Left Sidebar with Full-Width Image Banner (Jan. 02, 2026)

Rotary Area of Focus: Vocational Service

Vocational service is at the core of Rotary, embedded in its history, present and future. It calls on us to foster high ethical standards in business, recognize the value of all occupations, and dignify our occupations as an opportunity to serve our communities. By including men and women from diverse professions and backgrounds, Rotary recognizes the importance of all skills and occupations and encourages our members to leverage their skills and expertise to enhance communities.

Leadership Strategies to Stand Up to Bullying across the District

Thanks to funding from District 6040s Peace and Conflict Resolution committee, we celebrate the success of 22 more Step UP and Stand Up graduates. We now have presence in six schools around 6040 — and we’re still growing!

Pictured above is Tom Bradshaw (KC Plaza Rotary) completed a session for five 4th grade boys at University Academy in Kansas City, MO.

There is funding available to bring these leadership programs to your club’s community. All you need is the desire and someone to teach the class. Thanks to the clubs who are considering launching in 2026. Learn more at www.stepuptobulling.org or contact Melynn Sight at 913.220.7753.

The Rotary Club of Maryville was featured in The Maryville Forum for their giving to the Ministry Center. You can read all about it at https://www.maryvilleforum.com/multimedia/rotary-gives-to-ministry-center/article_be128bdd-db9d-44db-82ad-fa3f67755c8a.html

Call for RYLA Counselors in 2026

The RYLA Board is beginning to work on staffing counselor rosters for this summer and wanted to provide you an email with the job descriptions for counselors in case you, or other Rotarians you may know, have an interest in wanting to be a counselor. They would love additional female Rotarians that want to participate due to an increase in the female student population.

All Rotarians that are interested in being a counselor can contact Tracy Vincent. Her email is tvincent2k4@gmail.com and her mobile is 573-355-8732.

If you are interested in being a Professional Educator Counselor please reach out to Morgan Mings for next steps. Her email is morgan.mings@gmail.com and her mobile number is 208-954-0273.

Thanks so much for your consideration in helping to find the staff to support RYLA in 2026.

“Stepping Into a New Year — Unite for Good”
Rotary District 6040 • January 2026

🌟 A Message from the District Governor

Happy New Year, Rotarians of District 6040!
As we step into 2026 together, I’m inspired by the momentum we’ve built and the service you’ve shown throughout the first six months of our Rotary year. Our theme this year — Unite for Good: Growing Stronger, Leading Together — reminds us that our collective efforts deepen our impact, strengthen our communities, and expand Rotary’s reach across northern Missouri and beyond.

Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of visiting many of our 51 clubs — each unique in their character and service projects but united by a shared passion for fellowship, leadership, and meaningful community impact. Let’s carry that unity forward into this new calendar year!

Here’s to another month — and year — of service, connection, and leadership!

— In Rotary Service,
Jodi Sundaram, District Governor 2025–26

📅 What’s Happening Around the District

🍽️ Operation Full Plate — United to Fight Hunger

District 6040 has launched Operation Full Plate, a friendly contest (Zones 30 & 31) focused on combating food insecurity while building club engagement and visibility. Clubs can serve through food drives, meal packing, pantry volunteering, fundraising, and more. Impact is tallied with points for donations, volunteer hours, and community involvement.

✔️ When: Now through January 10, 2026
✔️ Goal: Increase service and engagement while helping fill more plates across our communities.

🥾 Shoe Drive Spotlight — 25th Anniversary Challenge

The beloved Shoes for Orphan Souls drive celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. District leadership encourages every club to participate in this milestone challenge by collecting shoes for children in need. Shoe collection boxes have been distributed throughout the district, making participation easier than ever.

🤝 District Events & Activities

Here are some key upcoming district events and deadlines:

Semi-Annual Club Dues — District & RI Dues — January 1, 2026
District 6040 AG Meeting – January 20^th, 2026
District 6040 Executive Council Meeting — January 22, 2026
District 6040 will be interviewing members for the District Governor position for 2029-2030. Watch for the email from PDG Erik McGuire coming soon.
Rotary’s RI Theme for February: Peacebuilding & Conflict Prevention Month
Show Me Rotary PETS Training – Columbia, MO – March 20^th-21^st, 2026
District Conference 2026 & Shoes for Orphan Soles Roll Call – April 24^th & 25^th, Rotary Youth Camp, Lee’s Summit, MO

Clubs are encouraged to add these to their calendars and plan accordingly.

💡 District Initiatives & Opportunities

Direct Impact — Simple Giving = Big Impact
The Rotary Foundation team is promoting a new campaign to increase participation in Rotary Direct, Rotary’s recurring giving platform. Monthly gifts help sustain programs with reliable support and broaden The Rotary Foundation’s global impact.

Club Involvement & Leadership Roles
District leadership is finalizing chair positions across committees — now is a great time for Rotarians to identify how they can serve district-wide.

Feed Lee’s Summit Gala Marks Record-Breaking Year With $220,000 Raised in 2025

What began in 2007 as a fun, charitable event supporting a single beneficiary has grown into one of the community’s most impactful annual fundraising traditions. This year, the event reached a new milestone, generating $220,000 in proceeds to support five local organizations focused on feeding those in need. And, we hit another huge milestone. Since 2007, Empty Bowls/Feed Lee’s Summit (www.feedls.org) has raised more than $1,000,000 to fight food insecurity in our community!

Since its inception, the event has demonstrated steady growth and expanding purpose. By 2018, proceeds had increased to $15,000 and was serving two beneficiary organizations. A year later, in 2019, the event was rebranded and broadened to include two additional beneficiary organizations, resulting in proceeds tripling to $45,000.