Teachers use copper sulfate and zinc sulfate half-cells to make a battery that illuminates an LED.
These teachers have taught the theory of batteries, but have never built one.
Photo from 2023 workshops in Niger.

Registration is open for the Tri-District International Project Fair, bringing together Rotary Districts 4110 in Mexico, 5470 in Southern Colorado, and 5520 in New Mexico and West Texas.

The fair will be held August 21–22, 2026, at Colegio San Patricio in Ciudad Juárez, just across the border from El Paso.

The event begins at 1 p.m. Friday, August 21, and is expected to conclude between 1 and 2 p.m. Saturday, August 22. Watch for a more detailed agenda to help attendees make their travel plans.

District Governors Marina Gonzalez of District 4110, Donna Hood of District 5470, and Jeff Weinrach of District 5520 invite Rotarians from all three districts to attend.

Greetings!

I am Barb Bowman, your District Governor Elect. I will be your District Governor in 2027-28, as Donna Hood is now. You are probably wondering, as I did, how does this all work?

Not every Rotary wheel is the right Rotary logo. These outdated or altered designs do not meet current Rotary brand guidelines and should be replaced with an approved club logo from the Rotary Brand Center. Image: Rotary Zones 26/27

Rotary’s logo is often the first clue the public has that Rotary members are behind a project, event or act of service. When our logos are outdated, altered or difficult to recognize, that connection can disappear.

Mark your calendar for the District Foundation Dinner on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, followed by District Strategic Planning on Sunday, October 18.

Come celebrate the impact of The Rotary Foundation, then help shape what comes next. Details are still simmering, but save the weekend now!

The following was published in the Vail Daily on July 17, 2026.

By Robin Litt | Vail Edwards Rotary Club

If you've lived in the Vail Valley for any length of time, you've probably encountered Rotary without fully knowing what it is. Maybe you've spotted the blue-and-gold wheel on a trail sign, cheered at the Vail Duck Race, or heard a neighbor mention their weekly meeting. Yet for many people, Rotary remains a pleasant mystery.

Nick Adams
Rotary 5470 District Membership Chair

August is Rotary’s Membership and New Club Development Month, making it the perfect time to look ahead to the future of our clubs and the opportunities we have to strengthen Rotary throughout District 5470.

As clubs begin the 2026-27 Rotary year, Membership Chairs should already be in place and membership goals established.

By Rosanne Gain
District 5470 Public Image Committee

The Rotary Club of Durango (Durango’s first Rotary Club) initiated the annual Fourth of July pancake breakfast about 22 years ago. Durango Daybreak Rotary Club came on board five years ago. The third club — Durango High Noon Rotary Club — joined the other two this year (2026). 

By Penny Wilson
Vail Edwards Rotary Club

The Vail Edwards Rotary Club had its biggest service project yet on Thursday, June 18 — and the Eagle River Valley is better for it!

Sixty enthusiastic volunteers packed into Vail Health's facility in Edwards for a morning of high-energy community service, rolling up their sleeves alongside the Community Market to tackle food insecurity head-on. In just two and a half hours, the group had assembled nearly 1,700 shelf-stable meal packages — 10,000 servings — destined for Eagle County neighbors in need. That's a lot of meals for a single morning's work!

Project fairs are one of the best ways to find international partners for Global Grant projects, connect with Rotarians doing remarkable work in their communities, and experience the internationality of Rotary up close. Clubs from all three districts set up displays for projects that need funding partners, you walk the floor, you talk to the people running them, and you leave with partners for a Global Grant or other community project. Whether your club has a project to showcase or you're just exploring, you're welcome.

We have a great opportunity ahead! By submitting your club’s request for District Designated Funds (DDF) by August 15, you not only meet our deadline, but also amplify your club’s service projects with matching district funds. These DDF resources can expand your projects’ reach and impact.  It's well worth the effort.

We have a great opportunity ahead! By submitting your club’s request for District Designated Funds (DDF) by August 15, you not only meet our deadline, but also amplify your club’s service projects with matching district funds. These DDF resources can expand your projects’ reach and impact.  It's well worth the effort.

Access to clean water changes everything.

The Rotary Club of Vail Edwards is currently seeking project partners and donors to support Global Grant GG2688080, a transformative water and sanitation initiative that will bring safe drinking water to hundreds of families in Tipacoque, Colombia. As the international partner for the project, the club is inviting Rotary clubs and districts to join this effort to improve health, reduce waterborne disease, and create sustainable change for generations to come. With District Designated Funds (DDF) still available, clubs have a unique opportunity to multiply their impact through this important global project.

View additional project photos here.

By Rosanne Gain

Chinle Planting Hope offers Rotarians International Service opportunity in the United States.

Located in northeast Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, Navajo Nation is the largest and most remote Indian reservation within the United States. The nation has its own largely autonomous government while still being part of the United States. Traveling there to perform service is a memorable trip to a unique and beautiful culture. 

