August #UtahRotary Newsletter

District 5420 Newsletter - August 2025

With deep gratitude & heartfelt excitement

Dear Rotarians,

It is with deep gratitude and heartfelt excitement that I step into the role of your District Governor. This opportunity to serve, lead, and walk alongside each of you is truly the honor of a lifetime.

I’m inspired daily by the passion, purpose, and kindness I see across our district — in every club, every project, and every Rotarian who shows up to make a difference.

Together, we represent the very best of Rotary: people of action, united by a shared commitment to doing good in the world.

I know this year will bring challenges, but I also know — with absolute confidence — that we will meet them with creativity, compassion, and the power of connection.

Thank you for trusting me on this journey. I can’t wait to learn, grow, and serve with you.

Suzanne Leonelli

Utah Rotary District Governor 2025-2026

dgsuzanneleonelli@gmail.com

Early Bird pricing of $99 is available only through August 8th here!

We are pleased to provide you more information about the Utah Rotary District Conference on September 18-20.

We have an exciting program planned for you including outstanding speakers, a service project, presentation of Club Awards by Past District Governor Todd Boyer, Rotary training and lots of opportunities for fellowship and fun! We will hear from motivational speaker Roger Crawford and others. The program begins on Thursday morning and ends on Saturday afternoon.

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn. You can make reservations at the District Conference rate here: Book Your Discount at Hilton Garden Inn Here

We look forward to seeing you at District Conference!

Suzanne Leonelli, District Governor Dgsuzanneleonelli@gmail.com

Cathy's Ride-to-Nowhere will raise $$ on World Polio Day October 24

You can raise money too!

“Help me blow the dust off my spin bike to accomplish my Ride to Nowhere on World Polio Day,” says Cathy Hart, a member of the St. George Sunrise Rotary Club.

On October 24 Cathy will be riding her spin bike for seven hours -- roughly 100 miles! She’s already raised $700, but that’s only 13 percent of her goal.

All funds donated to her campaign will go to the Rotary PolioPlus Fund, which is devoted to eradicating the debilitating disease of polio on the planet for good!

Cathy, you go, girl!

To donate go to: https://raise.rotary.org/Cathy-Hart/challenge

Utah Rotarians can set up their own campaigns.

Learn how to start your fundraiser here.

Congratulations, Paul Summers!

Bountiful's Parade Grand Marshal

The mayor of Bountiful selected Rotarian Paul Summers to serve as Grand Marshall of this year's Bountiful Handcart Days Parade.

Paul is chair of the Native American Initiative, a committee of ten Rotarians from clubs throughout the state. They have provided more than $1 million in goods and services to the Navajo and Goshute tribes in Utah, including the recent conversion of a vacant building into the Halchita Community Center, now primarily used for an after-school program for kids.

A member the Salt Lake and Bountiful Rotary Clubs for 20 years, Paul served as President, Chairman of the Foundation Board, and Chairman of the Membership Committee in Bountiful.

Paul has an undisputed reputation for Service above Self. The honor of being Grand Marshall is no surprise to those of us who have worked alongside you!

Linda Sappington, District Governor 2020-2021

Rotaract Leadership

Savanah Bristol now has dual roles

Savannah Bristol serves as the Rotaract Representative for Rotary District 5420 and president of the Midvalley Rotary Club.

She has been involved in every level of Rotary starting in Interact, participating in RYLA in both Utah and Arizona, and continuing through Rotaract and Rotary.

As a dual member of both Rotaract and Rotary, Savannah is passionate about building strong connections and developing leaders within the Rotary family.

Savannah's email to contact Rotaract: savannah@utahrotaract.org

Martha Velasco's distinguished Rotary career

Current District Rotaract Chair
2022-23 District Governor Partner
Past Midvalley Rotary Club Secretary
Charter member and past president of the Hispano-Latino Rotary Club
Rotary Rose Parade Float Decorator, Interact Advisor and RYLA Facilitator.

Global Grant News

News from Tiffany Chan, Utah Rotary Scholarship recipient

Dear Utah Rotarians,

I recently completed my master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Oxford, which was generously funded by the Rotary Global Grant for Scholarships supported by the Utah Rotary Foundation. That’s me in the picture interviewing Nigel Sheinwald, who served as Britain’s US Ambassador from 2007-2012.

My research interests are centered on International Economic Law and International Political Economy with a specific focus on International Investment Law and Arbitration.

My thesis investigated China’s rule-shaping behavior regarding bilateral investment relations with other nations and won the award of Distinction.

I am currently completing my research fellowships with the Oxford Global Society and the Oxford China Policy Lab, focusing on emerging technology risks and geo-economic competition in critical supply chains.

Outside of school, I learned traditional Chinese dance and performed at several shows with the Chinese dance society.

