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District 5495 Rookie of the Month

Rotarian Rookie of the Month for November: 
Daniel Weiner, Four Peaks Rotary Club of Fountain Hills

To borrow from former Michigan Football Head Coach and current Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, Daniel Weiner brings to Rotary an “enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

Although a Rotary rookie here in Arizona, Daniel is no stranger to the concept of Service Above Self. Recently relocated from Savannah, Georgia, he has quickly become an indispensable part of the Four Peaks Rotary family. Within months of joining, Daniel ran for and was elected to the club’s board, and—recognizing his energy and leadership—his peers invited him into the line of succession as the club’s President Nominee.

When the club was challenged to dream up a large-scale service project, Daniel immediately proposed addressing homelessness, helping the club explore meaningful ways to meet community needs. He also volunteered his time and technical expertise to enhance the club’s audio-visual setup and supports the “Round Up” initiative with local merchants.

Beyond leadership and ideas, Daniel rolls up his sleeves—literally—using his handyman skills on service projects such as the community garden at McDowell Mountain Elementary School, and coordinating repairs at the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club alongside members of a neighboring Scottsdale Rotary club.

Daniel has an outgoing personality, a great sense of humor, and boundless energy. He truly epitomizes Service Above Self. The Four Peaks Rotary Club could not be happier to have him as a valued and enthusiastic member—and we are proud to recognize him as our Rookie of the Month for November.

Click Here to See other Rookies of the Month!
D5495 Rotarian Rookie of the Month: October – Chris Dunham

Chris Dunham of the Rotary Club of Mesa has been selected as the Rotarian Rookie of the Month for October 2025.

Since joining the club, Chris has truly embodied the Rotary spirit of “Service Above Self” and has quickly become an integral part of the community.

From the very beginning, Chris has been a consistent presence at club meetings, taking on the role of greeter each week. His warm smile, welcoming handshake and genuine enthusiasm set the tone for every gathering, helping both longtime members and guests feel at home. This simple, yet powerful act, has created a stronger sense of connection within his club and has reminded Rotarians of the importance of hospitality in service.

Chris's impact goes well beyond his role as greeter. He has eagerly stepped up to participate in multiple service projects, contributing his time and energy wherever needed. Whether lending a hand at large-scale community initiatives or pitching in on smaller club projects, Chris never hesitates to get involved. His willingness to say "yes" and his enthusiasm to help demonstrate the heart of Rotary in action.

In addition to his visible contributions, Chris is also the kind of member who quietly strengthens the club in countless ways. He volunteers without needing recognition, encourages others with his positivity, and looks for opportunities to support both the club and our community. These qualities, combined with his reliability and genuine care for others, have already made a significant difference. 

As a new member, Chris has set the standard for what it means to be a Rookie Rotarian. His energy, dedication, and heart for service inspire us all, and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor. With his enthusiasm and commitment, Chris has all the qualities of a future Rotary leader, and I am excited to see the lasting impact he will make in the years ahead. 

 

D5495  Rotarian Rookie of the Month for September: Jim Quinn

James (Jim) Quinn, a member of the Rotary Club of Prescott Valley, has been named District 5495’s Rookie of the Month for September.

Jim has been a Rotarian since Feb. 1, 2025 and is currently his club’s membership chair. He was nominated by District Governor-Elect Joe Sweeney, who said in his nomination:

Recommendation for Jim Quinn - Membership Chair, Rotary Club of Prescott Valley for Rookie of the Month 

It is my great pleasure to recommend Jim Quinn, our Membership Chair of the Rotary Club of Prescott Valley. Jim has brought remarkable enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to this vital role, and his efforts have already made a profound difference in the life of our club. 

From the moment he accepted the position, Jim has inspired his fellow Rotarians to take an active role in welcoming and engaging new members. His energy and optimism are contagious, encouraging others to reach out, invite guests, and share in the excitement of belonging to Rotary. Jim understands that membership growth is more than just numbers-it is about creating meaningful connections and inspiring people to embrace the spirit of service in Prescott Valley. 

Jim’s leadership is not confined to planning; he is always present and actively participating. Whether it is serving shoulder-to-shoulder during a community project or quietly arriving early to set up our meetings, Jim consistently models the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self. He personally greets guests with warmth and professionalism, making them feel immediately welcome. This personal touch has strengthened our reputation as an inviting and vibrant club. 

Jim also contributes behind the scenes with equal dedication. His creativity helped design and edit our club brochure, and he has brought fresh, valuable ideas to our weekly newsletter. His ability to combine communication with innovation ensures that our members and guests stay engaged and informed.

Further demonstrating his commitment to Rotary, Jim has already completed Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) Part 1 and is preparing to attend Part 2 this November in Kingman. His pursuit of ongoing Rotary education reflects his desire to grow as a leader and continue making a lasting impact. 

