District 5420 Newsletter - June 2026

Governor's Message at the recent Gala

Paul Summers awarded Rotary International's Highest Individual Honor

There are moments in Rotary when words feel too small for what the heart is trying to say and this is one of those moments.

We talk often about “Service Above Self.” It’s our motto. It’s stitched into our banners, spoken at our meetings, printed on our pins. But every once in a while we meet someone who doesn’t just say it — they live it so quietly, so consistently, that you almost miss the magnitude of it until you stop and really look.

Across the entire world of Rotary International — more than 1.2 million members — one of the highest honors a Rotarian can receive is the Service Above Self Award. This is not something you apply for. This is not something you campaign for. This is something others see in you when you’re not looking.

Each year, only a very small number of Rotarians worldwide — around 150 individuals — are selected for this Rotary International recognition. Out of millions. Across continents. Across cultures. Across every kind of service imaginable.

It is reserved for those who embody Rotary’s highest ideal, not in a single moment, but across a lifetime of selfless action. People who serve without seeking recognition. People who lead without needing the spotlight. People who give … and give … and give … long after the applause has faded.

And sometimes — if you’re lucky in your Rotary journey — you don’t just admire someone like that. You get to learn from them. You get to be guided by them. You get to stand a little taller because they believed in you. I was one of the lucky ones.

There are people who teach you the mechanics of Rotary and then there are the ones who teach you the heart of it. And the beautiful part -- he has absolutely no idea this award was being presented to him. Because the people most deserving of this honor rarely see themselves the way the rest of us do.

A man who didn’t just lead me -- he helped shape who I became as a Rotarian and as a person. A man whose legacy is not just in what he’s done, but in all of us who are better because of him. And tonight the world of Rotary recognizes what we have known all along.

So it is with deep respect … overwhelming gratitude … and a full heart … that we had the incredible privilege of presenting the Rotary International Service Above Self Award to our amazing Utah Rotarian Paul Summers.

With Gratitude and Admiration,

Your friend and District Governor, Suzanne Leoneelli-Wilhelm

Three reasons for Rotary International's "Service Above Self" award to Paul Summers

Paul led a multi-club international partnership to address critical water-access challenges in the Oljato Chapter near Monument Valley.

Working with 11 Rotary clubs and one Rotary club in Mexico, Paul helped raise more than $43,000 to provide 30 water tanks and 15 water-hauling trailers to Oljato families. The project significantly improved quality of life for residents who previously traveled 15–20 miles to obtain water, often transporting it in small containers, and stands as a model of sustainable, cross-border Rotary collaboration.

Paul demonstrated extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of Navajo families through the Utah District 5420 Native American Initiative.

Paul spearheaded the transformation of a long-abandoned building into a thriving community center in the remote community of Halchita. He mobilized 75–100 Rotarians from across Utah. Today, the center serves 200–400 residents through a computer lab, youth enrichment programs, employment opportunities, and a food bank. More than five years after the project's completion, Paul continues to make regular trips to the community, delivering food, clothing, firewood, and other essential resources.

Paul Summers served with distinction for many years as a Rotary Lieutenant Governor.

Paul provided mentorship, leadership, and strategic guidance to clubs throughout the district. His ability to inspire volunteers, build partnerships, and translate vision into lasting community impact has strengthened Rotary's reach and exemplified the principle of Service Above Self.

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

Tips for making the best club photos!

We are People of Action - here's how to show it!

The most powerful way we share Rotary’s story is through photos. So focus on action shots—members serving, connecting, building, packing, planting, or engaging with the community because these images tell a much stronger story than posed lineups.

Before taking a photo, take a moment to do what the pros do:

wipe off your camera lens
check the background for clutter
straighten name badges
move water bottles
adjust lighting and angle, if needed

Most important - crop your shot in the camera. That's what the professionals do. Get closer. Frame the picture with the action big and background cropped.

These details make a big difference and help showcase the heart, professionalism, and impact of Rotary throughout our district.

RuthAnn Beardsley

Utah District 5420 Public Image Chair

Finding your personal peace

As Rotarians it’s not hard to agree with the idea that “Peace begins with you.” After all, we follow the Four Way Test every day. That’s always the way to support your own personal peace?

