Welcome to May – and our opportunity to turn our focus to Youth Services! Having visited every club in our district, I got to see and hear about all that our clubs did this term that served young people. What a wonderful variety of events, projects and service activities! 
 
Rotary believes in developing the next generation of leaders. 

Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service.

In addition to Rotary’s youth programs – RYE (Rotary Youth Exchange), Interact, Rotaract, the annual speech contest and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening) camps – our clubs have developed their own programs to meet the needs of young people in their areas. 
 
(Photo Caption: a shot of me with Dick Jones, first major donor for Gridley Rotary, and Lisa Van DeHey, club president.)
 
Many of our clubs have handed out dictionaries each year to elementary students, provided backpacks full of school supplies and supported children and their families through our Oak Park Rotary House as health care needs were met at UC Davis Medical Center. And, we have served our youth as part of our End Polio Now campaign through Rotary Day at the River Cats! Our Rotarians have sponsored deserving children throughout our region to attend the ball game for free. 
 
By investing in and supporting our youth, we help to ensure they are ready to lead in the future and understand the meaning of service and community.  Through our many youth programs, students know their voices are heard... and valued. Take a moment to find out what your club is doing to serve and support youth in your community and then find out how you can help!
 
Welcome to the newest club in our District!
I’m so excited to announce a brand new club in our district – the Yuba Sutter Rotary Night Club! Just given the official notice of charter by Rotary International, the new club is headed by seasoned Rotarian Abbie Cesena and husband David Read, both formerly of the South Yuba County Sunrise Club. 
 
Abbie will lead the new club as the charter president and David will serve as The Rotary Foundation chair and the club’s focus will be on the arts. We are so excited to welcome the new club and especially the new Rotarians to our District! Stay tuned for information on a Charter Night to celebrate this new club - coming soon!
 
Yours in Service,
Desirée Wilson
District 5180 Governor