WELCOME TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF LEAWOOD, KS
Upcoming Meetings + Speakers:
by clicking above (if you can't come in person!)
Meeting ID: 813 1042 7816
Passcode: Rotary
June 18th, 2026
Mayor of Leawood, Marc Elkins
State of the City of Leawood
July 2nd, 2026
Charlotte Belshi-Powell
July 9th, 2026
TBD
July 16th, 2026
Robyn Kerkaert
Our June 11th program was Mark Turrentine, Blue Valley School District Coordinator of Career and Technical Education, about real world learning and career-ready programs within the schools and numerous community partnerships. The city members also plugged information about upcoming Leawood for the Goal Activities!
To kick off our June meetings, our first speaker was Kendall Gammon, who presented Emotional Oxygen: Leadership Clarity Under Pressure, sharing insights on leadership, communication, and maintaining clarity during challenging situations. We also welcomed Noelle Caldwell as a new member of the Club!
Busy morning at our Leawood Rotary meeting! Secretary Rick Robinson presented a check to Project C.U.R.E., new member Rachel Rubin was inducted, and writer Chelan David, a KU basketball superfan, thrilled members with stories from the Phog.
We were thrilled to learn from Stephanie Meyer with The Leawood Chamber who spoke about the Chamber programs and activities. We also welcomed Dr. Madhukar Chhatre as a new member of the Club!
The Leawood Rotary was fortunate to hear from Major Xavier Montenegro with The Salvation Army in Kansas & Western Missouri. The regional operation includes eight local church and community centers, and a broad range of social service programs.
Club member Darren Lippe was recognized for his third Paul Harris Fellow award and Maria Wilson, District 5710 PolioPlus Chair, discussed the enormous international impact Rotary Clubs have had on polio, though there is still more work to be done.
Returning Rotarian Chris Armer was inducted and several new and repeat guests enjoyed the best bacon in Leawood at our April 9th weekly meeting. Eric Thompson, major gifts officer, visited from Rotary International in Chicago. Members offered Happy Bucks to celebrate a new great grandchild, a wedding anniversary, and much more. Two representatives of City of Fountains Foundation shared the history of several fountains, including the Meyer Circle Seahorse Fountain, which is being restored using granite. Kansas City’s fountain season officially opens on Wednesday, April 15 at 2 PM as KC Parks and Recreation hosts the annual Fountain Day celebration.
Mark Hurley with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City spoke with the Club about the impact of The Y on people of all ages in the metro. The Club also welcomed new member Mark McCormick and helped member Del Karmeier celebrate a milestone birthday!
Hosts Ed and Arlene Ladegaard chose Sauvignon Blancs as the varietal for their We Make Pour Choices wine tasting event. Fermented grape fans enjoy socials monthly as members of Leawood Rotary.
At the Leawood Rotary Club's March 19, 2026 meeting members heard from Jeff Owens about First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District. We also welcomed a new member, Dirk Anthonis!
During our March 12, 2026 meeting, Doug Wesselschmidt transferred his Rotary membership to Leawood Rotary Club with Stephen Powell as his sponsor. Then, Tasheka Garrett of SchoolSmart KC presented shocking statistics and ways everyone can help to defeat human trafficking, particularly among brown and black girls and women.
At our March 5, 2026 meeting, we heard from a 15-year-old Girl Scout, Sammie Magee who was inspired to create Sammie’s Toy Drive for communities struck by tragedies affecting children and teens.
In other news, it was member Davis Harrison's birthday. His family had a tradition of a gift of a box of sugary cereal on his birthday. Not knowing this, VP Darren Lippe brought a box as a joke because former president Steve Black had said he’d like to add Cap'n Crunch to our hot breakfast buffet. Needless to say, Harrison, not Steve, was awarded the treat.
At our February 19, 2026 meeting, we welcomed new member Andrew Pujado, and heard from Janice Taylor with the Global Birthing Home Foundation about the work the organization is doing in Haiti to help with women and babies.
At our February 12, 2026 meeting, we heard from Lisa Harrison and Stephen Powel about the community's work to prepare for the World Cup, and also heard from Richard Candelario about the impact the Rotary scholarship from our club has made on his life. We also got to induct a new member - Bill Spillar!
Kids! The future of our children was the focus at our February 5, 2026 meeting. Club member Milca Aguirre shared exciting and unique perks of being Big Brothers Big Sisters of America supporter. Kim Hammers of EMBRACE also enlightened members on the inroads made supporting children with disabilities and learning differences in Catholic schools.
On January 22, members heard all about the Dictionary Project, a literacy-promoting initiative to get dictionaries into the hands of third graders all over the country. Our neighbors to the south in District 6110 have made this their pet project for the past 30 years. Rotarians can sponsor a classroom of third graders for just $96.
Leawood Rotarian Brad Moore was presented with the Unsung Hero award for the fourth quarter of 2025. Congratulations!
Genesis Mercado with the Ella Initiative spoke about ways their non-profit helps young women in South America and the United States with their community-based programs. They address the evolving needs of women in today's workforce, from access and opportunity to mental health and financial stability.
Club members had an informative presentation from member Ken Selzer about the Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Endowment Trust.
Rotarian Darren Lippe provided a program about famous Kansan Osa Johnson. Osa was a famous adventurer during the 1930s who traveled with her husband to distant lands and brought back tales of the jungle and tribal peoples.
Marialexa Sanoja and Dr. Norbly Forero from Mision Despegue, Inc. shared about their organization and committment to creating awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, addiction, and mental health issues prevalent among youth with a focus on the Hispanic community.
Sid Mitchell of Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers enlightened Rotarians and guests on how this organization assists law enforcement with solving recent and cold cases by rewarding anonymous callers who have valuable information that results in arrests.
Mike Davisson with the Blue Valley Father's Club spoke about how fathers are working in the schools at all levels to connect with and help kids. Father’s Club is a dad-led, grassroots effort creating simple ways for dads to be intentional with their kids, with other dads and within their communities.
How we #UniteforGood
Hisham Hawari, President of the Rotary Club of Amman West in Jordan, exchanged Rotary flags with our club on October 9. President Rod Pemberton continued the conversation with President Hawari after the club meeting, discussing potential future projects. Learn more about Amman West by clicking the link below.
Our meeting on October 2nd featured Fred Hefer with Pomerol Partners, who have utilized data analytic insights to curb human trafficking. Lucky Bloom also assisted with the presentation as a subject matter expert, connecting influencers dedicated to the ending and prevention of human trafficking in impactful collaboration.
After acknowledging Patriot Day, President Rod Pemberton and Membership Co-chair Jake Schloegel inducted previous Chesterfield, MO, Rotarian Dr. David Meyers, whose interests include civil war medicine and drumming. Then, Megan Harding informed members of the huge variety of medical and hygiene aid packages and services that Heart to Heart International procures, packages and delivers for those in need locally and globally.
At the September 4th assembly, we recognized three members for their philanthropy, welcomed new member Tesla Hague, presented $500 to Midwest Adaptive Sports, and heard about the impact and volunteer needs of Junior Achievement from Sara Swearingen and Beth Stallbaumer.
