April: Renew, Act, and Protect Our Environment
April is a season of renewal—and momentum. As we enter the final quarter of the Rotary year, when clubs are working hard to complete current projects and planning for the exciting new Rotary year beginning July 1 are finishing strong while preparing for July 1. It’s also Rotary Environmental Month, a perfect time to lead high-impact projects in our communities.
Let’s dive in to see What’s Ahead for April –
🚀 Key Dates, Requests & Reminders to Our Members
- District Grants Training on April 6, 2026, at 6pm via Zoom. Required for district grant eligibility—ensure your club is certified prior to the District Grant application deadline, (August 31, 2026). The link for the meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BOguEIuFRLulqoUZh7LT8w
- Gathering for Good – April 11, 2026. Our annual fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund returns to the DoubleTree - Lawrence. Please begin planning silent auction items and wine or liquor pull donations—there will be exciting experiences to bid on—including a special dinner experience with RI President Nominee! To register, please click: https://onecau.se/_fdw221
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) – Recruitment Is Critical
RYLA will be held May 31–June 4 at the University of Kansas. KU now requires 60 students to host RYLA - Please prioritize recruiting participants now. Reach out to your local high school & Interact Clubs. You will be glad you did!
📊 District Progress: July 2025 – March 2026
- Membership: 1,859 strong—net increase of 17 since July 1 & 92% retention 75% of 40 clubs have set membership goals
- Engagement:77.5% of 40 clubs have set service participation goals. To date 337 member participation has been reported. I know actual engagement is higher Please update this goal in your Rotary Club Central.
- Annual Fund: $165,365 —down from $171,323 same period last year. Not too concerned with our gathering for good fundraiser this month. 27 clubs have set this goal
- PolioPlus: $83,928 – up from $71,739 same period last year 25 clubs have set this goal
- New Benefactors: 13 YTD — 130% of our goal. Congrats and thank you for achieving.
- Club Action Planning: 18 clubs set goals – 12 completed.
Plus two Public Image Related:
- Media Stories About Club Projects: 23 clubs set goals - 5 clubs reported YTD
- Update Website & Social Media: 28 clubs set goal - 8 clubs reported YTD
Overall, our district continues to be on track on track—with one exception: engagement or service participation reporting. From my club visits, I know participation is higher than what has been reported.
Clubs that set and track goals grow stronger and expand impact—please update yours.
Please set and track your service participation goal in Rotary Club Central. Clubs that consistently do so tend to attract and retain members more effectively and expand their service impact.
🏆 Rotary International Club Excellence Award
24 clubs have set 14+ goals & 3 more have set 13. To earn the award (and compete for the Governor’s Cup), clubs must achieve at least 13.
Beginning at end of April, we’ll report the number of clubs that have achieved 13 goals.
🎥 Special Event sponsored by our End Forced Organ Harvesting (EFOH) Rotary Satellite of the Community Action Against Human Trafficking Rotary Club (CAAHT)
The event: Rotarians and non-Rotarians are invited to a special screening of the award-winning documentary State Organs at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. - an important opportunity to learn and engage on a critical human rights issue. The evening will conclude with a panel discussion, offering a space not only to learn, but to reflect and engage. To reserve your tickets, please visit https://StateOrgans-KS.eventbrite.com
District Visioning Questionnaire Reminder
This year, we are launching a District Visioning Process to create a bold, three-year strategic plan aligned with the Rotary Action Plan—designed to help every club grow, strengthen engagement, and expand impact. We in District Leadership want all of you to have the opportunity to participate in this process by completing our 10-to-15-minute District Visioning Questionnaire by April 15. Here is the link to the questionnaire:
🌍 April – Rotary Environmental Month: Take Action
Clubs can focus on cleanups, tree planting, create pollinator gardens, scrap metal or e-waste recycling, water projects, and education. Small local efforts create lasting global impact.
🔜 Looking Ahead - May is Youth Services Month
Thought for April
Thank you for continuing to strengthen your clubs while serving others.
Let’s finish strong—growing membership, strengthening giving, and expanding service.
Together, we live Service Above Self and Unite for Good to Create Lasting Impact!
PDG Stephanie Meyer Awarded Rotary’s Service Above Self Award!