Rotary International offers an incredible bank of resources with the goal of supporting Rotarians in their efforts to be People of Action – in their personal, professional, and volunteer endeavors.
For the month of May, I’d like to raise your awareness of – and encourage you to explore – Rotary’s Learning Center. You’re probably thinking, “Isn’t the Center focused specifically on Rotary topics?” Yes, and so much more!
The Learning Center has a wealth of training materials designed specifically to help Rotarians grow their skills and be more successful. There are helpful courses on Rotary, club and district leadership, membership, public image, service, and the Rotary Foundation. Beyond Rotary, learners may explore the Professional Development section to dive into collaboration, communication skills, delivering speeches, leading a team, resiliency, and so much more.
Rotary has provided us with resources to build foundational and technical skills. Log into Rotary.org and click “Learning Center,” under My Rotary, Knowledge & Resources. Explore this powerful – and free – resource today!
The Foundation and Gathering For Good committees would like to express a very big Thank You to everyone who participated in some way at our fourth annual Gathering For Good! We raised $26,460 for the Rotary Annual Share Fund on April 6th at the Doubletree by Hilton in Lawrence. We, also, had a few people who attended the Major Gifts/Endowment discussion that was facilitated by our Major Gifts Officer at Rotary International, Eric Thompson. We had a lot of fun dressing up to an 80s themed night and raising money for The Rotary Foundation. We had a great DJ spinning 80s music all night and Gathering For Good would not be the same without our auctioneer extraordinaire, Charlie Moon. I appreciate all of you who helped make this a successful event again this year!
As of April 28th, we have, as a district, given 53% of what we contributed last year to TRF Annual fund and 71% to Polio Plus. With one month left in our Rotary year, we are getting closer to matching or exceeding our numbers from last year. Over 80% of our clubs have donated at least something to one of the Rotary Foundation areas and we are all very delighted you did. If you have not made your contribution to TRF yet this year, I would encourage you to do so before June 30th. I know there are a few clubs that have mentioned they have Foundation fundraisers coming up in the next few weeks. We wish you much success in your efforts to raise more funds for TRF. If the Foundation committee can assist in any way, please feel free to reach out to us.
One way to make Foundation giving easy is through Rotary Direct. If you haven’t checked out this feature on www.Rotary.org, I encourage to do so. You can set up a monthly payment going to the Foundation that is conveniently deducted from the account of your choice. If you would like to be a Sustaining Member ($100 per year), that would only be $8.33 per month. If you would like to be a Paul Harris Society member ($1,000 per year), it would only be $83.33 per month. You can also direct your funds to whichever TRF cause or Area of Focus you wish or you may decide to direct them to the Annual Share fund which helps our clubs and district with grants each year.
Thank you for all of your efforts this year! I hope all of your remaining fundraising efforts are fruitful and fun!
The urgent response by immunization teams in Pakistan to the most recent Wild Polio case are being supported by funding from donations to Polio Plus by Rotarians around the world including all you do here in District 5710!
Pakistani authorities have identified specific locations where environmental testing finds traces of the virus in water supplies and sewage systems and are focusing on those areas.
With just 2 months to go this Rotary Year, be sure your club meets its 2023-2024 Polio Goal and that every member recognizes the need to support Polio Plus:
In case you missed it, we are again sharing from last month’s District Newsletter, important facts that show how your donations are providing more than just the Polio Vaccine: for example, since 1998 the polio workers, along with the “2-Drops”, also distributed 82 million doses of Vitamin A saving the lives of1.25 Million Kids; and in 2023, 64 million doses of the Measles vaccine, 7 Million does of Yellow Fever vaccine, & 4 Million Bed Nets.
Promote Awareness of Polio Eradication: Share the “Countdown to History”
As we approach the end of this Rotary Year, it is not too late to proudly wear an END POLIO NOW button along with your Rotary pin and be prepared to tell all who ask what it means, about Rotary’s #1 Priority, the End of Polio. Add a “Polio Eradication Minute” story or status from the Countdown to each meeting. Tell all you can about the great work beyond just the Polio vaccine that the “PLUS” in our goal does so much more. Set a great Polio Plus support example for your club’s members by making your own donation as a Polio Plus Society Member and encouraging others to sign up. TOGETHER, WE END POLIO!
