Rotary District 6040 Conference Service Project Chair, Marilyn Romine, was invited by conference chair Ruth Bowers to conceive, design, and implement a service project for the 2025 conference. After discussions with Ruth and 2024-25 DG Erik McGuire about project
parameters, Marilyn decided on a literacy themed project, primarily aimed at collecting books for distribution to Little Free Libraries (LFLs) throughout D6040. Marilyn spoke with LFL stewards and builders from some of the clubs in the district to gather suggestions for the project. Many ideas were suggested and added to the project outline. The service project committee included members from the Kirksville and Kirksville-Thousand Hills Clubs. Committee members met several times to plan the project.
parameters, Marilyn decided on a literacy themed project, primarily aimed at collecting books for distribution to Little Free Libraries (LFLs) throughout D6040. Marilyn spoke with LFL stewards and builders from some of the clubs in the district to gather suggestions for the project. Many ideas were suggested and added to the project outline. The service project committee included members from the Kirksville and Kirksville-Thousand Hills Clubs. Committee members met several times to plan the project.
Clubs across the district were informed about the service project at Show Me Rotary, the training for presidents-elect and nominee, in March, 2025. Individual club members received an email with details about the project, sent via ClubRunner, in early May. A flyer about the
project was attached to the email and was distributed to the two Kirksville Clubs. Conference attendees were asked to bring gently used books to the conference to be sorted and sent back with LFL stewards across D6040. Ten to twelve clubs donated books to the project.
Approximately 1200-1500 books were donated and sorted throughout the conference weekend. Bookmarks, donated by Matt Porter with MDS Print & Design in St. Joseph, featured the Rotary logo, the Four-Way Test, and addresses for the Rotary International and Little Free Library websites. Volunteers added a bookmark to each book. Representatives from four to six clubs collected books to take to LFLs in their communities. In addition to books for existing LFLs, enough books to fill a new LFL in Kirksville, books for a Title 1 classroom in
the Kansas City area, and children’s books to support a multi-club literacy program in the northeast part of D6040 were provided. Thirty to forty Rotarians participated in the service project in some way, representing 12-15 clubs. An unexpected outcome from the project is an increased interest in building additional LFLs. Several individuals expressed interest in adding new LFLs in their communities. Project attendees had the opportunity to visit with Rotarians who have built or currently maintain existing LFLs. Thanks to District Governor Erik McGuire, District Conference Chair Ruth Bowers, the service project committee members, and everyone who provided time, expertise, effort, and books to this project. Collectively, we have helped improve access to books throughout Rotary District 6040.
project was attached to the email and was distributed to the two Kirksville Clubs. Conference attendees were asked to bring gently used books to the conference to be sorted and sent back with LFL stewards across D6040. Ten to twelve clubs donated books to the project.
Approximately 1200-1500 books were donated and sorted throughout the conference weekend. Bookmarks, donated by Matt Porter with MDS Print & Design in St. Joseph, featured the Rotary logo, the Four-Way Test, and addresses for the Rotary International and Little Free Library websites. Volunteers added a bookmark to each book. Representatives from four to six clubs collected books to take to LFLs in their communities. In addition to books for existing LFLs, enough books to fill a new LFL in Kirksville, books for a Title 1 classroom in
the Kansas City area, and children’s books to support a multi-club literacy program in the northeast part of D6040 were provided. Thirty to forty Rotarians participated in the service project in some way, representing 12-15 clubs. An unexpected outcome from the project is an increased interest in building additional LFLs. Several individuals expressed interest in adding new LFLs in their communities. Project attendees had the opportunity to visit with Rotarians who have built or currently maintain existing LFLs. Thanks to District Governor Erik McGuire, District Conference Chair Ruth Bowers, the service project committee members, and everyone who provided time, expertise, effort, and books to this project. Collectively, we have helped improve access to books throughout Rotary District 6040.