District 5420 Newsletter - May 2025

This June, join 54+ Utah Rotarians in Calgary for an incredible experience.

Hello Rotarians,

In my view, attending a Rotary International Convention gives you a clear understanding of what Rotary is all about. The connections I’ve made with Rotary Family around the world have been outstanding. When Rotarians come together in a large gathering and focus on doing good in the world, the energy and enthusiasm is palpable and undeniable.

Attending a Rotary International Convention comes with a wide range of benefits, whether you’re a long-time Rotarian or new to the organization.

• Global Networking: Meet Rotarians from around the world, build friendships, and develop partnerships for service projects.
• Inspiration & Motivation: Hear from world class speakers, humanitarian leaders and changemakers, sparking new ideas for your own club’s projects.
• Learning & Development: Attend breakout sessions and workshops on topics like leadership, fundraising, public image, membership growth and project management. 
• Showcase Projects: Share your club's work and learn how others are addressing global challenges like clean water, disease prevention, education and economic development.
• Cultural Exchange: Experience the host city’s culture through special events, tours and entertainment.
• Personal Growth: Leave the convention energized and with renewed purpose to serve.

This year the International Convention is in Calgary, Canada, from Saturday, June 21 to Wednesday, June 25. So far 54 Rotarians from #UtahRotary have registered already.

It’s not too late to join us for this incredible experience. Everything you need to know about Calgary 2025 can be found at www.rotarycalgary2025.org 

Todd Boyer

Utah Rotary District Governor 2024-2025

RotaryBoyer@gmail.com

Saturday, May 10 - 6 pm

Miller Event Center at Salt Lake Community College

9750 South 300 West, Sandy, Utah

$49.99 per person

Agenda

• A brief overview of Rotary's efforts to bring more peace to the planet presented by Governor Todd Boyer, who has just returned from the Rotary International Peace Conference in Istanbul, Turkey.
• Presentation to exceptional Rotarians who are making a difference - more than 200 Paul Harris Fellows.

Dining Menu

• Indulge in an evening of gastronomic delight! Enjoy a succulent buffet of Prime Rib with all the trimmings, including parsley potatoes, gluten-free chicken, baby glazed carrots, fresh salad, rolls, dessert, water, and lemonade—all catered by the renowned Midvale Mining Restaurant.
• For vegans, vegetarians, and those requiring gluten-free meals, the scrumptious buffet will offer vegan and vegetarian lasagna or gluten-free chicken.



Music by the Fuse

Rotarian Maura Hanrahan's band - The Fuse - will be performing! Maura is the current President of the Park City Twilight Rotary Club.



Check them out!

How to Register for the All Clubs Gala

#UtahRotary is switching to a less expensive payment system that will reduce processing fees by more than half!

CLICK HERE to register.

1. Type the district number 5420
2. Type in your email address - the same as on file in DACdb

Seating is limited so register today.

International Service in our District

Is your club planning an International Service project?

Which of the following is your club going to do?

• Fund a small international project?
• Help another club fund a small international project?
• Apply for a Global Grant (GG), getting District Designated Funds (DDF) and a match from the World Fund of The Rotary Foundation (TRF)?
• Help another club which is sponsoring a GG?

How to find an international project?

• Decide in which country you want to serve. Does a club member know a country they want to help? That club member could be the champion of the project. Let the champion investigate and choose the project!
• Go to Rotary.org. In the My Rotary section. Enter the city and country. Email several of the clubs to see which will respond and what projects they have with which they would like help. Choose one!
• Go to the Calgary RI Convention June 23-25 and investigate project booths from all over the world in the House of Friendship. Choose a project!
• While traveling internationally, arrange to visit clubs. Ask them about their projects. Choose one!
• Help another #UtahRotary club with their small project or GG, and then go with them to visit the project. Ask Rotary clubs while there what other projects they plan to do. Choose a project!
• Go to a Rotary Project Fair, in country or virtual. https://my.rotary.org/en/exchange-ideas/project-fairs Choose a project!

I recommend clubs do a small, test project with an in-country, host Rotary club before doing a larger Global Grant (GG) project. It is important to verify that the host club communicates well and does what they say they will do, before getting into a big project. I even like to visit them, and get to know personally the champion (the primary contact) who will do most of the heavy lifting.

