OKC Rotary News

October 7, 2025 | Volume 114 | No. 15
In-Person and Livestreamed from Christian Life Center - St. Luke's Methodist Church | 11:55
Link to the Livestream 11:55am

Ronald McDonald house Charities® Oklahoma City

Susan Adams is a graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business administration. Early in her career she held financial roles in cold forge manufacturing and in aircraft services overhaul and repair for helicopter, jet and industrial engines.
A 20-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, she has held a variety of senior roles from general manager to vice-president of operations with The Washington Post Company and Cox Communications. READ MORE

Chair of the Day: Ashley Smith
Attendance Scanner/Greeters: Jenn Krieger, Dwight Lawson
Registration: Larry Wagner, Ann Ackerman
New Rotarian Welcome Table: Emily Stratton
Teacher of the Month Introduction: Michael Baron
Teacher Greeter: Mark Neumeister
Introduction of Guests: Kathryn Wilson Wheeler
Invocation/Pledge Leader: Franci Hart
Microphone/ Q & A: Bobby Mills, Bud Oehlert
Menu: Caesar Salad; Mixed Green Salad; Garlic Bread; Green Beans; Chicken Alfredo; Primavera Shrimp Pasta

club 29 breakfast

October 9, 2025 | 7:00am
Quail Creek Country Club | Wingspan Room
Chairs: John D. Williams, David Hull, Aaron Collins

Speaker: President Ross Plourde

reflections

What If I Don't Agree With You?

by Rachel Hubbard

I often think of a conversation I had a few years ago with a high school student. We started talking about how she got information as a civically engaged student with aspirations to work for an Oklahoma nonprofit. She told me she only consumed information created by people she perceived to be like her and people with whom she agreed.

So, I asked her this question.

Suppose there was a government meeting about an important policy issue that would affect your future nonprofit. Only one person was able to go to document what happened, and you are unable to attend the meeting. The person available is a journalist and does not share your beliefs and will not report from your perspective. Do you think it would be better to have them in the room or go without the information?

She looked at me for a few minutes and said she didn't know. She hadn't ever considered that it might be important to just have someone in the room to witness what was happening. She needed to think about whether the perspective, life experience and beliefs of the person in the room would make their reporting worthless for her.

Since 2005, the state has lost 75 percent of its journalism capacity because of consolidation, corporate buyouts and market changes. Today, 500 fewer reporters are documenting what happens in Oklahoma – the good and the bad. Based on an informal census and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we estimate roughly 63,000 fewer stories about the state are reported every single year.

Some of you may be thinking it's a good thing to have fewer journalists. It's not exactly a glamorous profession in 2025. However, the work, regardless of perspective, is part of our public technology infrastructure regardless of their reporting perspective. READ MORE

Announcements

October 2025 Teacher of the Month

Michael Baron will introduce Carli Schrader, Santa Fe South Trinity Elementary, as the Oct. 2025 Teacher of the Month.

World POLIO DAY Oct. 24, 2025

Rotary District 5750 is launching the World Polio Day District Challenge with one bold goal: raise $100,000 for the PolioPlus Fund by Friday, October 24, 2025. Every contribution brings us one step closer to a world free from polio.

👉 my.rotary.org/en/polioplus-fund
(Select PolioPlus Fund and be sure to credit Rotary Club of Okla. City #1709)
This is more than a fundraiser—it’s our chance to make history together. Imagine the impact if each Rotarian in our district raised just $61—we’d hit our $100,000 goal with ease.
Let’s unite to make polio history!
Yours in Rotary Service,
Rotary District 5750

RSVP

Reserve Your Space Now!

=>Accounting Email Change - 2nd Quarter Statements were emailed last Wed, Oct. 1!

On July 1, 2024 the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City updated our accounting software to QuickBooks Online. With this change, the email address that sends your statements has been updated to: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com

Please add the above email address to your safe senders list and check your spam/junk folders for communications from the Rotary office. Quarterly statements were emailed and we appreciate your assistance to ensure timely payment.

October Rotary Magazine - for Rotarian Subscribers

Papua New Guinea has one of the world's highest rates of death for pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns. Most of these deaths are preventable, and midwives are key. In this issue of Rotary magazine, go behind the scenes of a Rotary-backed peer support program that is helping midwives in the Pacific island nation build the confidence to lead.
Click here to read your digital copy of the October 2025 issue

World Polio Day is 24 October, and we’ve got a package of inspirational stories capturing the pride in progress toward ending the disease. In an interview, Bill Gates discusses his foundation’s legacy, the importance of his long-standing partnership with Rotary, and why he remains unshakably optimistic about the end of polio.

The fight against the disease has spurred a host of medical breakthroughs and strengthened the global public health infrastructure. In another feature story, we look at several major advancements that originated with a 1950s polio outbreak in Copenhagen, Denmark.

To honor the commitment to ending polio, Rotary invited artists specializing in miniature creations to craft tiny scenes of big moments in the global effort. A photo essay captures some highlights.

Prefer to listen? Check out the Rotary Voices podcast for audio versions of the magazine's best storytelling, along with full episodes featuring bonus interviews.

D5750 Governor Mukesh Patel

A Message from the District Governor: October 2025 - Economic & Community Development Month

Dear Rotarians,

October is Rotary International’s Economic & Community Development Month — a time to highlight one of Rotary’s most vital areas of focus: strengthening local economies, creating opportunities for decent work, and building sustainable futures.

Across District 5750, I see our clubs living out this mission in countless ways — from supporting small business owners, to mentoring youth entrepreneurs, to investing in workforce development programs that spark hope and self-reliance. These efforts are not just about economics; they are about dignity, empowerment, and the chance for every person to thrive. READ MORE

Memorials

The Rotary Club 29 Foundation accepts gifts honoring loved ones.
A contribution can be made here

In the News

If you have good news - honors, awards, new achievements - to share with the club please let us know!

Upcoming Events

October 14, 2025 - Rotary Afterhours
December 5, 2025 - Salvation Army Bell Ringing
January 6, 2026 - Rotary Winter Party
January 31, 2026 - Pickleball Tournament

Rotary Club 29 Online Directory
DacDb has a new App in the App/Play Store!!

Rotary Club 29 has an online membership directory which contains current content information for all club members. The link to access the Club 29 directory can be found at the top of the home page of okcrotary.club or by clicking here.
OKC Rotary has provided this tool as a convenience to help members stay in touch with one another. The online directory, just like the printed roster, should only be used for Rotary purposes. If you need help in accessing the directory, please email the office.