August Momentum and a Look Ahead – A Worthy Message - From heartfelt club visits to $6-figure results in Texas flood relief efforts, August was a month of extraordinary impact across District 5870. Membership is growing, generosity is flowing, and the spirit of Rotary is alive in every handshake, service project, and new member induction.
In the vast and impactful world of Rotary, few recognitions speak more powerfully to a lifetime of service and leadership than The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award. Each year, this award is reserved for no more than 50 Rotarians worldwide whose exceptional dedication to The Rotary Foundation uplifts communities, empowers leaders, and leaves a lasting global legacy.
Join us on Saturday, Sept. 27th at 9AM for the FOUNDATION SEMINAR at the Georgetown Parks & Recreation Dept. 1101 N College St, Georgetown (Hybrid - in person/zoom). Open to all Rotarians! Whether you are a new club Foundation Chair, have years of experience, or simply interested in understanding how our Rotary Foundation operates, there's something for everyone. Click to Register
On October 24, World Polio Day, Rotary will join partners, health workers, survivors, and advocates to reaffirm our promise to the world’s children: polio eradication is possible—and it’s a promise we will keep. As your club begins planning its World Polio Day activities, be sure to our WORLD POLIO DAY EVENT page to get a wide variety of polio-related resources. And don’t forget to register your club’s participation!
Strong public image helps Rotary Clubs tell their story, attract new members, and highlight the incredible service projects making a difference in our communities. To make this easier, your District Public Image team has developed a collection of ready-to-use resources designed to save you time and boost your club’s visibility. Here’s what’s available:
Rotary District 5870 has awarded its first Keyway Fund grant to aid Burnet County families recovering from July’s devastating floods. This week, District Governor Todd Smith committed $10,000 toThe Ark of the Highland Lakes, a faith-based nonprofit providing essential support to more than 400 flood-impacted families in the area.
The overwhelming support shown at the Burnet County Flood Relief Concert was nothing short of inspiring. More than 350 community members came together, raising over $89,450. These funds are going directly to individuals and families impacted by the devastating July 4th floods.
The Rotary Club of Lakeway/Lake Travis has made a lasting impact on their community by donating $50,000 toward the new Lakeway Activity Center Playscape Project. Supported by the May 2024 Parks Improvement Bond, this innovative playscape has been designated as a PLAYCORE National Demonstration Site for meeting the highest standards of inclusive design, nature integration, and active play.
Knight Randall and Lady Amber present the knight’s equipment used in the old days during the EAFK student orientation to kick off Rotary’s character program at Wayside REAL Academy. This program teaches the students a new character trait about every six weeks and then the teachers pick one student from each class who best represents that trait.
On a bright and meaningful day in Killeen, the Killeen Heights Rotary Club gathered with community members to install a Peace Pole and commemorate the addition of handcrafted benches at New Life Village (The Village), located at 453 Tootsie Trail.
On Wednesday, July 30th, four amazing South Austin Rotarians rolled up their sleeves to give a special room a magical makeover! Satch Nanda, Allison Batlin, Lisa Killough, and Shirley Diepenbrock spent the afternoon decorating and tidying up to get everything ready for an upcoming EarlyAct FirstKnight knighting ceremony.
District 5870 Central Texas has proven once again that we are People of Action, a network of servant leaders united by generosity, service, and vision. Under the leadership of District Governor Doug Smith, our clubs came together with focus and passion, fueling a year of record-breaking momentum and the results speak for themselves.
An annual event, West Austin Rotarians purchased school supplies for 50 low-income students at Woolridge Elementary School. The club’s partner, TyR ex Group, provided the backpacks and members of their staff joined club members as we shopped and prepared the backpacks. The school staff will distribute the backpacks to students most in need. This event enables disadvantaged students to begin the school year with a new backpack full of supplies just like the other kids.
Everyone is invited to join us at 10 AM on September 20 as we dedicate our Austin-Westlake Rotary Peace Pole on the grounds of Laura Bush Community Library at 9411 Bee Caves Road, Austin 78733. Speakers include Dana Rushing, President of Austin-Westlake Rotary Club; Todd Smith, Rotary District Governor; James Vaughan, Westlake Mayor, Clergy from local churches, and Cathy Hoover, Exec.Director, Westlake Chamber of Commerce. May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Rotarian Faith David led an international service project to support students in Liberia during the back-toschool season. While many children look forward to this time, poverty prevents thousands of Liberian students from accessing the basic school supplies they need to attend and/or stay in school.
A year and a half ago, the Rotary Club of Austin-Southwest decided to address one of the objectives of Rotary International: Protect the Environment. To address an obstacle for Austin citizens, we provide a place for them to easily drop off non-recyclable Styrofoam and our Club makes appointments and takes the Styrofoam to the City of Austin Reuse-Recycle collection center. To date, we have collected almost 2000 lbs.
Join fellow changemakers for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration at the Creating Environments of Peace Summit, hosted by Rotary District 5870 and the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Texas.
During District Governor Todd’s recent visits to the southern part of our District, the Rotary Clubs of Hallettsville, Shiner, Yoakum, and Flatonia came together for a special evening hosted by PDG W.H. “Bill” Bradfield and his wife Jane at the beloved Kloesel’s Steakhouse in Moulton.
Member George Lourigan and President Christie Parker-Wheeler of the Georgetown Club pose with Magid Velez, President of the Rotary Club of Ciudad Victoria, Mexico. President Magid made presentations to include a book on his Club's history, Mexican candy, and a bottle of mezcal!
The Rotary Club of Hallettsville recently welcomed District Governor Todd Smith for a dynamic club meeting filled with inspiration, recognition, and forward momentum. After thoughtful conversations on membership and The Rotary Foundation, member Wendy Janak was honored with her PHF+1 pin—congratulations, Wendy!
Drinking lots of water is good for you, they say. That is if it's not in a plastic water bottle. New research suggests that plastic water bottles contain servings of plastic microparticles.
The Rotary Club of Caldwell joined the efforts of over 60 organizations in Burleson County on Tuesday August 5th for the annual “Back to School Blast 2025”! Approximately 370 students and families were blessed with backpacks, school supplies, hair cuts, vision screenings, booster seats, baby supplies/diapers, hygiene items, resource information, hot dogs and sno-cones!
RC of Killeen
RC of Killeen Heights
RC of Rockdale
