Meeting Preview - October 30, 2008

REMINDER INFO

Hope you will join us Thursday for the weekly meeting of the Topeka Rotary Club. Our speaker is Mary Kerr of the RSVP Program. We are in the Jefferson Ballroom in the Lower Level.

INVOCATION: Anita Wolgast

GUEST INTRODUCTIONS: John Wall

GREETERS: Ramon Powers, Wayne Probasco, Marie Pyko, Suresh Ramamurthi, James Rankin, Jim Regier

CUP MONEY –RSVP Program. RSVP is a program that mobilizes volunteers age 55 and over to deliver creative solutions to community needs. Volunteers are encouraged to use their skills and experience in service to public and nonprofit agencies. RSVP offers limited mileage reimbursement for volunteers who request it and that has become the biggest program expense. Funds will be used to reimburse the approximately 100 volunteers requesting mileage reimbursement.

RECEPTION TABLE: Staci Williams

MENU: Chef’s Field Greens w/Choice of Dressing, Italian Seared Salmon, Chicken Creole w/Lobster Sauce, Chef’s vegetables, Warm Rolls & Butter, Rice Pilaf, Chef’s Dessert Display

NEW MEMBER TABLE: Dick Knoll, Fred Gatlin, Chris McGee

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
New Member Introductions:
(1) Jamie Dultmeier, Director of Sales & Marketing, McCrite Plaza by Pat Michaelis
(2) Steven Newell, Market President, Central National Bank by Grant Glenn

District Foundation Banquet
TIME IS RUNNUNG OUT! The District Foundation Banquet is November 8, and the deadline for making reservations is November 5. We already have 6-7 club-sponsored tables, but there is still time to order one. Remember, World Fellowship Tables are $2500, and Paul Harris Fellowship Tables are $1400. Ten people get to sit at each table, and your club gets to name two Paul Harris Fellows with the World Fellowship Table, one with the Paul Harris Fellowship Table. Or, if members just want to come and bring a guest, it's just $170 per couple, with $100 going to The Rotary Foundation.

This year's Banquet will be the best ever, with our speaker being a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, Ron Burton. Ron is a fantastic speaker--believe me, you'll enjoy him. We will honor folks who have taken part in Foundation activities--like Ambassadorial Scholars and GSE team members--and those who have given generously to the Foundation.
Frank Oppitz, a former Downtown Rotarian, passed away on Friday, October 24. His funeral was Tuesday, October 28.

Also, the October issue of the Rotopeka has gone to print, but it is available online.
Rotary International has sent tax receipts to the office that were returned to Rotary International World Headquarters as “undeliverable.” Would members please update their addresses though RI’s Data Services Department by contacting them at Data@Rotary.org If there is anything further that can assist you with, please contact them at their Contact Center at Contact.Center@Rotary.org

Topeka Rotary Club remembers longtime member, Frank Oppitz

Topeka Rotary Club remembers longtime Member, Frank J. Oppitz Jr.  A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church.  Obituary

New Member - Kathleen Hein

Kathleen Hein is a native Topekan. She graduated from Washburn Rural High School and attended the University of Kansas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi.

She was introduced to Rotary at an early age. Her grandfather, Dr. Harry Lacy, was a Member of the Iola, KS Rotary Club for over 60 yrs. He served as its President in 1944.
Kathleen has been is sales for most of her professional career, and is an Executive Recruiter with Premier Executive Recruiting. She gets great satisfaction from assisting candidates advance their careers and helping to solve critical needs for her clients.

She has been married to Larry Hein for 29 years. They have three children; Matt, Reed and Lacy. Kathleen is a high school and college sports enthusiast who enjoys football, golf, and basketball. She is a member of Society of Human Resource Managers, Topeka West Booster Club, and enjoys delivering Meals- On -Wheels. She was reportedly also a cheerleader for the University of Kansas.

Welcome Kathleen!

