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Welcome new member Susan Herron

Kimberlee Nevins introduced Susan on March 28.  Brent Baldwin is her cosponsor.

Susan has been in the real estate business since 2004.  She owns and manages Red Door Associates at Keller Williams in southeast Springfield.  It was known as Stowe Realty Group until three years ago, when she rebranded after she remarried.  In addition to being a broker, she stages homes to help them sell better.  She serves on the Keller Williams Agents Leadership Council.

Susan spent her childhood in South America.  She moved back to the states when she was 17 years old.  She attended Samford University and Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU).  She’s lived in the Ozarks for 24 years and is a member of the Nixa and Springfield chambers of commerce, Hill City Church, and Women’s Outreach.

Susan and her husband, Waylon, live in Nixa and have seven children, four sons-in-law, and two grandbabies.  Holidays are chaotic, loud and fun at her house.
 

As a former bakery owner, Susan puts her experience to work by taking goodies to teachers and first responders to thank them for loving our community, families, and children.  When she’s not working or baking, she powerlifts at a gym.

Nominations are open for Volunteer of the Year

 

The Rotary Volunteer of the Year Award is our local club’s highest honor. This year’s award will be presented at our April 18 lunch.   The award recognizes outstanding and long-term community service that is performed outside of Rotary – that is, service other than Rotary service.

Nomination forms are available online and hard copies are available at the House Table. The form includes a listing of previous honorees, for your reference. Nominations may be made by a fellow Rotarian, a family member, or an organization that has benefited from the nominee’s service. It is also perfectly acceptable to self-nominate.

Please feel free to contact one of the Rotary Volunteer Committee co-chairs -- Barbara Lucks and Cindy Howell -- if you have questions or need additional information.  Completed nomination forms can be sent to them or to the club secretary.

Nominations will be accepted until April 5, 2024.  
 
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Welcome new member Vanessa Howe

Joe Daues introduced Vanessa on March 21.  Her cosponsor is David Yancey.

Vanessa has owned Below Zero Cryospa, 1374 E. Republic Road, since it opened in November 2022.  She also has been a real estate agent for 25 years for Murney Associates and Carol Jones Realtors.  She formerly owned Athletic Performance Center in Ozark and was an independent sales representative for Silpada Jewelry.

Vanessa has a bachelor's degree in Textile and Clothing from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.  While in college, she did a summer internship at Paris Fashion Institute in France.

Vanessa has lived in the Ozarks for 33 years.  She and her husband, Todd Strickland, live in east Springfield and have three children.

Vanessa volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Women in Need Of the Ozarks, and Gathering Friends of the Ozarks.
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Fellowship Lunches

Fellowship Luncheons will be Thursday, April 4, noon - 1:00.

Our Fellowship Luncheons are held twice a year and let members attend a small group luncheon hosted offsite at a member's workplace. This takes the place of our regular lunch meeting that day.

The list of available locations and details are below. Follow this link https://forms.gle/Kbzs9dhxvt5UixBg9 to sign-up for the location of your choice. If you have any questions or have trouble accessing the Google form, just shoot me an email with your location selection.

Seating is limited and locations fill-up quickly, so please sign up early.

MBA/ASSURED PARTNERS
- 15 SEATS AVAILABLE
Host: Deryk Morelock & Lori Barnes Miller
Address: 3454 S. Campbell Ave.
Spots: 15
Lunch provided by: Tongs Thai Restaurant
Parking instructions: On-site parking

WISE GUYS SCREEN PRINT
- 20 SEATS AVAILABLE
Host: Jim Hoovens
Address: 2803 N. Oak Grove Ave.
Spots: 20
Lunch provided by: Mexican Villa
Parking instructions: Plenty of parking in front and behind the building.
Any additional instructions: Meet in the large conference room.

NEALE & NEWMAN
- 10 SEATS AVAILABLE
Host: Nate Dunville
Address: 2144 E. Republic Rd., Ste. F-302
Spots: 10
Lunch provided by: TBD
Parking instructions: On-site parking

THE FAIRBANKS
- 20 SEATS AVAILABLE
Host: Amy Blansit
Address: 1126 N. Broadway Ave.
Spots: 20
Lunch provided by: TBD
Parking instructions: On-site parking

MERCY HEALTH FOUNDATION
- 30 SEATS AVAILABLE
Host: Ashley Walden
Address: 1235 E. Cherokee St., McAuley Conference Center (main floor)
Spots: 30
Lunch provided by: The Traveling Chef
Parking instructions: On-site parking
Any additional instructions: Enter through the south doors into the main lobby. You will be directed from there.

THE ARC OF THE OZARKS
- 25 SEATS AVAILABLE
Host: Julie Jones & Dr. Kyle John
Address: 2850 E. Battlefield, Autism & Neurodevelopmental Center
Spots: 25
Lunch provided by: Infused Catering
Parking instructions: On-site parking. If the front lot is full, park in Empower Abilities lot.
Any additional instructions: Meet in the large meeting room.

SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY
- 20 SEATS AVAILABLE
Host: Jennifer Cotner-Jones
Address: 411 N. Sherman Pkwy.
Spots: 20
Lunch provided by: TBD
Parking instructions: On-site parking.
Create hope
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Welcome new member Zora Mulligan

Brad Bodenhausen introduced Zora on Jan. 11.  Her cosponsor is Michael Wehrenberg.

Zora has been Missouri State University’s executive vice president, the second highest ranking administrative position, since July 2022.   Her job includes leading enrollment management, state and federal government relations, and the Alliance for Healthcare Education.  Ingram’s Magazine last year named her one of the “50 Missourians You Should Know.”  Likewise, the Springfield Business Journal listed her as one of the “12 People You Need to Know” in 2023.

Zora’s previous jobs were Missouri commissioner of Higher Education (‘16 – ‘22), chief of staff of the University of Missouri System (’14 – ’16), executive director of the Missouri Community College Association (’10 – ’14), assistant commissioner and general counsel of the Missouri Department of Higher Education (’07 – ’10), and assistant attorney general, deputy chief counsel, and manager of the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Unit (’03 – ’07).

Zora serves and has served on numerous boards and committees of many organizations, including United Way of the Ozarks’ Women United, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and Jobs for America’s Graduates Board of Directors.  She’s also been a school volunteer.

Zora is a native of West Plains.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology at Drury University and a master’s degree in education and a law degree at University of Kansas.  At Drury, she was a member with Michael Wehrenberg of the Drury Singers.

Despite her brief exile in Kansas, Zora is a true Missourian – she likes spending time on the rivers and lakes, cheering for the Chiefs, Cardinals and, of course, the Bears.  Her daughter, Anna Lea, is a senior at Helias High School in Jefferson City, so she continues to spend a lot of time on the road between her home in central Springfield and Jefferson City.
 

Community Grants, Fall 2023

Here are the grants that the Community Grants Committee approved in the Fall of 2023.  The funds come from members' dues.
 
  • Ozarks Literacy Council:  $1,000 for preschool reading program books
  • On Angels Wings:  $1,000 for a recipient family testimonial video
  • Junior League of Springfield:  $1,000 to underwrite changes to its Plaid Door funding source
  • Foundation for Springfield Public Schools:  $1,000 for the Wilder Elementary Wild About Books program
  • Good Dads:  $1,000 for its Strong School program for supplies and curriculum development

The Committee makes two rounds of grants in each Rotary program year.  The second round for 2023-'24 will be announced in the spring.
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