As we reach the four-month mark of our Rotary year, I’m filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible energy, commitment, and fellowship I’ve witnessed across our district.
So far, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting 22 clubs — each one unique in its character and impact, yet united by a shared purpose: to serve, to connect, and to lead with heart. From community health drives and youth mentorship programs to environmental clean-ups and international partnerships, your projects are true reflections of this year’s theme — Unite for Good: Growing Stronger, Leading Together.
Every visit reaffirms that when we collaborate across clubs, harness diverse strengths, and embrace new ideas, we amplify our collective impact. Together, we’re not just maintaining Rotary’s proud traditions — we’re evolving to meet the needs of a changing world.
What’s happening around the District:
We will be celebrating at our Foundation Dinner!
🎷 Foundation Dinner: A Roaring Good Time
📅Friday, November 7 📍Madrid Theater
Although it is too late to purchase tickets to attend the event, you can still participate and increase your annual giving by bidding on the silent auction items or purchasing one of three Golden Ticket items.
💪 The Chinnery Challenge: Membership Growth in Full Swing!
With one quarter of the Rotary year already behind us, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the membership challenges that were boldly declared (perhaps a bit too confidently!) at the 2025 Kirksville District Conference.
The legendary rivalry continues between the Kansas City Club, the Kirksville Club, and the ever-so-humble Lee’s Summit Club—each striving to prove their prowess in growing membership and strengthening Rotary’s reach.
Of course, the real suspense lies in whether the Kansas City and Kirksville Clubs will be ready to ante up the $1,000 contribution to The Rotary Foundation when the dust settles.
🤝 Want to Join the Fun?
If your club hasn’t yet joined the challenge, now’s the time! Pair up with another club and see who can achieve the greatest membership growth. In past years, all clubs have come out ahead — a true Rotary win-win!
Let’s keep the spirit of friendly competition alive as we Unite for Good: Growing Stronger, Leading Together.
Let’s make this milestone year extraordinary—Unite for Good and have FUN along the way!
💬 A Message from Your District Governor
My friends, this is not a one-person mission. This is our journey—together. We need every club and member to step up and support these efforts as we move forward, Growing Stronger and Leading Together in 2025–2026!
In Rotary Service, Jodi Sundaram District Governor 2025–2026 Rotary Club of Liberty
Upcoming District Governor Visits
11/5/2025
Macon County
11/11/2025
Tarkio
11/12/2025
Liberty
11/13/2025
Higginsville
11/14/2025
Kansas City Plaza
11/14/2025
Parkville
11/18/2025
Raytown
11/24/2025
Cameron
Get Ready to Host the World
As we prepare to welcome Rotarians from around the world to Kansas City for the 2026 World Cup, we invite hosts in the area to consider extending a warm Rotary welcome beyond providing lodging. (This email is being sent to all active Rotary members in District 6040 - so if you're too far from Kansas City to consider hosting, please disregard this email.)
Simple gestures such as sharing a morning coffee, offering a few home-cooked meals, or gathering for local outings can make the experience even more meaningful. These personal touches embody Rotary’s spirit of fellowship and service—helping our guests feel truly at home in our community.
A little later, we will ask you to complete an information page about yourself, your family, household pets, multilingual abilities, etc. in order to best match you with visiting Rotarians.
Let’s make our club part of the story when the world comes to KC. Let’s show them that Rotarians don’t just talk about service — we live it (and host it!).
Hurricane Melissa has now descended on Jamaica. Haiti, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos are also going to receive direct or near-direct hits. These countries and their residents are all part of the Rotary Zones 33/34. There are many ways we can help as Rotarians.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
Here is an opportunity that may interest you. Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) education is a program that strengthens knowledge in Rotary and leadership skills. (see the attached handout for more information) Part I, of three parts, is being offered in an online format on the evenings of November 3 & 5. One must attend both evenings to complete the course. This offering is made possible and hosted by D6190, Coordinator Pamela Stewart) in collaboration with the RLI-HOA Division. Accordingly it will be open to all Heart of America Division Rotarians to attend.
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world.The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
In the A Flight, Kyler Skidmore and Scott Deering took first place in the third annual Pickleball vs. Polio Classic hosted by the Rotary Club of Maryville. Brian Skidmore and Al Maccali took second place. With matches from Rotary District 6040, the Rotary Foundation and the Gates Foundation, the club raised a total of $8,602.50 that will be put toward the effort of eliminating polio from the face of the planet. The disease remains endmic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
SUBMITTED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF MARYVILLE
The recording of Rotary International President Nominee Larry Lunsford's interview on KCUR is available by clicking here.
