The meeting began after Pres. Bubb discovered that people hear him much better when his microphone is turned on. After everyone was welcomed, we stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Then, while we remained standing, Brad Kleindl brought forth an invocation that consisted of a Little League Leaguer’s thoughts and dreams about playing baseball.
Guests at the meeting today were recognized by Club Executive Director, Mandy Sheldon. Then Jonathan Kemper’s forty years of club membership were recognized, followed by a report that member Steve Burger is recovering at home from foot surgery.
The stalwart members of the Kansas City Rotary Club Foundation Board were our greeters for a day. Jim Porter and Linn Mills presented a trophy and a review of his many contributions to the financial health and community standing of the Club for many years to club member Gary McEachen.
Reminders and reports included P.P. Tony Andresen with a word or two about the pep rally to remind us about KC Day. Also we heard about coming dues and lunch costs increases. Only slight. First time in many years.
Calendar event reminders were made about the Camp Work Day on May 20, a gathering at the New Theatre Restaurant to enjoy the “Million Dollar Quartet” on May 23, and the delivery of their projects to the kids at Geet for Kinds on June 3. See the Buzzsaw for details.
President to be Some Day Jared Campbell introduced our speaker for the day, Laura Ziegler, who began her career in broadcast news in the 1980s, beginning here with an interlude in Washington, DC, and finally back here, where she has covered news in the Midwest for over 30 years. During that time she’s held various positions at KC’s NPR (National Public Radio) while raising three children. In recent years she has worked as the station’s first “community engagement reporter”. In that role her job is to work with various segments of the community to uncover ignored or misrepresented stories, and to help people find ways to improve the quality of their lives and communities.
Ms. Ziegler describes her work as “Community Engagement and Solutions Journalism,”, i.e., “Radio from the Grass Roots.” Using many slides, she discussed the aspects of her work and the intended impact she (and the radio station) strive to have on the community.
It is easy to think of the role of radio (and TV) stations as providing interesting entertainment for the community. Ms. Ziegler did a good job of emphasizing the efforts of broadcast radio to go beyond entertainment and to serve as a voice for all segments of the community, in a way to expands the health and quality of living for everyone.
After Ms. Ziegler concluded her remarks, Pres. Bubb returned to the podium to remind us of coming events and to leave us with the following quote, “A life of significance is about serving those who need your gifts, your leadership, your purpose.” Kevin Hall”
A recitation of the 4-way test brought the meeting to a close.
Please join us for the Geeks for Kids Delivery Day Celebration on June 3 (or the 17th if we get rained out on the 3rd). Delivery Day is the best day of our year, and we hope that it will be one of your favorites too. It’s like Christmas on steroids. Join us as 64 kids receive the #Power2Play. We need 100+ good-hearted volunteers to make this event a success. 
Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group for the discussion of the book The Omega Factor by Steve Berry. The book is available at Rainy Day Books and the discussion will be led by Vivien Jennings. All Rotarians and guests are welcome. The group will meet at Rainy Day Books, however, Zoom will be available for those you cannot attend in person.
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