Another Rotary year around the sun... and yes, another new District Governor!
Hello, friends!
I'm Cindy Chase from the Denver Cherry Creek Rotary Club, and I am absolutely honored to serve as your District Governor this year.
I've just returned home from the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, and I'll admit...I'm feeling a little like Dorothy.
There's no place like home.
Taipei was extraordinary. Thousands of Rotarians from around the world gathered together, sharing ideas, laughter, cultures, and a common belief that we can leave this world better than we found it. You couldn't help but feel hopeful. The energy was contagious, and my heart is still full.
But here's what surprised me. After traveling halfway around the world, what I came home with wasn't just new ideas—it was a renewed appreciation for what we already have right here.
You.
Our clubs. Our communities. Our friendships. Our willingness to jump in, lend a hand, and say, “How can I help?”
Sometimes we have to travel a long way to see what's been in front of us all along. That's why my theme for this Rotary year is Explore Rotary.
Not because Rotary is new—but because our perspective can be.
Maybe exploring Rotary means discovering one of Rotary's seven Areas of Focus that you've never really considered before. Maybe it's finding a project that tugs at your heart in a whole new way.
Maybe it's exploring one of the incredible opportunities our District offers—RISE Leadership, Toastmasters, Business Networking, the Alzheimer's Rotary Action Group, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee, Friendship Exchange, Youth Programs, or something you've been meaning to check out for years.
Maybe it's as simple as visiting another club. Honestly, that's one of my favorite ideas.
Walk into another Rotary meeting. Show up at another club's service project. Join them for a social. You'll discover that while every club has its own personality, they're all filled with the same generous, welcoming, slightly crazy people who believe that service really can change lives. I promise you'll leave with a few new friends—and probably those wonderful Rotary warm fuzzies.
As your District Governor, I'll be focusing on three priorities this year:
Supercharging our dynamic Youth Programs
Igniting collaboration among clubs through service and fellowship
Maximizing our local impact through meaningful service
Those are my priorities.
My hope is that our priority is even bigger—to stay curious. To say yes a little more often.
To meet someone new.
To try something different.
To discover that Rotary still has surprises waiting for every one of us, no matter how many years we've been members.
I can't wait to explore this journey with you.
Please share your ideas, your wisdom, your imagination, and your heart. Together, we'll make this a year filled with friendship, laughter, discovery, and service that truly matters.
And as the song goes...
Happy trails to you...
Let's go explore.
THE DISTRICT IS HERE FOR YOU
SHELTERBOX VENEZUELA APPEAL - two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes struck Venezuela’s northern coast within minutes of each other, leaving communities, including the largest population centers, devastated. Thousands of people have lost their lives, tens of thousands have been injured, and hundreds of thousands of families are expected to need emergency shelter and essential household items. A state of emergency has been declared as rescue efforts continue.
ShelterBox is responding alongside our local partner, CADENA. Together, we are conducting rapid assessments to identify the greatest shelter needs and prepare emergency shelter and essential aid for families affected by the earthquakes. We have extensive experience supporting families after major earthquakes. Your support makes this possible. ShelterBox relies on the generosity of Rotarians as well as private donors to deliver life-saving aid wherever disaster strikes. Please remember that no donation is too small, every single donation will provide desperately needed aid.
Rotary District 5450 is partnering with The HungreeAppto help connect surplus food and resources with nearby neighbors in need. Service Above Self can begin with a single shared meal. Through the website RotaryD5450Cares, Rotarians have an opportunity to help strengthen communities, reduce waste, and expand access to food by supporting a platform that is attracting attention from cities, universities, and global organizations.
EXPANDING GLOBAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH NEW ROTARY INTERCOUNTRY COMMITTEES - District 5450 is proud to become a U.S. charter partner in Rotary International's new USA–Slovenia–North Macedonia Intercountry Committee (ICC). Intercountry Committees are Rotary-sponsored partnerships between districts in different countries that promote international understanding, friendship, cultural exchange, and collaborative service projects. Every club and Rotarian in District 5450 can participate in the ICC activities. Joan Tilden, District 5450 Lieutenant Governor, has been appointed as the District's ICC liaison. She will coordinate our district’s ICCs and will help interested clubs connect with these exciting international partnerships through shared projects and friendship exchanges. CLICK HERE to read the full story.
ROTARY CONVENTION JUNE 26-30, 2027: BARCELONA, SPAIN at the Fira de Barcelona | Registration will open Fall 2026 - you can sign up to receive email updateson the opening date of registration, how to register, and special promotion rates. 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!
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
A New Rotary Year Begins - Thank you for an Extraordinary Year
Dear Rotary Friends,
As we begin a new Rotary year, I want to take a moment to thank every Rotarian in District 5450 for your generosity, your commitment, and your belief in Service Above Self.
Because of you, our Foundation had an outstanding year. Together, we demonstrated that when Rotarians unite behind a common purpose, we truly change lives.
A Year Worth Celebrating Your generosity helped District 5450 achieve remarkable results during the 2025–2026 Rotary year:
$794,426 contributed to The Rotary Foundation across all giving programs.
$517,298 contributed to the Annual Fund, exceeding our goal by 123%.
Annual Fund giving reached $216.62 per member, one of the strongest performances in recent years.
$234,453 contributed to PolioPlus, surpassing our goal by an incredible 179% and helping Rotary move closer to a polio-free world.
362 new Paul Harris Fellows were recognized for their commitment to Doing Good in the World.
Our district now celebrates 310 Paul Harris Society members, 28 Major Donors, and an Endowment Fund with a market value of more than $4.38 million, ensuring Rotary's work will continue for generations to come.
These numbers represent far more than dollars. They represent children receiving lifesaving vaccines, families gaining access to clean water, students earning scholarships, communities becoming healthier, and humanitarian projects that improve lives across the globe.
Every gift—large or small—made a difference.
Looking Ahead A new Rotary year offers new opportunities to build on this momentum.
Imagine what we can accomplish if every Rotarian invites one more member to become a Foundation supporter, celebrates another Paul Harris Fellow in their club, or increases their Annual Fund contribution by just a little.
Together, we can expand our district's impact, strengthen our Foundation, and continue making District 5450 a leader throughout Rotary.
Thank You Serving as your District Foundation Chair is both an honor and a privilege. I am continually inspired by the generosity, compassion, and leadership I see throughout our district.
Thank you for making the past year such a tremendous success. I look forward to celebrating even more milestones with you as we begin this exciting new Rotary year.
Together, we will continue to Do Good in the World.
Rotary District 5450 is partnering with 
