ROTARY INTERNATIONAL is a Global Network of more 33,000 Rotary Clubs in 171 countries with more than 1.3 million members worldwide. Rotarians are are business and professional persons who subscribe to the motto “Service Above Self”, volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace. Rotarians encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education and the environment. Rotary was founded in Chicago, Illinois, USA 1905 as the world’s first volunteer service organization. Rotary District 6080 is located in southwest and central Missouri, USA, and includes 50 Rotary Clubs with more than 3,000 members.
The eradication of polio is a special priority for Rotary International, which made a commitment to immunize the world’s children against polio in 1985 and became a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative three years later. The other partners are the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.
As members of Rotary, we share a vision of a better future. To make this vision a reality, we must acknowledge and unleash the change within ourselves.
The Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do
1
Is it the TRUTH?
2
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Latest Blog Posts
Remembering Past District Governor Raymond E. Plue, December 4, 1944 – October 10, 2026
With deep sadness, Rotary District 6080 mourns the passing of Past District Governor Raymond E. Plue, a devoted Rotarian, generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation, ...
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October 2026 District 6080 Newsletter
The October 2026 District 6080 Rotary Newsletter celebrates continued membership growth, World Polio Month, and the many ways Rotarians are creating lasting impact throughout their ...
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September 2026 District 6080 Newsletter
The September 2026 District 6080 Rotary Newsletter celebrates Basic Education and Literacy Month while highlighting the many ways Rotarians create opportunities for young people and ...
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A Life of Service, Friendship, and Lasting Impact
With deep sadness, Rotary District 6080 mourns the passing of Past District Governor Raymond E. Plue, a devoted Rotarian, generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation, and my dear friend and mentor.
Raymond joined Rotary in 1968, beginning a lifetime of service that crossed communities, countries, and continents. Through his membership in clubs in Wisconsin, Georgia, Australia, Arkansas, and Missouri, he built friendships and strengthened the international fellowship that makes Rotary so meaningful. Here in District 6080, we were fortunate to share in his leadership and his commitment to helping others.
A member and past president of the Rotary Club of Columbia South, Raymond served as District Governor in 2010–2011. His service also included leadership as District Rotary Foundation Chair and Dean of the District’s Rotary Leadership Academy. He helped prepare club and district leaders, guided clubs through changes to Rotary’s grant model, and encouraged Rotarians to turn their commitment into action.
Raymond was a proud and generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation. He and his wife, Vickie, became Major Donors and established the Dr. Raymond E. and Vickie L. Plue Endowment. His commitment to giving extended to recognizing family members, fellow Rotarians, and international friends as Paul Harris Fellows. He understood that supporting the Foundation could create opportunities and improve lives far beyond his own community.
His dedication to Rotary’s mission was also personal and hands-on. Raymond led international exchanges and participated in polio immunization efforts in India, helping protect children from a preventable disease. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award in 2013 and was also a recipient of The Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award. These honors reflected a lifetime of putting others first.
An avid lifelong motorcyclist, Raymond brought together his love of riding and his love of Rotary through the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians. As a past president of its North American chapter and an organizer of international rides, he helped build friendships across borders, one shared journey at a time.
Professionally, Raymond’s career in veterinary medicine included work in clinical pathology, research, and university teaching. He and Vickie also established an annual outstanding teaching award at Purdue University, extending their support to the education of future veterinarians.
For me, this loss is deeply personal. Raymond was a friend and mentor whose guidance and example meant so much to me. I am grateful for his place in my Rotary journey and for the lasting influence he had on my understanding of service and leadership.
On behalf of Rotary District 6080, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Vickie, Raymond’s family, and his many friends around the world.
Raymond leaves a legacy in the leaders he mentored, the friendships he nurtured, and the lives he helped improve. We will miss him dearly and honor his memory by continuing the work he cared about so deeply.
Brad Martens
District Governor, 2026–2027
Rotary District 6080
With deep sadness, Rotary District 6080 mourns the passing of Past District Governor Raymond E. Plue, a devoted Rotarian, generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation, and my dear friend and mentor.
