The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" #47: 8-23-23
VOLUME 2023 August 23, 2023 NUMBER 47
President Thad Hall welcomed the membership, followed by the Flag Salute.
Program Introduction:
Mike Finchem introduced Dr. Rana Johnson, Kansas State University’s inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Dr. Johnson came to K-State from Indiana State University where she served on the President’s Cabinet, and chaired the President’s Council on Inclusive Excellence, in addition to co-chairing Goal 1 of Indiana State’s Strategic Plan, which included advancing a commitment to equity and inclusive excellence across the university campus.
Dr. Johnson also held the inaugural Chief Diversity and inclusion officer position at Unity College in Maine. Prior to that role she served in serval key leadership positions at the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Kentucky’s higher education coordinating agency, for almost two decades.
Dr. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Spalding University, a master’s degree in Speech Communication from Eastern New Mexico University, and a doctorate in Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication from the University of Kentucky.
Dr Johnson spoke on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), investments in transformative results. Her agenda included key terms and definitions, KSU leadership, Changing demographics, and DEIB, and best practices and goals. Dr. Johnson was a first-generation college completer who is a strategic planner, collaborative partner, innovative leader and is results oriented.
Her foundational definitions included the following:
Diversity: the presence and representation of differences that enrich the community and workplace. Differences include, but are not limited to identity, culture, background, abilities, opinions, and experiences. Diversity is about all types of differences, not just race and ethnicity.
Equity: means to give students what they need to bring them up to the level of everyone else. Also, equity mindedness, the action of ensuring access, resources, and opportunities through removing systemic barriers, particularly for historically underrepresented groups.
Inclusion: The intentional action of valuing everyone, regardless of background, beliefs, or identities. This includes creating a culture and community where everyone, especially those from historically underrepresented groups, have access to resources, voices are heard, and contributions are valued.
Belonging: The feeling individuals, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups who have experienced exclusion in the past, have in places that have intentionally actionized diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a culture that supports the feeling of security, acceptance, and value.
KSU Campus Diversity includes Atheist/Humanist, Body Types, Family Makeup, Gender, Gender Identity, Generational, (Baby Boomer, etc.), Intellectual abilities, International Community, Language, Marital Status, Neurodiversity, Personality Type, Persons with a Disability, Political Affiliation, Religious Affiliation, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Socioeconomic Status, Veteran Status, as well as other communities/groups.
Her educational philosophy states that all students are unique and offer distinct attributes in the classroom setting. A culturally relevant pedagogy is a useful strategy to advance academic achievement, cultural competence, and socio-political competence. Culturally responsive teaching empowers students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and politically by using cultural references to impart knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The vision is to create a culture of inclusion that tailors DEIB initiatives to address specific needs of both the student and the institution.
The Office of DEIB is vitally important to Kansas State University. It supports efforts to meet accreditation standards, compliance with existing legislation, secures research grant funding, provides for industry needs, maintains national security, and supports intercollegiate athletics.
At Kansas State, the office of Institutional Equity is engaged in training, outreach, affirmative action, planning, equal employment opportunity compliance and conducting investigations in accordance with PPM 3010, laws, regulations, executive orders, and other applicable policies that uphold equal opportunity and civil rights laws.
US students will very soon be a majority of students of color by 2060. People of color are projected to make up over half of the U.S. population by 2055. College enrollment shows a dramatic increase in students of color since 1976 projected until 2029.
Member Spotlight
After graduation, Brad worked for the USDA Soil Conservation Service which became the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He then worked in water quality at the regional EPA office in Kansas City for 38 years.
Brad also officiated football from 1980 through 2021. He started with junior high and high school games, then small college games and officiated his first Division I game in 1995. He officiated in the Big 8, Big 12, Big 10 and Mid America Conferences. He also was a replay assistant for three years.
Brad married his wife Cindy just before their last semester at K-State in 1980. They have one daughter who lives in the Denver area, and another daughter and son-in-law who live in Kansas City. Cindy received her master’s and Ph.D. at K-State. She spent most of her carer teaching journalism, but also worked in journalism and public relations along the way. She works on campus part time now. Brad and Cindy lived in Manhattan from 1982 to 1985 for his job, then moved to Kansas City. They chose to move back to Manhattan after they retired in 2018. Among the things Brad likes to do is attend K-State sporting events. He also enjoys exercising and doing yard work. Brad, welcome to the Manhattan Optimist Club.
Following the Member Spotlight, Brad Horchem was officially inducted into the Optimist Club by Thad Hall.
Guests:
Thad Hall acknowledged our speaker, Rana Johnson, guests Sharon Willich and Sandy Prawl, new member Brad Horchem, and Clyde Scott reintroduced Tom Boller, a member reattending.
Club Stuff/Announcements:
The picnic held at Optimist Park for the Kansas Optimist District Convention attendees on Friday was a success with about 65 guests and members. Thad thanked Bruce Bidwell, Jim Franke, and Steve Beckman for their efforts to get the park ready, along with all the other volunteers. Thad also thanked Marlene Franke and Pat Bidwell for preparing the center pieces for the tables. The District people were impressed by the park and appreciative of our efforts.
Several members also attended the Kansas Optimist District Convention last Saturday and that all went well. Thanks to Jim Franke for putting together the basket of items to be auctioned off to raise money for the OI Foundation, and also to Mike Fincham donated some pictures with autographs. Doug Jardine recognized Tom Hintz leadership in organizing much of the District Convention. Doug also mentioned $1,500 was raised for the Optimist International Foundation. The Charity Walk around the park generated a little over $1,000 to the Cancer Fund. Kelly Karl won a signed photo of a KSU athlete.
Doug also recognized Mike Fincham for recruiting five new members and presented a recruitment pin to Mike.
Bill Wisdom reported the Chili Crawl is October 14th; vouchers are available for sale. You may bring back unsold vouchers. A sign-up sheet was on the tables.
Doug Jardine commented on the Life Saver’s Community Blood Drive will be held September 18th and 19th in conjunction with several other Manhattan service organizations. All members of all service clubs in Manhattan are encouraged to attend and donate blood.
A marathon will be held on October 7th; if the club recruits enough members to help guide the runners, the Club will get $500.
The Membership Recruitment Contest is ongoing. A $100 gift card will be given to the member who brings in the most members, starting from April 19th. Currently there is a three-way tie at one each for the prize. The Optimist International recruitment contest continues through September 30th.
Next Week’s Program – Wednesday August 30th at 7:00 AM: Membership Meeting.
September Meeting Schedule:
Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 AM: Jared Tremblay, Transportation Planning Analyst at Flint Hills Metropolitan. Topic: “Electric Vehicle Preparedness.”
Wednesday, September 13th at Noon: Bob Debruyn, Author and Founder, Master Teacher, and Tracey Debruyn, CEO, Master Teacher. Topic: “The Museum of Art and Light.”
Wednesday, September 20th at 7:00 AM: Sharon Steiner, Massage Therapist, Beyond Relaxation – “Mobility, Light, and Massage. Topic: “Leading to a More Flexible and Balanced Mind & Body.”
Wednesday, September 20th at Noon: Outgoing Presidential Address and Installation of Officers.
Adjourned with the Optimist Creed