Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee

ANNOUNCING a Rider -- the winner of our Ambassador drawing open to all Individual and Club Ambassadors. MYRA ALLEN from Dt. 5330 and RC of Temecula Sunrise

Myra Allen and her family volunteered in various Rotary Clubs and for other nonprofit organizations in Orange County for over 39 years.

Myra joined the Rotary Club of Temecula Sunrise in 2018. She first served as the club’s public relations chair, fundraising, and club race co-chair before being nominated and elected as club president for the Rotary year 2020-2021. Myra graduated from the Rotary Leadership Institute in 2019.

Myra has served as a District 5330 Community Service Chair and the Inaugural 9/11 Golf Tournament Chair since 2021 and collaborated with Zones 26 & 27 newsletter committee. Myra is a Member and Ambassador for the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee. Myra serves on the Marketing and Branding Committee, also on the Fundraising Committee for the Rotary Rose Parade Float. Most recently, Myra was awarded the “Paul Harris Fellowship” award for District 5330. Myra is also the 1st VP Dean of Chairs for Temecula Valley Woman’s Club 2023, member of Community Mission of Hope Pantry in Temecula. Myra serves on the advisory board for Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, for SAFE Family Justice Centers and is a Member of the Temecula Chamber of Commerce. Myra is the 36th Annual Run Through the Vineyard Club Race Director. She has served on many committees on training and public education, youth counselor and administrative assistant at the county level.

Myra comes from a humble and grateful philanthropic family. Her parents instilled in her the values of serving above self in the surrounding communities and globally. At a young age Myra bestowed leadership attributes, was very active in school, was in choir and was nominated to have the privilege of being the May Queen several times to Crown Mother Mary at her parochial schools. In High School she was the founder of AIS (Associated International Students) Club, her club was active in fundraising programs for scholarships. Her family owned a restaurant in Los Angeles, and every Thursday along with her mother would feed the homeless with a cup of warm home cooked beans, cheese, and chips.

Myra was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and was raised in Orange County, California. She is married to her husband, Daymond, and has been residing in Murrieta for the past 18 years. Their family includes two sons Ruben and Andre, a daughter in law Samantha Ruben’s wife and two granddaughters, Sarah, and Sophia. In her spare time, Myra loves to go glamping, snowboarding, fishing, singing, crocheting, sewing, crafting, kickboxing and enjoys quality time with her granddaughters. Myra and husband Daymond have a family-owned Landscape Construction Company and she is the Compliance Manager. Myra completed three and a half years as an undergraduate in psychology, business management-administration and compliance major, however due to a serious family health issue she had to suspend her educational goal for several years to take care of her ill mother and attend to the family restaurant.



In 1999 Myra’s mother was battling cancer again. Myra’s mother stated (while watching the Rose Parade), Mija , one day I dream of riding on the float, Myra replied, Madre Mia one day I will make it happen (encouraging words to make her feel better). Myra’s mother lost her battle to cancer on Thursday, November 25, 1999, on Thanksgiving Day. It has been 24 years since her mother passed away. Myra’s mother’s dream will be posthumously fulfilled as Myra is deeply honored to ride on the Rotary Rose Parade Float on January 1, 2024, in her honor.

Water Project: Our Rotary Club of Temecula Sunrise International Contribution went this year to Jhaure Bhangre, Nepal Drinking Water Project.

Blessed and Happy Hannukah to all those who celebrate.

SOOO PRETTY!!!

THROWBACK THURSDAY. Okay a more recent float -- the year was 2020.

Winner of the Tournament Volunteer Trophy
Most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length.
The theme of the float was “Hope Connects the World”. It showed how Rotary’s projects and its international membership bring hope, strength and service to the world. Through its relationship with organizations and non-Rotarians, they connect to make projects successful. This is exemplified by the Rotary connection with Optimist International. The President of Optimist International rode on the float with the Rotary International President. Hope springs from optimism and hope gives the willpower to press on in the face of adversity, with knowledge that when we work together, we have the power to succeed. The Penguin, adorned with a scarf displaying flags countries around the world, is embarking on a journey of -service, helped along by her flight crew. Together they showed how cooperation with organizations such as Optimists, increases the power of Rotary’s efforts—delivering Rotary’s message of Hope and showing how “Hope Connects the World.” Over 41,000 flowers cover Rotary’s 41st Rose Parade float.