My next steps are to apply to and enroll in law school within the next two years, with the intention of studying trade and investment law. Until then, I am seeking professional experience and exposure to work involving economic sanctions and geopolitics here in Utah.

Tiffany Chan, Utah Scholarship recipient

via Nancy Brown, Westminster College

Scholarship Chair, Utah Rotary Foundation

Join Salt Lake Rotary in a Global Grant Project

The Salt Lake Rotary Club is ready to make a bigger splash in Cambodia because clubs in our district contribute. Besides, we all want and need District Designated Funds (DDF) for our Global Grants (GGs). So let’s join forces!

When clubs team up, we can dream bigger, do more, and create lasting change. Collaboration isn’t just smart, it’s powerful. Let’s connect, and multiply our impact!

New District Designated Fund guidelines

To qualify for $25,000 in District Designated Funds and $20,000 in Rotary International matching funds, the District Foundation Committee requires the sponsoring international grant club to get at least four clubs in the district to join in to raise a minimum of $10,000.

That means we, as the sponsoring club, are asking your club to add to the $15,000 we have already pledged. Won't you please contribute?

Please help us raise $10,000 more dollars. If you want us to reciprocate and contribute to your GG, now, or in the future, we will. For more information, see the planned Cambodia trip description below or email me.

Paul Stringham, pbstringham@gmail.com

Join Rotarians from around the world on a life-changing 10-day journey into the heart of Cambodia! In partnership with Sustainable Cambodia—a trusted Rotary-based organization —you’ll witness inspiring, hands-on projects that empower rural families through clean water, education, and economic opportunity.

This isn’t just a trip—it’s an unforgettable experience of service, culture, and connection. You'll enjoy comfortable, air-conditioned hotels, enjoying local cuisine, and being guided by a knowledgeable team—all for under $1,000 (excluding airfare)!

The Rotary Club of Salt Lake City is proud to serve as the international sponsor for a new Global Grant focused on Economic Empowerment and WASH. We're expecting Foundation approval by December, with the project launching in early 2026—impacting more than 3,000 lives.

Come make a real difference—and lifelong memories—with fellow Rotarians who share your spirit of service and adventure. Invite a friend, partner, or club member and be part of this transformative experience.

Even if your club doesn't contribute to the Global Grant, we’d still love for you to join us on the November or January trip. For more information contact Paul Stringham. pbstringham@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.

Get 1-on-1 help with your International Service.

Who in your club is interested in international service? Interacting 1-to-1 with the leader of your club project is most valuable. Jerry Summerhays, District International Service Chair, can meet with them and help them move forward. Face to face or by Zoom. The earlier in project development, the better.

Jerry is willing speak to speak at your club meeting about international service and getting matching money for a global grant (GG). Jerry answers questions, reviews best practices, suggests how to avoid mistakes which cost time and dollars, reviews district designed funds and matching policies, and can also help you get other clubs and districts to contribute to your project.

Like right now, Jerry asks you to please commit to contribute and help Dr. Jane Kurtzman finish funding her global grant to teach Cambodian urologists reconstructive urology. Jane.Kurtzman@gmail.com.

If you help her fund this GG, her Salt Lake Club can in turn help you fund your future GG.

To encourage clubs who have not sponsored a Global Grant before our District Foundation Committee has created the following policies:

First Time GG Exception - A club sponsoring their first GG ever will be allocated $2 in DDF for each $1 in club funds up to $10,000 in DDF allocated to their project.
District 5420 will reserve $15,000 in DDF funds for clubs who have never had an approved GG.

Set up a date for Jerry to speak to your club, and/or to meet with the Rotarian or Rotarians interested in doing an international service project, especially if they want to do a global Grant.

Jerry Summerhays, SummerhaysGS@gmail.com, Global Grants Chair on the District Foundation Committee.

Rotary Foundation News

Celebrating 2024-25 Rotary Foundation Year

Dear Rotarians –

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all who contributed their TIME (to projects) and/or their MONEY (to The Rotary Foundation). Thank you, Bruce Powell, for your leadership as District Foundation Committee chair, and for leading us to great results as you say farewell after 20+ years on the committee.

The results are in, and you can view them by clicking on the link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGOZVPF_hcWMXOc-47A4E1Ja2y61xPtU/view?usp=sharing

Annual fund giving (Lynn Hillstead, Dennis, Kim, Sue, Steve) - highest Total ($359,834) and highest Per Capita ($221.03) in four years.
Paul Harris Society (Scott Leckman) – highest in four years at 171 out of 253
Polio Plus (Sandi Schwartz) – highest in three years at $88,219 – must not count the 2022-23 year when LDS Charities contributed $5,000,000.
Endowment/Major Donors/Fellows (Errol Eernisse) – highest number of Fellows (371) and Benefactors (6) and Major Gifts (7) in 4 years. Two new Bequest Society members and ten new Major Donors.

