, RSVP to John Constance.
We'll meet at the Boardwalk area, same as last Spring when we met with the GSE Team from Australia. Club will provide appetizers and 2 Pickleball Courts 8 PM. Drinks and additional food are on your own.
The Plaza Rotary Club, in coordination with the Hope House, will purchase and install new playground equipment, new safety foam and turf for the playground area, and fencing/gate to enclose the basketball court located behind the Lee’s Summit shelter facility. Additionally,
Club Service Chair Paul Temme shared that Plazans built over 900 hygiene kits at Heart to Heart International yesterday evening. Thank you to everyone who showed up!
In light of all the devastation with Hurricane Dorian, Jane Brown motioned to the Board to make a donation to ShelterBox, which was unanimously approved. Club President Erik Dickinson announced today that the Plaza Rotary Foundation has donated $1500 to ShelterBox for disaster relief. Thank you!
Lisa Deatherage will be hosting a Rotary Tech Help session each 3rd Friday this year, after the club meeting, for 15 minutes. Need help with Club Runner? Updating your profile? Paying dues online? Bring your smart phone or laptop and Lisa will help you out.
ARE YOU READY! Our shredding event is only 1.5 days away! Great opportunity to get read of all those old documents and electronic equipment! Sept. 7, 2019, 9AM to Noon, St. Elizabeth's Church parking lot.
I wanted to express to our club, and especially to all of you in "celebration dress" , how happy I am inside knowing and loving all of you as Rotary friends. It's a fun community and "church".
Our family celebration, children and grand children, was fantastic. The first time some of the cousins met each other and the first time in 20 years that all nine of our children were together. They all like each other too.
Peace,
Bo
Bo Steed-- Celebrating 50 years with Kitty, his "first wife." (There will be no other.)
Bo with Allen Jenks, who is also celebrating 55 years with his "first wife" Carol. (Like there would be anyone else, ever!)
Congratulations and thanks for setting the standard!
Civil Air Patrol is America’s premier public service organization for carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide. As the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP’s vigilant citizen volunteers are there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. Its 58,000 members selflessly devote their time, energy and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.
John Shelton will be discussing more about the Civil Air Patrol at our meeting on August 30.
This year’s Dinner will be one of the great events of the decade. You won’t want to miss it.
Save the date:
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City, Missouri
Join us in celebration of all things Rotary, with our featured speaker, the president of Rotary International, Mark Maloney.
The Foundation Dinner will celebrate the contributions of District 6040 to the Rotary Foundation, including recognition of our 2018-19 District Grant Projects, culminating in the presentation of the People of Action Awards for small, medium and large clubs in the District.
A few weeks ago at a club meeting, a comment was made, partially in jest but one I took seriously, that our whisky club is "exclusive," and that you have to be invited by me to be able to attend. So, I thought a bit of enlightenment and a history of the club was in order.
You are invited to attend the Zone 25B and 29 Institute All Club Luncheon at the Overland Park Sheraton! This event will be Friday, September 27 - Noon to 1:45 pm. Zone 25B and 29 is located just across the state line, and extends from Texas to Canada. RI Director Larry Dimmitt, from Topeka, KS is hosting and he would like to extend an invitation to the Kansas City Metro clubs in Missouri to attend the All Club Luncheon. The luncheon speaker will be Past RI Director Larry Lunsford, from District 6040. Larry is currently the Aide to the RI president Mark Maloney.
Cost of the luncheon is $45. All Rotarians are welcome! You can register HERE.
President Erik and Other Distinguished Members of the Plaza Rotary Club – please see the attached information regarding the ‘small’ Greater Kansas City Rotary (GKCR) project called #RotaryReadsKC. We’re asking all clubs in the Metro to commit to whatever number of readers they would like to. We’re targeting that readers read to a 2nd-4thgrade class anytime during the week of September 23rdto coincide with the Zone Institute that will be held here in Kansas City. For more information, check out the website atwww.KCRotaryReads.org. The deadline for shirt orders is 8/22/19. We’re hoping each club collects their own members $20 and submit a single payment to the Overland Park Club (they offered to track the finances). I’m probably forgetting to tell you something important because I’ve been looking at it too long, so let me know if I’ve missed something.
Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll bring this information on Friday and start passing around the signup. If you're not going to make the meeting, email culbertson.casey@gmail.com to RSVP.
There will be a sign up sheet at this week’s meeting. This opportunity is for individuals and families who want a hands-on experience assembling kits. A $20 donation per person at these assembly events allows HHI to continue to assemble and distribute kits like these to survivors around the world. To RSVP via email, sign up with Paul Temme.
*As the location is an active warehouse, anyone under the age of 18 will need to have a parent/guardian sign the policies and waiver form. Children attending will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the time of the event.
Plazan Grant Killion added future Rotarian Benjamin to the world on March 3! OK, Grant has a legit excuse for not making it to every early Friday morning meeting.
Plazan Melynn Sight collects Small Bottles for men, women, and children that are displaced from a traditional home situation. As you travel, collect and bring your unopened hotel small bottles of soaps, lotions, shampoo, toothbrushes, and anything else you didn't use to the club meeting; Melynn will distribute these to homeless shelters throughout the city. Thanks!
(Content "cabbaged" with permission from Rich Linden & Valerie Popper's FB Pages)
You may not have realized what a BIG DEAL our little MORYLA is in Rotary, on a global scale. This is Missouri Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and each year, 100 high school juniors from all over the state are selected to attend. Most of the kids don't even know what they are going to, but their parents and teachers encourage them to go, so yep, they have to. They arrive on a Sunday afternoon, usually not knowing a soul, and by Wednesday night, they have life-long friends, they have extraordinary, newfound confidence in themselves, they know that one person can make a big impact, and they have participated on a team that puts together a realistic, workable service project. MORYLA has grown so much that there are now TWO sessions each Summer, one in June, one in July, hosting 100 high school juniors at each session. Both sessions were FULL this year.
The Rotary Foundation is putting more of our PolioPlus donations to work in the worldwide campaign to eradicate polio. Grants totaling $100 million were made this month to various countries and the World Health Organization to support efforts to keep vulnerable countries polio-free and to support efforts in the polio-endemic countries.
Incoming Club President Erik Dickinson invites you to the 2019-2020 Plaza Rotary Changing of the Guard!
Join us at Brio Tuscan Grille on Thursday, June 27 from 6 to 8 PM. RSVP / Sign up at Rotary this Friday, June 14, or next Friday, June 21, or email lmdeatherage@gmail.com.
Tickets are $20/person, payable at club meetings, at the door, or on EventBrite.
*$2.85/ticket service charge will apply for payments thru EventBrite.
It is my hope that tomorrow you will receive an invitation to vote on the club's business/bylaws ballot. This will arrive via Survey Monkey. Thanks to Terry Putney for his assistance on this matter. Please take a few minutes to review and vote the ballot once it arrives.
Plaza Rotary donated this year's Change for Charity to the new Kansas City Kansas Police Athletic League (PAL KCK) so they could build a Chicken Coop for their community garden. The organization is serving more than 350 teens in the KCK community -- many of whom are from recent immigrant families.
Below is the planned Plaza Rotary Board for 2019-20. Please be sure to join us for the Changing of the Guard and induction of officers at Brio Tuscan Grille on June 27, 2019, 6 - 8 PM. Details are in the Events section.
Join us Tuesday, June 11, for a tour of Swope Health Services at 3801 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO. The first tour starts at 4:30 PM, the second tour starts at 5:00 PM. After our tour, we'll meet at Aixois Bistro for Happy Hour, 251 E 55th Street, Kansas City, MO. Sign up with Eric Wymore if you have NOT signed up on the sheet at a club meeting.
