Sam Kevan - District Governor
Rotary District 5470
Photo: Nancy Mayer
President Steve Seyffert, District Governor Sam Kevan and his wife, Lana Kevan.
People of Action Summits
The People of Action Summits™ are powered by Rotary Zones 26 and 27. This region is made up of thousands of Rotary members across the Western US, as well as part of British Columbia, Canada. The People of Action Summits will provide an in-person and virtual opportunity for Rotary members to join forces with communities and industry experts to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face.
Summits this year address food insecurity, green transportation and clean energy, water, healthy soils and human trafficking. To register for a summit, live or in-person, visit here: https://rotarysummits.com/.
Woohoomanity Challenge — September 24, 2022
The Woohoomanity Challenge is a fundraising platform and fun event available for free to all Rotary clubs to help fund their service projects. It's cost-effective and Rotary clubs keep 95% of the money raised.
This year's honorary chairs are John and Marga Hewko. John is the general secretary and CEO of Rotary and Marga is past president of the Chicago 1 Rotary Club. Marga is from Argentina and John is founding member f the Kyiv club.
Eradicate Polio — We've Had a Small Backslide
In 1985, Rotary International made a promise to the world that we would eradicate polio. In partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health Organization and UNICEF, polio cases have dropped from 350,000 cases worldwide to only six in 2021. In 2022, we have seen an increase in cases with 11 wild cases. It will take three years of zero cases and three years of the absence of the virus in sampling to declare the world polio-free.
Support the Rotary Foundation
Rotary International has had a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator for 14 consecutive years. The Reader's Digest version of what that means: your money is in good hands. Want to learn more: https://www.charitynavigator.org/.
Rotary International allocates donations toward their core mission: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, saving mothers and children, growing local economies and protecting the environment.
Did you know? Only 33% of Rotarians supported the Rotary Foundation in 2022. The goal remains Every Rotarian, Every Year. Have you made your donation? Need help? Contact RI Foundation Chair Derek Torinus at dtorinus@imagesofaspen.com.
Expanding Our Reach
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: In order to do more, we need to grow more. District 5470 lost about 41 members in 2021-2022. We are starting with 1,941 members as of July 1. The "power of all" is recruiting members of underserved communities, women, young members, members of color, members with disabilities, etc. RI and our district will make a push for this in 2022-2023 and we will make this a priority in our membership engagement committee.
"Research shows in the business world that teams that have greater gender, racial and ethnic diversity perform better and are more profitable," Kevan said.
Satellite & Free-Standing Clubs: One Rotary club that meets at the same time every week naturally excludes segments of the population who cannot meet at a specific time and/or day. The Rotary audience shrinks exponentially if we don't find ways to engage potential Rotarians. Some prospects won't ever love a traditional sit-down club meeting, but would love an opportunity to be of service in the community around an area of passion. If we want to thrive for years to come, we must adapt and embrace change. We have an opportunity to expand by thinking creatively and beyond our one club. Can we create additional clubs at new times and locations with different value propositions?
Free-Standing: Usually requires 20-25 members to charter. It can be traditional or non-traditional.
Satellite: Only requires eight members and can be part of a bigger club.