Rotary Club 13
 

Thursday's Meeting

March 4, 2010

  

In This Issue

William K. Black- Speaker

Comfort Station - The 2009 $197 Challenge

Blood Drive

Centennial Committee takes the show on the road

AED/CPR Training and Refresher Courses

Call for Memories

Bowling News

Last Thursday's Meeting

Blood Drive

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
 
March 4:
New Member Orientation
10:30 - Jay McShann A

Membership C& Q
11:00 -- Jay McShann B
Centennial Blood Drive
10:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Yardbird A & B @ the Marriott
March 11:
Program
11:00 - Burgundy Room

CPR/AED Refresher Course
1:20 - 2:20 - Trianon E

March 25
Downtown
11:00 - Burgundy

Membership Development
11:00 - Lido Room

















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March Birthdays
1. Tim Hall
2. David Schmidt
3. Lee Brumitt, Steve Dicus
 4. John Davis, Ron Dillon
5. Ken Beardsley
6. Kara Bennett, Bill Dietrich
7. Clarence Greene, Vivien Jennings, Kent Fulton
9. Richard Atlas
10. Sally Bibb, Dan Doty, Mike Regan
11. Gordon Gilpin, Bob Motley
12. Scott Corbin
13. Doug Nelson
15. Dave Bywaters
16. Eberhard Hibben, Mike Sanders
18. Ward Shaw
19. Glenn Bradford
20. David Odegard
22. Eric Van Beber
24. Harlan Stamper
25. Brian Alexander
26. Mark Bertrand
27. Matt Meyer
31. John Hickok
  
Marriott Hotel 12 Noon Count Basie "A" Ballroom

"The Best Way To Rob A Bank Is To Own One"

William K. Black, PhD, Associate Professor of Economics and Law, University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) 


Bill Black details an alarming story about financial - and political - corruption. The specifics go back twenty years, but the lessons are as fresh as the morning newspaper.

An Associate Professor at UMCK, he teaches White-Collar Crime, Public Finance, Antitrust, Law & Economics and co teaches Latin American Development. He was the Executive Director of the Institute for Fraud Prevention from 2005-2007. He has taught previously at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and at Santa Clara University, where he was also the distinguished scholar in residence for insurance law and a visiting scholar at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.

He recently helped the World Bank develop anti-corruption initiatives and served as an expert for OFHEO in its enforcement action against Fannie Mae's former senior management. Black developed the concept of "control fraud" - frauds in which the CEO or head of state uses the entity as a "weapon." Control frauds cause greater financial losses than all other forms of property crime combined and kill and maim thousands.

He was litigation director of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, deputy director of the FSLIC, SVP and General Counsel of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and Senior Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Thrift Supervision. He was deputy director of the National Commission on Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement. Black earned AB and JD degrees from the University of Michigan and his PhD from the University of California, Irvine.
Invocator-
Don  Giffin		 Welcomer-
Jeff Lanza
 Centennial Minute -
Jane Lee

GREETERS:  Our newly inducted members and their sponsors will serve
as our greeters this week.

CPR/AED DUTY SCHEDULE

     March 4, 2010
1. Leader - Ken Craven
2. Compress - Rick Beyer
3. Defib - Gerald Lee
UPCOMING SPEAKERS & EVENTS:
March 4 - Centennial Blood Drive, Yardbird A & B at the Marriott - 10:00 a.m. thru 1:45 p.m.
March 11- Dr. John Covington, superintendent, Kansas City, Missouri School District, will speak on "Where Do We Go From Here: Kansas City Schools?" 
March 18 - Judge John R. O'Malley, former Circuit Court Judge, will speak on "My Life in Court."
March 25 - Rotary Night at the American Heartland with dinner
at Milano's
April 5 - Monday, Greater Kansas City Day
April 8 - Literacy Kansas City Corporate Spelling Bee at Johnson County Community College

Comfort Station - The 2009 - Now $197 Challenge

This summer our campers enjoyed our new comfort station, including state of the art showers, bathroom facilities and three washers and dryers. The new facility should last us a half-century. The total cost was $503K. We have raised $246K. The Hall Family Foundation has offered a $40K Topping Grant once we reach an additional $217K. We recently received an additional Topping Grant of $20K from the Oppenstein Foundation, reducing the challenge goal to $197K.  To date, we have received $82,282.95, leaving us just $114,717.05 to go. We are 76% of the way there.

