Welcome to District 5495 News

Arizonans have more choices to support their favorite charitable causes as the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offers three additional specialty license plates, including one honoring Rotary!
 
With the addition of the Hualapai Tribe, Phoenix Rising FC and Rotary International specialty plates, MVD now offers 104 options that can be viewed at azdot.gov/plates and ordered at azmvdnow.gov/plates.  
 
In addition to the three new plates, Arizona Highways and the redesigned Keep Arizona Beautiful plates are both now available as motorcycle plates.
 
“Specialty license plates offer a great way to customize a vehicle and show your proud support for one of these uniquely Arizona organizations,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “MVD is pleased to offer the various plates that will have an impact for the organizations dedicated to improving Arizona and our communities.”
 
Most specialty plates cost $25 each year. Of that amount, $17 goes to a designated charity or nonprofit group. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, sales of specialty plates contributed over $12 million for various causes and charities. 
 
Specialty plates are authorized by the Arizona Legislature and have been offered since 1989. Plate designs complete a review by ADOT and law enforcement. Personalization can be added for an additional $25 per year.
 
The Rotary International specialty plate is available to anyone, with $17 going to support Rotary clubs in Arizona and their projects.
 
“These license plates will not only showcase our commitment to service but also provide an opportunity for individuals to support Rotary's humanitarian efforts such as education, health, and clean water," said Stephen Phair, president and founder of the Rotary Clubs of Arizona.
 
"This has been a collaborative effort involving Rotarians from every corner of our state, and we are grateful for their contributions. The official license plate will serve as a symbol of Rotary's dedication to making a positive impact in communities locally and globally."  
 
After an extensive two-year process, the Rotary Clubs of Arizona earlier this year unveiled the official license plate design. The board of directors, consisting of Rotarians from Arizona Rotary District 5495 and District 5500, dedicated countless hours to meticulously review submissions, collaborate on designs, and navigate the approval process.
 
Rotarians from across Arizona contributed their ideas, resulting in a diverse range of submissions that showcased the creativity and passion within the Rotary community. After careful consideration, the designs were narrowed down and presented to Rotary International for further evaluation.
 
Following approval from Rotary International, the selected designs were submitted to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for final review.
 
The official license plate will serve as a symbol of Rotary's dedication to making a positive impact in communities locally and globally. Proceeds from the sale of the plates will be divided annually between the two Arizona districts to support various Rotary projects and initiatives aimed at addressing critical issues such as supporting education, fighting disease, providing clean water and promoting peace and protecting the environment.
 
To view and order any specialty plate, please visit azmvdnow.gov
 
Some frequently asked questions:
 
When can I purchase my new Rotary International special plate?
You may order your new plate online at azmvdnow.gov starting August 16th, 2024.
 
What is AZ MVD NOW?
AZ MVD Now is the Motor Vehicle Division's new online platform. It's fast, easy, secure and personalized for you. Once you set up your
account and/or log in, you will see your information and your personalized home page. From there, you may easily order your new license plate.
 
How much does the new Rotary International special plate cost? 
The fee for the Rotary International special plate is $25 per year for a non-personalized plate and $50 per year for a personalized plate. The standard size plate may be personalized with a maximum of six characters and five when requesting disability. Also available in a small size plate for motorcycles and golf carts and may be personalized with a maximum of four characters and three when requesting disability. A postage fee will apply. 
 
What if my current license plate is personalized and I want to change the plate background?
Those with a personalized plate other than the Rotary International may apply for the new plate design online at azmvdnow.gov. The maximum number of characters allowed for the standard size Rotary International plate is six, five for disability. The maximum number of characters allowed for the small size plate is four, three for disability. A $50 annual personalized/specialty plate fee and postage will apply.
 
What if I already paid for my current special plate, will I have to pay again if I order the Rotary International special plate?
Yes, this requires a new application, and the fees for the Rotary International special plate is $25 per year for a non-personalized plate and $50 per year for a personalized plate. 
 
Who does the proceeds of the plate benefit?
The Rotary Clubs of Arizona License Plate, which is spilt equally between the Rotary Districts of Arizona annually.
Michelle Holcomb was installed as our District Governor for 2024-25 during a celebration held June 29 at Rio Verde Country Club in Rio Verde.
 