Jeremy Kappell talks weather

KSNT Chief Meteorologist Jeremy Kappell discusses his career background and takes questions from the audience during his presentation to the Topeka Rotary Club on October 23rd. Watch his presentation on Rotary Live.

David Beck receives a Paul Harris Award

David Beck (center), his wife Lynette were presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Topeka Rotary Club. Club President Kirk Johnson presented the award at the October 23, 2008 Topeka Rotary Club meeting.

Meeting Preview - October 23, 2008

REMINDER INFO
Hope you will join us Thursday for the weekly meeting of the Topeka Rotary Club. Our speaker is Jeremy Kappel, KSNT. His presentation is titled - "Wide Wonderful World of Weather"

LOCATION: Jefferson Ballroom (Lower Level Right)

INVOCATION: Joyce Martin

GUEST INTRODUCTIONS: Don Kready

GREETERS: Todd Payne, Nancy Perry, Vicki Peterson, Joe Pierron, John Pineger, Ginger Powell

CUP MONEY –RSVP Program. RSVP is a program that mobilizes volunteers age 55 and over to deliver creative solutions to community needs. Volunteers are encouraged to use their skills and experience in service to public and nonprofit agencies. RSVP offers limited mileage reimbursement for volunteers who request it and that has become the biggest program expense. Funds will be used to reimburse the approximately 100 volunteers requesting mileage reimbursement.

RECEPTION TABLE: Staci Williams

MENU: Pork Tenderloin w/Apple & Raisin Sauce, Chef’s Vegetable Medley, & Chef’s Dessert Display

NEW MEMBER TABLE: Joan Wagnon, Bob Clawson, Tom Gorrell

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
New Member Introduction: Kathleen Hein, Executive Recruiter, Premier Executive Recruiting

Paul Harris Presentation to David Beck

District Foundation Banquet:
Everyone is invited to attend the Annual District Foundation Banquet November 8 in Overland Park. This is a great chance to contribute to the International Rotary Foundation and have a great time as well. Tickets are $85 per person, and $50 goes to The Foundation. If you take your spouse or a guest, the total is $170, with $100 going to the Foundation. And here is a SPECIAL BONUS--Larry Dimmitt will match your banquet contributions to the Foundation in Paul Harris Fellow credits. So if you buy one ticket for $85, you get $50 in Paul Harris Fellow credits PLUS $50 more in Paul Harris Fellow credits from Larry. If you buy 2 tickets, you get $100 in Paul Harris Fellow credits, PLUS another $100 in credits from Larry.

Meeting Preview - October 16, 2008

Meeting Update

Hope you will join us Thursday for the weekly meeting of the Topeka Rotary Club. We will meet in the Jefferson Ballroom in the Lower Level. Our speaker is Kelly Stupka, Executive Director, Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas.

Other announcements:

Greeters - Phil Oliver, Elizabeth Page, Ann Palmer, Jeff Parker, Blanche Parks, and Don Paxson

Invocation - Joan Underwood

Guest Introductions - Gordon Lansford

Reception Table - Jane Mackey

Menu - To be announced

New Member Table - Roy Browning, Susan Mauch, Andy Chandler

October Cup Money - RSVP Program. RSVP is a program that mobilizes volunteers age 55 and over to deliver creative solutions to community needs. Volunteers are encouraged to use their skills and experience in service to public and nonprofit agencies. RSVP offers limited mileage reimbursement for volunteers who request it and that has become the biggest program expense. Funds will be used to reimburse the approximately 100 volunteers requesting mileage reimbursement.

New Member Introductions
1) Rasalind Jennings, Community relations Manager, Kansas Gas Service
2) Jeff Hiestand, Sr. Vice-President, Commercial Lender, CoreFirst Bank & Trust
Additional Updates

Update on Visioning Plan by William Beteta
District Foundation Banquet Promotion by Henry McClure

Remember, if you cannot make the meeting, you can watch it live on the Topeka Rotary Club website at www.downtowntopekarotary.org.

