There is no Zoom for the June 9 meeting. This is our annual Changing of the Guard Celebrating our last year and inducting our new board for next year (2026-2027)
The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has registered 1000 children in Surprise, El Mirage and surrounding areas. However, Ron Klaphake has confirmed they have capped enrollment here until additional funding is found. Congratulate Ron Klaphake and his team (Jesus Hernandez, Debbie Thompson, Nancy Collins and John Yaeger) in bringing early childhood literacy to this part of the Valley with this extremely popular program.
Glenn Schmitt has issued a challenge - if each Rotarian would fund 10 children for a year ($320) that would go a long way to helping us meet this financial challenge. Glenn, Ron, Jim Schlenvogt, Mike Byers, Gerry Nosotti and Phil Souza have contributed and met this challenge, how about you!
As we have completed our Taste of Surprise and Arts Festival we are looking forward to our Social time at the Arizona Rattler on June 14 at 4:30. Please consider getting tickets and attending to continue to raise money for the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library initiative.
It is hard to believe that we have reached the final month of our Rotary year. Serving as your Club President this year has been an absolute honor. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your dedication, service, and fellowship throughout the past twelve months.When we began this journey last July, we set out with a shared vision to make a lasting impact in our community and live out our motto of “Service Above Self”. Because of your passion, your hard work, and your unyielding generosity, we didn’t just meet our goals—we brought them to life. Whether it was through our local hands-on service projects, our initiatives supporting youth literacy and education, community engagement, fundraising efforts, or support for those in need, you showed up. Every time our community called, this club answered.
June is traditionally a time of transition in the Rotary world, and a time for reflection, celebration, and appreciation for all that we have accomplished together.June is also Rotary Fellowships Month, which is incredibly fitting. Beyond the projects and the meetings, the true magic of Rotary lies in our connections. The friendships we’vestrengthened and the new bonds we’ve formed this year are the engine that drives our service. Thank you for making our club not just a force for good, but a welcoming family.
This year, our club has demonstrated the true spirit of Rotary,whether you volunteered your time, shared your expertise, contributed resources, or simply offered encouragement, you have helped make a positive difference in the lives of many.To our Board of Directors, committee chairpersons, and every single member: “thank you”. Thank you for your hours of service, your ideas, and your support. Any success we celebrated this year belongs entirely to you.
As we prepare to welcome new leadership, I am confident that our club is well-positioned for continued growth and success. I do so with immense pride in our past and complete confidence in our future. I encourage each member to remain engaged, support our incoming officers, and continue bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to our mission.
I have been inspired by your commitment, generosity, and friendship. Together, we have strengthened our club and expanded our impact, and for that I am deeply thankful.
Let us celebrate our achievements, recognize all of our outstanding members, continue to develop our new members, and look forward with optimism to the opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you for making this Rotary year memorable and meaningful and keep changing lives for the better.
I hope to see many of you at the changing of the guard dinner on June 9 as we celebrate the year past and welcome in the new year. We have much to be proud of and thankful for and I look forward to a year of service to our community and the opportunity to support those in need on so many fronts. I look forward to serving as your president in 2026-2027.
After the cool down from the Taste of Surprise and Arts Festival (Thank you all for your help during this event) we continued our program year. On May 12 we were honored to have Karen Izzi from the Art Community in Surprise (She is the proprietor of Conscious Creations Art Studio in Surprise) to tell of us her journey, her philosophy on the Arts in Surprise and our Community.
We also inducted 2 new members Dave and Bonnie Brisco (sorry I don't have photos of their induction). Their excitement about joining us and participating in all our works is infectious.
On May 26 Jeanine Jerkovic the City of Surprise Director of Economic Development, talked with us about all the opportunities and development activities within the City of Surprise and how the impact is growing with the City's economic incubator, the amount of retail coming, the importance of the Prasada retail hub is as well as some of the industrial development even supporting the TSMC supply Chain.
As we look forward to our last month, please remember all the great things we have done as well as all our Friends in this club. See you all at the Changing of the Guard.
Upcoming Events
June 6, Planning Meeting for 2026-2027 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Colonnade. Phil has planned an extensive agenda and an aggressive Schedule for next year. See you there.
June 8, Board of Directors Meeting 5:30 - 7:00 at the Colonnade.
June 9, the Annual Changing of the Guard 4:00 PM at the Colonnade. Buffet dinner and Cash Bar for wine/beer. Please pay Phil at the Door (Cash/Check). Note: there is not a Zoom link for this meeting).
June 14, DPIL Fundraising Event at the Arizona Rattlers Game. Please sign up for the Arizona Rattlers tickets. $5.00 from each ticket purchase will go to the DPIL Fundraising to support Kids in our community.
June 23 the Last Meeting of the year. Jim Schlenvogt is going over all our accomplishments for the last year and looks forward to the next year.
Zoom Link Below:
Topic: Rotary Club of Surprise & SCW
Time: Jun 9, 2026 05:30 PM Arizona
Meals Available from the Bistro at the Colonnade before our meetings at 4:30 (Premeeting order).
Volunteer Opportunities
The Club has the following Volunteer Opportunities coming up:
As we approach the new year on July 1 we have still have some open positions that need to be filled if we are to proceed with service and fundraising plans. These positions are :
Service/Projects chair to replace Sally Williamson
Golf event 2026 chair to replace Phil Souza
TOS 2027 chair pending review of 2026 event
Sergeant at Arms to assist Gerald Nosotti at meetings
Fundraising chair (new) to explore new opportunities
A/V assistant(s) to run Zoom / projection for meetings
Through Rotary, police officer Joanne Serkeyn expanded her view of how to make a difference. In July, Serkeyn will become the governor of District 7090
Members of the Rotary Club of Custer, South Dakota, played a role in the construction of the Crazy Horse Monument and continue to support its federation
