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Pleasanton, CA — January 2026 — Rotary District 5170 is shifting from planning to purposeful execution, reinforcing its commitment to elevating club activities and service projects across the district. District leadership emphasizes that the foundation is already in place; the next step is consistent club-level engagement that allows the District to amplify what clubs are doing best—serving their communities.

“We don’t need more analysis—we need more shared stories,” said District Governor Herb Ritter. “When clubs provide content, the District can extend the reach, celebrate impact, and strengthen Rotary’s public image.”

To support clubs, the District Leadership Team has outlined four clear, simple tools and objectives designed to increase visibility and engagement:

1. Create and share an ezStory in DACdb so the District can amplify it through district-wide channels, including the Monthly News Bulletin.

2. Enter Club Service Projects in DACdb to enable broader sharing via platforms such as URNeeded.org and the new District 5170 "Meetup" page.

3. Tag @rotarydistrict5170 on social media posts featuring club activities, allowing the District to reshare and expand reach.

4. Encourage consistent participation: Club Presidents and Assistant Governors are asking club leaders to post at least one ezStory and one social media post per month, shared with the District for amplification.

While the District’s Public Image Team has conducted multiple outreach efforts to Club Public Image Directors—with some successes—overall engagement has remained limited. To better support clubs and strengthen district-wide visibility, the District has made the strategic decision to hire a social media virtual assistant to help us amplify our District's and clubs' social media presence, an investment included in the approved budget.

“Many districts commit significant resources to public image,” Kristen Fabo, District PI Chair added. “District 5170 has been thoughtful and conservative until now. This step ensures our clubs receive the support they need to tell their stories—and be seen.”

We will be having monthly (3rd Friday) at 12 noon Zoom calls for Club PI Chairs and anyone interested is sharing and learning.   Check out the District Calendar for Zoom Link and dates.  

For more information and resources, visit Rotary District 5170 PI Committee and DACdb tools.

Rotary District 5170 Launches the “Governor's H.E.R.B Trophy” to Drive Membership Growth, Service, and Club Excellence

Fremont, CA — Rotary District 5170 has officially announced the launch of the H.E.R.B Formula, a clear, action-driven framework designed to help Rotary clubs grow stronger, increase impact, and achieve measurable success during the current Rotary year.

Introduced by District Governor Herb Ritter, the HERB Formula provides clubs with four simple, achievable priorities that align with Rotary International’s goals for membership growth, generosity, engagement, and excellence.

“The HERB Formula gives clubs clarity,” said Governor Ritter. “It’s not about doing more—it’s about focusing on what matters most and doing it well.”
 

The HERB Formula: Four Priorities for Club Success

• H – Help Rotary grow when you can
  Clubs are encouraged to demonstrate positive membership growth by April 15, strengthening Rotary’s future and expanding service capacity.

• E – Encourage generosity when you can
  Achieve 100% EREY participation, with members contributing $25 or more to The Rotary Foundation, earning the prestigious Banner Award.

• R – Respond with action when you can
  Clubs that complete and track their goals in My Rotary will qualify for the Rotary International Club Excellence Award, Rotary’s highest recognition for club achievement.

• B – Be there when you can
  Clubs are encouraged to have at least three members attend four of seven District 5170 in-person events, reinforcing leadership development and district-wide collaboration.

The HERB Formula emphasizes flexibility, encouragement, and accountability—meeting clubs where they are while setting clear benchmarks for success.

“This approach recognizes that every club is different,” added Ritter. “But when we help, encourage, respond, and show up, great things happen—for our clubs, our communities, and Rotary worldwide.”

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Hi Epic Trailblazer, The EPIC Platform is LIVE!  The EPIC Day of Service online web platform is LIVE, registrations are OPEN, and momentum is building—jump on board and let’s get your club, district, and zone into action.   Whether you participated last year, helped grow EPIC over multiple years, or are joining for the first time, your leadership and service are what make this movement possible. Because of you, EPIC continues to build real community impact—at scale.   Register Your Club & District Today!     Time to Get into Action Mode. The EPIC Day of Service website is live and ready for registrations and project planning—and we’re inviting every club, district, and zone to get in motion now.

