Events

Alan Howarter’s journey with Riverfest began 45 years ago when he volunteered as a purple shirt in the festival’s food court, initially intending to give back for just nine days of fun. Decades later, his commitment to the festival remains unwavering. A passionate participant, Howarter has competed in over fifteen 10K River Runs and was part of a “poorman’s team” that raced in four years of the festival’s bathtub races, even securing a third-place finish. His team proudly claims to have built the first propeller-driven bathtub boat in Riverfest history.

A proud native of Dodge City, Kansas, Howarter graduated from Dodge City High School in 1974 before attending St. Mary’s of the Plains College and later transferring to Wichita State University, where he earned his degree in business administration in 1978 with an emphasis in accounting and awarded Magna Cum Laude honors.Howarter launched his career in public accounting with the Wichita office of Elmer Fox, Westheimer & Company, joining their audit department. He earned his CPA license in Kansas in 1980 and later in Arizona. As the firm evolved into Grant Thornton, Howarter’s leadership flourished. He served as lead campus recruiter, an instructor for the firm’s National Training Programs, and eventually Partner and Audit Department Head of the Wichita office.

After a distinguished career, he retired from Grant Thornton in 2004. In 2006, Howarter took on a new challenge, joining Vess Oil Corporation as Vice President of Financial Reporting. In this role, he oversees accounting for more than 60 related entities, including SEC reporting for two publicly sponsored royalty trusts—a position he continues to hold today.

Beyond his professional career, Howarter has been a pillar of the Wichita community. He has served on multiple nonprofit boards, often as treasurer, including the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Heartspring, St. Vincent de Paul Endowment Association, Wichita Public Library Foundation, Great Plains USBC Bowling Association, Petroleum Accountants Society of Kansas, and the Kansas Society of CPAs.

Jennifer is the founder and executive director of ICT SOS. In 2011, she became aware of the needs in the community regarding the issues of human trafficking and set out to find solutions that partnered the professionals with volunteers and community members. Since that time, the organization has grown to include multiple programs and amazing staff as well as yearly practicum placements. Jennifer is a lifelong Wichitan, lover of tacos, and Mister Rogers and mom to two amazing kids.

A note about Rotary's involvement with ICT SOS:  Coming out of Rotary District Conference 2022, where Rotarians were educated on the evils of Human Trafficking, Rotarians had a desire to make a difference.  This led to Rotarians forming the Rotarians Against Human Trafficking (RAHT) Committee, and ultimately partnering with ICT SOS.  The RAHT Committee, chaired by Joey Timmer, includes Rotarians across Wichita Metro Area Clubs and meets monthly at ICT SOS.  The RAHT Committee, in partnership with ICT SOS and the ICT SOS Board, have goals that include helping ICT SOS move into a new building (accomplished January 2026), increase awareness, and through volunteering and fundraising help ICT SOS create a safe space for victims and expand services in our Community.

ICT SOS will host a Come & Go information meeting on May 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for anyone interested in volunteering or serving on a committee.

Instead of our regular club meeting at RHCC today, we’ll be gathering for a special all-club meeting at the newly renovated Westlink Branch Library, located at 8515 Bekemeyer. The Westlink Branch recently reopened after an extensive remodel that doubled its size and added modern community spaces and cutting-edge technology for the community to enjoy. As part of our club’s support for the library, we’ve donated a collection of Wonderbooks. During our visit, we will have a boxed lunch, hear about the Library and the Wonderbooks then have the opportunity to see them and take a guided tour of the updated facility.

They will be taking a group photo, so wear your Rotary shirt if you have one!

Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Carter enjoyed a dual career as a singer (performing a wide range of repertoire from baroque to musical theatre) and voice teacher (serving on the faculties of Southwestern College, Butler Community College, and Bethany College) before pivoting towards arts administration in 2021. Prior to joining the full-time staff at Music Theatre Wichita, she served as the Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Wichita Symphony. Carter holds degrees from Arizona State University and Wichita State University and has called Wichita home since 2015. She is thrilled to be a part of this organization and help connect donors and corporate sponsors with the incredible projects MTWichita produces. Carter shares her love of musical theatre with her husband, Michael Mays, who is the choir teacher at Wichita Northwest High School. Carter and Mike live in Northwest Wichita with their daughter Goldie and their dog Juniper.

July 1st marks the beginning of a new Rotary year! Thank you to Ed Frey for his leadership as our 2024–25 Club President and our Board of Directors for their service this year.

We will have a recap today of our activities this past year presented by our Committee Chairs, followed by our Past Presidents passing the gavel up through the years to this year's Club President Mindy Wagner.

THE BUFFET LINE WILL OPEN AT 11:45am THIS WEEK!

Hal Ottoway is a collector of historical items, including the lowly postcard. He reminds us that the postcard was an important means of communication before telephones and telegraphs. Postcard art often captures the time and place of a community's significant people, buildings, and events. He will look at the history of Wichita through his extensive collection of postcards.