You know, the bricks and mortar of our comfort station in themselves don't pull at the heartstrings but what about our camp users? This past summer in our 85th Summer Session we offered a camp experience to the following groups:

Midwest Brachial Plexus Network (Children injured at birth)
ARC of Clay & Platte Counties (Adults functioning as 8-12 years old)
Joshua Center (Children with Tourette's Syndrome)
Joint Adventures (Children with arthritis)
American Indian Center (Children living at/or below poverty level)
Bridge Home for Children (Children who are wards of the court)
Boy Scouts (Physically & mentally handicapped)
Girl Scouts (Physically & mentally handicapped)
Kansas City Youth Experience (Team building for inner-city youth)
So many special children were delighted with our new comfort station. The kids can't wait to come again next year. If you could just see the smiles on their faces when they are at our camp you would certainly help out! Give what you can but if you donate $1,000 you can become a K.C. Rotary Club Foundation Fellow. We will even make arrangements with a payment plan. Call the Rotary office at 816/842-2322 and speak with Janet about this today!
Thank-You Letter from a special camper!

Becky,

 

     I have been thinking about sending you a quick thank- you for camp but I just can't quite put my thoughts into words. This was the most "normal" experience my son has had in years. Yes, years! He rarely goes anywhere without me to be the "buffer" between him and the world. To allow these kids to be free for an entire week is the greatest gift anyone could give them. For one glorious week they are free to tic, run, play, laugh, and make friends. But more than that, for one amazing week they are free from glares, judgment, condescension, and bullying. This is something that I, as a parent, couldn't give him.

 

    My son summed up his camp experience for me when he said, "That was the most fun I've ever had in my life! And, mom! They said I was a GOOD kid!"

 

    Camp! The gift that will last a lifetime!

 

Thank you Becky, Mike and everyone else involved for everything you did to make camp happen.

 

Sincerely,

Christy Burgess

Centennial Blood Drive is this Thursday!

This  Thursday, March 4, in Yardbird A & B at the Marriott Hotel, we will hold our Centennial blood drive.  Get ready to roll up your sleeves and give the gift of life.  This year we will be in competition with the St. Louis Rotary Club in donating blood. Call the Rotary office and set a time from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. that is good for you.  Remember the life you save could one day be your own.

CPR-AED Training and Refresher Classes

It has been a year since we offered a refresher course for our CPR-AED training. Bruce Ludeman, our instructor, will be conducting our second refresher class on Thursday, Mar. 11, from 1:20 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Trianon E at the Muehlebach Hotel. There is no charge for the refresher class but please RSVP to the Rotary office at 842-2322 the date you are choosing to attend.

We have also added a CPR-AED training class for new folks on Thursday, Mar. 18, 1:20 to 3:30 p.m. in Trianon E.  Cost to participate is $35, half of which will be paid by the club if you are willing to be a part of our team roster. Please call and register today for this training class.  

Greater KC Day will happen on Monday, April 5

Greater KC Day will happen on Monday, April 5.
We are looking for volunteers to hawk newspapers early on that Monday morning. If you are able to help out in volunteering for this service project, contact Terry O'Toole at totoole@kctg.com or 816/512-5514 or Mike Hennessy at 816/461-6243 or mhennessy71@yahoo.com
Tyros, you can earn eight points for volunteering and know that the proceeds will go to support our Youth Camp operations. (And it looks like a lot of fun!)

The Centennial Committee is taking the show on the road!

The Centennial Committee has produced a power point slide show titled Service in Kansas City … One Club at a Time that recognizes 100 years of Rotary in Kansas City

The Committee has contacted all 37 of the area clubs that are the offspring of Club 13 and asked to have program time to present the slide show.  We are off to a great start and are currently booking dates through April, with the goal of reaching as many clubs as possible before the May luncheon at Union Station. 

Committee members are trained and ready to present the show but want to extend an invitation to any Club 13 member that would like to go along and be a support for the speaker as well as indicate our Club's commitment to the Centennial activities. 

 On  March 3 a presentation will be made at the Shawnee Mission Rotary Club and March 5 at the Richmond Rotary Club. Let Evie Craig know at ecraig@restartinc.org or 913.706.1469  if you are interested in signing up.  Our Centennial Committee members will present the program and welcome Club 13 colleagues!

