Messages from the President

My dear Rotarians,

Stepping into the role of president of the Rotary Club of Owatonna, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and humility. To be entrusted with this role by people I deeply respect, and to feel their genuine support and encouragement, means more than I can fully express. I feel that support not just as a vote of confidence, but as an environment where people truly want me to succeed. That’s powerful.

And that’s Rotary.

But let me be clear: this is not my club. This is our club. And my role is not to steer it in my direction, but to energize it in our direction — to listen, to amplify, and to build a sense of pride and momentum that we all can share in.

Our club has a remarkable 100-plus-year legacy in this community, but the work of Rotary is never done: it lives and breathes through each of us. It’s my hope that in the coming year, each member of this club will feel not only a sense of pride in what we do, but also an ownership of our mission and a renewed excitement for our future.

That’s why I’m so excited about this year’s Rotary theme: Unite for Good. It’s a powerful reminder that in a world often divided, Rotary stands as a beacon of unity and hope. We bring together people from every walk of life — different professions, beliefs, backgrounds — and we unite around a single purpose: to do good in the world.

That message could not be more timely. And it could not be more needed.

As president, I plan to embark on initiatives that reflect this spirit:

• Programs designed to attract new members, especially those who share our values but may not yet know about Rotary.
• Service opportunities that energize our members — the kind of projects that not only make a difference, but invite others to join in and see what we’re about.
• And a renewed effort to showcase our club to the community — to ensure that when people hear the name “Rotary,” they don’t just think of service, but of impact, of belonging, and of hope.

Because if there is any group of people that can help a community see itself as united — across divisions, backgrounds, and beliefs — it’s this group.

You.

Us.

Rotary.

Rotary International reminds us that our greatest asset is not our history, our projects, or even our global reach — it’s our members. And that’s true right here in Owatonna. The people in this club. The ideas, the hearts, the time you give. That’s what makes us strong.

As we look forward to the year ahead, let’s keep that spirit alive: Let’s unite for good — as neighbors, as leaders, as Rotarians.

Let’s show our community not just what Rotary does, but who Rotary is. And in doing so, let’s grow, let’s serve, and let’s inspire.

Thank you for this opportunity to lead — with you, for you, and because of you.

Let’s make it a great year.