Missouri's District 6080 Takes Its Rotary Mission a Step Further

In the professional world, it can be easy to think of annual events as times to endure. Packaged breakfasts. Standard issue lunches. Lukewarm, canned, caffeinated beverages for the midafternoon break—if you’re lucky. For members of a local Rotary district, however, that stereotypical blueprint is going out the window in October.

Many may know Rotary as a global organization, composed of business and professional members, with a focus on humanitarian service. Members are able to connect with communities in a variety of projects, while also networking with other professionals and developing leadership skills. This year, that humanitarian service will take the spotlight for a local 2025 District Rotary Annual Conference. The event, which is typically held in hotels or event centers, is shifting this year for Springfield’s area district, both in location and purpose.

“We are thrilled to host the Rotary District Conference #6080 in Springfield this year. This event offers our six Springfield Rotary Clubs and others in the area an excellent opportunity to collaborate, showcase joint projects completed in the community, and learn from clubs across central and southern Missouri about their community service efforts,” says District Conference Chair Lori Johnson Murawski of Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast.

“Our District has over 50 Rotary and Rotaract clubs, and we’re aiming for a more grassroots event to focus on the core of Rotary and what we do,” says District Governor Andrea Brady of Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise. This year’s October 18 conference will be hosted at the warehouse of a local nonprofit. The idea was inspired by the long history of Springfield clubs working together—most notably at the former annual Rock’n Ribs event, which had raised over $2 million for local children’s charities.

“I can’t count the friendships that event gave me,” Brady says. She added that she envisions this year’s conference to have a similar vibe to the Rock’n Ribs days. “We’re thinking a fall festival feel,” she says. “Wear your favorite team jersey, enjoy food from one of our Rotarians (a former barbecue competitor), maybe catch a football game on, and give back. The goal is simple: to bring people together for fun, friendships and service.”

The service aspect, though, will play a starring role. “We are excited to introduce several ‘hands-on’ components to this conference. We believe these activities will reinforce the international Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’ while providing enjoyable experiences that foster camaraderie with new friends. Also, this year’s theme from our International President is ‘Unite for Good’ - so we believe this year’s District Conference will put both of those messages into action in a unique way,” says Johnson Murawski.

Brady has a simple measure for the event’s success. “Success means creating an event that focuses on fun, friendships and service,” she says. “Being a part of something, doing good things, all comes back to you in the most fulfilling ways.”

While the pair is excited about the new direction of this year’s event, Brady added that there was only one potential hurdle—although even that would equal a more successful outcome. “We have over 2,000 Rotarians in our District. If they all decide to come, well, we’ll have some re-working to do! Wouldn’t that be something?”