Lawrence Central Rotary

Author: Admin

Rain Washes Out Community Bike Ride – The Story.

At dawn we woke up to flashes of lightning and quiet thunder. Then the rain started.

At 6:30 or so we arrived at the Arboretum, the Anderson Rental tent would be needed this morning, not for shade, but to keep dry.

The local radar showed the storms to the south of us but new ones were popping up just west of us and there was a discussion that with the lack of rain as of late the streets would be slick with oil that would be pushed up from the water.

Planned for since last year, event organizer and chair Steve Lane didn’t want to do it, but there was no choice. Flashes of lighting just in the distance, the potential for slick roads and while the regular riders probably would be fine, it was the novices we worry about.

So he pulled the plug. There was no choice. In his email this morning he said, “Folks – the unexpected monsoon this AM was a disappointment. A lot of great energy stayed home today (all those kids on bikes). ”

On the upside: Bill Anderson committed today (after we returned the Anderson Rental gear) that Anderson would commit to sponsor the 2014 ride. This is our largest cost for the ride – and with that already set, it provides Lawrence Central and Ride Lawrence with the confidence to put it on the 2014 calendar and to talk it up. So let’s just say it now – Mark your calendars – July 19, 2014 for the community bike ride.

New for 2014? A rain-day plan. Yup, we need one. We can plan now to do two things to reduce the chances of this occurring again:

1. Sunday, July 20, backup rain-out day.

2. Rather than setting tight ride times (this year 8AM for the 10-mile, and 8:30AM for the 3 mile….both incidentally moved up 30 min. from 2012 due to the high heat) we will have an 8AM 10-mile and and 8:30 3-mile each with a one-hour start window. Huh? Point – in great weather, both will start on time. On a day like today – folks will know that the 10-mile is between 8AM and 9AM. Same for the 3-mile. For instance, this year, if we could have delayed everything by an hour and we would have been fine (hindsight).

But, this not only helps with a flash storm…. it also makes this more accessible for families. For those who like the thrill of all starting together with a countdown may arrive and start at 8AM (or 8:30 for the 3-mile ride). But, those that just want a fun ride – can work to arrive between 8AM and 9AM (or 8:30 and 9:30 for the 3-mile) and still do the rides – with full crew support at the SAG and at street crossings. I believe both of these adjustments will boost our ability to make this event better in the future.

Let’s do it again in 2014! We’re planning already.

July 21, 2013
One of Lawrence Central’s ShelterBoxes Deployed

Lawrence Central along with the help from the Lawrence Monday Noon Rotary and District 5710 grants were able to purchase 3 ShelterBoxes last year.

Shelterbox is a Rotary-based organization that responds instantly following natural and other disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who need it most. Each ShelterBox supplies an extended family with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. ShelterBox is now firmly established at the forefront of disaster relief and our work constantly earns the respect of outside agencies.

We recently received news that one of the boxes we raised funding for was deployed to Haiti for Hurricane relief late last year.

We’ll be tracking the others and posting updates on where they went.

If you would like more information on ShelterBox check out their Website.

July 16, 2013
Archivist Audrey Coleman Discusses Dole Institute

Lawrence Central enjoyed a presentation from the Dole Institute’s Senior Archivist Audrey Coleman who joined the Dole Institute staff in August 2012. She spoke to the club about the goings on at the Dole Institute and also reminded us about the 90th birthday celebration for Senator Dole planned for July 22nd from 12pm to 4pm to celebrate Sen. Dole’s life and legacy.

Being the director of the Robert J. Dole Archive and Special Collections, Audrey heads a staff of professional archivists, museum professionals, and students, and looks forward to furthering the development of a robust digital, physical, and interactive community presence for the Archives’ collections. Along with other Institute leaders, Audrey also participates in the strategic development of Institute programming and resources.

A proud fourth-generation Kansan and a KU graduate, having earned a B.A. with distinction in Spanish, 2001, and an M.A. in Museum Studies in 2004. Audrey, her husband, Dan, and son live in Lawrence.

More information can be found on the Dole Institute’s Website.

July 15, 2013
What’s so great about Lawrence? Ask Lawrence Central Rotary about the Community Bike ride.
“The old song says “The best things in life are free!” and this is true of one of the best things about summer in Lawrence, the Central Rotary Community Bike Ride, July 20 at the Rotary Arboretum by the YSC Soccer fields at Clinton Park. With no charge of any kind to participants, the Ride offers a morning of family fun and outdoor activity, as well as promoting safe cycling.