The September Rotopeka is online, read it here.

Join the District Foundation on Nov. 8, 2008 at the Overland Park Sheraton for the 3rd Annual Foundation Banquet. This fabulous event brings together Rotarians from throughout the District and beyond to celebrate the good work of The Rotary Foundation and raise funds for its mission. Complimentary wine bar service begins at 6:00 followed by dinner and program starting at 7. We are excited to welcome our keynote speaker, Rotary Foundation Trustee Ron Burton. Ron retired as President of the University of OK Foundation in 2007 and has served countless functions in Rotary. An attorney, Ron is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and has been the recipient of the RI's Service Above Self Award, Citation for Meritorious Service, and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife Jetta are members of the Arch Klumph Society.

Visit http://rotary5710.org/ for more information

Upcoming Speakers
October 23 - Jeremy Kappel, KSNT, Wide Wonderful World of Weather

Weekly Meeting Update - October 9, 2008

Meeting Update

This week, we will return to the usual meeting notice.  I was out of town the past two weeks and unable to send this notice. 

Hope you will join us Thursday for the weekly meeting of the Topeka Rotary Club.  We will meet in the Grand Ballroom.  Our speaker is Dr. Jerry Farley, President of Washburn University.  His presentation is titled "Washburn/KAW: Building on Two Great Traditions."

Other announcements:

Greeters - Asel Mukeyeva, William Neiswanger, Mark Nelson, Nick Nickum, Ned Nusbaum, Jim Ogle

Invocation - Curtis Sneden

Guest Introductions - Travis Maurath

Reception Table - Jennifer Haller

Menu - Ramada House Salad, Baked Pork Loin with Brandy Barbeque Sauce, Barbequed Beef Brisket, Fresh Seasonal Vegetables, Rice Pilaf, Warm Rolls and Butter, Chef's Dessert Display

New Member Table - Jerry Holley, Glenda DuBoise, Staci Williams

October Cup Money - RSVP Program.   RSVP is a program that mobilizes volunteers age 55 and over to deliver creative solutions to community needs.  Volunteers are encouraged to use their skills and experience in service to public and nonprofit agencies.  RSVP offers limited mileage reimbursement for volunteers who request it and that has become the biggest program expense.  Funds will be used to reimburse the approximately 100 volunteers requesting mileage reimbursement.

New Member Introduction -
Nick Nickum, Retired from Farmland Industries in Kansas City
Kim Gronniger, Administrative Director of Marketing & Communications, St. Francis Health Center

Memorial - Don Hogue Memorial to be given by Les Krull

Remember, if you cannot make the meeting, you can watch it live on the Topeka Rotary Club website at www.downtowntopekarotary.org.

The September Rotopeka is online, read it here.

Join the District Foundation on  Nov. 8, 2008 at the Overland Park Sheraton for the 3rd Annual Foundation Banquet. This fabulous event brings together Rotarians from throughout the District and beyond to celebrate the good work of The Rotary Foundation and raise funds for its mission. Complimentary wine bar service begins at 6:00 followed by dinner and program starting at 7. We are excited to welcome our keynote speaker, Rotary Foundation Trustee Ron Burton. Ron retired as President of the University of OK Foundation in 2007 and has served countless functions in Rotary. An attorney, Ron is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and has been the recipient of the RI's Service Above Self Award, Citation for Meritorious Service, and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife Jetta are members of the Arch Klumph Society.

Visit http://rotary5710.org/ for more information

Upcoming Speakers
October 16 - Kylie Stupka, Executive Director Your Entrepreneurs of Kansas
October 23 - Jeremy Kappel, KSNT, Wide Wonderful World of Weather

Chuck Banks Speaks on Greensburg, KS

Chuck Banks of the USDA spoke to the Topeka Rotary Club at it's October 2nd meeting about the rebuilding efforts going on in Greensburg, KS.  Watch the presentation  below.

