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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Training and Mentorship:
- Act as a mentor to Club Presidents and President-Elects, offering support and guidance throughout their leadership journey.
District Events:
- Promote and encourage participation in District events, conferences, and initiatives.
- Represent the District at key events in your area.
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).

District 5170 International Service Inaugural Meeting

Zoom 3rd Thursday of the Month, 7/16/26 4 to 5:30pm

Same Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87159379199?pwd=PlVIbeegi9npsWNGCAwn2XB6YedlOi.1

Meeting ID: 871 5937 9199

Passcode: IS5170

Dear D5170 International Service Colleagues:

We're starting a new Rotary Year! I'd like to invite you to our inaugural meeting on Thursday 7/16 4 to 5:30 pm Pacific time, with 15 minutes on both ends for fellowship and general discussion. All meetings will be recorded and circulated.

I plan to keep the basic agenda format I used last Rotary Year:

Highlighted speaker
Fundraising pitches
Travel for service: trip reports, invitations to travel, project fairs

Feel free to invite others in your Clubs to join us, including any of your colleagues interested in international service activity. There'll be something to spark the joy of Rotary service in everyone...after all, don't they call it ROTARY INTERNATIONAL?

If there's no Chair, no worries, feel free to forward to any Rotarian interested in international service -- ALL WELCOME. Now's the time to open our eyes to new opportunities to engage in international service!

DG Geeta, LGs, AGs and Grant Review Subcommittee: please feel free to invite any D5170 Rotarians who are interested in international service! Would love to grow the collaboration!

Please see the 7/16 DIS Draft Agenda below.

AND don't forget to register for the Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit on 9/16/26. There are 2 links - one link for Rotarians and the other for any nonprofit partner who would like to join us. Show your colleagues what your club is doing for our international communities!

Let me know if you have any ideas, contributions, additions to membership, or informational needs. Looking forward to continue serving you all!

Let’s “Create Lasting Impact!”

In Rotary Service,
Mauri

Mauri Okamoto-Kearney
District 5170 International Chair 2025-2028
Rotary Club of Cupertino
mauriokearney@gmail.com
US Mobile and WhatsApp: +1-650-888-6727

Proposed 7/17/26 DIS Agenda Overview

Month	Day of Week	Date	Time (Pacific)	Meeting Topics	Responsible
Jul	Thurs	7/16/2026	4 to 5:30 pm	Announcement: Register for our Collaborative Impact Summit Sat 9/19/2026!! Gen/Admin: Recap of last year and intro to this year Calendar overview Intl District Grants: how much can we accomplish? A solid track record of international service. Fundraising Pitches Service Travel: Bangalore Project Fair, India Polio NID	Mauri Paul Johnson, Los Gatos ALL Sangita, Padma

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:

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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.

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

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.

With the passing of Rick King, we believe that one of the best ways to honor him would be the “participation” of every club in the district contest. This could take the form of any (or all) of the following:

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.

The DYSC Sponsorship Program has begun to accumulate funds in a restricted account in the District 5170 Charitable Foundation. This enables the commitment to higher prize levels at the beginning of the Rotary year, prior to the collection of sponsor funds for that year. As “excess” funds are collected, budgets will be proposed to provide more support for leading prizes, as well as support for clubs that have not been able to fund their own contests in the past.

Participation:

In the fall, Club Presidents and Youth Service Chairs will receive a request for their Club Speech Contest information to which they must respond to participate. (CLICK HERE to commit to a Club Contest.) Finally, with regard to the “joint” Area and Regional Speech Contests, as plans are finalized with the Areas and Clubs in early 2026, the information will be updated in Key Dates.

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.

Select an Area of Focus (AOF)	Guidelines for Global Grant Funding	Pre-Submission Analysis Worksheets
Basic Education and Literacy	*	*
Community Economic Development	*	*
Disease Prevention & Treatment	*	*
Maternal and Child Health	*	*
Peace-building and Conflict Prevention	*	*
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene	*	*
Environment	*	*

2026-27	2025-26	2024-25	2023-24	2022-23	2021-22
2020-21	2019-20	2018-19	2017-18	2016-17	2015-16

2026-27	2025-26	2024-25	2023-24	2022-23	2021-22
2020-21	2019-20	2018-19	2017-18	2016-17	2015-16

District Committees

District Membership Committee

District 5170 Membership Committee

Annual Giving Committee

Area Governors

District 5170 Area Governor

Ave of Service Chairs

Club Public Image Chairs

DDF Marketplace

DG Message

District 5170 Foundation Leadership

District Climate Action Committee

District 5170 Climate Action Committee

District Club Service Committee

District Club Service Committee

What is Club Service?

District Committee Chairs

District Community Service Committee

District 5170 Community Service Committee

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

Overview

District Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

District 5170 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

District Governance Committee

District 5170 Governance Committee

District Governor

Geeta Kadambi

Fremont Bridge

District Governor Elect

John Flanikan

Santa Cruz Sunrise

District Governor Nominee

Kamal Della

Dublin

District Grant Committee

District Grants

District Interact Committee

District International Service Committee

District 5170 International Service Inaugural Meeting

District Leadership & Learning Committee

District 5170 Leadership and Learning Committee

District Leadership Team

District Lt Governors

District 5170 Lieutenant Governor

District Paul Harris Society

The Paul Harris Society

District Polio Plus

District Public Image Committee

District 5170 Public Image Committee

District Regions

District RISE Leadership Program

District 5170 RISE Leadership Program

District Speech Contest Committee

District Strategic Planning Committee

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

District Technology Committee

District The Rotary Foundation (TRF)

District Triple Crown

District Vocational Service Committe

District 5170 Vocational Service Committee

What is Club Vocational Service?

District Youth Protection

District Youth Service Committee

District Youth Service Committee

Global Grants

Grants Training Courses

Resources for District and Global Grants

Resources for District and Global Grants

Scholar Grants