banner
Stories

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
11:30 a.m. Double Tree Hotel
 
Jeremy Hill, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Economic Outlook for Kansas
 
 
 
Jeremy Hill serves as the Bank’s regional economist for Kansas and Missouri, leading regional research initiatives regarding key industries and community issues across both states’ economies.

Jeremy Hill is assistant vice president and regional executive. In this role, Hill, based at the Bank’s head office in Kansas City, serves as the Bank’s regional economist for Kansas and Missouri, leading regional research initiatives regarding key industries and community issues across both states’ economies. He also coordinates strategic outreach initiatives to enhance the Bank’s connections throughout the two states.

Hill joined the Bank in 2024 from the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, where he served as director since 2009. In that role, he engaged with a variety of stakeholders, including economic developers, community and civic leaders, business leaders and others on a wide range of economic issues affecting Kansas.

His work at Wichita State included creating and managing indexes, developing economic forecasts, and leading outreach events with a diverse set of participants.

Prior to 2009, Jeremy served in roles of increasing responsibility at the Coastal Rivers Water Planning & Policy Center and the Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development, both in Statesboro, Georgia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and Master of Public Administration from Georgia Southern University.

As the regional headquarters of the nation’s central bank, the Kansas City Fed and its branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha serve the seven states of the Tenth District: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.
IMPORTANT EVENTS
Sip & Prep | Hunger Action Month

Grab a drink. Grab a cutting board. We’ve got vegetables to chop!

For Hunger Action Month, we’re turning Sip & Prep into one big prep kitchen for some of Kanbe’s nonprofit partners across Kansas City. They’ll tell us what would be most useful in their kitchens, and we’ll spend the evening sorting, washing, peeling, chopping, and packing fresh vegetables so they’re ready to turn into meals.
 
Come spend a couple of hours with good people, good music, and probably more onions than you planned on encountering on a weeknight.  No kitchen skills required. We’ll have everything you need.
You bring yourself and wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy. 

Friday, September 25, 2026
06:00 PM US/Central
Kanbe's Markets Warehouse
3529 Wyoming St Kansas City MO 64111
 
We have set aside 8 spots for volunteering. If you are interested, just contact Ed Gilmore (913-579-8299)or Marc Cantel (913-638-8047)
 

5th Wednesday OP Rotary Social
 
Wednesday, September 30th
5:00pm - 7:00pm 
 
Kickoff Oktoberfest at KC Bier's new Lenexa location.
Bratzels, Bierricks, Wurst and other appetizers provided. Members are responsible for their beverage and any special food orders.
We will be in the outdoor Biergarten unless weather moves us to the Bierhalle.
KC Bier has supported our club with annual donations to the Crawfish Festival and other events. Please join your Rotary friends and support KC Bier in this new location they just opened in July.
 

 
 
Rotary Club volunteers are needed for pouring beer to raise money for our Crawfish Festival Beneficiaries.  
  • Each person earns $15/hour(tax free due to donation). This amount will be donated directly to our charity.  You can have friends and family work too.   
  • Everyone gets a free T-shirt and a free ticket to give to a friend or use another day.  The ticket will be sent via email in September.
  • You can sign up for more than one shift, as well as on both days.
  • Please sign up as soon as you can, so we can insure we fill all the shifts available. Saturday nights are the busiest and hardest to fill-please consider filling those shifts first!
  • Once you sign up, you will get a confirmation email.  If you do not see it, please look for it in the junk folder and mark it safe.  You will receive more information/instructions as the event approaches, and it will come through the Volunteer Local website.
You must enter the password below to access the sign-up schedule. 
PASSWORD:    bar2

Save the Date for Thursday, October 1st

For the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Board of Growing Futures Early Education Center, and this year I’m honored to serve as Board President. Growing Futures supports children and families right here in Johnson County through high quality early childhood education and comprehensive family services.
 
One of my favorite examples of how community connections grow is fellow Rotarian Tom Cohen. I originally met Tom through Growing Futures and later encouraged him to consider joining the Overland Park Rotary Club. He did, and since then, he has become even more involved with Growing Futures! Tom and his wife, Lena Price, are now serving as two of our first Honorary Chairs for Harvesting Hope, committing their time and energy to raising money and awareness for the important work Growing Futures is doing in our local community.
 
I’d love to have my fellow Rotarians join us for Harvesting Hope on Thursday, October 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Strang Hall in Downtown Overland Park. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy an evening together while supporting local children and families. 
 
Learn more, purchase tickets, or support the event here:
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to give me a call at (785) 317-2261 or email me at marc@searcyfinancial.com.

 
Speakers
Sep 23, 2026 11:30 AM
Economic Outlook for Kansas in 2026-27
Sep 30, 2026
Oct 07, 2026 7:30 AM
Hear and Critique Pitches from Start-Ups in our Area
Oct 14, 2026 11:30 AM
World Polio Day
Oct 21, 2026 7:30 AM
Kansas City Centurians
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Foundation Board Meeting
Sep. 23, 2026 1:00 p.m.
Hunger Action Month Project
Sep. 25, 2026 6:00 p.m.
Oktoberfest Kick-Off Social
Sep. 30, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Harvesting Hope benefitting Growing Futures
Oct. 01, 2026 5:30 p.m.
KC Oktoberfest
Oct. 02, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
KC Oktoberfest
Oct. 03, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
World Polio Trip to India
Oct. 22, 2026 – Oct. 28, 2026
Rotary District 5710 Conference
Oct. 23, 2026 – Oct. 24, 2026
Holiday Shopping Event for KidsTLC
Dec. 07, 2026
View entire list

2027 Beneficiary Applications OPEN

It’s that time again—we're officially searching for our next non-profit partner for the 2027 KC Crawfish Festival!

Proceeds from the Crawfish Festival go to a local program that supports kids in our area.  

Here’s How You Can Help:

Pass It Along: Send the application to local 501(c)(3) charities in your network and tell them to apply.

Look for Team Players: We want an enthusiastic partner ready to jump in with us on volunteers, promotion, and fundraising.

Deadline: September 30, 2025

If you know a non-profit that would be a fit, nudge them to get their application in.

If you have any questions, reach out Glenn Bates at 630-707-5726 or gbates51@gmail.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION


 
Upcoming Greeters
 
9/23 - Mary Kolpin
 
 
GREETERS NEEDED! 
Sign up sheet will be at meeting check-in.  

POLIO PLUS  and the KU-KSU Football Game
 
Please buy a couple of squares in the Polio Plus "game day pool" for the game to be played between Kansas and Kansas State Universities on October 17, 2026.  Winning squares will be based on the scores at the end of each of the first three quarters as well as the final score with $100 going to each of those four winners.  The balance in the pool will go to POLIO PLUS.
 
Each square goes for $10.  Buy a couple and give your cash or check (payable) to Bill Morton OR Venmo to him at 913.706.2582 or @William-Morton-78.
 
Thank you from Rotary International and OP Rotary!
 

Birthdays
 
 
Wedding Anniversaries
 
Rotary Anniversaries
Steve Miller, 1 year, Sept. 23
Barb Kopack Hill, 27 yrs, Sept. 30
 
Sign Up for Texts!
Stay informed about meeting times, etc. 
Click here to sign up.