As we prepare to close out the 2024–2025 Rotary year and set our sights on the future of Rotary in our remarkable District and fantastic Clubs, I want to pause to express my deepest gratitude—and then get ready to giddy up for the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary!
What an incredible year it has been! Congratulations to the 2024–2025 class of Club Presidents who led our 57 Rotary Clubs with passion and purpose. One of the greatest honors of my District Governor term has been visiting each club and connecting with so many inspiring Rotarians.
To every member: witnessing your commitment to service and learning about the projects you’ve led—both locally and globally—has filled my heart. You have built bridges across cultures, extended hands in friendship, and rolled up your sleeves to champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, feed the hungry, protect our environment, provide clean water and sanitation, and combat disease. The heart of Rotary is its members, and today I believe that more deeply than ever.
To our amazing District leadership team—thank you. Each of you said “yes” when called upon and brought your time, talent, and heart to the table. For many of us, this was a year of firsts. We learned together, laughed often, shed a few tears, and saw Rotary from new perspectives. Your energy, dedication, and teamwork made a huge difference, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. I leave this role knowing that we’ve strengthened our District’s footing and our future.
Serving as your District Governor has been an honor of a lifetime. Thank you for your support, your trust, and the opportunity to experience Rotary in such a profound way. The past year has opened doors and expanded my knowledge of the impact of our incredible organization. For well over one hundred years, Rotary has provided so much. We are needed in the world now more than ever—and I know that Rotary will continue to be a vital force for good.
Here’s to the Magic of Rotary!
Yours in Rotary Friendship & Service,
DG Tamie
JUNE 7th - DISTRICT LEARNING ASSEMBLY
The District Learning Assemblyis back! This is an opportunity to come together to share and collaborate for the upcoming 2025-2026 Rotary year. We hope to see you there!
Saturday, June 7th | Epic Campus, 190 E. Littleton Blvd, Littleton 80121
8:30 am - check in & continental breakfast
9:00 am to 12:00 pm - program/break-out sessions
THE DISTRICT IS HERE FOR YOU
ROSE BOWL PARADE 2026 - Registration is open (https://www.ebsports.com/rotary2026/) to attend the 2026 Rose Bowl Parade with other members of District 5450 for an unforgettable experience. Seeing the floats being decorated prior to the parade, attending the parade from Grandstand seats, and then viewing the floats up close after the parade are magical. There are two options - 4 nights and 5 nights and activity options to choose from on different days. Everyone will attend the parade, the highlight of the trip! If you choose to work on the Rotary International float, please note that the organizers require an 8-hour shift, and it is in a warehouse on hard concrete floors where it may be cold or hot depending on the weather outside. It is fun but requires stamina. If you have any questions, call or text Karlyn McCrumb, Littleton Rotary Club, at (303) 250-3620.
ROTARY COMPASS CLUB OF COLORADO – A New Membership Model for District 5450! Rotary is evolving, and so are the ways we engage. District 5450 is excited to introduce the Rotary Compass Club of Colorado—a new district-wide club model launching this spring. This innovative approach is designed to welcome former Rotarians, new prospects, and community leaders who seek a fresh, flexible way to connect with Rotary.
Why the Compass Club?This new model isn’t about competing with existing clubs—it’s about collaboration and ensuring that every Rotarian finds the right fit. While some members thrive in traditional clubs, others may prefer a more flexible, service-driven approach that adapts to their lifestyle. The Compass Club offers an opportunity to explore different District 5450 clubs, experience their unique cultures, and ultimately find a Rotary “forever” home.
How You Can Help:
✅ Be a Rotary Ambassador – Invite former Rotarians and new prospects to experience Rotary in a way that suits them.
✅ Partner with Us – Help guide interested individuals toward the best Rotary experience—whether that’s your club or this new model.
✅ Support the Launch – Share ideas, spread the word, and help shape the future of Rotary in District 5450.
Rotary’s strength lies in collaboration not competition. By working together, we can grow our club membership, expand our reach, innovate our approach, and ensure that everyone has a place within Rotary. Stay tuned for more details—we’re excited to embark on this journey with you! Contact Zig Berzins for more information.
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
Members of Castle Rock High Noon along with other Rotary Clubs in Durango and Glenwood Springs have been working for several years on projects on the Navajo Nation including water projects, providing emergency food supplies during Covid, providing dictionaries now to over 2000 children, supporting a book mobile and most recently supplying and installing solar panels to Navajo homes without power. One of our members, Denise Harris-Frazier and her husband Mike traveled in late April to do a Solar project. Twenty homes now have Solar lighting thanks to this Rotary Project! Photo: Members of the Solar Install Team from Colorado, Arizona and an exchange student from Germany installing solar.
The Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch planted our first Peace Pole honoring our own DG Tamie Fennel at the Sedalia Elementary School where members volunteer as Rotary Readers bi-weekly. This planting followed the Chicken Races!!
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.
🌟Foundation Update – June 2025
What a great year! I’ve truly enjoyed supporting our members and clubs — it’s been inspiring to see all you’ve accomplished.
✅ District Grants Training Complete!
We just wrapped up our Grants Training for 2025–2026, and the turnout was outstanding — 108 members attended, with all but seven clubs participating. A big thank you to Bonnie Thomas, Bob Kemp, and Bev Mendel for completely revamping the training this year! We’ve also implemented a new District Grants module to make applying easier for clubs.
📊Foundation Summary
District Grants
$115,434 DDF granted
42 grants awarded
59% international projects
41% local community projects
$438,486 total project impact
Global Grants (2024–2025)
18 Global Grants approved
$489,000 total funding impact:
$175,000 DDF
$185,000 from clubs
$129,000 from Rotary International
Endowment & Recognition
Endowed Funds Market Value: $3,778,631
Bequest Society Members: 217
Benefactors: 556
Major Donors: 352
💸Fundraising Highlights
We’ve met our goals for both PolioPlus and Annual Giving! Paul Harris Society we lead Zone 26-27 with 308 members!
If you haven’t made your contribution yet, please consider donating to the Annual Fund — your donation supports your Paul Harris Fellow recognition and helps fund future District and Global Grants (your gifts today return to the District in three years!).
🗓️Upcoming Training Opportunity
📅 District Assembly Date: Saturday, June 7 Location: Epic Campus, 190 East Littleton Blvd., Littleton, CO 80121
Join us for a day of connection and learning. You’ll be able to attend three breakout sessions from the sixteen various topics. REGISTER NOW!
As we prepare to close out the 2024–2025 Rotary year and set our sights on the future of Rotary in our remarkable District and fantastic Clubs, I want to pause to express my deepest gratitude—and then get ready to giddy up for the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary!
