Topeka Rotary Club -- April 2009

Volume 65, Number 10

April, 2009

Short & Tweet

The Topeka Rotary Club mentioned in The Rotarian

The Editor’s Blog

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he other day, I went to my mailbox and retrieved the latest copy of The Rotarian. I had gone through this routine several times over the past three or four months looking for an article about how Rotary clubs are using Twitter. I was particularly interested because I was interviewed for the article. (see p.6) Truthfully, its not that big of a deal, although it is always kind of exciting to see your name in print in a national magazine. But what I am most excited about is that Rotary is recognizing the importance that social media has on the way in which we communicate in 2009.

What we do in our club is not confined to the readers of the Rotopeka. Our club members are using websites like Twitter, and Facebook to share Rotary with their friends. When we send out our weekly meeting reminder, it is shared not with just our club, it is also sent to many members of the local media and others who might not currently be a member of Rotary, but might have an interest in what we do. Many of you are sharing Rotary through your own Facebook pages and by ―twittering‖ about what we are doing. Each time you do that, you are in effect telling someone else about Rotary. So tweet away readers. Let the world know what we are doing here at the Topeka Rotary Club. And while you are at it, send a social networking friend an invitation to come and meet you at Rotary. Each day, there are hundreds of postings from people all over the world through Twitter. As I am writing this, there is a post circulating the ―twitterverse‖ called 18 reasons to join Rotary. With the permission of the Kildaire Rotary Club of Cary, NC, which I received through a Twitter communication, that is reprinted on page 3. So why not join up with Rotary in cyberspace. There is so much more out there. Greg

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Rotary on the Web 

Rotary International Website— www.rotary.org

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Rotary District 5710 Website— www.rotary5710.org

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Rotary Club Website— www.downtowntopekar otary.org

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Rotary International Foundation— www.rotary.org/ foundation

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Twitter— www.twitter.com/ topekarotary

Why Join Rotary?

PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS Some individuals who join Rotary are afraid to speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communications and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.

FRIENDSHIP In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friends and fellowship. It is one of the two reasons why Rotary CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD Every Robegan in 1905. tarian wears a pin that says ―Rotary BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT This is the International‖. And every Rotarian second original reason for Rotary’s is welcome at 32,000 clubs in more beginning. Everyone needs to net- than 200 nations and geographic work. Rotary consists of a cross sec- regions. There are few places on tion of every business community. Its the globe that do not have a Romembers come from all walks of tary club. This means instant friends life. Rotarians help each other and in one’s own community and in the collectively help others. world community. PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Membership in Rotary continues one’s growth and education in human relations and personal development.

is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve on committees and to teach youth about one’s job or business. DEVELOPMENT OF ETHICS Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governs one’s ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships. CULTURAL AWARENESS Around the world, virtually every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross section of the world’s most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to respect and work with people everywhere.

ASSISTANCE SSISTANCE WHEN TRAVELING Because Rotary clubs are everywhere, traveling Rotarians can find a doctor, lawyer, travel accommodations, advice, emerLEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Rotary is gency services, etc., by contacting PRESTIGE Rotary members are an organization of leaders and suc- a local Rotary club. prominent people: leaders of busicessful people. Serving in Rotary ENTERTAINMENT Every Rotary club ness, industry, the professions, art, positions is like a college education has parties and activities that pro- government, sports, military, clergy, in Leadership: learning how to moti- vide diversion in one’s business life. academics and all disciplines. Rovate, influence and lead. Rotary has conferences, conven- tary is the oldest service club in the CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY tions, assemblies and institutes that world. Membership in a Rotary club makes provide entertainment as well as OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE Rotary is a one a better community citizen. The Rotary information, education and service club. Its business is mankind. average Rotary club consists of the service. Its product is service. Rotarians promost active citizens of any commu- DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS vide community service to both the nity. Every week and at various events local and international communiCONTINUING EDUCATION Each and functions, Rotary offers the op- ties. This is perhaps the best reason week at Rotary there is a program portunity to develop one’s social for becoming a Rotarian – the chance to do something for somedesigned to keep one informed skills and people skills. about what is going on in the com- FAMILY PROGRAMS Rotary provides body else and to experience the munity, nation or world. Each meet- one of the world’s largest youth ex- fulfillment that comes in the procing provides an opportunity for dif- change programs; high school and ess. ferent speakers and different topics. college clubs for future Rotarians; Rotarians believe in service above FUN Rotary is fun. A lot of fun. Each spouse programs and activities; self. It is richly rewarding. meeting is fun. The club projects are and a host of activities that invite ―HE PROFITS MOST WHO SERVES fun. Social activities are fun. And participation by the whole family. BEST.‖ the service is fun. VOCATIONAL SKILLS Every Rotarian Reprinted with permission of Cary-Kildaire Rotary Club Cary, NC

