Greetings fellow Rotarians, hope this note finds each of you well.
Have you made your plans to attend this year’s District Conference? We will gather October 24-26, 2024, in Leavenworth (at the Riverfront Community Center). This annual event promises to be full of ideas and inspiration. Our theme will be “Rotary Rocks the River,” as we gather on the banks of the Missouri River for great fellowship and a little fun! I so hope you have this event on your calendar to meet with your fellow Rotarians to share your thoughts and strategically plan for the rest of your year regarding community support across Northeast Kansas and the rest of the world.
In addition to fantastic keynote speakers, we will have several informative breakout sessions on service, key areas of Rotary leadership, and roundtable discussions that will allow you to brainstorm with your Rotary friends and peers. And, of course, there will be plenty of fun and we will end our time together with a couple of service projects as well. This is always a highlight of the Rotary year, and you will not want to miss it! Registration for the conference will open soon.
If you were able to join us at the recent TEAM Training event in Lawrence, you will know what a terrific and valuable time it was thanks to our great district trainers, DeEtte Lombard and Ellen Bogdan. It was so inspiring to hear from Rotarians across the district regarding the three important topics of membership, public image, and the Rotary Foundation. These important foundational pillars of Rotary International go hand in hand in making our district and clubs successful. In addition to the great motivation that our speakers offered, it was also wonderful to collaborate with other Rotarians regardless of their club location, club size and membership tenure. Many thanks to DeEtte and Ellen for working hard to put our program together to ensure there was something for everyone in attendance. It was a wonderful day to celebrate Rotary and all it stands for.
Beyond these major events, we have continued working on the zone-level challenge which includes a variety of topics/goals spanning polio, public image, membership, and foundation. This is like a club citation and will continue to be part of a reporting process that Rotary International has recommended in the last few years. I like to think that we are up for the task and fortunately have several seasoned Rotarians in district leadership that will help with this (many thanks to each of you). In addition to this zone-level challenge, our Action Plan Champion, Larry Martin, is working closely with the zone-level Action Plan Champion to ensure we are on point with this newly established way of doing Rotary Business; a special thanks to Larry for stepping up for this task.
Lastly, I am excited to say that our Pocket Change for Polio Campaign is rolling right along. I will provide more detailed information regarding the Pocket Change for Polio Campaign when I visit clubs in the weeks ahead (I am happy to share that I have all but five club visits scheduled)! It is so important to continue Rotary’s efforts to fully eradicate this horrible disease; “we are this close.” One last polio effort that Rotary International offers is the Polio Plus Society which was started a few years ago. If you have not signed up to join the Polio Plus Society, I would encourage you to consider it today; need information? Click here.
Mandy puts a lot of effort into our district newsletter; it is certainly worth the read…many thanks for taking time to read the newsletter (and to Mandy for working hard to get it all together every month).
Hope you all have a great month ahead and take good care. Looking forward to seeing you all at our district conference in October for some meaningful Rotary family fellowship!
WORKING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF POLIO & ACHIEVE A POLIO FREE WORLD
Hello Polio Eradication Warriors,
Sad News: Six new Wild Polio cases reported this week with the total for this year reaching 33 cases. We are now 3 weeks since the Onset of Paralysis of the most recent reported Wild Polio Case in Afghanistan. And in Gaza there is disturbing news of what is considered to be a circulating Vaccine Derived Polio case. Here is the latest info about the situation in Gaza.
Gaza (occupied Palestinian territory) - Earlier this month, a 10-month-old unvaccinated child in Gaza contracted Polio and became paralyzed in one leg. The spread of polio, a highly infectious disease, poses life-threatening risks for children — especially as the majority of Gaza’s hospitals and health clinics have been destroyed or are only partially functioning.
On August 29th the Israeli military and Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed to three separate, zoned three-day pauses in fighting in the Gaza Strip to allow for the vaccination of some 640,000 children under the age of 10 against polio.