And “We are…This Close” as shown in our “Countdown to History”
This month we participated in the After Action Review with the 2024 Heartland PETS/PELS Committee. This was a very productive meeting. We noted and discussed feedback from those who had attended Heartland PETS 2024 to ensure that next year’s PETS/PELS will be as successful as this year’s!
Our next District-wide Learning opportunity- Team Seminar- will be on Saturday 17 August 2024. Specifics will follow next month.
Reminders
Please let us know if your club is interested in hosting (providing a conference room/site) for an RLI (Rotary Learning Institute). We intend to keep a hybrid design: Friday a Zoom mtg from 5:30-8:30 PM, and the in-person session on Saturday from approximately 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Note the attached Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) scholarships opportunities below. Apply now so you can secure enrollment!
District 5710 has been awarded 25 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:
•When Everyone Leadsis the introductory one-day program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It focuses on leadership as an activity – recognizing that every individual has the capacity to lead. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges. When Everyone Leads is valued at $149.
•Your Leadership Edge is the seminal, two-day deep dive into individual leadership for those who have completed When Everyone Leads. It focuses on helping leaders understand how to move out of their comfort zone and engage in meaningful leadership. It centers on the KLC’s leadership framework based on Five Guiding Principles and Four Profound Competencies. Your Leadership Edge is valued at $399.
•Lead For Changeis reserved for teams who have already completed the other two KLC courses. It is an immersive, three-day training that must be experienced in a team. Lead For Change is valued at $799 per individual.
Who Should Attend?
Each club should consider sending up and coming leaders from their club and community. The virtual sessions are an ideal option.. Leaders who have done the first program should consider the second program.
How To Register To Sign Up for When Everyone Leads or Your Leadership Edge, 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 Rotary2024 to waive the tuition fee.
2.Notify District Learning Facilitators, of your interest in order that we might track Rotarians who are taking advantage of this grant.
•When Everyone Leadsis the introductory one-day program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It focuses on leadership as an activity – recognizing that every individual has the capacity to lead. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges. When Everyone Leads is valued at $149.
Virtual Program Dates March 5 ǁ August 20 ǁ October 2-3 (Evenings) ǁ December 10
In Person Program Dates - Wichita
April 16 ǁ June 18 ǁ July 23 ǁ September 12 ǁ November 12
In Person Program Date – Kansas City
May 23
•Your Leadership Edge is the seminal, two-day deep dive into individual leadership for those who have completed When Everyone Leads. It focuses on helping leaders understand how to move out of their comfort zone and engage in meaningful leadership. It centers on the KLC’s leadership framework based on Five Guiding Principles and Four Profound Competencies. Your Leadership Edge is valued at $399.
Virtual Program Dates February 27-28 ǁ May 21-22 ǁ September 24-25 ǁ November 19-20
In Person Program Dates - Wichita
March 19-20 ǁ April 23-24 ǁ June 25-26 ǁ October 22-23
In Person Program Date – Kansas City
July 17-18
•Lead For Change is reserved for teams who have already completed the other two KLC courses. It is an immersive, three-day training that must be experienced in a team. Lead For Change is valued at $799 per individual. Those interested in Lead For Change must make arrangements through the District Learning Facilitators.
In Person Program Dates - Wichita March 26-28 ǁ August 6-8 ǁ October 15-17
Registration for all programs closes two weeks before the program.
Working toward your *FIRST* Paul Harris Fellow? A Matching opportunity!
Here’s a great matching opportunity! PDG Deb Rodenbaugh-Schaub is offering Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) matching points to District 5710 Rotarians who are working toward their *FIRST* PHF! The details: For a $100 donation to The Rotary Foundation, PDG Deb will match with 100 PHF points. Limited to the first 30 *Non-PHF* $100+ donors, beginning 2/14/24 — and limited to a 100 pts match per eligible donor. This matching challenge will run through 6/30/24. Once the donation is made to The Rotary Foundation, be sure to email PDG Deb with the Subject line: “RIF Donation Made!” — PDG Deb’s email: dar83wu@gmail.com
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is seeking host families for high school foreign exchange students for the 2024 - 2025 school year starting August 1, 2024.
We are currently trying to find host families for two students, a boy from Brazil and a girl from Austria, as part of our regular exchange program. This year we would also like to host a one-way exchange with Ukraine and have several good candidates. District 5710 has agreed to fund one Ukrainian student if we can find a host family. If any host families have an interest in hosting one of the Ukraine students, we can provide more information.
We have two students that we have already committed to for whom we don't yet have host families.