Cyclists have three rides to choose from, all traveling along the South Lawrence Trafficway bike path, a wide paved surface that is “car-free.”
- The first ride begins at 8 a.m. and is a 10-mile ride that travels near I-70 and back.
- A three-mile family ride begins at 8:30 a.m. and goes to the Clinton Lake Overlook and back.
- A one-mile easy loop is available between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and circles around the arboretum. It also accommodates those who’d just like a brisk walk.
Participants also receive, while supplies last, free t-shirts, helmets, drinks from McDonalds, healthy snacks from the Merc, and free bike tune-ups from on site mechanics. Jim Whittaker, who leads GP VeloTek which is staffing and supporting the Ride, is working on getting free chair massages for cyclists. Cycling experts will conduct “training wheel take-off,” helping the youngest riders learn to ride without training wheels when they’re ready. Safe Kids of Douglas County with Lawrence Memorial Hospital will provide cycling safety tips for kids of all ages.

Central Rotary member Stephen Lane, who has been Bike Ride chairman since its inception three years ago, said all riders will be well cared for, with mobile mechanics and volunteers stationed at the few street crossings. Those in the 10-mile ride will also get food at a SAG (Support and Gear) stop at the five mile point. The SAG stop, promoted by Lawrence Bicycle Club members Justin Graham and Craig Weinaug, will be manned by the Bicycle Club. He suggested riders bring, in addition to bikes in safe working order, water and sunblock. Release letters will be available at the event.

Scott Wagner, also a member of Central Rotary, said the Community Bike Ride was started by a two-year grant from LiveWell Lawrence in March of 2010 and included three parts: building bike racks, creating a website called RideLawrence and a community ride. The Central Rotary Club has funded the ride with a portion of the grant for 2011 and 2012 and is now funding it on its own, as well as installing bike racks in the city.

” We can’t think of a better way to involve families in a healthy, fun activity,” Lane said. “Last year we had 225 cyclists and walkers and we’re hoping to double that this year. We’ve had riders and walkers in their 80s and three year-olds riding on training wheels. Last year we even had a training wheel Superman, red cape and all. Costumes and decorated bikes are welcome. And we’re going to have several surprise guests.”

Riders may download the forms to preregister at www.ridelawrence.com.
July 8, 2013
A New Rotary Year Begins

As we start a new calendar year for Rotary (July 1 – June 30) we wanted to take the time to introduce the new Rotary International President Ron Burton and he’s asked Rotarians to “Engage Rotary and Change Lives”.

He unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2013 International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, the annual training event for incoming district governors.

“If we really want to take Rotary service forward, then we must make sure that every single Rotarian has the same feeling about Rotary that each one of us here has today,” Burton said. “We need to make sure that every Rotarian has a meaningful role to play, that they’re all making a contribution, and that their contribution is valued.”

Burton said the July launch of The Rotary Foundation’s new grant model, Future Vision, makes it an exciting time to be a Rotarian. He said the new grant model, which has been used by about 100 pilot districts since 2010, represents a new era for the Foundation, and will help Rotarians get excited about Rotary’s ability to change lives.

“It takes everything that is wonderful about Rotary and raises it to a new level — by encouraging bigger, more sustainable projects while providing increased flexibility for local projects, both of which address the needs of the community being served,” he said.

Burton asked the incoming district governors to take the lead in helping their clubs through the transition, with the assistance of their district Rotary Foundation chairs, who also attended the assembly this year. The training sessions are focusing heavily on equipping these leaders to go back to their districts as experts on the new grant model.

Before the assembly, Burton asked each of the incoming governors to make a donation in their name to The Rotary Foundation in order to demonstrate leadership by example. At the assembly, he announced that all 537 governors-elect had complied; along with donations from all RI Board members and Foundation Trustees, the contributions totaled US$675,412.

“Now, I have to believe that some of this is money that The Rotary Foundation probably would not have received had I not asked. And I think that this is an important lesson” he said. “If you want somebody else to do something, you can just sit around and wait for them to get the idea, or you can ask.”

Burton applied that lesson also to membership development, which he insisted is the responsibility of every Rotarian. He told the audience that although he had been an active member of the Key Club, a youth program of Kiwanis International, he went on to join Rotary simply because the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, invited him to.

“You have to ask,” he said.

But Burton emphasized that the job doesn’t end when a new member joins: “It’s not done until that new member is engaged in Rotary, inspired by Rotary, and uses the power of Rotary service to change lives.”

If you are interested in seeing Mr. Burton speak he is planning to visit the Topeka Downtown Rotary Club on Thursday, July 18 at their noon meeting.

IA13 Ron Burton theme speech from Rotary International on Vimeo.

July 1, 2013