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Minutes from March Board of Trustees Secretary’s Report: Approved as presented. Rotary Club of Topeka Officers

PRESIDENT—Kirk Johnson PRESIDENT-ELECT—Terry Wages VICE-PRESIDENT—Gordon Lansford TREASURER—Gary Knoll SECRETARY—John Wall SERGEANT AT ARMS—Mike Locke Board Members David Beck Alvin Dvorak Glenda DuBoise Fred Gatlin Jennifer Haller Henry McClure Joy Moser Blanche Parks Susan Mauch Past President—Joan Wagnon THE ROTOPEKA Editor—Greg Hill Published Monthly by the Downtown Rotary Club of Topeka Downtown Ramada Inn, Suite 110 Topeka, Kansas 66607 Subscription $2.00 per year Periodicals Postage Paid at Topeka, Kansas USPS 471860 POSTMASTER: Send address change to Rotopeka 420 SE 6th, Suite 110 Topeka, KS 66607 Rotopeka deadline is two weeks prior to the first Thursday of the month

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Treasurer’s Report: Accepted as presented. February 28 Membership: 199 Resignation: were received from John Pinegar and Tom Wright, accepted. New Member proposal: for Nancy Daniels was presented, Alvin moved to approve, Glenda seconded, passed. Dictionary/Book Distribution - Glenda reported that a few members are needed to help with distributions. Improving the Sound System: at our weekly meetings was discussed, Mike Locke presented a written proposal. There will be further discussion at our April board meeting. Career Day: Fred reported that we have funds for one $500 scholarship, needs a few more pledges for the 2nd $500 scholarship. RYLA – Susan reported that she has ten serious inquiries. Fireside Chats – Jennifer reported that Marie Pyko is chairing this annual event. Golf Tournament Update: Henry reported it will be May 7, our regular weekly meeting will be held at the course, sign up sheets will be on the tables at the March 12 meeting. Next board meeting: will be April 8 at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, John Wall

Message from the President By Kirk Johnson, President

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ORE!!!!!!!!!!

That’s the traditional golf warning to ―look out ahead!‖ And ―four‖ is the number of ways and reasons you should get involved in the Topeka Rotary Club Gold Tournament on May 7. First, and most importantly, this event is a fund-raiser to help eradicate polio. Thanks to Rotary polio is now endemic to only to Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan and was limited to only 1,633 new cases in 2008. We are so very, very close to living this 20-year-old Rotary dream. Participate in the tournament in some way and help eliminate polio from the face of the earth. Second, help by actually golfing! Have fun! Lie about your score! What a great way to spend a Thursday out of the office in the beautiful Kansas Springtime at the gorgeous Shawnee Country Club. Gather your foursome and enjoy an idyllic May day. Better yet, gather a non-Rotary foursome to help share the costs. Third, help by sponsoring a hole, a team, or by providing goods or services for the auction. Golf auctions are always good money-makers but they only work if you have things to sell. Please contribute, and spread the word around town. Our polio message is a strong selling-point. Find a donor or a sponsor the help defeat polio. Fourth, bring a guest, a friend, a youth or a potential Rotarian. This is a chance to see Rotary at its very best, showcasing international club service, vocational service and by building better friendships. Bring a potential member/guest to golf and invite them to join us every week. Henry McClure and his committee are going gang-busters to make this first ever Golf Tournament a success. He needs our help. Remember, the club meeting that day, May 7, is at the Shawnee Country Club, 29th & Adams. See you there and then let’s tee off against polio and drive it from the world!

Upcoming Programs April 30—Mike Lehnherr, Rotarian, Polio Plus May 7—Rotary Golf Tournament, Shawnee Country Club—Brings clubs and a gues May 14—Mike Ryan, Author & Editor, Finding Meaning in Life May 21—Jason Opat, Kansas Film Commission

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Short an aybe you’ve seen them, tapping on their Blackberrys or scrolling through a stream of information on their iPhones.

