District 5420 Newsletter - July 2026

Governor's Message

Welcome to a new Rotary Year!

Dear Rotarian Friends:

Welcome to a new Rotary Year!

A new Rotary year brings a transition in club roles and an opportunity to continue the excellent work of your club in new and meaningful ways. Enjoy!

You already know this, but it bears repeating:

You are part of something bigger than yourself. You are a community builder, and you’re in the best network of community builders on the planet.

We need community more than ever in 2026. Let’s do even more than ever to build community in our clubs, across clubs, in our local areas, and even globally.

By profession, I’m a teacher. So, I’m naturally inclined to give a little homework. Let’s simply call this homework a “challenge.”

Each month, I’ll share one challenge to build the community. This month’s challenge: commit to reading and talking about our district newsletter every month.

Our newsletter is a treasure. It highlights the many ways Rotarians across the district build community. Take 10 to 15 minutes each month to read each story. Then, make sure you have at least one conversation with another Rotarian in which you reference a story you came across in the district newsletter.

Consider phrases such as the following: “I’m inspired by ___.” “I think we could try ___.” “Maybe we should reach out to ___.” “I’m thankful to ___.”

Thanks for all you do. Service Above Self!

Peter Cardon

District Governor, 2026-2027

petercardon@gmail.com

Fun Night with the Salt Lake Bees

Join us to watch the Salt Lake Bees play the Reno Aces

and attend the Installation of our next District Governor!

Friday, July 17 - Doors open at 5:30 pm

Rotary BBQ Meal and Social Program begins at 5:45 pm

Ballgame starts at 7:05 pm

This year, the event is jam-packed:

A drone show
Miniature golf
Reserved premium stadium seats (shaded and padded seats)
Recognition of Utah Rotary
Dinner and program at the 3rd base covered premium deck shaded area.

Dinner includes pulled pork sliders, a hot dog bar, mac & cheese, Cole slaw, fruit, potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, and assorted Coke products. There will be vegetarian and gluten free options.

We’ll have a SHORT program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country and the District Governor installation.

$65 per person

Peter Cardon, District 5420 DGE

Cell (801) 760-5983

How to help earthquake victims in Venezuela

Three members of our Multicultural Rotary Club of Utah are from Venezuela so their entire club is working with Rotarians in Venezuela to help families who are suffering from the earthquakes.

Two powerful 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck Venezuela the night of June 24 -- 590 deaths and over 4,000 injured! The numbers are rising by the hour.

As rescue efforts continue, the full extent of the devastation is unfolding. People lost everything in a matter of seconds. The need for immediate support is overwhelming.

Venezuelan Rotary District #4380 is setting up an emergency account for your contributions. They informed the Utah Multicultural Club that our funds will help buy non-perishable food, drinking water, hygiene supplies, medicines, first aid supplies, and resources for transportation and distribution in affected areas.

We will be using the Murray Rotary Club’s 501(c)(3), since they are the sponsoring club. All donations are tax deductible.

Please write your check to Murray Rotary Club Foundation.

Mail your check to:

Multicultural Rotary Club of Utah

PO Box 1386

West Jordan, UT 84088

For more information, contact President Elena Viteri (801) 750-1139.

The Multicultural Rotary Club and the Venezuelan recipients thank you all!

Why should all clubs contribute to a Global Grant?

Because with Global Grants your contribution is wonderfully multiplied!

Rotary International (RI) just approved a $140,000 global grant (GG) for Murray Rotary and a club in Panama. Murray Rotary only contributed 11.9%, and the host Panama Playa Coronado Club contributed only 7.7%.

See the pie chart for where the rest of the money comes from.

Other Rotary clubs in Utah, Panama and elsewhere contributed 16.2%. Thank you!

Then the magical matching of money occurs!

District Designated Funds (DDF) coming back from Rotary International (RI) provided 35.7%.

Rotary World Fund matched with 28.5%.

64% ($89,880) of the $140,000 was from Rotary!

A second reason for contributing to a Global Grant (GG) of another club is most clubs can’t fund a GG alone.

A third reason for contributing to a GG is for that grant to qualify for $15,000 or $25,000 of district designated funds. All of our clubs by Utah District Policy have to have other clubs help them to qualify for more that $10,000.

Will your club sponsor a GG, or help fund another club’s GG, this coming year? For more information, please email

Jerry Summerhays, District Global Grants Chair.

SummerhaysGS@gmail.com

Your club's space for news about your International Service projects.

You are invited to use this space to describe your club's experience going abroad to help people in need around the globe. Simply get on the bus and submit your story along with a few pictures to the Newsletter Editor lolabeatlebrox@gmail.com by the 27th of every month.

