District 5170 Membership Committee

Becoming a Rotary member connects you with a diverse group of professionals who share your drive to give back. Through regular meetings and events, you'll:

- Discuss your community's needs and develop creative ways to meet them.
- Connect with other leaders who are changing the world.

Membership growth means more resources, more projects, thus more impacts! As your District Membership Chair, the District Membership Committee will help to provide information, inspiration, and support for all clubs in the District to enhance member retention and attraction activities, as well as assist in the implementation of flexibility in membership types and meeting formats.

Together, let’s create a culture of innovation in bringing Rotary to people who simply need a bridge built to connect them with Rotary’s spirit of service.

We will strive to imagine a Rotary where members act to make their dreams become reality and they make the most of their club experiences. Let’s encourage members to engage more with each other and use these connections to build partnerships that change the world.  

Camilla Boolootian
District Membership Committee Chair 2025-26
camillaboolootian@gmail.com

The Rotary District 5170 Foundation Giving Committee inspires and guides our clubs to make a lasting difference through the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, and Endowment support. We focus on engaging every club and every Rotarian, encouraging participation in Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY), and celebrating generosity that fuels Rotary’s life-changing projects. By uniting our efforts, reducing non-giving clubs, and growing our endowment, we help ensure District 5170 continues its proud tradition of leading with impact and giving hope to the world.

District 5170 Area Governor

Role: Serve as a liaison between the Clubs and the District 5170 Governor, assisting clubs with District 5170 or Rotary International questions and updates, while also supporting club presidents to achieve their goals.

Responsibilities:

1. District Governor Visits:
   • Prepare Club Presidents and the District 5170 Governor for District Governor (DG) visits by coordinating schedules, confirming meeting agendas, and ensuring clubs are aware of presentation expectations.
2. PETS (President-Elect Training/Learning Seminar):
   • Attend PETS to assist President-Elects with orientation and preparation for their leadership year.
   • Provide guidance on developing effective club plans and goal-setting.
3. Club Meetings and Recognition:
   • Coordinate and attend each of your club meetings in your area once a month or as needed to maintain open communication and build relationships with club leadership.
   • Assist clubs in identifying and pursuing recognition and award opportunities for achievements.
4. Club Central and Strategic Planning:
   • Support Club Presidents in entering and tracking Club Central goals.
   • Offer advice and tools to assist clubs in creating and implementing Strategic Plans that align with District goals.
5. Membership and Engagement Support:
   • Promote membership development and retention by sharing best practices and resources from the District.
   • Encourage innovative projects and programs that engage members and strengthen clubs.
   • Become proficient with DACdb, Ignite App and Club Central to help communications and Engagement 
6. Reporting and Updates:
   • Provide timely club updates to the District Governor as needed.
   • Share district communications and initiatives with club leaders, ensuring alignment with Rotary International goals.
7. Training and Mentorship:
   • Act as a mentor to Club Presidents and President-Elects, offering support and guidance throughout their leadership journey.
8. District Events:
   • Promote and encourage participation in District events, conferences, and initiatives.
   • Represent the District at key events in your area.
9. Conflict Resolution:
   • Mediate and assist with resolving conflicts within clubs, referring matters to the District Governor if necessary.

Qualifications:

• Active Rotary Club member for at least three years.
• Past Club President with demonstrated knowledge of effective club management.
• Familiarity with District 5170 resources, goals, and operations.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Commitment to supporting Rotary’s mission and values.

Term of Office:

• 1 or 2 years, subject to reappointment at the discretion of the District 5170 Governor.

Estimated Monthly Time Commitment:

• Approximately 10-12 hours per month, with additional time during key events (e.g., PETS, DG visits, District Events and the District Conference).

The mission of your District 5170 Foundation is to encourage the charitable activities of its participants by providing a vehicle for the administration and distribution of charitable contributions. If a club does not have its own 501(c)(3) endowment or foundation, use of your District Foundation will permit the club to deposit and hold the funds within a qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Your Rotary District 5170 Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity, created to help our Clubs and associated affiliates raise, receive, administer and allocate funds in the interest of poor and disadvantaged people everywhere in the world, and, in pursuit of these activities, to assist and cooperate with other Rotary Clubs and/or Districts.

