One of my favorite activities with my great-nieces and nephews is reading to them. Luckily, they all love it too. One of my most cherished possessions for years was a ratty felt “medal” I received in first grade for reading 30 books during the first half of the year.
As an avid reader, literacy is particularly dear to my heart. According to Rotary International, more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.
We Rotarians are working to change those numbers. A majority of clubs in our district sponsor literacy projects, with a large number supporting Imagination Library. Other ways our clubs support literacy is through stocking libraries, reading with children, participating in tutoring programs, donating school supplies, integrating technology into classrooms, the list is endless.
These projects plant seeds that will nourish generations. Every book donated, every student tutored, every scholarship awarded impacts not just the recipient but, in the moment, changes that person’s destiny.
In addition to your literacy efforts this month as part of Basic Education and Literacy Month, remember to register for the District Conference on October 11 where you will be able to make connections with other Rotarians in our district and leave feeling invigorated.
REGISTER NOW - 2025 DISTRICT CONFERENCE
BUILDING STRONGER CONNECTIONS | FUELING IMPACT
Saturday, October 11 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
EPIC Campus, 190 E. Littleton Blvd, Littleton 80121
REGISTER NOW- only $50 per person/$10 Rotaract & Interact
The conference is designed to help attendees Unite for Good as they connect and form relationships with members across the district. This will be a high-energy event with two amazing keynote speakers, breakout sessions designed to expose you to new ideas, the House of Friendship featuring club projects as well as Rotarian-owned businesses, breakfast, lunch, and a mocktail reception. We are also bringing back the flag ceremony with our inbound Youth Exchange students and District Awards. House of Friendship registration is also open.
THE DISTRICT IS HERE FOR YOU
RISE: FUNDAMENTALS - SERVANT LEADERSHIP TRAINING REGISTRATION is NOW OPEN for the Fall 2025 session of RISE: Fundamentals beginning Sept. 20 - developing the Servant Leader, the foundational skill necessary to lead volunteer = members. This training occurs over 6 sessions. Attendance at all sessions is expected - the first and last sessions are in-person at Front Range Community College in Westminster and the other four are via Zoom. Click Here to learn more!
BELONGING BEFORE JOINING Instead of asking people to "join first and experience later," flip the sequence-let them experience Rotary in meaningful ways before they're asked to commit. This creates a welcoming path, builds authentic connections, and helps prospective members see themselves as part of the club. Engagement before Membership
The keynote speakers include award winning author Charles Fishman, Gates Foundation Deputy director Najib Bateganya, Peter Gleick from the Pacific Institute, and entertainment from United Nations Leader AY Young. This is complemented by a strong group of speakers for the four breakout sessions. This Rotary event is an opportunity to learn about WASH systems and projects while connecting with internationally recognized WASH leaders.
YOUTH EXCHANGE NEEDS YOUR HELP - do you know of a building/campus/space that can accommodate 70 people for Outbound Exchange Student Interview Weekend the weekend of November 15-16? All options are welcome for consideration! If you think you might have a space in mind, CLICK HERE to read the full description and how to contact Tim Taravella, District Youth Exchange Chair, so that he can follow-up.
Alzheimer/Dementia Rotary Action Group (ADRAG) - We are looking for someone to step up and start building a relationship between the Alzheimer/Dementia Rotary Action Group (ADRAG) and our District. The expectations of this position are to become certified through ADRAG and then start recruiting Alzheimer/Dementia Club Champions within our District. If this is something you have an interest in, please contact Skip Arms, Assistant Governor for Area 2 and he will provide more information and direction for this position.
ROSE BOWL PARADE 2026 - The first time I went to the Rose Parade was January 1, 1980. We had wonderful bleacher seating and the smell of the roses was incredible! It was my dream come true.
Our life became a whirlwind before there was time to once again see the parade. Our club president went to the Rotary convention and saw a Rose Parade booth. She inquired and brought a card back for me. Who knew that Rotary had a float in the best parade existing? I have since decorated the float numerous times. Another dream come true.
PLEASE consider joining other Rotarians from District 5450 for the Rose Parade with a travel package that arranges everything. We can decorate, see the band show, or horse show, see some of LA, attend the parade AND do it all with fellow Rotarians. Can you imagine a whole busload of just Rotarians. Talk about opportunity! Plus, our District Governor will be joining. Sign up here: https://www.ebsports.com/rotary2026/
I sincerely hope to see you there!!! Call or text Karlyn McCrumb, Littleton Rotary Club, at (303) 250-3620.
OUTBOUND YOUTH EXCHANGE SUTDENTS WANTED!All clubs are encouraged to recruit high school applicants to become Rotary International Exchange Students. This opportunity is open to ALL clubs and any qualified student in our District - Rotary relatives and general public. CLICK HERE to read more.
MARKETING IN A BOX - the District has FREE marketing materials that your club can use at your next event to educate the public about Rotary, including a pop-up tent, printed brochures, a table banner and more! CLICK HERE for more information!
FOLLOW THE DISTRICT ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!
Follow the District's Facebook page to get up-to-date news and information about interesting things happening in our District and in Rotary around the world. Please follow us:https://www.facebook.com/District5450Rotary/
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Rotary Satellite Club of Castle Pines volunteered at the Food Bank of Project WorthMore, a Refugee Services Center in the East Colfax area of Denver/Aurora. Project WorthMore provides a broad array of services to Refugees, including medical and dental services, English lessons, Basic help on how to get by in the US and much more! Check out their website.Steve Baroch would be happy to assist in putting you together with Project WorthMore for individual or group volunteer programs.
Make sure to check out the CLUB EVENTS page and see all of the events happening around the District.
Post your story on your club's website or Facebook page and then send the link to office@rotary5450.org.Doing so will give your club more exposure - readers will see the story on your club's site, which will let them know more about your club and members.
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
District 5450 – Paul Harris Fellow Matching Program
District 5450 has launched an exciting new opportunity for Rotarians who have not yet become a Paul Harris Fellow! To help you reach this milestone, the District will provide a one-to-one match of your money and District points. This means you’ll be able to achieve Paul Harris Fellow Level One faster and with extra support from the District.
If you’d like to take advantage of this program, please reach out to me directly—I’ll walk you through the steps and help you get signed up! foundation@rotary.org
Plan Now for World Polio Day
If you haven’t already, now is the time to begin planning for World Polio Day. Consider ways your club can:
- Educate your community about polio and Rotary’s efforts to End Polio. - Advocate for polio survivors. - Fundraise for PolioPlus.
Rotary International is committed to raising US $50 million annually, and the Gates Foundation continues to match every dollar two to one, resulting in $150 million each year to eradicate polio from the last corners of the world.
Today, more than 20 million people are alive and walking who otherwise would have been paralyzed without the availability of the polio vaccine. Together, we can make polio only the second human infectious disease to be eradicated.
Fundraising Goals - Rotary recommends that each club contribute at least $1,500 per year to PolioPlus. - Smaller clubs might set a goal of $30–$40 per member. - All donations to PolioPlus count dollar for dollar toward Paul Harris Fellow recognition. - Contributions can be made not only through gifts but also through bequests and other assets.
Ways to Get Involved
Two programs encourage donations to PolioPlus:
- PolioPlus Society - PolioPlus Society Kennel Klub
The District PolioPlus Committee is here to help with ideas, resources, and speakers—whether from the District’s own speaker’s bureau or polio survivors who are willing to share their story.
