Your DG’s Thoughts for October 2025
September has been an incredible month with Governor Laura Kelly proclaiming October 24th as World Polio Day, many district grants approved, our Amazing 2025 District Conference successfully concluded, and our South Africa Rotary Friendship Exchange that is ongoing.
I am deeply grateful for all you are doing to move Rotary forward. Let’s take a look at highlights, beginning with two requests and our 1st Quarter progress, followed by Rotary’s October theme.
Requests for Our Members
- World Polio Day – Please let us know what your club is doing.
- Public Image – Visit our new District Public Image Tab and follow our Facebook page: Rotary Clubs of Eastern Kansas.
1st Quarter (June to Sept.,2025) 2025 to 2026 Results
Here’s how we are progressing toward our six District priority goals:
1. Membership:1,850 strong—net increase of 21 since July 1 & 95% plus retention
2. Engagement: 65% of clubs have set service participation goals. Today’s 43 participation reported so far. I know actual engagement is higher than please update this goal in your Rotary Club Central.
3. Annual Fund:$43,351—compared to $40,960 same time last year
4. PolioPlus:$8,703 – compared to $5,799 same time last year
5. New Benefactors: 4 already—40% of our goal.
6. Club Action Planning:14 clubs set goals - 7 complete.
We are on target overall, but engagement reporting lags behind reality. Clubs that set and track goals in Rotary Club Central consistently attract and retain members more effectively. Need help? Reach out to Mandy Sheldon.
World Polio Day Proclaimed
Thanks to PDG Blanche Parks and District Polio Chair Maria Wilson, Governor Kelly officially proclaimed October 24th as World Polio Day in Kansas.
👉 For inspiration and resources, visit endpolio.org/world-polio-day. Please register your event and let Mandy and me know. Let’s aim for 100% club participation in PolioPlus giving this year.
As RI President Francesco Arezzo reminds us: “Let’s continue our decades-long commitment to eradicating polio. Let’s get the job done!”
District Grants Ready to Launch
On September 10, 38 grants from 25 clubs were approved, spanning five of Rotary’s seven areas of focus:
- Disease prevention & treatment
- Water, sanitation & hygiene
- Maternal & child health
- Basic education & literacy
- Community economic development
The impact will be significant, and many Rotarians will be engaged. Funds will be distributed in October.
A huge thank-you to Greg Stout and the District Grant Team for a seamless process.
Our Amazing District Conference
September 18–20, Rotarians gathered at the Hyatt in Lenexa for fellowship, inspiration, and learning. Breakout sessions focused on membership, the Foundation, public image, and impactful service projects. General session speakers brought powerful messages:
- RIDE Tom Gump – engaging members for greater impact
- Patrick Harrison – “Public image is everything”
- TRF Vice Chair Greg Podd – inspiring stories about “the value of a simple pin”
We also welcomed South African PDGs Lynette Stassen and Stephen Young, who shared the power of Rotary Friendship Exchanges during our Kansas City BBQ lunch general session.
On Saturday, we had an mental health awareness update, meeting our inbound Youth Exchange students and an address by Rotary Presidential Rep PDG Lynette Stassen. We are so honored that Lynette was asked by Rotary President Francisco Arezzo to represent him.
The conference concluded an impactful service project—packing Rotary Care Kits for trafficking survivors.
We had fun; saw old friends ad met new; and awarded many clubs for their membership growth and Foundation support. Congratulations to our award winners.
A huge thanks goes to our co-chairs, Roxann Kerr Lindsey and Rick Robinson of the Leawood Club, for their dedication and leadership. You both have been fantastic leading our conference team.
Our conference team was amazing! Mandy Sheldon, DeEtte Lombard, Paula Landoll, Stephanie Gassen, Steve Nettles, John Meier, Stephen Wheatley, Cleverson Souza, Patti Mellard, Vernon Turner, Bill Musgrave, Darren Lippe, Lenet Compton – your contributions to making our this the success it was is so appreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
To read more about our Conference, please see Larry Stoppel’s article in this newsletter.
South African Friendship Exchange
For 10 days, we welcomed Rotarians from South Africa—attending our conference, then visiting Leavenworth, Marysville, Manhattan, Topeka, and Lawrence. Special thanks to Lenet Compton and PDG Lynette Stassen for organizing, and to he many Kansas Rotarians across the district hosting and welcoming them. Their visit concludes October 3 in Kansas City. We wish them safe travels and look forward to meeting again on the Rotary trail.
Club Visits – A Warm Welcome
In September, I visited six wonderful clubs: Manhattan, Manhattan Konza, Emporia, Atchison, Osawatomie, and Louisburg. Each has unique traditions, yet all live by Service Above Self.
Please check their Facebook pages and websites to see inspiring projects and socials. I look forward to visiting our remaining 18 clubs, 2 satellites, and our Rotaract club soon!
Sharing Ideas Across Clubs
One trend I have noticed is Member Highlights on club social media—a creative way to honor and recognize members, especially new ones. If your club isn’t doing this, I encourage you to try it.
District Action Plan Heighlight
As RIDE Tom Gump emphasized, among the four Rotary Action Plan priorities, engaging members is most critical. Explore our Member Engagement Toolkit for practical ideas. Thanks to Membership Chair Zach Ahrens and Public Image Co-Chairs Stephanie Gassen and Bill Musgrave for assembling these resources.
Looking Ahead –
- November is Rotary Foundation Month.
- The week of November 5th marks World Interact Week, celebrating Interact’s anniversary.
Final Thought
Thank you for your energy, creativity, and commitment to Rotary. You continue to inspire me. Together, let us keep moving forward to Unite for Good.
Looking for several Rotarians to apply to serve as our District Governor, 2028-2029...