Wow – what a week! As you’ve hopefully seen (and experienced!), last week marked our annual district conference, held at Lenexa City Center. It was three days filled with information, inspiration, and fun! In addition to a fantastic line-up of keynote speakers and breakout sessions, conference attendees also came together to make a difference. On Saturday morning, Rotary volunteers packaged 200 fresh start kits for victims of human trafficking, assembled 900 disaster response kits through Heart to Heart international, re-mulched a very steep park trail in Lenexa, and collected much-needed supplies for the Johnson County Food Pantries! I’m so appreciative of the more than 100 attendees, and our District Conference Committee – led by extraordinary Shawnee Rotarian Linda Leeper – for making the weekend such a success!
As we head into October, our attention is turning to polio awareness. While October 24, 2022, marks the official World Polio Day, there are activities throughout the district and the month to raise funds for this important cause – many contained here in this newsletter! Whether it’s a pint for polio or a purple pinkie doughnut, I hope you do something to show your support for the full and final eradication of this horrible disease. As New York has recently shown us, until we’ve cured it for all, it is truly only a plane ride away.
We’re now a third of the way through the Rotary year – can you believe it? I hope it’s off to a fantastic start! As always, don’t hesitate to each out if we can ever be of assistance!
As many of our clubs across District 5710 are making final plans for a broad range of fun and unique Polio Plus fundraising events in celebration of World Polio Day, there is great news from Topeka that we can share that Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly, has signed a Proclamation declaring "October 24, 2022 as World Polio Day in Kansas". As a result, the District is still encouraging every club to request their local city/community to also issue a similar proclamation tailored to Rotary's presence in their city. For some of our cities where there are several clubs, please work together for a joint sponsorship. It is hopeful that you might be able to make that happen at an early October board meeting of your community's Council. Here is a photo of the Kansas Proclamation:
If your club is holding a Polio Plus event or obtaining a city proclamation be sure to register that event with Rotary International at this link: https://www.endpolio.org/register-your-event
Rotarians know that the recent detection of the vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 case in New York, USA, and isolates in several environmental samples collected in London are stark reminders that as long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat everywhere. By focusing on World Polio Day we have an opportunity to expand community awareness of Rotary's role in combating this threat.
Thank you for your dedication to Polio Plus, Rotary's #1 Priority, and IMAGINE the promise we made to children everywhere...a polio free world.
And “We are…This Close” as shown in our “Countdown to History”
HAS YOUR CLUB MET ITS DONATION GOAL FOR 22/23?
Call or email me for ideas or help: Jim Arnett, Polio Plus District Chair
September was a busy month for us! We were in Bloomington, Minnesota (14-18 September) attending the Rotary Zones 25B and 29 Conference. The Conference offered us a full day and a half seminar designed for District Trainers representing various clubs within our Zone. The purpose of a Zone-level District Trainer Seminar is to provide trainers consistent training for their role—and in turn, ensure that Rotary Clubs and district leaders receive consistent training as they change leadership each year. The discussions and activities were extremely valuable as we shared perspectives-learning from each other.
It was nice seeing fellow Rotarians at our recent District 5710 Conference. What a purposeful and fun weekend! There were fantastic speakers and networking and service project opportunities. A highlight for us was facilitating a session that supported implementing a change. After the participants identified a necessary change, they worked with their table group using the change to create short-term wins (things they could do to get folks on board) and then shared their ideas and perspectives.
Enjoy the beautiful Kansas Fall season. More updates next month!
District 5710 has been awarded 30 grants to participate in the programs of the Kansas Leadership Center. The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a non-profit organization committed to fostering leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities.
The KLC offers three programs that build on each other:
•Your Leadership Edge is the introductory program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges.
•Lead for Changeis the advanced, deep dive into individual leadership – helping leaders understand how to mobilize others to deal with tough problems and change processes.
•Equip to Lead focuses on communications, integrating leadership principles into the organization, and facilitating real change.
These programs range from $399 to $799 in value. The grant allows Rotarians to attend for free.
