TOPIC: Dr. Martin Kanne, Community-Driven Healthcare & Education Work
Dr. Martin Kanne, a local retired family physician, has been dedicated to helping the people of Guatemala and Honduras for over 30 years. He initiated the Guatemala Humanitarian Fund, which focuses on various humanitarian projects, including building schools, churches, and kitchens to uplift the communities in need. Dr. Kanne's mission is to provide sustainable support and resources to enhance the lives of individuals in Guatemala.
Growing up in small-town Iowa in the 50s and 60s in a large Catholic family, Martin Kanne was shielded from the world's poverty and suffering, despite his parents' and teachers' efforts to instill empathy. He vowed that if he achieved his dream of becoming a physician, he would help those in need in the Third World.
In 1989, a medical mission trip to Guatemala profoundly impacted him, exposing him to severe poverty and inspiring a lifelong commitment to aid. He adopted a Guatemalan girl in 1992 and funded a church construction in Nimipá. Since 2000, he has undertaken annual medical missions and construction projects in Honduras and Guatemala, working with local leaders and involving youth to expose them to these experiences. His projects have included building schools, churches, and homes, and providing medical care. A memorable 2020 mission trip underscored the importance of resilience and support, as his team navigated a sudden travel ban due to COVID-19. His work continues to focus on various infrastructure projects, aiming to improve living conditions and inspire the next generation.
Dr. Kanne will focus his presentation on the community-driven healthcare and education work of the Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM), an organization he has worked with for nearly 20 years.
Mark Your Calendars - Volunteers Needed This Saturday!
You are invited to Rotary in the Park!
Volunteers are needed May 3, 2025!
When:
Saturday, May 3rd - 8 AM - 12 PM
Where: English Landing Parkville Missouri 8880 Clark Avenue Parkville, MO
Why:
Parkville Rotary 2024 Grant project. Rotary will be installing a Rotary peace pole & planting flowers in the park.
Parkville Rotary Board Meeting This Friday!
Our next Parkville Rotary Board Meeting will be held on Friday, May 2 at 10:30 AM at the Parkville Living Center (prior to our regular club meeting). Board Members - please let Michelle Sparks know if you can attend or not.
May 30 - June 1 in Kirksville, MO
Mark your calendars for the Rotary District 6040 Conference, taking place May 30-June 1, in Kirksville, MO. This annual event brings together Rotarians, community leaders, and guests from across the district to celebrate achievements, foster collaboration, and inspire future initiatives.
What is the District Conference? A gathering of Rotarians (and partners are welcome!) from across all of the clubs of the district to share ideas through Rotary breakout sessions, to have fun and build relationships through fellowship time and social events, dynamic speakers and programs (including PDG Duane Benton, PDG Cassy Venters, and A Candle Against the Dark, a play about the force against the darkness to fight polio), the Shoes for Orphan Souls Roll Call, a literacy service project, a concert by grammy winner Rhonda Vincent, Rotary updates including from the Council on Legislation and District Governor-elect Jodi Sundaram, celebration of the Legacy Campaign for Rotary's Endowment Fund, and more.
Join us for an unforgettable evening at Truman's Baldwin Theater! After the District Conference, keep the energy going with Rhonda & The Rage live on Sunday, June 1st at 6:00 p.m. Tickets on sale soon! Special Rotarian Rate $35 (for district conference attendees). General Admission $45 (advance purchase). Don't miss the electrifying performance-secure your spot and make it a night to remember.
What to Expect:
Recognition of outstanding clubs and members for their service and contributions.
Updates on Rotary International's priorities, programs, and initiatives.
Cultural and entertainment showcases celebrating the diversity within the district.
Opportunities to engage in hands-on service projects or fundraising events.
The annual District 6040 Rotary Foundation Dinner will be held on November 7, 2025. More details in the coming weeks.
Member News!
Have news you want to share with Parkville Rotary members? Email Dalyn at dnovak@wskfarch.com to have your news added to this section of the newsletter.
This is Michelle Sparks' toothpaste/toothbrush collection for her Rotary Friendship Exchange trip in July to Africa. Below is what has been collected so far.
Rotary Fact of the Week!
50 Things Every Rotarian Should Know about Rotary
by Steve Garret, District Governor 1994-95, District 5300
#38 ROTARY FLOAT IN ROSE PARADE
The Rotary International float in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade is undoubtedly the largest public relations project of the Rotary clubs of the United States and Canada. Since 1924 a Rotary float has been entered 18 times including every year since 1981. The famous Pasadena, California, parade is seen by an estimated 125 million people via worldwide television.
Funds for the construction of the Rotary parade entry are voluntarily given by Rotarians and clubs in the U.S. and Canada. The cost of designing, constructing and flower covering a Rose Parade float begins at about $120,000.
A multi-district Rotary committee in Southern California coordinates planning of the Rotary float and provides hundreds of volunteer hours of service. The Rotary float must portray the annual parade theme, usually depicting one of the worldwide service programs of Rotary International.
Each New Year's Day, Rotarians take pride in seeing their attractive float and realize they have shared in its construction by contributing a dollar or two to this beautiful public relations project.
Parkville Rotary has donated towards this float in past years.
The Membership Committee has been hard at work looking for great new members. All members and prospective members can access the new member forms by clicking on the blue box below. This link will take you directly to the membership forms.
Parkville Rotary has the following membership types:
Standard Rotarian Membership
Corporate Membership
Spouse Membership
Please submit the forms filled out to Sandra Knoernschild at SandyKnoe@outlook.com, so the new member information can be reviewed by the board for approval! We are always looking for new members to join our growing club!
When you have a speaker scheduled please make sure to provide the following information to Sandy Knoernschild, SandyKnoe@outlook.com, who is managing our events calendar.
Speaker Name
Speaker Bio
Speaker Topic
Any other information you think members would like to know about your speaker, photos are welcomed too!
This information is included in this weekly newsletter and can really get people excited to come listen to our weekly speakers!