Rafael from Brazil will turn 16 shortly after he arrives. He loves debate so much that he gave up soccer to concentrate on it. He has debated at the Model United Nations in New York. In his spare time, he likes listening to music and playing video games or going to movies with friends. He also collaborates with his older brother in a digital marketing business. His father reports, “Maintaining a tidy room is second nature to him, and he willingly takes up tasks such as washing dishes and occasionally experimenting with cooking.”
Magdalena from Austria will turn 16 in November. She lives with her family in a very small town where the family has a big garden and keeps bunnies, chickens, and four cats. Magdalena loves all animals except spiders, and she is a vegetarian. She is interested in the arts, especially drawing, and attends an art school. She wants to be a lawyer.
It is not necessary to be a Rotarian, to be married, nor to have children at home to be a host family for an exchange student. Host families come in all shapes and sizes. They may include young children, older children, or no children at all. We are looking for stable homes with nurturing host parent(s) to provide a safe and welcoming environment. If you would like more information email D5710 Inbound Coordinator David Beck at david.beckrye@gmail.com or D5710 YEO Stephen Wheatley at rotary5710ye@gmail.com.
Hello. My name is John Donovan, and I am a Past District Governor Who Speaks Gibberish (PDGWSG).
At the last session of our recently concluded President -Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Salina, I was called to account. Rather sharply, in fact. And, I might add, with full justification. I was speaking in acronyms. And failed to explain them. I just rattled them off like hail on a tin roof.
Bad form.
My only excuse is my 65 years long immersion, from gestation to today, in military culture and milspeak, whereby using acronyms, we can speak a paragraph that spelled out would be a full chapter. And see that as a feature, not a bug. Sure, it is gibberish to those who don’t know them, but makes us sound very competent and smart. Like when talking to Congresspersons or the Press, or senior leaders who aren’t about to admit they don’t know something.
Not an excuse, just explaining where I developed this execrable habit.
And a tip of the hat to the President Elect who called me out about it.
I sent District Governor Elect (DGE) Tamara a link to forward to her Presidents Elect (PEs) which leads to an article on the Rotary Global History Fellowship (RGHF) website that lays out most of the common (and many no longer used) acronyms that have bedeviled new Rotarians for a century. It is at the bottom of this article.
It's a resource for all of us, young and old, new Rotarians and Not-so-new Rotarians, for those times, usually when stuck in a room with PDGs who are nattering on about the MOP, as the DRFC is explaining how DDF works regarding TRF all while the IPDG is recruiting students for RYLA or explaining why the DGN is having trouble getting your PEN to understand that the PRIP, acting on behalf of the RIPE is pushing the recruiting for the RCC and RAGs as it should start now, so they’ve got it all wired when they take up the gavel as the President. Capiche?
With income taxes now filed by most of us, there is an amazing opportunity to make fact-based charitable gifts to Rotary and also reduce your tax burden.
For those who do end of the year tax planning, now is the time to evaluate whether to make those charitable gifts by check or from your IRA. Anyone taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) is allowed to make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) directly from their IRA. This can be any amount up to a total of $100,000 a year. While few people will want to contribute at that level, most retirees who make charitable gifts of any kind will benefit more by QCD gifting (which lowers taxable income) than by regular gifting (and the itemized deduction). While it’s counterintuitive that less income equals more income, it is often true with QCDs.
If you would like to visit about QCDs from your IRA please call me, or your own investment advisor, to help you compare apples to apples. If you have a list of charities you like to support and a copy of your 2023 tax return I or your advisor can help you make a really good decision.
I am still looking for opportunities to speak to your club about endowment and major gifts. Call me at 785-267-8782 (daytime work) or raeschliman@corefirstbank.com (same) to connect and get energized about the Rotary International Foundation.
Rotary International professional Lizzy King (1-847-866-3017 or Elizabeth.King@rotary.org) is also eager to visit with anyone about making a major gift or funding the Rotary endowment. She is also a QCD whiz!
District 5710 Global Grant Scholar Mattie Vandel is working on a unique Global Studies master’s program through Humboldt University in Berlin. Her Global Studies program is a two-year program where they study in Berlin for a while, then go abroad to various locations to study.
Mattie arrived at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand for spring semester in late January. She has been busy with her classes and family visits.
In early April, Mattie heard from the Bangkok South Rotary Club. She attended a club luncheon recently. Near the end of April, she volunteered at their largest charity event called Kids Day Out, where the club organizes an accessible beach day for disabled Thai children.
