banner
Stories
THIS WEEK'S MEETING
Overland Park Rotary
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 7:15 am
 
Startup Rewind
Technology Venture Studio at UMKC – Becca Castro (castrob@umkc.edu)
BIO: Becca thrives on being a builder, connector and innovator to drive community growth—making her role as KCSourceLink’s Network Builder a perfect fit. With over 20 years of experience spanning public, private and nonprofit sectors, Becca has led a research and development team at a Fortune 500 company, been part of the founding teams for three nonprofits and guided the relaunch of LaunchKC to accelerate Kansas City’s tech startups. She’s passionate about creating a vibrant ecosystem where founders can thrive.
 
OVERVIEW: Technology Venture Studio helps move early-stage innovations from concept to reality.
 
By turning early-stage innovations into successful ventures, Technology Venture Studio helps create jobs, spur economic impact, attract more equity funding to our region and position Kansas City as a technology hub.
 
At its core, Technology Venture Studio helps tech entrepreneurs build momentum to grow and scale their businesses. Through access to innovations, early-stage funding, connections to investors and community events we provide innovators with key resources to build their companies and move to market faster.
 
Sova Dating – Kieri Olmstead (kieri@sovadating.com; support@sovadating.com; cell: 913-200-5546)
BIO/OVERVIEW: Kieri Olmstead is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Sova, a relational-health platform based in the Kansas City region. Drawing on her background in mental health and community building, Kieri created Sova to help people form healthier relationships by combining therapist-designed assessments, compatibility tools, and access to a network of vetted helping professionals. Her work sits at the intersection of emotional wellness, technology, and human connection, with a mission to make healthier relationships more accessible and proactive rather than reactive.
This Week's Greeters - Ed Gilmore & Bill Flohrs
March Service Project 
Heart to Heart Hygiene Kit build
 
All our members, our club has been involved with this organization on several occasions and this one is well attended and fun way to serve and socialize.
 
Our group is welcome to sign up for the community build on March 31. We recommend that participants sign up individually, so we are able to get any updates about the event. One person is allowed to sign up for up to 4 slots. We cannot guarantee that all members of your group will be able to work side-by-side but will do what we can. 
 
Sign up as soon as you can.
 
2026/27 BOARD NOMINEES
The following slate of officers will be voted on at the March 12 Rotary meeting. 
 
Office/Position 2026/2027
President: Bill Flohrs
President Elect: Robin Harrold
Past President: Barry Sullivan
Sergeant At Arms: Casey McCarthy
Treasurer: Doug Davidson
Secretary: Edie Howard
Membership: Marc Schaffer
Service: Ed Gilmore
Director: Rebecca Williams
Director: Tanner Gilliland
Director: Bruce Carter
Director: John Rasmas
2026 CRAWFISH FESTIVAL
Posted by Mark Rauth

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Crawfish Festival and its long history of giving back to our local community. As Sponsorship Chair, I’m asking each club member to tap into your personal network and help us identify businesses or individuals who may be willing to support this year’s event as a sponsor.

Our most successful sponsorships come from personal connections. A warm introduction from you to a business owner or professional contact is far more effective than a cold call.

How you can help
Please identify three to five contacts—local business owners or individuals—and share the sponsorship opportunities with them.
Sponsorship levels range from:

  • Copper Sponsor ($250) – helping provide tutoring for a youth in care
  • Diamond Sponsor ($10,000) – supporting CASA staff positions

Thank you for helping make this 25th-anniversary Crawfish Festival our most successful one yet!
Speakers
Mar 11, 2026 11:30 AM
Mary McMurray, Director, Jo Co Museum
Everyday Democracy: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness in Johnson County
Mar 18, 2026
No Meeting - Happy Spring Break
Mar 25, 2026 11:30 AM
Dr. Michael Schumacher, Supertindent
Shawnee Mission School District
Apr 01, 2026 7:30 AM
Startup Rewind
Apr 08, 2026 11:30 AM
World Cup
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Heart to Heart Service Project
Mar. 31, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
 
Crawfish Festival
St. Pius X Church
May 02, 2026
 
View entire list
Gathering for Good
Wine & Whiskey Pull
OP Rotary members are welcome to donate a bottle of wine or liquor with a value of at least $25 at any of the Rotary Club meetings in March. Your donation will contribute to the funds raised by the District 5710, which are used for matching grants shared with area Rotary Clubs. There will be a donation box at the meeting sign-in table if you would like to donate.
Thank you!
Ladies Social Hour
March 5th, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Laurie McCormack's Home
9915 Knox Dr, Overland Park
Please bring your favorite beverage or appetizer.
Click here to RSVP.
Birthdays
Patrick Wertzberger, March 5
Ed Gilmore, March 9
 
Anniversaries
none
 
Club Anniversaries
Mark Parman, 20 years, March 6
Have You Made Your Annual Donation to the Rotary Foundation?
As a reminder, Every Rotarian Every Year, is the goal - to have every Rotarian donation something to the Rotary Foundation. Our goal is $100 per member. If you would like to add this to your quarterly dues, please let Mandy know. Or you can write a check or make a donation directory to the Rotary Foundation. Go to https://my.rotary.org/en/donate to make a donation online. 
 
Thank you!
 
Sign Up for Texts!
Stay informed about meeting times, etc. 
Click here to sign up.