Governor’s Visits

I have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, visiting club meetings and events across the district.  By the end of August, I had visited every club except a couple that had to be rescheduled into September.  I have not slowed down.  In the past week, I attended Norman Legacy Rotary Club’s Legacyfest; Newcastle Rotary Club’s Monster Bash trivia night; Greater Lawton Rotary Club’s Live 2 Lead seminar; and Frederick Rotary Club’s regular meeting, where Students of the Month were honored.  Today, I am visiting Moore Rotary Club, where I will get to celebrate their Students of the Month. 

I really love how some clubs are doing things with other Rotary clubs, Rotaract clubs, and people who are not yet Rotarians.  We are better together!  Please invite me to your special events.  I will make every effort to attend and join you in service and fun.  Let’s make a difference and leave Rotary’s mark on our communities!  

Service Projects and Membership Recruitment/Club Start-up Expenses

Oklahoma Rotarians are People of Action!  Of course, we have known about the Oklahoma Standard for a long time (https://oklahomastandard.com/).  

If your club has not yet applied for our special district grants for service projects and membership recruitment/club start-up expenses, please take advantage of those.  The application forms are available here: _____. 

Send me announcements, stories, and photos of what you are planning and doing.  I will get those on the district’s Facebook page.  Also, don’t forget to engage with your local media, use your club’s web page and social media, and share to your individual pages to publicize the good things you are doing in your communities.  

Good news puts a smile on others’ faces, and Service Above Self is contagious. 

Operation Full Plate: Unite to Fight Hunger
This past summer, the Waurika Rotary Club sponsored a project that provided summer meals for kids: “A Full Belly Feels Like Sunshine”.  With so many people facing food insecurity now, Rotary Zones 30 & 31 are starting a friendly competition to fight hunger across our communities! Every can, every dollar, every hour of service helps fill plates and hearts.  The food drive will run from November 10-January 10, and each district will report its contributions according to the following: 

• 1 point for every food item donated

• 1 point for every dollar contributed

• 1 point for each public image activity related to the campaign

• 3 points for each hour of member volunteer service addressing food insecurity

• 5 points for every non-Rotarian volunteer you engage in your effort

I understand that I will receive a reporting form next week, and I will send that out to each club’s President.  Let’s turn fellowship into full bellies and sunshine! Together, we can make a measurable difference... one meal, one act of service, one community at a time.

Rotary Foundation Hurricane Melissa Response Fund

The Rotary Foundation has established a temporary Hurrican Melissa Response Fund, which will support disaster response grants in communities affected by the destructive storm.  The Fund will accept contributions from now through January 31, 2026, and grants from the Fund will be used to supply critical items such as water, food, medicine, shelter, and clothing.  

President Elect Training Seminar (PETS)

For those of you who will serve as President of your club next year, PETS will be held at the DFW Airport Hyatt from February 26-March 1, 2026.  Information about the event is available at https://www.lonestarpets.org/.  If you want to take an advance look at the training materials, they are available at https://www.lonestarpets.org/sitepage/2025-pe-training-guide.  PETS is more than just a fun and educational event; Rotary International requires all club Presidents-Elect to attend.  If you have questions about PETS, please contact District Governor-Elect Pat Fountain, patushana@gmail.com.