Join us at 10a.m. PDT on Thursday December 7th for an open discussion and question and answer zoom call. All welcome!!! IF the below link does not work, please go to our website at www.rotaryfloat.org and on the home page the middle column third entry down is a link as well. THANKS all questions, comments and suggestions welcome!!

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HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR DRY DECORATING TEAMS at the Irwindale Phoenix Site ! Thanks to RC of Lake Arrowhead Mtn. Sunrise who brought 16 and their DG Jamie Zinn and
RC of Chino Valley bringing 3 with their leader Ric Bui. If any of you take pictures could you send them to us? THANKS We will gladly post on this Page.

TOMORROW !!
You're invited to the announcement of the
2024 Grand Marshal

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is excited to reveal the Grand Marshal of the 2024 Rose Parade presented by Honda on Friday, December 1, at 9 a.m. This press event will take place on the front steps of Tournament House and Members are invited to join us in person or by live stream on the Tournament's YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/tournamentsofroses


Friday, December 1 | 9 a.m.
Tournament House

THROWBACK THURSDAY Celebrating the year 1997. The float titled “Caring for the World’s Children” provided an opportunity to reveal the shining achievements of the PolioPlus campaign. The float featured three medical officers on three different continents, each surrounded by children who have been immunized against polio and other childhood diseases. Colorful flowers, animals, vegetation and monuments depicted the different cultures were immunization efforts have been carried out.

The float was constructed by Charisma Floats.

John Mckinley, PDG, Chair, La Canada Flintridge RC, District 5260

Announcing rider from District 5330 DG Jamie Zinn

Her Bio:
Jamie Zinn is the Chief Operating Officer of a major Western U.S. distribution firm and a proud Rotarian for over 17 years. She served on the RI Designated -5330 World Peace Conference as Treasurer and is a Co-Founder and Director for the Solutions for Peace Foundation. She has served as a Club President, as well as Treasurer, Secretary, and Chair for Foundation, Membership, Public Relations, Vocational, Community Service and Club Administration. She has been Treasurer and Director for District 5330 since 2013.

Professionally, Jamie has been in the Financial Services industry for over 46 years and was a senior executive officer with a nationwide financial services corporation where she held multiple senior level management positions throughout the organization including strategic, business, profit and capital planning; financial planning and reporting including accounting, tax and finance; primary and secondary marketing research; evaluation and development of new product and delivery concepts with strategic and tactical solutions for implementation; enterprise project methodology; retail site, market and network planning strategies; sales management and performance programs; profitability analysis and Human Resources management and delivery. She was also a Principal and owner of a Los Angeles based management consulting practice and until recently, owned a Financial Services firm that specialized in Accounting and Taxation with offices across the Inland Empire.

Jamie attended the University of Southern California and University of Phoenix receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business Management-Administration with an emphasis in Finance, Political Science and Pre-Law. She also attended University of Redlands for their Masters of Business Administration program. She has been an instructor for the Institute of Financial Education, held her Series 6 and Series 7 NASD Licenses and is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals and Society for Human Resource Management.

Jamie has been recognized as the California Business Woman of the Year in 2005 and 2006 as well as recipient of the Congressional Medal of Distinction in 2006 and 2008 for her work with the Business Advisory Council on taxation. She is currently a proud member of the Mountain Sunrise Rotary Club and has been recognized as the Rotary International Four Avenues of Service Award Recipient in 2008, Rotarian of the Year in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club Presidents Award Recipient in 2009/2010 and District 5330 Rotary Award of Excellence Recipient for 2013/2014. Jamie is a RLI Graduate, Paul Harris Fellow, Bequest Society Member, Benefactor and Major Donor.

Jamie and her husband Dwight reside in Temecula, and are blessed with daughter Kathryn, son Benjamin and his wife Nora.

Her district 5330 is doing a water project in Thailand as part of their Vocational Training Teams program this year.

