Welcome to District 5495 News

Registration opens for Mexico-USA Friendship Conference 
 
This conference, now in its 25th year, is the ideal way for your club to get involved in a Rotary Foundation global grant. Open to all Rotary clubs and districts, you’ll have the chance to experience fellowship at its finest with clubs from Mexico and Arizona, plus we will work on getting global grants funded in this unique project-focused event.  
 
This year’s friendship conference will be held October 31 thru November 3 in Yuma, Arizona.
 
Registration is NOW open! Click HERE to register!
 
Clubs that wish to present global grant project proposals please send a brief project description and draft budget to your respective District Rotary Foundation Chair and cc PDG Kevin Pitts.
 
Questions can be directed to kpitts@stratoswp.com
 
Click HERE to view projects presented at the 2024 Mexico-USA Friendship Conference. 
 
Scan the QR code below for more information.
 
 
2025 Sponsor:
Mexico-USA Friendship Conference
& Global Grants Exchange
DG Message: Together We Thrive: A New Rotary Year Begins!
Dear Rotarians of District 5495,
 
Today marks the beginning of a new Rotary year — and with it, a powerful opportunity to lead with renewed energy, deeper unity, and bold purpose.
 
As your District Governor for 2025–2026, I am both humbled and energized by the chance to serve alongside you.
 
This year’s Rotary International theme, Unite for Good, resonates deeply with our District’s theme — Together We Thrive — which invites us to see with shared vision, serve with unity, and grow stronger together through three guiding pillars:
  • Together We See – With shared vision and a united direction, we elevate the impact of our clubs and our service.
  • Together We Do – Through collaboration and meaningful projects, we transform lives and build lasting partnerships.
  • Together We Thrive – As we innovate, grow, and strengthen our clubs, we inspire a new generation of Rotarians for life and deepen our own joy in service.
 
Our goal is to help every club grow stronger, more innovative, and more connected. Whether you’ve been a Rotarian for decades or are just starting out, your voice matters. Your service matters. And when we move together with shared purpose — we all thrive.
 
As part of this journey, we are embracing a 3-Year Rolling Goals initiative to ensure leadership continuity, innovation, and meaningful progress in every club. This year, we are also rallying around a bold goal: completing 250 service projects across our District to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States. It’s a powerful way to show who we are and what we stand for.
 
To our club presidents, assistant governors, committee chairs, and every single Rotarian: thank you. You are the heart of Rotary. You are the reason we can take on ambitious goals and see them through. Your leadership, passion, and kindness are what will carry us forward — together.
 
Let’s make this year unforgettable. Let’s lift others, grow ourselves, have fun, and build Rotary clubs our communities love. Let’s unite for good — and together, we thrive.
 
With gratitude and excitement,

Jim Schmidt
District Governor, Rotary District 5495
2025–2026
 
 
 
Installation celebration welcomes Jim Schmidt as our 2025-26 District Governor
 
District 5495 officially installed Jim Schmidt as our District Governor for 2025-26 during a celebration held June 14 in Mesa. Jim officially takes over on July 1, 2025.
 
Current District Governor Michelle Holcomb passed on the district's official governor trophy and Rotary Bell to Jim, as well as the official District Governor pin. In return, Jim gave Michelle the "boot" -- a district tradition whereby a cowboy boot is passed on to the outgoing governor.
 
The installation ceremony provided a fun look at Jim's history as told by his friends, fellow Rotarians and family. Jim is a member of The Rotary Club of Mesa West, the club with the distinction of having the most Past District Governors.
 
More photos from the event, taken by Wayne General, can be found here.
 
Following a delicious buffet dinner, District Governor Michelle Holcomb welcomed all the attendees to the Mesa Country Club.  She made it clear she really didn't want to give up the role of DG. In fact, there was a brief trial held to see if Jim Schmidt was fit to hold the office of District Governor.  PDG Jim Erickson was the presiding Judge, PDG David Simmer presented the case against Jim and Mesa West Rotary President-Elect, Kayla Mudge, successfully defended Jim.
 
Jim and Rosalyn's eight adult children were in attendance.  Four of their spouses and twelve of Jim and Rosalyn's grandchildren were also able to attend.  The younger children had spent the dinner hour in a different room, but the entire family made a grand entrance after the trial skit.  They were carrying blue and yellow balloons.  The Rotarians and guests attending the installation were invited to stand and for a few minutes they enjoyed batting balloons back and forth around the ballroom with the Schmidt family.
 
