Events

The Kansas City area is considered home for Dr. Kephart, as she graduated from Shawnee Mission South and began her teaching career in the Shawnee Mission School District before crossing the state line to Missouri in 2002. She spent a total of eleven years in the Park Hill School District, serving in several positions that included teacher, building administrator, and district leader.

"I am grateful and excited to serve as the next superintendent of Liberty Public Schools," said Kephart. "Returning to LPS truly feels like coming home. Having served here earlier in my career, the experiences, relationships, and lessons from that time had a lasting impact on me as a leader. Liberty Public Schools' strong reputation for academic excellence, dedicated staff, and a community that values students make this an incredibly meaningful opportunity."

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Cornell College, her Master of Science in Educational Administration from Emporia State University, and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University.

Dr. Kephart is married to her husband, Pete, who is a retired Army helicopter pilot and currently is a commercial pilot. She also has a son, Murphy, who serves as an Air Force pilot stationed in Wichita, Kansas, along with a bonus daughter, Shelby, who is a freshman in high school in the Chicago area.
She will replace current superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker, who announced his retirement from LPS last fall following twelve years of serving as superintendent.

Carl Chinnery will be joining us to speak about his success with bringing in over 200 members to Rotary!

In 1977, Carl joined Rotary International, going on to serve as district governor of District 6040 from 2002 to 2003, the same year he received the Rotary Presidential Citation. Within Rotary, Chinnery served as major donor advisor, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, endowment major gift advisor and Rotary International president’s representative. His efforts at the local level helped grow this group to the largest in Missouri.

In recognition of Chinnery’s commitment to eliminating polio, he received the District 6040 Humanitarian Award for Polio Eradication, the 2010 Regional Service Award for a Polio Free World and the International Service Award for a Polio Free World.

We are planning for a buffet meal and cocktails!   More details to come. 

Check out this new restaurant in Liberty!  The Comfort Kitchen

Nestled in the heart of Liberty, MO, Comfort Kitchen exudes warmth and welcomes guests with open arms. With its cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and a menu bursting with mouthwatering dishes, it's the perfect place to unwind and savor a delightful meal. Our diverse menu caters to every palate, whether you're looking for a leisurely dinner with loved ones, a quick lunch catch-up with friends, or a solo meal at the bar. Comfort Kitchen offers a relaxed setting where laughter flows as freely as the conversation. Come as you are, and leave with a satisfied heart, a full stomach, and a smile.

Happy New Rotary Year, District 6040!

Yes... we Rotarians get to celebrate two New Years every year!      Today marks the beginning of a brand-new Rotary year. New presidents are ringing bells, new officers are stepping into leadership, and clubs across our district are already looking for ways to make a difference in their communities.    

As we kick off the new Rotary year, here are three ideas I'd love for us to keep in mind.   1)  Do Better Than Your Best.  Rotary International President Yinka challenged us with these words, and they've really stuck with me. To me, it isn't about comparing our club to another club. It's about asking, What's our next step? How can we build on what we've already accomplished? Every club has room to grow, and every club's next step will look a little different.

2) Connection Creates Impact.  This has become my theme for the year because I believe it's at the heart of Rotary. Every member joins because someone made a connection. Every service project begins with people coming together. Every partnership, every friendship, every new idea starts with a conversation. The stronger our connections, the greater our impact.

3)  Create Lasting Impact.  The work we do matters. Sometimes we see the results immediately. Other times, we never know just how far a kind word, a scholarship, a service project, or an invitation to Rotary will reach. Together, we're creating something that lasts—not just for today, but for generations to come.

Over the coming year, I look forward to visiting each of the District 6040 clubs, celebrating what makes your club unique, and learning alongside you. I know I'll leave every visit inspired by the incredible people who make District 6040 such a special place.

Thank you for everything you do for Rotary, for your communities, and for one another.    Here's to a wonderful year of serving, growing, connecting... and Creating Lasting Impact.

Amy Chinnery-Valmassei
District Governor 2026–2027
Rotary District 6040

World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24 to raise global awareness about the eradication of poliomyelitis and the importance of vaccination. Established by Rotary International, the date commemorates the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the team that developed the first successful polio vaccine.

History and Significance - The observance was established over a decade ago to celebrate global progress in eliminating the disease. Thanks to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), cases have plummeted by over 99% since 1988. The day honors the millions of volunteers, parents, and healthcare workers who dedicate their time to distributing vaccines, even in remote or conflict-affected regions.

Michelle Davidson Bratcher is a five-time regional Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, actor and TV host. You can see Michelle featured in roles on the acclaimed TV shows TED LASSO, TULSA KING, GOTHAM KNIGHTS, MINDHUNTER and HOUSE OF CARDS. On the big screen, she’s in the family films ACCIDENTAL FAMILY, RENOVATION OF THE HEART and GINGERBREAD MEN. Her other feature film credits include LUCKY, LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE, A FALL FROM GRACE and 25 MILES TO NORMAL. 

Michelle served as the President of FILM IN MO and current Board Member, which successfully advocated for the reinstatement of the Missouri film incentive to attract television series and film productions to the Show Me state in 2023.  She's also proud to be the founder of the non-profit Inclusivity Media which elevates new voices and shapes the future of filmmaking. 

Screenwriting is her passion. Michelle co-wrote the feature film ARBOR DEMON with Director Patrick Rea, starring Fiona Dourif and Jake Busey. She co-wrote several episodes of the national TV show "The Inspectors" on ABC. Michelle directed the short films "Sound Off," A Senior Moment" and “The Perfect Note,” which have won awards at film festivals around the world. 

Michelle hosted six seasons of the lifestyle TV show “Kansas City Live” on KSHB (NBC) and five seasons of the PBS show “CinemaKC” on KCPT. 

Michelle is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. 

The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions.

The foundation was established in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US $26.50 to more than US $1 billion. It has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.

Erik McGuire is the new District 6040 Foundation Chair.  He will describe how our District works with Rotary International through The Rotary Foundation to support projects locallly and internationaly. 

For Lisa Essig, McDonald’s has become a multigenerational family business. Her dad bought a McDonald’s in Liberty when she was 13, and her first job there was working the drive-thru.  Through high school and college, Essig continued working there and considered turning it into a career. But she wasn’t certain until her junior year of college. Essig said she never felt pressured to join the family business. Working with her dad offered a behind-the-scenes look and a solid understanding of what to expect when she ventured out on her own. After earning a business management degree, Essig became a McDonald’s restaurant manager and then oversaw the family’s restaurants for about seven years.  At 30, she bought her father’s Liberty restaurant and later acquired his other three McDonald’s locations. Now with 38 restaurants, Essig Family McDonald’s is the largest woman-owned McDonald’s operator in the U.S.