District 6080

     After attorney Paul Harris and three business associates formed the first Rotary Club on Feb. 23, 1905, in Chicago, the group rotated its meetings among members' offices, giving the organization its name.   Although clubs now typically anchor themselves to one meeting spot, periodic Fellowship meetings at different club members' places of employment harken back to the early days of the organization.

    Springfield Southeast Rotary has Fellowship Lunch meetings away from Ocean Zen a couple of times each year.  On April 7, that tradition continued.

     The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks was one of the sites.   Joe Daues, chief executive officer of BCFO, was the host.  He talked about the organization's mission and efforts to help people with breast cancer.  (first two photos, provided by Lisa Blumenstock)

    Brandi O'Reilly, chief executive officer and physical therapist at Dynamic Strides Therapy, hosted another lunch.  Rotarians toured the Pediatric Therapy Clinic that provides occupational, physical and speech therapy to children in southwest Missouri. They learned about the mission of Dynamic Strides Therapy and its Opening More Doors and Ponies with Purpose programs. The nonprofit organization will provide more than 10,000 hours of therapy services to children in need this year.  (photos 3-6, provided by Angela Delahoussaye)

    Circuit Judge Jason Brown hosted another lunch in his courtroom at the Greene County Judicial Courts Facility on Boonville Avenue.  Brown and five other judges talked about how their courtrooms operate, their typical weekly schedules, and caseloads. Rotarians were able to ask questions and enjoyed learning about the judicial process and challenges in Greene County.  (photos 7-9, provided by Lori Johnson Murawski)

    The Child Advocacy Center and Past President Lori Barnes Miller hosted another group.  The CAC provides a safe and comfortable space for victims of abuse to be interviewed as part of investigations of their abusers.  (photos 10-11, provided by Michael Wehrenberg)

     Springfield Victory Mission and executive director Jason Hynson hosted the fifth group.  Rotarians toured the Men's Shelter, then ate lunch at Victory Mission's headquarters and heard from Daniel and Rebecca.   Daniel is in phase 3 (the final phase) of its Men's Restoration Program and Rebecca is in phase 3 of its Women's Restoration. They both shared a bit about what their life was like before going to Victory Mission and how they came to join the Restoration Programs. They also spoke about their plans after graduating from the programs.   (photos 12-14, provided by Lindsey Whitford, content manager for Victory Mission)