Yet the fact is that personal peace can be as hard to maintain as peace around the world. And we – personally – can work on that.

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

Create Your Piece 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

Rotary Enterprise Zones teach people to fish!

Rather than short-term “parachute humanitarian projects,” Rotary Enterprise Zones focus on helping people become self-reliant. The projects give people a realistic means of breaking the poverty cycle. And along the way, HOPE.

Each Rotary Enterprise Zone project helps hundreds of families gain practical training, mentoring, and resources to strengthen their homes, businesses and communities.

Participants who complete the program may qualify for capital grants, funded through the global grant and local government partnerships, to help start or expand businesses. These grants provide resources such as sewing machines, bakery ovens, greenhouses, hydroponics, carpentry or welding tools, chickens, pigs, water buffalo, “cuyes” (guinea pigs), fish farms - all needed to start an enterprise.

Participants are mentored for one year. Later they may qualify for additional funding through banks or microfinance institutions.

Would your Rotary club be willing to establish a Rotary Enterprise Zone in a foreign country? If so, we have funding and support resources to help you. Please contact me!

Mark Maxfield, Salt Lake Rotary Club

markallenmaxfield@gmail.com

International Service

Ask Mark to help your club teach people how to fish!

Salt Lake Rotarian Mark Maxfield knows a lot about Rotary Enterprises Zones.

Mark has helped Rotary clubs and cities create Enterprise Zones which have decreased poverty by up to 50% within five years.
Mark knows other Rotary clubs/city governments in Peru, India, Uganda or Honduras which want a Utah club to help them create their Rotary Enterprise Zone by doing a small global grant.

I recommend any Utah club take advantage of this ready-made, proven project. I’d especially suggest it to smaller clubs and clubs which have not done a global grant before. Are you aware of our District’s “First Time Global Grant Exception”? This policy states that a club sponsoring their first global grant will be allocated $2 in District Designated Funds for each $1 in club funds up to $10,000. That’s double the normal match!

If your interest is piqued, contact Mark, at markallenmaxfield@gmail.com.

Also, LDS Humanitarian Services is as interested in promoting self-reliance as we are. We plan to ask them to help create these Rotary Enterprise Zones. A great partnership doesn’t get better than that!

Jerry Summerhays, District International Service 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.

Important Year-End Reminders

As we approach the close of another Rotary year, we pause with gratitude for the incredible service, generosity, and leadership shown by Rotarians across our district. Your projects, gifts, and commitment continue to change lives in our local communities and around the world.

District Grant Final Reports – June 15

Final reports for current-year District Grants, including all required receipts, are due by June 15, 2026. Timely completion of these reports is essential, as clubs that do not submit final reports by the deadline are disqualified from receiving District Grant funds in the next Rotary year. Please submit your reports as soon as possible so our district volunteers have time to review and process them. Reports and questions? Go to districtgrants5420@gmail.com

District Grant Applications – July 1

Looking ahead, applications for next year’s District Grants are due by July 1, 2026. Now is the time to gather project ideas, confirm club support, and prepare applications for the meaningful work your club plans to do. 2026-27 Application link - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTbMFp2G0sggwPo7Oce3EJdaTFMHJTRHV_dxaHPU1SAnTAlg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=115400329279123982194

Rotary Foundation Giving

This is also an important time for Rotary Foundation giving. Individual Rotarians and club treasurers are encouraged to make contributions by mid-June to help ensure gifts are counted in this Rotary year. Online contributions through Rotary.org are especially helpful because they speed up processing. Become a Sustaining Member with $100+ contribution to Annual Fund-SHARE.

Thank you for serving, giving, and helping Rotary do good in the world.

Egor Shulman

D5420 Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

(435) 619-1317

drfc5420@gmail.com

A legacy worth celebrating

This Rotary year, our district, under Governor Suzanne’s leadership, set out to dream boldly about the future of service. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Rotarians and friends of Rotary, that dream is becoming a lasting legacy.

Our successful Endowment-SHARE fundraising effort culminated in a beautiful celebration at the Asher Adams Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, located in the magnificently renovated Union Station in Salt Lake City. It was a fitting setting: a historic landmark honoring the past, while we celebrated gifts that will serve generations in the future.

