This Week's Speaker is Rear Admiral Larry Watkins, Vice Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Vice Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa.
The topic is: "America's Warfighting Navy."
We will be in Salon D on the 26th floor this week.
Rear Adm. Larry Watkins is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was commissioned through the University of Missouri-Columbia Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in December 1990 while graduating with an economics degree. He is also a 2012 graduate of Webster University with a Master of Business Administration and completed Joint Professional Military Education curriculum at Army Command & General Staff College.
Upon completion of Surface Warfare Officer School in March 1991, he was assigned to USS Reid (FFG 30), deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm. He completed a follow-on tour at Commander, Amphibious Squadron Seven where he served as assistant operations, combat systems officer. He was subsequently assigned to Naval Space Command in Dahlgren, Virginia where he served as a space support team member for deployment to Saudi Arabia to support Operation Southern Watch as space liaison officer/theater ballistic missile defense officer for United States Central Command in 1998.
Watkins transferred to the Navy Reserve in 1998 and completed staff and operational tours at U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) Intelligence Detachment 0174, Harbor Defense Command 207 in Miami, Florida, Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 207 based in Jacksonville, Florida, Maritime Expeditionary Squadron 10 in Jacksonville, Florida, C5F Maritime Operations Center, Joint Transportation Reserve Unit at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and C7F in Fort Worth, Texas.
Watkins’ command and mobilization assignments include commander Navy Reserve (NR) USS Klakring (FFG 42) detachment, Commander NR U. S. Fleet Forces Maritime Operations Center, and NR. U.S. European Command J3. Mobilizations included officer-in-charge of Theater Field Confinement Facility in support of Operation New Dawn at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and mobilized in support of Operations Noble Eagle & Enduring Freedom where he was a counter terrorism analyst and battle staff briefer at USSOUTHCOM. He was also assigned to Joint Force Command, Norfolk as a plank owner establishing a new North Atlantic Treaty Organization command.
Watkins’ previous flag assignments include director, Joint Fires & Effects Center and deputy director Operations, Operations Directorate at U.S. Southern Command and Reserve Vice Commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet.
Watkins earned his surface warfare designation in 1992; his decorations include numerous personal, unit and campaign medals and ribbons.
President Tim Tholen welcomed all to the Club with the Camp for Kids at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. We stood for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a “better than biscuits” invocation by Barbara Dolci. One visiting Rotarian from Sweden was welcomed to the Club after introducing himself and his wife. The following Club anniversaries were recognized: Terry O’Toole (21 years) and Brent Worley (19 years). President Tim thanked the Book Discussion Group for serving as greeters, and Lee Brumitt encouraged folks to sign up for the Project C.U.R.E. event on Tuesday, November 19, through the e-mail link previously sent by Mandy. Tony Andresen, complete with Santa Hat, said there were many spots open for Salvation Army Bell Ringing on December 7 and a few on December 14. Please sign up on Club Runner or through the previous e-mail from Mandy. Linn Mills introduced our annual Toy Drive with Westside CAN Center. This year, we are collecting 10 toys (half male and half female) for the following age groups: 0-2, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-15, and 15 toys (10 female and 5 male) for the 3-5 age group. Please e-mail Linn and let her know when you have purchased toys and please have the toys delivered to Westside CAN Center, c/o Jorge Coromac, 2038 Jefferson St., Kansas City, MO 64108. Lastly, President Tim reminded us of the Rotary Holiday Party on December 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Grand St. Café.