Swope Health Services Vocational Visit & Happy Hour
Miss Eleanor Mae Thomas arrived May 22, 2019. At 8lbs 2oz and 21 1/2” long, she put mommy Liz Thomas through 14 hours of labor, but arrived healthy and was welcomed by two very excited big sisters and one tired daddy Dru Thomas.
Plaza Rotary Club was honored to host the GSE Team from South Australia April 14-18.
Kally Hooper, Arthur Manser, Rose Le,
Amber Shreeve, and Stacey Andary.
Thanks to Rotarians and their Families who made this possible, hosted, and provided chauffeur services to our team members!
Hosts: Jane & Tom Brown, Bill & Cindy Schmidt, Nancy & Tom Shawver, Bob & Molly Merrigan, Therese McGill, Frances Reddis; Vocational Visits with: Margaret Smith and Gary Whitmer, Erik Dickinson, TJ Mann, Dr. Kristin Droege, Marsha Brandom & Jane Rachel, Valerie Hartman and Jennifer Miller, Angel Allen & Amanda Privitera, Arda Peterson and Sarah Diddle; Chauffeurs: Paul Temme, Lucy Betteridge, Terry Berkbuegler, Roger Samuel, Kathy Woods, and Jeff Chapman.
Last week, Cassy was elected by the 30-member Rotary Show Me Council to fill the unexpired term of PDG Ralph Cupelli as an officer of the Council, beginning immediately. Cassy will serve as the president-elect for Show Me Rotary in 2019-20 and as president in 2020-21. Ralph has resigned because of ongoing health issues.
The Show Me Council oversees and implements the training for incoming club presidents for the roughly 173 Rotary clubs in Districts 6040, 6060, and 6080. The training, popularly known as PETS (President-elect Training Seminar), is typically held the last weekend in March for those persons who will become presidents of their clubs beginning on July 1 of that year. Additionally, many Rotarians who are going to be the presidents-elect of their clubs in the coming year also attend the training. Generally, about 350 persons attend Show Me Rotary in Jefferson City every year.
The Enactus End of Year Celebration will take place: Tuesday, April 30 6:00pm-7:00pm At the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110
When we have children, They will watch no television. No screens. We will be different from those other parents, And we will take pride in our being better.
Fast-forward seven years, And it’s Sunday morning, 6 A.M. Do you know who our friend is? SpongeBob SquarePants, that’s who. And, yes, you can have Mentos for breakfast.
Bill Schmidt and Elizabeth Usovicz presented last Friday, February 8, about our club's activities and ongoing support of the Malawi Children's Village.
As part of the GSE exchange, the Australian District 9520 will also be sending a team here to District 6040.
Current planned schedule is for Plazans to pick up our Australians April 14 at the Intercontinental Hotel, and pass them to the Chilicothe Club April 18, 2019. Email Jane Brown if you'd like to host, drive, or participate in any way.
Plans are still being formulated.... More details to follow soon!
For those of you who are on Facebook, I’m writing to ask for your help. (Don’t worry – it will be easy!)
In early March, District 6040 is sending a team of Rotarians on a month+ long Group Study Exchange (GSE) trip to Australia. It will be a phenomenal experience that will spread understanding and good will.
How can you help? Please like the Team on Facebook!
(There isn’t much there, yet! Don’t be discouraged!) When the team begins posting their status, their preparations, their progress and their experiences, you’ll receive their posts on your Facebook account.
When you see the posts, please “Like, Share and Comment" on their activities. This will help to spread the word about this trip, as well as get the word out into our communities throughout the District about Rotary activities. (This is what “Social Media” is all about – and will really help the District get exposure throughout northern Missouri!)
As part of our District Grant application, the Plaza Rotary will have 5 work Saturdays at the Urban Ranger Corps, 5908 Swope Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64130. Show up anytime between 8AM and Noon, ready to put in some Sweat Equity, to help make some updates to the Conference Room!
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Feb. 2, 2019. If you have a tool belt, bring it. If you don't, show up anyway and Mindy will give you something to do!!
At our last meeting before the Holidays, President Randy Steinman presented checks to the two beneficiaries of the KC Games for Good. In spite of the washout this year, with approval of the Club Foundation Board to forego the typical 25% contribution of event proceeds into the Foundation, we were able to contribute $9,104.00 EACH to Hope House and the Urban Ranger Corps. That’s a pretty Big Check! Thank you all for your generosity and hard work to make this event bigger and better each year.
The Rotary Club of Kansas City Plaza, chartered originally as the Rotary Club of Ward Parkway on December 15, 1986, has become one of the leading Rotary clubs in District 6040 in its short history.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kansas City, the club first met on Tuesdays at noon at Costello’s Greenhouse at 85th and Ward Parkway. Three of the 27 charter members are still members of the club – Jerry Smith, Doug Zimmerman, and Bob Latz, all of whom later served as club president. In 1994, the club moved its meetings to the Country Club Plaza and changed to a breakfast meeting on Fridays. The first Friday morning breakfast meeting was held at Fedora’s on the Plaza on September 9, 1994. The club changed its name to the Rotary Club of Kansas City Plaza, with Rotary International’s approval, on January 1, 1996.
Good fellowship and camaraderie, great club programs, and a mission of “Service Above Self” have marked the club’s 32 years.
In the early years, member Rotarians formed numerous golfing groups, attended the ballet and musical performances together, had nights out at professional and UMKC sporting events, and worked together on many service projects. The longest-running social gathering has been the annual “Chiefs Watch Party,” started in the mid-1990s, when members gather to watch a Kansas City Chiefs away football game. More recently, several members have met regularly to sample single-malt whiskeys from around the world.
(Pictured L-R: Jeff Jernigan, Gary Smith and Jerry Smith grilling brats and burgers for a Chiefs Party.)
We at UMKC Enactus - Rotaractwill be at the Rotary Meeting on Friday, December 21st to talk further about Educate to Elevate, and we’d deeply appreciate your help in reaching our goal!
We at UMKC Enactus - Rotaract believe in creating positive change through entrepreneurial action. We know that all children deserve access to a quality education, one that is not disrupted by a lack of necessities. So, we have been working tirelessly on a mission to provide a safe environment for the children of Ogwuokwu, Nigeria to learn in.
We have financed, designed and implemented a sustainable well and sanitary facilities in 2017-2018 and have provided clean water and sanitation for 400+ students and teachers at the Ogwuokwu Community School. Now, we plan to repair their main educational building so that they have a shelter to grow and learn.
Partnering with Revocup Coffee Co., a local coffee shop in Kansas City, is a continuation of these efforts. Revocup hosts some of the best quality coffee in KC. Their beans are sourced directly from Ethiopian farmers, enabling the farmers to keep the profits they’ve worked so hard to earn.
Buy a 12oz bag of medium-roasted Revocup™ Coffee to support the Ogwuokwu Community School. • Each bag is $20 USD with 50% of proceeds going directly to the construction of the school building. • Whole Bean or Ground
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT PROJECT LEAD: RUWEIDA KULANE.
Unlike the Festivus holiday which starts with the Airing of the Grievances as we gather around the Festivus Pole, the Plaza Club Assembly Part 2 should come with suggestions and solutions! Looking forward to everyone's ideas and input!
Lindsay Stodden, the volunteer coordinator from Operation Breakthrough that presented to us on December 7th, provided this link to the marvelous video that she was not able to run on that day. Please be sure to check it out!
Erik Dickinson, President Elect for July 2019-June 2020, would like you to think about serving on the Plaza Rotary Board of Directors during his term. It's a great way to learn more about all that our club does in the community, and to get to know other Plazans. To learn more and see who's currently filling those roles and ask questions, check here.
If you've found yourself traveling down Troost near 31st Street in the past 3 months, you've most likely driven underneath a beautiful new bridge. Last year, Operation Breakthrough launched an expansion project, which includes a bridge across Troost. The Bridge to a Brighter Future project is expanding Operation Breakthrough's services from 420 children to over 700 children and their families. ......
