We have just completed the 2021 portion of our Rotary year and I am pleased by the efforts being made by our clubs to make a difference in our communities and beyond. Rotarians have stepped up all across the district and for that I am grateful and proud to be your Governor.
Public health is on everyone’s mind due to the global pandemic that remains a threat. While moving through this pandemic, we must understand and respect the role we can play to keep ourselves and those around us safe. Our lives have changed and so has our approach to meetings. We know our future will not look like our past so it is important to embrace this change, take this opportunity to even be more impactful and continue to be supportive and understanding of our members and their personal choices.
R.I. President Shekhar Mehta urged members to become more involved in service projects this year, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own. He said service became a way of life for him and he adopted the guiding philosophy that “Service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth, and I want to be a good tenant of this earth.” When he conceived this thought, I’m sure he had no idea now impactful it would be in a pandemic era.
I encourage our District to continue with projects that have measurable and sustainable impacts. At the end this year, we should feel we have made a difference because of the service we have completed. When we Serve to Change Lives, our actions today become meaningful to others tomorrow.
As we pass the halfway point of this Rotary Year, a big thank you goes out to the clubs and members that are doing such a great job in working to meet the District’s 2021-2022 Goal of at least $100,000 from our 44 clubs ~ So here’s the great news: ALMOST $60,000 SO FAR!
Many of our clubs have not only set their Polio Plus donation Goal but also hit or beat it! With 6 months to go this Rotary year, it’s not too late to support RI’s highest priority helping to finally achieve Polio Eradication. If every club that is still waiting to set its goal and hold its Polio Plus FUNdraiser will set a Goal to donate at least $20.26 per member we will have another successful Polio Plus Year!!
Pass on to your members and your community the great news that our Countdown to History below is listing ONLY 5 CASES of the Wild Polio Virus in 2021 compared to 140 in 2020! By January 27th with no more cases Pakistan will be only 2 years from eradication, while the three-year countdown for Afghanistan began on November 1st. And let’s also be proud of the work being done by the “Plus” part in helping to fight Covid19 around the world!
Remember - Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!
And “We are…This Close!
Advocate, Donate & Educate toEND POLIO NOW & FOREVER!
20,000,000 Children Saved from the Paralysis of Polio Since 1988
A Win Against Polio is a Win for Global Health!
Rotary’s World-wide 2021-22 Rotary Year Polio Fundraising Goal is
$150 Million – Including the Gates Foundation $2 to $1 Match
District 5710’s Goal is $100,000 – From our 44 Clubs
HAS YOUR CLUB SET A DONATION GOAL?
CAN YOUR CLUB GIVE AT LEAST $20.26/MEMBER??
IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR YOUR POLIO PLUS FUNDRAISER!
NEED A FUNDRAISING IDEA?
Call or email me for ideas or help: Jim Arnett, Polio Plus District Chair
We are excited to be back in person at the Wichita Marriott for the 2022 Heartland PETS on March 31-April 2, 2022. Mark you calendars now! Registration information coming soon!
For more information, please visit www.heartlandpets.org. We can't wait to see you there!
Founded as a business networking organization, Rotary emphasizes the importance of bringing together business and professional leaders for the purposes of exchanging ideas, developing relationships, and improving communities. Rotary members are committed to professional development and advancing their skills. Rotarians can pursue this commitment through activities that increase their knowledge, and by guiding and training others to find gainful, fulfilling employment.
The concept of vocational service is rooted in the second object of Rotary, which calls on Rotarians to encourage and foster:
• High ethical standards in business and professions
• The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations
• The dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society
As a Rotarian, how can you put these ideals into action? Consider these suggestions:
• Talk about your profession in your club, and take time to learn about fellow members’ occupations.
• Use your skills and expertise to serve a community.
• Practice your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your words and actions.
• Help young people achieve their career goals.
• Guide and encourage others in their professional development.
By undertaking these activities, you bring vocational service to life. Vocational service is the essence of Rotary and serves as the foundation from which we serve our communities around the world.
Happy New Year! 2022 will be filled with District Training opportunities that will offer Rotary and Leadership topics for continuing personal and professional development. We mentioned last month that we are collaborating with District 5680 on the design and development of PETS. The schedule, topics, and speakers will be well received. For your calendar planning, there will be no scheduled pre-PETS. Again, we remind Club Presidents to encourage your President-elects and also your Vice Presidents to attend the 2022 PETS in Wichita at the Marriott Hotel on March 31-April 2. A full schedule and registration details will follow when complete. After reviewing the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) survey responses, it is clear that the majority of respondents prefer a hybrid RLI training mode and preferred emphasis on these topics: Engaging Members, Strategic Planning, and Club Administration. Those of you willing to volunteer as RLI facilitators, please let us know. A shoutout to PDG Deb Rodenbaugh-Schaub for her efforts in recruiting RLI facilitators and to ADG Chuck Udell who has offered to assist with facilitator training! In early January, we will be sending the new RLI curriculum to all volunteer facilitators. We are still planning to implement the first 2022 RLI class at the end of February.