The May 16 Weekend is our Global Rally Point This is the weekend we align worldwide marketing and collective visibility to show the scale of EPIC Day of Service.   To be part of this global surge, we’re asking clubs and districts to schedule projects as close to the May 16 weekend as possible. If you can’t land exactly on May 16, choose the nearest feasible date so your service effort is still part of the unified wave of action—and the global storytelling that comes with it.     New Support: EPIC Impact Accelerator Program This year, we’re introducing new ways to engage and receive enhanced support through the EPIC Impact Accelerator Program — designed to strengthen club, district, and zone participation, boost visibility, and help both new and returning EPIC partners expand results through greater coordination and storytelling.   Explore the EPIC Impact Accelerator

 

Materials to Help Rally Your Zone, District & Clubs The following material is for you to use and share with all Rotarians:  A Club & District Launch Video is a 17-minute video that is perfect for club meeting presentations and can serve as a major rally communication for every club in your district. A 2-minute Teaser Video ready for social media and your website to drive engagement and community registrations. A Public-Facing Flyer you can post, email, and distribute locally. These items are listed here and can be reviewed and shared with your District to support the EPIC Day of Service event.

 

EPIC 2-Minute Teaser Video	EPIC 17-Minute Launch Video
Click All Images to Download Flyer or Play Videos

 

Register Your Club & District Today!     Schedule A Live District EPIC Zoom Launch  If you’d like to connect with the EPIC team and arrange a special District-wide launch, please contact Brianna Sherman at briannashermanco@gmail.com with your request, and we’ll coordinate an engagement that fits your community.   The Time is Now! Register, choose your project date, and start building your plan — so when the spotlight hits May 16, the world sees the scale of what Rotarians and partners are doing everywhere.   With deep appreciation and excitement, The EPIC Day of Service Team

 

For Communities Worldwide Organized by Rotary Clubs

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Rotary District 5170 Builds Momentum Toward EREY Recognition

Rotary District 5170 is seeing strong momentum in Foundation giving, with nearly seven clubs already qualifying at $25 per member in support of The Rotary Foundation. That progress positions them to earn the prestigious Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) Club Banner Award.

With continued leadership and outreach, district leaders believe more than half of our clubs can reach this milestone in the 2025–26 Rotary year. One of the four district goals tied to earning the Governor’s Trophy is clear: Encourage every Rotarian to give.

Here’s where club leaders can make an immediate impact:

• Connect with your Club Foundation Chairs and Club Presidents
• Let them know how close they are to the $25-per-member goal (district average giving is approximately $100 per member)
• Several clubs are just one or two members away from qualifying

If there is any discrepancy in reported numbers, clubs are encouraged to contact The Rotary Foundation directly for clarification.

Every contribution strengthens Rotary’s ability to serve. Together, we can turn momentum into measurable impact.

Where does your Club Rank? 

Updated report thru February 25, 2026

This is truly within reach, and a small final push can turn “almost there” into a big win for your club, our district, and the Foundation programs that change lives around the world.

Thank you again for your leadership, your persistence, and your belief in Rotary’s impact. Let’s finish strong. 


 

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Silicon Valley, CA — Rotary District 5170 is proud to announce the launch of Rock ’N Roll for Wheelchairs, a high-impact Governor’s Project dedicated to restoring mobility, independence, and hope to children, teens, and adults who need wheelchairs but cannot afford them.

Led by District Governor Herb Ritter as part of the 2025–26 Rotary theme, Lead with Vision. Serve with Heart. Leave Your Mark., this ambitious initiative aims to raise $50,000 to fund wheelchairs that will be personally delivered by Rotary volunteers during a humanitarian mission trip to Mexico in October 2026.

Through a powerful partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation, every dollar raised will be matched — effectively doubling the impact of every contribution.

Click here for the Fundraising Flyer

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