International Service

District 5170 International Service Committee

A Message from Mauri Okamoto-Kearney
District 5170 International Service Committee Chair 2025-2026

Hello Rotarians,

I’m looking forward to making this year a banner year for International Service! A big thank-you to John Flaniken, who served as District International Service Committee Chair from 2023 to 2025 – excellent meetings and great collaboration!

While the TRF policy for DDF use has implications for us strategically and tactically, our District has excellent expert resources in our Foundation Chairs, past and present, and our TRF Grants Subcommittee, led by Jon Winston and Sangita Seshadri, to continue our strong international service activity without missing a breath.

The International Service Committee’s mission for 2025-2026 is to increase the strength and engagement of our Clubs and members in service to our global community.

How many of our members have visited communities in need and wanted to ACT and SERVE, as any good Rotarian would desire?

This is the year to do so! We have many expert Rotarians who have served communities in all parts of the world and several models for international service that we can offer to all of our members!

Here are some of the expectations for this year:

Provide coaching for members and Clubs interested in learning Global or District Grant how-to’s.
Enable Inter-Club collaboration on Global Grant project teams.
Support the formation of Inter-Club and Area-wide International Service Committees, each member of which could lead a Global Grant.
Continue to provide a forum for new and active Grant leaders to request funding and other resource support.
Encourage Lessons Learned and Best Practices sharing across Clubs and Global Grant leaders.
Support members with access to all of our District’s and TRF resources to ensure success.
Communicate international travel and service opportunities offered by our District and others – Global Grant, Polio Campaign, Wheelchair Distributions, Rotaplast, RI Convention, Project Fairs...and many more!

This year, I’m proposing monthly sessions by ZOOM every 4th Saturday of the month from 9 to 10:30 am, starting August 23rd.

We reviewed the surveys you completed at the District Learning Assembly and have added some training throughout the year. So, in addition, we will offer additional training sessions to strengthen our understanding of Grant development and management.

Check out the District Calendar for details!

Please contact me with any ideas, contributions, additions to membership, or informational needs. Looking forward to serving you all!

Let’s “Unite for Good,”

Mauri
Mauri Okamoto-Kearney
District International Chair 2025-2026
Rotary Club of Cupertino
mauriokearney@gmail.com
US Mobile and WhatsApp: +1-650-888-6727