Join us at 10a.m. PDT on Thursday November 30th for an open discussion and question and answer zoom call. All welcome!!! IF the below link does not work, please go to our website at www.rotaryfloat.org and on the home page the middle column third entry down is a link as well. THANKS all questions, comments and suggestions welcome!!

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

Announcing walker selected by District 5320 Alec Bastidas

Bio: Alec Bastidas, I graduated from California High School in 2023. Currently attending Mt.SAC and pursuing Commercial Flight. Through my years of high school, I would be a part of the Interact Club and had the opportunity to attend RYLA as a camper and trailblazer. I've been associated with the Rotary for a couple of projects, all of which have been a blast and I hope to continue participating as a volunteer.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OUR USA ROTARIANS AND FOLLOWERS>

th.bing.com

Announcing Float Participant Walker Michael Soden DG of District 5300
District Governor 2023-24, Michael Soden
The story of Michael’s Rotary journey began in 2003 when he initially joined the Rotary organization. Presently, he is among the prominent members of the Rotary Club of Green Valley, situated in Henderson Nevada. Over the years, he has exhibited a strong dedication to the Rotary organization, earning him the prestigious title of President twice.

In 2008-2009, Michael served his first term as President of the Brandermill (Midlothian) region of Central Virginia, District 7600, followed by his second tenure as President of the Green Valley club, located in District 5300, from 2013-2014. During his second tenure as club President, Michael contributed significantly to the club’s success, leading the club to earn high accolades, such as becoming the number one medium-sized club in District 5300 and receiving the RI Presidential Citation with Distinction. Additionally, the club qualified as a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club, demonstrating exceptional qualities of service and community engagement, a feat accomplished through Michael’s exceptional leadership.

For his exceptional contributions to the Rotary organization, Michael has been recognized with the prestigious honor of Rotarian of the Year by his respective clubs on three separate occasions. Furthermore, due to his remarkable leadership capabilities and commendable personal qualities, Michael has taken on various leadership roles in Rotary, serving as the District Communications Officer (DCO) for both District 7600 and District 5300 for over a decade, Zone 26 Assistant Public Image coordinator 2018-2022 and previously serving as the District 5300 Grants Chair from 2017-2021.

Since 2015, Michael has been a committee chair on the SWR PETS committee, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the organization. Additionally, he is a Major Donor. Illustrating his strong dedication to the Rotary Foundation, and is an exemplary Rotary member.

Michael resides with his wife Sylvia in Henderson, Nevada, and their family includes one daughter named Alycia, as well as two grandsons Aden and Alejandro, who are adored by the family.

WATER PROJECT
District 5300 are very proud to share the story of the Thailand Water and Sanitation Project in the remote jungle highlands of Northern Thailand. The project was fully funded by the Rotary Foundation to the amount of $330,000 with a matching grant from District 5300. The construction is already underway on the first village system funded by Rotary dollars. Our host Rotary Club & partner, the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club has been to that village.

ANNOUNCING a Float Participant RIDER from the Rotary Club of Arcadia District 5300.
Imy Chong-Dulake
Growing up in post-war South Korea, her father passed away when she was 6 years of age with a young mother struggling to make ends meet. Imy faced numerous challenges from a very young age.
Imy's own battle with 4th stage Tuberous Sclerosis at age 8 added another layer of hardship to her story. The bullying she faced at school further compounded her challenges, making her journey even more difficult.
In a turn of events, she learned Tae Kwon Do as a means of self-defense. It was a turning point in her life. Obtaining a 3rd degree Black belt and teaching other kids at a studio not only empowered her but also brought an end to the harassment that she experienced. This transformation not only highlights her physical prowess but also highlights the positive impact that martial arts and self-defense can have on one's confidence and mental well-being for their whole life.
After immigrating to the United States in the 1973 and not speaking any English, she finished college with a degree in accounting. Imy started working in banking and eventually she became a Vice President/Bank Manager in Beverly Hills.
After marrying Rick Dulake, they had two children (Sean and Michelle). Imy started in Real Estate sales. Now after 36 years she has become a very successful award-winning Top 1% Internationally ranked position in Coldwell Banker Realty. Imy enjoys meeting, helping and guiding people. Her goals are to fulfill clients wishes as part of the American dream to own a home. She serves all the San Gabriel Valley and the Greater Los Angeles areas and more.
Imy believes in the moto, Rotary Service Above Self to help humanity in the world especially after her growing up in extreme poverty. She believes in the 4 Way Test and being a part of the Rotary goal to make the world a better place to live.
She joined Rotary in 2002 and was the 2nd woman Rotary Club of Arcadia Club President in 2009-2010. The Arcadia Rotary Club is celebrating its 96th anniversary this year. During her Presidency, her club sponsored the growth of New Zealand native Māori tribes as their population is dwindling. Sponsored by Arcadia Rotary and Rotary International funding, the tribes were able to continue carving their canoes, wood, bone, jewelry and to sell to the public for their continuation to the younger generations to continue their heritage. The sale of these products also help towards their living conditions, and the necessity to maintain their culture.