Traditionally, the last meeting before the Christmas & New Year's Holiday Break is our Plaid and Ugly Christmas Sweater Breakfast. Wear your best or funkiest holiday attire!
The Club is committed to serving four Saturday night Holiday dinners to the 24 residents of the Bridge Home for Children during December. Volunteers are in place, and have been sent a reminder email about their commitment. Please contact Paul Temme if you did not receive the email, or if you can no longer fulfill your commitment.
Our Club is renovating the main conference room in the Urban Ranger Corp headquarters for this year's District Grant Project. We will undertake the project on five successive Saturday mornings beginning January 12th. No special skills required: it will entail light demo, painting, and carpet tile installation. The project will require 5-6 volunteers for each Saturday from 8-12 noon. Volunteer sign-up sheets will be available Friday, November 30th.
Bo Steed says just show up, with or without your toolbelt, he will give you something to do!
At the recent District 6040 Rotary Foundation Dinner, Plaza Rotary received several awards and recognition for our support of Rotary both locally and internationally during the 2017-18 Rotary Year.
We were recognized as a Star Club Level 4 which means that on average we contributed between $400 and $499 per capita to the Annual Fund/SHARE program. This is the program from which funds are made available for District Grants - every year, 50% of the District monies given 3 years ago are made available for District Grants in OUR District. In fact, Plaza Rotary was second highest in the District in per capita giving to this Fund at $441.04 per member! Thank you for supporting our fund raisers and for your generosity!
We also were recognized for achieving the District goal of $1500 per club to the End Polio Now program. These monies went to Polio Plus that will help us achieve The Rotary Foundation’s number one goal - The Eradication of Polio. We achieved this goal through our Pars for Polio sponsorship and our monthly contributions to Polio Plus (the additional $25 in your quarterly dues). Congratulations on achieving the club goal and the per capita giving goal towards this worthy effort!
Plaza Rotary was awarded the Presidential Citation - an award that requires the club achieve several goals in multiple categories including a net increase in membership and projects in designated areas of focus.
The major District award that our club received was the coveted Klinginsmith Cup. This award was started in 2009-10 in honor of our Rotary International President, Ray Klinginsmith, from the Kirksville Rotary Club, who served as RI President in 2010-11. We received this award based on receiving the Presidential Citation and our contribution to the Annual Fund/SHARE. This is the 7th year we have been awarded the Cup. Well done!
On behalf of Club President Rotary Year 2017-18, Jeff Chapman, THANK YOU for all you do in the name of Rotary!
In 2018, clubs throughout northern Missouri worked on hands-on, grant-funded projects to improve lives and communities. Take a look at this video: https://youtu.be/f7KjvdsxJ-c
If you want to make a real difference in your community, join Rotary!
Good morning. If you were at this morning’s meeting, you already know we have decided to cancel the 2018 Games for Good Event tomorrow, 10/6, due to the rain.
We do not make this decision lightly. We had a record number of teams and exhibitors, but feel that this is in the best interest of all participants. This is an outdoor event. Several of the competitions – the mechanical bull, the inflatable obstacle course, the wacky trike relay – will be seriously jeopardized by inclement weather. In addition, today’s rain will limit the ability to park on the lawn. Finally, the threat of additional rain tomorrow will likely limit attendance, and thus undermine our success.
We are grateful for all the support we have received from the club, both in terms of your willingness to volunteer and your contributions.
If you’ve made a contribution (or commitment), someone will contact you individually in the next few days to determine what you’d like for us to do. We can:
refund the donation in full; or,
hold your contribution as a donation to the 2019 event; or,
combine your fee with other funds that have been contributed for the event beneficiaries and provide you appropriate notification of the donation.
Please mark your calendar for next year’s event: October 5, 2019 on the south lawn of the National WWI Museum & Memorial.
Over the next 3 Fridays-- Please bring a bottle of wine to our Friday morning meeting to donate to our silent auction wine basket for the District 6040 Foundation Dinner. Deliver to the Sgt at Arms table for Roger Samuel to collect--Thank you!
Fall clean up is tentatively scheduled. We'll have a sign-up sheet at the meeting Friday, October 12. Reach out to Paul Temme at paulctemme@gmail.com if you missed the sign up sheet but would like to help.
Steven Rotkoff has completed his application for membership and been voted on by the board.
Steven is a Partner / business consultant with Red Team Thinking. He and his wife, Libby, have been members of the Kansas City community continuously since 2005 and live in Lansing. They are both active in the Leavenworth community and he was introduced to the Plaza Club by Scott Weaver.
The District Foundation dinner is fast approaching, and our club is once again going to be a Global Sponsor. We're looking to fill two tables of 10 each. Email Roger Samuel if you're interested. A few details on this year's event:
We are a little over two weeks away from the 2018 KC Games for Good and things are shaping up to make this another great year. There are still a few ways you can help out with the event. Karyn Eppler, Steve Johnston and Rich Cane are making plans for a Rotary exhibit and will, no doubt, need some help with ideas as well as people to help tend the booth on
Attention all mentors! Rotaract KC is meeting September 26th at Ruins Pub 6:30 to 8:00pm. The Club LOVES our attendance and interaction. Please send an email to: rich@thelindenevents.com if you are interested in attending! Thank you! Cheers to Service!
Instead, meet us at 4:30 PM at Tom Fooleries on the Plaza, 612 W 47th St, Kansas City, MO 64112 for a fun Happy Hour with your fellow Plazans, then wander through the Plaza Art Fair at your leisure. Parking will be limited at the Plaza for this event, so we recommend Lyft or Uber to get you to and from. Click on any of the bold gold text above to take you to the weblinks.
(You have to download the Lyft & Uber apps to your smart phone, but it's super simple!-- have your 8 yr old grand daughter or neighbor kid show you how! No shame--My 22 yr old has to help me with the TV remotes regularly.)
In addition to Rotary and Scouting, I volunteer time each month to supporting Veterans in their transitions into the workforce.
Please consider joining me at:
6:30pm on Friday October 12, at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park, and sharing your insights about careers, and how great Kansas City is with club officers of the Student Veterans of America from several regional colleges.
Heart to Heart International is actively responding to Hurricane Florence. Volunteers with the Mobile Medical Unit are positioning to provide help to the areas most affected by the storm's path. The situation is ongoing and more updates to follow. If you'd like to donate, please check out their website.
We are having a food fight! Marc Horner and I decided to have a little friendly competition and raise food, money and awareness for the food pantries of North Missouri. Attached are:
1-The 2018 Rotary Food Fight Flyer- please note that your club will receive 1 point for a pound of food, 4 points for each dollar donated and 10 points for each hour of service in a food pantry. Since we are a service club, we thought the most points should go to the service aspect of this challenge.
Whether you've been a Rotarian for 60 days or 60 years, there's a great opportunity coming up on September 29 to learn more about Rotary and how to be a better leader of volunteers, including Rotarians! Part I of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) will be offered in Chillicothe on that date, covering topics ranging from My Leadership in Rotary to Engaging Members and Creating Service Projects. Classes begin at 8:30 and end by 3:00, and are limited to 15-20 participants. Contact Plazan Jerry Venters, the RLI District Coordinator, at jvrotary6040@yahoo.com for more information.
The Urban Rangers will be having a shred event-- get your documents shredded safely.Donations Accepted!Any donations to the Urban Rangers will be accepted, though shredding will be free. Electronics will be accepted at this event, some items will have varying charges. CLICK HERE for Shred-able List
The “Independence Uncorked” Wine Festival will be held on September, 8th, 2018 from 1:00pm-6:00pm (noon for VIP ticket holders) on the grounds of the Historic Bingham-Waggoner Estate in Independence, MO. Independence Uncorked will be one of the largest Missouri wine festivals in the state featuring 25 Missouri wineries sampling several of their wines, a guest spirits distiller and 2400 attendees. The day will also feature art, music, beer, food booths and wine classes.