Your contributions to The Rotary Foundation funded nine Global Grants for $321,300 (Jerry Summerhays) and $66,136 in District Grants (Cathy Hart, Laura, Kristen, Kris) for a total of $387,436 (includes World Fund match). See link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q0WYH7Yz1iN7j7QmVVahOC61Jmk-EhyG/view?usp=sharing

Please thank the committee members whose tireless work pestering you 😊 paid off and, of course, most importantly we want to thank our Utah Rotarians whose generosity is legendary – THANK YOU!!!!

Egor Shulman

Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

drfc5420@gmail.com

Endowment-SHARE – Profiles in Philanthropy

Errol and Sonja Eernisse

As most of you are probably aware by now, our District Governor Suzanne set a goal of $10,000,000 for Endowment-SHARE contributions during her year with a grand celebration on May 16, 2026. Rotary is behind reporting contributions, the report below shows $591,725 but in reality, we are already over $1,200,000 counting bequests.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGOZVPF_hcWMXOc-47A4E1Ja2y61xPtU/view?usp=sharing

We are lucky to have Errol and Sonja as a Rotarian couple in our district. A few years ago, they donated $200,000 in cash and set up a Named Endowed fund ($25,000 minimum) which generates global and district grant funds for our district EVERY YEAR in PERPETUITY.

In addition, they set up a bequest of $500,000 which at some point (hopefully a long time from now) will be added to their Named Endowed Fund to generate even more grant funding for our district forever.

The legacy they are leaving our district will be remembered by all current and future generations of Rotarians in our district. The Eernisses are ensuring their future legacy but more importantly they see firsthand the good their hard work is doing right now.

Any cash contributions up to $25,000 can be made online by selecting Endowment-SHARE radio button. For larger contributions or questions about non-cash contributions or bequests, please contact me at the email address below.

Egor Shulman

Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

drfc5420@gmail.com

2025-26 Foundation Annual Fund Giving Goals

Club Presidents and Foundation Chairs –

Please submit your club foundation annual fund giving goals.

The Foundation committee aims for "Every Rotarian a Sustaining Member" by donating at least $100 to the annual/share fund.

Use the following guidelines to set your club’s goal. Take the number of Paul Harris Society members in your club times $1,000 and add that to the remaining number of club members times $100 = your club giving goal.

Of course, this is just a place to start, and it is up to you Club Presidents and Foundation Chairs to make that decision. For some clubs that amount may be too little.

How to Set Rotary Goals

In Browser to go Myrotary.org. Sign in (or register)
Click on MyRotary on top
Click on Rotary Club Central
Click on the top left menu item – Club Goals
Select the 2025-26 year
Click on the blue Edit button which should allow you to submit foundation giving goals, as well as other club goals

Thank you to those clubs who have already submitted an annual fund giving goal and please bring your club goal(s) to the attention of your club members periodically to monitor your progress.

Lynn Hillstead

Chair, Annual Fund Sub Committee

How to order Rotary license plates

As of last week we now have 201 Rotary License Plate owners who pay $25 annually to support Rotary Youth because the Newsletter Editor just got one! (See picture)

We need 299 more proud Rotarians cruising around the glorious state of Utah within the next six months.

Funds raised from Rotary license plate sales directly support Rotary Youth programs – RYLA, Youth Exchange, Interact and Rotaract. Moreover, the legislature supports fundraising programs like ours by requiring (by law) that Rotary Humanitarian License Plates demonstrate their popularity by generating at least 500 participating donors.

To order yours, get the last four digits of your VIN number, your current license plate number, and your credit card, then click here https://dmv.utah.gov/plates/license-plates/humanitarian/

Send the Newsletter Editor a picture of your new one! lolabeatlebrox@gmail.com

Events Around the District

It's the FUNNEST Golf FUNraiser you’ll ever play in!

Tooele Valley's Glow in the Dark Golf Event

9 holes, dinner & raffle
Glow-in-the-dark ball and glowing course markers
August 8 @ 5 pm
Tooele Oquirrh Hills Golf Course
Raise money for our ‘Coats for Kids’ project!

Click here for more details on how the competition works!

Orem-Lindon’s Luau is Saturday, August 9

Get your coconuts ready! On Saturday, August 9 at 6:30 pm, the Orem-Lindon Club is hosting a Luau open to all Rotarians!

The event features food, service, socializing, and entertainment - fun for families and friends. You’ll enjoy a delicious Hawaiian plate dinner and make 100 self-care kits for women’s shelters.

Dancing and music will be provided by Ali-tasi Productions. Coconuts and leis will be a part of the fun - so come get your hula skirt on!

