Past President Stuart Symmonds presented a slate of officer nominees for the 2019-2020 Rotary year to the club board meeting. This slate will be presented to the club on November 13 for our club officer election. The nominees are as follows:
- President Sharon Tidwell
- President-Elect Robin Newell
- Vice President Shirley Antes
- Treasurer Dan Robertson
- Secretary Jim Wayman
- Foundation Richard Duncan
- Membership Teresa Maley
- Social Media Rachael Correll
- Service Barbara Wry
- Past President Jami Reever
- Board Member Marshall Miller
- Board Member Alex Mosakowski
- Board Member Don Miller
- Board Member Harvey Foyle
- Board Member Shane Shively
Susan Rathke of the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau introduced Teresa Mitchell from Emporia State University's Educational Theatre Company, who educated us on Emporia's Company L. This information was gained from interviews of several Emporians that were conducted by late Emporian Steve Hanschu about their life experiences and have been archived at the Lyon County History Center. The interviews were adapted into readings and brought to life through the Flint Hills Oral History Project.
ESU's Educational Theatre Company is portraying three soldiers who were part of Company L. Ryan Wollum, one of the ESU theatre students, portrayed Lt. Col Ellis Christensen during our meeting. As part of this week's Veterans Day activities in Emporia, Ryan, as well as two other theatre students, are portraying Lt. Col. Christensen, Col. Arthur Ericcsson, and Cpl. Andrew Fry. It was interesting to hear about how the soldiers were welcomed into the homes of people living in Emporia for meals on Sundays during their training time in Emporia.
Jeanny Sharp is our newest Rotary Club member, and was sponsored by Barbara Wry. She joins our club as an Associate Member. Jeanny has been visiting our club for the past month or so. Please make a point to get to know Jeanny. She is the Advertising Sales Director with The Emporia Gazette. Welcome to our club, Jeanny!
Newman Regional Health, like several employers in Emporia, is looking for some good people to fill several skilled positions that are unfilled right now. 
Ron Thomas, General Manager of Emporia's Radio Stations, was on hand depicting his story of Ron's Ride, a fund raiser for Special Olympics. Funds donated go toward providing the trip for special olympians to the Kansas Special Olympics in Wichita each summer. Donations to our Rotary Club's Happy Bucks during next January through March will be given to Ron's Ride.
Lisa Keith, Director of the David Traylor Zoo, talked about planned exhibits that are being planned for the future resulting from the Oasis Campaign. $3.65 million has been raised so far from their $4.3 million Oasis Campaign goal. Our Rotary Club donated $25,000 toward Mission Madagascar in 2016 as a result of several years of fund raisers. 
Dr. Joseph Laudie presented the work that he and his family have been involved as part of a medical outreach mission in Guatemala. Making the trip every other year, this trip was his fifth medical mission that he has participated. Dr Laudie uses mobile dental equipment that he purchased through our Rotary Club.
Erin Blocker, who we have become well-acquainted as one of ESU's track coaches, came with her son Matthew to announce that she has organized several interactive Leap! lifestyle workshops designed by the experts at the KU Alzheimer's Disease Center. The workshops provide interactive education on the six key lifestyle factors known to reduce Alzheimer's disease risk. The workshops incorporate hands-on opportunities to try a variety of brain health strategies, and include handouts, resources, current research updates, and Q&A with a LEAP! Coach. The workshop in Emporia is November 14th at the Preston Room at ESU's Memorial Union, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