EVANSTON, Ill. (August 15, 2018) — Rotary today announced nearly $100 million in grants to support the global effort to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children each year.
The announcement comes as Nigeria marks two years without any reported cases of wild poliovirus, following four reported cases in 2016.
As we are marching into the new 2018-2019 Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Alexandria Cosmopolitan - District 2451 – Egypt is wishing you a joyful new Rotary year.
We are also happy to renew our invitation to you and the members of your prestigious and respectful club to learn more about, and share our Rotary organized initiative, "Cross Egypt Challenge" that aims to promote tourism to Egypt and to prove that Egypt is still safe for tourism. May we, and you be the inspiration to more propsouous Rotary projects that help our communities around the world.
The world as we knew it is rapidly changing, and Egypt has been suffering from bad media and is being looked at recently as a dangerous place to visit. However, the reality of things is: Egypt remains a very safe country to visit.
This affects Egypt largely, a country depends highly on tourism as a main source of income. We as Rotarians from this side of the globe feel it is our duty to let our fellows worldwide know that Egypt is still a marvellous and safe place to travel to, and to enjoy some of the best sights in the world. We send a strict and honest assurance message to our fellows everywhere that the situation in Egypt is very safe and we invite you to experience this first hand by taking part in our initiative: Cross Egypt Challenge which was also featured in the January 2017 issue of the international "Rotarian Magazine" - please click here to read the Rotarian article-
English was not my father’s first language. And like a lot of second language learners, he was an avid reader. He especially liked Conrad and Melville and read their bodies of work not once but several times during his life. As a young man, it was not uncommon for him to drop my mother off at her home after a date and head for a neighborhood diner, book in hand, to read and drink coffee until the night waitress closed up and shooed him home.
Later in life, he added Louis L’Amour westerns to his list of favorites. One of the simple and great pleasures of his day was to settle into a comfortable chair in the evening to revisit a favorite read for a second or third time – or more.
Why did he prefer to re-read, rather than switch to something new? I asked him once. His answer, like him, was straightforward but not necessarily simple: it was a good book the last time, and he got something new from a book every time he read it.
The R.E.A. L. is an annual training event (formerly known as Mega Training) to be held in Chillicothe on Saturday, August 18, 2018. The District Leadership Team will be at the First Baptist Church, 1601 Bryan Street in Chillicothe. The Rotary Education and Action for Leadership day is designed to give you hands on training and tools in many areas of Rotary.
Who should come? Any Rotarian with a passion to “Be The Inspiration” and to “Make a Difference” in the lives of others.
The New Model Group Study Exchange emphasizes humanitarian service in addition to vocational service and cultural experiences for participants. GSE is open to Rotarians and non-Rotarians who want to learn about their vocation in another country and be involved in implementing humanitarian service projects in the future. One team leader and four team members comprise the team.
Rotarians home host the GSE teams throughout the exchange. Teams present programs at Rotary Clubs. Participants should be prepared to make a commitment to assist with implementing grants at home and/or abroad.
Through this exchange experience, the districts are hosting a global grant in each district. In D9520, the global grant is for dialysis equipment in an Aboriginal community. In D6040, a global grant will provide Trauma Training for teachers in the Kansas City Public Schools.
Note: Past District Governors and past GSE team leaders and members will be considered on a space available basis.
Rotaract Kansas City’s Camp Rise is a safe, engaging and activity packed summer camp for youth ages 5 – 15 in the greater Kansas City area. At no cost, this over night camp gives under served youth the opportunity to gain new, enriching experiences and valuable life-skills while empowering them to celebrate their independence and resilience.
Campers will enjoy four days and three nights of swimming, hiking, tree climbing, crafts and sports at theRotary Youth Camp in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Along with singing silly songs, tie-dyeing and roasting s’mores, campers will participate in team-building, self-confidence and empowerment activities with their peers and our kind, enthusiastic staff.
As a not-for-profit club, Rotaract relies on the support of our community for camper sponsorships, volunteers, and monetary and in-kind donations. Shopping List HERE
Please consider helping us give the life-changing gift of summer camp to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
There will be a sign-up sheet at this week’s meeting, or email aileen.murphy@rgp.com. Rotarians can submit payment to the Sergeants or choose to be billed.
One of our legacy projects, Educate to Elevate, has turned it's focus this year to providing sanitary facilities to our partner school in Owguokwu, Nigeria. We are so happy to announce that on March 13th, our contractor began construction on phase one at the community school of Owguokwu thanks to the continued effort of the many supporters we have had. Phase one consisted of breaking ground and building the septic tank and is now complete! Please click hereto watch our progress thus far.
Although we’ve broken ground, the work is not done. We still need $1,870 of $3,800 to complete Phase Two. Phase Two will consist of the building of the outhouse and stalls. We will be sure to continue to update you on the construction of the sanitary facilities.
To continue our efforts, we are asking you to share this on your social media. Ali Brandolino, our Educate to Elevate project leader, has an amazing post located here: via Facebook.Attached is also a flier to make sharing easier. Taking the few minutes to share the links on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram would be a huge help. We've raised over $500 in just a few days due to sharing. Above all, we just want to get the word out about this cause and to complete Phase Two of this amazing project.
Student Ambassador | Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation President | UMKC Enactus Henry W. Bloch School of Management | UMKC 5108 Cherry Street, BEH 329, Kansas City, Mo 64110 megandarnell@mail.umkc.edu
Club member Jim Mitchum and his team guided us through the process of assembling 450 hygiene kits with the Urban Rangers, and gave us an informative tour of the HHI warehouse describing the organization's mission and operations. Club participants include: Allen Jenks, Therese McGill, Bob Merrigan, Ed Ledegaard, Paul Temme.
Plazans Karyn Eppler and Scott Weaver were among eight District 6040 Rotarians who completed the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) course and graduated with flying colors on Saturday in St. Joseph. The RLI course consists of three full-day sessions focused on Rotary activities and programs, The Rotary Foundation, and volunteer leadership skills. The sessions are facilitated, adult-learning classes, with lots of interaction and camaraderie. The classes are open to any and all Rotarians -- from rookies to veterans -- who want to learn more about Rotary and meet other district Rotarians. You do not have to want to be a club president or District Governor to attend!
Pictured: Back row (L-R): Kris Hildebrand (St. Joseph Southside), Steve Weaver (Waldo-Brookside), Karyn Eppler and Scott Weaver (Kansas City Plaza). Front row (L-R): Jackie Ross (St. Joseph Southside), Sara Wilson (St. Joseph), Mark Claypole (Lawson), and Michele Stafford (Unionville).
Please join us for the First Ever Jeff Jernigan Memorial Golf Tournament!
When: Tuesday, June 26th. Lunch at 11:30; shotgun start at 1PM.
Where: Sycamore Hills Golf Course in Spring Hill.
$125 per individual player or $450 per foursome. We also have numerous hole and other sponsorships available if you don't or can't play golf that day. We could also use some on-course help during the tournament.
A New Member Application for Johnny Zhou has been approved by the Plaza Rotary board. Johnny is a full-time student, Admission Assistant, and Student Ambassador at Donnelly College. Johnny may look familiar as he has attended many meetings with his father Dan Shea, and has volunteered at our 2016 Games for Good. Johnny also volunteers at the St. James Soup Kitchen and the Ethnic Enrichment Festival- Indian Center.
Heart to Heart International Gala--Cassy Venters attended the H2H Gala along with 9 other Club representatives on Saturday April 14th.
Heart to Heart International Hygiene Assembly Project with Urban Rangers: Club volunteers will join the Urban Rangers on Saturday, April 21, 2018 to assemble hygiene kits. After assembling our quota we will enjoy a tour of the warehouse facility to learn more about Heart to Heart's international efforts to create more access to healthcare. Email Paul Temme at paulctemme@gmail.comto RSVP if you haven't signed up already.