The vaccination campaign is due to start on Sunday Sept 1st. The agreement was for the pauses to take place between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. (0300-1200 GMT)
Delivery of vaccines in conflict areas is always difficult. To protect children and prevent further spread of the virus, UNICEF is attempting to deliver more than 1.2 million doses of polio vaccines to Gaza, and thousands more are on the way. The campaign would start in central Gaza with a three-day pause in fighting, then move to southern Gaza, where there would be another three-day pause, followed by northern Gaza. There is an agreement to extend the humanitarian pause in each zone to a fourth day if needed.
The issue in Gaza is another reason why Rotarians around the world are stepping up their support for Polio Plus. Here are 4 ways you and your club can be part of the race to end Polio forever.
Set a Goal for your Club’s Polio Plus donation
Plan a Polio Plus fundraising event in the weeks leading up to World Polio Day, October 24th, which occurs during this Year’s District Conference.
Encourage your members to join the District’s Polio Plus Society by agreeing to donate $100/year until Polio is conquered (just $10 / month using Rotary Direct; with September the perfect month to enroll).
Be sure to share our "Countdown To History" with your members and friends. Promote Polio Eradication Awareness at every meeting year-round until We End Polio!
Feel free to email, call or text me if you have any questions or want fundraising ideas.
And “We are…This Close” as shown in our “Countdown to History”
Whether you donate to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) monthly, quarterly or annually, we highly recommend using Rotary Direct. It is simple to initiate, and you don’t have to think about it again, unless you need to update your card information.
You may use Rotary Direct for Annual Fund-SHARE, PolioPlus, World Fund or Disaster Relief, in addition to the seven areas of focus. Something to note – contributing to the areas of focus does not generate District Designated Funds (DDF).
Please consider setting up Rotary Direct at $84/month and you will achieve a Paul Harris Fellow award annually. Here is the Rotary Direct link for your convenience: https://my.rotary.org/en/rotary-direct. Please contact the Paul Harris Society District Coordinator Jennifer Berquist atjkberquist@gmail.com if you need assistance. Thank you for your support of TRF!
District 5710’s 2024 Team Seminar on 17 August Maceli’s in Lawrence, KS was a great success. How do we know? Attendees told us so on their survey responses!! Our DG, Tamara Sevcik opened up the morning and then passed the baton to our session leaders: DGE Chuck Udell, and then PDGs Jenalea Randall and Faron Barr. These three District leaders facilitated sessions on Membership, Public Image, and The Rotary Foundation respectively. Attendees shared perspectives and left with new ideas that will strengthen our Clubs, so that we can help make our clubs irresistible by creating “The Magic of Rotary” through our new membership initiatives, public image, projects, and through every dollar donated.
This popular District learning opportunity is an annual event. (We have already scheduled next year’s Team Seminar: 16 August 2025!)
RLI
As we are now serving on the Rocky Mountain Division Rotary Leadership Institute Committee (RLI), we have learned that multiple districts are collaborating to energize interest in RLI virtual opportunities. We will share the dates when we receive the schedule.
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.
Exciting Start to the "2024-2025 Rotary Youth Exchange Program
On August 10th, we proudly launched the “2024-2025 Rotary Youth Exchange Program” with an inspiring Orientation in Gardner, KS. This year's event brought together students from nine different countries, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures and experiences.
We are particularly thrilled to welcome our inaugural exchange students from Norway and Ukraine, marking a significant milestone for our program. During the Orientation, students had the opportunity to engage with RYE Alumni (ROTEX) and connect with our dedicated coordinators: Stephen Wheatley, David Beck, Anne Faucett, and Cleverson Souza.
District Governor Tamara Sevcik was present to extend a warm welcome to the students, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural exchange and the exciting adventures that await them.
As these young ambassadors embark on their journeys, we eagerly anticipate the stories they will share and the positive impact they will have in our communities. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to support these remarkable students throughout their exchange experience!
For more information about the Youth Program, please contact us at rotary5710ye@gmail.com.
Nine students from several countries are now with their host families in Eudora, Gardner, Overland Park, Atchison, and other placements around District 5710. Whether you are familiar or not with Rotary International's policies regarding youth protection, please take a few minutes to review expectations designed to keep these young people safe. If you have any questions, please contact District 5710 Youth Protection Officer Harold Frye at hfrye@bakeru.edu. The RI policies can be found athttps://my.rotary.org/en/knowledge-and-resources/resources-and-reference/youth-protection
We are starting the District 5710 Global Grant Scholarship Process for 2025!
