I found myself in Chicago, standing at the Centennial plate that commemorates the location of Rotary’s first meeting 119 years ago. Everything around the plate had transformed from what once stood at this historic site, where Paul Harris and his small group first sat around a table to connect as Rotarians. Today, skyscrapers tower overhead, and a bustling street teems with activity as people pass by this memorial plate, blissfully unaware of its significance.
What a powerful metaphor for Rotary today! Over a century later, we have adapted and responded to the challenges of an ever-changing world, constantly seeking ways to make an impact by serving others in our communities around the globe. Now, with 1.4 million members worldwide, our purpose is to create lasting and sustainable change through our actions. Often, the people we serve have no idea who we are or why we do what we do, but this does not diminish their gratitude for the support they receive because of our efforts.
I had the privilege of representing Rotary District 5030 this year as your District Governor. Throughout this journey, I have met many of you, witnessed the incredible work you have undertaken in serving your communities, and forged many new friendships. What a joy it has been to serve in this capacity, awakening all our clubs to the extraordinary opportunity of being part of Rotary.
Together, we have pursued a path that calls on us to adapt to the needs of our community, ensuring we remain focused on engaging our members by helping them see the value in what they get from Rotary. We have found ways to share our story with friends, neighbors, and others to highlight the benefits Rotary brings to their community. We have innovated with new ideas in communications, district projects, business networks, and leadership development. Throughout it all, we have honored our vocational legacy and the importance of maintaining close relationships with businesses and other partners to support our work. Indeed, it has been a busy and fulfilling Rotary year!
The countless trips I took to meet with every club in the district have left me with some of my best memories. Meeting each of you, learning about your reasons for being in Rotary, and understanding the impact each club makes in its local community has been incredibly inspiring. The creativity and ambition of our clubs in District 5030 for service is vibrant and thriving – please continue to share your stories, as this is how our movement will grow and flourish!
At the beginning of the year, we came together for our first district conference in four years. Victoria and the Empress did us proud as more than 300 Rotarians gathered in fellowship to learn and collaborate. The team behind this event deserves immense celebration for organizing this event without a playbook or institutional knowledge. This conference set the tone for the rest of the Rotary year, fueling the momentum for our continued efforts.
Our clubs and the district have achieved a remarkable array of accomplishments, showcasing the incredible impact of community stakeholder engagement. Here are some standout moments that truly highlight our collective efforts:
- Philanthropy in a Box series: This innovative program has been a game-changer in driving philanthropic initiatives.
- RISE leadership program: Launched to cultivate the next generation of leaders, this program is already making waves.
- In-person Learning Symposium: Bringing together minds and ideas, this event has sparked inspiration and collaboration.
- District projects: From pioneering lithium battery recycling to creating Tiny Homes and launching the Hunger Strike campaign, our district projects are making a tangible difference.
- Polio event in partnership with the Gates Foundation: This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to global health.
- Membership engagement: The Large Club Task Force and new club development has put a strong focus on engaging our members, leading to the formation of two new clubs.
- Global initiatives: With 18 projects spanning the globe, our impact knows no bounds.
- Digital presence: The launch of our district website and newsletter has enhanced our communication and outreach.
- Community Benefit Business Network: This new network is fostering connections and driving community benefit.
- Service innovation model: By redefining our approach to district projects, we’ve empowered our clubs to lead with creativity and innovation. With our clubs’ support of We Heart Seattle and Bloodworks Northwest, we see ideas from our clubs emerge to meet the opportunities within our communities!
- Peacebuilder district: Our district has been recognized for its dedication to promoting peace.
- Rotary Magazine feature: Our Harvest Against Hunger program was highlighted with the “From farm to food pantry” article, celebrating its origins as a district 5030 initiative.
- Club Builder concept: Successfully submitted to the Council of Legislation for 2025, this proposal aims to strengthen club development.
- District’s Paul Harris Fellowship match: We promoted three amazing opportunities for all Rotarians within District 5030. We did this to make sure everyone has an opportunity to make an impact in the world, their communities, and themselves by supporting our Rotary Foundation. If you have not made a contribution to The Rotary Foundation, then please take a moment to do so now to ensure our collective impact is felt.
Together, these achievements reflect the power of collaboration and the extraordinary potential of our collective efforts.
As we conclude this Rotary year, we will come together to celebrate our successes with Doug Baldwin as our guest speaker at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. We will look forward to the future as we transition to new leadership, with DGE Rachele Bouchand becoming the DG for 5030 in 2024-25. With over 350 Rotarians coming together at the end of June, I am confident that we have truly Awakened to the Extraordinary Opportunity of Rotary to Create Hope in the World. As we embrace the new Rotary Year, I wonder how much the landscape around the first Rotary meeting Centennial Plate in Chicago will have changed in another hundred years. I suspect we will continue to be delighted and surprised by the Magic of Rotary!