RYLA Youth Leadership Awards

RYLA 2026 was a week to remember!

Hosted at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah, Rotary District 5420’s RYLA brought together outstanding students for an unforgettable experience filled with leadership, teamwork, laughter, and personal growth.

Through interactive challenges, team competitions, inspiring speakers, service, new friendships, and an epic dance party, students discovered their potential while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

A special thank you goes to committee members, Sydney King, John Redd, Sandi Schwartz, Amy Parker, Noah Leavitt, Jenifer Terry, Richelle Hallman, and Jill Everett for the incredible planning, organization, and heart that made this life-changing event possible. Appreciation also goes to the dedicated facilitators, alumni, and speakers—including the powerful closing keynote by Tabatha Christopher—who inspired students to lead with courage, resilience, and purpose.

Thank you to Utah Rotary District 5420 for investing in the next generation of leaders and demonstrating Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self. The future is bright because of programs like RYLA.

Ruth Ann Beardsley

Utah Rotary Public Information Chair

2026 in Taipei

Highlights of the Rotary International Convention

The Rotary International Convention in Taipei was an inspiring reminder that Rotary truly unites people across cultures, languages, and borders in pursuit of a better world. Thousands of Rotarians gathered to celebrate our shared commitment to Service Above Self, exchange ideas, and return home energized with new friendships and fresh inspiration.

One of the highlights for our District was participating in the foreign currency collection for PolioPlus. Rotarians donated coins and bills that had been sitting unused in desk drawers and travel bags for years, and we deposited them into the collection box at the PolioPlus booth. It was a simple but meaningful reminder that even small contributions can help Rotary achieve the historic goal of eradicating polio.

I also had the opportunity to spend time with my longtime Russian Rotarian friends at the USA–Russia Intercountry Committee booth, demonstrating that friendship and humanitarian service can transcend political differences. Equally inspiring was meeting new Rotary friends from Ukraine, where we have already begun discussing several exciting service projects that can make a real difference.

Another memorable moment was finally meeting in person the remarkable women behind Younited.com, a high school that teaches students to bridge religious and ethnic divides through understanding and peaceful coexistence.

Taipei reminded me that Rotary's greatest strength is its people. Together, we are building friendships, creating hope, and proving that goodwill and service can change the world.

Egor Shulman

Drfc5420@gmail.com

2027 in Barcelona

Rotary International Convention Next Year

Rotarians around the world will gather in beautiful Barcelona, Spain, for the 2027 Rotary International Convention, June 26–30, 2027. Make plans now to join thousands of Rotary members, Rotaractors, and guests for an unforgettable experience of fellowship, learning, and inspiration.

The Rotary International Convention offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians from dozens of countries, build international friendships, exchange ideas, and experience the global impact of Rotary firsthand. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a convention veteran, you will leave energized and inspired.

Convention participants enjoy inspiring general sessions featuring Rotary leaders and speakers from around the world, as well as educational breakout sessions that provide practical ideas, innovative project concepts, and leadership development opportunities that can be brought back to your club and community.

Another convention highlight is the popular House of Friendship, where clubs, districts, Rotary Action Groups, and project partners showcase service projects and humanitarian initiatives. Attendees can discover new project ideas, learn about Rotary programs worldwide, network with fellow members, and browse Rotary-related merchandise and memorabilia.

Registration is expected to open by the end of September 2026, with early-bird discounts available.

For now, visit convention.rotary.org and enter your email address to receive notification when registration opens. Save the date and start planning your Barcelona adventure today!

Egor Shulman

D5420 Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

(435) 619-1317

drfc5420@gmail.com

Let's talk peace

The five most successful countries in the world are populated by citizens with high levels of personal peace. And the United States is not one of them. Maintaining personal peace is harder than we think, especially when you live in an environment of political turmoil.

Sure, the Four-Way Test helps but when faced with day-to-day challenges, what happens to us on the inside and the outside. Stress. Worry. Frustration. Disdain. Anger. Harsh words. Regrets.

In other words - How do we keep it all together and live with dignity and gratitude?

Our Utah Rotary Peace Chair Kris Swanson offers three presentations to strengthen our ability to maintain personal peace. And, through that process, to strengthen peace in our clubs, our family life, and even the world. They are:

Create Your Peace of Peace - a 25-minute introduction to the three keys to how you may begin to control the peacefulness of your life: Identifying your desire for peace, deciding to improve that area of life, and overcoming your fear so you can move forward.

Let's Talk Peace - a 25-minute overview of how we create peace results in our lives and two important tools that help us change our peace results: Gratitude and Dignity.