This year, our district Rotarians raised more than $850,000 in cash gifts across 20 Endowment-SHARE Named Funds, along with an additional $2,300,000 in bequest commitments. When combined with existing Endowment-SHARE contributions and bequests, our district now stands at approximately $6,000,000 in current and future legacy giving.

That puts us within reach of Governor Suzanne’s audacious goal of raising $10,000,000 during her Rotary year as District Governor. She is now passing the torch to our 2026-27 District Governor Peter Cardon.

These gifts are more than numbers. They represent clean water, literacy, peacebuilding, disease prevention, local service, global grants, and countless acts of compassion funded year after year, in perpetuity.

To every donor, club leader, Rotarian, and friend who helped make this possible: thank you. Together, we are building a legacy of service that will outlive us all.

Egor Shulman

D5420 Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

(435) 619-1317

drfc5420@gmail.com

Turn dusty foreign currency into hope

Many of us have a drawer, envelope, or travel bag with leftover foreign currency from trips long past—coins and bills that are not enough to exchange, but too meaningful to throw away. This year, those forgotten funds can help change the world.

Rotarians are invited to bring their unused foreign currency to the multi-club barbeque (registration required if you plan to stay) on Saturday, June 6, at Sugar House Park-Sugar Beet Pavilion 1330 E 2100 S, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please look through your drawers, desk trays, luggage pockets, and travel keepsakes, and bring any foreign coins or bills you no longer plan to use.

I will be attending the Rotary International Convention in Taipei and will personally take the collected currency to the main PolioPlus booth in the House of Friendship. There, it will be deposited in the PolioPlus collection box, converted to U.S. dollars, and used to support Rotary’s ongoing effort to End Polio Now.

This is a simple, meaningful way to turn something sitting unused into something powerful. Foreign currency that may have been gathering dust can become vaccines, protection, and hope for children around the world.

If you are not using it and likely won’t, why not put it to work for PolioPlus? Bring it to the barbeque and help Rotary finish the job.

Egor Shulman

D5420 Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

(435) 619-1317

drfc5420@gmail.com

Invitation from Wynn Spiller RI Director 2025-2027 Rotary Zones 26 & 27

Ride with me on the Rose Parade Float!

I am thrilled to represent our two Zones as a rider on the 2027 Rotary Rose Parade Float January first — a remarkable symbol of Service Above Self and the impact Rotarians make every day.

What began in 1978 as a simple idea, supported by seven Southern California District Governors, has grown into Rotary’s largest public image campaign worldwide. The float is more than a parade entry — it is a celebration of Rotary’s service, fellowship, and global reach, proudly led and supported by Rotarians across Zones 26 & 27 and beyond.

Many people do not realize that the float is funded almost entirely through Rotarian donations and sponsorships. Its continued success depends on the participation of Rotarians and friends who believe in sharing Rotary’s story with the world.

I invite you to consider participating as a walker alongside the float with other Rotary Leaders or becoming a supporting Club or District. Sign up and pay before June ends to receive a $1500 discount on this unique experience.

Click here to sign up and get the early bird discount. If walking is not your thing,

Click here to learn how else you can participate and help this effort.

We are only 224 days away!

Rotaract selects two Rotaractors of the Year

Congratulations to all of our District Rotaract Clubs on an incredible and successful Rotary year! Your dedication to service, leadership, and community impact continues to inspire Rotarians across the district. From campus projects and local outreach to district collaboration and fellowship, our Rotaractors have truly demonstrated the spirit of “Service Above Self.”

A special congratulations goes to our 2025–2026 Rotaract Members of the Year:

Avery Rognan – Westminster University Rotaract
Kaylee Melessa – Southern Utah University Rotaract

Both Avery and Kaylee have shown outstanding leadership, commitment to service, and a passion for strengthening Rotaract within our district. Their efforts have made a lasting impact on their clubs, campuses, and communities.

