South Side Saint Joseph Rotary

08/16/2026

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07/30/2026

Southside Rotary had a great offsite service program today at Second Harvest Community Food Bank. We relabeled over 1,195 pounds of pork which equals over 996 meals. Thank you for the members that showed up and for the Second Harvest Community Food Bank staff that hosted. "Create Lasting Impact,"

07/14/2026

Did you know???

07/10/2026

🚀 A New Rotary Year Is Underway… And What a Start!

Our new South Side Rotary President, Chuck Kempf, kicked off the 2026–2027 Rotary year with a well-prepared, thoughtful, and energizing inaugural program.

Chuck shared a fresh vision built around this year’s Rotary International theme, “Create Lasting Impact.” Rather than trying to do more, the focus is on doing what we do… even better, with practical ideas, greater member engagement, meaningful service, and developing new leaders along the way.

The turnout was outstanding, the discussion was lively, and one thing became very clear…

The energy is building.

One of the highlights of the morning was having our Past President, Michele (“Sponge”), join us by video while caring for four-week-old twins, Martial and Sadie. Judging by the photos, they were paying very close attention to “Uncle” Chuck’s presentation… or perhaps just making sure Rotary starts recruiting early! 😊👶👶

Along with our regular club business, members brainstormed fresh service ideas, new ways to strengthen membership, and opportunities to create an even greater impact throughout our community. It was exciting to see so many members stepping forward with ideas and a willingness to help lead.

If today was any indication…

This is going to be another fantastic Rotary year for our club.

Here’s to creating friendships, serving our community, growing new leaders, and leaving a legacy of lasting Do Goodery!

💙💛 People of Action. Creating Lasting Impact.

07/07/2026

🚨 You’re Invited: Come Hear What’s Next for your South Side Rotary Club! 🚨

Join us this week as our new Club President, Chuck Kempf, shares his inaugural address and challenge for the new Rotary year.

Chuck will lead us through a thoughtful and energizing look at:

✅ What South Side Rotary is already doing well
✅ What we might try differently this year
✅ Creative ways to grow membership
✅ Fresh ideas for service projects
✅ How we can create lasting impact together

If you’ve ever wondered what Rotary is about... or felt a little nudge to get more involved in serving our community, this is a great meeting to check us out.

📅 Thursday, July 9
⏰ 11:45 AM
📍 King Hill Christian Church

First-time guest? Lunch is on us!
Please message us ahead of time so we can save you a seat, or email Diane at [email protected].

Come for lunch. Stay for purpose, fellowship, and a little do-goodery. 💙💛

07/04/2026

🌟 A New Rotary Year… A New Opportunity to Create Lasting Impact!

This past week our South Side Rotary Club officially welcomed our new Executive Team and Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.

Congratulations to:
🔹 Chuck Kempf – President
🔹 Jen Martin – Vice President (unable to attend)
🔹 Diane Waddell– Secretary
🔹 Guylaine Bourgie Thevenot – Treasurer (beginning her 7th year keeping us on track!

Past President Martial Thevenot lead this year’s induction ceremony. Together we reflected on Rotary International’s new theme:

✨ Create Lasting Impact ✨

Lasting impact isn’t always about doing something huge. Often it’s simply about stretching ourselves to do a little more good than yesterday… caring a little deeper… serving a little better… and helping create more leaders along the way.

Our officers and board answered with an enthusiastic “I DO!” as they committed to serving not only our club, but our community and the causes that bring us together.

Of course, no South Side Rotary gathering would be complete without plenty of laughter, wonderful fellowship… and yes… cake! 🍰😊

If you’ve ever felt a nudge to make a difference, build friendships, and leave your corner of the world a little better than you found it, we’d love to meet you.

📅 Join us this Thursday, July 9
🕦 11:45 AM
📍 King Hill Christian Church

We’ll hear President Chuck Kempf share his inaugural vision for the coming year.

Lunch is on us for first-time guests- just let us know you’re coming so we can save you a seat!

Together… let’s create a lasting impact.

04/26/2026

WOW… what a finish. 👏. The Shoe Roll Call did not disappoint…

Our club humbly brought 2,651 pairs to the party — just a few steps ahead of our newly merged Rotary Club of St. Joseph MO sister club… and just 24 shoes shy of our friends down south in Liberty at 2,675.

Which only proves one thing…
👉 that one more stop might’ve done it! 😄

But of course… This was never about “winning.” This was Service Above Self in full stride.

Because together… our district stepped up in a BIG way:
29,000+ pairs of shoes (and additional funds) heading out to children who simply need a chance… a step… a start.

Think about that.
29,000+ lives… impacted.
And the ripple? We may never fully know.

Huge shoutout to Larry Lunsford for the kind of cheerleading that moves people from intention → ACTION…
and to DG and the entire team for bringing this powerful effort together.

What a beautiful example of what happens when good people decide to do Goodery … together.

Blessed are the peacemakers.
…and apparently… the shoe collectors too. 😉

04/23/2026

Well… THAT escalated quickly. 😄
Truck filled. Then… kept filling.
90+ minutes later… still going.
Need of a second trailer… and three clubs still to go?!
Larry did Larry… and the people rose up. So many hands. So much effort still needed.
Final count drops Saturday…
Did we hit the goal?
Or did the District quietly blow past it?
Stay tuned… this one might have some sole to it. 👟🔥

04/17/2026

✨ Another Great Rotary Meeting in the Books! ✨🔔

A big thank you to Diane Waddell for presiding with her steady, thoughtful leadership as we moved through our club updates and continued planning for next week’s Shoes for Orphan Souls efforts. 👟💛

And what a program! We were treated to a fascinating presentation from Benton High School Physics students who are clearly already making an impact. Their project — “Watt Watchers” — showed how simple physics concepts can lead to real-world savings by reducing electrical usage and waste in the school district. 💡📉

Smart thinking, practical solutions, and young leaders stepping up… now that’s the kind of energy we love to see!

Moments like these remind us:
👉 Innovation + Education + Service = Real Community Impact

Let’s keep the momentum going… and keep doing some GOODERY together! 💪

04/10/2026

South side Rotarians busy packing shoes today! Shoes for Orphans!