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September 10, 2026 Our speaker this week is Bill Dietrich with Downtown Council of Kansas City.
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Bill Dietrich has served as President and CEO of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, Missouri (DTC) since June 2002. Bill has played a leading role in implementing Downtown's revitalization strategy. He has developed the DTC into an effective urban management group implementing a wide range of revitalization strategies. Initiatives under the DTC’s umbrella include the development and management of multiple Community Improvement Districts delivering $6 million annually of public space maintenance, landscaping, safety, development and marketing services. The DTC is active in commercial and residential development initiatives, streetscape and infrastructure enhancements, public space management, marketing and promotional services, business recruitment, expansion and retention; it has established a Downtown Political Action Committee, and produces current research and development information on Downtown. The DTC has facilitated among other developments the restoration of the historic Central Library, the Kansas City Ballet’s, Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, developed a multi-service homeless day shelter, the Downtown Community Service Center, conducts land assemblage, provided organizational leadership in the development of the Downtown streetcar, and provided development support for the Crossroads Academy Charter School and currently leading efforts to develop Roy Blunt Luminary Park. Bill serves as the Chief Administrative Office of the Downtown Community Improvement District, the River Market Community Improvement District as well as the innovative start-up business grant competition, Launch KC and promotes cultural investment through the Art in the Loop Foundation. Completed at the end of 2021 the DTC facilitated the development of the next 10 year strategic plan for greater downtown, “Imagine Downtown KC 2030”.
He serves on numerous Boards and other community organizations and task forces. Bill received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College. Bill holds two Master’s Degrees, one in Business Administration in Managerial Leadership from City University, and the second, in Entrepreneurial Real Estate Development from the University of Missouri Kansas City. Bill hails from Seattle, Washington and has worked in economic and community development for more than 30 years.
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 Rotary Book Club Date: Monday, September 21, 6:30 PM Location: J Wilbur Company 3242 Roanoke Kansas City, MO 64111 Details: Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group for the discussion of the book The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnson The book is available at Rainy Day Books and all Rotarians and guests are welcome. Fred discovers Bernard’s body during a nursing home outing and, in the ensuing confusion, is assumed to be Bernard by the staff. Initially, Fred wants to escape, but with nowhere else to go, he gradually embraces his new circumstances. As he walks in Bernard’s shoes, he touches the lives of those around him, including Denise Simms, a middle-aged caregiver struggling with her own family challenges. Fred’s acts of kindness and honesty leave a lasting impact, and he forms meaningful connections with other residents, such as Albert, who believes Fred is his late brother. The story explores Fred’s journey from fear and invisibility to purpose and connection. By the end, the novel emphasizes renewal and the creation of chosen family, with Fred helping others while rediscovering his own sense of meaning
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District 6040 is kicking off its 26th year of Shoes for Orphan Souls! Last year, Rotarians celebrated the 25th anniversary by exceeding the goal of 25,000 pairs of shoes by collecting an incredible 29,492 pairs of shoes, 11,446 pairs of socks, 303 pairs of shoelaces, and $25,326 in cash—bringing the 25-year total to 479,519 pairs of shoes! Now, the goal is to reach 500,000 pairs by May 2027—just 20,481 pairs away! 👟 The 2026–2027 campaign is officially underway. Clubs are encouraged by our District Shoes Cheerleader and Rotary International President-Elect Larry Lunsford to make shoes a 10-month service project, shopping throughout the year and looking for discounts and opportunities to maximize their impact. Mark your calendars now! 📅 Shoes Roll Call: Saturday, May 15, 2027
📍 District Conference: Unity Village, Lee’s Summit
🚐 Shoes Caravan: Week of May 10–14, 2027 Every pair makes a difference for an orphaned or vulnerable child. 👟❤️
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| Posted by Patrick Donnelly |