Congratulations to Terry Berkbuegler-- recognition for his work in the Games for Good, our club's signature fundraising event and a major donor to Hope House. Thanks for the nomination, Ann Leabo!
Volunteers Needed:The Spring planting at the Bloch Cancer Survivors Park on the Plaza will take place on Saturday, May 12th from 9-12 noon. The sign-up sheet is with the Sergeants at Arm's. Contact Mindy Stewart-Coffee (Mindy.Stewart@integrityhc.com) if you need more info.
National Tips and Tricks: There are multiple rounds of competition and several events that will be held throughout the day. Please keep in close contact with Megan during Nationals as the UMKC Enactus team won't know when and where they are presenting until a few hours before. Additionally, during presentations the doors will lock 5 minutes before start time; please ensure that you are 15 minutes early to any presentation to guarantee a seat in the room. Megan will send out additional information about the event as the date gets closer.
To learn more about Enactus as a whole visit:enactus.org
Heart to Heart International Gala: Jim Mitchum has extended an invitation to 10 Plaza Rotary Club guests to the 25th Anniversary Gala for Heart to Heart International on April 14th. There will be a sign-up sheet at this week’s meeting. Participants can bring a guest; first come first serve, but you must commit to being there to represent the Plaza Club.
Volunteers Needed: There is room for 5-10 Club members to join the Urban Rangers in a hygiene kit assembly project with the Urban Rangers at Heart to Heart International on Saturday, April 21. We will have a sign-up sheet available at the Club breakfast on Friday March 9th.
Volunteers Needed: The City of KCMO is making plans for Spring planting of the Bloch Cancer Survivors Park on the Plaza. Do we have volunteers for a weekend in early May? Sign up -- if we have a quorum we will firm up a date with the city. Contact Paul Temme (paulctemme@gmail.com) if you need more info.
Thank you very much to those that have donated! We will continue to collect money, via change for charity, and shoes through the end of March. Checks can be made out to the Plaza Rotary Foundation.
Also, if you are a sale shopper and have an interest in helping us turn these $ in to shoes please contact Liz or Randy.
Come play trivia and help raise funds for the Urban Ranger Corps. Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, April 14th, at St. Elizabeth’s Parish, 75th, and Main, in Seton Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the first trivia question is asked at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 per person or $100 per table of 8. You are invited to bring food and alcohol for your own table. Click here to reserve your table or download and submit the application.
Thank you very much to those that have donated! We will continue to collect money, via change for charity, and shoes through the end of March. Checks can be made out to the Plaza Rotary Foundation.
Also, if you are a sale shopper and have an interest in helping us turn these $ in to shoes please contact Liz or Randy.
Sign up sheets are available with the Sergeant at Arms. In addition to papers, we will all have an allocation of flags for sale. One Club 13 member sold 77 flags last year! Club members that want flags @ $10 each for their personal use can request them on a separate sign-up sheet. Contact Paul Temme (paulctemme@gmail.com) if you want to sign up remotely, or need more info.
Posted by Liz Thomas and Randy Steinman on Mar 15, 2018
During the Sweet Sixteen round, Plaza Rotarians generously donated another $430 (yes, that is correct for those of you paying attention - the exact same amount as last week). That gets us to $830 in monetary contributions. Given the right sales that might equate to 275 pairs of shoes. Thank you very much to those that have donated! We will continue to collect money, via change for charity, and shoes through the end of March. Checks can be made out to the Plaza Rotary Foundation.
Also, if you are a sale shopper and have an interest in helping us turn these $ in to shoes please contact Liz or Randy.
As spring approaches, so does the first of professional golf's first majors--The Master's. And once again this year, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a fun, season-long golf majors pool, with half of all proceeds raised going to fund a RYLA scholarship. No need to play golf, but if you follow the sport at all, this is an opportunity to have a lot of fun for only $50. More more information or to express interest in participating, just let Roger Samuel know at roger.runner@gmail.com.
Heart to Heart International Gala: Jim Mitchum has extended an invitation to 10 Plaza Rotary Club guests to the 25th Anniversary Gala for Heart to Heart International on April 14th. There will be a sign-up sheet at this week’s meeting. Participants can bring a guest; first come first serve, but you must commit to being there to represent the Plaza Club.
Volunteers Needed: There is room for 5-10 Club members to join the Urban Rangers in a hygiene kit assembly project with the Urban Rangers at Heart to Heart International on Saturday, April 21. We will have a sign-up sheet available at the Club breakfast on Friday March 9th.
Volunteers Needed: The City of KCMO is making plans for Spring planting of the Bloch Cancer Survivors Park on the Plaza. Do we have volunteers for a weekend in early May? Sign up -- if we have a quorum we will firm up a date with the city. Contact Paul Temme (paulctemme@gmail.com) if you need more info.
Join us at Topgolf Overland Park for a fundraiser benefiting Hope House. It will be a night of food, drinks, and a little competition. Bring your friends and help support a good cause.
There will also be raffles for fabulous prizes.
Individual tickets $60 (2 drink tickets, food, and gameplay)
New member application has been received and approved for membership by the Board for Grant Killion, Business Banker at CrossFirst Bank. Grant graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor's in Business, and Oklahoma State University with and MBA in Finance. Grant has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club- Emerging Leaders. He enjoys Razorback sports, golf, weekend travel, and outdoor activities. If there are no concerns from members, Grant will be inducted into the Red Badge Program in 2 weeks.
You are invited to Hope House’s Everyday Hero Luncheon, Thursday, April 5, at The President Hotel. This is a special recognition luncheon to honor Hope House volunteers—everyday heroes—who so selflessly give of themselves to ensure a brighter future for the people we serve.
Among those being recognized at the luncheon is fellow Plaza Rotarian, Terry Berkbuegler, who has supported Hope House for many years.
Guest Speaker: Dayton Moore, KC Royals General Manager.
Did You Know?In financial terms, the global effort to eradicate polio has saved more than US$27 billion in health costs since 1988. If the virus is eradicated by the turn of the decade as projected, an additional US$20 to 25 billion will be saved by 2035.
Quote of the Day - From the Global Polio Eradication Initiative "If enough people in a community are immunized against polio, the virus will be deprived of susceptible hosts and will die out. High levels of vaccination coverage must be maintained to stop transmission and prevent outbreaks occurring. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is constantly assessing the optimal use of the different types of vaccine to prevent paralytic polio and stop poliovirus transmission in different areas of the world."
In the interest of public safety, the Plaza Rotary Sgt-at-Arms will be conducting a Roadblock and Rotary Pin Checkpoint this Friday, February 2, 2018. The checkpoint will be at the entrance to the Grand St Cafe event space, and will be set up and running from 7am until approximately 8am. Plaza Rotarians are advised to wear their Rotary pins, and dress according to Plaza Rotary guidelines. Lack of visible Rotary pins, the wearing team logo apparel, or the wearing flip flops will be met with fines. Again, a Rotary pin checkpoint will be in affect this Friday February 2nd. Plaza Rotarians are to proceed with caution.
The residents were down to one working washing machine remaining in the three laundry rooms, so we arrived in the nick of time. All went smoothly with the cooperation of a terrific team. We painted all three laundry rooms, installed shelving, and the new equipment.
Volunteers included Roger Samuel, Rich Cane, Scott Weaver, Casey Culbertson, Paul Temme, and Allen Jenks.
Take a moment and please update your ClubRunner Profile. All members have access to their own profile for self-service updating, when changes happen in your life. And please do include a photo-- it's very helpful for us to know who the new members are when we see them, and helps our traveling members catch up with the new faces.
The project date is January 20, 2018. We have a team of 10 volunteers meeting at 8:30 AM to refurbish the three Laundry Rooms and install the new equipment that is already on site. Contact Paul Temme (paulctemme@gmail.com) with any related questions or directions.
