Would you like to get more involved with your Brookside/Waldo neighbors? Are you thinking it’s time to meet some new friends and network with other professionals? Then you may be interested in finding out more about the new Waldo-Brookside Rotary Club.

Dan Ryan (an Armour Hills resident) was a member of the KC Plaza Rotary Club. The Plaza group had been discussing the concept of starting another club, so Dan and several other members started on the paperwork and recruitment. They decided a Rotary Club with an early evening meeting time and no meal expense could bring the Rotary experience to a broader group of people.   Thus, the Waldo-Brookside Rotary Club was born.

Angie Gutierrez is the chapter President, and we recently met at the Roasterie so she could pass along details of the group and it’s purpose. Rotary club objectives include “the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life” and “the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service”.

As the members of the Waldo-Brookside group network with each other and get a feel for their club’s ‘personality’, they will create plans to give back to the community where they live and meet.  Although this new club is still working out what specific ways they will  help our neighborhood, it could include a theme project like “schools” — which would mean promoting scholarships, cleaning up school grounds, funding needed school materials, etc. Each Rotary chapter decides for itself the community services it will provide.

The requirements for membership are simple: professional adults (this group tends to fall between the ages of 25-50), dues (currently $50 per quarter), and regular attendance at the weekly meetings.   This Waldo/Brookside Rotary Chapter meets each Wednesday at 5:30pm at The Well in Waldo for one hour…Angie is very conscious of keeping the meetings on track and on time! The usual agenda will include discussing projects and often feature a guest speaker. Everyone is welcome to stay and socialize after the business meeting if they like, as Angie describes their meetings as a ‘happy hour type of club”.

You probably know someone who is involved with the Rotary organization. If you are interested, contact Angie at angiemgutierrez@gmail.com. Or, you can just stop by one of the Wednesday night meetings to get a feel for the group—everyone is welcome!