Kristy Bayer then introduced our guest speaker, Nichole Robinson, the Director of Business Development & National Events for the Kansas City Sports Commission (KCSC). Nichole has been at the Commission for 8 years. She has an MBA from Loyola and was a collegiate athlete having played volleyball at UCF and Loyola. The KCSC is a not-for-profit organization which is privately funded primarily by sponsors of the Hospital Hill Run and other such running events, such as the Garmin KC Marathon and the Thanksgiving Day 5K. The Commission operates a number of youth programs such as Camp WIN, a multi-day event exposing girls to 16 different sports, Reading and Fitness Challenge (a partnership with the Big 12), Thrive Youth Advisory Board, and the Evelyn Gates Award (in volleyball). The Commission also hosts the Women’s Sports Award and the KC Sports Award banquets. With regard to the national events, the KCSC bids on numerous events through the NCAA which has over 240 events to award throughout the country. Kansas City has been awarded the 2025 Women’s Soccer Championship, the 2025 NCAA volleyball championship, the 2026 NCAA Division II Fall Festival which includes cross country, volleyball, field hockey, and soccer events, the 2027 Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 and Elite 8 bracket games. Kansas City has recently seen the fruits of the Commission’s work, such as the Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball championships (which has now been secured through 2031), the 2023 NFL Draft, and the 2024 NCAA wrestling championship, among others. KC is the finalist for the Rugby World Cup to take place in 2031 and 2033 and as everyone knows, is also hosting some of the FIFA World Cup matches in 2026. There are many volunteer opportunities available through 222.sportskc.org.
After questions and answers, the quote for the day was from Knute Rockne: “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.” We said the Four Way Test and the meeting was adjourned upon the clanging of the Rotary Bell.
The holidays are quickly approaching, and Club 13 has supported the Westside Community Center for many years. With your support and generosity, we will continue to bring joy to the community of children in need. This year, we as a club will strive to deliver 55 toys to the Westside Community Action Network Center, 2038 Jefferson Street, Kansas City, MO. 64108, no later than Monday, December 2, 2024. The center is requesting toys for boys and girls ages infant to 15. The suggestion for the older children is to donate gift cards from Walmart or Target.
The gifts will be distributed at the Christmas Celebration at the Tony Aguirre Community Center, 2050 W. Pennway Street, Kansas City, MO. 64108, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Director Jorge Coromac requests seven volunteers from our Club to help with the festivities. If you are available, please email Linn Mills at millsfrench27@gmail.com or send a text to 505-402-6630 no later than November 25, 2024.
Come help prepare medical supplies for hospitals and clinics in need. Tasks include sorting and packing medical supplies. This is a fun, engaging, and hands-on experience. Click here to sign up!
Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment and services around the world. Project C.U.R.E builds sustainable health care infrastructure by providing medical supplies and equipment that healthcare personnel need for their communities. Since its inception, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to people in more than 130 countries
During your time at Project C.U.R.E., you will organize new inventory, sort supplies, and/ or perform whatever projects need extra hands . This is a fun, engaging and hands-on experience.
Please keep in mind:
Volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes in the warehouse.
Wear weather appropriate clothing, it can be very warm in the summer.
Some heavy lifting may be required.
Volunteers under 18 require a parent/legal guardian signed consent. This must be brought the day of service to be able to work in the warehouse.
Entering into week 10 of bowling last week, and the competition is strong! The difference between first and second is only 1.5 games going into the week.
200 games:
Jack Sopinski-200
Matt Ho-203, 247
Will Patrick-223, 222
Sharon Stripling-222
Splits and spares:
Brady Clark-3/4/7/10
Have a great week! Go Chiefs!!!!
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s time to kickoff our annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing Drive! THIS YEAR OUR HELP IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER! There are opportunities to ring on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and the first two Saturdays of December.
Thank you to all the veterans who have served this country over the years! The Rotary Youth Camp was “held in good maintenance” for the summer of 1944, circumstances being what they were. Those circumstances were WWII, rationing and the lack of able bodied men to run the camp.
The holidays are quickly approaching, and Club 13 has supported the Westside Community Center for many years. With your support and generosity, we will continue to bring joy to the community of children in need. This year, we as a club will strive to deliver 55 toys to the Westside Community Action Network Center, 2038 Jefferson Street, Kansas City, MO. 64108, no later than Monday, December 2, 2024. The center is requesting toys for boys and girls ages infant to 15. The suggestion for the older children is to donate gift cards from Walmart or Target. 
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