I want to share my heart felt appreciation for the opportunity to sit in the president's seat this year. This was quite an honor and a deep commitment and I could NOT have done it well without fellow members, committee chairs, board members- especially your president elect- Don Weakley and the rest of the Executive Committee (Nick, Paul and Jeff) Also, the movement and implementation of so much has been so wonderfully moved forward with our Executive Director, Jacqui Voland.
We were able to achieve quite a lot but we still have much to do with net growth of our membership and I look forward to continuing that movement! We are excited to move forward with significant Marketing activities, but we need everyone's help in extending the messages virtually and in person as much as possible.
We are standing up a Public Image committee and appreciate the many members that will be supporting!! If you are interested, please let myself or Jacqui know.
Otherwise, I look forward to spending another year on the board to support the future Nominations committee and our work of Retention, Realistic Recruitment and Reputation.
Warm Regards to all and look forward to connecting with you soon at our wonderful programs, social and service opportunities!!
Over the past six months, our Programs, Service, and Social Committees have made a concerted effort to increase the number of service and social opportunities available to members, while also extending our luncheon speaker schedule so you have a longer window to see what’s coming up and plan ahead.
Thanks to Kristy Walker and her dedicated team of helpers, every month has featured at least one service or social event—creating more ways for members to connect, serve, and engage.
In December, the Sub for Santa Project took center stage, with many of our members generously contributing to support the Franklin families (see the story in the January Rotary Bee).
In January, members gathered at Topgolf to show off—or improve—their golf skills while enjoying great fellowship.
This month, we invite you to a come-and-go social at Fillings & Emulsions on February 20 from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Looking ahead:
March 5 – Members have already filled the roster to support the Utah Food Bank. Thank you for the incredible response!
March 28 – Once again, members have stepped up to continue our support of the Adoptive Native Elder Food Drive, preparing food boxes for delivery to reservations.
April 18 – Enjoy a night on the town with a pre-show dessert reception at the Utah Symphony as they present La Vida Loca: Latin Pop Hits. Many thanks to Leslie Peterson for making this special event possible. Sign up going out soon.
May 2, 2026 – Join us as we volunteer at the Great Strides Walk at Sugar House Park in support of Cystic Fibrosis, cheering on and supporting our fellow Rotarian and colleague, Laura Hadley. We’ve got the shirts and vests—what a great way to serve while promoting our club! A sign-up sheet will be coming soon.
We’re also working on a fun and brand-new opportunity for June. Did you know club member Mike Delzotti is a Certified Kansas City Barbeque Judge? Kristy and her team are planning a BBQ competition with other Rotary clubs—four clubs have already accepted the challenge! If you’re interested in helping plan or volunteer, please reach out to Kristy. More details to follow.
If you have ideas for future social or service events,we’d love to hear them. Our goal is to increase engagement and get the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City back out into the community—living and sharing our message of Service Above Self.
Want to join the social or service committee? Reach out to Kristy Walker
Please join us in welcoming new members, Samuel Watson, Angela Woodhead and Sydney Battersby.
Sydney - is the Principal Broker and Owner of District Living Collective, a boutique real estate brokerage built around clarity, structure, and long-term trust. Members of the club were introduced to Sydney at a meeting in January and we look forward to learning more. Herprimary interest in joining the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City comes from her desire to deepen her involvement in the community and surround herself with people who are committed to service, leadership, and impact. As a local business owner and real estate broker, relationships is at the heart of everything she does. She believes strongly in giving back, supporting the people who live and work here, and helping strengthen the community in ways that go beyond her profession. It is also about connecting with other leaders, learning from individuals who bring different perspectives, and being part of an organization that prioritizes integrity, service, and collaboration. image courtesy of districtcollective.com
Angela - After facing a life altering health event Angela decided to make a career change into something that felt more impactful and meaningful. She opened an Edward Jones Branch in October of 2024. She enjoys working with business owners, women in transition, and professionals approaching retirement. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 4 children, volunteering on the board of the Wasatch food cooperative, sewing, doing home renovations, going to concerts, and being outdoors. - image source -edwardjones.com
Samuel - is a professional athlete but has a passion in branching out and spreading the concept of sport to promote enrichment to communities. He was involved through friends in a few different Rotary chapters back home in Texas and abroad and wants to be more involved and further these goals by meeting like-minded and more experienced individuals in those (specifically outreach) tasks. We look forward to learning more about Samuel's chosen sport, sport climbing, He is currently the world record holder. His agility is amazing! - image is courtesy of olympics.com
Rotary: Building A Tapestry of Belonging
In a world that often feels fragmented and fast-paced, the yearning to belong – to feel seen, heard, and valued – remains one of our deepest human desires. For members of a Rotary club, where service, fellowship, and leadership converge, cultivating a true sense of belonging isn’t just important – it is foundational.