If your club wants advice about developing an International Service project, please contact District International Service Chair Jerry Summerhays at SummerhaysGS@gmail.com.

Murray Rotary Club's annual International Service Safari!

Twenty-five Murray Rotarians and friends went on their annual International Service Safari this spring. They traveled to Arequipa, Peru, to see the impact of their support for the Hogar San Jose Benito Cottolengo.

This excellent nonprofit facility is maintained through the generosity of local businesses including the mining industry. Staffed by ten nuns, the Home cares for 35 special needs children who have different physical and mental illnesses.

Murray Rotary, with assistance from the Utah Rotary District and the Bountiful, West Jordan, and Hispano-Latino Rotary Clubs, purchased $19,000 worth of essential medical and rehabilitation equipment.

The travelers also provided personal gifts for each patient and caregiver. The 103-year-old Lima Rotary Club supervised the project from assessment to delivery.

Jim Wilcox, Murray Rotary Community Service Projects Coordinator

jrw11265@hotmail.com

Our world is full of projects that change the world.

Did you know $32 can buy a chicken and feed a family for a week? The lady who started this project pictured above thought she couldn't do much. Yet, she was wrong. There are hundreds of families in isolated northern Guatemala who will tell you so. They benefited from her efforts!

What does it take to change the world? A chicken, a goat, a cow?

I think it’s something much different - It's a desire to do something good followed by action. That's when the impossible becomes possible.

Next Rotary year we will be talking about what one individual can do to make this world a better place. Think of your own story. What has changed you for the good? How has someone else helped you? How can you help someone?

Bruce Powell

District Foundation Chair

For more information about this Service Trip to Cambodia contact Paul Stringham,

Salt Lake City Rotary Club, (801) 556-1816  pbstringham@gmail.com

Rotary Peace Fellows activities in the District

Peace Fellowships. Do you know a non-Rotarian whose work would benefit from advanced training in peace and conflict resolution? Kris Swanson, District 5420 Peace Chair, is available to answer questions and assist with the application process to become a Rotary Peace Fellow. The deadline is May 15.

Special Peace Committee Meeting isThursday May 22 at 7pm. Meet Utah Peace Fellow Elizabeth Gamarra and learn about the amazing work she has been doing for the past few years. Her inspirational journey and the impact she makes is worth learning about. We will also introduce how to become a Peacebuilder Club. The zoom link to join this meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9703093353?omn=84037766346

Become a Peacebuilder Club. Schedule a “Three Keys to Having Personal Peace” presentation with District Peace Chair Kris Swanson at your club. She will discuss three ways to build peace in your own life, your club, your community and beyond. This presentation is excellent preparation for anyone interested in the upcoming Empowering Peacebuilders program. 

Kris Swanson, District Peace Chair

kris@kristinaswanson.com

#Utah Rotary's after-school project for the people of Halchita needs more support.

The small southeastern Utah community of Halchita is a town without jobs. Every working adult must travel a great distance for employment, so children are frequently left alone late into the evening. Prior to October 2022, Halchita had no safe spaces for learning and support.

In 2022, #UtahRotary clubs collaborated with the San Juan Foundation to transform an empty building into the Halchita Community Center. The facility has a library, kitchen, food bank, computer lab and houses the Halchita after-school program where students can learn, play and connect.  

More financial help is needed to keep the after-school program running. Please make a donation – large or small - to the San Juan Foundation, PO Box 814, Blanding, Utah 84511 or click here for the donation page on the website.

Linda Sappington, District Governor 2020-2021

Additional Items of Considerable Interest

The Brigham City Greatest Wild Bird event will be held Friday, May 9 at noon to Saturday, May 10 at noon.

Participants identify as many bird species as they can in Box Elder County during that time. Prizes are awarded for the number of species identified and for the best photos.

Each year the Brigham City Rotary Club holds this event to celebrate the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and raise money for beginning readers in the Box Elder School district. Last year the club donated $9,530 to the Box Elder Education Foundation to buy a book for every beginning reader in Box Elder County.