Imy has enjoyed traveling to England, Canada, South Korea, Italy, France, Brazil, and Mexico to enjoy Rotary International Conventions.
• Imy has been Executive Sales Director for Coldwell Banker Realty for 36 years.
• She is currently on the board of directors/ trustee at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia.
• Past board member at Arcadia Chamber of Commerce
• Arcadia Unified School District Interpreter and was awarded the PTA Honorary Service Award.
• Imy received the Boy Scout of America Distinguished Citizen of the Year 2015.
• Imy received the M.T. Michler Rotarian Award 2019-2020.
• Imy received the Arcadia Rotary Foundation Frank Hall Fellow 2022.

Imy is honored to ride on the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee’s float on January 1, 2024.

Imy's Water Project
Arcadia Rotary Club and District 5300 are very proud to share the story of the Thailand Water and Sanitation Project in the remote jungle highlands of Northern Thailand. The project was fully funded by the Rotary Foundation to the amount of $330,000 with a matching grant from District 5300. The construction is already underway on the first village system funded by Rotary dollars. Our host Rotary Club & partner, the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club has been to that village.

Join us at 10a.m. PDT on Thursday November16th for an open discussion and question and answer zoom call. All welcome!!! IF the below link does not work, please go to our website at www.rotaryfloat.org and on the home page the middle column third entry down is a link as well. THANKS all questions, comments and suggestions welcome!!

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

On this Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who have served in the US Armed Forces. 🇺🇸

We are proud to showcase a first-time float participant, Coding for Veterans.Their programs assist military veterans transitioning from public service to the private sector and reskilling for civilian jobs in the tech sector.

Themed "Sounds of Success," the float symbolizes the program's role in shaping careers, acknowledging military heroes and promoting gratitude for their service. Coding For Veterans hopes to inspire military veterans to participate in their program and to educate employers about the value of hiring military veterans.

From all of us at the Tournament of Roses, we thank you for your service today and every day.🌹

For information:
https://www.codingforveterans.com/us-home/

Phoenix Decorating Company

Reminder to all our USA Rotarians and Fans - honor and thank a Veteran 11/11/2023

Announcing the designated walker for District 5240 Scott Astrosky
Scott Jeffrey Astrosky

Scott Astrosky is a proud native of Southern California with being born in Downey graduating from Bellflower High School in 1983. He entered the United States Air Force in 1985, and retired as a Master Sergeant in 2006 from the 14 Air Force, Directorate of Operations. Stationed at Scott AFB IL, Lajes Field Azores, and Vandenberg AFB CA. Former President of the local Chapter of Air Force Sergeants Association. During his time as an Active-Duty Airman, Scott graduated Cuma Laude from University of Phoenix with BS in Business Finance in 2005.

His water project is: The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach, CA has participated in several “Water Projects” in Africa. We joined the Ugnada Rotary Club of Mokono, to drill a bore hole water well at the Hopeland Primary School in Kitoola. This well was built 9 years ago and provides water for the 500 students and many families from the surrounding village.