Orrin Mahoney
2025-26 District Foundation Board Chair
orrinmahoney@comcast.net

District 5170 Climate Action Committee

Promote environmental sustainability and climate awareness throughout District 5170 by encouraging Rotary clubs to take action on climate-related projects, education, and advocacy aligned with Rotary’s seventh area of focus: Protecting the Environment.

DeAnna Pursai
District Climate Action Committee Chair
deanna@collegeofadaptivearts.org

District Club Service Committee

Effective Rotary club administration for District 5170 must involve the organizing of our club members and each club's resources. Each Rotary Club must operate efficiently to provide basic community services that will attract and retain active members, and develop leaders for our Clubs, our District, and Rotary International.

In most Rotary clubs, administrative responsibilities include:

• Planning and organizing weekly meetings and programs
• Promoting fellowship among club members
• Keeping members informed through a club newsletter or Web site.
• Collecting dues
• Maintaining club membership lists and reporting to Rotary International
• Tracking club attendance

What is Club Service?

Club Service is the backbone of Rotary Operations. Club Service is the hub of the club wheel, it is the smooth functioning of this part of a Rotary club that moves the club forward. Internally & Externally

Be a vibrant club. As a Proactive Rotarian in Action, Consider these suggestions:

• Talk to a small group of Rotarians for feedbacks.
• Prioritize them.
• Let your group know the item & action monitor the result.
• Share it with the club.

Audit & improve one priority item.

• Quality of Speakers.
• Greeters
• Rotary environment (Banners flags etc.)
• Etc.

Each Rotary Club must operate efficiently to provide basic community services that will attract and retain active members, and develop leaders for our Clubs, our District, and Rotary International.

Please Click Here: Club Excellence Award Instructions

Jim Bell
District 5170 Club Service Chair
Interest in D5170 Club Service

District 5170 Community Service Committee

Community Service is one of the Avenues of Service which encourages Rotarians to offer service to their communities. 

Service is the very core of Rotary’s character. It promotes Rotary’s appeal and visibility in the community, and why Rotary continues to thrive.  Rotarians recognize the importance of giving back to the community.  As Rotarians, we have the reasonability to find ways to improve the quality of life for those within our communities and to serve the public interest. A wonderful way to invite friends, family and community members to participate in Rotary.

Overview

What is Community Service?

• Encouraging and fostering the ideal of service to the personal, business and community life of every Rotarian.
• Opportunities for every Rotarian to exemplify “Service Above Self”.
• A chance to respond to the needs of a local community.
• Opportunity to showcase how Rotarians Are People of Action - always bring a friend - introduce them to Rotary.

Community Service Projects:

• Are relevant to the community.
• Serve as a learning experience for Rotarians.
• Identify a Rotary club’s role in its community.
• Determine how Rotarians can help with the resources at hand.

Darcy DeCoite
District 5170 Community Service Chair
Pleasanton North Rotary
ddecoite@gmail.com

District 5170 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
 
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as difference is ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
 
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
 
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong. In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.

Cheryl Lander
District 5170 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair
doglover.lander@gmail.com

District 5170 Governance Committee

This committee supports effective governance practices across District 5170 by reviewing and recommending updates to District policies, procedures, and bylaws in collaboration with the District Resolutions Committee Chair.

Job Description: District Governance Committee

District 5170 Rotary Grants
 
I’m pleased to introduce the 2025-26 District 5170 Grants Team:
 
Grants Subcommittee Co-Chairs:
           Jon Winston (Santa Cruz Sunrise)
           Sangita Seshadri (Saratoga)
Global Grants Advisors:
           Cecelia Babkirk (eClub of Silicon Valley)
           Sangita Seshadri
           Padma Chari (Cupertino)
           Karen Berner (Los Altos)
           Deb Knowles (Alameda)
Foundation Stewardship Chair:
           Cecelia Babkirk                
Grants Resource Leaders (District Grants):
           Areas 2-7, 9          Roger Swenson (Santa Cruz Sunrise)
           Areas 1, 8, 10-12  Jon Winston
  
We designed these pages to give you information on how to apply for both District and Global Grants.

The GRANTS INFO page has links to Manuals and other general information about Grants including the Spreadsheet that tells you how your Club allocated it's DDF to District and Global Grants.

