2009-2010 District 5490 Governor Jeanie Morgan Jeanie Morgan joined Rotary in 1994. As a relatively new member of the Lake Havasu City, Arizona community who was a past Kiwanian and Past Soroptimist, she joined the London Bridge Rotary Club because the bank branch manager she was replacing insisted on sponsoring her and told her she needed to be involved in the community and the London Bridge Rotary Club was the best service club in town.
Jeanie retired from banking in 2006 and started a second career as the CEO of Havasu Community Health Foundation. She retired from that position in 2016, resulting in her current classification of “Retired Non Profit Executive.” In the fall of 2016, she and Al moved to Chandler, and in January, 2017, she was accepted as a transfer member to the Rotary Club of Mesa West.
While a member of the London Bridge Rotary Club, Jeanie served the club in a variety of positions, and was privileged to serve as their President in 1999-2000. Over the years, she and her husband, Al, opened their home to host youth exchange students and GSE team members. She led an outbound GSE Team to District 4180 in Mexico in 2005.
When asked to describe her “Rotary Moment” when she transitioned from being a “member of Rotary” to being a “Rotarian,” she will tell you it was the opportunity to the profound impact of a RYLA weekend on each student in attendance. At RYLA, she saw social, economic, ethnic, religious, and political differences evaporate and witnessed students discover the brotherhood of mankind, bonded by the common desire inspired by Rotarians and inspirational speakers to do good in the world. Listening to students talk with each other about their weekend, she realized that Rotary might be the world’s best hope for developing future leaders who will one day work together to bring about lasting peace.
As District Governor, she encouraged collaboration between Rotary Clubs as well as external organizations to enable greater impact for good. Utilizing a Rotary Public Relations grant, working with many district volunteers, a soft-cover coffee table book was developed to highlight the work being done by and through Rotary. Enough copies were printed to distribute to all Rotarians in the district a book to keep and one to give away.
She tried to inspire Rotary Clubs and individual Rotarians to “fill gaps,” taking action when needs are identified rather than waiting until the “perfect time” or “perfect opportunity” to try to make a difference.
She tried to inspire Rotary Clubs and individual Rotarians to “fill gaps,” taking action when needs are identified rather than waiting until the “perfect time” or “perfect opportunity” to try to make a difference.