There were some special moments.  When Michelle turned the meeting over to Jim, they shared a warm hug.  Pam Cohen gave a beautiful bouquet to District 5495's new "first lady."  Claudia Dozier was one on of the backup singers when her husband, Mark Dozier, incoming President of Scottsdale North, sang a song he had put together for Jim.  Linda Sweeny was another backup singer.
 
Read more...
RLI Session 1 to be offered August 9 in Prescott
 
ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
SESSION I ONLY
SATURDAY, AUGUT 9, 2025
8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
At:       JOE AND LINDA SWEENEY’S HOME
188 E SMOKE TREE LANE
PRESCOTT, AZ 86301
 
COST:  $65.00 (Most Clubs will cover this cost)
Includes:
Continental Breakfast
Lunch
Study Materials
 
You can also register on the District website at: rotary5495.org, or contact Polly Cady at pcady@cadyfam.com
Tarnished Brass events salutes D5495 Past District Governors
 
District Governor-Elect Jim Schmidt hosted this year's "Tarnished Brass" celebration at his home May 17. The annual event brings together our district's past governors and celebrates their accomplishments and continued leadership. Visit the "Tarnished Brass" photo album by clicking here.
Dr. Francesco Arezzo appointed to serve as RI President in 2025-26
 
The Board of Directors of Rotary International announcd the appointment of Dr. Francesco Arezzo to serve as our RI President, beginning July 1, Francesco, a seasoned and respected international Rotary leader, is an orthodontist, with a private practice in the town of Raguso, on the southern tip of Italy.  
 
In the event of the resignation by an incoming RI President, which has happened with Mário César Martins de Camargo from Brazil. the RI Board is required to select a successor from the pool of presidential candidates which had been considered the year in which Mario was selected.to serve as President. 
 
Mario had cited a combination of health, family and business reasons which had necessitated his resignation.  The Board also announcd that Mario's key message, "Unite for Good," will be retained for the upcomng year.
 
Meet the President-Elect:  https://on.rotary.org/4lrfOJt
Three graduate from Rotary Leadership Institute May 31
 
District 5495 held its most recent Rotary Leadership Institute on Saturday, May 31 at Anthem Community Center in Anthem. All three classes were held, with District Governor Michelle Holcomb and RLI Chair Polly Cady presenting RLI certificates to three graduates.
Read more...
2025 Conference of Club Photos Available!
 
The 2025 District 5495 Conference of Clubs was held May 1-3 at the We-Ko-Pa Resort and Casino in Fountain Hills. District Governor Michelle Holcomb and District 5495 Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors celebrated our district's accomplishments over the 2024-25 year! Check out the excitement and download photos HERE.
 
Special thanks to our photographers -- Wayne General and Joe Zuccaro!
DG Michelle appears on Channel 12 to promote The Prom Closet
 
District Governor Michelle Holcomb visited the NBC Channel 12 studios on March 31 to appear on a news segment promoting the Peoria North Rotary Club's annual Prom Closet service project.
 
Michelle and Past District Governor Bret McKeand (a member of Peoria North) were interviewed by Channel 12 news anchor Tram Mai.
 
You can view the entire segment HERE.
 
Michelle and Bret shared news of the history of the Prom Closet and dates for the project's final weekend, as well information on Rotary.
 
The Prom Closet is a service project that provides formal wear for high school teens attending their proms. Gowns, suits, tuxedos, shoes and more are provided at no charge.
 
The event takes place March 29-30 and April 5-6, 2025. For more information, visit www.thepromcloset.com.
 
RIPE Mario encourages Rotarians to 'Unite for Good'
 
Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo asked members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection as he outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.”
 
“Rotary’s greatest asset is not our history, our projects, or even our unmatched global reach. It is our members,” de Camargo said at the organization’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on February 10.
 
He noted praise from one of Rotary’s partners about “the extraordinary dedication” of Rotary members. “That recognition from an outsider deepened my understanding: Rotary’s greatest gift to the world is its people.”
 
De Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, emphasized the importance of seeking out new perspectives and strengthening Rotary’s service to communities around the globe. He outlined three “essential pillars” for growth: innovation, continuity, and partnership.