Thanks to the following Plaza Rotarians for their participation in this effort: Liz & Drue Thomas, Jennifer Kyle, Paul Temme, Aileen Murphy, Francis Reddis, Cassy Venters, Beth Bahner, Tom Bradshaw, Rich Linden, Karyn Eppler, & the Liberty HyVee.
I received the sad news yesterday morning of the passing of Jeff Jernigan, a long time member of our Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club.
I have also received multiple e-mails praising Jeff and remembering his friendship and dedication to Rotary. In lieu of a 3 minute speech or inspirational moment on this Friday, I will offer the opportunity for those who wish, to reflect upon and remember Jeff during that time.
Please join me in sending prayers to his wife Cheryl and family. A sympathy card will be available for members to sign at this Friday's meeting.
Jeff Chapman
KC Plaza Rotary Club President 2017-18
_________________________________
Plaza Rotarians, I'd like to suggest that we encourage those attending Friday's meeting to wear purple in honor and memory of our friend Jeff. Word is going around that it was his favorite color and many of us will be wearing ties to his service on Saturday.
Tip #9-- Realize there is no finish-line. Even if you are at the size that your club wants to be, there are always reasons people leave. And new insights always benefit a club! You’re either growing, or you’re dying. See our new members since July 2017 in our Extra! Extra! Newsletter.
It was that time of year when Plaza Rotarians are encouraged to wear Plaid or your Ugly Christmas Sweater to our last meeting of 2017.
We sang ONE song-- Jingle Bells, and we struggled with that... however we were able to proudly don our Holiday Cheer and induct a few new members! Click here for the full photo album.
Plaid Shirt or Ugly Sweater Holiday Meeting- Dec. 22, 2017
Tip #8-- Celebrate when you get a new member. This gets the club excited about getting more members. With that in mind, watch for an EXTRA! EXTRA!Newsletter featuring all of our new members from July-December 2017!
Background When a lawyer named Paul Harris, a coal dealer, a mining engineer, and a merchant tailor first met in 1905 in Chicago, they gave birth to Rotary and, by the nature of their diverse occupations, to one of the organization’s most distinctive features – the classification principle. That principle remains a cornerstone of Rotary today.
Upon joining Rotary, a member is assigned a classification – usually by the Board of Directors – to reflect the member’s profession or occupation. For many years, a club was permitted to have only one person in each classification. The goal was a balanced membership – basically a cross-section of the community in which no one profession or business is the dominant force in the club. Also, a balanced membership enables Rotarians to broaden their knowledge of other professions, to build professional and business networks, and to have broad expertise for club leadership and to carry out multi-faceted service projects.
Rotary Classifications Today
As professions evolved and clubs sought to increase their membership, clubs developed occupational sub-categories (for example, Lawyer-Civil and Banker-Commercial) so as to allow more than one person per general classification if club members approved. Recognizing these trends, the Council on Legislation has amended the standard Club Constitution to permit a maximum of five (5) members per classification in a club (or 10% of the total membership if a club has over 50 members).
It's that time of year when Plaza Rotarians are encouraged to wear Plaid or your Ugly Christmas Sweater to our last meeting of 2017. Have fun with it, and be sure to dress for singing!
Plaid Shirt or Ugly Sweater Holiday Meeting- THIS FRIDAY
President Elect Randy Steinman proposes and presents his Board for his upcoming term starting July 1, 2018 thru June 30, 2019. Please reach out to Randyif you have any questions.
Hope House District Grant Project:The project date is the morning of January 20th 2018, probably around 9 AM to start-- time will be confirmed soon. At this point, we have 11 volunteers to perform the Laundry Room refurbishment. Details will be communicated to the team as the precise tasks and shifts are defined. Email Paul Temme at paulctemme@gmail.comif you want to join the team.
Tip #7-- Talk about Rotary wherever you go, tell about the good works we do. At church, temple, work, neighborhood gatherings, family gatherings, parties, etc. You’ll be amazed how easy it is after you practice for a while. Getting a lot of “no” answers built my confidence because it didn’t hurt as bad as I thought and most people were actually happy I asked, even if they responded negatively. It’s always a good time to recruit. Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio are always impressive.
Help the Plaza Club return to Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) status, meaning we’re a club in which every member is giving at least $100 per year to the Rotary Foundation. Click here for FAQs or to download a donation form.
As most of you know, $25 of your quarterly dues go to the Foundation, but THERE'S AN EASIER WAY.
Simply go to https://www.rotary.org/en/donate and sign up for Rotary Direct. You can opt to give any amount over any time period, but by committing to as little as $8.33 a month, you’ll be helping the Plaza Club attain EREY (Every Rotarian, Every Year) status.
SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE CLUB WILL AWARD YOUR ACCOUNT WITH 500 PAUL HARRIS POINTS, MEANING YOU’LL BE HALF WAY TO YOUR FIRST (OR NEXT) PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP!
Reason #1- Give a minimum of $8.33 monthly instead of $25 quarterly, automatically via debit card-- Set It and Forget It!
Reason #2- Credit card charges are paid by Rotary International instead of the Plaza Club, and at a much lower rate. Your money works more!
Reason #3- Easier tracking for Tax Purposes- for you and the Club.
Reason #4- 500 POINTS TO PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP if you sign up before December 31, 2017
On Nov. 18, 2017, Jennifer Kyle graduated from District 6040's Rotary Leadership Institute program in Chillicothe, Missouri.
The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a multi-district, grassroots leadership development program of member districts organized into regional divisions in various parts of the world. Congratulations, Jennifer!!
Gordon Parks Elementary School Adopt-a-Family Program: The Club collected $256 for this cause on Friday, December 1. At the request of the school program coordinator, we will be buying khaki pants, belts and underwear and a supply of Kleenex to be distributed as needed to the students. Cassy Venters has graciously offered to purchase the goods and deliver them.
A Gordon Parks family expects the delivery of a new baby girl very near Christmas. They are in-need of baby girl items and supplies…they do not have anything. They need diapers, clothes, everything…if any Club members have items to donate please bring them to the next meeting or let Paul Temme (paulctemme@gmail.com) know how he might retrieve them from you.
Bridge Home dinners: Club members have committed to providing Saturday dinners during the month of December. Paul Temme will send an email to each club member that has volunteered with details.
Continuing our long tradition, Club members will deliver Saturday night dinners to the residents of the Bridge Home located at 6033 Swope Parkway. The sign-up sheet is with the Sgt at Arms. The meals include an entrée such as spaghetti and meat sauce, scalloped potatoes w/ham, turkeys, chili w/fixing’s, taco casserole to name a few suggestions along with bread, salad, side and dessert. The kids and staff constitute 24 portions. Meals should be delivered by 3:00 PM on Saturdays, December 2, 9, 16, and 23. You can also email Paul Temme to sign up to help out for a meal item.
Hope House District Grant Project: Volunteers are needed to refurbish the Hope House laundry room. A sign-up sheet will be circulated at the meeting on Friday December 8th. We have two alternate dates for this one-day project: Saturday January 13th, or Saturday January 20th. Please sign up and indicate which – or both – of alternate project dates you will be available. We will settle on one date by December 15th, OR Email Paul Temme at paulctemme@gmail.com.
Be persistent. There will be times that it takes literally a dozen requests to get someone to a meeting. Keep asking. They may come to a meeting, or tell you they can’t join now because they are too busy, or they aren’t interested in joining at the moment. These are all fine answers as long as you keep track of them and keep in touch. How many times did you have to be asked?
Gordon Parks Elementary School Adopt-a-Family Program gifts must be delivered by December 11, 2017. More details to come. If you'd like to help, contact Paul Temme via email.