Michelle takes over July 1 as District Governor from Kevin Pitts, governor for 2023-24. Michelle was sworn in as governor by Past District Governor David Simmer (2019-20). David will serve as Michelle's vice governor during her term.
 
Michelle has been a member of The Rotary Club of Fountain Hills since 2010 and served as club president in 2015-16, 2016-17 and co-president in 2018-19 and again in 2021-22. She has served as a District 5495 Assistant Governor, is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute and PETS.
 
The ceremony featured a number of year-end district awards presented by outgoing DG Kevin. Several clubs were recognized for earning Rotary Presidential Citations and the district's Five Avenues of Service awards.
 
The Commitment to Excellence Award was presented to the Rotary Club of Mesa West and the Rotary Club of Sedona Village earned the End Polio Now Champion Award. Past District Governor Craig T. Wilson received the Champion for Peace Award and Linda Fulmore was presented with the Create Hope in the World Award.
 
Past District Governor Bret McKeand was presented with the district Ring of Honor and Stephen Phair received the Leadership for the Second Century Award.
 
Michelle introduced and swore in her Assistant Governors and Presidents-Elect for 2024-25. The theme for the new Rotary year is "The Magic of Rotary," and Michelle encouraged all Rotarians to serve others and share the magic of Rotary.
 
"Rotary Means Business" is Michelle's theme for 2024-25. This includes promoting vocational scholarships with TRVFA, entrepreneurship with the district microcredit program, small business community development, mentoring programs and local networking.
 
Good luck, DG Michelle!
 
See more photos of Michelle's installation in the district Photo Album! Click here!
 
District 5495 will hold its next Rotary Leadership Institute on Saturday, Sept. 28 in Phoenix:
 
SATURDAY, September 28, 2024
8:00 a.m. -4 p.m.
Thunderbird School of Global Management
401 N. 1st Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
COST: $65.00 (Most Clubs will cover this cost if they can)
Includes:
Continental Breakfast
Lunch
Study Materials

Contact Polly Cady at pcady@cadyfam.com
Click HERE to register.

Why Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)? Participant Interaction and FUN!
Come interact with fellow Rotarians about:

Rotary Basics Service and Foundation
Leadership Communication
Ethics & Vocation Membership

RLI is a world-wide organization that some refer to as Rotary’s “College of Knowledge”. RLI touches on
“everything Rotary” and is not a “leadership” course to become an officer of your Club. RLI is made up
of three one-day Sessions to give you an overview of what Rotary is and what it does worldwide. Its
goal is to create ENTHUSIASM for Rotary and show the enormous potential of Rotary service and how
with knowledge and excellent leadership in Clubs, the world will benefit.
Stephen Phair, past president of the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes and chair of the Arizona Rotary License Plate Project, was named the district's 2024 "Leadership for the Next Century" recipient.
 
Past District Governor Kevin Pitts presented the award to Stephen during a recent meeting of the Sun Lakes club. During the meeting, he was also named the club's Rotarian of the Month for July.
 
PDG Kevin noted Stephen's leadership, determination, service and innovation to initiate and complete the Rotary License Plate Project.
 
Stephen was instrumental getting a legislative bill passed and securing RI approvals. The plate's final design will be approved soon, and plates should be ready to be ordered by the end of the year.
 
Past District Governor Bret McKeand recently attended the PETS Alliance at Rotary Headquarters in Evanston, Ill., where he had the opportunity to work with Rotary International President-Elect Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo.
 
A Rotarian from Brazil, Mario will serve as Rotary President in 2025-26. PETS is Rotary's annual presidents-elect training session, and the alliance brought together the chairs of all the United States multi-district PETS programs. PDG Bret will serve as the chair of Southwest PETS in 2025.
 
Planned for Feb. 20-23 in Los Angeles, SW PETS is the oldest and now largest multi-district PETS held in the United States -- with over 11 districts and nearly 700 presidents-elect attending.
 
District 5495 Presidents-elect are asked to attend PETS and should begin making plans now with District Governor-Elect Jim Schmidt. 
 
