Club News 2021-22 | District 5495

Welcome to District 5495 Club News

Rotary Club of Flagstaff makes plans for annual charity golf tournament

The Rotary Club of Flagstaff and the Northern Arizona Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance (NAZADA) invite you to be part of this year's Charity Golf Event.

The event takes place Oct. 12 at Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club.

Whether you register a team, become a sponsor, purchase a tee sign, or donate a raffle or silent auction item, your participation directly supports programs that improve lives throughout Northern Arizona.

Get ready for a day of great golf, valuable networking, exciting prizes, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in our community!

Attached you'll find the Tournament Registration flier with everything you need to get involved, including:

Golfer and team registration
Corporate sponsorship opportunities
Tee sponsorships

For the out-of-towners, the Comfort Inn Flagstaff, 2480 E. Lucky Lane & I40, (928) 774-9157, has special rates for Sunday, October 11th.

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your business, connect with community leaders, and support two organizations dedicated to making a meaningful difference. Sponsorships and team registrations are available now, and we'd love to have you join us.

Reserve your spot today by returning the attached form or register online and help us make this year's tournament our biggest and most impactful event yet!

Sedona/Verde Valley Rotary Clubs support local food pantries

As part of the America 250 Arizona celebration, Rotary District 5495 invited every club to participate in the Collect a TON of Food Challenge during the week of July 13–17, 2026.

All four Sedona/Verde Valley clubs participated and donated food to their local food banks.

According to Rotary Club of Sedona President Haymar Brittton, his club on July 14 collected and donated 152 pounds of food to the Sedona Food Bank.

Scottsdale Rotary Clubs unite for local book drive

In their first-ever multi-club collaboration, the Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club, The Rotary Club of Scottsdale, and the Scottsdale North Rotary Club have joined forces on a book drive to benefit the Emily Center Book Cart at Phoenix Children's Hospital, which distributes 400–600 books to hospitalized children and young adults each month.

If your club would like to join the effort contact: jangray2019@gmail.com

Rotary Club of Sedona Village names Rotarians and Business of the Year

Village Rotary President Elect Will Trezise, Rotary District Governor Joe Sweeney,
Rotarian of the Year & Outgoing President Carol Hess.

The Rotary Club of Sedona Village celebrated a successful 2025-26 Rotary year and installed new leadership at its recent recognition event. Outgoing President Carol Hess was honored as Rotarian of the Year for her outstanding leadership, which drove membership growth and delivered impactful activities in youth development, veterans’ recognition, and community garden involvement.

The club welcomed Will Trezise as its new president for the 2026-27 Rotary year. Both Hess and Trezise received special recognition from Rotary District 5495 Governor Joe Sweeney for their service and commitment to Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self.”

The club awarded Bierman Contracting Company as Village Rotary Business of the Year. This family-owned business, headed by contractor Dave Bierman, specializes in commercial and residential construction. Dave and Anne Bierman have supported Rotary projects, opened their home for Rotary events and enthusiastically hosted two exchange students with a third on the way.

Alix Schaefer and Heather Isom were named Honorary Members of the Rotary Club of Sedona Village. Alix Schaefer, together with her husband Rob, was recognized for their generous joint gift of a designated fund to support the club’s future projects and operations. Heather Isom was honored for her wonderful leadership as principal of Sedona Red Rock High School and her multi-year support of Rotary youth programs.

Special recognition was given to Mark and Roni Cowell with the bestowal of a Paul Harris Medallion. The Cowell’s have provided numerous scholarships to students attending leadership camps, most notably RYLA and the Sister Cities International Leadership Summit in Washington, DC.

Who can join the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes and why?

Note: The following column was written by Dr. Honora Norton, Public Image Chair for the Rotary Club of Sun Lake, to promote Rotary in her community (Chandler/Sun Lakes). We are re-printing it here to encourage all our clubs in the district to consider sharing a similar column specific to their club with their local media outlets.

By Dr. Honora Norton
Public Image Chair, Rotary Club of Sun Lakes

My father was Rotarian. In 2002, after moving to Scottsdale from Wisconsin, I joined Rotary Club of Scottsdale. That membership resulted in genuine friendships, grew my personal and non-profit support network, and allowed me to give back through humanitarian service projects – i.e. I distributed polio immunization drops in Hermosillo Mexico barrios. Those benefits increased after moving to Gilbert’s East Valley and joining Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL). RCSL provided me with a unique mix of impact connections through its educational, veteran services and community service projects, and allows me to share my communication skills as RCSL’s Public Image Director.

Rotary International is a global humanitarian service organization made up of over 1.2 million community leaders. Founded in Chicago in 1905, its primary mission is to bring people together to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world peace and goodwill. Of the over 46,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide, RCSL is one of 135 across Arizona and the third largest in the Phoenix Valley.

Go to RCSL’s website (www.sunlakesrotary.com) to find location and times of upcoming RCSL meetings. You are welcome to join the group at any of its gatherings. If you want to check out other Rotary Clubs in the Valley – Google “Rotary International Club Finder.”

