We are People of Action, Would you like to be?

Katie Spotz at the age of twenty-two rowed a boat across the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness for the importance of clean water globally!

Sharing inspirational stories of her own courageous adventures, Katie will not only raise our awareness about the global water crisis but will personally demonstrate how everyone can reach their potential while making a positive difference in the lives of others.

As the featured speaker at the District Conference on April 30th in Kearney, Katie champion’s the H20 Foundation that focuses on educating and empowering our youth to lead the future for clean water globally.

Why H2O for Life?

Since 2007, H2O for Life and their partner schools have contributed almost $2 million to more than 450 life-saving water projects in the developing world.

In 2014-15, their projects included borehole wells, handwashing stations, hygiene education, rainwater catchment systems, and VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) latrines in Uganda, India, Congo, Ethiopia, Dominican Republic, Mozambique, Nicaragua, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Ecuador, and Guatemala.

What Can You Do?

Sponsor a local fundraiser / awareness project in your community between now and the middle of April. Engage and partner with your local Interact or Rotaract Club to organize the project.

 Some suggestions:

  • Give up all beverages except water for two weeks; donate the money you would have spent on drinks.
  • Host a walk at your local high school track where sponsored participants carry a gallon of water for four miles (the average distance children in some countries walk to fetch water).
  • Sponsor a boat row across a nearby lake. The Ogallala Club raised $2500 in November with their Row across Big Mac.
  • Sponsor a 5K race for water. Ask local businesses to donate prizes and charge an entrance fee.
  • Offer a community bake sale for clean water.

Take photos or make a video of your event and send them to Todd Spellman (taspell99@gmail.com) for inclusion on the District Website. The UNK Rotaract Club will then produce a video of club events to show at the District Conference.

Please support “Our District Youth Groups” by getting them to the Conference to experience the magic of Katie’s message and presenting her with a substantial check for the funds they have helped raise.

This is a unique opportunity to show how much Rotary District 5630 cares about those without access to the clean water we take for granted. Let’s make a big splash for Clean Water!

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Saturday, April 26

District Governor Elect Sarah Cathcart (Kearney Noon) began the morning activities with a powerful flag ceremony with our guests and RYE students parading their respective flag. Representing 11 nations were; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Japan, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Nebraska, The United States of America and of course the flag that unites all of us, Rotary International. The US colors were presented by the VFW Color Guard Commander Gary Bush followed by the pledge of Allegiance and the national Anthem’s of Equador and United States.

District RYE Coordinator, Paula Witt (Hastings Sunrise) presented “Passport to Possibilities” to the two outbound RYE Students (25-26) with a gift for their upcoming exchange. Owen Phelps (Hastings) will be traveling to Brazil, while Mac Whitehead (McCook) will be traveling to Japan. Following we heard from the current inbound students themselves as Paula interviewed each of them about their exchange year in Nebraska.

Visiting DG Shawna Secker D-5390 (Montana) presented the “Exchange Effect: Changing Lives, One Journey at a Time” An inspirational story of how RYE is transforming lives across the globe, one student at a time.

Saturday Presentations

The Exchange Effect: Changing Lives, One Journey at a Time DG Shawna Secker, D-5390
Download (.pptx)
Rotary’s Secret Sauce: Attracting & Keeping Members, PDG Deb McCaslin, DMCE Toshia Jones
Download (.pptx)
Unlocking Growth: Transforming Rotary Membership in India, PAG Neeraj Bhatnagar, D-3011
Download (.pdf)
Branding Rotary: Making a Lasting Impact, DG Whitney Smith, D-5470
Download (.pptx)

Up next PDG Deb McCaslin (Broken Bow Area) and incoming District Membership Chair Toshia Jones (Cheyenne County) presented “Rotary’s Secret Sauce: Attracting & Keeping Members“, sharing fresh ideas and proven strategies to help grow and strengthen clubs.

Visiting Rotarian Neeraj Bhatnagar, PAG District 3011 (Dehli, India) presented his first of two presentations, “Unlocking Growth: Transforming Rotary Membership in India.” PAG Neeraj demonstrated how innovative strategies are driving incredible membership and engagement across one of Rotary’s most dynamic regions.