Visit the Southwest PETS website for updates and information. Registration will open Oct. 1. Cost for this year's registration is $799, which includes hotel and all meals.
 
 
 
Past District Governor Larry Horton and Laura Vanderberg are putting together a presentation on how to avoid -- and deal with -- volunteer burnout on the Rotary club scale. The plan is to initially focus on education and eventually create a program to present to clubs. Part of that process includes a survey which we have put together. 
 
We will not be collecting names or club info in the survey to preserve privacy. We really just want to get a baseline and then turn the data right back out to the clubs, especially within our presentation.
 
As you review the survey, understand the questions are guided by a common notion that people get burnout when they feel their contributions or work are not being appreciated or have no meaning/value. Please let us know what questions you have and thanks for the consideration.
 
Please click the link below to participate in the survey. 
 
 
Discovering New Rotarians ... and Old!
 
We woke up to rain in Hiroshima. It added to the sense of the day, a tour of the peace memorial at the site of the atomic bombing. And then my mother texted me. My father had just passed, back home in Prescott. Needless to say, the tour was probably not top of mind for me but as we took in the sights and remembrances of the museum, I couldn’t ignore the powerful message it sends to the world about the consequences of the failure of leadership and how important it is to find ways to wage peace in this world.
 
Later that day, we were hosted for a luncheon by the Hiroshima South Rotary Club. They had an awesome speaker who was a young woman, trained at the University of Oregon and was an Olympic medalist in low hurdles. She was the only woman on a small team from Japan that year. But her message of resilience and hard work was inspiring. The club is hoping to get her to join. And she was a symbol of her city, that has grown back beautifully since being completely leveled.
 
Two days later, we passed the stunning green upswell at the foot of Mount Fuji, headed to the Kofu Rotary Club for another club luncheon. Kofu has over 100 members, including a handful of women and an 84-year-old PDG who reminded us of my father. This tour of Japan was a welcome distraction from what I knew I would have to face when I got home. And it was wonderful to get to meet so many Japanese Rotarians, plus the large group of us from different clubs and districts in the Southwest who signed up for the tour following our time in Singapore.
 
Kofu Rotary Club & Guests
 
District 5495 celebrates its 2024 District Conference May 2-5 in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point).
 
"Two Nations, Two Districts -- One Rotary" was a combined district conference featuring District 5495 from Arizona and District 4100 from Mexico.
 
Rotarians enjoyed several days of general sessions speakers, social activities, games on the beach and a Saturday evening Governor's Ball. 
 
Check out photos from the conference in a newly created Photo Album. Click here to view photos from the weekend!

After an extensive two-year process, the Rotary Clubs of Arizona are thrilled to announce the selection of the official license plate design. The board of directors, consisting of Rotarians from 5495 and 5500, dedicated countless hours to meticulously review submissions, collaborate on designs, and navigate the approval process.

Rotarians from across Arizona contributed their ideas, resulting in a diverse range of submissions that showcased the creativity and passion within the Rotary community. After careful consideration, the designs were narrowed down and presented to Rotary International for further evaluation.

Following approval from Rotary International, the selected designs were submitted to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for final review. While there are a few finalizing steps remaining with ADOT, the Rotary Clubs of Arizona anticipate that the plates will be available for purchase within the next few months.

"We are excited to unveil the official license plate for the Rotary Clubs of Arizona," said Stephen Phair, President and Founder of the Rotary Clubs of Arizona. "This has been a collaborative effort involving Rotarians from every corner of our state, and we are grateful for their contributions. These license plates will not only showcase our commitment to service but also provide an opportunity for individuals to support Rotary's humanitarian efforts."

The official license plate will serve as a symbol of Rotary's dedication to making a positive impact in communities locally and globally. Proceeds from the sale of the plates will be divided annually 50/50 between the two districts to support various Rotary projects and initiatives aimed at addressing critical issues such as education, health, and clean water.

Annual registration will cost $25, of which $17 will be returned to Arizona Rotary. The plate is not yet available for purchase; follow the Arizona Rotary Clubs Facebook page for updates. 

For more information about the official license plate for the Rotary Clubs of Arizona, please contact Stephen Phair at Stephen.Phair@edwardjones.com.