Unite for Good is the new Rotary International motto for 2025-26 and was very prominent at the 2025 International Conference in Calgary, Alberta. Our District delegation, along with thousands of others from across the world, welcomed our new RI President Francesco Arezzo of Italy.
The Board conducted a special session following the unexpected resignation of RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo on 8 June. Guided by the RI code and policies, the Board selected the new president-elect from a pool of candidates who were considered by the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in August 2023.
Arezzo was welcomed with a thundering round of applause and flag-waving. I had the opportunity to meet him at a special closed session for Rotary leaders and he is not only knowledgeable but very friendly and is a forward thinker. I anticipate great things ahead!
This year our District 5400 theme is “All Aboard and Stay on Track” – referring to bringing in new members (All Aboard) and keeping our current members active, happy and trained – (Stay on Track). It is a group process – not something I can do alone but with everyone’s focus we can combat a decline in membership and grow our District. Your ideas are welcome! Your involvement is necessary! We CAN do this!
I am requesting that each club, big, small or medium have a Membership Chairman to serve on the District Membership Committee with chairman Kristen Vincent and that each club look at the opportunities to start another club in their hometown, city or county….or anywhere. If you look at a map of our District, there are several areas that don’t have Rotary and we all know Rotary is an asset they can’t afford to be without. So, I ask that you, individually and as a group, pursue some other types of membership – satellite clubs, interest based clubs, etc. and contact Jana Rodgers our District New Club Advocate to get started. She is more than willing to help you!
I am looking forward to serving District 5400 as Governor this year and am always available by email or phone. Please don’t hesitate to call with your ideas, your thoughts, your complaints….whatever. Together we can “Get on Board and Stay on Track”!
Have a blessed summer!
Kathy Buck, District Governor
Rotary District 5400
