January 2024

Your Chief Resource

for

News & Updates

Always check events & resources on utahrotary.org

Celebrating Your Success

Happy New Year! While we are just beginning 2024, we are halfway through the Rotary year. I hope you and your club are accomplishing great things. Now is the time to assess the progress you have made so far this year and determine what progress you and your clubs want to make before the end of the 23-24 Rotary year. It doesn’t matter if you are a club officer or not.

Every great accomplishment comes down to the power of one—one person willing to make a decision to act; one person willing to say yes. Now is the time for you to encourage, lead and drag your club into greatness. I look forward to our District conference on September 27-29 in Cedar City. I will be so thrilled to look back on the 23-24 Rotary year and celebrate your club’s victories.

Rotary Club of Lehi Wins 9/11 National Day of Service Award

For instance, most of our clubs participated in the 9/11 National Day of Service. #UtahRotary | District 5420 held a contest for those clubs that wished to participate. The winning club would receive $1,000 toward their club’s projects. All clubs wishing to participate were asked to submit their project and results by September 16. All clubs meeting the criteria for the award were considered and it is my great privilege to inform you that the Rotary Club of Lehi is the winner of this contest and will be receiving $1,000.

Please take a moment in each of your clubs this week or next, to look at your successes so far this year. Take time to celebrate and acknowledge them. Assess how your club is doing on the Power of One Campaign and discuss what still needs to happen. Then identify the top priorities of your club for the remainder of the year (now - June 30). Remember, if you have more than three priorities, you have no priorities. Lay out your strategies and your cadence of accountability, then execute. I know that this year is going to be phenomenal. #UtahRotary is leading the way.

Keep moving forward! I love you and I am honored to serve with you. Remember - it all comes down to The Power of One!

John Redd

Utah Rotary District Governor 2023-2024

dgjohnredd@utahrotary.org

Utah District 5420 Honored with Four Awards at the Zone Institute

At Rotary’s Big West Zone Institute held in San Diego, Utah District 5420 won four big awards. The annual meeting of Rotary clubs from all the US western states - Zone 26 and 27 - was held in November 2023. Our District won these awards:

#1 in Zone 27 for membership growth. We ended the Rotary year with 36 new members for a 2.26% increase.
#1 in the combined zones with contributions to the Rotary Foundation totaling $5,426,472
#1 for contributions to Polio Plus at $5,084,410
Tied for #1 for the creation of three new clubs in our District

Congratulations to all our Utah Rotary Clubs, led expertly to these achievements by District Governor Jose Velasco.

Please Help One More Club with Its Global Grant

Clubs developing global grants need contributions from other clubs to be awarded the maximum $15,000 District Designated Funds--money that comes back to us from Rotary International three years after we donate it. The Rotary Foundation adds $12,000 matching money to the $15,000. That is $27,000 awarded!

Thank you, District 5420, so much for committing last month. Can your club, or you personally, contribute to make these Global Grant projects happen? - Gerry Summerhays

Water System for

the Maya Jaguar School in

Northern Guatemala

Provide additional water storage tanks and water catchment systems on all buildings of this junior high/high school and three outreach, village elementary schools.

Presently they run out of water several months before the end of the year. This grant also provides water filtration systems and two large stoves for the high school.

The Centerville Rotary Club is providing $12,000, but needs far more. The unusual thing about this Global Grant project is that Bruce Powell regularly visits this area and is on their Board of Directors.

It is not often that we have such personal knowledge and engagement in a project. Please contact Bruce brucepancho85@gmail.com for more information.

If your club is developing an international project and wants help, please contact the District Foundation Committee or District International Service Chair Jerry at SummerhaysGS@gmail.com.

Support is in the Works

But more commitment is needed to cross the Finish Line.

Equip a High School

for 700 Ukrainian Refugees

Moab Rotary Club and Budapest-City Rotary Club are partnering on a Global Grant to expand the Budapest Ukraine Refugee School. The project will increase the school capacity from 200 teens to 700 teens. Moab has applied for a Utah District Global grant. To be eligible for the grant, Moab needs three or more Utah clubs to pledge at least $500 to the project.

Help us give these kids a chance at life! To learn more visit Facebook: Rotary Club Budapest-City and look at the September 3rd post.