Live Videos by Ustream

Collective Brands of Topeka Serves the World

by Roger Aeschliman 

Have you ever wondered what an Arab woman is wearing under that black abaya?

It may be exciting lingerie but the odds are good it will soon be shoes sold through Topeka’s own Collective Brands (formerly Payless Shoes Source).

Jim Persinger, director of international development for Collective Brands, spoke to The Topeka Rotary Club on September 18, on the topic of “Growing Payless in the Middle East.” The Topeka-based international corporation has a vision of “Democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories for the world” and is currently using the campaign slogan “I Love Shoes!” to put legs under the vision statement.

Persinger said expansion into Canada, Central American and now into South America as far as Columbia and Ecuador has gone very well. Corporate analysis suggests the Middle East offers the most promise of expansive growth and the best model is to partner with Alshaya, a Middle Eastern franchising group. Alshaya already franchises Footlocker, Clares, Starbucks and dozens of others throughout the region.

Collective brands will provide the products, the designs, store models as well as training and audit services. The franchisees will provide the facility, hire staff and sell shoes. There are giant malls in the oil-rich kingdoms, including those with artificial mountains with ski slopes.

“When it’s 117 degrees outside you want to go inside…with the wealth now moving through these economies they are very focused on improving educational opportunities, living conditions and overall lifestyle improvements…this means retail opportunities and that means fashion.

“Some of these people are shopping three or four times a week in these retail centers. Where 15 years ago 100% of income went to food, now there is a lot of discretionary income to be spent on bags, jewelry and shoes,” Persinger said.

Throughout the Middle East 75% of the population is under the age of 35 and in some countries, including Saudi Arabia, 50% is under the age of 18. This young population – if not actually westernizing – is at least heavily exposed to western values and media and is aggressively adopting western fashions.

Collective Brands includes Payless Shoe Source, Collective Licensing and Stride-Rite as umbrella subsidiaries. Their specific brands include many well-known and popular names such as  Champion®, Dexter®, Disney®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Tommy Hilfiger® footwear, Saucony®,  and many, many others.

Persinger was introduced by his friend and co-worker, Downtown Rotarian Curtis Sneden.

Watch the Presentation here:
Free TV Show from Ustream

Photos from David Lamberts Presentation

Thanks to Brent DeShazer for the photos from David Lambert.  Here are a few photos from the presentation.  

From David Lambert

Meeting Update

This week, we will return to the usual meeting notice. I was out of town the past two weeks and unable to send this notice.

Hope you will join us Thursday for the weekly meeting of the Topeka Rotary Club.  We will meet in the Grand Ballroom.  Our speaker is Chuck Banks of the USDA who will speak on Greensburg, KS.

Other announcements:

Greeters - Pat Michaelis, Bob Miller, Gina Millsap, Jeff Moe, Joy Moser

Invocation - Anita Wolgast

Guest Introductions - Curtis Sneden

Reception Table - Stan Martindell

Menu - Ramada Salad, Baked Chicken, Macaroni & Cheese, Fresh Vegetables, Rolls & Butter, Chef's Dessert Medley

New Member Table - Ray Browning, Bob Clawson, Jennifer Haller

October Cup Money - RSVP Program.   RSVP is a program that mobilizes volunteers age 55 and over to deliver creative solutions to community needs.  Volunteers are encouraged to use their skills and experience in service to public and nonprofit agencies.  RSVP offers limited mileage reimbursement for volunteers who request it and that has become the biggest program expense.  Funds will be used to reimburse the approximately 100 volunteers requesting mileage reimbursement.

New Member Introduction -
Don Kready, Retired State Farm Insurance Agent
Angela Root, Director of Catering, Ramada Inn

Remember, if you cannot make the meeting, you can watch it live on the Topeka Rotary Club website at www.downtowntopekarotary.org.

The September Rotopeka is online, read it here.