African American Builders of Topeka: Blanche Parks

District Governor 2018-19 Rotary #5710

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” —Muhammad Ali

MY STORY I developed, implemented and was director of the Kansas 529 Learning Quest College Savings Program in the Kansas Treasurer’s Office and had the responsibility to educate “Kansans” on the new program. I was a program speaker to the Downtown Topeka Rotary Club. At that time, the club was having a membership drive and, at the conclusion of my presentation, I was recruited by several members. I noticed many of the members were people I had previously known through community service and many were the “movers and shakers” of the town. I joined this outstanding organization and the rest is history.

As of July 1, I will become Kansas #5710 District Governor. I joined Rotary for the opportunity to help others in the community, both locally and worldwide. Rotary means to me going beyond helping and performing service above and beyond the call of duty.