Who Should Attend?
Each club should consider sending up and coming leaders from their club and community. The virtual sessions are ideal for clubs in western Kansas. Leaders who have done the first program should consider the second and third programs.
How To Register
To Sign Up for one of the three programs, we ask that you do two things:
1. Visit the KLC website at: www.kansasleadershipcenter.org. Create a personal account and register using the code Rotary2022 to waive the tuition fee.
2. Notify District 5710’s Trainers, Ellen Bogdan and DeEtte Lombard, of your interest in order that we might track Rotarians who are taking advantage of this grant. Our contact data is:
Last week, I had the honor of presenting two of Rotary’s most prestigious awards to a couple of wonderful individuals who have committed themselves to helping their clubs and District 5710 achieve our goals for several years.
Our Service Above Self award was presented to Chuck Udell from the Leawood club. There can only be up to 150 of these awards presented each year worldwide.
Our Distinguished Service Award was presented to William “Bill” Richter from the Manhattan club. Only up to 50 of these awards can be presented each year and this is considered the top Rotarian award an individual can receive.
Congratulations to both Chuck and Bill on achieving these awards! On behalf of District 5710 and The Rotary Foundation, we want to thank you for your commitment to your clubs and our District. Your efforts throughout the years have truly made us a better district and has helped enhance the lives of countless individuals.
Thank you to all of you in D5710 for your continued contributions to The Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus. At our District conference last week, we recognized 25 clubs for achieving the STAR status in Annual Fund giving and 15 clubs for achieving their Polio Plus Drop for Polio Plus giving. We also recognized the top three clubs in the categories of total Annual Fund giving, Per Capita Annual Fund giving, and Polio Plus giving. Those clubs are listed below.
Annual Share Fund
Leawood – $34,338
Topeka - $29,555
Lawrence - $26255.50
Per Capita Annual Share Fund
Leawood - $536.53
Gardner - $341.95
Village West – $334.62
Polio Plus
Jayhawk Breakfast Lawrence - $27,195.00
Topeka South - $12,281.84
Topeka - $10,793.00
I am constantly amazed at the generosity of time and giving that our D5710 Rotarians dedicate toward helping others in our communities, our world, and in ourselves. I look forward to what this next year will bring and working with you to enhance the lives of others.
I am pleased to announce the District 5710 clubs who received Presidential Citations for the 2021-22 Rotary year. The following clubs and their Presidents were recognized by Rotary International for their exception years of service to their communities, District and International efforts:
Community Action Against Human Trafficking – President Usha Reddi
Emporia RC – President Alex Mosakowski
Leavenworth RC – President Shari Hansen
Lenexa RC – President Chris Coleman
Manhattan RC – President Robbin Cole
Manhattan Konza RC – President Richard Sell
Ottawa RC – President Wynndee Lee
RC of Topeka – President Marie Pyko
I am also pleased to award my selections for the most outstanding small, medium and large clubs in our District. My requirements to receive these recognitions were to have their goals in Club Runner, attend sponsored District leadership events, and to receive Presidential Citation recognition. I am please to announce my selections for receiving these awards:
Small Club – Ottawa, President Wynndee Lee
Medium Club – Manhattan Konza, President Richard Sell
Large Club – Rotary Club of Topeka, President Marie Pyko
I would also like to take this opportunity to formally request nominations for our District Governor for the 2025-26 Rotary year. If you would like to nominate or recommend anyone for this District leadership role, please contact me at vernh@mcfks.org or call/text me at 785.564.2121. Or if an individuals would like to visit about the role of District Governor, please feel free to contact me.
And lastly, as Chair of our District International Service, I want to request clubs to send me their information of service project efforts. I am researching where we have our strongest relationships for the purpose of enhancing those efforts and possibly expanding partnerships throughout the district. Please send your information to vernh@mcfks.org.
Once again thanks for your support in my role last year as your District Governor and I look forward to continue serving you moving forward to the benefit of our communities, District and international efforts.
How do you handle change? Fear and loathing, or lean into it?
