The Rotary Club of Topeka

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Topeka, KS
The Rotary Club of Topeka

We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Most weeks at Kay's Garden at the Topeka Zoo, check website for current meeting information and location (topekarotary.org)

2021-2022 Club Executives & Directors

President: Marie Pyko
President Elect: Steve Knoll
Vice President (Program Chair): Vince Frye
Secretary: Colleen Jamison
Treasurer: Debra Ricks
Sergeant-at-Arms: Bob Clawson
Past-President: Stan Martindell
Topeka Rotary Foundation President: Joan Wagnon
The Rotary International Foundation: Roger Aeschliman
Director: Allison Marker
Director: Karen Streeter
Director: Zach Ahrens
Director Community Service Chair: Jannett Wiens
Director- Social Justice: Glenda DuBoise
Director: Cody Fredrickson
Director: Colleen Jamison
Director- Youth Services: Lee Morris
District Grant Chair: Karen Streeter
Fellowship: Allison Marker
Community Service, Covered in Coats: Cody Fredrickson
Community Service RRR: Steve Knoll

09/17/2026

We were glad to welcome Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools 501 at our meeting today. She shared some insight into the district and its students, including an 86% graduation rate and more than 2,000 district employees. We also learned about the many college and career-ready opportunities available to students.

501 was featured on CBS Evening News and shared some of their wonderful accomplishments! Check out the link below to learn more!

https://youtu.be/c-oeXH3vNZg?si=NAvkJtyaxL-hHm9N

We also heard from Tracy, who is working with our local school districts and meeting with students to explore how they can get involved with Rotary—and how we can support them. We’re looking forward to seeing where those conversations lead!

We had several guests join us, including David Knoll, Dick and Steve’s brother. Our Fun Buck announcements gave us plenty of entertainment, as David, Dick, and Steve paid to get up in front of the group and roast each other. 😂💰

09/14/2026

We all got to see and hear the new Superintendent of Washburn Rural School District Dr. Katie Collier. Zach did an excellent job of introducing her and telling us about her background.

She brought with her the Washburn Rural Director of Communications Jessica Roberts.

Tod introduced the Washburn ECO BODS and we learned how much of an impact they are having at Washburn and we are going to assist them by making them our table money recipients for the next two months!

The Reverend Doreen Rice, the Rector of St. Davids Episcopal Church was introduced by President Leanna as a new member.

Carl told us all about the wonderful evening planned in early October by the Peace and Justice Organization and Marlene the President of the Sales and Marketing Club, has an opening for a team for their Golf Tournament.

09/09/2026

Leanna opened another excellent meeting last Thursday with a very educational program and an International element! Becky and Kinzie were our greeters.

Kerrice Mapes from Arts Connect and the Founder of the 785 Magazine was the Speaker. Originally 785 was a print magazine but now it is digital and connected with Arts Connect. The Goal originally and now is to provide a full service calendar of what is going on in Topeka in any part of The Arts and it is digital and contains all the information you need. It is free and is always up to date. Anyone who wanted an events listed can reach the digital calendar by contacting Arts Contact.

For years the public has wanted a central calendar for the arts so people will know what is going on in Topeka and now we have it!

Blake and Ben announced an event for Rotarians to be involved with in December -- The KTWU live on TV fundraiser. We will be asked to answer the phones on the TV program.

Wayne announced his third grandchild!

Leanna introduced Vince Gonzales, a new member.

Glenda Duboise has received the honor of being chosen a a Woman of Excellence by the YWCA of Northeast Kansas.

We had a number of guests: The McNaughts from Brisbane, Australia,. They are close friends of Lois and Larry Dimmitt. The Steinfelds from California and she is the sculptor of the works outside the Garden Building and also the work in front of the Giraffe building.Joanie brought her husband Roger. Sarah Fizzel the director of Arts Connect and Nick Premeir.

09/01/2026

What a great meeting last Thursday! It was an important cause -- helping to fill Hygiene Packs for Blessing Boxes in Topeka plus it was a lot of fun to fill the packs!

Leanna opened the meeting as usual with a lovely Rotary positive thought for the day and then asked the group question: What have you down lately to Pay it Forward? Pat, Kade and Grace had excellent responses.

Stephanie introduced the program: Stephanie Miller and Debbie Dick operate 63 Blessing boxes around Topeka. The individual, groups, neighbors and friends work together to fill along with help from Debbie and Stephanie. If you are interested in contributing or getting more information the Website is Blessing.org and all money goes to food.

