As we approach the close of another Rotary year on June 30, this month’s theme of Rotary Fellowships reminds us of the friendships, partnerships, and spirit of service that unite Rotarians across our district and throughout the world.
This Rotary year presented both challenges and opportunities for service. Early in the year, communities in the Texas Hill Country faced significant flooding, and Rotary clubs throughout District 5840 joined together to provide assistance and support where needed. The response demonstrated the compassion and commitment that define Rotary and our dedication to Service Above Self.
Beyond these challenges, our district experienced tremendous growth and achievement. We are proud to report more than a five percent increase in membership, due in large part to the formation of five new clubs: two traditional Rotary clubs, two satellite service clubs, and one new Rotaract club. In addition, we were honored to celebrate the 100th anniversaries of two clubs within our district — remarkable milestones that reflect a century of service and fellowship.
Our Foundation fundraising efforts also reached new heights this year. A successful district raffle and generous contributions from our members allowed us to provide multiple grants supporting impactful community service projects throughout District 5840. Many clubs joined together to host creative, fun, and highly successful PolioPlus fundraising events. These events not only raised critical funds to support Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio worldwide but also strengthened fellowship among our members and increased awareness of Rotary’s global impact.
This year’s District Conference in New Braunfels was exceptionally well attended and received high praise from participants. One of the highlights was an inspiring presentation by our own J.C. Clapsaddle regarding his continued humanitarian work in Ukraine and the Seeds of Hope project. It was my distinct honor to present J.C. with Rotary’s prestigious Service Above Self Award in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to others. We also experienced record participation in our leadership training sessions held during the conference.
Communication and leadership development continued to thrive this year. We had a record number of clubs contributing stories to our district newsletter, and our Rotary Leadership Institute remained a valuable and successful program for developing future Rotary leaders.
Our commitment to Youth Services also remained strong. Through our Youth Exchange, Interact, EarlyAct, Rotaract, and RYLA programs, young people were given opportunities to develop leadership skills, serve their communities, and experience different cultures. We are especially proud that the district selected three outstanding Global Scholars who will receive our support during the coming year as they pursue advanced studies and prepare to make a positive impact in communities around the world.
As this Rotary year comes to a close, it has truly been my honor and privilege to serve as your District Governor. Through my visits to clubs across District 5840, I have had the opportunity to meet so many dedicated Rotarians who work tirelessly to identify and address the needs of their communities. Your commitment to Service Above Self continues to inspire me and gives me great confidence in the future of Rotary.
No governor serves alone, and I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to several exceptional individuals who helped make this year a success. Monica Gutierrez, our District Foundation Chair, acted quickly to secure our initial funding from Rotary International in support of flood relief efforts following the devastating Hill Country floods. Kyle Emmons, working alongside DisasterAid USA, helped mobilize and coordinate critical boots-on-the-ground relief efforts during those challenging times.
I am grateful to Dan Clark, who provided outstanding leadership to our team of Assistant Governors as they served as my direct connection to our clubs throughout the district. John Wall stepped into the role of District Treasurer and performed admirably, ensuring our financial operations remained strong and transparent. Pam Blankenzee was instrumental in helping communicate district initiatives and messages to our members, ensuring that information was shared effectively and consistently.
I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to my home club, the San Antonio North Central Rotary Club, for nominating me, supporting me throughout the years, and serving as a shining example of what a vibrant and engaged Rotary club can be.
Finally, I could not have fulfilled the responsibilities of this office without the extraordinary support of Christine Tovar, my Chief of Staff; Jan King, our District Secretary; and Carole Hardy, my wife. Their dedication, wisdom, encouragement, and positive attitudes were invaluable as we faced every challenge and opportunity together. Their unwavering support made this journey not only successful but deeply rewarding.
Thank you for allowing me to serve. Together, we truly lived Rotary’s theme of Unite for Good, and I am excited to see our district continue to Create Lasting Impact in the year ahead.