When people feel they belong, they stay. They lead. They serve with heart. They grow. But such a culture doesn’t happen by chance. It is built intentionally layer by layer, conversation by conversation, heart by heart.
A big shout out to long time Rotarian, Art Swindle who donated 130 books to Franklin Elementary. The librarian gave books to parents during a family night event.
A big thank you goes out to Art!
Rotary District Shoe Campaign - District Wide Service Project 2026
Shoes for Orphan Souls
Be part of our first District Wide Service Project for 2026. We are teaming up with six other districts and Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls to provide much needed new shoes.
The Buckner organization assumed leadership of the program in 1999. The largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner International, Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls, has continued to partner with organizations and individuals to collect and distribute new shoes to vulnerable children in the US and around the world.
Why Shoes You Ask
They help prevent health issues
Improves school attendance
Increases self-confidence
Why New Shoes
New shoes last longer and give children living in poverty something that is theirs. So here is the deal. The goal is to collect 25,000 pairs of shoes from the six Rotary Districts combined. Our district is committing to collect 2,000 pairs of shoes by April 1st. The shoes should be tennis shoes, any color. Sizes - elementary grade student sizes.
We are focusing on drop off points in northern and southern Utah. More information will be available as negotiations progress.
Salt Lake Rotarians, let's help this initiative by each purchasing a pair of shoes! Drop off will be arranged by Jacqui with the district. Want to participate, bring a new pair of shoes to a club meeting and we'll start collecting them all to hand off the district. Our goal 100 pairs of shoes. Can we beat that?
David Nelson, District 5420 Community Service Chair is urging each club to start planning your strategy to begin the process for purchasing new shoes as we plan our collection process.
Rotary 360 & Rotary Magazine Online
Stories to Inspire: A visit to the seed bank: preserving the future of our history
by Christian Clauwers
As a documentary photographer and explorer, my work has always centered on humanity’s fragile relationship with nature. Over the past decade, I have documented the retreat of glaciers, the erosion of coastlines, and the disappearance of entire ecosystems across the Arctic, Antarctic, and Pacific. These experiences compelled me to seek out the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a place where our shared history and future are stored, frozen deep within the permafrost.
I first wanted to visit the Seed Vault because I saw it as more than just a scientific repository. To me, it is a symbol of resilience and hope, a silent promise that even in times of crisis, we can safeguard the genetic memory of our planet. My photography often captures loss and vulnerability, but the vault represents continuity. It bridges the fragility of our present with the possibility of renewal.
Walking through the tunnels carved into Arctic rock, what impressed me most was the humility of the place. There is no spectacle or grandeur, only shelves of sealed boxes, each containing the seeds of civilizations. Wheat, rice, maize, sorghum … humble grains that feed billions. Behind every sample lies a story of farmers, cultures, and landscapes. What struck me is that while wars are fought over power, and borders, here nations (including North Korea) quietly collaborate to protect what is essential for all of us: the foundation of life itself.
What worries me most about climate change is how rapidly the safety nets of humanity are being tested. I have seen Pacific atolls disappearing under rising seas, permafrost collapsing and releasing ancient methane, coral reefs crumbling into bleached rubble. Climate change does not only alter landscapes, it erodes cultures and displaces communities. Standing inside the Seed Vault, I asked myself: if the permafrost melts, if the political will fails, then what?
This is why the work Rotary is doing inspires me. Rotary connects local action to global vision. Whether it is restoring ecosystems, supporting communities facing disaster, or investing in education, Rotary embodies the principle that solutions are not only technical but also human. What compelled me to become a Rotarian was precisely this combination of pragmatism and hope. In my expeditions, I have seen that resilience comes from collaboration, from people who decide together that the future is worth protecting. Rotary makes that collaboration real.
Visiting the Svalbard Seed Vault left me with a sense of responsibility. My photographs may not stop the seas from rising, but they can spark conversations that lead to change. The vault reminded me that while we preserve the seeds of tomorrow, we must also nurture the soils of today. That dual task, safeguarding the future while acting in the present, is what drives my work as a visual storyteller and as a Rotarian.
Have you utilized the Learning Center at My Rotary? A rich resource for club member professional development, club program essentials, all about our foundations work and special interest group opportunities.
Quick Heads Up! Alta Club Parking and Access to the Club
Enbridge gas is currently completing construction along the sidewalk that runs from our parking lot to the Club entrance. This work is expected to continue for approximately the next 3 to 4 weeks and may cause temporary obstructions or uneven walkways. We kindly ask that you use caution when walking through the area.
The Club apologizes for the inconvenience, and thanks you for your patience and understanding as this utility work is completed. If you have any questions or need assistance upon arrival, the Alta Club team is happy to help.