The RITE (Rotary Intercountry Teacher Exchange) program was started in our District by Ralph and Armida Hight in 1996. It began as a joint project of the Rotary Clubs of West Wichita and West Sedgwick County–Sunrise and has grown to involve additional clubs in our District. In 2010, Dalia Hale (WSC-Sunrise Rotarian) and Shelli  Kadel (former WW Rotarian) took on the responsibility of organizing this program. The Inbound portion of the project includes receiving teachers from Panama and Argentina for 4 weeks mid-January to mid-February and involves lining up host families, planning activities and school schedules. The Outbound portion involves selecting and sending teachers from the Wichita area to Panama for 4 weeks during their summer break.

Today, our Outbound teachers will share about their experience in Panama this summer.

Ms. Katie Brinkman has been serving as a Spanish teacher at Wichita Southeast High School since 2018. She holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Kansas State University. In addition to her academic achievements, Katie is an avid traveler and lifelong learner. Her travels have taken her to Panama, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, London, Switzerland, Belgium, and Mexico. For three consecutive years, Katie has excelled as a RITE teacher in David. She has played a crucial role in maintaining continuity in the teaching program and has contributed significantly to the seminars. Her creativity has enabled her to make the most of her time with teacher participants, showcasing her talents effectively. These experiences have honed Katie's Spanish language skills to a proficient level, allowing her to excel in various contexts related to Rotary, teaching, and relationships with teacher participants. Furthermore, her expertise has empowered her to support teachers beyond the RITE seminar.

Ms. Gaby Amparan is an English Teacher at Wichita North High School. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Emporia State University. Gaby began her educational career in the Wichita Public Schools at Hadley Middle School and moved to North High after a year teaching 8th grade English classes. She now teaches 9th grade English which includes some classes with high-needs students. She brings another asset to North High as she is a fluent Spanish speaker.  This allows her to use her Spanish skills to help communicate more clearly with parents. Gaby led a seminar in David with teachers of English in the area schools along with some who teach in the Comarca (reservation). This experience has allowed her to improve her skillset as a teacher.  Being a RITE teacher has allowed her to improve her teaching toolbox. She wants to reach beyond her home building and push forward to help inspire students and other educators.

Dr. Sondra Stieber has a PhD in Education and a PhD in Physics. As an Educator and Inspirational Speaker, she will share her experiences teaching math and physics in unique educational environments, including war zones and prison schools in developing countries. Following a near-fatal injury that resulted in her becoming an amputee, she emerged as an advocate and, interestingly, the world’s second known cyborg. Currently, she travels across the country to speak about upper limb prosthetics, particularly to disabled veterans and researchers. Sondra leverages her educational expertise and personal history to support at-risk youth by organizing summer science camps for underprivileged children in various locations throughout Kansas.

Denise Vann serves as the Program Director for the Alzheimer’s Association – Central & Western Kansas Chapter. In this role, she leads the chapter’s efforts to provide education, outreach, and support for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. She also collaborates with healthcare systems and oversees the planning and implementation of the Annual Kansas Conference on Dementia.

Denise has been with the Alzheimer’s Association for over a decade and has more than 20 years of experience working directly with individuals living with dementia in long-term care settings. She is a Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA), Certified Activity Director (ADC), and Social Service Designee (SSD), with certifications from Butler County Community College. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration with an emphasis in Long-Term Care from the University of Phoenix.

Denise is deeply committed to improving the lives of those impacted by dementia across Central and Western Kansas through advocacy, community partnerships, and education.

Rev. Andy Houltberg has served as CEO of Breakthrough Episcopal Social Services in Wichita since March 14, 2022. Ordained in the Episcopal Church in 2021, he holds a BA in Pastoral Ministry and training in trauma-informed spiritual care. Formerly Executive Director of Ashby House in Salina—where he implemented strategic planning, partnership-building, and operational stabilization—Andy has also served as pastor of Emmanuel Foursquare Church and Field Director for Prison Fellowship in Kansas City.

At Breakthrough, he promotes the Clubhouse model, encouraging member-centered recovery and community integration. As Chair of the Coalition to End Homelessness, Andy plays a key role in coordinating regional efforts to provide housing stability and supportive services for individuals in need in Wichita and Sedgwick County.

Coast to Cascades - Wines of Oregon and Washington paired with a delicious menu

Morgan Rogers serves as the Victim Services Specialist for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in Sedgwick County and Western Kansas. In this role, Morgan provides free, confidential support and advocacy to victims and survivors of impaired driving crashes, helping them navigate the emotional, legal, and financial challenges that often follow. With a strong commitment to prevention and community education, Morgan works closely with local partners, law enforcement, and families to raise awareness and to help end impaired driving.

Dalia Hale has been a member of the Rotary Club of West Sedgwick County – Sunrise since 2007 and has coordinated the Rotary Inter-country Teacher Exchange (RITE) Program since 2010, assisted by former West Wichita Rotarian Shelli Kadel. The RITE Program facilitates teacher exchanges between the United States, Panamá, and Argentina to support English education. This program is financially supported by the West Wichita and Sunrise Rotary clubs and involves host families from our area Rotary clubs.

Retired from a long career in education — including classroom teaching, administration, and adjunct faculty work — Dalia has also served as a RITE outbound teacher in 2016 and 2019 where she conducted teacher seminars for English instructors. In 2025, she traveled to Panamá with our outbound RITE teachers to implement program improvements.

Today, Dalia will share a report on her recent visit and discuss the future of the RITE Program.