Hello Rotarians!
Attendance was off a bit last week without any visiting Rotarians or guests.
Remember - it's more fun with and speakers love a full house, so please invite friends and colleagues to visit and experience Rotary first-hand.
Our greeters were Bill Muir and Brian Neihoff. We also congratulated Bill for celebrating his 37th anniversary in Rotary. Way to go, Bill!
Dr. Roger Reitz accompanied us on piano to sing 'My Country 'Tis of Thee'.
This month our theme is Basic Education and Literacy. CUP MONEY benefits BE Able. They support people facing adversity with engagement, skill development and opportunities to better their lives. Please be generous.
August Cup Money donations exceeded the goal, and we were able to present Shepherd's Crossing with a check for $543. Great!
Thanks to Susan Adams, Paul Bullock, Mike Dodson, Gary Fees, Rebecca Gould, Mike Heylin, Phil Mattox, Tom Phillips and Keith Westervelt for helping 17 non-profits benefit from Community Cares Chest last week. We had 2 new NPOs visit, and groups picked up laundry detergent, personal care items, drinks, granola and books. Bill Richter reports the book donations are going well, and there are still many titles to choose from.
Daryn Soldan introduced Dr. Adam Walker, President and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. Adam received 2 degrees from Kansas State, and was elected President of the Association following Amy Button Renz's retirement after 45 years in 2023. This year marks the Association's 150th year since its founding in 1874.
Dr. Walker recounted how then-KSU President John Anderson was skeptical of the newly formed Alumni Association and did not permit their meeting on campus. This contributed to the Association being established as a private, self-governed association - one of just 1% of such Alumni Associations among US-based 4-year colleges. The KSU Association ranks #1 in the Big 12 Conference, and in the Top 10 nationally for associations' alumni involvement.
He told us initial dues were $1/year in 1874; they are just $50/year now. He highlighted the Association's 150-year history including hosting the annual Homecoming, publishing K-Stater Magazine, scheduling alumni trips, and completion of the current Alumni Center building in 2002. Adam said the focus of the organization has not changed over the years: state and federal legislative advocacy, membership, and events, including reunions and homecomings. Their mission is to reach, connect and serve.
He quizzed the Club on what the Alumni Association is known for, and acknowledged responses including scholarships, alumni fellowships, K-Stater Magazine, and as keepers of traditions. Walker had several slides with details:
Adam reminded us of the discounts and benefits afforded to members, and invited KSU grads to join. He also invited the Club to join in the Alumni Association' upcoming 150th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, September 27th from 4-7PM. It's free to all and sponsored by the Kansas State University Foundation.
In Adam's honor, the club will contribute the children's book, The Gentle Genius of Trees, to Amanda Arnold Elementary School.
The weekly Attendance Incentive raffle continued with a drawing for Free Lunch. Andy Bowen was the lucky winner this week and picked up his lunch voucher after the meeting.
Thanks to Bill and Brian for greeting, Roger for piano, Daryn for introducing Adam Walker, and especially Dr. Walker for the encouraging report on the K-State Alumni Association.
We continue to run the Community Cares Chest, so please do volunteer to help either this Wednesday, September 11th or the next week. This is our signature project so please support it.
Our club's next meeting is this coming Thursday, September 12 from 12-1 PM, with lunch beginning at 11:30.
Please wear your name badge and remember to leave it on the tray when you go. Also, please be sure to register when you arrive and have your guests register too. Lastly, pick up a raffle ticket from either the greeters or the registration table.
Greeters for this week's meeting will be Chris Nolte and Brian Peete.
We'll have a presentation by Kent Smith, Director of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at K-State. He will tell us about the upcoming exhibitions and programs at The Beach.
Please plan to come to Manhattan Rotary this week. And, bring a friend!
Randy
Randy Peterson, President
(cell) 316-213-2252
randallpete54@gmail.com
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Manhattan Country Club on Thursday, September 12th - 12:00-1:00 PM
LUNCH RSVP - Click https://manhattancc.surveysparrow.com/s/Rotary-Club/tt-deafc2 to RSVP by midnight, Wednesday the 11th.
The cost is $12 and can be paid at the door.
The cost is $12 and can be paid at the door.
To join the Meeting by ZOOM: Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387499653?pwd=eVdYZ29zdDhnQ0MrZWVXMklPNC9IQT09
Meeting ID: 873 8749 9653
Passcode: 280408
To download the weekly ZOOM files to your calendar: Click https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMuf-6spzIsH9eG2uCpIlmhjnzD4nCK9PDc/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvrTMtHt2cthyERpwEA4qgKOjxmFhdgvpYu03wIDB6bg7-POxYFuZxM_OJ
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Konza Rotary Meeting
September 6 - Steve Smethers, A Century of Kansas Journalism & Mass Communications
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've volunteered in the past.
If you're new to Community Cares Chest, please watch the short video by member Tara Claussen to learn how to sign up and volunteer: sign up video
KSU Rotaract Club
Wednesday 09/11 - Volunteer with Manhattan Emergency Shelter, 6-7 PM
Saturday 09/21 - Kayaking battery case cleanup on the Kansas River
Wednesday 10/09 - Kansas River Boat Ramp cleanup
For more information contact Sharon Sullivan sharon.sullivan@washburn.edu or Patti Mellard, patti@keystaffing.com.
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September Cup Money - Sponsorship of BE Able
- 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 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 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!
There's a limit of two boxes per trip. For more information, please contact Bill Richter (wrichter@ksu.edu)
There's a limit of two boxes per trip. For more information, please contact Bill Richter (wrichter@ksu.edu)
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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.”
