Welcome to Topeka South Rotary
Zach Ahrens - Membership Chair of Distict 5710
Please join us this Friday, April 17th for our morning meeting and a presentation by District 5710 Membership Chair, Zach Ahrens.

Zach is the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Topeka, a Paul Harris Fellow and dedicated community leader. Zach is passionate about the "team effort" behind club growth an his leadership has already yielded impressive results:

  • Club Impact: Led the "Zoo Club" to over 5% net growth in 2024–2025—the highest in six years.

  • District Success: Currently leading District 5710 to a net gain of 29 members, ranking 2nd in Zone 29 for growth.

Professional & Academic Background Zach serves as the President and CEO of Capper Foundation and Dialogue Coffee House. With over 20 years of experience in media and healthcare, he previously served as Publisher of the Topeka Capital-Journal and COO of Midland Care. He holds an MBA from Pittsburg State and is a Board-Certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).

Community & Family A recipient of the Topeka Peace Award and the Boyd Award for Community Service, Zach remains deeply rooted in local service. He and his wife, Heidi (also a Rotarian), have 3 children. One graduating from Washburn Rural High School in a few weeks, one graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Washburn University the following day, and one attending Harding University in Central Arkansas.

This week's meeting will be held in person at the Brewster Place Cultural Arts Building, located at 1205 SW 29th Terrace, Topeka, KS 66611.  Click here for Google Map directions.

Ground Mural at Highland Park Central
Topeka South will be working on the painting of the District Grant & Community funded ground mural at Highland Park Central Elementary. Weather permitting, we will be working/painting every weekend day in April. We will be painting an outdoor classroom space in the Highland Park Central Elementary School Courtyard. It will feature a classroom space for students to sit on “rocks” by the stream while the teacher gives the lesson and provides additional small group spaces on a picnic blanket, a pond of turtles, or a field of sunflowers. There is also a wooden bridge to cross the stream and lily pad hopscotch for students who might want to be more active.
 
All skill levels are needed! Rotarians can sign up here:
 
TSR Pajama Drive

Topeka South Rotary has partnered with Impact Topeka to provide pajamas to Sheldon Head Start children. Impact Topeka is hosting a bed-building event on April 23 and they are seeking new children’s pajamas to complete a restful night’s sleep!
 
Sizes needed include boys 5-12, and girls 5-8.
 
Bring donations to an upcoming Rotary or After Hours meeting, or drop them off at Key Staffing: 5840 SW Huntoon St, Mon-Fri 8-5.
 
Donations are due on or before April 16.
2026 TopCity Pickleball Tourney
🏓 It’s Back! TopCity Pickleball Tournament 🏓
Mark your calendars! The TopCity Pickleball Tournament is returning May 30–31 at Hughes Park in Topeka.
Join us for two days of competitive play, community fun, and pickleball excitement—all hosted by Topeka South Rotary. Whether you’re playing or cheering from the sidelines, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
📍 Hughes Park
📅 May 30–31
More details coming soon—start practicing now! 💥
 
 
Tell your friends.
2026 TSR Golf Tournament
It's that time of year again for the "Tradition unlike any other!"
 
The Topeka South Rotary Golf Tournament will be played on Friday, June 12, 2026.  The tournament will be played at Cypress Ridge Golf Course, lunch and registration at 11:30 and a shotgun start at 1 PM.
 
After Hours
Join us for our upcoming After Hours to socialize and connect with fellow members. Whether you're a regular attendee or haven’t been able to join us lately, this is a great opportunity to share your ideas for service projects through open dialogue and catch up with the club’s activities. The agenda begins at 5:30 and is very brief. 

Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at a rotating location.

Washburn Rotaract Club
Washburn Rotaract is working to recruit new members, so they can apply to RI be an official Rotaract club. They’ve started their own social media on Instagram, @wu_rotaractclub. Help spread the word!
Upcoming Speakers
Zach Ahrens
Apr 17, 2026
Rotary Membership Invitation
Sara Koerth
Apr 24, 2026
Heartland Park IHRA
View entire list...
Upcoming Events
About Topeka South Rotary
Rotary International Links
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Cassandra Taylor
President Elect
Adrienne Olejnik
Vice President/Program Chair
Michael Wilson
Treasurer
Angela Dailey
Secretary
Jeff Hiestand
Membership
Tina Dreitzler Anderson
Public Image
Kyle Lear
Immediate Past President
Murray Moore
Club Service
Jamie Stafford
Social/Club Administration
Dale Smith
At large director
Candy Williams
At Large Director
Bruce Graham
After Hours Coordinator
Holly Simpson
Rotary Foundation
Lori Rowe
Executive Secretary / Director
Jeff Hiestand
Sergeant-at-Arms
Patrick O'Kane
District Link
 
Motto: "Service Above Self"
We meet In Person
Fridays at 7:45 a.m.
Brewster Place Cultural Arts Center
1205 SW 29thTerrace
Topeka, KS 66611
United States
Mailing Address
Topeka South Rotary Club
PO Box 194
Topeka, KS 66601
Check us out on Facebook
 
Missed a Meeting?
Do an easy, 30-minute makeup online at eRotary.org.

Your Attendance Matters!

Posted 
on Dec 17, 2014
 
Missed a meeting? Do a makeup! As a participatory organization, Rotary highly values regular attendance at the weekly club meetings. In fact, attending the meetings is one of the basic obligations that a member accepts upon joining Rotary.
 
If you must occasionally miss a weekly meeting, however, you can easily do a “makeup” if you:
 
  • Complete a 30-minute online session at Rotary eClub One watching videos or reading articles on everything from personal growth and community service to international literacy projects.
  • Participate in a TSR service project, such as serving a meal at Let’s Help or helping a child choose new sneakers at a Sole Mates event.
  • Attend a regular meeting of another Rotary club, a District Conference, or other approved District or RI meeting.
Please do your part to keep our attendance numbers up – and help our club stay strong and active!
 
For questions about membership, contact Jeff Sorensen. To report a meeting makeup, contact Club Secretary Angela Dailey.
- See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/4261/Stories/your-attendance-matters-1#sthash.yyncKehA.dpuf

Your Attendance Matters!

Posted 
on Dec 17, 2014
 
Missed a meeting? Do a makeup! As a participatory organization, Rotary highly values regular attendance at the weekly club meetings. In fact, attending the meetings is one of the basic obligations that a member accepts upon joining Rotary.
 
If you must occasionally miss a weekly meeting, however, you can easily do a “makeup” if you:
 
  • Complete a 30-minute online session at Rotary eClub One watching videos or reading articles on everything from personal growth and community service to international literacy projects.
  • Participate in a TSR service project, such as serving a meal at Let’s Help or helping a child choose new sneakers at a Sole Mates event.
  • Attend a regular meeting of another Rotary club, a District Conference, or other approved District or RI meeting.
Please do your part to keep our attendance numbers up – and help our club stay strong and active!
 
For questions about membership, contact Jeff Sorensen. To report a meeting makeup, contact Club Secretary Angela Dailey.
- See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/4261/Stories/your-attendance-matters-1#sthash.yyncKehA.dpuf
Legacies of Topeka South Rotary
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