Supported by Rotary District 6040 and the Rotary Club of Liberty, Liberty, MO native Karla Jordan has proudly completed the inaugural Middle East and North Africa (MENA) cohort of the Rotary Peace Fellowship. A Liberty, Missouri native, Karla Jordan, has completed the inaugural Middle East and North Africa (MENA) cohort of the Rotary Peace Fellowship, celebrating graduation during a capstone seminar held in early February at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul.

One of District 6040’s favorite events of the spring is the 4-Way Test Speech Contest. This is a unique way for Rotary Clubs to connect with high school students in their area and give them the opportunity to apply the 4-Way Test to their life. Each year these presentations encourage me and solidify my hope for future generations.

The Missouri RYLA Academy is a 4-day, 3-night leadership academy for diverse incoming high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (fall 2026) who exhibit a heart for community service.  Developed by some of Missouri's top professional educators and Rotarians from Districts 6040, 6060, and 6080, the curriculum is designed to identify and enhance the qualities of servant leadership for each participant, educate them on how to successfully implement a service project, and inspire them to live a lifetime of "Service Above Self."  In addition, participants are introduced to the programs and values Rotary has to offer.  Established in 1992, Missouri RYLA Academy has educated and inspired more than 2,500 students statewide.  It is currently recognized worldwide as a model program for Rotary International.

Applications for the 2027 Rotary Peace Fellowships are open until 15 May.

You can help promote peace in the world by encouraging peace and development leaders in your community to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship.

This year, Rotary awards up to 170 fully funded fellowships for peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds to study at one of our peace centers located at leading universities around the world. The Rotary Foundation will select 50 peace fellows to study in our master’s degree programs at six partner universities in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States and 120 fellows to participate in our professional development certificate programs at Makerere University in Uganda, Bahçeşehir University in Türkiye, and the newest Rotary Peace Center at Symbiosis International University in India.

Across District 6040, Rotary clubs are making a meaningful impact in the lives of 9-year-olds by helping them develop empathy, leadership skills, healthy friendships, and safe ways to respond to negative behavior and bullying.

Step Up (for girls) and Stand Up (for boys) are evidence-informed leadership programs designed specifically for 4th-grade students. Delivered by Rotarians in local schools, the program runs one hour per session, nine sessions over the course of a semester.

Shoes Cheerleaders in the Rotary Clubs of District 6040 –

Two months to go!  This is a February 2026 edition of my commitment to encourage you on the 25th day of (nearly) each month, to help keep the Shoes for Orphan Souls project “top-of-mind”.  This is our 25th year anniversary of benefitting orphan and vulnerable children by collecting new shoes – a milestone that makes us proud.  Sorry to have missed my connection with you on January 25.

Remember, the 2025-26 roadmap is as follows.  I have sent reminders of “Larry’s Target” which sets a goal for each of our clubs as we strive to collect 25,000 pairs of shoes.  And we will ask our partner in Dallas, Buckner International, to find a corporate match of another 25,000 pairs of shoes.  To collect 50,000 pairs of shoes in our 25th anniversary year.

Are you ready to find a passion project that will reignite your Rotary spirit? Do you believe in being a light in the darkness and investing in the next generation of servant leaders? If so, Missouri RYLA is calling you!

Each summer, Missouri RYLA transforms the lives of nearly 200 high school students through our world-class leadership academy. Recognized by Rotary International as the model RYLA program worldwide, our proven curriculum (over 30 years strong!) teaches leadership, teamwork, and service in action.