Jim’s Journey: From Joining Rotary to Changing the World

When I moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Mesa, Arizona, I joined Rotary for the same reason many do — connection. At 28, I was the youngest member of my club, surrounded by community leaders, business owners, and mentors I deeply admired. I joined for the business network… but I stayed because Rotary became family.

I had little time, little money, but a few talents I could share. My club put me right to work — as treasurer — and soon taught me something far more valuable than business: the joy of civic generosity. (I was already paying tithes to my church, so I had learned generosity early.) From the very beginning, I sacrificed to give $100 a year to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). It wasn’t easy, but it mattered. That small act became the first seed in a lifelong journey of giving and gratitude.

The Power of Commitment

Years later, my club saw leadership potential in me and invited me to join the board — a seven-year path to the presidency. By the time I became president, our eighth child had just been born. Life was busy, yet Rotary gave me energy. I found joy in serving alongside people who believed in something bigger than themselves. With a large family, a growing tax practice, and community responsibilities, Rotary was my constant — a place where service made everything else in life richer.

After my year as president, I returned to serving quietly. I wasn’t asked to take on district leadership, and I had plenty to fill my days: family, faith, and work. But Rotary remained at the core of who I was. I kept giving to TRF each year, knowing those small gifts — my time, talent, and treasure — were helping others here and around the world.

Rediscovering Purpose

Thirty years later, I looked at my giving record and realized I had given about $3,000 to TRF — a lifetime of steady, modest generosity. And then it hit me: It would take forever to reach Major Donor level at this pace. That realization sparked something in me. I had more to give — not just money, but passion and purpose.

By then, our children were grown, and I had built a successful career. I had some appreciated investments — and being a tax professional, I knew the best way to give them new life was to share them. So I donated those assets to TRF. It wasn’t just about the deduction or even the impact — it was about what happened in my heart. The act of giving changed me. It deepened my connection to Rotary and to humanity itself.

“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change—across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

District 5495 will hold its next Rotary Leadership Institute 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. All three sessions of RLI will be offered.

The event takes place at Benedictine University, 225 E. Main St., Mesa, 85201.

Cost is $65 and most clubs will cover your cost. Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch and study materials.

First time attendees, please select Session I. Others, select Session II or Session III based on what you have already completed

Why Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)? Participant Interaction and FUN!

Come interact with fellow Rotarians about:
* Rotary Basics Community Service Ideas
* Leadership Styles Rotary’s Impact Worldwide
* Ethics & Vocation Engaging Members

RLI is a world-wide organization that some refer to as Rotary’s “College of Knowledge.” RLI touches on “everything Rotary” and is not a “leadership” course to become an officer of your Club. RLI is made up of three one-day Sessions to give you an overview of what Rotary is and what it does worldwide. Its goal is to create ENTHUSIASM for Rotary and show the enormous potential of Rotary service and how with knowledge and excellent leadership in Clubs, the world will benefit.

Click here to register.

Well You Don't Say: A Few Myths We Can Finally Retire… 

Myth 1: “Rotaract is just a college club.”
Reality: Rotaract brings together young professionals 18+—and many clubs are entirely community-based with working adults.

Myth 2: “Rotaractors aren’t interested in joining Rotary.”
Reality: Plenty are. Historically, the pathway just hasn’t always been clear or accessible. As Rotaract stabilizes and matures, more members are choosing dual membership, transitioning into Rotary, and finding spaces that match their stage of life—especially when mentorship and flexible formats are on the table.

Myth 3: “Rotaractors don’t understand Rotary traditions” / “Rotaract is replacing Rotary.”
Reality: Rotaract and Rotary strengthen each other. Rotaractors connect through impact first, and as they find their footing, Rotary’s traditions become part of their story too. They bring energy, modern perspectives, and digital fluency; Rotary brings deep experience, structure, and wisdom. Together, they’re far more powerful than they’d ever be apart.

So… What Is Rotaract Really?

Amidst a sea of old assumptions, Rotaract is emerging with a clearer identity than ever before. Rotaract is a community of young professionals and emerging leaders who come together to serve, connect, and build real-world skills—much like our Rotarian counterparts. We partner closely with Rotary while operating as our own membership type, shaped by a growing and increasingly diverse demographic.

Before 2019, Rotaract lived under Rotary’s youth services program as a bridge between Interact and Rotary, most active on college campuses. Even though Rotaract technically served ages 18–30, many young adults fell through a growing gap as they entered early careers, moved cities, or navigated major life transitions. Continuity was hard to maintain, and the pathway forward wasn’t always obvious.

That changed in 2019 when the Rotary International Council on Legislation voted to elevate Rotaract from a “program” to full Rotary membership status. The intent was simple: give young professionals recognition, belonging, and a clearer place in the Rotary family. The change took effect in July 2020, and Rotaractors began paying dues in July 2022.

Since then, Rotaract has been reshaping its identity as a generation of transitioning Rotarians; people stepping deeper into the Rotary world with commitment, experience, and real personal stake. This evolution mattered even more in a post-COVID landscape, where involvement across all areas of life dipped. Arizona’s Rotaract numbers reflect that same storyline: as clubs recovered, Rotaract evolved into something steadier, more intentional, and more reflective of real adult life.

Past District Governor Joe Goldblatt, husband, father, brother and grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 9 following a stroke. He was 80 years old.

Joe served as district governor for District 5510 in 1999-2000. District 5510 later merged with District 5490 to become today’s District 5495.

Born March 26, 1945, Joe dedicated his life to service, family, and community. At just 18 years old, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, beginning a distinguished 27-year career that included service in Vietnam and postings around the United States.

During his military career, he pursued higher education through the Air Force, ultimately earning his master’s degree. He retired with honor in 1990, having achieved the rank of Major.

After retirement, Joe brought the same energy and dedication to his civilian life. Together with his wife of 60 years, Helen, he owned and operated a pet bakery and boutique for 15 years. He later served with the U.S. Census Bureau, where he continued to work until his passing.

A man deeply engaged with his community, Joe was an active member of his local Rotary Club, including serving as district governor, his Democratic legislative district, and the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. His passion for civic involvement and connection with others touched many lives.

His Rotary career began in 1985 when he joined the club of Lawrence, Kansas. After moving to Tempe, Joe became a member of Tempe South Rotary and later its president. He served on several district committees, chair of the GSE committee and led a GSE team to England.

While governor, the district hosted two teams from Russia—each for two weeks—to learn about banking and democracy. The district during his year as governor also sponsored Friendship Exchanges with Rotarians in South Africa and Switzerland.

During his year as governor, the five Tempe Rotary clubs sponsored the First Rotary River Rally -- the great Cardboard Boat Regatta at Tempe Town Lake – which raised over $10,000 for Tempe charities.

Joe and his wife Helen are Paul Harris Fellows, Foundation Benefactors, and Centurions. They have hosted Youth Exchange and GSE team members from Argentina, India, Brazil, the Netherlands, and England.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; his daughter, Jeri; his son, Barry; and three grandchildren.

He will be remembered for his integrity, humor, dedication, and the love he gave so freely to his family and friends. His legacy lives on in all who knew him.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Rotary Foundation in his memory.