July 1 marks the beginning of a new Rotary year, and I couldn’t be more excited to begin this journey with you.
Over the coming months, I’ll have the privilege of visiting clubs across District 5400, listening to your stories, celebrating your service, and learning from the incredible people who make Rotary such a special organization. My role as District Governor isn’t to tell clubs what to do. It’s to support you, encourage you, and help you succeed.
As I’ve prepared for this year, I’ve found myself coming back to one line from the Rotary Vision Statement:
“Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change—across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
Those last three words, “and in ourselves,” have captured my imagination.
We often talk about how Rotary changes communities, and rightly so. But Rotary also changes us. It helps us become better leaders, better neighbors, better friends, and better versions of ourselves. I hope that’s something we’ll explore together throughout this year.
To help us stay connected, I’ll be sharing regular A Minute with Mike videos, hosting monthly Rotary Town Hall Conversations, and sharing stories from clubs across our district. My hope is that these conversations will encourage us, help us learn from one another, and remind us why Rotary is such a joyful part of our lives.
As we begin this new year, I’d like to leave you with one simple question:
How has Rotary changed you?
I hope you’ll think about that question and maybe even share your story with me. I have a feeling those stories will become one of the greatest gifts of this Rotary year.
Thank you for everything you do for your clubs, your communities, and for one another. I look forward to serving alongside you.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Mike Markley
District Governor 2026–2027
Rotary Club of Boise Southwest