Raymond joined Rotary in 1968, beginning a lifetime of service that crossed communities, countries, and continents. Through his membership in clubs in Wisconsin, Georgia, Australia, Arkansas, and Missouri, he built friendships and strengthened the international fellowship that makes Rotary so meaningful. Here in District 6080, we were fortunate to share in his leadership and his commitment to helping others.
A member and past president of the Rotary Club of Columbia South, Raymond served as District Governor in 2010–2011. His service also included leadership as District Rotary Foundation Chair and Dean of the District’s Rotary Leadership Academy. He helped prepare club and district leaders, guided clubs through changes to Rotary’s grant model, and encouraged Rotarians to turn their commitment into action.
Raymond was a proud and generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation. He and his wife, Vickie, became Major Donors and established the Dr. Raymond E. and Vickie L. Plue Endowment. His commitment to giving extended to recognizing family members, fellow Rotarians, and international friends as Paul Harris Fellows. He understood that supporting the Foundation could create opportunities and improve lives far beyond his own community.
His dedication to Rotary’s mission was also personal and hands-on. Raymond led international exchanges and participated in polio immunization efforts in India, helping protect children from a preventable disease. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award in 2013 and was also a recipient of The Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award. These honors reflected a lifetime of putting others first.
An avid lifelong motorcyclist, Raymond brought together his love of riding and his love of Rotary through the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians. As a past president of its North American chapter and an organizer of international rides, he helped build friendships across borders, one shared journey at a time.
Professionally, Raymond’s career in veterinary medicine included work in clinical pathology, research, and university teaching. He and Vickie also established an annual outstanding teaching award at Purdue University, extending their support to the education of future veterinarians.
For me, this loss is deeply personal. Raymond was a friend and mentor whose guidance and example meant so much to me. I am grateful for his place in my Rotary journey and for the lasting influence he had on my understanding of service and leadership.
On behalf of Rotary District 6080, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Vickie, Raymond’s family, and his many friends around the world.
Raymond leaves a legacy in the leaders he mentored, the friendships he nurtured, and the lives he helped improve. We will miss him dearly and honor his memory by continuing the work he cared about so deeply.
Brad Martens
District Governor, 2026–2027
Rotary District 6080
What will you and your club doing to support the eradication of Polio? It’s Rotary’s mission to erase this horrid disease from the face of the earth.
Fun things to do during your meetings would a cornhole tournament, a bake or bourbon sale, or maybe a bingo game to raise money for the cause. Have some fun too! #EndPolioNow, #PeopleOfAction, #CreateLastingImpact.
Fun things to do during your meetings would a cornhole tournament, a bake or bourbon sale, or maybe a bingo game to raise money for the cause. Have some fun too! #EndPolioNow, #PeopleOfAction, #CreateLastingImpact.
Thank you to Jan Reyes, who enrolled her kitty in the Kennel Klub. A contribution of $100 gets your dog, cat, bunny, gerbil or other pet in the Kennel Klub and raises money for PolioPlus. It also counts toward your Paul Harris Fellow.
Joining the Kennel Klub is a simple two-step process:
1. Commit to donating $10 per month or $100 per year to Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund until the world is declared polio-free. Make your tax-deductible donation at https://my.rotary.org/en/donate and select the PolioPlus Fund
2. Complete the Kennel Klub membership form with information about the participating pet and its human. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqooESLnAfH6cO5F9VaKB2KnEILZTkv-DxzqtOs657CqRFWQ/viewform
Joining the Kennel Klub is a simple two-step process:
1. Commit to donating $10 per month or $100 per year to Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund until the world is declared polio-free. Make your tax-deductible donation at https://my.rotary.org/en/donate and select the PolioPlus Fund
2. Complete the Kennel Klub membership form with information about the participating pet and its human. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqooESLnAfH6cO5F9VaKB2KnEILZTkv-DxzqtOs657CqRFWQ/viewform