If you do not already know an RCSL Rotarian, someone at the first meeting you attend will partner up with you to sponsor and mentor your rotary membership. Or contact RCSL’s Membership Chair Dee (Donna) Cox to introduce yourself (206-372-1806/ dee@@wscon.com).

Things to consider when joining a Rotary Club:

Time Commitment – membership requires attendance at regular meetings, committee meetings and club/service events that support your interests.
Financial Obligations – there are quarterly and annual dues (RCSL has one of the most reasonable priced dues and meal costs in the valley) and expectations to contribute to Rotary Foundation and as able RCSL fundraisers and events.
Students and younger adults can join parallel groups like Rotary’s Interact or Rotaract clubs – contact Dee for further information.

Check out: www.sunlakesrotary.com and www.rotary.org

Rotary Club of Sun Lakes names PDG Gary Whiting Rotarian of the Month

Submitted by Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) is honored to name Gary Whiting May 2026 Rotarian of the Month.

Gary led RCSL’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. Gary joined Rotary in June 1967, RCSL in February 1995, and has served as 2000-02 RCSL President, 2004-05 Rotary International (RI) District 5510 Governor, served on RI District and Region Committees, is a RI Paul Harris Fellow +8, and is past Board President of Sun Lakes Foundation 2000.

Gary is lead liaison with Gila River and Navajo nation schools for dictionaries, Navajo water project, and other community service projects. He is RCSL’s backup webmaster and is originator of RCSL’s Facebook page. Gary recently sponsored new members Ben and Dona Mae Eubank as RCSL members. For over 22 years, Gary has delivered dictionaries to Chandler Unified School District, Gila River, and Navajo 3rd graders.

See http://www.sunlakesrotary.com

Photo: Gary Whiting has been delivering dictionaries to East Valley 3rd graders for over 22 years.

Sun Lakes Rotarian Don Robins earns prestigious AWIM Award

Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director

Per Jennifer Goforth, Executive Advisor/former General Motors Executive Director, RCSL member and Chandler resident Don Robins, accepted his AWIM (A World in Motion) Volunteer Recognition Award at the 28th Annual SAE (formerly Society of Automotive Engineers) Foundation Celebration held in Pontiac, Michigan.

Upon receiving the award Don, who joined Rotary Club of Sun Lakes in 2005, stated - "You can't imagine how great it was to work with those students."

Don joined SAE at the University of Illinois in the 1950s. Decades later Don helped build AWIM programs on Native American reservations, Canyon State Academy and Chandler Unified School District Schools, where eighth graders utilized STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), to design, build and race competitively gravity cruiser and jet toys!

Over the years, the AWIM programs Don led in Arizona have reached more than 50,000 students with support from SAE, ASU students and Rotarian volunteers who mentor students.

Verrado Rotary Foundation donates $100,000 to local food bank

The Verrado Rotary Club and the Verrado Rotary Foundation extend their deepest gratitude to every attendee, donor, and volunteer who helped make Gathering Buckeye III an extraordinary success. Your generosity, energy, and commitment transformed this event into something truly meaningful for our entire community.

Because of your support, we were honored to present a $100,000 check to All Faith Community Services Buckeye Food Bank. This contribution is far more than a number—it represents meals, stability, and hope for families who are facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

This gift will help the Buckeye Food Bank:

Provide thousands of additional meals to households struggling with food insecurity
Expand access to fresh, healthy food options for children, seniors, and vulnerable adults
Strengthen emergency support programs that keep families afloat during crises

Ensure that no one in our community has to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table

Your involvement—whether through time, talent, or financial support—directly improves the lives of those who need it most. Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate Buckeye, one act of service at a time.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this mission, and for making a lasting difference in our community.

If you have any questions about this event please contact the organizer for Verrado Rotary Foundation at doug.bredow@gmail.com

Rotary Club of Sun Lakes celebrates 40 years of community service

Rotary Club of Sun Lakes celebrated its 40th anniversary in high style at Sun Lakes Oakwood Country Club with one hundred attendees. Club President Ed Anderson welcomed everyone - members, guests, Rotary dignitaries, past RCSL Club presidents and Robson Publishing staff.

Linda Robson, Publisher of Sun Lakes Splash, gave a summary of the 40-year Splash/Source Book’s delivery collaboration with RCSL. President Ed presented Linda with an honorary RCSL membership badge.

The evening included at full agenda, in part included: The Hamilton High School Air Force ROTC presented flags. Past District Governor and Past RCSL President Gary Whiting introduced via video RI General Secretary/CEO – John Hewko. David Mork and Scott Faver presented selected RCSL member Heritage Project videos in which five members shared their RCSL experiences.

At the dinner, RCSL Rotarian and Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Frank Narducci received his Rotary International Paul Harris recognition certificate and pin in appreciation for his work (will be retiring soon) at CUSD and support of RCSL education programs and projects throughout his tenure at CUSD.

Visit www.sunlakesrotary.com