District 5710 funds a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship every two years. We are starting the process this fall to identify and interview scholarship candidates, one of whom will be selected to study abroad, starting after July 1, 2025.
To learn more about our District 5710 scholarship selection process, please go to our District home page Home Page | Rotary District 5710 (rotary5710.org), then click on the Foundation tab, and under that, click on the Global Grant Scholarships tab. You will see lots of information about what Global Grant Scholarships are, how to apply, the process for our clubs and district, the process for students, etc.
Let’s get going to identify and select some excellent candidates to interview for our 2025-2027 Global Grant Scholarship. If you do identify a potential candidate, please make sure none of their parents or grandparents have been Rotarians in the past three years. Also, tell them not to fill out the scholarship application online but to fill it out on their own computer in Word.
Our current 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, then go abroad to various locations to study.
So far, Mattie has studied in Berlin, then last fall semester in Pretoria, South Africa. This past winter semester, Mattie did a semester at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. After that, she traveled around SE Asia for a bit in May (including Vietnam and Cambodia) before heading to the Rotary International Convention in Singapore.
Mattie has been in KC this summer, doing an internship at Global Ties KC plus attending or speaking to some local Rotary Clubs. She heads back to Berlin to finish her degree in October.
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.
In May, the District provided a letter of recommendation for a Rotary Peace Fellow applicant and mentored another on their application and the video interview. Since the deadline, Rotary staff have been screening applications. From July – Sept, applicants are scored by Rotary evaluators and university partners. The following summarizes the process and time line, and is excerpted from the February 2024 Rotarian.
JAN – DEC - Ongoing recruitment of applicants.
FEB - May 15 - Candidates work with their local Rotary clubs on preparing their applications with a May 15 deadline submission. The District Rotary Peace Fellowship committee submits a letter of recommendation as part of the application process.
MAY - JUNE - Rotary staff members evaluate applications for eligibility and completeness.
JULY - SEPT - Rotary evaluators and university partners complete scoring of applicants. University staff interview top candidates.
SEPT - OCT - Rotary Peace Centers Committee members and university partners select the finalists who are then approved by the Rotary Foundation Trustees. About 130 Rotary Peace Fellows are selected - 50 Master’s degrees and 80 certificate students.
NOV - Candidates are notified of their selection.
A goal of the District 5710 Foundation committee is to submit a candidate for a Rotary Peace Fellow. Please consider individuals in your communities who would be ambassadors for peace and great Rotary Peace Fellows. You can give them my email address (ragoumat@gmail.com) to discuss eligibility and the process.
On August 26th some members of the District 5710 AHT Committee, CAAHT Club, the Optimist Club, and Senator Dietrich met in the office of Shawnee County District Attorney, Mike Kagay, for the second time to discuss strategies for enacting legislation to strengthen penalties for buying sex in the state of Kansas. A draft bill was reviewed and subsequently revised that would make buying sex a felony and increase fines to several thousand dollars for such offenses. Half of the fines collected would go to the Human Trafficking Victim Fund already created.
This work will build on the unsuccessful effort that was undertaken in 2021. That bill made it through the House but not the Senate. This year’s effort will again be a multi-month process involving the best path to get the bill introduced, assigned to the appropriate committee, heard in and reported out of committee so that both the house and senate can vote (affirmatively) on it. The Rotary Ending Demand Task Force and DA Kagay will be developing a timeline so we can “hit the ground running” starting in November when the new legislative session will start. Rotarians and hopefully a survivor will be included in the group of persons providing testimony to the legislative committee early in 2025.
Our goal is to prepare an informational packet before mid-November that can be used for the Shawnee County Delegation presentation and a citizen campaign to enhance support. We are also planning an “Education Reception” on Human Trafficking for newly elected and existing legislators in mid to late January.
Hopefully we can enact legislation similar to Texas where buying sex is a felony - and initial data indicates that it is successful in discouraging buyers.
Our group’s next meeting with DA Kathy on October 7th. Please contact me at nettles.steven@gmail.comif you have any comments or questions.
