Hello Rotarians!
We're encouraging attendance with a weekly drawing for FREE lunch at MCC, and a Rotary polo shirt at the last meeting of the month.
Last week 43 members attended (35%), and Nelson Galle won the raffle for the lunch voucher. You could be next, but you must attend to win!
We had 2 guests last week: Lydia Charles Moyo (Rachel Klataske'a guest) and Dan Crouch (Therese Miller's guest). We had 1 Visiting Rotarian, Gena D. Richardson late of District 6880.
Keep inviting friends to visit Rotary, and if you know a Rotarian that hasn't come much, please reach out and ask them to do so - soon!
Our greeters were Claudia Petrescu and Mike Rezkalla. Dr. Roger Reitz accompanied us on piano to sing 'My Country 'Tis of Thee'.
This month's theme is Community Economic Development. CUP Money goes to Homestead Ministries.
They provide a care program for women who are survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution with holistic healing, housing, education, counseling, health care and faith study. Please be generous.
Rachel Klataske introduced Lydia Charles Moyo, an entrepreneur from Tanzania. Lydia was among the Mandela Washington Fellowship contingent engaged in Manhattan and K-State in 2023.
Lydia introduced the Club to 'Her Initiative' a developmental project she heads up back home. Her Initiative has impacted nearly 32,000 young women since its inception in 2016, creating a society for adolescent girls and young women with power to create opportunities to break the cycle of poverty. Charles Moyo is seeking to raise $6.858M in the US and EU over 5 years, to reach nearly 132,000 young women. To learn more and contribute to 'Her Initiative', she directed us to the project's website: https://www.herinitiative.or.tz
Vernon Turner then introduced former Rotary District 6880 Governor, Gena Richardson, who has also recently moved to Manhattan from Alabama.
Gena has over 28 years of volunteerism including Rotary and The Arc, and over 20 years as a mental health professional.
Gena is member of the Rotary International Action Group for Mental Health. She highlighted the resources at the website: http://www.ragonmentalhealth.org.
She spoke of the Group's 'Don't Bottle it Up' campaign as one of the initiatives available from the action group.
Next, Mike Rezkalla, CEO of Pawnee Mental Health Services updated us on Mental Health in Kansas. Mike has been a member of the Club for 7 months after taking over at Pawnee.
He cited the report "2024 State of Mental Health in America Report". Mike was pleased that Kansas had moved from #51 to #22 on the nationwide states' ranking, and is #5 for youth 6-17 years old, but had some sobering statistics for the number of deaths by suicide in Kansas and the US.
Mike talked about the 988 contact centers nationwide and the CCBHC model in Kansas. He also reported that over 240,000 Kansans lack health insurance for mental health; 45,000 are children. This exacerbates the risks in the state.
After Rezkalla, I reported on Rotary's Kansas Mental Health Initiative. The consulting firm is conducting interviews with stakeholders in Districts 5680 and 5710 and will distribute a survey to all Rotarians this month to get feedback on projects Clubs may undertake.
In Gena's honor, the club will contribute the children's book junk, A Spectacular Tale of Trash, to the Ogden Elementary School.
Thanks to Claudia and Mike for greeting, Roger on piano, Rachel and Vernon for introducing our guests, and especially Lydia, Gena and Mike for addressing such important topics.
We continue to run the Community Cares Chest, our signature project, so please volunteer to help this Wednesday, October 9th; we always can use help on the 1-3PM shift.
This last week, thanks to Paul Bullock, Mike Dodson and Gary Fees for helping 8 non-profits at Community Cares Chest select books, vitamins, personal care items and soft drinks.
******************************
Our next meeting is at the Country Club, Thursday, October 10 from 12-1PM.
Please wear your name badge and leave it when you go. Be sure to sign in and register your guests too.
Pick up a raffle ticket from the greeters or at the sign-in table.
Lunch RSVP: Click https://manhattancc.surveysparrow.com/s/Rotary-Club/tt-deafc2 by midnight, Wednesday.