To contribute to Moab Rotary, contact Steve Getz at sagetz@aol.com

Rotary Youth Foundation Grant Funding Is Available Now

Grants from the Utah Rotary Youth Foundation are available now to fund your club’s youth projects.

Apply for money to support Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, and Rotary Youth Exchange programming

Email to URYfoundation@gmail.com for information.

Funds are available NOW so there’s no time to wait!

Deadline Extended to March 1st

for RYLA Applications

BUT DON'T WAIT

Remember RYLA is EARLY in 2024 -

June 10-13, 2024!

Applications for your club's students to attend RYLA June 10-13, 2024, are now available. Please forward the online link to students you wish to encourage to apply and to your school and community contacts. They can either use this link or scan the QR code to get the same online application.

As applications come in, they will be redirected to your club president or youth chair for club approval.

The application deadline is March 1, 2024. The cost for a student to attend is $400. Any questions, please email or call me.

Sydney H. King

Rotary District 5420 RYLA Chair

801.232.8476

The Rotary Foundation

A Source of Hope & Joy

The Rotary Foundation is a source of hope and joy for many. I discovered this lovingly made Christmas tree in front of an elementary school in Betania, Mexico. It is this kind of off the beaten track poor village throughout the world that is so often the benefactor of Rotary grants.

Whether it be water, books, computers or any number of endeavors, the Rotary Foundation is doing good in the world and in our own communities. Like this tree, our efforts may be less than perfect, but the effort is worth it and the results are a source of pride and a renewal of the strength to go forward.

It is the essence of fellowship and brotherhood. The kind of results that makes us stop and admire what’s been accomplished.

As you consider your donation to the Rotary Foundation, remember the tree. Hope, kindness and love for your fellow beings are the results of each dollar donated. The Rotary Foundation is continually one of the highest rated Foundations in the world for effectiveness by Charity Navigator.

Our Governor has asked us to increase our commitment by one more dollar than our best effort. You have the ability to decorate the tree of human kindness. As simple as it is, it is impressive and inspiring.

Bruce Powell

Utah Rotary District Foundation Chair

What Is a Paul Harris Fellow?

Most Rotarians know that Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary in 1905. But when asked ‘what is a Paul Harris Fellow? not everyone knows the answer.

Continuing the legacy of our founder, the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) program recognizes individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation (TRF).

Once you earn your first Paul Harris award, subsequent donations of $1,000 or more earn a PHF+1, +2, etc. and you become a multiple PHF (up to PHF+8).

Recognition points (earned by clubs and individuals on a dollar-for-dollar basis when contributions are made to the Rotary Foundation) can be combined with cash contributions to reach the $1,000 total. For example, you can earn your first Paul Harris award with $500 of your own funds combined with 500 recognition points from the club or another member.

You don’t even need to be a Rotarian to become a Paul Harris Fellow. Some clubs make awards (with points) to prominent community members or “friends of Rotary” as a way of showing their appreciation for what they do while making a contribution to the Rotary Foundation.

If you need help in figuring this all out, please contact me or your area annual fund sub-committee member and we will gladly assist.

Scott Florence

Annual Fund Sub-Committee Chair

Who will you invite this month?

In District 5420 the significance of membership recruitment extends far beyond mere numerical growth—it embodies a strategic initiative to engage influential figures and catalyze impactful community change.

Each Rotary club is urged to meticulously identify top executives within their local sphere who have yet to join Rotary. The recruitment process involves proactive steps—for example, encouraging clubs to initiate meetings with these executives to discuss Rotary's mission and shared commitment to service.

By extending a personalized invitation to attend club meetings, a gateway to fostering meaningful connections is opened. The recruitment of top community executives into Rotary holds paramount importance as it injects fresh perspectives and leverages their influence to amplify the club's reach within the community.

Often at the helm of influential organizations, these executives possess the acumen to drive transformative initiatives and create a ripple effect of positive change. Their involvement not only bolsters Rotary's standing within the community, but also enhances the organization's ability to effectuate larger-scale community-driven projects. Furthermore, their inclusion enriches the fabric of Rotary by fostering diverse networks and collaboration.

