Our Speaker this week is Jaime Bluma, Former Royals Pitcher. His topic is "America's Guest."
Jaime Bluma attended Wichita State University from 1991 to 1994 (with 3 College World Series appearances). He was a Kansas City Royals 3rd round pick in 1994 and was with the Royals Organization from 1994 to 2000.
Since 2001, Jaime has been coaching and teaching in Kansas City, Coaching Internationally with USSSA/ABR/WBSC since 2008 (Europe, Japan) and a guest analyst on Sports Radio 810 since 2009.
Jaime is the Founder of the Non-Profit "Red, White and Bluma", which he created in 2014, assisting local military non-profits and other local non-profits in the Kansas City area.
RED THURSDAY!
WEAR YOUR CHIEFS GEAR THIS WEEK TO CHEER ON OUR TEAM IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
We have been challenged to show our spirit by the Cincinnati Rotary Club (who we might be seeing virtually at our meeting) so show up with your red on!
President Eric Bubb enthusiastically welcomed all to the Club with the Camp for Kids. We stood for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer of patience by Rick Hughes. Nate Vriezelaar was introduced as the newest member of Club 13 followed by a recognition of Mark McCombs’ first anniversary in the Club. President Eric thanked the Women of Rotary for serving as greeters and then reminded all to volunteer for the upcoming Geeks for Kids “Build Day” on February 4. Several have signed up but we need several more volunteers to help build specialized cars for movement-limited children!
President-Elect Tom Davis recognized Jessica Stewart as a Paul Harris Fellow. February 16 is a Guest Day at the Club and will feature a presentation by Jon Stephens, President and CEO of Port KC. Please invite guests and remember to register them ahead of the meeting with Mandy. Fireside meetings are taking place at the homes of Matt Meyer (Lee’s Summit), Tony Andresen (Mission Hills), and Marc McCarty (One Park Place, KCMO) on January 31, February 6, and February 9, respectively. Register through Club Runner!
President Eric then introduced our speaker, Caroline Hammond, founder and CEO of Safe in Harm’s Way, an online bridge for victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is the leading cause of injury to women, and every year, 1 in 3 women who is a victim of homicide is murdered by her current or former partner. The news is full of reports about a current or former partner killing in a place of employment or other location, usually through the use of guns. Other instances of abuse often involve abuse to animals and innocent bystanders. Caroline, a well-educated executive in the pharmaceutical industry, was motivated to set up an online resource after she escaped an abusive relationship. She described her own experience to illustrate the typical pattern and cycle abusive relationships take. Caroline rekindled a relationship with a college friend, an executive at a local KC company, and fell in love. Over time, that relationship turned ugly. When faced with abuse, many perpetrators and victims try to restore the loving place the relationship started. However, violence and abuse inevitably returns, and victims find themselves facing difficult and, in some cases, life-saving decisions. In Caroline’s case, after being told her partner had actually offered her up for sex with other people, she knew it was time to formulate a plan to escape. That escape resulted in Caroline living in her car for months in an effort to stay hidden. Her experience eventually led Caroline to form safeinharmsway.org to provide resources to others facing abusive situations. She spoke about the importance of third parties believing the victim’s story. In Caroline’s case, a treating physician believed her story and helped protect her from further abuse. She discussed the importance of believing, community support, empathy and inclusion, and safety to victims.
Those using the online resources offered by Safe in Harm’s Way has accelerated greatly through the use of billboard displays, including in Times Square, and Caroline’s guest appearances on Oprah and other shows. Such tools have been used to launch and educate victims on additional online resources, including thelastimsorry.com, feeling.small.com, and uninterruptedstories.org. Other digital resources shared by Caroline included deleteme.com which eliminates any online presence a person might have and victimsvoice.app which assists people in documenting the right information to for obtaining protection, seeking legal justice, and helping prosecutors hold abusers accountable.
