OKC Rotary News

October 10, 2023 | Volume 112 | No. 14
In-Person and Livestreamed from Christian Life Center - St. Luke's Methodist Church | 11:55
Livestream Available 11:55am

Okla. City Real Estate Development

As Gardner Tanenbaum Principal Owner and CEO, Richard Tanenbaum brings more than 35 years of commercial real estate experience to every project the company undertakes. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Tanenbaum has demonstrated the ability to provide visionary leadership and quality real estate solutions for corporate and aerospace clients needing commercial space in the Oklahoma market. READ MORE

Seasoned CEO Mark Beffort began his involvement in commercial real estate in 1985 serving both the brokerage and management industries in Oklahoma. In 2004 Beffort merged firms with Harrison Levy. Levy’s landmark firm was founded in 1905 and had deep roots in the Oklahoma City real estate landscape. They continued to grow the business throughout Oklahoma and expanded nationally to 10 markets across multiple states including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, New York, Chicago and Minneapolis. READ MORE

Megan Gelmers leads local Oklahoma City development projects and an investment portfolio across the United states for Robinson Park Investments. With a passion for driving economic growth, Megan’s position as a partner in Convergence has led her to spearhead the groundbreaking mixed-use development in Oklahoma City’s Innovation District. The development will reshape Oklahoma’s economy through collaboration, innovation, and advanced technology. READ MORE

Chair of the Day: Clayton Taylor
Invocation/Pledge Leading: Jerome Holmes
Introduction of Guests: Jeff Simpsen
Scanning/Greeting: Fred Kempf, Jake Krattiger
Registration: Peggy Kates, Evan Walter
Roving Microphone: To Be Announced
Menu: Caesar Salad; Mixed green salad; Bruschetta; Capri veggies; Chicken alfredo; Meatballs and pasta; Breadsticks

Club 29 Breakfast

October 12, 2023
Quail Creek Country Club | 7:00am | Wingspan Room
Chairs: Susan McVey, Bud Oehlert

Speaker: Scott Munz, Vice President of Marketing, OKC Fairgrounds

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

reflectionS

Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendships?

by Paul Moore

Several years ago, our meeting agendas included the recitation of The Four-Way Test. I have always appreciated this ethical guide and thought I’d share some thoughts on one of the four points. “Of the things we think, say, or do – Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?”

My Rotary journey began in 1972. As a young man right out of college, I was working for the Boy Scouts of America and covering a territory in the Hudson Valley. The Beacon Rotary Club met on Fridays at a beautiful restaurant, in a wooded setting overlooking the Hudson River. I was often invited as a guest and at least once as a speaker but didn’t feel I could afford the dues on my $8250 annual salary. I always enjoyed the meetings and enjoyed a number of friendships among the members. Remember that this was in New York State, so wine was served with lunch and a few members, mostly retirees, lingered afterward on the patio, whiling away the afternoon. I will only admit to having joined them once on an especially pretty day.

Four years later I had earned a promotion to middle management and made a move to Hickory, North Carolina. I was encouraged to follow my predecessor into the Rotary Club of Hickory and did so willingly. At 27, I was by far the youngest member of the club (the next closest was a 40-year old “legacy” member) but nobody seemed to mind. I was immediately named Sergeant at Arms, which included finding someone to do the invocation each week. Surprisingly, even in the buckle of the Bible belt, it was not easy to find someone to pray aloud in public. We met at Mom and Pop’s Ham House, a local institution, and no wine was offered. Three things stand out: My new fellow Rotarians were more than happy to help me make connections in the community, even as a Yankee. READ MORE

Announcements

Lost and Found

The Rotary Office has a pair of sunglasses that were left at a Rotary meeting several weeks ago.
If you think the sunglasses are yours, please call the office, identify them, and they will be at the Tuesday meeting, or in the Rotary Office.

Rotary AfterHours - 10-10-2023 - RSVP
5:30-7:00pm
Bar K Fully-Staffed Indoor/Outdoor Dog Park
901 S.E. 5th St - Oklahoma City 73129
Cash Bar, Bring Guests
RSVP
For Entrance All Attendees must fill out this form

Officer & Director Self Nominations due October 10

As a reminder, our Nominating Committee will soon begin their work to identify candidates to stand for election on our upcoming ballot for our 2024-2025 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, Tom Phillips, invites you to please reach out to Megan Law in the Rotary office if you are interested in being considered or have any questions. Self-nominations are due to Megan by Tuesday, October 10th.

2023-24 OnePledge - Online Pledge Form

Watch Eva's and other Survivors' Stories - Human Trafficking in Oklahoma

Oct. 3 we announced the OnePledge Committee’s selection of The Dragonfly Home for the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City’s 2023-2024 project.

The Dragonfly Home is a vital organization that specializes in providing comprehensive support and resources for victims/survivors of human trafficking. The Dragonfly Home is dedicated to helping victims/survivors rebuild their lives, regain their independence, and find healing. They play a crucial role in raising awareness, offering safe spaces, and providing survivors with the tools and support they need to escape the cycle of exploitation.
READ MORE

Rotary Club 29 Online Directory - App is 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.

FUTURE PROGRAMS

2023-2024 Program Schedule
October 17, 2023 - The Arts in OKC Panel: Michael Baron, Lyric Theatre; Elizabeth Gray, OKC Broadway; Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, OKC Ballet; Moderator: Sunny Cearley
October 24, 2023 - "Dark Ride" - Lou Berney, Author

Upcoming Events

10-10-2023 - Rotary AfterHours - Bar K Dog Park
12-1-2023 - Salvation Army Bell Ringing
1-9-2024 - Rotary Winter Party
1-27-2024 - Rotary Pickleball Tournament
April 24-28, 2024 - Multi District Conference - Choctaw Resort & Casino
4216 US-69, Durant, OK 74701