Posted on behalf of iPDG Nelson Maler:
My fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and Friends and Alumni of Rotary,
As the 2024–2025 Rotary year comes to a close, our passion, purpose, and unwavering drive to make the world a better place remain strong—perhaps stronger than ever.
Throughout this past Rotary year, so many of you stepped up, embraced challenges, and overcame daunting tasks—all in the name of Rotary. You gave of your time, talents, energy, and yes, your treasure. What more could any District Governor ask of their District membership?
While some final reports and contributions sent before the end of June are still being processed, our preliminary results are incredibly strong.
Foundation Giving
- Annual Fund Contributions: Nearly $500,000
- PolioPlus Contributions: $155,000 + $25,000 from the District = $180,000
- Matched by the Gates Foundation: $540,000
- Other Funds & Endowment: Nearly $385,000
- Total Contributions: Over $1 million — an incredible milestone
- Promised Bequests: Over $500,000
- Total Contributions & Bequests: Over $1.5 million
- Peace Builder District: A $25,000 donation supported Peace Scholars, reaffirming our status
Together with 14 other districts in Zone 27, we ranked:
- 8th in the world for Annual Fund giving
- 4th in the world for Endowment giving
- 1st in the world for PolioPlus giving
Membership
We began the year with 2,704 Rotarians and ended with approximately 2,623. Membership remains a top priority if we are to sustain Rotary’s legacy and impact in our communities.
Grants
- District Grants: Approximately $225,000, primarily benefiting communities within District 5110
- Projects included:
- A new skate park in Lakeview
- Operation Warm in Redmond
- Shoes That Fit in the Rogue Valley
- Numerous literacy and food security projects
- RYLA scholarships
- Projects included:
- Global Grants: Over $500,000 funded or in progress
- Total Grants (District + Global): $725,000
Fundraising
- Klamath County Club: Raised nearly $1.4 million through a live auction
- Other Clubs: Several raised nearly $100,000 each—even with as few as 15 members
- Proof that small clubs can make a big difference
Service Projects
Our clubs have been deeply involved in hands-on service—from painting bathrooms and installing smoke alarms to food bank work and countless community-driven initiatives. Your collective efforts reflect an incredible responsiveness to local needs.
Public Image & Communication
This year, our District’s website and social media channels were revitalized, providing a vibrant and professional public face for who we are and what we do.
Training & Leadership Development
We placed strong emphasis on training at all levels:
- District Governor Line and Assistant Governors
- Three Rotary Leadership Institutes
- Club Learning Assembly
- Quarterly grant meetings
- PELS (President-Elect Leadership Seminar)
We also utilized Rotary International’s updated online training platform and hosted Zoom sessions on:
- Membership strategies
- Website navigation
- Managing challenging conversations
Thank you to all who supported these important initiatives.
Administration & Finances
Special thanks to:
- District Treasurer: Kim Meyers
- District Secretary: Nikki Willis
Our records, reports, and financials are in excellent shape.
We adopted a net-zero budget, ensuring the District would not spend more than it brought in. After extensive discussion and years without changes, we increased the annual Rotarian fee by $10. I’m proud to report we still came in under budget, preserving strong reserve levels.
To support club participation in PELS, the District reimbursed up to $500 for each President-Elect who attended. Fifty-five clubs utilized this support, making vital training more accessible—especially for smaller clubs.
Youth Services
This area grew stronger and remained well-managed in terms of risk:
- Rotary Youth Exchange: Continues to build bridges of cultural understanding
- RYLA: Nearly 100 students attended
- Four-Way Speech Contest: Drew top-tier speakers
- Interact: Several new clubs launched
- Rotaract: Clubs are more vibrant and connected within the District
Our youth programs show our future is bright.
Strategic Goals
Rotary International challenged clubs to align their work with four strategic priorities:
- Increase Our Impact
- Expand Our Reach
- Enhance Participant Engagement
- Increase Our Ability to Adapt
Each club set up to 26 goals in alignment with these themes. I’m proud to report that nearly every club in our District achieved at least 13 goals, earning them recognition as Clubs of Excellence from Rotary International. This success belongs to our club presidents, Assistant Governors, and every dedicated club member.
District Conference
The Four Clubs of Josephine County and the District Conference Chair Tim Quinlan and his team hosted the District Conference in Grants Pass highlighting the areas and institutions these clubs have supported over the decades at three different venues. This was a celebration and gathering of 309 Attendees from 42 Clubs. The event raised $25,000 in sponsorships and $5,000 in Grants.
Highlighting the event were superlative speakers:
RI Director Dan Himelspach
RI President’s Representative Sean Sawyer
Susan Sygall, CEO and Co-Founder of Mobility International USA
Dr. Corey Peak, Senior Program Officer for Polio Modeling, The Gates Foundation
Dean Rohrs, Past RI Director, Past Ri Vice President, and Past TRF Trustee
RI Director-Elect Wyn Spiller
In Closing
As I reflect on my journey as your District Governor, I will always cherish the friendships made, the deeper appreciation for each club’s service, and the profound impact we have—on our communities and on one another.
Thank you for making a difference in so many powerful ways. We should all be proud to be part of Rotary, proud to be part of District 5110, and proud to be living proof of The Magic of Rotary.
Yours in Rotary Service and Spirit, Nelson!
Nelson R. Maler, District Governor 2024–2025
With heartfelt thanks to my partner, Mona Hartman
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