They look like they’re texting or surfing the Web, but they’re not: They’re Twittering. If you’re among them, you’re nodding right now, maybe even typing ―Reading article about Twitter‖ into your phone. If you’re not, you might be wondering whether Twitter isn’t just another high-tech way to waste time. Twittering is text messaging, instant messaging, and blogging all rolled into one. Posts, or ―tweets‖ as they’re known in the Twitterverse, are limited to 140 characters and are usually meant to answer one simple question: What are you doing? Twitter , which has been around since 2006, gained traction as a fast, efficient communications tool when users aggregated news of the massive earthquake that struck China last May, and when eyewitnesses Twittered about the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. But most tweets aren’t real-time accounts of natural disasters or world events. They’re mundane snippets of everyday life, such as ―Stuck in traffic‖ or ―Cheerios for breakfast again.‖ Those humdrum responses to ―What are you doing?‖ inevitably lead to another question: Who cares? Certainly not everyone. But your posts about what you’re reading on your lunch hour or where you’re headed after work might resonate with someone, and that can be a jumping-off point for more meaningful dialogue. It takes only about 15 seconds to get set up on Twitter, but creating an account isn’t enough to get the conversation flowing. It takes time to build a network and find the right balance of friends (the people whose tweets you receive) and followers (the people who sign up to receive your tweets). Chris Lindell, webmaster and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids West, Iowa, USA, was looking for ways to bring together a more diverse group of members and potential members. ―Something that we hear from folks is that they have a hard time connecting,‖ says Lindell. ―So how do we provide avenues for people to be able to interact with others in these new ways? Twitter keeps coming up.‖ Since November, Lindell has been Twittering about the club’s work to help victims of the floods that devastated the Cedar Rapids area in June, and sharing links to videos and information posted on the club’s Web site. Momentum has been slow to build, but Lindell says he has made a few useful Rotary connections through Twitter and plans to keep ex-

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nd Tweet perimenting. Still, he doesn’t have a personal account, and says he’s not sure he will open one. ―I haven’t seen the payback,‖ he says. ―How does it engage people?‖ According to RI Web operations specialist Beth Skony, who oversees Rotary International’s official Twitter presence , Lindell is probably not alone: Twitter doesn’t immediately ―click‖ for many users, but she says Rotary’s Twitter site can be a good place to start. ―When [Rotarians] come to our site and they see that we have 300-some followers, they know that most of the other followers are Rotarians, and they can reach out to them pretty easily,‖ says Skony. ―We’re the center point, and they can make those other connections.‖ Think of a cocktail party filled with interesting people. Tweets are the open-ended icebreakers you need to start conversations and discover what you have in common with others in the room. ―What’s kind of neat about Twitter is that there’s some transcending of interests,‖ says Greg Hill, who handles communications for the 200-member Rotary Club of Topeka, Kansas. Hill had been using Twitter for more than a year when he brought his club on board in September, and he now maintains three accounts: one for his club, one for business, and one for personal use. Through them, he networks with people all over the country who share his interests. ―While the information is out there for our club, what we’ve found [is] that communication back and forth has been with more of a national audience,‖ says Hill. ―It’s opened up communication to other clubs around the country.‖ With three accounts, you might wonder how Hill has time to do anything else. But he says Twitter sucks up less time than other social media, such as Facebook. Part of the appeal, he says, is that he can send out a tweet while he’s sitting in a club meeting or whenever he has a moment of downtime. He also appreciates being able to control the amount of information he receives. ―You can, for the most part, follow people, and they don’t necessarily have to follow you back,‖ he says. ―What that gives you is a great sense of following large organizations and maybe more-established people in your area of interest.‖ Even if those people never read your tweets, he says, what they have to say can be a great information resource. And once you know what everyone else is up to, that leaves only one question: What are you doing? By M.Kathleen Pratt - The Rotarian The Rotarian -- May 2009 M. Kathleen Pratt is a freelance writer and former managing editor of The Rotarian.

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What you may have missed What does Rotary Do? The next time you are asked what our club does, remember all the wonderful projects we have helped make a reality. Here are several of those projects:

Christmas in April Help with TARC Winter Wonderland Dictionaries in School Dental Screenings Scholarships for Washburn Students Florence Crittenden Services RYLA Vocational Day for Junior High Sponsor Ambassadorial Scholars

Angela Wilson of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office recently spoke to the club on the topic of Consumer Protection.