Visiting DG Whitney Smith D-5470 (Southern Colorado) presented “Branding Rotary: Making a Lasting Impact” teaching how to harness the power of storytelling, social media and visual identity to effectively share Rotary’s mission and amplify its impact in your community. 

Luncheon Keynote

Davanne Moul; Sr. Sales Director Mary Kay, delivered a powerful message of how passion, planning and perseverance has lifted her to tower above others. Ms. Moul intertwined messages of hope with her stories of growing up on a ranch in Aladdin WY.  Ms Moul described how she has lived a life of service to others and how that has empowered her to become a top sales leader for Mary Kay nationally for many years. Her message most certainly encouraged all to pursue their dreams.

Pride Points: 60 Years of Inspiration, Innovation & Impact, Davanne Moul Mary Kay
Download (.pdf)
Rotary’s Blueprint for Global Impact: The 7 Areas of Focus, PAG Neeraj Bhatnagar, D-3011
Download (.pdf)
How it Began... PDG Pedro Zanini & Elba Bernat D-4945
Download (.pptx)
Global Grants: Turning Vision into Action, PDG Dale Schultz
Download (.pptx)
CRMC Clinic: Honoring Life through Service, Dr. Kim Baxter
Download (.pptx)
PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney Bio
Download (.pdf)
PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney [Speech w/ cues]
Download (.pdf)
PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Maloney
Download (.pptx)

PAG Neeraj returned to the stage to present “Rotary’s Blueprint for Global Impact: The 7 Areas of Focus“, a message of how one person with a single focus can drive meaningful change in communities around the world.

PDG Bob Mayber, DRFC (North Platte Noon) shared “The Heart of Rotary: Transforming Lives Through Giving.” Bob shared a hopeful message of how the simple act of giving can be a force multiplier in Rotary’s mission and provide immeasurable impact on the lives of people whom he thought he would never meet.

PDG Pedro Zanini D-4945 (Argentina) and his wife Elba Bernat presented “This is How it Began“, sharing how a chance meeting of two DG classmates PDG Pedro and PDG Don Peterson (Kearney Dawn) on ZOOM and later in Person in Atlanta, GA would lead to a lasting friendship, and a “Ripple-Effect” of many wonderful projects.

PDG Dale Schultz (Hastings Sunrise) walked everyone through four individual Global Grant projects between D-4945 and D-5630 totaling more than $140,000. Sharing how Rotary has made a lasting impact through the power of collaboration.

Dr. Kim Baxter (North Platte) presented “CRMC Clinic: Honoring Life through Service” A global grant in Kenya. Dr. Baxter shared the incredible work being done to improve healthcare and make a lasting impact in Kenya through this vision to honor his son, Craig Baxter.

Past President Mike McQuillan (Ogallala) served as the emcee for the Dinner and District Celebration. The event was held at the historic Haythorn Ranch Arthur, NE recognizing the efforts of everyone across the district. The Haythorn Family was so gracious hosting and providing a world class Nebraska beef dinner.  

Our most honored guests were Past Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney and his lovely wife Gay. It was very special to have PRIP Maloney attend our District Conference because the PRIP is only allowed ONE official appointment from the current RI President each year. Having Lorena’s PRIP from her year as President of the Ogallala Rotary club accept her invitation was truly an honor. 

Mark delivered an inspirational message with a little humor tossed in for good measure.  “Marks Magical Markers” should be something that every Rotarian should strive to achieve. Download the speech and use the cues to view the Powerpoint and follow along with his message.  Mark’s Bio is also provided on the right.    

District Awards

Club of the Year (Small)
Arnold
Club of the Year (Medium)
Kearney Dawn
Club of the Year (Large)
Holdrege
Rotarian of the Year
PDG Deb McCaslin
District 5630 Conference | April 25-16, 2025

Photo Gallery courtesy of Rtn. David Fowler (Ogallala) … Click on the image above to visit the full gallery.

“THANK YOU” to our sponsors for their generous support to “The Magic of Rotary” Conference