Rotary Club 11, St. Louis Centennial Gala

Save the date -- March 12, 2010
RI President John Kenny, guest of honor

Dinner Dance Gala Celebration
Millennium Hotel, 200 S. 4th St., St. Louis, Mo. 63102
For information contact Club11@rotarystl.org or 314-894-1759
$100 per person
Checks payable to: Rotary Club Welfare Fund, 405 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63102
Special room rate of $99 for overnight guests.
To reserve a room at the Millennium call 314-241-9500.
Be sure to tell them Group Code: 1003ROTARY to get the special rate 

Call for Memories

The momentum for Club 13's centennial is heating up. But it won't be complete without the personal memories of our members.
     To those of you who have been members for awhile (we'll leave that loosely defined), reach back into your memory banks for anecdotes, reflections, observations…the kind of things that never make it into the official record, yet reflect the heart, compassion – and humor – of Club 13.
     We plan to set aside a section of the centennial book for these memories that are an important part of our club's history.
     So start reminiscing! Send your contributions and any questions to Jane Lee at jane@janeleecomm.com

Order Your Print Today!
                  

Bob Weir's painting "Work Day at the Camp" that was auctioned at the Holiday Party is being offered in a limited edition of prints. These are signed by the artist, numbered and unframed; 20" x 16" in size. Cost is $100.00 each, payable to Rotary Youth Camp Association and MUST be paid with your order.  This is a one-time offer and must be received by Mar. 18.

IT'S KICK-OFF TIME FOR SHOES FOR ORPHAN SOULS.

Last year, we sent 1200 pairs to needy children in several countries. This year, the shoes will go to Haitian Children.   Athletic shoes, which are preferred, will cost approximately $8.00 per pair.  If you see shoes cheaper, feel free to buy them and bring them to Rotary. However, if you want me to do your shopping, make your check payable to K.C. R.C. Foundation, and write "shoes" in the memo line.

By now you all have received an e-mail asking for your participation. I would like to think BIG as we are helping Haiti's needy children---1,500 HUNDRED PAIR FOR HAITIAN CHILDREN...LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!

Steve Burger, Chair

Rotary Night at the American Heartland 

Your Entertainment Committee has made arrangements for a dinner and theatre event on Thursday, Mar. 25.

The evening starts with dinner at Milano's restaurant at 5:30 p.m.in Crown Center.  Then, you make your way upstairs to the American Heartland Theatre for a drink at the cash bar while Carl Bolte’s fingers dance across the ivory keys. Finally, you take your seats at 7:30 p.m. for the laugh-filled performance of "I Love you, You're Perfect, Now Change".

The event costs $32.00 per person (dinner and a ticket) and includes free parking at the Crown Center Garage.

It is suited for the new couple looking for what life’s going to be like or for the husband and wife that have been though it all and still say "I love you, you're perfect – don’t change".

Please RSVP as soon as possible at the Rotary office at 816.842.2322. We need a firm head count to reserve our block of tickets. Thank you.
Let’s Spell for Literacy  (Flash: Party March 16!)
Get out those dictionaries – and your wallet – and let's whip up a buzz for literacy. And like true Club 13 members, we're going to launch it with a party March 16!

It's time for the 16th Annual Literacy Kansas City Corporate Spelling Bee. And we need donors and sharp spellers to compete in the city-wide event Thursday, April 8, at Johnson County Community College.

Can't spell. No problem. We'll take a C-H-E-C-K!

It's all for the benefit of Literacy Kansas City, an organization dedicated to reducing illiteracy through a variety of programs and services.

But first we need to raise funds for our $3,000 sponsorship and select four spellers for the Rotary Club 13 team at our pre-Bee Rotary Spell-Off Party on Tuesday, March 16 at 4545 Wornall Rd., KC, MO.  We'll begin at 5:30 p.m. with wine and hors d'oeuvres. Those interested in becoming team members then participate in a spell-off to determine the final four.

Those attending the Spell-Off make a donation of $100. You may bring a guest at no additional charge. Rotarians and non-Rotarian guests competing for a place on the team need not make the $100 donation.