The DISTRICT GRANTS page has all the forms you need to draft a District Grant. It also includes a couple examples of District Grants from last year to help you fill out the Application.

The GLOBAL GRANTS page includes planning resources and supplemental forms you may need to complete the Global Grant Application. Global Grant Applications are written, submitted and tracked on Rotary.org.

The SCHOLAR GRANTS page will contain the Application and instructions for District and Global Scholar Grants.
  
 Jon Winston
2019-26 District 5170 Grants Subcommittee Co-Chair
 

 INTERACT 5170 MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Interact 5170 is to create, strengthen, and grow Interact clubs so they will be a positive influence on campus life, serve their communities, and improve the lives of people throughout the world.
 

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

 

District 5170 Leadership and Learning Committee

Role:
Foster leadership development and lifelong learning among Rotarians in District 5170 by designing and supporting educational programs, resources, and events that strengthen club and district leadership capacity.

Responsibilities:

• Convene monthly Zoom meetings to coordinate leadership training initiatives and collaborate with District Training leaders, Assistant Governors, and other committee chairs.
• Develop and support training programs for club presidents, officers, committee chairs, and emerging leaders.
• Organize and facilitate key District training events such as District Training Assembly, Pre-PETS, and other learning workshops throughout the Rotary year.
• Promote enrollment in Rotary Learning Center courses, Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), and other personal and professional development opportunities.
• Identify and recruit trainers, facilitators, and speakers with Rotary knowledge and leadership experience.
• Maintain and update training materials, curriculum guides, and online resources to ensure consistent, high-quality instruction.
• Support learning opportunities that reflect Rotary’s values of DEI, service, ethics, and collaboration.
• Collaborate with the Public Image and Membership Committees to promote leadership programs and recognize participation.
   

Qualifications:
Rotary Club member with experience in training, facilitation, education, or leadership development. Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills are essential.

Term of Office:
Three years at the District 5170 Governor’s discretion.

Estimated Monthly Time Commitment:
8–12 hours/month, with additional time during training preparation and delivery periods.

District 5170 Lieutenant Governor

Role: Serve as the primary support and coordination officer for Area/Assistant Governors (AGs), acting as a key liaison between the District 5170 Governor and the AGs. The Lieutenant Governor ensures consistent communication, alignment, and accountability across all areas to achieve district goals and support club success.

Responsibilities:

1. Coordination with Area Governors:
   • Serve as the primary point of contact for Area/Assistant Governors, providing guidance and support for their responsibilities.
   • Facilitate regular meetings with AGs to share updates, address challenges, and encourage collaboration.
   • Monitor the performance and effectiveness of AGs, providing constructive feedback and resources as needed.
2. Support for the District Governor:
   • Work closely with the District Governor to implement district initiatives and priorities.
   • Ensure consistent communication between the Governor and AGs to align efforts and address concerns.
   • Provide regular updates to the District Governor on the progress and challenges within assigned areas.
3. Training and Development:
   • Coordinate training sessions and workshops for AGs to enhance their leadership and operational skills.
   • Mentor AGs, sharing best practices and strategies for supporting Club Presidents and their teams.
4. Club Engagement:
   • Assist AGs in fostering strong relationships with Club Presidents to promote engagement and collaboration.
   • Support clubs indirectly by ensuring AGs have the tools and knowledge to address club needs effectively.
   • Become proficient with DACdb, Ignite App and Club Central to help communications and Engagement 
5. Strategic Planning:
   • Collaborate with the District Governor and other district leaders to develop and implement strategic plans for the district.
   • Ensure AGs understand and contribute to district goals, including membership growth, foundation support, and public image.
6. Event Coordination:
   • Work with AGs to promote and facilitate district events, including conferences, training sessions, and special programs.
   • Support the District Governor in planning and executing key district initiatives.
   • Lead and support the implementation of 1 District Leadership Fellowship meeting hosted in your Club’s area.   Invite Club members to attend and participate in a District Leadership meeting.  
7. Conflict Resolution:
   • Assist AGs in mediating and resolving conflicts within clubs, escalating issues to the District Governor when necessary.
   • Act as a resource for AGs to address complex challenges in their areas.
8. Accountability:
   • Oversee the progress and reporting of AGs, ensuring timely completion of assigned tasks.
   • Provide recommendations for the appointment and reappointment of AGs based on performance and district needs.