What is your answer when a new member (or an old one, for that matter) asks, “Why do we do it that way?” Is it some form of, “I don’t know” or “We’ve always done it that way, I guess” or some variation of that?
Does your club have the proverbial “table of grumpy old members” who sit at the back in meetings but are always upfront with something along the order of “That’s not how we do it in this club!”
When I was a young soldier at Fort Riley back last century, we used to joke, after having to deal with the Installation Staff, “Custer told them not to change anything until he got back, and boy can they follow orders!” Well, that’s the polite version, anyway.
I would posit that “I don’t know” or “we’ve always done it like that is well, a bad answer. Honest, perhaps. But not useful. That doesn’t mean that what you are doing is wrong, or bad. It might well be the best solution developed out of a lot of trial and error. But you should at least know *why* you do it that way. So, perhaps a better answer is “I don’t know, but let’s find out!” Yeah, own the answer, but don’t let the questioner escape responsibility by pinning the tail on your donkey alone.
So, here’s some advice from the Oldest Member of Rotary, Paul Harris:
“In the late 1920s and early 1930s, there was much discussion about encouraging Clubs to give ground in large cities for the formation of more clubs. In 1930 at the height of the argument, Will Moffatt wrote an article ‘Why One Only?” ‘in the ‘Rotary Wheel’ strongly propounding the advantages of doing just this, and in April 1930, the magazine received this reply from Paul Harris:
“My dear Will.
While in exile in a small town in the West, your ‘Why One Only?’ came to me.
The tendency towards slavish adherence to precedent only stands in the way – the present plan has nothing whatever except precedent to recommend it.
Otherwise it is sheer nonsense. As Rufe (Rufus) Chapin once remarked:
‘There can be a score of Rotary Clubs in the down-town district of Chicago – several for each day of the week and each being of advantage to the others.”
Bowl this thing over in Great Britain. Needless and purposeless limitation is immoral.
Will you not be the Moses to lead us out of this wilderness?”
Sincerely yours
Paul P Harris “
The emphasis is mine.
We need to be mindful of how we manage change, certainly. Long time members are comfortable with the club as it is, and will likely resist change for change’s sake, and should be listened to. At the same time, we should know why we do things, and not just do them because of inertia, anymore than we should throw the baby out with the bathwater because, well, some people get excited by change…
Show everyone Paul’s thoughts about change, precedent, tradition, and ask them to be open to it. Because as the oldest of the eldest reminds us – Rotary is a living thing, and must grow and adapt to the world as it finds it, even as it tries to shape it into a better place.
I’d like to slip in an acknowledgment and endorsement of the Rotary Global History Fellowship, of which I am a member, and in who’s archives I found this gem from Paul.
Do you have a question about Rotary History? Or is there a topic you would like to learn more about? Contact District Historian John Donovan: D5710Hist@proton.me
Rotary Youth Exchange is now taking applications for students for the 2023-24 school year. If you have a student wishing to apply they can fill out the club level/preliminary application online at https://yehub.net/S71-obapp or if your club still wishes to have a paper application you can contact District 5710 YEO Stephen Wheatley at wheatleydc@sbcglobal.net. Applicants need to be between 15 1/2 and 18 1/2 at the time of departure. Students can also be gap year students after graduation. Relatives of Rotarians are eligible for this program. If you need further information please contact Stephen Wheatley. Full applications are due to the District level on or before December 1st. District interviews are set for Saturday December 10th in Lenexa.
A six-pack of Leavenworth Rotarians attended the recent District Conference in Lenexa. Under Past President Shari Hansen’s leadership, our club earned Star-Club status and our Polio Plus drop. Shari is pictured here with Past District Governor Vern Henricks. Our club secretary/foundation chair, DeEtte Lombard works closely with fellow Rotarian to pack up 200 Care Kits for the District's Intersection to Care service project; teamwork makes the dream work!