Christmas Bureau Sponsor East Avondale Activities Polio Reconstructive Surgery— India Cataract Surgery—Pakistan Ambulance Project—Bangladesh Medical Team—Panama Shelter Box Books for Peace Corp Volunteers And Much, Much More

Our club awarded sponsorships for the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy to eight area high school students. The students and their respective high schools are: Madeline LeNeave, Washburn Rural Meredith Higgins, Washburn Rural Keith Howard, Topeka West Haley Johnson, Washburn Rural Erin Maxwell, Shawnee Heights Emmy Kasper, Olathe East Laurel Gardner, Shawnee Heights Hannah Gardner, Cair Paravel

Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

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Winners of The Francine Hines Memorial Scholarship for International Students

Tina Huang

degree in Nursing at Washburn. He is a junior. He intends to go to graduate school and speTina is from The People’s Republic of China. She cialize in public health after getting some work is a junior majoring in English and International experience. Trade and carries a GPA of 3.25. She would like Jingjing Sun to have a career in international trade. Tracy Huang

Jingjing is from China and also is an exchange student from Zhejiang Normal University. She is Tracy is also from China. She is here as an exstudying English language and literature at change student from Zhejiang Normal University Washburn and is carrying a GPA of 3.75 in her majoring in English at Washburn who will gradusenior year. ate from her home university in June 2010. In her first semester she earned a GPA of 4.0 and was Miranda Yin honored for outstanding academic achieveExchange student from China majoring in Engment on the President’s Honor Roll. lish . Her career goal is to be a three- language Ian Otinga interpreter (English, German, and Chinese). Has a part time job in the student union. Ian is from Kenya and is pursuing his bachelor’s

Use your cell phone to make a one-time US$5 or £5 donation to help End Polio Now. Proceeds will go toward Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge . Terms and conditions -- for those donating over U.S. cell phone networks A one-time charge will be added to your mobile phone bill. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Proceeds benefit The Rotary Foundation and are collected by the Mobile Giving Foundation in the United States. The service is available on most carriers. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 90999. For full terms in the United States, visit www.mgive.com/a.

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Welcome to our new members Nancy Knopp Daniels Nancy Knopp was born in Dickinson County, KS. She graduated from Chapman High School before a tornado blew it away in 2007. Her mother and five siblings still reside in Kansas. Nancy attended Kansas State University before getting married to Don Daniels and following him to upstate New York where he worked for IBM. When Don realized how much Nancy missed Kansas kith and kin, he found a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield and they have happily made Topeka their home for 34 years. Nancy graduated from Washburn with a degree in Business Administration. In 2008, Nancy completed a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. Time and distance will probably prohibit attendance at the other four regent universities. Nancy’s volunteerism had more influence on her employment and life plan than her education. She cherishes leadership experiences with United Methodist Women, RESULTS (creating the political will to end hunger and poverty) national Board of Directors and Children’s Defense Fund Emerging Leaders. During 18 years with United Way of Greater Topeka, Nancy served as the Director of Success By 6®.whose goal was to create a community where children have the keys to a success life by the age of six. Don and Nancy have two successful adult children who attended Topeka Public Schools. (Definition of success: working at jobs with health insurance benefits) Daughter Stacie lives in Houston with husband, daughter and--in July-- a son. Son Eric works at FHLBank in Topeka. “Little Brother” Matthew enriches their lives as a “Big Couple.” Nancy became the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Topeka in 2005. The agency served almost 600 children last year as part of Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, the second largest mentoring organization in the country. KSBBS serves more children than New York City, Boston or Los Angeles. As a professional matchmaker, Nancy wants you to know that you can make a significant difference in the life of a child with as little as 30 minutes once a week as a Big Brother, a Big Sister, a Big Couple or a Big Family. We have the research to prove that these relationships make a difference. Please call 234-5524 or see www.kansasbigs.org to volunteer.

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Eldon Sloan (seated) celebrated his 100th Birthday on Thursday, March 26, 2009.

He joined Rotary in 1954.

Meeting Makeups Topeka West—Wednesday, 7 AM Marriott Courtyard, 2033 SW Wannamaker Topeka South—Friday, 7 AM— Kansas Room, Washburn University Memorial Union Topeka North—Wednesday, noon—Topeka North YMCA Board Room. 1936 NW Tyler.

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