I hope everyone enjoyed a fun and safe Halloween with family and friends!
October was a truly fantastic month across District 5710. Our clubs shined with impactful service projects, fellowship events, and powerful PolioPlus activities.
I am deeply grateful for all you are doing to move Rotary forward. Let’s review October’s highlights, key requests, and what’s ahead for November—Rotary Foundation Month.
Requests for Our Members
- Gathering for Good – April 11, 2026 - Mark your calendars! Our annual fundraiser for The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Lawrence. Start planning your club’s contributions for the silent auction and wine & liquor pull. Details to follow.
- District Action Plan – Public Image Toolkit - Visit our Rotary Action Plan page here. Explore the new Public Image Toolkit to strengthen your club’s visibility and outreach. Together, we’re expanding Rotary’s reach!
Special Announcements
- October 8th - RI President Nominee Larry Lunsford was interviewed on KCUR radio. Listen to his inspiring message about Rotary’s mission and future. Click here!
- Welcome Our Newest Club – Rotary Club of Johnson County Trailblazers! We are thrilled to announce the chartering of our 40th club, the Rotary Club of Johnson County Trailblazers, our district’s first Passport Club. Charter night is November 5th. Officers are Jim Houvener, - club president; Kelly Vaille – secretary; Matt Wright - president-elect/treasurer; Kristen Johnson - membership chair. The New Club Advisor will be past president Bill McCullogh of Lenexa.
Special thanks to IPDG Tamara Sevcik, Patti Mellard, and Kristen Shook for helping make this launch possible!
November is Rotary Foundation Month!
This month, we celebrate the heart of Rotary—The Rotary Foundation, which turns generosity into sustainable service. Let’s engage our members and communities with awareness, appreciation, and giving.
Ideas for Clubs:
- Spotlight Impact: Feature your club’s Foundation projects on social media and newsletters.
- Host Awareness Events: Share videos and stories that show the Foundation’s impact.
- Dedicate a Meeting: Share Foundation history. Celebrate your club’s Foundation achievements.
- Invite a Speaker: Have a scholarship recipient or project partner share their story.
- Hold a Giving Challenge: Friendly competitions can spark generous giving!
Promote Proud Rotarian: Encourage members to post “I’m a Proud Rotary Foundation Donor” graphics downloadable at Celebrate Rotary Foundation
Donate: Support our Foundation! Every contribution helps us create lasting change.
Zone Institute & District Honors
In early October, eleven district leaders attended the Zone Institute in Minnesota, including Cleverson Sousa of the Gardner Rotary Club—our first Future Leader Scholarship recipient. Our leaders gained new ideas and connections with peers from 22 other districts.
Our District received Regional Commendation in all four major categories—Membership, Public Image, Foundation, and PolioPlus—earning All-Star District honors!
Special thanks to our 2024–2025 District Team:
- Michelle Sink – Membership Chair
- Stephanie Meyer – Public Image Chair
- Faron Barr – Foundation Chair
- Jim Arnett – PolioPlus Chair
And a special huge thank you to IPDG Tamara Sevcik for her outstanding leadership.
And a huge congratulations to Faron Barr and team—our district was named Zone District of the Year for Foundation! District 5710 recorded record-setting donations to The Rotary Foundation!
World Polio Day Proclaimed
We continue our mission to End Polio Now!
Governor Kelly officially proclaimed October 24 as World Polio Day in Kansas, thanks to PDG Blanche Parks and Maria Wilson, District Polio Chair.
Many clubs celebrated with Pints for Polio events and family-friendly fundraisers like Topeka South’s Pumpkin Run/Walk, complete with costumes and Trunk-or-Treat fun. Several communities issued local proclamations recognizing Rotary’s work.
As RI President Francesco Arezzo reminds us:
“Let’s continue our decades-long commitment to eradicating polio. Let’s get the job done!”
With the enthusiasm across our district, I’m confident we’ll exceed our $120,000 PolioPlus goal for 2025–26!
South African Friendship Exchange
For 10 unforgettable days, we hosted Rotarians from South Africa who attended our District Conference and visited Leavenworth, Marysville, Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City.
Heartfelt thanks to Lenet Compton for coordinating this exchange, PDG Lynette Stassen for organizing the delegation, and the many Kansas Rotarians who hosted them. Their visit concluded October 3 in Kansas City—strengthening friendships and inspiring future collaboration between our districts.
Club Visits – Very Warm Welcomes
October brought visits to 14 wonderful clubs—Marysville, Junction City, Lenexa, Overbrook, Gardner, Bonner Springs, Shawnee, Paola, Leavenworth, Valley Falls, Council Grove, Lawrence Jayhawk Breakfast, K-State Rotaract, and the End for Organ Trafficking Satellite of CAAHT.
Your hospitality, passion, and creativity were truly inspiring. I look forward to visiting our remaining clubs soon!
Looking Ahead
- December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month.
- December 15 – Last day for early registration discounts for the 2026 Rotary International Convention.
Final Thoughts for November
As we enter November and approach Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of how much we have to be thankful for—especially you, our incredible Rotarians. You all continue to inspire me.
Your energy, creativity, and commitment continue to make lives better across northeast Kansas and beyond. Together, we are truly living our RI President’s call to “Unite for Good.”
I am deeply grateful for all you do to move Rotary forward.