Our club won the District’s Service Fair competition with our Trifold set up & extras; we look forward to sharing drinks and fellowship with DG Stephanie Meyer soon! Many thanks to Rotarians Suzie Lawson, Carla Wiegers, and Don Murphy for helping with this project!!!
President Derek thanks and presents a four-way test coin to our recent speaker, Sonya Murphy from the K-State Research and Extension Officer, Leavenworth County. Sonya is the 4-H Youth Development Agent.
Upcoming for Leavenworth:
Club Oktoberfest Picnic/Mini Volksmarch - Wednesday, 5 October (mark your calendars for next year when our club will host our first annual Oktoberfest 5K Volksmarch on Saturday, 14 October 2023 - hope you can join us with friends and family for a little fun, fellowship, a beer (pop/water) and a brat)!
Veteran's Day Pancake Feed/Parade - Friday, 11 November
Second Annual Rotary Day of Service - Saturday, 12 November
September was fairly busy. The Manhattan Rotary Club had great programs:
September 1 – Club Assembly, Discussion of Strategic Planning
September 8 – District Governor Stephanie Meyer
September 15 – Josh Brewer, Manhattan Habitat for Humanity
September 22 – Jessica Vandivort de Montiel, Peace Corps
September 29 – Julie Gibbs, County Health Improvement Plan
The Club welcomed one new returning member Jordan Erickson. Jordan had joined, moved to Belgium and is now back in Manhattan. We also welcomed our first ever student Public Image intern Jayden Cates. She will help the Club better connect with members and non-Rotarians.
Rotarian Ron Janasek received Paul Harris Fellow recognition, as a result of Rotarian of the Year Dale Bradley naming Ron as his PHF recipient.
August Cup Money was presented in the form of a check to Bob DeBruyn, representing the YES! Fund, which plays a vital role in funding programs with significant opportunities for boys and girls of every age, ranging from academics to athletics to the arts.
Seven club members attended the District 5710 Conference in Lenexa. The Club was recognized as earning the 2021-2022 Rotary Citation plus Star Club and End Polio Now Club status.
William “Bill” Richter was awarded Rotary’s Distinguished Service Award by Faron Barr, which only 50 or fewer Rotarians in the entire world receive. Congratulations Bill!
Konza Rotarians, family members, and friends of all ages came together on Saturday, September 24th for our semi-annual clean up effort along the Linear Trail in Manhattan. Some of the items found during this trip included a shopping cart, suitcase, and multiple coolers and empty beverage bottles.
The Manhattan Konza Rotary Club was also honored to receive the following message and attached citation from former RI President, Shekhar Mehta.
"Congratulations! Your club has earned the Rotary Citation, the most significant award a Rotary Club can achieve, for 2021-2022. This past year, your club demonstrated a commitment to achieve its goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future. Attached is your Rotary Citation certificate. I encourage you to display it proudly to celebrate your club's achievement. Once again, congratulations on a successful year."
In September, Overbrook Rotary completed the annual staining project on the "Don't Overlook Overbrook" mural on Highway 56. The new mural was completed four years ago and must be stained each fall to maintain the painting. The club has mastered this project to complete in about 30 minutes. Members participating in the project from back to front in the photo at right are Vic Robbins, Larry Butel, Randy Durbin, and Mike Bronoski.
Overbrook Rotary worked it 14th annual Kids Fishing tournament held at the Bob Klingler Kids Pond named after one of our favorite current members.
We’re sharing a pint and stamping out polio. $50 gets you wonderful Blind Tiger beer, a Pints For Polio collectible glass to put it in AND a $50 tax deductible contribution to the Rotary International Foundation Polio Plus campaign. Please bring your 2020 or 2021 glass if you have one. Also on tap: snacks, an interesting Polio program and the chance to buy a one of a kind, up-close and personal Giraffe Experience at the Topeka Zoo!