Starting with Dignity - a 25-minute introduction to the critical importance of dignity and how we can use The Dignity Index to begin easing divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems by choosing dignity over contempt.

Contact Kris Swanson today to reserve your club’s date for a session full of peace and wisdom.

Kris Swanson

District Peace Chair

Kris@kristinaswanson.com

A parting message

Because I knew you

As I sat at my installation one year ago, a dear friend played the beautiful song "For Good" from Wicked. At the time, I smiled at the melody and truly appreciated the sentiment. As I close this unforgettable chapter as your District Governor, those words carry a depth I couldn’t have fully understood then. “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

Those words are no longer simply lyrics. They have quietly become the soundtrack of the year that would forever change my heart. To every Rotarian, Rotaractor, Interactor, exchange student, community partner, and friend I had the privilege of meeting—thank you. Thank you for opening your clubhouses, your homes, your projects, and most importantly, your hearts. You welcomed me with kindness, inspired me with your generosity, and reminded me, again and again, why Rotary is unlike any other organization in the world.

I began this journey hoping to make a difference. What I never anticipated was how profoundly all of you would change me. I leave this role with a heart that is fuller, a faith that is stronger, and a deeper belief that ordinary people, united by service, truly can change the world.

There have been joyful celebrations, quiet moments of reflection, miles traveled, countless hugs, tears shared, and friendships that will remain among life’s greatest blessings. These are gifts I will carry forever.

Serving as your District Governor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. While my year may be ending, my commitment to Rotary—and to each of you—never will.

Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for believing in our shared vision. Thank you for allowing me to walk beside you this year.

Because I knew you… I have been changed for good.

Your Friend and Past District Governor

Suzanne Leonelli - Wilhelm

Upcoming Events in the District & the World

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.

Logan Rotary Club transforms Garff Gardens

In 1995 Logan Rotary Club President Ben Jarvis and John Harper asked Logan City if our Rotary Club could adopt Garff Gardens as a project. The city agreed.

The club first built a Gazebo and overtime maintained the park during our spring and fall Garff Garden Cleanup. Our work included pruning the roses, cutting down dead trees, raking leaves and more.

Over time the roses became so old, we need a chainsaw to prune them! So we decided to go native. On June 18 this year, we planted 198 native and drought tolerant plants in the five garden beds, fulfilling two focuses of Rotary International--Education and the Environment.

e Candace Berthrong

Logan Rotary Club

The Blanding Rotary Club dedicated their Rotary Park mural and park. Spanning the entire two building complex, this sweeping mural instantly transforms a mundane brick wall into an immersive, historical experience. The mural artist Kelly Pugh explained his feelings about painting it.

Club President Elect Tim Chamberlain gave a beautiful dedicatory prayer and noted that the design ensures all visitors to the park will have beautiful experience and leave feeling more complete.

The Blanding Rotary Club invites all travelers this summer to visit the park located just behind the Creamy Delights Ice Cream Shop on 26 S Main Street.

St. George Sunrise Rotary was honored to volunteer at the St. George Children’s Museum’s LEGO Derby! Families worked together to design and build race cars, and then the excitement began as the cars raced down the track. The event was filled with creativity, teamwork, friendly competition, and plenty of smiles. With lots of prizes awarded and enthusiastic racers cheering each other on, it was a wonderful day of family fun and community connection. Thank you to the St. George Children’s Museum for inviting us to be part of such a fantastic event. We loved seeing the joy on the children’s faces and watching families create memories together. Rotary is proud to support activities that bring our community together and inspire the next generation!

In the words of our dear Midvalley Rotary Club President Savanah Bristol: “When this year began, I never imagined that we would more than double the size of our club, strengthen existing partnerships, establish new community connections, and significantly expand our outreach efforts throughout the community. Together, we have completed meaningful service projects, welcomed new members, supported Rotary's mission, and demonstrated what can be accomplished when passionate individuals come together to serve above self. Every volunteer hour, donation, meeting attended, and project completed has contributed to the success and growth of our club.” We are proud to have completed our Rotary year supporting several more rewarding activities with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP)-delivered 400 beds and more puzzle deliveries.

The Richfield Rotary Club awarded Utah Native American Scholarships for students who attended Snow College & Snow Richfield this past school year to eight deserving students.

The current Scholarship Endowment:

$140,439.15. Scholarships paid in fall 2025 & Spring 2026 were $3,300, Scholarship funds available for 2026-27 - $6,000.