It was great to see those of you who attended TEAM training last month. Thank you to Maria Wilson and Roger Aeschliman for their presentations on Polio Plus and Endowment/Major Gifts respectively during our portion of the training. I urged the participants to “Tell Their Story” so others can see what we are doing with our foundation funds to better our world. Thank you to all of you who decided to spend your Saturday morning with us.
September is District Grant committee month and I am, once again, looking forward to seeing all of the grants you submitted. It is refreshing to see all the ideas you have for using District Grant funds in your communities or for other projects worldwide. The collaboration among some of our clubs is also great to see which increases the reach we can have with our foundation funded projects.
Next month, Dr. David Garcia from Patanatic, Guatemala will be presenting to three clubs in D5710 and one club in D5680. He will be speaking about the progress that is continually happening with the clinic that has been established there and highly supported by many clubs in our District. If you would be interested in attending one of these meetings, please reach out to me at fbarr@t-mfinancial.com.
I encourage all of your clubs to please submit your Foundation goals for 2024-2025. I also encourage you to set your personal Foundation goal for this year. Thank you to all of you who make Our Rotary Foundation shine in D5710! It is you and your clubs that truly make our efforts work.
Our August meetings were a powerhouse of vital information, thanks to Rotarian and Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin. We explored essential topics like smoke, carbon monoxide, and natural gas detectors, hands-only CPR, community paramedicine, and home safety inspections. The KCKFD’s efforts in leading community safety and health promotion are truly inspiring.
In addition to providing a great month of informative programs, Chief Rubin also championed the Club’s membership efforts. We’re thrilled to announce that Andrew Novak is joining the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary Club! Andy, who is the Deputy Fire Chief at the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department, discovered our club through the Chief’s invitation to the robust series of safety and community paramedicine presentations hosted by KCKFD.
Since 1998, Andy has been a driving force in the KCKFD, rising through the ranks from firefighter to driver to captain. A proud lifelong resident of KCK and a third-generation firefighter, he brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our community.
Welcome aboard, Andy! We’re excited to have your expertise and passion on our team!
Our District Governor was on hand during her club visit to help welcome new member, Marge Barker; pictured here left to right Co-Membership Chair/Classification Specialist, Ron Booth, Marge, DG Tamara and Club President, Tiffany Andrews; welcome, Marge; we look forward to serving with you!
The District Governor's Silent Rotarian of the Year, 2024, was presented to Timothy Moran; congratulations to Timothy; his work behind the scenes for local grants, district grants, scholarships and zoom master duties is greatly appreciated.
Rick Hansen presented a posthumous Paul Harris Fellow to Florence Larkin's daughters, Michelle and Janiece recently.
Keeping our Rotary Park clean; thanks to all who came out to support!
Upcoming for our Club:
Rotary Park Clean Up - 7 September
Volksmarch - 14 September (Please join us for a fun afternoon!)
Non-Perishable Food Drive (with community support) - 12 October
In August, President Randy initiated an attendance incentive program. Members receive a raffle ticket from greeters or at the sign in table. At the end of the program, Randy draws a winner for a free lunch voucher. He mixes it up and will offer a Rotary polo as part of the raffle. Members who attend 25 or more meetings will have a chance to win Rotary swag, to be presented at our Awards Ceremony in June 2025.
Annual service projects include volunteering for race events in Manhattan. On August 10, Manhattan Rotary Club members directed traffic and other duties at the Just Tri It triathlon, an event for youth ages 5 – 14. Athletes swim, bike and run in this 3-event race promoting fitness and self-confidence. Similarly, on August 20, club members volunteered at the Speedy PD 5K/10K and Memorial Run/Walk benefitting Meadowlark Parkinson's Program. The race is set at Tuttle Creek State Park.
The Club celebrated Rotary anniversaries for Bob DeBruyn (53 years), Dick Seaton (53 years), and Dick Thiessen (65 years). Past president Mitzi Richards was recognized for her work along with members in achieving Star Club status, meaning the Club met its 2023-2024 goals.