Our club is fortunate to have Jim Quinn guiding our membership efforts, and I wholeheartedly recommend him for recognition and leadership opportunities within Rotary, especially as our Rookie of the Month.

Check Out our Rotarian of the Month!

D5495  Rotarian Rookie of the Month for August: Michelle Lessard

Michelle Lessard was nominated for District 5495 Rotary Rookie of the Month by Linda Sweeney, president of the Prescott-Frontier Rotary Club. Below are excerpts from Linda’s nomination letter:

 
In just six short months, Michelle Lessard has become an indispensable member of The Rotary Club of Prescott Frontier. The moment she joined, she jumped into service with enthusiasm and dedication, participating in nearly every project we’ve hosted. Her positive spirit, warm demeanor, and willingness to help others have made her a true asset to our club.
 
What sets Michelle apart is her eagerness to share her professional expertise for the good of the club. As a software business analyst, she has tackled technical issues with grace and generosity — offering assistance to members struggling with technology, improving our meeting audio setup, and dedicating personal time to resolving computer problems. She arrives early, stays late, and never hesitates to lend a hand.
 
Perhaps most impressively, she has volunteered to create and distribute our club’s monthly newsletter — an initiative that will enhance our outreach, internal communication, and overall visibility. Her commitment, initiative, and quiet leadership embody the very best of Rotary’s spirit of Service Above Self.
 
We are proud to nominate Michelle as Rookie of the Month and grateful to have her as part of our Rotary family.
Be Sure to Check Out our Rotarian of the Month!
D5495 Rookie of the Month -- July 2025
Matt Berry
Congratulations to Matt Berry of The Rotary Club of Phoenix Arcadia for being honored as our first recipient of the District 5495 Rookie of the Month Award.
 
Matt joined the Phoenix Arcadia club in December and is currently the club's Membership Chair. He joined the club driven by a desire to help in his new community and in less than a year has shown what it means to "Unite for Good."
 
Once the club identified membership as one of its key goals for 2025-26, Matt stepped up to become the club's Membership Chair. According to Club President Bryce Kuklok, "This role isn't for the faint of heart. We have an aggressive goal that requires someone who believes in Rotary's mission and who can inspire others to join our cause."
 
Matt delivers. He brings in quality speakers to club meetings and has introduced prospective members who share the club's values. He understands that effective growth means finding people committed to service, not just filling seats.
 
"What sets Matt apart is his authenticity. He didn't join for networking or business development. He joined to serve, and his actions prove it every week," said Bryce.
Be Sure to Check Out the District's Rotarian of the Month!
Matt (wearing the dark suit) during the ceremony where he became a member of The Rotary Club of Phoenix Arcadia.
How to Nominate
A Rotarian
 
District 5495 Rookie of the Month Program
Recognizing Outstanding New Rotarians
Purpose:
The Rookie of the Month program celebrates and spotlights new Rotarians (within their first 12 months of membership) who are already making a difference in their clubs and communities. This initiative aims to foster early engagement, retention, and recognition for those who exemplify the values of Rotary.

Program Goals:
  • Recognize the contributions of new Rotarians across the district.
  • Encourage engagement and leadership in the first year of Rotary membership.
  • Promote Rotary membership by showcasing meaningful impact made by new members.
  • Inspire other new Rotarians to participate in club and district activities.
  • Strengthen the Rotary experience through storytelling, connection, and recognition.

Nomination Guidelines:
 
  • Eligibility: Rotarian with less than 1 year of membership at the time of nomination.
  • Criteria may include:
  • Eligibility: Rotarian with less than 1 year of membership at the time of nomination.
  • Criteria may include:
  • Active participation in club projects or committees
  • Bringing new ideas or energy to the club
  • Demonstrated service above self in club, community, or profession
  • Embodying the spirit of Rotary and its Four-Way Test

How to Submit a Nomination:
  • Who can nominate: Club Presidents or Assistant Governors
  • Due date: 15th of each month for the following month’s recognition
    (e.g., August Rookie of the Month due by July 15).
  • Click on the link below for a Nomination Form.
     
  • Send nominations to: Teresa Haire
    D5495 Rookie of the Month Program
    D5495Admin@rotary5495.org

Recognition Includes:
  • Featured article and photo in the District 5495 Newsletter
  • Social media spotlight on District Rotary channels
  • Personalized certificate of recognition
  • Invitation to District events or monthly recognition spotlight
  • Shared story as an inspiration to others
Click Here for Nomination Form

Send your news to the District Editor for publication.

District Mailing Address:  Rotary International District 5495, 4747 E. Elliot Rd, #29-467, Phoenix, AZ 85044

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