By Nicole Suss
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Director

On a blissfully warm June afternoon in Divide, Colorado, 60 high school students carted their assorted sleeping bags, suitcases, and — in one case — a guitar into the Golden Bell Conference Center lodge. Some kids stayed close to their guardians, astutely observing the colorful signs directing them to the sign-in table, while others were already roaming, making new connections with the people they would laugh, cry, and work with over the next four days. Behind them in the parking lot, the welcome signs rustled gently in the breeze, all bearing the same message: "WELCOME TO THE ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS!" Followed by the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2026 Theme: Light the Way. 

Photo by Terri House
Rotary Youth Exchange Leaders pose with Kristi Redlinger holding her gift from the group. Pictured, left to right, Alicia O’Brien, Nancy Dosdall, Sally Corcoran, John Stroud, Kristi Redlinger, Mari Garland and Lisa Scott. 

Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) students from across Rotary District 5470 gathered in Pagosa Springs in early May at the home of Lisa Scott for a memorable year-end celebration filled with adventure, connection, and cultural exchange.

A highlight of the weekend came Friday evening when students shared a potluck dinner with members of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs and Youth Exchange leaders. The evening was filled with stories, laughter, and the fellowship that defines Rotary. During the gathering, Rotarians, exchange students, and Youth Exchange volunteers also celebrated and thanked Kristi Redlinger as she stepped down after 18 years of service with the Mountain & Plains Rotary Youth Exchange program.

We launched our year in July 2025 with one-on-one interviews of every member, asking what would make our club stronger and how each individual wanted to contribute. From those conversations, our officers and board developed a strategic plan with ambitious goals: expand membership, complete meaningful service projects, and strengthen our fundraising impact.

June 26-30, 2027

Rotary International Convention 

Create lasting impact · Connect. Discover. Inspire.

Five days of inspiration, fellowship, and service at the Rotary International Convention 2027.

Registration opens September 2026. Details on convention.rotary.org.

Maile Foster

As this Rotary year comes to a close, I find myself filled with gratitude for the privilege of visiting clubs across our district. Each visit was inspiring in its own way. Again and again, I saw Rotarians showing up with energy, creativity, compassion, and a deep commitment to service.

What stood out most was this simple truth: every club in our district is making a difference. Some are meeting urgent needs close to home. Others are building partnerships and projects that reach far beyond our communities. Many are doing both. Together, our clubs reflect the best of Rotary: local action, global connection, and service above self.

Mark your calendars!

By Shawna Kazanow
District Learning Chair

As we begin a new Rotary year focused on Creating Lasting Impact, District 5470 is re-launching one of Rotary’s most effective leadership development programs: Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI).

Photo courtesy of Grand Junction Redlands Rotary Club
At the "51 and Done" event, Rotarians and friends gathered to celebrate the legacy of the Grand Junction Redlands Rotary Club. Among those pictured are longtime members and community supporters whose leadership, service, and generosity helped shape the club's 51-year history of fellowship and community impact. Pictured left to right: Frank Lindemann, Jeff Wendland, Bruce Noble (back), Biff Messinger, and Martha Graf.

On May 14, 2026, the final gavel fell for the Grand Junction Redlands Rotary Club, closing a chapter that spanned 51 years of service, fellowship, and community impact.

Founded in 1975, Redlands Rotary became the third-oldest Rotary club in Mesa County. At its peak, the club numbered nearly 50 members and built a reputation as what its Facebook page proudly described as "an irregular collection 'of Rotarians who enjoy the club, community service projects and each other's company."

Pictured left to right: Todd Brown, Evan Iverson, Lauren Bloemsma, Morgan Smith, Peggy Parrish and Sam, and Sarah Lavender Smith.

The members of “Team Rototrash” from the Rotary Club of Telluride rolled up their sleeves and helped make the community shine during the annual Trash Bash, collecting an impressive 58 pounds of litter along the way. 

The team gave a big thank-you to Town of Telluride and EcoAction Partners for organizing this impactful community event. The Telluride Rotary Club proudly serves as a co-sponsor and partner in keeping Telluride beautiful.

Change is happening across our district and we want to tell the world about it. From local service projects to global impact, help us highlight the incredible work of Rotary District 5470. Submit your club’s stories and photos to be featured across the district and beyond. 

Learn More 

2026–27 Rotary Club Leadership Training

District 5470 Assembly Recordings

• Club Treasurer Training watch here Passcode: i&R^QG!7
• PE’s, PEN’s & AG’s watch here  Passcode: o!eBw+!8
• Foundation, Grants & International Service watch here   Passcode: CziVk9X.
• Membership & Public Image watch here  Passcode: q73Tu*#V
• Club Secretary Training watch here Passcode: Ehf5+g5&

Thank you to everyone who attended our District Assembly sessions.

If you were unable to attend a session live, we encourage you to review the training materials and recordings that are most relevant to your role.

Final Session

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM MT
Facilitator: Mari Garland
Topic: Club Secretary Training
Zoom Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fAvX65chRxq26CzcTZbRzQ