Mattie will soon finish the semester at Chulalongkorn and will be traveling around SE Asia for a bit in May (including Vietnam and Cambodia) before heading to the Rotary conference in Singapore. She will be back in KC after that to start her internship at Global Ties KC. She has loved being in Bangkok but is also very excited to be stateside this summer.
Thanks to our Scholarship committee, to District 5710 leadership for funding and restarting the Global Grant Scholarship, and for those clubs who help find good candidates to apply. It is exciting to have an excellent scholar studying abroad and representing District 5710.
District 5710 is cosponsoring "Strength Through Partnership: Addressing Human Trafficking in Kansas Through Coalition," May 8 from 10-4 pm at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library. A gathering of Kansas community members, coalitions, faith communities, and professionals who are addressing human trafficking with the purpose of creating partnerships, identifying gaps, and sharing resources.
Thanks to all who sent in delegate applications for RYLA - we appreciate your support. Please let your delegates know that they will be hearing from KU RYLA Staff via email very soon!
Ambassadors April meeting was to do yard work and small home maintenance projects. We partnered with the non profit The Whole Person for their “Planting Independence” event which helps those with disabilities in our communities.
CAAHT, District 5710, Topeka Shawnee County anti-Human Trafficking Coalition and Interantional Public Policy Institute STARS are teaming up with the Kaw Valley anti-Human Trafficking Task Force to pilot a new program in Shawnee County. When scanned, the QR code allows the scanner to access information about human trafficking, leave an anonymous tip, or ask for help.
We need Rotarians to help distribute the code in Shawnee County. We have stickers, flyers and business cards. Contact Sharon at sharon.sullivan@washburn.edu if you want to help.
Rotarians Sharon Sullivan (center) and Lori Rowe (right) at the United Nations. Along with Tiffany Mack (left), Sharon and Lori are part of the International Public Policy Institute.
Student scholars were awarded Rotary scholarships recently. Shown left to right are Tamara Sevcik, Scholarship Committee Chair, Kennason Suchy, Basehor-Linwood High School, Jacob Mitchell, Lansing High School, Rotary President Blake Waters, Courtney Manner, Leavenworth High School, & Andrew Horosko and Kelsi Ko, Pleasant Ridge High School. Four $2000 academic scholarships and one VOTEC scholarship were awarded this year. Congratulations to these well-deserving students!
Educators of the Year from USD 453 were recognized by our club recently. Pictured here are President Blake Waters, Liz Anstine, Secondary Educator of the Year from Leavenworth High School, Dawn Torrain, Primary Educator of the Year from Richard Warren Intermediate School and Tamara Sevcik, Educator of the Year Chair. Both teachers received a local Service Above Self Award and a $250 gift card. Congratulations and good luck to these well-deserving teachers as they compete at state level in the fall!
Several Rotarians participated in our bi-annual 20th Street Clean Up; thanks to all who came out to help with special thanks going out to Rotarian Mike Griswold for taking the lead on this service project.
Our community jumped in to help fill the Catholic Charities Food Pantry; thanks to all Rotarians who volunteered their time with special thanks going out to Rotarian Gary Cordes for taking the lead on this bi-annual service project.
PE Tiffany Andrews getting her feet wet as she leads one of our meetings in April; great work, Tiffany!
Happy 108th birthday to our club - YAY!
Welcome to our club Ann Shealy and Dr. Kellen Adams; Ann and Kellen are shown here with their sponsors, President Blake Waters (far left) and Marcia Irvine (far right) as they light their candles of commitment.
The Club hosted Kimora Lewis, a senior at Manhattan High, as our Rotary Student for April. Kim is the recipient of one of five Give Back scholarships awarded to Manhattan High School students and will be attending Wichita State University majoring in social work.
Rotaract Club members, together with Vice President Chris Culbertson, Youth Committee Chair Claudia Petrescu and Past President Steven Graham planted trees on the K-State campus in support of Arbor Day. K-State’s Rotaract Club was recognized as the Kansas State University Outstanding Student Organization of the Year by the Staley School of Leadership.
Volunteers from the Manhattan and Konza Clubs participated in the Homestead Ministries Spring Clean-Up on Saturday, April 20.
Contributions to the GMCF Rotary Fund exceeded $6,000 on GROW GREEN MATCH DAY. The funds support local nonprofit services.