The $12 fee may be paid at the door. Lunch begins at 11:30AM.
The $12 fee may be paid at the door. Lunch begins at 11:30AM.
Meeting ID: 873 8749 9653 / Passcode: 280408
Add the ZOOM meeting to your calendar: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMuf-6spzIsH9eG2uCpIlmhjnzD4nCK9PDc/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvrTMtHt2cthyERpwEA4qgKOjxmFhdgvpYu03wIDB6bg7-POxYFuZxM_OJ
Greeters for this week's meeting will be Chuck Rice and Bill Richter.
This will be our CLUB ASSEMBLY. The Board will be reporting to all members on the current year's operations, statistics and service opportunities. We'll have reports from the various committees and a chance for members to sign up for a committee of their choice.
We'll have a SPECIAL INCENTIVE DRAWING for a premium Rotary Polo shirt. This is in addition to the Free Lunch drawing, for those that sign up for a committee at the meeting. Don't miss out to do something good for the Club and look good too!
Hope to see you this week!
Randy
Randy Peterson, President
(cell) 316-213-2252
randallpete54@gmail.com
Opportunities to Participate:
Rotary on Tap
Wednesday, October 16, 5-7 PM - Aggieville Brewing Company Biergarten.
612 Pillsbury Drive, Manhattan KS 66502-3129 (just south on K-177)
Guests are welcome.
Rotary District 5710 Global Grant Scholarship
A Scholarship will be awarded to a recent grad pursuing a Master's or PhD degree abroad, related to RI's focus areas. If selected he/she will participate in Club and District activities here in Kansas.
Applicants should submit an application at Welcome | Rotary District 5710 (rotary5710.org) this fall.
October 11 - Memory Buffington, Konza's Intl Service Director, on the Rotary Global Water Impact on Guatemala.
Community Cares Chest - Wednesday volunteer shifts from 8-10 AM and 1-3 PM. Please visit Konza United Way website: https://www.konzaunitedway.org/volunteer
If you're new, watch the video by Tara Claussen for how to sign up and volunteer: sign up video
KSU Rotaract Club
Wednesday 10/09 - Kansas River Boat Ramp cleanup
For more info ask Sharon Sullivan or Patti Mellard: sharon.sullivan@washburn.edu / patti@keystaffing.com
******************************
October Cup Money - Sponsorship of Homestead Ministries
- Mail it to Manhattan Rotary Club, PO Box 331, Manhattan, KS 66505-0331.
- Send a check to the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, 555 Poyntz, Suite 269, Manhattan, KS 66502, with the memo saying, ‘Rotary Club Cup Money.’
- You may also contribute Cup Money via Venmo, using the QR Code:
Rotary Foundation - To make contributions to the Rotary Foundation:
- Go on-line to www.rotary.org and click Donate and then Annual Fund. You will then sign in and pay.
- Write your check to Rotary Foundation and mail it to Rotary Foundation - 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693 or to Manhattan Rotary Club, PO Box 331, Manhattan KS 66505.
- Write your check to Rotary Foundation and give it to Liz Nelson or Janet Lowell at a meeting.
USD 383
Take used books in good condition to Dusty Bookshelf in Aggieville. Announce they're for the Rotary USD383 account for elementary school students in our community.
Please limit to 2 boxes per trip. For more information contact Bill Richter (wrichter@ksu.edu).
******************************
Opportunities to Show Rotary Pride:
Purchase Rotary Products
You can purchase official Rotary caps or hats, shirts, socks, or even chrome-plated license plate frames at the Russell Hampton website: http://www.bestclubsupplies.com to see a full selection of products.
Document your Profile in My Rotary
You can document your biographical profile in My Rotary. It is a wonderful way to share your contact and background information, your Rotary resume, information about any Rotary programs you have participated in, and your professional experience and areas of expertise. To create or update your biographical profile, go to https://my.rotary.org and click My Profile.
.png)
.jpg)