In April, District Rotaract Chair Martha Velasco joined Rotaractors and Rotarians at the Big West Rotaract Conferences to lead an engaging discussion titled “Motivating Future Leadership: Becoming the Next Link in the Rotary Legacy.” Her presentation encouraged collaboration, continued engagement, and stronger connections between Rotaract and Rotary while inspiring future leaders to continue Rotary’s mission of service.

Thank you to every Rotaractor, advisor, and supporting Rotary club for making this year one to celebrate. We look forward to another amazing year ahead!

Savannah Bristol

District Rotaract Representative 2024-2026

End of Year Giving to The Rotary Foundation

Now that we’re approaching the end of the Rotary year, it’s time to double down on our giving! About 93% of our clubs set annual goals for giving. Our District has set our collective giving goal at $263,550.

As of May 20, our actual giving total is $313,466.

I am optimistic our District we will contribute more than $400,000, which would be a record giving year for our annual/share fund .

Paul Harris Society

As of now, we have 271 PHS members in the District -- 119 have met their annual commitment of at least $1,000. If you are a member of Paul Harris and have not made your $1,000 contribution, please do so as soon as possible. If you are not a Paul Harris member, please consider joining.

Every Rotarian – please contribute $100 to the annual fund. Our goal is Every Rotarian a Sustaining Member!

To all members and clubs that have already given, large or small amounts, THANK YOU!

Finally, if you’ve not yet signed up for Rotary Direct, it’s an easy way to make recurring donations without having to think about it. Click here.

Thanks for all you do!

Lynn Hillstead

Annual Fund Sub-Committee Chair

Upcoming Events in the District & the World

Springville Rotary “Sunday in the Park” Car Show is Sunday, August 16

The Springville Rotary Club's “Sunday in the Park” Car Show continues to be a summer favorite and our largest annual fundraiser, bringing the community together each year.

Last year’s event was a strong success. We served approximately 1,200 meals, showcased around 1,000 cars, and, with strong support from local business sponsors, featured over $25,000 in donated raffle prizes. The event raised an estimated $45,000 to support local and international service efforts.

Those funds made a meaningful impact. We awarded eight scholarships to local students, each worth $4,000, with a total commitment of nearly $30,000 to support their education. We also supported an international exchange student, provided dictionaries to local youth through our annual literacy project, and sponsored our annual Easter egg hunt for the community.

The car show continues to be a key part of how we fund these efforts and serve both locally and beyond, reflecting Rotary’s commitment to putting service above self.

Sterling Black, Springville Rotary Club

sterling-black@leavitt.com

2026 Rotary International Convention is this month!

Connect with Rotary members from around the world as we unite for good in Taipei City, Taiwan, for the Rotary International Convention, June 13-17, 2026.

The convention is a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and be inspired in a vibrant city rich in culture, iconic landmarks, and culinary delights. This transformative event is your opportunity to renew relationships made at previous conventions, create new ones, and share with like-minded changemakers the exciting work that your club is doing.

The Rotary International Convention is our biggest event of the year! Learn more and register today at convention.rotary.org.

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.

Springville Rotary Club awarded nine $4,000 scholarships to outstanding local students, including students from Springville High School, Maple Mountain High School, and Merit Preparatory Academy.

These scholarships represent more than financial support. They reflect the club’s belief in hard work, opportunity, service, and investing in future leaders.

Scholarship funding is made possible through community support and club efforts such as Sunday in the Park, rodeo concessions, the Easter egg hunt, Sub for Santa, and service with local organizations.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients. Springville Rotary Club is excited to see the positive impact these students will make in the years ahead.

On May 23, the Orem Gold Star Families Memorial monument was dedicated to honor fallen local residents who gave their lives for our country at the Orem city center plaza. The Orem - Lindon Rotary Club donated $2,000 to help build the granite monument along with other donors. The monument is a lasting tribute to the fallen heroes and to their families--a permanent place where families can come and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of their loved ones.

Midvalley Rotarians organized gloves as a club meeting project for Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). They participated in SHP bed deliveries, staining wood and a training event. As the month ends, the club participated in a well-attended social at The Break where they mingled and played cornhole. You can join the club on June 4^th when the Mayor of Midvale is the speaker. Save the date for our Operation Santa fundraiser – Christmas in July on Saturday July 25^th from 10-5. There will be food trucks, vendors and a silent auction at 9130 West 2600 South.

