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UPCOMING MEETINGS
 
January 26 - Michelle McCormick, Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence: The intersection between human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault (**OFF-SITE at Bishop PD Center**)
 
February 2 - Kendall Gammon: Inspirational Speaker, former Chiefs long snapper and analyst for KC Chiefs Radio (BTAC) 
 
February 9 - Cassandra Taylor and Terry Martinez: Let's Help new location tour (OFF-SITE)
 
February 16 - Carrie Williams: St. Jude (Kansas Room)
 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES     
 
Sole Mates:
- Next: February 2024
- First Tuesday of the Month
 
Lunch Bunch:
- Next: February 2024
- Second Wednesday of the Month
 
ITC Project
- Looking for mentors to work with women in the ITC grant project helping women leaving incarceration
- Contact: Patti Mellard
 
Wanting to volunteer on your own? Check out Topeka Volunteers for opportunities you can do from home or in the community.
 
www.topekavolunteers.org
 

Celebrate

Member Birthdays
Mark Boranyak
January 6
 
Doc Joe Beuerlein
January 9
 
Kristina Crawford
January 16
 
Jenalea Randall
January 17
 
Tim Swope
January 20
 
Rick Michel
January 21
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Membership
 
Public Relations
 
2nd Vice President
 
Immediate Past President
 
Club Administration/Socials
 
At Large
 
At Large
 
Service Projects
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
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Chuck Udell and Michelle Sink: Growing Our Club Membership - A Conversation
 
Please join us on Friday, January 19 to learn about growing Rotary membership from Chuck Udell and Michelle Sink!

 

Chuck Udell is an active member of the Leawood Kansas Rotary Club and served as Club President during Rotary year 2018-2019. During that year, the Leawood Club earned the Rotary Citation – with Gold Distinction. Prior to becoming President, he served as Club Foundation Chair and International Services Committee Chair. After his club presidency, he again became International Services Chair from 2019 to 2023.
 
This week's meeting will be held in person at Washburn University Memorial Union in the Kansas Room. Click here for directions using Google Maps.

Announcements will begin promptly at 7:45 am, with breakfast and coffee being served at 7:30 am!

 

Fireside Chats
 
Fireside Chat Options — 4 to choose from

To sign up contact Murray Moore – mmoore1@tps501.org, text — 785-640-4809
 
We had a wonderful fireside chat on Monday January 15, despite the cold and the snow. Thank you Paul Bossert for opening your home so that we could learn about Rotary and enjoy a make up. Please enjoy one of our other opportunities to sign up here if you have not previously sign up. 
 
Jan 24 — Ashley Charest Hosts — 12:00pm -1:00 pm
TSCPL — 1515 SW 10th — Library – Menninger room
 
February 7 — Jared Holroyd Hosts —7:30am-8:30 am
Kansas Pharmacist Association – 1020 SW Fairlawn
 
February 20 — Jessica Lehnherr Hosts — 12:00pm-1:00pm
United Way - 1527 Fairlawn
 
I will have sign up sheets at the meeting tomorrow. 
 
Murray Moore
TSR President Elect 2024
785-640-4809
 
Sara Neiswanger - Top 20 Under 40
 
In case you missed it - check out our girl Sara Neiswanger! 
 

Sara skillfully leads projects that educate, intrigue and inspire. Using her passion for creating high quality content and visionary sponsorship ideas, she turns educational programs into exciting events.

In 2023, Sara published her first children’s book, Which Hat Will You Wear Today, Cyrus? which celebrates the history of Topeka and inspires children to not be afraid of new opportunities.

Sara is an active volunteer at Family Service and Guidance Center, serving on the Works of Heart Committee and on the Board of Trustees.

She is a member of the Topeka South Rotary Club and the Leadership Greater Topeka Class of 2019.

How have you grown during your career?

I have had several colleagues help me chip away at that shield of doubt, find my voice and opinions, and expose me to new people and situations.

This has not only put me in a position to be member-facing within NGA but those same growths have helped within the community, on boards I’ve served and in projects I’ve pursued.

What is the most important part of your work?

I want to help people have a low barrier to engagement with NGA.

Helping create a sense of belonging and a friendly community where the staff are part of the industry too, impacts how I approach my work on a daily basis.

What superhuman ability do you wish you had?

To be able to wiggle my nose and make magic happen like Samantha on Bewitched.

Link to Sara's article.

Link to full magazine edition.

 
Medicaid Unwind - How Rotarians Can Help

From Kate Gramlich:

Recent changes to Medicaid are impacting Topekans - if you or someone you know is on KanCare (KS Medicaid), here are some quick facts:

  1. Annual renewals paused in 2020 and re-started 2023. Almost ALL KanCare households will need to renew regardless of eligibility. 
  1. Renewal forms are coming through the mail. If there's any chance KanCare doesn't have your correct address, use the Chatbot to update: https://kancare.ks.gov/ or call 1-800-792-4884. 
  1. Check your mail at that address and respond ASAP. Sign your form and return it quickly even if you don't have all the info - KanCare will follow up. Not responding on time means your household loses benefits until forms are returned.
  1. Parents may not be eligible, but kids often still are!
  1. Call the Clearinghouse to find out if your renewal has already been sent or if it's coming soon: 1-800-792-4884.
  1. If you don't qualify for KanCare insurance and want to check out Marketplace insurance, call 1-866-826-8375 to talk with a Navigator at no cost.
Kate has offered her email address if you have any additional questions: kgramlich@communitycareks.org
 
Rotary Foundation Giving
 
Will You Help Us Reach our Goal for Rotary Foundation Giving?
 
As you know, Topeka South Rotary has been superior in meeting our goals that the board sets for our club each year.
One of those goals is for our club members is to contribute to the Rotary Foundation to meet our annual goal (for this
Rotary year our annual giving goal to the Foundation is $13,000).
 
You all should have received an email from Faron Barr on November 27, asking you to consider giving to the Rotary
Foundation in honor of Giving Tuesday. Faron included a lot of great information about the Foundation and its projects.
Even though Giving Tuesday is past, we hope that you consider a gift to the Foundation. I don’t know about you, but I
am always inclined to learn more about the Rotary Foundation, so in the next few months, you will be learning about
the Foundation as well through speakers and testimonials from our members that have given.
 
So, my ask to you not only includes giving to the Rotary Foundation, but if you are already a donor, would you be willing
to provide a brief testimonial at club meeting about why you choose to give to the Foundation? If so, please contact me
at my work email (marlou.wegener@bcbsks.com) or you can also reach me on my cell phone - 785-230-4378. Please
consider this as it will definitely make an impact to our members!
 
We started off the 2024 program year on January 5 by hearing from Roger Aeschliman, who presented on major
gifts to the Rotary Foundation! And I hope to hear from you about wanting to give your
testimonial about why you give to the Rotary Foundation. Thank you for your consideration.
 
Marlou Wegener
 
P.S. Oh, and if you are ready to go ahead and contribute to the Rotary Foundation, you can go to
https://my.rotary.org/en/donate!
 
Club Information
Topeka South
Fridays at 7:45 AM
Washburn University
1700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621
United States of America
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