Let’s look forward to a new year filled with good health, happy things, and excellent Rotary education opportunities that will improve our Rotary knowledge and leadership skills and strengthen our clubs!
We're excited to announce that the Students Stopping Traffic Contest idea submission deadline has been extended to April 13, 2022. Teams will be notified the last week in April if their ideas advance and winners will be announced in May. This extension is to allow students more time to fully flush out their ideas and involve more of their friends.
The updated flier/poster is at this link. You may copy it for physical posting, forward it to anyone you feel may have an interest, and share it on your social media platforms. The poster QR code, or this website link, has all the contest information. https://studentsstoppingtraffic.com/
The district YE committee along with several other volunteers interviewed and accepted 6 applicants for the outbound Exchange year for the 2022-23 school year. Because of our low numbers we would consider late applicants. Please let us know ASAP if your club has a potential student.
We will be now looking for host families for the 2022-23 school year. We are anticipating students from Belgium, Ecuador, South Korea, Chile and potentially others. Let Stephen Wheatley at wheatleydc@sbcglobal.net if you would like to get involved.
The combined thirteen Rotary Clubs of Johnson County pooled their resources and, with the support of District 5710, sponsored landscaping and planting Lindenwood and Maple trees on the grounds of the new County Square. The location in downtown Olathe, was formerly the site of the County Courthouse which was recently replaced across the street. The ribbon cutting ceremony included speakers Ed Eilert, Chairman of the County Commission and charter member of the Overland Park South Rotary Club, DG Vern Henricks, Pat O’Donnell who served as project chair, Clayton Smith of the Overland Park Rotary Club, and Rick Randolph of the Ambassadors Club who described Rotary International’s goals for the environment.
Christmas 2021 found the De Soto Rotary getting back to a somewhat normal period of scheduled activity. We had 13 De Soto Rotarians work a late afternoon shift at the Johnson County Christmas Bureau on December 3rd. We split our efforts into groups of shopping assistants and car loaders. Shoppers are “qualified” by need and provided an item list to grocery and toy shop with an assistant. Their cart is checked and delivered outside to be loaded into their vehicle.
On December 4th, after a year layoff because to the Covid-19 pandemic, the De Soto Rotary resumed hosting a Soup Dinner after the Mayors Christmas Tree Lighting. Our club members created three potato soup offerings, a chicken & noodle soup, a chicken chili, and two great beef chilis. We served around 100 people as many folks came out to listen to the De Soto High School band and get their photo taken with Santa as he arrived via a fire truck. December 4th was also the 94th birthday for John Hackworth, our long time and most “senior” member of the De Soto Rotary. His daughter Susan brought John and his wife Doreen to be with us once again has he had done for so many years. A good time was had by all.
Bell Ringing and Dictionary Deliveries kept us busy this month; here are some faces of our “people of action!”
In addition to bell ringing and dictionary deliveries, President Shari and past President Tamara delivered a monetary donation to our local First Judicial District CASA Association; thanks to our membership’s generous donations we were able to donate $803 (this amount was matched by an anonymous donor so our club was credited with a $1606 donation)…WOW! Many thanks to all who contributed!!!
The Manhattan Rotary Club ended the year by delivering more than 7,000 new Disney Books to schools, libraries, and other social services organizations in our area, including the Ft. Riley USO and Operation Santa Claus. The books were valued at over $125,000 and were from Feed The Children, a 501c3 in Oklahoma City. The Abilene Rotary Club and Eisenhower Foundation spearheaded the project in Abilene in March 2020 as part of READ ACROSS AMERICA.. 22 Rotarians plus five others participated in this activity which took several weeks to complete.
We enjoyed great presentations during the month of December
Liz Nelson, Riley County Seniors Service Center
Manhattan High School Pops Choir
The Club's Presidential Citation Goals
A book was donated each week to a different elementary school in Manhattan in each speaker's honor.
The club donated weekly cup money to Operation Santa Claus.
We enjoyed a club social event, Rotary on Tap, at the KSU Student Union
One new member was welcomed to the club.
One former member was reinstated.
One member was recognized as a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation.
Two Rotarians and several interactors spent several hours maintaining trees in Northeast Community Park in Manhattan.
Santa’s Helpers from the Konza Rotary once again came together to sponsor a local family through the Adopt-A-Family program. We encouraged our membership to #ThinkMHK and “Shop Local” as much as possible. We were able to fulfill 100% of the family’s requests. Our focus is on the children, but we always include the parent. We hold a wrapping party and deliver. It’s extraordinary how we continue Serving to Change Lives.
