November — We Have the Magic Right in Front of Us!
Well, here we are, already one-third of the way through our Rotary year! And what have I been noticing as I've been out visiting clubs?
Big ideas, big impact, and Rotarians rolling up their sleeves to make a difference! The size of a club certainly doesn't determine the size of its projects. I've seen small clubs doing remarkable things, clubs collaborating, and people coming up with all sorts of creative ways to serve their communities.
But something else keeps coming up.
No matter where I go, I'm hearing many of the same questions. How do we grow our clubs? How do we get members more engaged? Where are our next leaders coming from? How do we keep Rotary relevant?
Everyone seems to be looking for that magic answer!
Remember Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz? She went on quite an adventure looking for something she had the power to find all along. All she had to do was click those ruby slippers together!
Well, maybe we Rotarians need to click our heels a little, too!
What if some of the magic we're searching for is already right in front of us?
We have nearly 2,500 Rotarians in our District. Think about that! All these accomplished, creative, resourceful people who share the same values and want to do good in the world.
And yet, how well do we really know one another?
What if the answer to something your club has been struggling with is already working beautifully at another club just down the road?
Why not pick up the phone and ask, "Hey, how did you do that?" Or better yet, go visit! See what they're doing. Ask what worked and what didn't. Invite them to come visit your club, too.
We do not lack doing in Rotary. Goodness, we're busy people! But are we missing opportunities because we don't know what our fellow Rotarians are doing?
And Speaking of Our Fellow Rotarians...
As we head into this season of Thanksgiving, I've been thinking about all the Rotarians who quietly give their time, talents, and expertise to help the rest of us.
Have you visited our refreshed District website, www.rotary5450.org, lately?
You'll find speakers, training, service opportunities, club and cultural events, and all sorts of ways to get involved.
But here's what I really want you to know.
Behind those links are Rotarians volunteering their time and expertise, sharing what they know, and helping our clubs succeed.
Rotarians willing to answer your questions, share an idea, help you get started, or connect you with someone who can.
To our District committee chairs, trainers, Assistant Governors, event organizers, and all the volunteers who give so generously of themselves, THANK YOU! Your commitment to Rotary and to our local clubs is something I am truly grateful for.
And here's where I need YOUR help!
Clubs, please share your service projects, social gatherings, and cultural events with us so we can post them on the District website!
Having a fundraiser? A fun social evening? A hands-on service project where a few extra pairs of hands would be welcome? Let us know!
Send your upcoming activities to office@rotary5450.org so we can spread the word and give fellow Rotarians a chance to join in the fun!
We can't share what we don't know about!
Imagine the possibilities if we knew what everyone was up to!
How Big Could Your Rotary World Become?
One of the greatest gifts I've received these past few months has been getting to know so many of you. Hearing your stories, seeing your projects, meeting your fellow club members, and sharing a laugh or two.
My life is richer because of it.
And I keep thinking, why should I be the only one having all this fun?
What if you decided to visit five other Rotary clubs this year? Or ten? Or more?
Go to their social events. Join them on a service project. Attend a meeting just because you're curious. Think of the people you'd meet, the friendships you'd make, the ideas you'd bring home!
Our Rotary world can be so much bigger than our own club. And the wonderful thing is, we don't have to travel halfway around the world to discover it. Sometimes it's just across town.
And here's something I'd really like to hear from you.
How can our District help YOU experience more of Rotary?
What would make it easier, or more inviting, for you to get out and explore? More opportunities to connect? Shared club events? Something we haven't even thought of yet?
I'm listening! Send me your thoughts, ideas, and even your wild suggestions. I'd love to hear from you personally.
Speaking of getting out and meeting fellow Rotarians, our District Conference at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden is coming up!
Reach for the Stars — Bigger Vision, Greater Impact Together.
I want this to be more than a day of sitting and listening. It's an opportunity to get to know people from other clubs, discover what they're doing, share ideas, and maybe walk away with a new friend or two.
Who knows? The person you meet over lunch might just have the answer to something your club has been wrestling with. Or maybe you'll discover a project you'd love to be part of.
So come curious! Come ready to meet someone you don't know. And let's have some fun together!
I'll leave you with one little challenge for November.
Visit another club. Invite someone to yours. Or reach out to one of those District volunteers you've never met and see what you might learn from each other.
We have so much talent, so many opportunities, and so many wonderful people right here in our District.
Maybe we don't need to keep searching for the magic answer.
Maybe we just need to click our heels, open a few doors, and see what's waiting on the other side!
Let's EXPLORE ROTARY!
Cindy Chase District Governor 2026–2027 Rotary District 5450
2026 DISTRICT CONFERENCE
STARSHIP 5450 | REACH FOR THE STARS
Saturday, December 5 | 8:30 am to 5:00 pm 2026 District Conference - REGISTER NOW! Colorado School of Mines Green Center, Golden CO
Bigger Vision → Greater Impact → Together
Keynote Speaker: PR expert Erich Kirshner, Media Specialist at Colorado School of Mines, explores how public relations, social media and AI can help Rotary clubs tell their stories, reach new audiences and grow.
THE DISTRICT IS HERE FOR YOU
CHECK OUT THE NEW HOME PAGE - SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE & EVERY CLUB
Coming soon, "The Global Grants Marketplace" which will provide a one-stop showcase on the district website that will list all district originated global grants seeking funding. Arranged in a format similar to the Speakers Database, the GG Marketplace will show the following information:
District 5450 club name and GG #.
Club approved cash, total cash required, total funding goal
Host club, country
TRF area of focus
Brief description of project
Help Us Share the Impact of District 5450! Join the District Marketing, PR, Promotions and Public Image Committee and help shine a light on the incredible people and projects throughout our district. This is a fun, low-time-commitment opportunity to use your ideas or skills to make a meaningful impact. And we invite you to contribute in the ways that work best for you. For more information, please contact Mindy Hanson. RotaryMindy@Rotary5450.org or 303-870-1321
JOIN OUR FIRST ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE TO SLOVENIA | May 30 – June 6, 2027 ** Space for 6 District 5450 Rotarians (family members welcome) Click Here for full details.
District 5450 is heading to Slovenia! Our first Rotary Friendship Exchange with our Intercountry Committee (ICC) partner country will develop lasting friendship with Slovenian Rotarians in District 1912 with homestays, planned project discussions, and sightseeing in beautiful Slovenia.
ROTARY CONVENTION JUNE 26-30, 2027: BARCELONA, SPAIN at the Fira de Barcelona | Registration is now open. Additional convention information can be found on the Rotary Convention website. You might consider looking at hotel rooms/Airbnb's now before rates go up!
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Send your club stories about completed projects, community impact and honoring your members to office@rotary5450.org to be included in the newsletter.
