OKC Rotary News

September 24, 2024 | Volume 113 | No. 12
In-Person and Livestreamed from Christian Life Center - St. Luke's Methodist Church | 11:55
Link to the Livestream 11:55am

Oklahoma city public schools

Dr. Jamie C. Polk, the newly-appointed Superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS), is an esteemed education advocate with a passion for driving transformative change. With over two decades of experience in educational leadership, Dr. Polk is dedicated to enhancing student outcomes, fostering community involvement, and creating nurturing learning environments for all of OKCPS’ nearly 33,000 students. READ MORE

Chair of the Day: Elizabeth Inbody
Attendance Scanner/Greeters: Vered Harris, Penny Voss
Registration: Larry Wagner, Marion Paden
Introduction of Guests: Jeff Simpsen
Introduction of New Rotarians: Evan Walter
Invocation/Pledge Leader: Clarke Farmer
Microphone: Bobby Mills
Menu: House Salad, Kale and Quinoa Salad, Carrots, Roasted Potatoes, Fennel & Garlic Pork Loin, Chicken Alfredo

club 29 breakfast

Sept. 26, 2024 | 7:00am
Quail Creek Country Club | Wingspan Room
Chairs: Susan McVey, Bud Oehlert
Melissa Pepper, Executive Director The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park, and Shannon Price, Executive Director of the Edmond Fine Arts Institute, “Oklahoma’s First Sculpture Park.”

reflections

Behind the Scenes

by Jessica Smith

I made a special point recently to attend our club’s Thursday morning breakfast to hear from our Club President and Honorable Suzanne Mitchell speak about her incredible work and the Judiciary system. A question was asked of her: What cinematic production is most like the court system? And which do you watch?

Those of us in the legal profession get asked that question quite a bit. Do you watch Suits, Law & Order, Presumed Innocent, etc.? As Judge Mitchell so eloquently explained, the court system is most often not accurately portrayed in those shows. For those looking in, it can be boring because legal matters don’t progress as quickly as those shown on the small and big screen. You don’t get assigned a case and then go to trial the next day. One earth-shattering argument or one obscure document you found just before rushing off to court won’t result in the judge ruling in your favor. So much is handled and resolved outside of the courtroom. The real magic happens behind the scenes.

That is exactly how I first met Judge Mitchell. I had just been hired as General Counsel for Oklahoma City Public Schools and accompanied our retained outside legal counsel to federal court for pretrial settlement discussions. READ MORE

Announcements

RSVP for Rotarians and their Guests

New Rotarians

New Rotarians Sherry Marshall, Brint Montgomery, and Joel Pendarvis will be introduced by Evan Walter.

Officer & Director Self Nominations accepted now! Deadline - Sept. 30

As a reminder, our Nominating Committee will soon begin their work to identify candidates to stand for election on our upcoming ballot for our 2025-2026 officers and directors. To be eligible for consideration, you must have been a member of the club for at least three years. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Robert Clements, invites you to please reach out to Megan Law in the Rotary office if you are interested in being considered or have any questions.

Memorials

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

Wings of Rotary - 2025 - Deadline Dec. 1, 2024

Each summer, District 5750 sends a team of 10th to 12th graders to District 2520 located in the Miyagi and Iwate prefectures in Japan for approximately two weeks. 2025 Wings of Rotary Information

In taking part of WINGS of Rotary, students learn a new way of living, a great deal about themselves, and maybe even a new language. They will be ambassadors, teaching people they meet about their country, culture, and ideas. Help bring the world closer - and make some good friends in the process.

More than 8,000 young people each year have experiences like these through Rotary Youth Exchanges. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. Do you know any students who would be interested? Contact Keith Oehlert, District 5750 Wings Chair. Application

Rotary Magazine - Sept. 2024 - for Rotarian Subscribers

O Canada. O Calgary! For centuries, people have gathered at the confluence of Calgary's two rivers. Now, with its June 2025 convention, it's Rotary's turn. In this issue of Rotary magazine, join in as we explore this modern metropolis with a palpable sense of its past, easy access to the Rocky Mountains, and a history of bringing people together. Register for the convention and experience it for yourself.

Click here to read your digital copy of the September 2024 issue.

In another of this month's features, meet the Rotary members putting a spotlight on the mental health stressors unique to American rural life and helping their communities and their own families get support. Long overlooked, farmers are finding fellowship, teletherapy, and tailored resources.

September is Rotary's Basic Education and Literacy Month. In this month's Goodwill column Regina Fuller-White, who manages the area of focus for Rotary, offers five tips for clubs to deliver more effective education technology programs.

And finally, are you stumped by all of Rotary's acronyms? Are you an ace at alphabet soup? Find out by taking our lighthearted quiz in Handbook.

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

In the News

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

Upcoming Events

October 1, 2024 - Rotary AfterHours
December 6, 2024 - Salvation Army Bell Ringing Day
January 7, 2025 - Rotary Winter Party
January 25, 2025 - Pickleball Tournament - Chicken 'n Pickle 10-1
April 23, 2025 - Rotary Club of Okla. City visits Rotary Club of Tulsa

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.