Location: Orem Senior Friendship Center (93 N 400 E, Orem). Early bird pricing $15 per plate ends July 15th. $20 per plate thereafter.

RSVP by August 4th to Debby Lauret at 801-319-8655. Pay by Venmo: @RCOOL-Utah. Mahalo.

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.

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

From dictionaries to festivals to scholarships, Hurricane Valley Rotarians are big supporters of students. All youth projects are a lot of good fun, but none are quite the hoot – or the hike – as is helping Hurricane High School’s departing seniors paint the “H” overlooking the town. Meticulous planning for the complex effort is not easy, but it all pays off as the newly-minted graduates take part in the very careful and highly measured applications as shown in the accompanying photo.

We gotta have fun, don’t we?

Orem-Lindon Rotary Club's annual pancake breakfast at Oremfest in June was a flipping success! Guests enjoyed live music by the Silversmiths, a delicious array of toppings including gourmet syrups, and special appearances by Drive Good, Utah, featuring Leo and Cleo from Real Salt Lake. The event was such a hit that our club is featured in Drive Good, Utah's service montage (00:04)! Best of all, we raised over $1,700 which will directly benefit our Coats for Kids Initiative.

Last month at Spanish Fork’s Rotary meeting, three RYLA participants reported on their experience. They only had good things to say. We also heard from Wendy Osborne, founder of Tabitha’s Way – a community-supported food pantry that began in Spanish Fork. They envision a “No Hunger Zone” by providing meals to those in need. Volunteers are always welcome, and they are working on a funding campaign to help pay off their new building, in order to ensure a sustainable future of giving back. Below are a few fun facts about the organization:

75% of clients of Tabitha’s Way use the service for 3 months or less.
98% Privately Funded
98% Better Charity Rating

The Washington City Rotary Club recently hosted its third annual Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament at the beautiful Green Spring Golf Course, bringing the community together for a day of friendly competition, laughter, and a shared commitment to service.

With the support of generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers and an enthusiastic group of golfers, the event raised an incredible $5,000 for the Utah Food Bank, helping to fight hunger right here in Southern Utah.

Just-released United Nations Mountain Partnership Annual Report 2024 highlighted Utah Valley University students, including Rotaractors, for serving local communities and then advocating for mountain women during the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women on 14 March 2024 (page 39). The event highlighted UVU's student-engaged learning model, which enables both traditional and non-traditional students, including working adults, to contribute to the mountain agenda. The report stated that on United Nations Day, 24 October 2024, Assistant Secretary of State for the US Bureau of International Organization Affairs Ambassador Michele J. Sison visited UVU and recognized Rotaractors advocacy for mountain women. Orem-Lindon Rotarians contributed to the success of the Utah Valley University Rotaractors.

Park City Sunrise Rotarians collected 120 pounds of Garlic Mustard, in fields around Park City last month. Garlic Mustard is an invasive weed that is threat to the biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth and in a habitat. The plant spreads its seeds in the wind and gains a foothold in fields and forests by emerging earlier in spring than many native plants. Park City Sunrise Rotarians also prepared a dinner for homeless teens at the Volunteers of America shelter in Salt Lake. Forty teens enjoyed lasagna, bread, salad and cookies.

Sunrise Rotarians are getting ready for their October Shot Ski Fundraiser by prepping skis to beat Breckinridge once again! The skis need to be cleaned, sanded, counted and checked for bolt connections to each other. This year 1410 will go up and down Main Street with shot glasses on them - all raised to make money for our Community Grants program.

Incredible installation dinner at the Bountiful Rotary Club. We gave four Rotarians of the Year and two President's Recognition awards. Sharlynn Thompson, President 2024-2025, thanked and "released" her Board. “I want to thank them again for all the hard work and dedication they gave to the club this year. Truly amazing people!" Amy was sworn in as the President of the 2025-2026 Rotary Calendar Year and then swore in her Board. "The Rotary Club of Bountiful is in good hands and I look forward to many good things ahead. Thanks again for everyone's support and for being The Best Club on The Planet." - Sharlynn

St. George Rotary kicked off RY2025-26 having achieved last year’s Club Excellence Award by completing more than half of RI’s 25 goals in RY2024-25. With our June 30th induction of LaRene Cox as Club President we are already “united for good” as we move forward into another exceptional year. On July 12, thirteen of our members and friends drove the 100-mile roundtrip to help the Cedar City Rotary Club park 300+ cars for their July Jamboree car show. On July 21, St. George Rotary hosted another of our “Cookies with Candidates” events where local residents were invited to meet face-to-face with St. George City candidates for election.

The St George Sunrise Rotary Club had our first meeting of the Rotary year at Ovation Senior Living. During our tour some club members participated in the drum class and found out they got some groove! Fun was had by all!