After the presentation, President Eric read a quote from Muhammad Ali, “If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.” The meeting ended after saying the “Four Way Test” together. We left admiring Caroline Hammond and the difference her work is making in helping protect victims of domestic abuse.
Thursday, February 16 will be our next "Guest Day". This is traditionally Spouse's Day - but any guest is welcome!! The Guest Speaker will be Jon Stephens, President & CEO, Port KC.
Jon is an economic development professional who has spent his career focused on utilizing thoughtful development concepts to improve the community. He is passionate about his city, and has built a reputation for creativity and collaboration.
Please let Mandy know if you plan to bring a guest!
Geeks For Kids design and build custom, electric ride-on cars for kids with movement limitations. We have the opportunity to continue our support of Geeks For Kids at the Build Event on February 4th.
The Build Event is from 8:30am-4:30pm and is split into two shifts. The morning shift is fully booked, so we are looking for volunteers for the afternoon shift. It is important that you are able to stay for your entire shift. There is a job for everyone regardless of skill level and lunch will be provided.
The Build Event will be held in the Downtown Underground at 1501 W. 31st Street, Suite 419, Kansas City, MO 64111; the Downtown Underground cave complex is just west of Penn Valley on the west side of downtown and just off 1-35.
Please sign up via the following link. This takes you to the schedule and you will register for the February 4th Build Day. You will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions and contact information for the day of the event. Contact Eric Bubb at ericbubb@reecenichols.com with any questions.
Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group for the discussion of the book Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. The book is available at Rainy Day Books and the discussion will be led by Vivien Jennings. All Rotarians and guests are welcome.
Event: Rotary Book Discussion Group
Date: Monday, January 30, 2023, 6:30 PM
Location: Rainy Day Books
2706 West 53rd Street
Mission, KS 66205
About the book:
Corrigan, a radical young Irish monk, struggles with his own demons as he lives among the prostitutes in the middle of the burning Bronx. A group of mothers gather in a Park Avenue apartment to mourn their sons who died in Vietnam, only to discover just how much divides them even in grief. A young artist finds herself at the scene of a hit-and-run that sends her own life careening sideways. Tillie, a thirty-eight-year-old grandmother, turns tricks alongside her teenage daughter, determined not only to take care of her family but to prove her own worth.
Elegantly weaving together these and other seemingly disparate lives, McCann’s powerful allegory comes alive in the unforgettable voices of the city’s people, unexpectedly drawn together by hope, beauty, and the “artistic crime of the century.” A sweeping and radical social novel, Let the Great World Spin captures the spirit of America in a time of transition, extraordinary promise, and, in hindsight, heartbreaking innocence. Hailed as a “fiercely original talent” (San Francisco Chronicle), award-winning novelist McCann has delivered a triumphantly American masterpiece that awakens in us a sense of what the novel can achieve, confront, and even heal.
There are still a few spots open for the Upcoming Firesides!
The Firesides will be held at: (all will be from 7:00 - 9:00 pm)
Matt Meyer’sin Lee’s Summit on Tuesday, January 31 (5 spots left)
Tony Andresen’sin Mission Hills on Monday, February 6 (3 spots left), and
Marc McCarty’sin midtown at One Park Place on Thursday, February 9 (1 spot left)
Because the point of Firesides is being focused on small social gatherings, we limit the number of each to 12 Rotarians. The hosts will provide refreshments, but it’s not a dinner situation. Beverages and light snacks. Click on the links above to sign up!
Bowling News
By Tim Tholen
Hello Rotary Club 13!!
Last week the bowlers met up for our weekly meet up and had a blast. Scores did not reflect the level of skill though, we all must have had an off night!
200 scores:
Mike Messmer 208
Shaun Cussen 200
Splits:
Hope Patrick 2/10
Mike Messmer 6/7/10
Planning for our Columbia trip to bowl against St Louis is underway! April 18th is the date!
Rotary Youth Camp Update
By Laurie Mozley
The carpet is out and the popcorn ceilings are coming down! Choosing flooring, countertops, and paint next!