President Jared Campbell welcomed all to the meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. We stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Lon Lawton delivered an invocation for sharing and generosity. Three guests were introduced and welcomed by Mandy Sheldon. The following Club anniversaries were recognized: Steve Burger and Bob Hechler, 36 years.
President Jared thanked the greeters from the Community Services Committee. President Jared announced the candidates for election: President-elect nominee (2028-29), Lee Brumitt, and nominees for the Board of Directors, Jan Armstrong, Sarah Beyer, Eric Burger, John Gillis, Scott McRuer, and Pete Sotta. Under the Club’s bylaws, the President-elect nominee is not subject to a vote, but the Director candidates are. Members should vote for 3 of the 6 Director candidates. Pete Sotta thanked the members for a great response to the toy drive for those served by Westside CAN Center. Next up, a new coat drive for the Westside CAN day laborers. There remain three open spots for Salvation Army Bell Ringing. Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/YJFoawY The Rotary Holiday Party will take place on December 11 at the top floor of the Crown Plaza Hotel from 5:30 to 7:30. A robust Happy Bucks session then took place!
Kristy Bayer then introduced our speaker, Mark Hulet, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City who gave an interesting presentation regarding the enormous impact the Y organizations have on our City, country, and world. Mark played football at CMSU and coached college football at CMSU, William Jewell, and Saint Cloud State University before moving to Kansas City when his wife got a job as the Wellness Director at the Red Bridge Y. Mike himself then worked his way up the ladder beginning his career at the Y as the Executive Director of the Raytown Y and finding positions in the Greater KC organization as the Vice President of Membership, the Senior Vice President of Capital Assets, the COO, and now the CEO. The Kansas City Y was founded in 1850 by Rev. W.M. Leftwich. It is the 7th oldest such organization. The organization has its roots in London in 1834 when a gentleman named George Williams began working with kids who were coming from rural farm areas to find work in the burgeoning industrial society. The Y is now in 120 countries and housed in 12,000 buildings around the world. The Y has been largely responsible for organizing certain sports such as basketball (James Naismith in 1891), volleyball (1935), and racquetball (1950). The Y influenced the founding of the Peace Corps as well as Father’s Day. The Y, with its various summer camps, has also influenced other similar organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America. Interestingly, Joyce Hall was selling greeting cards in Kansas City while he was staying at a Y facility, and Rube Foster established Negro Leagues Baseball in 1920 while staying at the Paseo YMCA building. The Greater KC Y owes a debt of gratitude to Henry Beardsley, who kept the organization afloat and the movement going from 1892-1938 while acting in the role as Chief Volunteer Officer. Our speaker gave us various glowing statistics about the vast number of people who are served by and volunteer locally, and our speaker emphasized the social impact. The Y emphasizes four core values: (1) caring: (2) respect; (3) honesty; and (4) responsibility. There are three primary areas of focus where these values are instilled: (1) healthy living; (2) youth development; and (3) social responsibility, the latter of which is manifested through food drives, work force development, and health initiatives. The Y is heavily involved in 16 school districts in the KC area with its before and after-school programs. The reach of the Y is truly astounding and is clearly in good hands with Mr. Hulet.
President Jared announced upcoming meetings and then revealed this week’s Act of Kindness – send a card to a caregiver or first responder thanking that person for his or her good work. We then said the Four Way Test, and the meeting was adjourned.
Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group for the discussion of the book Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. The book is available at Rainy Day Books and all Rotarians and guests are welcome.
Monday, January 5, 2026, 6:30 PM
Location: J. Wilbur Company
3242 Roanoke
Kansas City, MO 64111
About the book:
His name is Theo and he asks a lot more questions than he answers. Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.
Give Thanks: Express your gratitude to a hero in your community, whether it's a military member, firefighter, nurse or another profession, by sending them a heartfelt card along with a special treat! It's a thoughtful and appreciative way to acknowledge their dedication, service and the vital role they play in keeping your community safe and thriving. Your gesture can brighten their day and let them know their efforts are deeply valued.
Bowling News
by Tim Tholen
Hello Rotary 13!
Sorry about no bowling news reported last week, I wasn’t able to attend and completely forgot to have somebody record the results.
200 games
Matt Ho-226
John Lawrence-235
Will Patrick-268/215, 235 for a 718 series
Jack Sopinski-224, 224
Tate Kaplan-231
Splits and spares
Henrik Andersen-6/7/10
Tate Kaplan-3/6/7/10
Del Karmieier-3/7
Dave Boone-2/7
Wes Gill-2/5/7/10
A stellar night of bowling!!
Youth Camp Update
by Laurie Mozley
The Rotary Youth Camp is grateful that we have been able to provide life changing camping experiences for campers for 100 years! The camp is grateful for all the money raised, volunteer hours put in and donations received. As a way of showing our appreciation,here is a videoof kids at camp. Enjoy!
Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group for the discussion of the book Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. The book is available at Rainy Day Books and all Rotarians and guests are welcome.
@rotaryclub13
@rotaryclub13
.jpg)
