As we step into a new Rotary year, I am deeply honored to serve as your President. July is always a time of transitional moment to look forward with renewed energy, but also a time to look back with immense gratitude.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our immediate past president, Heidi Ruster. Together with the steadfast support of her husband, Kevin Mack,Heidi provided exceptional leadership and guidance over the past twelve months. Our club is stronger, more vibrant, and better positioned for the future because of her dedication to Service Above Self. Please join me in thanking Heidi and her husband for their outstanding service to our Rotary family.
This July also brings a truly unique milestone outside our club. As we launch our new Rotary year, our nation is celebrating its 250th anniversary. This semi quincentennial is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reflect on our shared history, honor the contributions of those who came before us, and look ahead toward the future we want to create. It reminds us that great communities are built by people who believe in something bigger than themselves.
This historic backdrop aligns perfectly with the call to action issued by Rotary International President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola: Create Lasting Impact. Just as our nation's founders forged a legacy 250 years ago, this theme challenges us to focus on sustainable, long-term change that empowers our community for generations to come.
Creating lasting impact doesn't always require grand gestures; it begins with the everyday magic of our members. It happens when we welcome newcomers with open arms, support one another, and allow our Rotary experiences to transform us personally.
Our club has a rich history of service, and I am excited to see what we will achieve together this year. Whether we are addressing local needs or contributing to global initiatives, let us turn our strong connections into collective action.
Thank you for your continued dedication, your fellowship, and your commitment to making this a truly historic and transformative year.
Yours in Rotary service,
Don Weakley
President, Rotary Club of Salt Lake City
2026-27
Rotary Club of Salt Lake City Dates to Keep in Mind
March/April - Budget season - Final approval decisions made about committee funding and administrative budget by the board and committee funding requests forwarded to the Salt Lake City Rotary Foundation.
May 2 - District Endowment Fundraiser - Asher Hotel - Buy tickets today!
May 5 - Scholarship Lunch - meet the 5 Rotary Club Scholarship recipients and celebrate the achievements of our Franklin Elementary students
May - Committee Reports for fiscal year 2025-26 activities due to club board and submission to Salt Lake City Rotary Foundation by June 1.
June - Club Business Meeting - Leadership Transfer, Budget Approval
June 6 - Interclub Social and BBQ
July - New Board Leadership
The Light We Share, The Future We Ignite.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM Location: Asher Adams Hotel
2 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, Utah Ticket Price: $200 per person for Rotary Club of Salt Lake City members and guests Black Tie Optional
Register NOW for Legacy Gala Celebration & Dinner - register by April 15.
Together, the club will celebrate the legacy of our gift and continue to serve and transform lives for generations to come.
April 18, Morning Volunteer Event with Utah Recycling Alliance and Hogle Zoo, sign up to volunteer or bring your hard to recycle items to the event. Sign up to volunteer here.
April 18, Evening - 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! Sign Up in the artcle.
May 2, 2026 - Moving Day - Liberty Park. Walk for Parkinsons, Register at MovingDaySaltLakeCity.org Questions - connect with Tom Thatcher
June 6 - Save the Date - The Social Committee is 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 WalkerAdd text here
Adopt-A-Native-Elder is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help reduce the extreme poverty and hardship facing traditional Elders living on the Navajo Reservation, while honoring their dignity, culture, and way of life. The organization provides essential support including food, medical supplies, firewood, clothing, and other necessities to elders living in remote areas. In addition to this humanitarian work, the program helps preserve Navajo traditions through the beautiful handwoven rugs, jewelry, and artwork created by the elders. These rugs are not only stunning works of art, but also an important expression of cultural heritage and craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations
On Saturday morning, several members of the SLC chapter of the Rotary Club came together for a meaningful day of service as we volunteered at the Adopt-A-Native-Elder food drive. It was a very nice activity and a wonderful way to spend the morning serving alongside fellow Rotarians.
In a recent edition of the Salt Lake Tribune, Paighten Harkins reporter for the newspaper wrote about the closing of Dayne's Music. Skip a beloved Rotarian was highlighted in the article.
For six generations, the Daynes name has adorned Utah’s only Steinway & Sons piano shop. The family of England-born Latter-day Saints converts arrived in Utah in 1862 with a small organ they hauled across the plains in a covered wagon. They’ve been sharing music with Utahns ever since. That ends this spring. Daynes Music Co. is set to close as soon as it can empty its Midvale showroom of its dozens of glossy, handcrafted Steinway pianos. They began selling off their collection, with deep discounts, on Thursday. This isn’t just any Utah retailer. Daynes calls itself the state’s oldest family-run business. It has supplied top-of-the-market Steinways to schools and universities around the state, while hosting recitals and lessons in the store and supporting Utah music as a community hub for thousands of families.
“Things are in flux in the piano world,” said Kary Billings, executive director of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, the Salt Lake City nonprofit that hosts one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions. “It’s a big loss,” he said. “A big, big loss.”
Set your course for adventure and join your fellow crew members on May 2, 2026, at Sugar House Park for the Great Strides Walk in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Together, we’ll chart a course toward a cure—helping all those with cystic fibrosis live long, full lives through groundbreaking research and treatment.
About the Voyage: Great Strides drops anchor at Sugar House Park on Saturday, May 2. The harbor (park) will be closed to outside vehicular traffic during the event, so be sure to arrive early and secure your spot.
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.
You need a MY Rotary account to be able to log in. Need help contact Jacqui or myrotary.org