Qualifications:

• Active Rotary Club member for at least five years.
• Past Club President with a proven track record of leadership and effective club management.
• Experience as an Area/Assistant Governor or equivalent district leadership role preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Commitment to Rotary’s mission and goals.

Term of Office:

• 1 or 2 years, subject to reappointment at the discretion of the District Governor.

Estimated Monthly Time Commitment:

• Approximately 15-20 hours per month, with additional time during district events or special initiatives.

The Paul Harris Society

The Paul Harris Society is a recognition program designed for Rotarians and others who wish to support the Foundation in a more substantial way each year. It recognizes Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who annually contribute $1,000 or moreto the Annual Fund, PolioPlus or an approved Rotary Foundation Grant.  As of July 2025 there are 214 Members in D5170
 
Joining the Paul Harris Society is a major commitment, and not every Rotarian can donate at this level. However, we ask that each Rotarian who is able, to consider joining the Society. The financial support will be of immense value to the Foundation in its mission to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.
 
In the 2016-2017 Rotary Year, 270 District 5170 members donated at least $1,000 each to The Rotary Foundation. They accounted for approximately 1/3 of the total amount donated by District Rotarians to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus and approved grants. With their gifts they help to:
 
• Bring peace-building seminars to 200 teachers and 1,300 students in Uganda
• Distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets and medical services that help prevent malaria in Mali.
• Train teachers who are establishing an early childhood education center in South Africa.
• Provide water filters, toilet blocks, hygiene training to prevent fluorsis in a community in India.
• Fund a scholarship for medical professionals to research treatment to minimize mortality rates among premature babies in Italy.
• Protect children around the world from Polio.

For more information about the Paul Harris Society, contact

Why It Matters
Every child deserves the right to walk, run, and play without fear of paralysis.  Although polio is largely unknown in industrialized nations, it is a disease that still robs children of that right in other parts of the world. It is transmitted via contaminated water and food supplies, enters through a child’s mouth, and then multiplies in the throat and intestines. In a matter of hours, the poliovirus can enter the brain and spinal cord, destroying the cells that enable muscles to contract and causing paralysis. In 5% to 10% of cases, the child dies.  The good news is that polio is completely preventable. Since the virus cannot live long outside the human body, the proper immunization of children can not only prevent the disease, it can eradicate it by stopping transmission of the virus. Although polio currently circulates in only a few countries, it is a highly infectious disease and spreads rapidly. As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere are at risk. Only the complete eradication of polio will ensure that no child ever again suffers polio’s cruel effects.

How We Achieve It
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is committed to achieving a polio-free world. Rotary is a spearheading partner in the GPEI, along with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also has as a priority the eradication of polio and is working closely with the GPEI. The goal of the initiative is the global certification of polio eradication. The GPEI works to accomplish this goal by pursuing the four pillars of eradication:

• Routine immunization – Immunization coverage of children in the first year of life, with at least three doses of the oral polio vaccine as part of national immunization schedules.
• Supplementary immunization activities – Mass immunization campaigns, known as National Immunization Days (NIDs) or supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) intended to complement – not replace – routine immunization. They interrupt circulation of the virus by immunizing children under five with two doses of oral polio vaccine, regardless of previous immunization status.
• Surveillance – Expert teams of virologists, epidemiologists, and doctors test stool samples to determine whether the poliovirus is present and from where it comes.
• Targeted mop-up campaigns – Door-to-door immunizations that are conducted in specific areas where the poliovirus is known to be present or is suspected of circulating. These are often areas with high population density, poor sanitation, or low routine immunization coverage.

Where We Are Today
Rotary became a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, at which time there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries. The Polio Global Eradication Initiative is a public-private partnership that includes Rotary International, Gates Foundation, World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations, and UNICEF. Polio is a paralyzing virus that is usually spread through contaminated water and is prevented through immunizations and by providing access to clean water. Our shared goal is to eradicate polio worldwide.