The Community Cares Chest saw more than 60 agencies continuing to find Amazon products and other sundries for those they serve. In late August, the Club received another shipment of laundry detergent, juice, chap stick, and books. August 28 was one of the busiest distribution days as we found ourselves serving about 36 nonprofits.
The Club ended the Rotary month hearing from Senator Jerry Moran presenting a Nonpolitical Washington Update. Senator Moran spoke about what matters to him including technology, agriculture, small businesses, healthcare, economic development and supporting our veterans.
The Manhattan Konza Rotary was very active in August. As a college town with K-State University, we feel the cycle of back to school as our community gets even busier this month. Congestion has been a real issue with so many road projects and orange cones. We take it as progress and do our best welcoming students back in town.
The first Saturday of August, August 3rd, was Water Matter’s Day at Sunset Zoo, our club’s signature event. This is always a highlight for our club. We gave $5,000 each to Friends of the Kaw, Shepherd’s Crossing and Sunset Zoo, for a total of $15,000.
Our club was instrumental in the Just Tri It Triathlon held August 10. With a record number of young athletes at 270, our Rotarians were the first to greet them over the finish line, handing them their medal. The smiles and high fives were huge!
Our club leadership attended District 5710 TEAM Training in Lawrence wearing blue but thinking purple! Michelle Sink did a great job presenting the value and importance of membership. Kirk Crabtree provided ideas on how our club makes our meetings meaningful and engaging. Heather Fink and Ben Kohl participated in group discussions and gathered ideas on how to enhance the experience of club members. We were awarded the Rotary Citation, the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve, for 2023-24.
On August 24, our crew was out at Tuttle Creek State Park for the Speedy PD Race for Parkinson’s Disease! Our own club president, Ben Kohl, ran the distance! They had a record number of runners at nearly 950. All running for a great cause!
We had outstanding speakers this month including Bailey Bachamp, Director of K-State Men’s Basketball Ops telling stories of past events, Dawn Buehler, Kansas Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Friend of the Kaw (FOK) sharing about the Kansas Water Authority and Policy, Jason Brummett, K-State Athletics Assistant AD talking about behind the scenes on a K-State Game Day, and Mike Matson from KMAN & The Manhattan Mercury discussing upcoming new changes with the KMAN Radio Show, Within Reason.
Marysville Rotary Club took time over the summer to paint, repair, and deep clean the Bommer School House in Marysville City Park.
The school house preserves history of a typical one room school house located in Marshall County and is typical for many one room school houses seen throughout the country in its time period.
The one room school house will be used for an activity during the Gravel Dash in Marysville KS the weekend of Sept 9—10, 2024.
Please share with fellow Rotarians and families from other clubs!
We would like fill the house as we continue to find things to do that better our communities/ our state/ our country/ and our world! And network great people…..
On August 7, the Overland Park South Rotary Club was pleased to be joined by U.S House Representative Sharice Davids, serving Kansas' Third Congressional District. On August 21, we welcomed District 5710 Governor Tamara Jo Sevcik for an update on our goals as Rotarians across eastern KS & the globe. We were delighted to have her join our inbound foreign exchange student Oceane from France along with our club president Ryan Wilkerson and our exchange student chair Mary Kolpin for a picture as well as a picture with the entire club (her idea!).
The Rotary Club of Shawnee has concluded our Uplift clothing drive and we collected two very full truckloads of men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. Uplift is very grateful for the support as they work to provide some support and dignity to the homeless of Kansas City.
Brief History
Uplift Mobile Outreach operates two nights and one day a week, with four Sprinter vans, taking food, clothing and supplies to the homeless out on the streets of Kansas City. They serve 300-400 people a night.
Our club has committed to assistance once per month to Uplift Organization – four people working 6-hour shifts in the evening delivering to the homeless folks. We meet them at parks, under bridges, at their camps or close to wherever they are. Uplift serves 300-400 people each night and never misses a night!
In addition, the Pet Resource Center, follows a route in a van filled with pet food, medication and other needs for the homeless best friends.