September 3, 2026 By Patrick Donnelly Rotary 13 members and invited guests gathered on the bottom floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 1301 Wyandotte Street with select individuals participating remotely via Zoom. President Neil Barnett brought the assembly to order at 12:15pm. The group stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and Claire Ashbrooke shared an invocation drawing from The Calendar of Wisdom by Leo Tolstoy. There were no guests in attendance, apart from our featured speaker profiled below. Tom Woolwine came forward to recap the Regatta weekend. In the camp’s 5th year of arranging the races, new high points were reached: 50 sponsors gave support to the event, including 29 from outside of Club 13, and 25 racing boats participated. 12 of the sailors overnighted at Rotary Youth Camp. Reporters from channel 5 and channel 9 attended, and footage of the camp and of Jacomo Sailing Club aired during local news programs. Professional drone footage, for purposes of future messaging about this year’s race and future years, is now available. Tom thanked the organizing committee and encouraged sponsors to pick up their t-shirts and pins if they haven’t already. Ted Higgins spoke at the front of the room to offer an update on Haiti-related programming. Steve Kraske will host a KCUR segment about the country on 9/9. Village Presbyterian Church will present a symposium on the country on 9/12. The annual Hit for Haiti reception and pickleball tournament will take place the first weekend of October. More information is available at https://higginsbrotherssurgicenter.org/hit-for-haiti/. Member birthdays for September include George Gordon (1st), Duane Benton (8th), Jorge Velez (21st), and Claire Ashbrooke (21st). Club anniversaries for the month include Member birthdays for September include George Gordon (1st), Duane Benton (8th), Jorge Velez (21st), and Claire Ashbrooke (21st). Club anniversaries for the month include Harlan Stamper,34 Years; Lee Brummitt, 27 Years; Neil Barnett, 21 Years; Richard Helmuth, 20 Years; Barbara Dolci, 19 Years; Kara Bennett, 17 years; Martha Voight, 17 Years; Patrick Donnelly, 16 years; Eric Bubb, 16 years; Linn Mills, 11 Years; Kim Beatty, 8 Years; Wade Freeman, 5 Years; Tucker Clark , 5Years; Stacey Carrow, 5 Years; Richard Simonson, 4 Years. President Neil called for Happy Bucks. They were given for a joke about politicians; bird hunting in Latin America; a nephew’s successful bypass surgery; a new, first grandchild; and general praise for the Rotary Youth Camp and its relationship with Scouting USA. At 12:32 President Neil invited Jason Camis to the lectern. He serves as Executive Director of Sertoma, the service club that operates somewhat like Rotary International. The word Sertoma is short for Service To Mankind. The member association is headquartered in Kansas City and is now over 100 years old. Interestingly, Sertoma owes its origins to three men who were turned down for Club 13 membership in the year 1911, owing to trade classification rules. They chose to start their own service organization, more or less at 8th Street and Broadway Boulevard in downtown KC. Mr. Camis is a Rotarian himself (22 years), presently with the Gardner, KS club. His work as a Chamber of Commerce officer, board service with Kindertransport, and co-ownership of Transport Brewery indirectly led him to leading Sertoma. The group has evolved over the decades, with name changes and shifts in areas of focus. Today, there are 205 Sertoma clubs across 40 states, Canada, and Mexico. Their biggest claim to local fame is the creation of Shawnee Mission Park via a petition drive they led in 1954. Since 1963, the organization has devoted itself to hearing health. Sertoma works in three general areas: matching local providers and those who need hearing assistance; funding scholarships for those studying hearing-related fields or navigating school with a hearing disability; and collecting hearing aids for re-purposing. This last item, the Hearing Aid Project, garners the most public attention. They have collected over 40K hearing aids no longer needed for refurbishing and distribution. Because health insurance providers generally classify hearing aids as cosmetic items, cost barriers to obtaining them remain a burden for many in need. Locally, KU Med is their primary partner for re-homing hearing aids, although some make it to Children’s Mercy. Sertoma presently funds 75 scholarships to support students engaged with the topic of hearing disorders. With the end of the lunch meeting approaching, questions for Mr. Camis were reserved for after the gathering concluded. He ended his remarks with thanks to Rotary International for inspiring Sertoma. President Neil thanked our speaker and noted these upcoming events: - 9 Sept. Bowling League; Board of Directors Meeting
- 10 Sept. Lunch Meeting with Bill Dietrich, Downtown Council
- 17 Sept. Lunch Meeting with Brett Perkins, Nature Conservancy-Bison Preservation
- 21 Sept. Book Club Meeting
- 24 Sept. Bolte Beer Bash, hosted by Peter Ho
- 24 Sept. 4th Thursday at Rock Island Bridge
- 1 October Lunch Meeting with Brandon Calloway, Generating Income for Tomorrow
The 4-Way Test closed the session, followed by the bell at 12:58.
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