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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