On Saturday December 4th, the Konza Club maned the Salvation Army Kettle Bell. By ringing Bells at the local Hy-Vee and with the help of Santa who made a special appearance we were able to raise $402. It was a fun day where most every Konza Rotarian brought a family member to join in the event. We are so very proud to Serve to Change Lives.
On Tuesday night December 7th the Konza Club held a FUN Raiser to benefit three very worthy local organizations. Held at the Midwest Dream Car Collection here in Manhattan we entertained over 70 Rotarians and guests to food, drink, and fellowship. We raised $2,600 via silent auction items that were 100% donated by generous corporate partners and Konza Rotarians. We had a great time and we are so fortunate to help those that can use a hand up.
These are the Three Organizations we supported via our Fun Raising Efforts:
Marysville had a successful football fundraising campaign for the Service Above Self Scholarships. Dan Caffrey was pleased to announce that all spots were sold.
The club also donated approximately $5000 to the local Giving Tree to help families in need this Christmas Season.
Overland Park South Rotary Club is the chartering organization for two Cub Scout packs – Pack 3425 and Pack 3111. Together, more than 100 youth are registered and active. This fall, they collected almost 500 pounds of food for food pantries, raised flags at their schools on Veterans Day, and enjoyed a cool weather campout. Providing leadership from OP South Rotary as Chartered Organization Representatives are Rob Jones and Harold Frye.
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Overland Park South Rotary Club again this year sponsored a shopping trip for 75 youth from KidsTLC. With the help of these and other club members, kids shopped for important people in their families. With a $50 spending limit provided by the club’s District 5710 grant, all came away happy that they could again complete this important task for the holidays.
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Overland Park South Rotary Club was excited to renew its winter social gathering. Club members Tempe Harty and Evah Riungu (bottom left) organized the event held at Sykes/Lady Golf Clubhouse.
Social attendees included board member Terrie VanZandt-Travis, club president Pete Belk, and past president Theresa Jones (bottom right).
President Phil with Mayor Lucy Thomas presenting a check for $4,500 to Police Chief Brandon Bines for the City of Valley Falls to use for new software for the police department.
President Phil and Rhonda Troxel working our fundraiser at the Valley Falls Dragons’ High School Football Game.
Our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser was a big success!
Rotarian Lucy Thomas with her husband Harv Thomas working the gate at the home game of the Valley Falls football game.
THANK YOU to our Western Johnson County Rotary Club members who volunteered on Tuesday, December 7th at the Johnson County Christmas Bureau! This is an event our club members love volunteering at each year and this year was no different!
The JCCB helps low-income families in our community by providing a Holiday Shop where families can pick from donated goods such as groceries, personal care items, toys, coats, and much more. Each year, the JCCB serves over 10,000 families! To learn more about this great program, please visit jccb.org
Club members and spouses who volunteered: Gary Proctor, Kelly & Mike Vaille, Michelle Herman, Caroline Becher, Marla & Rick Williams, and Jim & Sheila Houvener.
Dear 5710 Polio Plus Supporters,
Founded as a business networking organization, Rotary emphasizes the importance of bringing together business and professional leaders for the purposes of exchanging ideas, developing relationships, and improving communities. Rotary members are committed to professional development and advancing their skills. Rotarians can pursue this commitment through activities that increase their knowledge, and by guiding and training others to find gainful, fulfilling employment.
We're excited to announce that the Students Stopping Traffic Contest idea submission deadline has been extended to April 13, 2022. Teams will be notified the last week in April if their ideas advance and winners will be announced in May. This extension is to allow students more time to fully flush out their ideas and involve more of their friends.
We wanted to share a couple videos with you about the "Rotary Four Way Test" and "What is Peace?" Enjoy!
In addition to bell ringing and dictionary deliveries, President Shari and past President Tamara delivered a monetary donation to our local First Judicial District CASA Association; thanks to our membership’s generous donations we were able to donate $803 (this amount was matched by an anonymous donor so our club was credited with a $1606 donation)…WOW! Many thanks to all who contributed!!
Santa’s Helpers from the Konza Rotary once again came together to sponsor a local family through the Adopt-A-Family program. We encouraged our membership to #ThinkMHK and “Shop Local” as much as possible. We were able to fulfill 100% of the family’s requests. Our focus is on the children, but we always include the parent. We hold a wrapping party and deliver. It’s extraordinary how we continue Serving to Change Lives.
Busy fall for Rotary Club of Valley Falls!
President Phil and Rhonda Troxel working our fundraiser at the Valley Falls Dragons’ High School Football Game.
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