In District 5420 the recruitment strategy is not merely a numerical pursuit but a deliberate endeavor to harness the collective power of community leaders, ensuring Rotary remains a dynamic force for positive change. Who will you invite this month?

Brent Parkin

District 5420 Membership Chair

Rotary International Updates

Decisions that May Affect Our District

At the October 2023 Rotary International Directors’ meeting, 48 decisions were made to improve Rotary’s future. Here are the changes most likely to impact the 46 clubs in District 5420:

On 1 July 2024, the Rotary Citation becomes the Club Excellence Award. No word on whether the criteria for this recognition will change.
The RI President’s annual theme and logo will be eliminated at the beginning of RY2025-26.
A set of multi-year President-led action plans will be implemented in RY2025-26.
An RI-led Peace Conference will be held in Istanbul, Turkey in February 2025.
A membership goal of 1,250,000 Rotarians around the world has been set in celebration of RI’s 125th anniversary in 2030.

As these changes are implemented, more information will be provided.

Nominations Open - Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award

During the period of 1 January – 29 February, any Rotarian or Rotaractor can nominate any qualifying Rotarian or Rotaractor for the Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

This award honors those who have demonstrated exemplary service to the Foundation and have received the Citation for Meritorious Service at least four years prior. For more information or to access a nomination form, go to rotary.org/awards.

Happy 119th Birthday, Rotary

Of course, we all know Rotary International’s 119th birthday isn’t until February 23, 2024 … but NOW is the time to start planning your community event, fundraiser, “service above self” project … and the ways you’ll make lots of noise about Rotary in social and other media promotion of your activity around this significant day.

Many districts and clubs throughout the Rotary world already have this recognition on their calendar so don’t miss this upcoming opportunity to “say Rotary” in your own community.

Need project ideas? See Rotary Showcase at rotary.org. Need help with your club’s Public Image? Contact District RI Chair Linda Sappington at Lcsappi66@yahoo.com or call 435-669-8020.

RI Convention in Singapore

May 25-29, 2024

November's issue of Rotary Magazine entices Rotarians to Find Your Convention Moment. Learn why you should go to Singapore!

The Club Hub

Get ideas, support other clubs! Send your service projects & fundraisers to

Newsletter Editor Lola Beatlebrox for this monthly section of the newsletter.

Park City Sunrise Rotary partnered with Holy Cross Ministries to create a Christmas Celebration for working families at St. Mary’s Church. Sunrisers prepared 53 holiday shopping bags chock full of toys and gifts, custom-packed according to the ages of the children. The festivities began with a Nativity Play by four-year-olds (priceless) and a visit from Santa, played by Rotarian Scott Peppler, who looks more like Santa than Santa. Professional photographers, Sunrisers both, took pictures of children with Santa so each family would have a memento. Our South Summit Interact Club stuffed gift bags of sweets for each child, decorated the parish hall, and hosted game stations. Thanks to Rotarians who unloaded pallets from Toys for Tots, sorting according to age, and setting up Santa’s workshop so gift bags could be stuffed with cheer.

In November, the Rotary Club of Orem-Lindon (RCOOL) made a significant impact by donating coats to 357 children at seven Orem schools, with six being Title I schools.

Our fundraising journey began in February when we sold boxes of fresh California oranges, followed by the successful annual pancake breakfast during Oremfest.

We ensured children received a new coat through collective effort, including savvy shopping during sales.

As temperatures dropped, we collaborated with schools, asking teachers to identify students in need. RCOOL, along with assistance from UVU Rotaractors and volunteers from the Orem YSA 20th ward, sorted and delivered the coats.

This collaborative effort reflects our commitment to community well-being.

It was just 8:30 Saturday morning December 2nd when more than 20 Murray Rotarians heard screaming fire trucks and wailing police cars leading two school busses to the Goodwill Store.

One hundred kids spilled out to receive $50 vouchers to buy Christmas gifts for their families.

The kids were assigned a police or fire officer or Rotarian to help them make selections.

With the Goodwill staff cheering, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus took their pictures and made the kids feel very special.

In the backroom, Rotarians had their hands full distributing the hundred boxes of brand-new snow boots with the kids' names on them.

Murray Rotarians love to call this event OPERATION SANTA.