First, WELCOME Jan Curry to the Rotary Club of Western Johnson County! Jan is a new Rotarian who joined our club in August. Jan’s grandfather was a Rotarian and always spoke highly of the work Rotarians do in the community, which influenced Jan’s decision to join. We’re excited to have Jan join our club! Photo: Jan (left) is welcomed to Rotary by Kristin (right), our Membership Chair
Our club recently gathered at Transport Brewery in Shawnee to pack snack bags for the Ronald McDonald House of KC! Club members donated sweet and salty snacks that were bagged up and will be handed out to families of children going through long days of appointments or procedures. We were able to donate over 100 bags to RMH!
A couple of weeks later, we once again met up at Transport for a club social. Our service project goal for the social was to collect new bag chairs for our Veterans at Veterans Community Project! Club members bought and donated 35 chairs for VCP!
Lastly, we wrapped up the month with our annual chili social. Club members brought their best chili and, by popular vote, Jaime Theisen’s chili was picked 1st place! Jaime’s recipe will be representing our club’s entry at the upcoming Lenexa Chili Challenge.
As many of our clubs across District 5710 are making final plans for a broad range of fun and unique Polio Plus fundraising events in celebration of World Polio Day, there is great news from Topeka that we can share that Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly, has signed a Proclamation declaring "October 24, 2022 as World Polio Day in Kansas". As a result, the District is still encouraging every club to request their local city/community to also issue a similar proclamation tailored to Rotary's presence in their city. For some of our cities where there are several clubs, please work together for a joint sponsorship. It is hopeful that you might be able to make that happen at an early October board meeting of your community's Council. Here is a photo of the Kansas Proclamation:
Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update
September was a busy month for us! We were in Bloomington, Minnesota (14-18 September) attending the Rotary Zones 25B and 29 Conference. The Conference offered us a full day and a half seminar designed for District Trainers representing various clubs within our Zone. The purpose of a Zone-level District Trainer Seminar is to provide trainers consistent training for their role—and in turn, ensure that Rotary Clubs and district leaders receive consistent training as they change leadership each year. The discussions and activities were extremely valuable as we shared perspectives-learning from each other.
It was nice seeing fellow Rotarians at our recent District 5710 Conference. What a purposeful and fun weekend! There were fantastic speakers and networking and service project opportunities. A highlight for us was facilitating a session that supported implementing a change. After the participants identified a necessary change, they worked with their table group using the change to create short-term wins (things they could do to get folks on board) and then shared their ideas and perspectives.
Last week, I had the honor of presenting two of Rotary’s most prestigious awards to a couple of wonderful individuals who have committed themselves to helping their clubs and District 5710 achieve our goals for several years.
I am pleased to announce the District 5710 clubs who received Presidential Citations for the 2021-22 Rotary year. The following clubs and their Presidents were recognized by Rotary International for their exception years of service to their communities, District and International efforts:
How do you handle change? Fear and loathing, or lean into it?
The Club welcomed one new returning member Jordan Erickson. Jordan had joined, moved to Belgium and is now back in Manhattan. We also welcomed our first ever student Public Image intern Jayden Cates. She will help the Club better connect with members and non-Rotarians.
Seven club members attended the District 5710 Conference in Lenexa. The Club was recognized as earning the 2021-2022 Rotary Citation plus Star Club and End Polio Now Club status.
In September, Overbrook Rotary completed the annual staining project on the "Don't Overlook Overbrook" mural on Highway 56. The new mural was completed four years ago and must be stained each fall to maintain the painting. The club has mastered this project to complete in about 30 minutes. Members participating in the project from back to front in the photo at right are Vic Robbins, Larry Butel, Randy Durbin, and Mike Bronoski. 
5:30-8pm
It’s been a busy few weeks for our club!
Our club recently gathered at Transport Brewery in Shawnee to pack snack bags for the Ronald McDonald House of KC! Club members donated sweet and salty snacks that were bagged up and will be handed out to families of children going through long days of appointments or procedures. We were able to donate over 100 bags to RMH!
Lastly, we wrapped up the month with our annual chili social. Club members brought their best chili and, by popular vote, Jaime Theisen’s chili was picked 1st place! Jaime’s recipe will be representing our club’s entry at the upcoming Lenexa Chili Challenge..png)
