Dear Rotarians,
In May, we celebrate one of the most inspiring pillars of Rotary: Youth Service Month. This is our time to honor the energy, idealism, and passion of young people and recognize the powerful impact they make through Rotary’s youth programs—Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, Rotary Youth Exchange, and more.
Across our district and around the world, young leaders are rolling up their sleeves and putting “Service Above Self” into action. Whether it is organizing food drives, raising awareness about global health challenges, or leading sustainability projects in their schools, these young changemakers are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are leading today. We can be especially proud of our Interactors taking on the disease of Schistosomiasis.
Schistosomiasis is a deadly parasitic disease affecting 80 million children, primarily in six African countries, with 200,000 dying from it every year. Recently, the European Union approved for use a 5-pill effective treatment, which can kill the parasite worms and save a child’s life. The manufacturer is willing to make those pill packets available at their $2 cost to manufacture, package and ship them. As Rotary took the lead in Polio Eradication, Interact has now been asked to take the lead in Schistosomiasis treatment and eradication. Congratulations to Interact Governor Apoorvi Singh and all of our Interactors for joining this effort! For more information on what our Interact clubs have been up to, check out their May newsletter here.
As Rotarians, we have the incredible opportunity—and responsibility—to continue to mentor, guide, and empower our young leaders. When we invest in their development, we are investing in a future that is more compassionate, more innovative, and more peaceful. Let us look for ways to connect with our youth programs, support our young members, and create even more opportunities for them to serve and grow. Let us also appreciate and be inspired by the real impact they are having TODAY.
Yours in service,
Chris Skorina
District Governor, Rotary District 5320
MENTAL HEALTH WALKS – A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS
Rotarians from throughout out district came out in force on the weekend of May 3 and 4 as approximately a dozen clubs participated in fundraising walks for mental health causes in Whittier, Long Beach and San Clemente. An enormous thank you goes out to Laguna Niguel Club President Kristin Epperson for not only spearheading the San Clemente Walk but also, in true Rotary fashion, sharing her experience, wisdom and resources with Monica Peters and Michele Dobson who spearheaded the Whittier and Long Beach Walks respectively. We send a special shout out to Long Beach Rotarian Natalie Hale who pitched in to help with the Long Beach walk. The walks raised approximately $30,000 that will be immediately disbursed to mental health nonprofits addressing a variety of health issues.
WELCOME OUR NEWEST CLUB: THE ROTARY CLUB OF GLOBAL ACTION
Earlier this month, we submitted a New Club Application for the Rotary Club of Global Action. Our New Club Formation team, headed by (two-time) PDG Glenn Balch, has been working on this club for 3 years. Thanks to Glenn’s incredible patience and persistence and the commitment of Charter President Ernie Delfin, the new club is chartering with 22 new Rotarians! Thank you, Glenn, Ernie and incoming President Al Batinga for your commitment to growing Rotary and doing more good in the world!
We also pause to give special thanks to Glenn as this is now the third club he has helped charter this Rotary year. Thank you, Glenn!
A NEW DISTRICT ROTARY FOUNDATION CHAIR – PDG CISCA STELLHORN!
We congratulate and thank PDG Cisca Stellhorn on her selection as our District Rotary Foundation Chair. Cisca will serve a three-year term starting July 1. Her term coincides with the terms of incoming District Governors Craig Livingston (2025-2026), Monica Peters (2026-2027) and Heidi Larkin-Reed (2027-2028).
A NEW DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP CHAIR – SEAN PHAYAKAPONG!
We are also excited to announce that Sean Phayakapong of the Yorba Linda Sunrise Club has been selected to serve as District Membership Chair for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2025. Sean brings tremendous energy and a strong passion for Rotary that will serve him (and all of us) well in his new role. We would be remiss in not thanking outgoing District Membership Chair Monica Peters for her great work on membership over the last 3 years. Thank you, Monica!
A NEW ASSISTANT ROTARY MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR – ANABELLA BONFA!
Our very own Anabella Bonfa of the Irvine Rotary Club has been selected to serve as Zone 26/27 Assistant Rotary Membership Coordinator! Congratulations AB! Anabella has had a variety of leadership roles in Rotary, including District Membership Chair and President of the Rotary Club of Irvine. We know her talent and expertise will be tremendous assets to Zones 26/27 as Rotary grows in the western United States.
NEW INTERACT CLUBS!
The Rotary Club of Santa Ana has sponsored two new Interact Clubs in the last month. Thanks to the efforts of Rotarian Marta Rodriguez, and Santa Ana Club President Selica Diaz, Century High School and Legacy College Prep – Ednovate will be home to new clubs working to make their communities and our world a better place! Thank you, Marta, and Selica!
COLLEGE OF LEGISLATION UPDATES
As you may have heard by now, Rotary’s College of Legislation (“COL”) met in April and enacted rules that are set to take effect July 1, 2025. The COL, which is comprised of delegates from every Rotary district across the world, meets every 3 years to address the challenges that inevitably confront an organization with our scope. Among the provisions adopted this year, going forward new clubs will need only 15 members to charter (not 20); district conferences will be optional (though I hope we continue to conduct them), and dues will increase to $85.50 per year in 2026-27, $89.25 for 2027-2028, and $93.00 per year in 2028-2029. No one likes a dues increase, but we recognize the impacts of inflation and, honestly, if less than a $4.00 per year increase causes members to resign or not join, we are not doing a very good job of communicating the tremendous value and enormous opportunities Rotary provides. We extend a special thank you to Past District Governor, Past RI Director and all-around superior human, Johrita Solari for serving as our representative to COL Thank you, Johrita!
GLOBAL GRANT SCHOLAR SELECTED
On April 19, a committee of dedicated Rotarians interviewed several excellent candidates, compared notes, engaged in a lively discussion, and ultimately selected Karen Wen as this year’s recipient of our $40,000 Global Grant Scholarship. Karen is in the final year of her pursuit of a PhD in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Karen is an impressive candidate who, even as she completes her studies, has already put her education to work in practical mental health clinics that have provided well-being services to over 400 people in the last two years. She has roots in Irvine, and we look forward to welcoming Karen back to Orange County following completion of her degree.
We thank committee members Alan Adamo, Kathi Baldwin, Mollie Beck, Cathy Gach, Caecilia Gotama , DGND Heidi Larkin-Reed, DGE Craig Livingston, PDG Greg Owen, Valerie Owen, DRFC and PDG Kevin Padilla, DGN Monica Peters and PDG Cisca Stellhorn for their dedication and commitment in reviewing the detailed applications and their thoughtful deliberation process!
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