Lee and Susan were Greeters and Helen Van Etten was introduced as a new member. Carol Christensen was a a welcome guest who came to help fill the Hygiene Bags.

All of the members filled the bags from items placed on a very long table and kept going through the line till all the ingredients were in bags! The Club filled 192 bags -- Whoopee!!

Lee's wonderful Veggies (particularly beautiful tomatoes) were a treat for members.

08/31/2026

Special Bulletin!

On Thursday our Club filled 192 Hygiene Kits for Blessing Boxes! A great cause and a lot of fun!! Thanks Stephanie!!

08/20/2026

We were thrilled to have Cheri Faunce, Executive Director of the YWCA Northeast Kansas join us to share updates on the incredible progress they’ve made in our community, including exciting developments at their main campus. We also welcomed a number of great guests today and hope to see them back at future meetings!

📢 Reminder: Next week during our regular meeting we’re teaming up with Bee The Blessing for our service project to assemble hygiene kits to be distributed throughout our community — mark your calendars and plan to join us!

💬 Connection Question of the Day: “What’s something you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t yet?” We got some fantastic answers from Lee and Ashley — and shoutout to Lauren, who’s got her eye on roller derby! 🛼

Thanks to everyone who came out today. See you next week!

08/13/2026

🎉 Great meeting today at Rotary!

We had some wonderful guests join us and hope to welcome them back for future meetings!

Be the Blessing Service Project Update: Stephanie shared details on our upcoming service project on August 27. We’re collecting donations through August 20, and we’d love for you to join us at the August 27 meeting to help make this project a success!

Community Spotlight: We also had a fantastic presentation from Pam Evans of Astra Mental Health and Recovery, who shared updates on their services and the vital mental health support they provide to our community. Such important, much-needed work — thank you, Pam!

Thanks to everyone who came out today. See you next week!

08/11/2026

Thanks to my First Class Friend and sub Vince for another great job!!

Zach was the Speaker and Spoke about the Capper Foundation and Dialogue Coffee places! He also highlighted the long connection between Capper's past executive directors and their ties to Rotary.

Scott was introduced as the new Chairman of the Foundation.

Leanna presented an award to Elaine for all she has accomplished for Rotary and Elaine thanked the Club for their kindness after the death of her husband.

Wayne introduced Ben and Blake who will be the new Leaders for Community Services.

Stephanie spoke about businesses raising money for Capper. She also mentioned a Rotary Work Session in August to fill personal hygiene packs.

Joanie, Bill, and Alicia all told about their last vacation and what made it special.

Dee. Larry and Lynette were all family guests of David Beck.

Andrew Forman is a guest and lawyer at the Topeka branch of the Foulston Firm.

Doreen Rice is a guest and is Priest at St. St. Davids Episcopal Church. She was also a member and officer of the Junction City Rotary Club.

07/30/2026

Many of the Happy Faces of the Club enjoying the social at the Blue Moose Last Night! Great Food and Great Company -- THANKS STEPHANIE!!!!

07/28/2026

Notice: our 5th Thursday Social is tomorrow at 4:30 At The Blue Moose!

President Leanna opened the meeting with a particularly meaningful statement -- something she excels at doing!

The Program was presented by Sharon Sullivan, an adjunct Instructor of Political Science at Washburn University and a member of the South Club's special group on Human Trafficking. She is extremely well versed on the subject in addition to being passionate about everything connected with it.If you missed the meeting I hope you hear hear her speak in another venue. Her depth of know is staggering and she is knowledgeable about conditions here in Topeka that we may not understand.

As frightening as some of the information is, there are things as citizens were need to learn about to see if we can help protect vulnerable populations.

Steve Knoll made a very exciting personal Fun Bucks Announcement: His 17 year old granddaughter in Denver had 4 Scholastic Gold Key Awards for her Art. Three of them received
Gold Medals at National Competition and one is now hanging in Carnegie Hall. In addition she had a perfect score on the PSAT and a SAT score if 1560. Wow Steve! Good Genes,

Four members answered Leanna's new and very popular "question of the day": Kade Meyer a new member, Wayne Pancoast, Blake Sutton and Vince Frye! They did a great job.

Scott brought a guest -- Charles Steinkuehler. Chelsey Godinez brought Craig "Coach" Friedrichsen as her guest.

Address

225 SW 12th
Topeka, KS
66607

Opening Hours

10am - 11:15am

Telephone

(785) 232-7216

Website

http://www.topekarotary.org/

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