Before this well was built, students and villagers started most days walking 30 minutes one way to collect water from a sugar cane drainage ditch. The water was unhealthy, but it was the only water they had ever known. For the last 9 years, because of the sustainability built into the project the well is stilling in full operation and clean water is flowing. After the great success with the water project in Kitoola, the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach with the help of District 5240 and several other local Rotary Clubs, again joined the Mokono Uganda Rotary Club and built an extensive water catchment system for the Hopeland High School in Najja, Uganda. The system uses the roof tops of the 15 buildings to collect the water and store the water in five 5,000-gallon storage tanks. The project also included solar panels on all the buildings providing electricity for classrooms.

After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked as a Department of Defense Contractor working in Joint Space Operations Center as System & Server Administrator and finally as a Program Manager/System Engineer for Joint Space Management System. During this period, he started his 12 year high school coaching career at St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria where he is currently the Head Coach for Men’s Volleyball and a former Boys Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach.

In 2014, Scott was afforded the opportunity to purchase his Farmers Insurance Agency in the beautiful Village of Arroyo Grande. At the same time, he was invited to the world of Rotary and hasn’t looked back.

Scott embraces his current position as the D5240 Youth Director (prefers the title “Youth Dude”) and has been the district Vocational Director & district Group 10 Assistant Governor. As a proud member of the Pismo Beach/5 Cities Rotary Club, he has held and continues to hold various positions including Club President and Foundation President. In addition, Scott is a past Board Member of South County Chambers of Commerce, Board Member of the South County Family Educational & Cultural Center (Exploration Discovery Center in Grover Beach), and past Board Member/Treasurer of Pismo Coast Association of Realtors.

Scott has been married for 30+ years to the former Tanya Joy Wright. He has been proud to be Tanya’s “First Dude” during her tenure this year as the President of the mighty Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club. They have the has 3 children, Elise, Brent, and Dustin.

Dear FellowRotarians and Fans of the Float Promoting Rotary and the Rose Parade. There have been ads or mentions in the comments showing purchase of Tournament of Roses Clothing. This site is not endorsed and it is not known if they have a license from the Tournament of Roses to sell such merchandise using their copyrighted material. We strongly suggest you buy your Tournament, Parade and Game clothing or souveniers from the official site of the Tournament.

Home Watch the Announcement of the 2024 Rose Queen Announcement & Coronation on YouTube BUY TICKETS Since 1890, the Tournament of Roses has produced America's New Year Celebration, bringing the traditions of the Rose Parade and

THROWBACK THURSDAY HMMM how about 1986Float theme: “Turning Tears Into Laughter”
The float was constructed by the American Decorating Company

Join us at 10a.m. PDT on Thursday November 9th for an open discussion and question and answer zoom call. All welcome!!! IF the below link does not work, please go to our website at www.rotaryfloat.org and on the home page the middle column third entry down is a link as well. THANKS all questions, comments and suggestions welcome!!

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

HEY FELLOW ROTARIANS -- if you are interested in riding or walking with the 2024 Float or even future years. Let us know. Donation for Walking $6500. Riding $10,000. MAGICAL EXPERIENCE and you are promoting ROTARY!!

So Sorry missed Throwback Thursday so we are going to do TURN THE CLOCK BACK Sunday. Celebrating 2017

Winner of the Princesses’ Trophy
Most Beautiful Float 35 Feet and Under
The float theme was “Doing Good in the World”. The 2017 Float promoted and celebrated the 100 years of The Rotary Foundation. The Foundation empowers Rotarians to travel throughout the world and create and complete projects which serve people in need in six areas of focus which are: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies. The spectacular and colorful dragon is clearly a world traveler carrying luggage decorated with the six symbols of the areas of focus. The Dragon also is proudly wearing a necklace with a medallion marked 100 for the 100 years of service.

Constructed by Phoenix Decorating

Join us at 10a.m. PDT on Thursday November 2nd for an open discussion and question and answer zoom call. All welcome!!! IF the below link does not work, please go to our website at www.rotaryfloat.org and on the home page the middle column third entry down is a link as well. THANKS all questions, comments and suggestions welcome!!

