District Governor Lee Varra-Nelson's Message
Greetings Rotarians,
It seems like it was just a few months ago, when I first sat down and stared at my laptop screen trying to create the July 2022 District newsletter. It was hard to concentrate on the newsletter when my thoughts were focused on working with all the clubs in our District and the amazing members of the Leadership team. I was looking forward to my club visits and learning about their projects and what ideas they had for internal growth. I had no idea how fulfilling and exciting each club visit would be. I finished every visit impressed by what I learned. I also knew each club would meet their objectives and continue to make a difference in District 5440 and in the world, and you did!
This past Rotary year I always closed the newsletter saying that I didn’t need to “IMAGINE” that the 2022/23 Rotary Year for District 5440 will be amazing! Our Leadership Team was and still is talented and very strong. During this last year as I finished visiting clubs, it was crystal clear that every club in the district was compassionate, active, and reaching out to make a difference in their community, in the district and in the world. Thank you all for being the embodiment of the foundation of Rotary. I am so proud of every club in our District! This last year and the two previous years were wonderful! As I look back, I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with each club. Thank you for welcoming me and sharing all the things you accomplished. Most of all, thank you for Dreaming Big and Imagining what you could do as Rotarians!
Lee Varra-Nelson District 5440 Governor 2022--2023
Rotary Club of Fort Collins Breakfast
email DG2223LeeVN@outlook.com
cell phone: 970-215-4949
Greetings from your incoming 2023-24 District Governor Steve Sehnert,
RC of Steamboat Springs.
“Create Hope in the World” is the theme for the Rotary year 2023-24, developed and promoted by our Rotary International President Gordon McInally from Edinburgh, Scotland. Every Rotarian, Rotaractor, Interactor, and Friend of Rotary can create hope by encouraging mental health programs in our communities and helping others find peace in themselves. Hope is the necessary ingredient to accomplish improvements in how people feel about themselves and the prospects for a peaceful world. Hopefulness encourages progress.
Our District Governor Team, District Committee Chairs, Assistant Governors, and Club Leaders are well-trained to help accomplish this goal and other goals set by clubs. Please accept our help and encouragement and we pledge our support to you and your clubs to move forward during this year and the years that follow. Clubs and members can all share in our successes and accomplishments by communicating with each other through the District Newsletter and personal club visits.
District 5440 has established a reputation for creative and innovative approaches to make everyone connected to Rotary better and to strengthen and expand our programs and projects. We want to hear your ideas and thoughts about how to make Rotary better and what we can do to help you achieve these objectives.
We are an international organization in over 200 countries with 1.4 million members. We unite under the Rotary Vision Statement “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
As we visit Clubs and offer our support and that of the Team, know you are so very much appreciated by so many. Thank you.