No virtual option will be provided at this meeting.
Topic: James Satoshi Kanki - Honorary Consul of Japan in Kansas City
I joined the Heart of America Japan-America Society (HAJAS) in 1992 and served as Treasurer from 1993 through 1996. I later served as Vice President – Membership in 2003 and 2004 and have served on the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival Executive Committee, chairing the Festival Fundraising Committee for seven years. I served as HAJAS President from 2008 – 2011. In 2012, my wife, Lydia, and I were named “Life Members.”
I was a member of the Greater Kansas City Japan Council and served on the Board of Directors of the Sister City Association of Kansas City representing our Sister City, Kurashiki, Okayama as well as being a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Japan America Societies. In 2015, I received a Special Commendation from the Foreign Ministry of Japan for my work in furthering relationships between the people of Japan and the people of the greater Kansas City area. The next year I was appointed Honorary Consul for Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri by the Foreign Ministry of Japan reporting to the Consulate General in Chicago. I am also currently a member of the Consular Corps of Greater Kansas City.
During my 42 years in Public Television – 14 years at WTTW/Chicago and 28 years at KCPT/Kansas City, I worked in various Development (fund-raising) capacities from on-air auctions and pledge drives, Underwriting Manager, Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer. I retired from KCPT in May 2006.
I was a member of the AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals – formerly the National Society of Fund Raising Executives) and served on its Board of Directors. I am a member of KC Connect (formerly The Greater Kansas City Council on Philanthropy) and Co-Chaired its first two Annual Awards Luncheons respectively in 1985 and 1986. I served as its President in 1988.
I attended Northeastern Illinois University majoring in psychology and am married to Lydia, my wife of 47 years. We have one daughter, Jamie Mariko Kanki, who is married and living in Fairfield, CT.
Bob Stone organized this program.
EREY: Every Rotarian Every Year
Club Treasurer, Joe Carroll, and Executive Secretary, Dalyn Novak, are here to remind you to donate $100 each year to Rotary International. Please talk with Joe if you'd like the $100 added to your next invoice. All funds need to be in to Joe in early June to count for this Rotary calendar year.
Volunteers Still Needed!
Northland Lite, the Northland's New Satellite Club, is Looking for Volunteers Friday, April 14th!
The Northland Lite Satellite Club is welcoming all Northland Rotarians to volunteer with them to pack bags for Feed Northland Kids at Winnetonka High School on Friday, April 14th from 3:10pm - 5:30pm. The more volunteers they have to pack bags the quicker the work will be done!
Winnetonka High School (North Kansas City School District)
5815 NE 48th Street, Kansas City, MO 64119
Dalyn and her office volunteered there early March and we had a great time!
There are only three people signed up right now and they really need 20 or so volunteers to make the work go quickly!
More information provided in the link below. Please sign up! You won't regret it!
April Third Thursday Event @ Gusto Coffee at Creekside - April 20, 2023
Adam Kintop at Gusto Coffee has graciously offered to open his shop just for the Parkville Rotary group. This is a wonderful coffee shop with coffee drinks, tea fogs and sandwiches to enjoy.
Gusto Coffee
15325 Old Town Dr Suite 101, Parkville, MO 64152
This will be a private event for us and no charge other than purchasing your food. Feel free to order online and have it ready when you walk in. There is plenty of seating and a fireplace to be enjoyed. Come have some great drinks, food and conversation. Please RSVP before the event at the next Friday meeting or by emailing Sandy K at Sandyknoe@outlook.com!
Mark Your Calendars for Parkville Microbrew Fest @ English Landing Park
Please mark your calendar for Saturday, April 22! We need volunteers to work the Parkville Rotary Retail Tent.
This is a wonderful event for The Parkville Mainstreet Association. Kelly Putnam the Executive Director for the Association will be leading this great fundraiser. Several volunteers are needed to make this tent work smoothly for the participants to enjoy.
Sandy K is looking for volunteers to sign up for a time slot! There is time for you to participate in this festival as well so you will not miss out. The festival is a 2 hour and 15-minute time commitment.
If you have any questions or want to sign up let Sandy K know. You can also sign up on Friday at our regular meeting time.
Member News is a new section in the weekly newsletter. Have news you want to share with Parkville Rotary members? Email Dalyn Novak at dnovak@wskfarch.com to have your news added.
The Membership Committee has been hard at work putting together new membership forms! All members can `access the forms by clicking on the blue box below which will take members to a dropbox link with the forms. Give these to potential members! The new spouse forms can be found here as well.
The following forms can be found in the link:
Standard Rotarian Membership Packet
Corporate Membership Packet
Spouse Membership Packet
Please submit the forms filled out to Dalyn Novak (dnovak@wskfarch.com) so she can get new member information added to ClubRunner after the board's approval!