Since the founding of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary members around the world have contributed more than $2.1 billion to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries. In just the past 10 years, Rotary District 5170 Clubs have contributed $3,177,626. Rotary’s PolioPlus funds provide operational support, medical staff, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents. As a result of all these efforts and financial donations, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9% since 1988.

Each year, Rotary International works to raise $50,000,000 which Gates Foundation matches 2:1. Once again, during the 2024 -2025 Rotary year, we achieved  his goal. This ensures that 50 million children in hard-to-reach countries are protected each year from polio.

Today, we stand at the threshold of eradicating polio forever. But we must stay aware of the threat poliovirus continues to present. Polio is still endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since January 01, 2025, there have been 19 cases of paralytic polio in children living in these two countries. If we stopped our efforts today, we could see up to 200,000 children develop paralysis due to polio within 10 years.

October 24 is World Polio Day. Rotary clubs around the world take the opportunity to raise awareness about the need to continue to fight this virus until it is eradicated from the planet. This is our promise to the world’s children.

For questions or more information, please contact:

Cindy Murphy
District Polio Plus Committee Chair

District 5170 Public Image Committee

The Public Image Committee helps tell Rotary’s story by building awareness of the District’s service projects, events, and impact in the community.

We support clubs in strengthening their communications through training, resources, and best practices in media relations, branding, and digital engagement. Our goal is to ensure that Rotary’s message is clear, consistent, and compelling—showcasing the values of Service Above Self and inspiring others to connect, join, and support Rotary.

Kirsten Faboz Livingston
District 5170 Public Image Chair, 2025-26
kfabosrotary@gmail.com

Central Bay Region (Areas 2 & 3)
East Bay Region (Areas 1, 4 & 5)
South Bay Region (Areas 6 &7)
Southern Region (Areas 8 & 9)
Silicon Valley Region (Areas 10, 11 & 12)

   

District 5170 RISE Leadership Program 

Rotarians may have extensive leadership backgrounds or modest amounts of experience in leading. A Rotary leader can be challenged because they will be leading volunteers and adjustments are needed. How one chooses to lead and inspire a diverse group of Rotarians is critical to the success of the service being provided to others and the ongoing success of the Rotary movement.

RISE (Rotarians Inspired to Succeed and Engage) is a robust leadership training program that includes key leadership practices that are pertinent to Rotary and Rotarians businesses and professions. It is not a “trendy” leadership style, but is a proven approach to leading others in an ethical and moral way.

District 5170 is joining with other Districts in the US and Canada that offer the Rotary Leadership Program to its members.

Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest

Committee Chair(s):

• Debi Pavelcic-Bischoff, DYSC Chair 2021-26
• Mark Linsky, DYSC Vice Chair 2021-26

Goals:

• Increase Club participation.

• Conduct a Club Contest
• Partner with another club to conduct a contest
• Host one of the “joint” Area Speech Contests or the Southern/Northern Regional Speech Contest
• Participate in the DYSC Sponsorship Program (In fact, the $25 sponsor level is low enough to enable all clubs and D5170 Rotarians to participate.)

• Establish a self-sustaining model for funding leading prize awards for the participants.

Participation:  
Key Points:

• The 2025-26 schedule is reduced by about 2 weeks, as the Speech Contest Finals will be on April 11, 2026, at the 2026 District Learning Assembly.
• The theme of the contest will continue to be the Rotary Motto, Service Above Self.
• With the District now having 12 Areas, the Area Level contests will consist of “joint” Area Contests, which will be organized to balance the number of clubs participating to ensure a more fair contest for the speakers.
• The minimum Club Prizes are $150 for first, $75 for second, and $25 for all other participants. (CLICK HERE for more information about the cash prizes.)
• For 2025-26, the Club will not be charged the annual fee of $175. (Thanks DG Herb.) Every Club now has the opportunity to fund the awards for a Club Contest and/or to participate in the Sponsorship Program.

To review all aspects of Rotary District 5170 and determine methods and processes utilized for long term growth of each Club.

https://deliveringyourmessage.org/

The Mission Statement of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. In other words, The Rotary Foundation is the charitable funding vehicle for much of the work of Rotary.