• The club will hold a talk on identifying bird species on Friday, May 9 at 4 pm at the Bear River Bird Refuge Visitor Center. 
• A closing ice cream social will be held at pm Saturday, May 10.

To sign up, scan the QR code.

Randy Christensen, President, Rotary Club of Brigham City

This year's RYLA will be held Monday, June 9 - Thursday, June 12 at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah.

There is still time to get students registered for RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - a 4-day camp for high school students where they will learn valuable life skills and make life-long friendships.

It's a great way to start summer vacation. If your club needs financial assistance for a student you would like to sponsor, there are clubs that may be able to assist. Don’t let that stop you from getting applications in.

Here is the QR code for applications.

Youth Exchange students sample the best tasting treats ever.

In April the St. George Sunrise Rotary Club hosted our Youth Exchange students for a fun weekend at Zion National Park and the Washington County Fair and Rodeo.

They loved the good old-fashioned American carnival where they were treated to plenty of traditional fried fair food.

Celebrate with us - Rotary Youth Exchange turns 50!

Fifty years ago Rotary Youth Exchange became an official program of Rotary International. Check out the video to learn how teens experience a Rotary Youth Exchange opportunity.. Just click to see the YouTube version of the video Show it at your club’s next meeting, on your website and on your social media channels. Captions are available in your preferred language.

Todd Boyer

Utah Rotary District Governor 2024-2025

RotaryBoyer@gmail.com

Got news, items, ideas, changes for utahrotary.org?

Peter Cardon, District Governor Elect-Elect, is currently the Webmaster for the #UtahRotary website. He can be contacted at petercardon@gmail.com

Ten Utah Valley University Rotaractors and four students from Osh Technological University in the Kyrgyz Republic, spoke in support and service of mountain women at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, held in New York City. They co-hosted a parallel event on March 10 and contributed to a side event hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations on March 11. Louyoko Nianza, president of the UVU Rotaract Club, discussed Rotaractors’ service in Utah County communities. Mike Rich, president of the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club, highlighted their successful partnership with Rotaractors both in implementing service projects and mentoring each other.

On April 12th, the Millcreek Rotary Club got their hands dirty (in the best way!) at a tree planting event. We teamed up with the energetic City Academy Cheer Squad, Interactors, Delta Airlines, and the Salt Lake Rotary Club. Together, we planted Horse Chestnut trees—known for their big leafy branches and beautiful blooms. These trees are perfect for Salt Lake’s climate and will bring shade, beauty, and fresh air to our community for years to come! Tree planting isn’t just about digging in the dirt—it’s about investing in a healthier planet. Trees clean our air and water, fight climate change, and create homes for local wildlife. 

The Murray Rotary Club conducted a wildly successful food drive for the Murray Children's Pantry during the first portion of March -- 90 collection boxes were placed in the community with two high school Interact Clubs participating, 41 businesses, and several neighborhoods all part of the collection efforts. The pantry had so much food, an extra storage building was needed temporarily. The goal of $10,000 worth of food/cash was far surpassed with $15,000 of food/cash collected so far and more collections due to be received in the week ahead. The small pantry has--unfortunately--a growing clientele as evidenced by the length of the distribution line. Remember—children did not choose their circumstances.

May 2025

May 10. All Club's Gala - Saturday from 6 - 10 pm @ Karen Gail Miller Conference Center, 9750 South 300 West, Sandy, Utah

May 31. 10 am - 2 pm. District Assembly Training North, 181 East 5600 South, Murray, Utah 

June 2025

June 7. 10 am - 2 pm. District Assembly Training South. St. George, Utah. Location TBD 

June 14. 11:30 am. District Governor Leonelli’s Installation, Hilton Garden Inn, Sandy, Utah 

June 21-25 International Convention in Calgary, Canada

September 2025

Sept. 18-20, 2025    District Conference in St. George

Link to the District Calendar at utahrotary.org

Club Meeting Times - Enjoy visiting while you're traveling this spring and summer.