Utah Valley University Rotaractors led by Stephan Atkinson, and the Lindon-Orem Rotarians led by President Keith Morgan, co-hosted the Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations, Ambassador Aida Kasymalieva, at Utah Valley University on December 5, 2023. The distinguished guest lectured about joint partnerships between, State of Utah and the Kyrgyz Republic with an emphasis on sustainable mountain development. She joined the celebration of the 14th International Mountain Day by Rotaractors from Utah, the Kyrgyz Republic and Asbury University, Kentucky. Ambassador Kasymalieva presented certificates of the United Nations Mountain Partnership for the contribution to the partnership to Rotaractors and Orem-Lindon Club Rotarians. The visit of the dignitary was sponsored by the university’s Office for Global Engagement.

Every year, the Layton Rotary Club holds a fundraiser at the Layton Lights Before Christmas where we sell cocoa and churros. This past November and December, they added a new attraction: an electric train that drives people around the park to see the lights. The train is called The Duncan Express, after Duncan Barlow who was a key member of the club for decades before he passed away. The train has also been in a handful of local parades so that more people hear about Rotary.

Bountiful Rotary had an incredible year! Our Christmas party was an epic turn out of members enjoying each other!

We laughed, enjoyed music and white elephant gifts.

A wonderful celebration to finish off a year of service! We look forward to a service filled 2024!

Happy New Year and don’t forget to save June 14-15th to attend Coats for Kids 26th year!

The Logan Rotary Club named Dwight Whittaker Rotarian of the Year 2023. Dwight has dedicated his life to helping those who need a little extra help. The last several years much of his time been spent managing the Cache Valley Humanitarian Center. According to club president Brent Sandberg, Dwight has worked to fulfill the needs of charities throughout the valley including assembling school backpacks, creating hygiene kits, gathering and distributing coats and jackets, and weaving many sleeping mats made from discarded plastic bags. Coordinating the volunteers has been a task in itself.

The Ogden Rotary Club had a very fun and eventful end to 2023! The festive season was kicked off by an Ugly Sweater Party at Ogden’s Union Station. The Rotarians nailed the ugly sweater theme!

The Club’s service projects were two-fold. The Rotarians spent time shopping in the Ogden Business Depot to fulfill children’s wish lists for Christmas. The Rotarians also spent time assembling meal kits for those in need in this special season.

To finish off the holiday fun, Bonneville High School’s Tapestry Choir came and performed for the Rotarians during their weekly lunch. The performance was spectacular.

It was a 15-hour day for St. George Rotarian James Jackson and family delivering Christmas to 200+ residents of the tribal community of Halchita in December. Gifts included 47 pairs of new shoes, 20 basketballs, 6 footballs, 20 art kits, $30 gift cards for 15 teenagers, 30 hams, 20 Lego sets, Nerf guns, 20 sets of earrings, 23 necklaces, 23 pocket knives, 25 bicycles along with repair kits and extra tubes, 5 pumps, 12 backpack hygiene kits, 10 dolls, and miscellaneous hygiene items (valued at $100), gently used clothing (valued at $100), toys (valued at $500) and school supplies (valued at $200). Merry Christmas, Halchita!!!

Sugar House Rotary manned the red bucket and collected $828.94 on Saturday, December 16. At the end of the day, Rotarian and Salvation Army Captain James Combs asked if club members could provide emergency assistance to finish fulfilling 76 Angel Tree donation bags out of the 2,400 delivered to Salt Lake County recipients. Eight Rotarians came out on Sunday to help finish of this huge task. All completed, well done.

Washington City Hears About

the Southern Utah Ladies' Society

The Southern Utah Ladies’ Society is a shining example of an organization that strives “to help others as we make a positive impact on our community.” SULS President LuAnn Skaro told Washington City Rotary Club members the group hosts enjoyable and affordable fundraising events targeted primarily for underfunded organizations that add value to the community. SULS was established in 2020 by Wendy Moore who had a vision, and with a small group of friends that vision became a reality. The organization wants to give back to the community, have fun while doing it and invite others to share in the experience. SULS hosts events to raise funds for smaller nonprofits and members are encouraged to recommend causes the organization can support.

Did You Miss a Newsletter?

Links to the Last Eight Newsletters

Save the Dates

February – Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention / Resolution Month