Greetings Rotarians,
On Thursday, we wrapped up a successful Rotary year! We welcomed a great turnout of Rotarians and extended a special welcome to Michelle Sink, District Governor Nominee. This month, our CUP MONEY collection is contributed to Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that makes a significant impact on the lives of young people in our community.
Vern Henricks introduced our newest member, Ben Johnson, to the club. He earned a degree in Accounting from K-State and a Juris Doctorate from KU Law School. His career includes serving as the Director of Gift Planning at the Kansas State University Foundation and practicing law at Weary Davis. Ben is currently a wealth advisor with KEATING. We warmly welcome Ben and look forward to his contributions to our Rotary community.
The meeting's program featured the Annual Awards and Recognition of members. Bob Ward presented 11 Polio Plus Certificates and Pin Awards in person and one to Dick Seaton who was unable to attend. A Paul Harris Fellow+2 was awarded to Ronnie Elmore and Chris Culbertson. A Paul Harris Society Award to Randy Peterson. Steven Graham presented the Rotary Blue and Gold Awards recognizing 'service above self' to Bob Ward and Tom Phillips. Ole Olsen and Bill Varney were recognized as Emeritus members for their years of dedicated service. The following outgoing Board Members were thanked for their commitment and excellent work: Tara Claussen, Secretary; Bob Ward, Foundation Chairman; and Steven Graham, Past President. Several club projects and accomplishments for the 2023-2024 year were noted, including the Community Cares Chest providing more than $3.2 million dollars in products to over 100 nonprofit organizations in the region. The highlight of the program was the Rotarian of the Year award, which was presented by C. Clyde Jones to Janet Lowell. This award exemplifies the dedicated service Janet has selflessly provided as our Club Treasurer and committed program volunteer. Congratulations to Janet and all those recognized.
I had the pleasure of passing the gavel and introducing Randy Peterson, the Manhattan Rotary Club 2024-2025 president. I shared Randy's exemplary professional career, commitment to his family, and his Rotary journey as a member and past president of Rotary clubs in Salina and Topeka, Kansas. The exchange of the President and Past-President pins marked the formal transition. Randy provided remarks, expressing his hopes and goals for the upcoming year.
Randy closed the meeting with a reminder to RSVP to Robbin Cole if you plan to attend the Mandela Washington Fellows dinner on Saturday evening at her home. He thanked Dave Lewis for greeting today, Dr. Roger Reitz for accompanying us on the piano, and everyone who helped with today’s program. Randy shared that the Community Cares Chest distribution has resumed and volunteers are asked to help with product distribution on Wednesday, July 10. Also, due to the 4th of July holiday, there will be no meeting next week. and wished everyone a safe and happy 4th of July.
My very best,
Mitzi
Mitzi Richards
(cell) 785-564-1049
mitzidalerichards@gmail.com
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Please join us at The Manhattan Country Club on Thursday, June 27th.
PROGRAM - Rotarian of the Year & Passing of the Gavel
LUNCH RSVP - please click this link. https://manhattancc.surveysparrow.com/s/Rotary-Club/tt-deafc2 by Wednesday by midnight. Lunch opens at 11:30am and costs $12.
To join the Meeting by ZOOM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387499653?pwd=eVdYZ29zdDhnQ0MrZWVXMklPNC9IQT09
Meeting ID: 873 8749 9653
Passcode: 280408
To download the weekly ZOOM files to your calendar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMuf6spzIsH9eG2uCpIlmhjnzD4nCK9PDc/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvrTMtHt2cthyERpwEA4qgKOjxmFhdgvpYu03wIDB6bg7-POxYFuZxM_OJ
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OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE:
Manhattan Rotary Club Meetings
- July 4 - NO MEETING Enjoy July 4th Holiday
Konza Rotary Club Meetings
- July 12 - Glen Scott, KTA Engineering Program Manager Kansas Turnpike Authority Cashless Tolling
KSU Rotaract Meetings will resume in the Fall.
Community Cares Chest- The Community Cares Chest distribution has resumed. Please log on at the Konza United Way website, if you have already volunteered in the past. If not, please watch the following short video by Tara Claussen for instructions on how to sign up and volunteer: sign up video.
CAAHT (Community Action Again Human Trafficking) Club Meetings - Meetings are at 12:00p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month by zoom. For more information contact Sharon Sullivan sharon.sullivan@washburn.edu or Patti Mellard, patti@keystaffing.com.
Opportunities to Contribute
June Cup Money - Sponsorship for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
- 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. Use the QR Code below.
Rotary Foundation
To make your contribution 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 Bob Ward or Janet Lowell at a meeting.
USD 383
Take your used books in good condition to Dusty Bookshelf in Aggieville. Mention they are for the Rotary/USD383 account for books for elementary school students in our community. We already have some money in the account! Please do not take more than two boxes at a time. For more information, please contact Bill Richter (wrichter@ksu.edu)
Opportunities to Show your Rotary Pride
Purchase Official Rotary Products
If you are interested in purchasing official Rotary products like caps or hats, shirts, socks, or even chrome plated license plate frames, go to the Russell Hampton website at www.bestclubsupplies.com to see the full selection of merchandise.
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 on “My Profile.”