This past year’s scholarship recipients are Cassidee Springer - Lehi, Utah, Raab Polgee - Green River, Wyoming, Katherine Oldham, Lafanya Nunez - Bluff, Utah, Lucia Lucio - Lupton, AZ, Maryanne Costello- Roosevelt, Utah, Camren Carpenter - Monticello, Utah, and Landen Caballero - Gallup, N.M.

Holladay Rotary Club joined the Italian American Civic League for a guided tour with Salt Lake County Clerk's Office where they toured the area where the ballots are opened,

counted and recorded.

Lannie K. Chapman, Salt Lake County Clerk, discussed the importance of accuracy and legitimate registered voters.

Rotarians learned details about the four main divisions of the County Clerk’s office – the Election Division, the Marriage Division, Passport Division, and the Council Clerk's Office.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Bountiful Rotary Coats for Kids Car Show #28 the most amazing event of the summer! To our dedicated Rotarians, generous sponsors, incredible car show participants, outstanding first responders, the wonderful Bountiful City team, and our entire community — thank you! Your support, energy, and kindness made this year even bigger and better than ever. Because of you, we continue to provide new winter coats to children in need across South Davis. You make the magic happen every year. We are truly grateful! It’s All About the Kids

Murray Rotary Club joined the second Annual Downtown Murray Block Party on June 13, bringing volunteers, water stations, and community outreach to the City Hall Commons and State Street area under the group’s motto, “Fun with a Purpose.” There was a kids’ area, live music a dunk tank, show cars and lots of great food vendors. It was a great summer afternoon!

The Spanish Fork Rotary Club lauded outgoing president Jeff Cooper for his many accomplishments including a $20,000+ donation to Tabitha’s Way, an international project which raised over $200,000, and selling out the golf tournament for the first time ever! Jeff has a background in sales, and he has shined in his ability to help raise funds for worthy causes. We are grateful for all he did, and he will continue to be a part of our club. We look forward to supporting Tyler Mendenhall as president again this year.

June for St. George Rotary was a whirlwind of reviewing and goal setting before passing the gavel.

We also did a 5^th Monday Salvation Army workday – our 27^th “service above self” project this year - and enjoyed the after-action report from some of our 24 intrepid adventurers recently returned from our 21^st trip to Guatemala to finalize the building 121 cinderblock stoves … and for the first time … two latrines.

Planning has already begun for our 22^nd trip during the week of Memorial Day 2027, thanks in part by a 2^nd $25,000 check from an “anonymous” donor.

Utah Valley University Rotaractors ran the popular Kids Crafts activity at OremFest 2026 June 11 -12, in Orem City Center Park. The event provided a fun, creative, and welcoming environment where children could explore their artistic talents while enjoying quality time with their families. The event was organized by Debbie Lorette, a dedicated member of the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club. Supporting her were UVU Rotaractors Christina Alves, Abbie Fisher, Antoine Mwamba and Louyoko Nianza. Each year, OremFest is one of the city’s largest community celebrations, featuring entertainment, local vendors, family activities, cultural programs, and interactive experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The Rotary Club of Orem-Lindon (RCOOL) was delighted to host our annual OremFest Pancake Breakfast on June 13, continuing a beloved community tradition that has brought neighbors together for decades. Hundreds of residents gathered to enjoy pancakes, friendship, and the spirit of service that makes Orem such a special place to live. We are deeply grateful to the many community leaders, volunteers, sponsors, and city partners whose support makes this event possible year after year. Most of all, we thank the families and residents of Orem who have embraced this breakfast as a cherished tradition and a celebration of community.

The Park City Sunrise Rotary Club held their Change of Command Party in June. The evening featured congratulations to three outstanding Rotarians – outgoing Club President Steve Spaulding, incoming President Meaghan Miller-Gitlin and this year’s winner of the Above and Beyond award Kevin Barker.

Under Steve’s leadership the club accomplished 15 service projects, a well-attended outing to The Other Side in Salt Lake, the establishment of a Foundation Board, and five fun Rotary parties. Kevin’s award celebrated his professional overhaul of the club’s financial record keeping as Treasurer.

The power of Rotary

“While on a cruise,” writes Evan Gale, Northern Regional Rotaract Leader, “I walked around the ship wearing my Rotaract Polo when another passenger stopped me and pointed to the Rotary emblem. He introduced himself as being from a Rotary Club in Argentina.

"We struck up a conversation about our experiences in Rotary, the service projects our clubs had organized and the friendships had built through Rotary. Despite being from different countries, we discovered we shared the same commitment to serving our communities and developing as leaders. It was inspiring to hear about the impact Rotary is making in Argentina while sharing stories from the Community Club of Ogden Rotaract.”

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