Topeka South Rotary will be holding their annual Pumpkin Run October 27, 2024 at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka, KS. This year’s event will be revamped from years past. This year's run will be an evening run through a Halloween decorated path. There will be different participation options including a 5K Run, 5KWalk, Fun Run or Family Stroll. At the end of the event, participants will be able to partake in a big trunk-or-treat put on by the Topeka High Interact Club and members of Topeka South Rotary. This will be an event you won't want to miss. More info and registration can be found at www.topekapumpkinrun.com.
Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update
TEAM SEMINAR FEEDBACK
We are starting the District 5710 Global Grant Scholarship Process for 2025!
Our August meetings were a powerhouse of vital information, thanks to Rotarian and Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin. We explored essential topics like smoke, carbon monoxide, and natural gas detectors, hands-only CPR, community paramedicine, and home safety inspections. The KCKFD’s efforts in leading community safety and health promotion are truly inspiring.
Since 1998, Andy has been a driving force in the KCKFD, rising through the ranks from firefighter to driver to captain. A proud lifelong resident of KCK and a third-generation firefighter, he brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our community.
In August, President Randy initiated an attendance incentive program. Members receive a raffle ticket from greeters or at the sign in table. At the end of the program, Randy draws a winner for a free lunch voucher. He mixes it up and will offer a Rotary polo as part of the raffle. Members who attend 25 or more meetings will have a chance to win Rotary swag, to be presented at our Awards Ceremony in June 2025.
Annual service projects include volunteering for race events in Manhattan. On August 10, Manhattan Rotary Club members directed traffic and other duties at the Just Tri It triathlon, an event for youth ages 5 – 14. Athletes swim, bike and run in this 3-event race promoting fitness and self-confidence. Similarly, on August 20, club members volunteered at the Speedy PD 5K/10K and Memorial Run/Walk benefitting Meadowlark Parkinson's Program. The race is set at Tuttle Creek State Park.
The Club celebrated Rotary anniversaries for Bob DeBruyn (53 years), Dick Seaton (53 years), and Dick Thiessen (65 years). Past president Mitzi Richards was recognized for her work along with members in achieving Star Club status, meaning the Club met its 2023-2024 goals.
The Club ended the Rotary month hearing from Senator Jerry Moran presenting a Nonpolitical Washington Update. Senator Moran spoke about what matters to him including technology, agriculture, small businesses, healthcare, economic development and supporting our veterans.
Our club was instrumental in the Just Tri It Triathlon held August 10. With a record number of young athletes at 270, our Rotarians were the first to greet them over the finish line, handing them their medal. The smiles and high fives were huge! 
Our club leadership attended District 5710 TEAM Training in Lawrence wearing blue but thinking purple! Michelle Sink did a great job presenting the value and importance of membership. Kirk Crabtree provided ideas on how our club makes our meetings meaningful and engaging. Heather Fink and Ben Kohl participated in group discussions and gathered ideas on how to enhance the experience of club members. We were awarded the Rotary Citation, the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve, for 2023-24.
On August 24, our crew was out at Tuttle Creek State Park for the Speedy PD Race for Parkinson’s Disease! Our own club president, Ben Kohl, ran the distance! They had a record number of runners at nearly 950. All running for a great cause!
We had outstanding speakers this month including Bailey Bachamp, Director of K-State Men’s Basketball Ops telling stories of past events, Dawn Buehler, Kansas Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Friend of the Kaw (FOK) sharing about the Kansas Water Authority and Policy, Jason Brummett, K-State Athletics Assistant AD talking about behind the scenes on a K-State Game Day, and Mike Matson from KMAN & The Manhattan Mercury discussing upcoming new changes with the KMAN Radio Show, Within Reason.
The Rotary Club of Shawnee has concluded our Uplift clothing drive and we collected two very full truckloads of men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. Uplift is very grateful for the support as they work to provide some support and dignity to the homeless of Kansas City. 
Topeka South Rotary will be holding their annual Pumpkin Run October 27, 2024 at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka, KS. This year’s event will be revamped from years past. This year's run will be an evening run through a Halloween decorated path. There will be different participation options including a 5K Run, 5K Walk, Fun Run or Family Stroll. At the end of the event, participants will be able to partake in a big trunk-or-treat put on by the Topeka High Interact Club and members of Topeka South Rotary. This will be an event you won't want to miss. More info and registration can be found at 
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