Katharine Hensler, membership chair organized a new member orientation held at the Tap House Brewery. She provided a history of the club along with service opportunities, grant funding and more. The Club has exceeded our membership goal for 2024.
Past President Steven Graham introduced new member, Jerome Miratsky, owner and Funeral Director of the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home. George Ham reintroduced returning member Andy Bowen, senior Tax Manager with Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd, LLC.
The Club honored the memory of fellow Rotarian Tad Thompson who passed away on April 8 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
This month, the Club Service Committee hosted their second annual family bowling event. On Sunday April 14th, Konza Rotarians and their family members joined for bowling, pizza, and friendship at Little Apple Lanes. A great time was had by all!
Emelia Fothergill, Emily Free and an Isaac Fagan (l to r) were the winners of the 2023 – 2024 Rotary Club of Shawnee Community Service Scholarships. Each spoke about themself and plans for college. All presentations were outstanding and demonstrated how bright their futures appear.
Also pictured are the five judges who selected the winners, not an easy task!
Rotary International offers an incredible bank of resources with the goal of supporting Rotarians in their efforts to be People of Action – in their personal, professional, and volunteer endeavors.
Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update
Hello. My name is John Donovan, and I am a Past District Governor Who Speaks Gibberish (PDGWSG).
District 5710 Global Grant Scholar Mattie Vandel is working on a unique Global Studies master’s program through Humboldt University in Berlin. Her Global Studies program is a two-year program where they study in Berlin for a while, then go abroad to various locations to study.
Mattie arrived at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand for spring semester in late January. She has been busy with her classes and family visits. 
Mattie will soon finish the semester at Chulalongkorn and will be traveling around SE Asia for a bit in May (including Vietnam and Cambodia) before heading to the Rotary conference in Singapore. She will be back in KC after that to start her internship at Global Ties KC. She has loved being in Bangkok but is also very excited to be stateside this summer.
Thanks to our Scholarship committee, to District 5710 leadership for funding and restarting the Global Grant Scholarship, and for those clubs who help find good candidates to apply. It is exciting to have an excellent scholar studying abroad and representing District 5710.
District 5710 is cosponsoring "Strength Through Partnership: Addressing Human Trafficking in Kansas Through Coalition," May 8 from 10-4 pm at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library. A gathering of Kansas community members, coalitions, faith communities, and professionals who are addressing human trafficking with the purpose of creating partnerships, identifying gaps, and sharing resources.
Rotarians Sharon Sullivan (center) and Lori Rowe (right) at the United Nations. Along with Tiffany Mack (left), Sharon and Lori are part of the International Public Policy Institute. 
Student scholars were awarded Rotary scholarships recently. Shown left to right are Tamara Sevcik, Scholarship Committee Chair, Kennason Suchy, Basehor-Linwood High School, Jacob Mitchell, Lansing High School, Rotary President Blake Waters, Courtney Manner, Leavenworth High School, & Andrew Horosko and Kelsi Ko, Pleasant Ridge High School. Four $2000 academic scholarships and one VOTEC scholarship were awarded this year. Congratulations to these well-deserving students!
Educators of the Year from USD 453 were recognized by our club recently. Pictured here are President Blake Waters, Liz Anstine, Secondary Educator of the Year from Leavenworth High School, Dawn Torrain, Primary Educator of the Year from Richard Warren Intermediate School and Tamara Sevcik, Educator of the Year Chair. Both teachers received a local Service Above Self Award and a $250 gift card. Congratulations and good luck to these well-deserving teachers as they compete at state level in the fall!
Several Rotarians participated in our bi-annual 20th Street Clean Up; thanks to all who came out to help with special thanks going out to Rotarian Mike Griswold for taking the lead on this service project.
PE Tiffany Andrews getting her feet wet as she leads one of our meetings in April; great work, Tiffany!
Welcome to our club Ann Shealy and Dr. Kellen Adams; Ann and Kellen are shown here with their sponsors, President Blake Waters (far left) and Marcia Irvine (far right) as they light their candles of commitment.
The Club hosted Kimora Lewis, a senior at Manhattan High, as our Rotary Student for April. Kim is the recipient of one of five Give Back scholarships awarded to Manhattan High School students and will be attending Wichita State University majoring in social work. 
Past President Steven Graham introduced new member, Jerome Miratsky, owner and Funeral Director of the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home. George Ham reintroduced returning member Andy Bowen, senior Tax Manager with Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd, LLC.
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