The District approved our grant request for the sum of $2,400. The plan is to use matching Club funds to purchase and install four sets of clothes washers and dryers in the Hope House shelter in Independence, Missouri. Club members will repaint the entire laundry facility and install needed and appropriate shelving in January 2018. More specifics will come in December.
Continuing our long tradition, Club members will deliver Saturday night dinners to the residents of the Bridge Home located at 6033 Swope Parkway. The sign-up sheet is with the Sgt at Arms. The meals include an entrée such as spaghetti and meat sauce, scalloped potatoes w/ham, turkeys, chili w/fixing’s, taco casserole to name a few suggestions along with bread, salad, side and dessert. The kids and staff constitute 24 portions. Meals should be delivered by 3:00 PM on Saturdays, December 2, 9, 16, and 23. You can also email Paul Temme to sign up for a meal item.
Greetings to you. Thank you for your service through Rotary. You may recall that we had planned a Shoes Delivery Trip to Guatemala for the first week of October. However, I believe the lead time for planning was just not sufficient, and for that, I apologize. Though we did have those who had signed up, we did not have enough sign-ups for the trip to come to fruition. Which simply means we need more lead time for planning.
In just over a year, a Rotary Club in Minnesota brought in 31 new members, 11 of them women and eight of them under 40 years old. How did they do it? This week and in following weeks, we will present the club’s 10 Tips for recruiting new members.
Tip #4
Create a letter that lists all the great things about your club. List your star members, the advantages of where your club meets, how many members it has, etc. Make sure to tailor the email/letter to the wants of any potential new member.
The Plaza Rotary Club, as is our tradition, is a Global Sponsor for this year’s district Foundation dinner coming up on October 28th at Arrowhead Stadium. Also, as is our tradition, we are asking club members to pay their own way so that all $5000 of our sponsorship can go directly to the foundation. If you would like to attend…instructions below..or contact Club Foundation Chair Roger Samuel at roger_samuel@ajg.com.
In just over a year, a Rotary Club in Minnesota brought in 31 new members, 11 of them women and eight of them under 40 years old. How did they do it? This week and in following weeks, we will present the club’s 10 Tips for recruiting new members.
Tip #3
Make recruiting the top priority in your club. You can’t do everything as a club president, and knowing that will give you some freedom to focus on the most important thing. Having new members – with new energy – will help you have more people to raise money for The Rotary Foundation, serve on your committees, and invite additional members/more smiling faces to your meetings and fun event. Let your members know this is the top priority so they can all help.
Last Friday's speaker Joe Reardon of the KC Chamber of Commerce described the challenges of our current airport, built in 1972, and the rationale to build a new facility. To learn more about A Better KCI, Joe says:
Thank you for hosting A Better KCI presentation! As promised,
we’re following up with more information and links to resources.
Rotarians are invited to be a part of the district Group Study Exchange (GSE) to Chile in 2017-18. Rotarians have all air flights, food and lodging expenses paid and will be traveling from April 7, - April 27, 2018. The study exchange focuses on developing humanitarian service projects as well as vocational and cultural experiences.
In just over a year, a Rotary Club in Minnesota brought in 31 new members, 11 of them women and eight of them under 40 years old. How did they do it? This week and in following weeks, we will present the club’s 10 Tips for recruiting new members.
Tip #2
Keep a list of potential recruits. It doesn’t matter if it’s a paper list or if it’s kept on the desktop of your computer – it just makes you think about those people and others that may be a fit for your club.
In just over a year, a Rotary Club in Minnesota brought in 31 new members, 11 of them women and eight of them under 40 years old. How did they do it? This week and in following weeks, we will present the club’s 10 Tips for recruiting new members.
Tip #1
Know your club’s strengths. If you meet in the morning, you will probably be a good fit for a 9 to 5 employee. But if you meet at noon, you’re more likely to appeal to retirees or parents of school-age children. If someone doesn’t fit your format, recommend them to another club. They won’t forget you and may send you someone another day. Let all the clubs in your area know you are looking for members, and they may send you some that better fit your format than their own.
In participation with ProShred, URC will host a fundraiser on September 23rd from 9AM-12PM at St. Elizabeth Church (74th Street between Wornall and Main in the back parking lot of church) by helping the community shred documents and recycle electronics. This event is donation based, a general donation for paper shredding and a suggested $5 donation for most items dropped off. For a list of what can be recycled (almost anything!), click here.
Labor Day Weekend festivities started off with Happy Hour at Ruins Pub, owned by our own Plazan Scott Kalwei, then Plazan's took a dip in Frances Reddis' pool later in the weekend.
Mary Jean Eisenhower is the President and Chief Executive Officer of People to People International. She is a granddaughter of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States.
Our Rotary club has some fun! We were entertained last Friday morning by Chappie Live!, inspiring dancing by several Plazans. Might be the best way to start your Friday morning. If you want to see our dancers, you'll have to visit ourFacebook page.
While at the K for a Royals Game on August 28, Ann Leabo witnessed this familiar face on the jumbotron! The Royals honored our own Plazan Debra Anderson for her military service and her work at the VFW.
The Hope House mattress project is finally coming to fruition. Installation of 120 beds and mattresses is expected to occur on some date before September 30th. They will need some muscle. We hope to rustle up some assistance from the Plaza Rotary members, the Urban Rangers, friends and family. Will keep you posted.
It's time to get your team together for our next KC GAMES FOR GOOD! The games are even "funner," and we're anticipating a great turnout. Consider sponsoring a team to play, even if you're not a gamer. Mark your calendars for October 7, 2017, from Noon to 5 PM.
Please join us for our annual Plaza Art Fair Happy Hour from 4:00 PM to 6:30-ish on September 22, 2017, at CHUY'S TEX-MEX on the Plaza, 209 W. 46th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64112. You can also RSVP to Aileen Murphy ataileen.murphy@rgp.com
On July 28, Blaise Dauzvardis and Brooke Berkbuegler told of their adventures at MO RYLA 2017 - Session 1.
Here are some of the things RYLArians shared following their time at MO RYLA this year:
I learned a lot about current and future opportunities that are available…to help further my love and passion for volunteering.
I’m very excited to use my new knowledge to change the world for the better.
The experience that I have had at the 2017 RYLA Academy has been the greatest experience of my life.
One thing about RYLA that was impactful for me was how a group of strangers came together and created a (project) to change the world.
I never realized just how big I can dream and still make it come true.
RYLA…has broke my shy shell…and taught me how much communication, teamwork, and never giving up actually mean. (Many commented on how much RYLA helped overcome shyness.)
You have truly inspired me to work even harder to improve people’s lives, much like you (Rotarians) already have.
Going into RYLA, I wasn’t even sure what a Rotary club was. Within the first hour, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be….Rotary is 100% an organization I stand for now.
As Suzanne, one of our organizers, shared with us, "In reading over the letters this year’s crop of RYLArians wrote to their clubs, I found some absolutely wonderful comments that shouted to be shared. The following excerpts speak to the strength of our program, as well as to the idealism of youth. It takes so many of us to make this experience possible, but it definitely is worth every minute we spend." Indeed!
Have you ever heard a Rotarian speak about their personal experience participating in a polio eradication exercise, a cleft lip/cleft palate mission, or work on a humanitarian grant? These trips have a profound effect upon the individual. For those of you who have gone on one of these trips you know, and for those of you who have yet to enjoy this experience, you should.
In October 2017, North American Rotarians will travel to Accra, Ghana for a life changing experience.
Have a broken or outdated Club Badge? Just want to replace your clip back with a magnet back one? We will place a bulk order (gets us a $2 discount) after the Friday August 18 meeting. Please see us at the Sergeants at Arms table or contact Scott Weaver to place your order.
HEY! Why are you wearing that tired ol' clip Badge??
Have an Experience or Hobby you'd like to share with the Club? "Know Your Rotarian" is a terrific 3-Minute meeting feature. We have meetings that need an alternate 3-minute interesting presentation, and have started a roster. You'll be contacted at least a week in advance of the meeting at which you'll present. Please see Scott Weaver at the Sergeants at Arms table to add your name.
