ESpoke for Aug 26, 2026 (Aug 23, 2026)

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026

11:30 a.m. Double Tree Hotel

Pawsperity and Inclusion Connections

Sherrie Welsh, Community Partnership, Pawsperity

Sherrie Welsh works for Pawsperity, with a focus on developing community partnerships. In addition to her work at Pawsperity, Sherrie is the Owner and Principal of Agile Marketing Solutions, L.L.C., a marketing consulting firm serving a variety of industries including non-profits. Prior to this, Sherrie worked in a variety of marketing roles at Hallmark Cards, and at Andrews McMeel Universal. She has been involved in a volunteer or pro-bono capacity with several local nonprofits including: GiveMe20 Suicide Prevention program, Blue Valley Education Foundation, Autism Society of the Heartland, National Charity League, and has served on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and her neighborhood HOA. Combining her deep corporate marketing roots with a passion for civic service, she has a proven track record of turning strategy into community impact.

Pawsperity is the only nonprofit dog grooming school of its kind in the United States, whose mission is empowering families to become self-reliant through job training, life
skills, and practical solutions to end their poverty.

Louise Dillow, Inclusion Connections

At Inclusion Connections, we are transforming our community one person, one business at a time through advocacy, education, and conversation. We are focused on bringing the needs of individuals with developmental disability to light and working together to greatly increase access and opportunities.

NOTE FROM BILL

The Board held its monthly meeting last week.

The main topic was a collaboration between our Club and the City of Overland Park Parks and Recreation on the replacement of the tree markers at the City Forest area at 119th and Quivira. This would be a multi year project to refurbish that area with the main items being replacement of the existing tree markers, installation of a park bench and the installation of a sign that identifies our club and what we do in the community. It will involve 6-8 people for a few hours 3 times in the fall. If you have ever wanted to learn how to use an angle grinder, now is your chance. Stay tuned for more details.

Ed Gilmore would like some help with boots on the ground for our service projects. Let's give him a hand. Please contact Ed.

Now that we are getting started on our new dues structure this is a good tie to:

1. Let Sara know if you want her to add $25 per quarter that will go toward Rotary International "Every Rotarian Every Year" campaign. We are shooting for all members to give $100 per year to meet our obligation. Please let Sara know and she will take it from there.

2. If you want to give $25 per quarter or any other amount to The Community Uplift Foundation, let Sara know and she can also add it to your quarterly invoice.

3. We are trying to make sure that we are documenting attendance and meal charges correctly, so please note. If you attend and want a meal, mark the check in sheet with a "X". If you attend and do not want a meal, then put a "O" behind your name.

Thank you to all of you for your service and commitment to making our community great.

Bill

IMPORTANT EVENTS

LAST CALL: JOIN US IN INDIA

World Polio Day & National Immunization Day • October 2026

This is your last call to join us in India this October for an unforgettable Rotary experience!

Thirteen members of Rotary District 5710 are traveling to India for World Polio Day and a National Immunization Day (NID). Our group will have the opportunity to work alongside local Rotarians and health workers, helping immunize children in high-risk rural communities.

If you have ever wanted to see Rotary’s work to end polio firsthand, this is the opportunity. You’ll meet the families and children we serve, experience Rotary fellowship across borders, and take part in the effort to make polio the second human disease ever eradicated.

A scholarship is still available to help a Rotarian who would like to participate but for whom the cost of the trip may be a barrier. If you are interested—or know someone who might be—please reach out soon. Details are on the D 5710 website:

https://rotary5710.org/50021/Page/ShowSitePage?ClassCode=SitePage&Slug=polio-plus

Rotarians, family members and friends are all welcome to join us.

Travel details, itinerary and costs are available here:

https://worldpolioday.agratajmahalrotary.org/essence-of-india-with-rotary-7days.aspx

There is still time—but not much! If you have been thinking about joining us, now is the time to make the decision.

Come experience PolioPlus in action and be part of Rotary history as we work together toward a polio-free world.

Please contact me with questions or for information about the scholarship.

India awaits — come join us!

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:

Tom Cohen and Lena Price Honorary Chair Fundraising Page

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.