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

The RRPFC represented by PDG debi ross had a good time sharing pins and information on the 2024 Float. Some pictures of those happy to get their 2024 pins. Past RI Pres. Mark and Gay Maloney and RI VP Pat Merryweather among others. Pins available on our website www.rotaryfloat.org

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

ANNOUNCING 2024 FLOAT RIDER HEATHER MCINALLY

BIO: Heather McInally Brought up in Edinburgh, Heather studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and the Guildhall School of Music before starting a long career as a professional singer and teacher. She has performed all over the world singing a broad repertoire ranging from early music to musicals, but her real love is the music of her native land, Scotland. She is still much in demand as a teacher and adjudicator, and has spent the past 20 years encouraging youngsters to enjoy music of all styles from classical to jazz and rock. Her Rotary journey began in 1983 when President Elect Gordon joined the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, but she didn’t become a Rotarian until 2002, when she joined the Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange. She became President there in 2012/13, and on retiring to the Scottish Borders, she joined the Kelso Rotary Club and was President there in 2019/20. Now a founder member of a new style Passport Club - Rotary Borderlands – she is working hard to help bring Rotary in the area to a younger, active audience. The charity Hope and Homes for Children is very close to her heart – her involvement began within months of their beginning during the war in Bosnia in 1994, and she has been a strong supporter ever since. She acts as a speaker, raising awareness of their work, with a special interest in their involvement after the 1994 genocide, in Rwanda. Her daughters, Sarah and Rebecca, have also been a long-standing advocates for the charity, having also seen the work being done in Rwanda at first hand. Heather and Gordon have been married for well over 40 years, and in addition to their daughters, they have 2 granddaughters with whom they can enjoy all the wonderful things the Borderlands can offer – seeing the world through a child’s eyes with Ivy and Florence

ANNOUNCING 2024 FLOAT RIDER PRESIDENT GORDON MCINALLY

BIO
R. Gordon R. McInally is president of Rotary International. He was educated at the Royal High School and thereafter at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He owned and operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until stepping back from full time practice in 2016. Gordon was chair of the East of Scotland Branch of the British Pedodontics Society, and he has held various academic positions. He has also served as a Presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry Parish Congregational Board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland. A member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Scotland, Gordon joined Rotary in 1984 aged 26. He has served as president and vice president of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. He has also served RI as a director and member or chair of several committees, including as chair of the 2018 Toronto Convention Committee and chair of the Operations Review Committee. Gordon says, that among other things, he looks forward to working with members on building new style Rotary clubs and groups. “My vision is that Rotary should exist everywhere in a style to suit everyone who has the desire to be part of us and to help us do good in the world,” he says. Gordon is a patron of Hope and Homes for Children and led a partnership between that organization and RIBI during his presidency to lift orphans of the Rwandan genocide out of poverty and into stability. He recalls a moment of epiphany about Rotary’s power to transform lives while in Rwanda when he met a 16-year-old girl who had previously never owned a pair of shoes. He is also a patron of Trade-Aid, an initiative of the Rotary Club of Grantham Kesteven, England, that provides sustainable humanitarian aid to individuals, families, and businesses in the developing world, as well as being an ambassador for Bipolar UK. “No matter how long I live, I will never be able to give back to Rotary what Rotary has given to me,” says Gordon. In his free time, Gordon enjoys rugby, good food and wine, and stick dressing — a tradition of carving walking sticks in the part of Scotland where he resides. Gordon strongly supports The Rotary Foundation, which he describes as “the engine that provides the energy to do Rotary service.” He and his wife, Heather, also a Rotarian, are Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors and Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation. They are also members of the Bequest Society. A proud grandfather, Gordon wishes to dedicate his presidency to making the world a better place for his granddaughters, Ivy and Florence, along with children everywhere to live and thrive.

CLEAN WATER PROJECT
“Clean water is the lifeblood of our planet, a resource so vital that its scarcity or contamination can have dire consequences. It is the essence of life itself, sustaining not only human beings but also every organism that inhabits our diverse ecosystems.

Clean water is the foundation of good health, as it is essential for drinking, cooking, and sanitation. It serves as a critical component in agriculture, ensuring the growth of crops and the health of livestock. Without clean water, our nutritional needs cannot be met, leading to food scarcity and economic instability.

In Rotary, we are proud of the work we do to improve water quality for all. As we do so, together, we Create Hope in the World.”