$5,000 District Grant application with a focus on Maternal and Child Health was submitted on July 14th.
The Plaza Rotary Club, in coordination with the beneficiary Hope House, will purchase and install four sets of clothes washers and dryers in the existing residential shelter in Independence, Missouri. Plaza Rotarians will repaint the entire laundry facility and install needed and appropriate shelving. The washers and dryers purchased in this project will replace older, worn-out equipment that requires frequent and costly repairs. The objective is to provide necessary and dependable laundry equipment and facilities for residents (women and children) who cannot afford to use off-campus laundry facilities, often do not have adequate transportation to access off-campus laundries, and, more importantly, whose safety may be imperiled if they are seen in the community by their spouses or partners or their friends and associates. If the grant is approved, the Club is committed to completing the project by March 1, 2018.
When was the last time you updated your ClubRunner profile? Make time to update your phone, address, photo, work info, email address, and anything else that you might need. Thanks!
The Board has accepted Julie Martin's application for membership to our club. Julie Martin is the CEO of Lions in Four Foundation. https://www.lionsinfourfoundation.com/
Out of town on a Friday morning? Would you still like to make up a meeting, but can't squeeze in a live meeting nearby? Here's another option. Visit Rotary e-Club One for an online meeting.
Gordon Parks Elementary School is seeking donations for their 2017 School Supplies Drive. 100% of the GP students qualify for free/reduced lunch program through the federal government, so supplies can fall to the wayside. Supplies or financial donations are welcome. Contributions received by August 1 will help help the children start their new school year off right. Please go to this website for more details: http://www.gordonparks.org/content/donate
2017 School Supplies Drive- Gordon Parks Elementary
Games for Good – Raised $29k that allowed us to distribute $11k each to Hope House and Urban Rangers and contribute $7k to the Plaza Rotary Foundation. Terry Berkbuegler and Bob Merigan led a Committee including Rich Linden, Eric Wymore, Beth Bahner, Paul Temme, Bill Moran, Cassy Venters, and Frank Bales. They were supported by many, many other club members in planning and on the day of the event.
The Club was awarded a $2,400 District Grant, matched by our fundraising, for the renovation of a storage room to a classroom at Urban Rangers. Club members participated in the planning and renovation. Special thanks to Kile Morrison, Bo Steed, Jason Parsons and Will Hodgkinson for their efforts working with Erik on the design and construction.
Bill Schmidt, Frances Reddis, Randy Steinman, Jim Lloyd and Mike Theobald led the Club Shoes efforts resulting in 1,348 shoes being donated to the Shoes for Orphans Souls.
Each year, particularly during our Shoes Caravan and Shoes Roll Call, I am humbled that a number of Rotarians in our clubs indicate to me they are interested in taking a Shoes Delivery Trip. Over the years, we have coordinated a few of these trips with Buckner, to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
In response to your requests, I have discussed a fall 2017 trip with Buckner, to Guatemala. Our options for that time frame are: Sept 17-23, 2017 Sept 24-30, 2017 Oct 1-7, 2017
With the caveat that they are definitely adjustable - any of these could be Saturday to Saturday or Saturday to Sunday, etc.
I know one Rotary year is coming to an end, and a new Rotary year is about to begin. Please make your club members aware of these opportunities, and I will hope to hear from you by June 30 with the names of any Rotarians who are interested in more information. Email LarryLunsford@b-r.com
The Plaza Rotary Club Board is pleased to announce that we have approved the membership application of Kathy Woods. She is a lawyer and partner at Shaffer Lombardo Shurin. If anyone has any comments or concerns they should contact Drue Thomas at william.thomas@umb.com. Assuming there are no concerns she will be inducted in the weeks ahead.
With polio on the brink of eradication, nations from around the world and key donors pledged more than $1 billion on Monday to energize the global fight to end the paralyzing disease.
Bill Gates, co-chair of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and RI President John Germ share the recent news about their partnership in the fight to eradicate polio.
The historic pledges of new funds at the Rotary Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, will go toward drastically shrinking the $1.5 billion gap in the funding that the partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative say is needed to reduce polio cases to zero worldwide. Just five cases have been reported this year, the lowest number in history.
Our club's efforts in helping the Girls of Malawi was noted in the Rotary Voices blog. Be sure to read more about Bill & Cindy Schmidt and Elizabeth Usovicz' work there. If you are planning to go to Atlanta for the Rotary International Convention, make time to go to Elizabeth's Break-Out Session on Monday, June 12 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Find your list of Break-Out Sessions Here, or download the app.
For 4 years I have been working in the Dominican Republic to start a Rotary-funded Microcredit project, designed to provide women heads of households living in poverty the needed funds to start their own businesses in the hopes they can use the profits to lift their families out of poverty. Today, the women in the photo graduated from a financial education programs as part of their loan application process.
Our shoe tying/packing party will be next Saturday, April 22nd, at 2:00 pm at 1219 SW Wintergreen Lane, Blue Springs, Mo 64015. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to Frances Reddis if you plan to help out.
If you have news or updates for the Plaza Rotary Club website, newsletter, or Facebook page, or would like to share photos of club events, please send an email to plazarotarypr@gmail.com. Don't worry, you can add photos and info to our Facebook page any time!
BIG thanks to the Rotary Club of Kansas City Plaza for their generous donation. URC is proud to be a recipient of proceeds from the Club’s Games For Good. URC Board Member, Joe Sweeny, accepts a check for $10,876 from Drue Thomas, President of the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club. What a great way to show our young men that others are helping us bring “hope” in their brighter futures.
Plaza Rotary Club was recognized and received the 2017 Visionary of the Year Award for it's commitment and contributions to Hope House on Thursday, February 16th. President Drue Thomas took time for this photo with his mother, Mary Jean Thomas, at today's Hope House Everyday Hero lunch. The Kansas City Plaza Rotary club was recognized with the Hope House Visionary of the Year award for our financial support and projects over more than 10 years. Lots of good reasons for all of us to smile!
Drue Thomas is pleased to announce that Terry Berkbuegler was chosen as the 2016-17 Club Champion for the Plaza Rotary Club, which was announced at the District Conference Lunch last Saturday.
“Terry exemplifies what it means to be a Rotarian, putting service before self. His passion has helped build our primary fundraiser, the KC Games for Good, from the ground up over the past three years. In addition, he has served as a RYLA counselor for years and is currently on their Board. We are lucky to have Terry’s passion and sense of humor in the Plaza Rotary Club.”
Exhibitors, Players, and Visitors all agree-- this year's KC Games for Good was a blast!
After a year of planning, the KC Games For Good Committee's efforts pay off big. Twelve teams competed fiercely in Bubble Soccer, Nerf Archery, Giant Jenga, Harvester's Feed a Hungry Soul, Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby, Water Relay, and Heart to Heart International Palette stacking.
"I just wanted to say thank you again for allowing HappyBottoms to have a booth at the KC Games for Good event this weekend; it was such a well-run and nice event! We really appreciated the opportunity to spread the word about HappyBottoms and how we are helping babies in the community." --Jackie W., Engagement Manager for HappyBottoms.org Diaper Bank
"I hope this Monday afternoon finds you and everyone with the Plaza Rotary Club recovered and well rested from Saturday’s PHENOMENAL event! I want to thank you and the Plaza Rotary Club for allowing Gordon Parks Elementary School to be a part of such a fun event. The entire day was so well organized and everyone was so friendly – we had a blast!" --Tom L., Chief Development Officer, Gordon Parks School
"It was great meeting you Saturday, and thank you so much for the invitation. Please let me know about this as early as possible next year. I’ll see if we can enter a Girl Scout staff team, or team of troop leaders." --Joey W., Director- Eastern Region, Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri
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