Lehi Rotary Club enjoyed a successful tournament fundraiser at Talon's Cove Golf Course in Saratoga Springs thanks to the leadership of former District Governor Glade Hamilton and Club President Chuck Lovelady.

Fundraising for scholarships, dictionaries, and other projects was successful! Golfers enjoyed a sunny morning with fantastic views and NO WIND! JDawgs grilled on-site, clubhouse dining was a hit, gift bags and prizes were abundant. Jared Gray, Mayor of Eagle Mountain, took home the "Mayor's Cup" this year. Special thanks to the Rotary Clubs of South Valley and Orem-Lindon for their support!

The Park City Sunrise Rotary Club awarded $1,000 Bill Brown scholarship to a Park City High School student and a $1,500 scholarship each to two South Summit High School students. These scholarships help offset the cost of college from books to a portion of tuition.

Holladay Rotary Club is honored to contribute to the Memorial Day events held at Memorial Holladay cemetery. This is our third year serving breakfast and drinks for guests. It's a special day and we are proud to be a part of it.

The Bountiful Rotary Club held a wonderful Kickoff Luncheon for our sponsors of the 28th Annual Coats for Kids Car Show at Hank’s Garage.

The room was filled with gratitude as we received a generous check from Performance Auto Group and heard touching stories of children whose lives were changed by receiving brand-new winter coats.

We were honored to have the Mayor and representatives from the City of Bountiful join us, along with incredible sponsors Burt Brothers and Walmart. A huge thank you to all our dedicated Rotarians for their hard work and passion.

We are fired up and ready for an unforgettable Car Show weekend on June 19–20th! It’s All About the Kids

Hurricane Valley Rotarians helped Root for Kids, a southern Utah nonprofit empowering families with programs like Early Head Start, Early Intervention, Parents as Teachers, Kindermusik, and Caterpillar Clubhouse, with its annual major fundraiser in May.

The Rotarians prepared centerpieces, staged silent auction items, face painted as part of the volunteers who came out to help. Two representatives of Root for Kids made a presentation at the club about the organization and how our Rotary club can partner with them this coming Rotary year.

Richfield Rotarians held our annual Memorial Day fund raising breakfast. The proceeds are used to purchase US flags for Richfield City and the area cemetery. This service project continues now for over three decades.

The Spanish Fork Rotary Club made a meaningful impact in our community by awarding 31 scholarships—each valued at $1,500—to graduating seniors from local high schools.

Park City Twilight Rotary 'slayed' it again as our group of vampires competed in the annual Running with ED event to help raise funds for the Park City Schools. We always partner this event by hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive the following week - seems very apropos

For April, the Murray Rotary Club participated in the Utah District wide Shoes for Orphan Souls drive.

We collected 61 pairs of shoes as part of the goal for District 5420 along with five other districts and the Buckner organization.

What a beautiful evening of service by the members of St. George Sunrise Rotary at Switchpoint Community Resource Center tonight! Our Sunrise Rotarians came together to serve dinner, share smiles, and spend time with members of our community in need. The laughter, teamwork, and compassion in the room made the evening incredibly special. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and hearts tonight. Service above self truly shines when we come together to lift others.

May 2026 found us encouraging Rotarians and friends to contribute to the creation of a Rotary Club of St. George, UT Named Fund in support of more impactful “Service Above Self” in perpetuity. Then we wished “safe journey” to 25 Rotarians and friends traveling to Guatemala – for the 21^st time - on Memorial Day to build cinderblock stoves (bringing our total to date to 3500+) … and for the first time, two latrines in Maya villages. On the same weekend, those who didn’t travel to Guatemala, planted flags to remember and honor our veterans interred at two local cemeteries.

The Utah Rotary E Club and Valley West Rotary Club completed their Book Report Event. Mostly all of the students completed reading their books and doing the book reports to attend the party. They received donuts, played games, and for those that did more than one book report picked out extra prizes. One student read four books and completed book reports for all four. AMAZING!! Another successful year encouraging students to enjoy reading and learning. It was a great success and we all had a fantastic time.

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