Club Time                 Location

Blanding                     Tues, 11:30 am           Rotary Pioneer Park across from the Monticello Post Office

Bountiful                     Thur, 12:00 pm           Joy Luck | 566 West 1350 South, Woods Cross

Brigham City              Tues, 12:00 pm           Maple Springs 1040 Medical Drive, Brigham City

Cache Valley Morning Tues,  7:30 am           1760 North 200 East Ste. 100, North Logan

Cedar City                  Tues, 12:15 pm            SW Tech College | 757 West 800 South

Centerville/Farming.  Thur,  6:45 am            City Hall | 250 North Main Street, Centerville

Farmington                 Tues, 12:00 pm           Community Arts Center | 120 South Main, Farmington

E-Club                         Wed,  7:30 pm           ZOOM

Heber Valley                Wed, 12:00 pm          Police Dept | 301 South Main Street, Heber

Hispano/Latino            Thur,   6:30 pm           Salt Lake County | 2001 State Street, SLC

Holladay                      Wed,   6:30 pm          Cottonwood Country Club | 1780 E Lakewood Dr, Holladay

Hurricane                    Mon, 12:00 pm          Hurricane City | 63 South 100 West, Hurricane

Kaysville                      Wed,   7:30 am           Davis Tech College | 550 East 300 South

Layton                         Wed, 12:00 pm          IHC Hospital | 201 W Layton Prkwy | Viking room, 2^nd floor

Lehi                             Wed, 12:00 pm          Chuck-A-Rama | 1050 East Main Street, Lehi

Logan                          Thur, 12:00 pm           Logan Country Club | 710 North 1500 East, Logan

Midvalley                    Wed,   7:00 pm         1 Source Business Solutions | 6966 Commerce Park Dr.

Millcreek                     Thur,   5:30 pm          Millcreek Common | 1354 E Chamber Ave, Millcreek

Moab                           Mon, 12:00 pm         Bierschied Bldg | 301 South 400 East, basement

Monticello                   Tues, 11:30 am          Rotary Pioneer Park across from the Monticello Post Office

Multicultural               Wed,   7:00 pm          Bingham Creek Library | 4834 West 9000 South, West Jordan

Murray                        Mon, 12:00 pm         Golden Corral | 665 East 7200 South, Midvale

Ogden                         Wed, 12:00 pm         Eccles Conf Center | 2415 Washington Blvd, Ogden

Orem/Lindon               Wed, 12.15 pm          Golden Corral | 225 W University Pkwy, Orem

Park City Sunrise        Thur,    7:15 am         O’Shucks Bar & Grill | 9189 Gorgpza Pines Rd, Park City

Park City                     Tues, 12:15 pm          Double Tree | 1800 Park Ave, Park City

Park City Twilight        Wed,    6:30 pm         Lush’s BBQ | 7182 Silver Creek Road, Park City

Provo                          Thur,  12:00 pm         Riverside Country Club | 2701 N University Ave, Provo

Richfield                     Mon, 12:00 pm          Snow College Admin Bldg | 800 West 200 South, Richfield

Roosevelt                    Thur, 12:00 pm          Uintah Basin Tech College | 1100 E Lagoon Street, Roosevelt

Salt Lake City              Tues, 12:00 pm         The Other Side Academy | 667 East 100 South, SLC

Sandy                           Wed, 12:15 pm         9361 South 300 East, Sandy

South Jordan               Wed,  7:30 am           90 Alvion Village Way

South Valley                Thur, 12:00 pm           Chubby’s Café | 1276 West 12600 South, Riverton

Spanish Fork               Tues, 12:00 pm          Macey’s | 187 East 1000 North, Spanish Fork

Springville                   Wed,  7:00 pm           Hobble Creek Canyon

St. George                   Mon, 12:00 pm           Abbey Inn | 1129 South Bluff Street, St. George

St. George Sunrise      Thur,  7:00 am           Holiday Inn | 1808 Crosby Way, St. George

Sugarhouse                 Thur, 12:00 pm           Forest Dale Golf Course | 2375 South 900 East, SLC

Tooele Valley               Mon, 12:30 pm          Technical College | 88 South Tooele Blvd, 2^nd floor

Valley West                 Wed, 12:00 pm          Online

So. Utah Veterans       Thurs, 6:00 pm           Elks Lodge | 630 West 1250 North, St. George

Washington City           Tues, 12:30 pm          West Jordan City Hall | 8000 South Redwood Rd #331