Jill Duerig
2025-26 District 5170 Rotary Foundation Chair
jillduerig@hotmail.com

Rotary District 5170 Triple Crown Donor

 
At its 2018 Annual Conference, District 5170 introduced a new level of donor recognition, the Triple Crown Donor, designed to honor those individuals who have made very generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation. To qualify for this award, one must accomplish three objectives: 

• Be a Major Donor – When your cash donations to the Foundation total at least $10,000. There are 537 Major Donors in the District as of July 2025.
• Be a member of the Bequest Society – When you commit a total of $10,000 or more to the Permanent Fund of the Foundation via your Estate Plan. There are 129 Bequest Society Members in the District as of July 2025.
• Be a Grand Donor – When your cash donations to the Foundation during the current Rotary year reach $1,000 and start your journey in joining  the Paul Harris Society with 214 members as of July 2025.

These generous Rotarians will be recognized at the Major Donor Reception held at the District Conference each year. In addition to recognition, Triple Crown Donors receive a special lapel pin. There are many District Rotarians who have accomplished two of the three objectives. We are hoping that they will complete the third objective and become Triple Crown Donors during this Rotary Year.
Please note that a person is recognized as a Triple Crown Donor only for the year in which they meet all three criteria. That means that there are no Triple Crown Donors at the beginning of July. The recognition has to be earned each year.
 
If you have a question about this program, please contact:

District 5170 Vocational Service Committee

What is Club Vocational Service?

The concept of vocational service is rooted in the second object, which calls on Rotarians to encourage and foster:

• High ethical standards in business and professions
• The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations
• The dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society

As a Rotarian, how can you put these ideals into action? Consider these suggestions:

• Talk about your profession in your club, and take time to learn about fellow members’ occupations.
• Use your skills and expertise to serve a community.
• Practice your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your words and actions.
• Help young people achieve their career goals.
• Guide and encourage others in their professional development.

By undertaking these activities, you bring vocational service to life.
Vocational service is the essence of Rotary and serves as the foundation from which we serve our communities around the world.

District Youth Service Committee

On behalf of the entire Youth Services team, we would like to extend a warm welcome to you!
 
Interact, RYLA, Rotaract, and Youth Exchange comprise some of the most important programs in Rotary International, and we are so proud to have these programs fostering our future leaders and future Rotarians.

• Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. Our district is proud to have 8,000+ Interactors.
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotarians, Rotary districts, and RYLA alumni where attendees develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making lifelong connections.
• Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service. Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service.
• Youth Exchange students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges are for students 15-19 years old and are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.

This year, we want each of us in the district to be more involved in the Youth Services programs that are offered. To be involved can be sponsoring a new club, or it can simply mean having a conversation with one of our program alumni or members. We encourage you to reach out to members in each of these programs and listen to their stories — ask them how they became involved, how we can help them stay involved, and, most importantly, what they are passionate about.
 
Look to these young people to be the inspiration this year and in the years to come.
 
Yours in service,
Chris Miller, Chair

 

This page has links to Manuals and other general information about District and Global Grants including the spreadsheet that tells you how your Club allocated its DDF to District and Global Grants.

Important Dates

04/30/25 – 2025-26 DDF Spending Plans and MOU’s due
07/01/25 – 2025-26 District Grant apps & MaxTheMatch purchases accepted
10/31/25 – Final Reports for 2024-25 District Grants deadline
               – New Applications for 2025-26 District Grants deadline

2025-26 President-Elect Forms

• 2025-26 PE Grants Forms Website

• 2025-26 Club Qualification MOU

• 2025-26 DDF Spending Plan

• 2025-26 PETS Handout for PE’s

• Instructions for entering Goals & Chairs (New!)

Manuals and General Information

• DDF Allocations & Grants Tracking: Select a year

2025-26	2024-25	2023-24	2022-23	2021-22	2020-21
2019-20	2018-19	2017-18	2016-17	2015-16

• Where DDF Comes From – A Graphic

• A Glossary of Common Rotary Grants Terminology (2/25)

• District 5170 Grants Manual (Revised 2014)

• Donating Global DDF to TRF Funds (DG and DRFC only)

Fundraising and Grants Management Training

• District Assembly Presentation (04/14/2018)

• TRF Video: Doing Good

• TRF Video: What is Sustainability?

• TRF Video: Nigeria: One Year Milestone – 2015

• TRF Video: Rotary Smile