Your $100 donation also includes two tickets to the Literacy Kansas City Corporate Spelling Bee on April 8 that will include heavy hors d'oeuvres and an entertaining evening with raucous cheering for the Rotary team. (Anyone for cheerleader?) This event will be held at the Johnson County Community College.

If you wish to attend or just contribute, please send a check for $100 made out to "Literacy Kansas City," and mail to the Rotary Club 13 office, 1219 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO 64105-1621. A ticket will be mailed to you.

We can be proud that Rotary Club 13 has competed in this event since its inception. Last year our team took 4th out of 13 competing teams…and our cheering section took second place!

If you're interested in being a team member, check out sample "bee" words at myspellit.com.

Please direct any questions to Rotary Club 13 Literacy committee chair Mary Kingsley at mary@jwilbur.com, or to the club office, 816.842.2322.

BOWLING NEWS:  by Dick Retrum         (Feb. 17, 2010)

League play today was a little boring.  Not that we didn't have fun, but there were no 200 games and no difficult splits picked up.  There was however an interesting thing that happened during the middle of the first match.  All the scoring screens went green with a billboard type message that read:  Happy 31st Wedding Anniversary – Wesley Gill.  A clever way for her husband Jim to alert the entire league that today was a special day. 

 

     The Glitzy Gals must feel pretty special.  They are in first place by two games.  Congratulations to Marilyn Lager, Mary Tikwart, Phyllis Brennan and Barbara Martin. After today's play, the Past Prez's might be closing on the Gals.When asked about their chances of re-taking the lead, Bob Lager replied, "Well, I'm more concerned about what is happening in the Ukraine right now and if illiterate people get the full affect of alphabet soup."    Karl Roscoe added that the handicapping situation demands that you bowl well above your average to have a chance against an all female team.  He also suggested that you should never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

 

     A few stats:  Jane Lee was our most improved bowler this week, Norm Waters still holds the high game spot with a 257, Wesley Gill has the high game female 189 and the Off-N-On’s lead the league in the pin count of 37,197.


 

Last Thursday - February 18, 2010

by Jim Holmberg

Evie Craig and the Downtown committee picked a winner last Thursday presenting Cosentinos' Market and John Cosentino with Club 13's Outstanding Downtown Business award.  The committee's choice was affirmed by a hearty testimony from Carl DiCapo with a firm second from George Heymach to the generosity and community service of Cosentinos.

Rusty Macy stepped to the podium reminding us of the value of our Youth Camp and telling us of the importance of strong support of the April 5th Greater Kansas City Day.  Paper “sales” on and before Royals opening day are vital to make up the projected deficit in the Camp Budget.  Rusty also presented a $15,000 Hyatt Community Grant check to President Matt Meyer, Youth Camp Association President Chris Boland and Camp Superintendent Laurie Mosley.

When we arrived at the Trianon Room we were greeted by members of the Downtown Committee.  Harlan Stamper and Carl Bolte led us in singing "America the Beautiful." President Matt Meyer led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Steve Dicus offered our invocation.  Duane Benton did extra duty welcoming 15 guests.

Program Chair Steve Burger probably set a record for the shortest and most direct introduction in Club 13 history.  He introduced Star political columnist Steve Kraske who gave an overview of the ethics investigations in Jefferson City, a review of national politics and presented his view of the citizen's apathy for politics in general.

Kraske said he admires many of our politicians and thoroughly believes when they are elected they have a sincere desire to manage the peoples business well.  He says something happens when the low paid Missouri legislators get away from home and become prey for high paid lobbyists and special interests.  The results are an FBI investigation into the “pay for play” activity that may have been haunting the halls of the state capitol.

Kraske lamented that he sees middle of the road politicians as an endangered species.  He commented that the two year terms for congressmen barely give them enough time to seriously work on solving long term issues.

And Kraske expressed his concern with widespread public apathy.  He recounted recently surveying Kansas lawmakers to see how much input they were hearing from the folks back home about a contentious issue.  The disappointing answer was none.

It was another great meeting for Club 13.  If you missed it you're now partly up to speed because you've read the Buzz Saw and you can listen to the podcast through the www.rotary13.org web site.  We'll look forward to seeing you in person next Thursday.  Until then, the future of Rotary is in your hands.
 

Rotary Club 13 Office - 1219 Wyandotte - Kansas City, MO 64105 - 816.842.2322
www.rotary13.org