Belton-Raymore Rotary Club

05/25/2026

05/16/2026

Several Rotarians showed up this morning for a club-organized trash pick-up event at Johnson Lake! Way to go, team! 🙌 Thank you to Raymore Parks and Recreation for partnering with us on logistics. Service Above Self 💙💛

05/13/2026

We hope to see you on Saturday!!

05/08/2026

Awesome! We are proud to have Mike as a member of our club as well!

As part of our series highlighting dedicated members of Belton's government, we're proud to feature Mike Ekey - one of the faces driving positive change and progress in our community.

What's your role with the City and how long have you been here?
I serve as an assistant city manager for the City of Belton, where I focus on economic development and community engagement (a fancy way of saying I get to help connect big ideas with the people who make them happen). I've been with the City for three years now, and it's been great so far.

What does a typical day look like for you?
"Typical" is doing a lot of work here. One day, I might be meeting with a developer about a new project; the next, I'm working with our team on how we communicate something important to the community; and somewhere in there, I'm probably answering emails, jumping into meetings, and trying to keep all the plates spinning. If it involves people, projects, or telling Belton's story—there's a good chance it lands on my calendar.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people, without a doubt. Local government is where you get to see the direct impact of your work, and that's pretty special. I also really enjoy helping tell the story of what's happening in Belton because there's a lot of good work going on, and it deserves to be seen and celebrated.

What's one thing people might not know about the work you do?
Most of what we do happens long before anything is public. The "overnight success" of a new business or development usually took months (or years) of conversations, coordination, and problem-solving. It's like an iceberg; you may only see the tip, but a whole lot is happening below the surface.

What project or accomplishment are you most proud of?
It's hard to pick just one, but I'm most proud of how we've leaned into authentic community engagement. We've had some big conversations about growth and development, and instead of avoiding the tough topics, we've tried to meet people where they are and invite them into the process. That kind of work isn't always easy—but it's always worth it.

A very close second is the formation of our Public Arts Committee and all of the cool art projects we have been able to bring to Belton!

05/06/2026

Today we were lucky enough to get a tour of the Historic Harrisonville Courthouse! From the basement to the bell tower, we got to take a peek! We love a good field trip! 💙💛 Extra thank you to Bob Huston for arranging it for us.

04/27/2026

Awww, look at 3 of our Rotarians here back in the 90's! Jodie Winter Huston, Ashley Traughber, and Danielle Manson show the Service Above Self mentality by serving on the Taste of Ray-Pec Gala Committee and helped pull off a hugely successful fundraiser this weekend! Keep up the good work, ladies! 👏💙💛

Our Taste of Ray-Pec event was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, bid in the auction, entered the raffle, donated to the cause, and sponsored the event. Your support made the night truly special.

We can’t wait to share photos soon! In the meantime, let’s hear it for the Taste of Ray-Pec planning committee. Job well done, team! 🎉👏

04/24/2026

Huge congratulations to Rotarian and South Metro Fire District Chief Lee Stevens for being honored as a Paul Harris Fellow! This prestigious award recognizes an incredible commitment to Service Above Self and a lasting impact on our community. We are so proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement! Chief Stevens has been a Rotarian for 8 years and counting 👏💙⚙️💛🌎

04/19/2026

Be cautious, Belton friends and family!

Residents are urged to be cautious of potential scams following the recent storm.

Unfortunately, scammers may attempt to take advantage of storm recovery efforts by posing as contractors or requesting payment for services.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited individuals
• Verify contractor credentials and ask for references
• Avoid paying high upfront costs, especially in cash
• Be cautious of anyone pressuring you to make quick decisions

If something does not feel right, it's best to take time to verify before moving forward.

Report suspicious activity to the Belton Missouri Police Department at 816.331.1500.

Updates will be shared as more information becomes available.

04/18/2026

Several members of Belton-Raymore Rotary Club and their family members pitched in at Bloom International this morning and packed approximately 200 personal and feminine hygiene kits to be distributed to various non-profits. We had a fun time, great snacks, and amazing coffee. Check out Bloom's custom coffee blend ☕️

04/15/2026

We are proud to see THREE of our Belton-Raymore Rotarians on the speaker panel today at the joint Raymore Chamber and Belton, MO Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Raymore Mayor Kris Turnbow, Belton City Manager Joe Warren, and Belton Assistant City Manager Mike Ekey spoke with other community leaders on the growth and future of our two cities.