Members from across CNY gathered at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo on Saturday, August 16th to reflect on our accomplishments in our first year as this new region and celebrate the inauguration of new leaders for 2025-26. The event also honored retiring representatives and other outgoing leaders whose service helped shape and bring to life our new vision for Rotary in this part of the world. Read on for stats worth celebrating, milestones reached, and leaders to know!
Highlights of the Year
Membership: In 2024-25, clubs added a total of 283 new members, but we ended the year at a new -124 members. That was primarily due to forces beyond our control as 57 passed away, 43 moved away and 15 transferred clubs. Despite that, we beat projections from Rotary International, which had anticipated a greater loss of 157, and fared better than the previous year when our former districts were down a total of 160 members. Membership decline cannot be solved overnight, but we are moving in the right direction and in a very strong way. Our gratitude goes to every member that invited someone to join, and every club that created a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere to attract and retain members. Keep up the great work!
News Network: Under the leadership of editor Joe Abraham, CNY news stories reached nearly 3,400 views last year. Let's grow that this year by having more clubs submit their news and events to news@cnyrotary.org, and getting more of you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram where we share all the news stories.
Member Orientation: Chaired by Kimmy Talbot, the program had 118 members register to attend orientation sessions. This will continue to be offered the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7pm and is open to all members. If you want to watch it anytime, click here to check out our membership page that features a recording of the orientation.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Chair Pam Baxter spearheaded initiatives that introduced DEI basics, published the most News Network articles, and showcased DEI in action at the annual conference.
Youth Exchange: With leadership from Zoren Bullock, Suzanna Bernd, and Bill Rosentel, the program welcomed 29 inbound students and sent 24 outbound students abroad, with another 24 outbound students prepared for the 2025-26 year ahead. This is a big committee, with many people filling important roles that negotiate our exchanges, counsel students, provide protection and manage our database. You can join this team too! Click here to complete the form on our Get Involved page and let us know you want to help out with this youth program that is the pride of our organization.
Peace Initiatives: CNY Rotary expanded its Peace Committee work through Peace Poles, a Friendship Exchange, and participation in the Positive Peace Academy. Check out their new page on the website here for resources all of their initiatives, led by Chair Nancy Potter and committee leads PDG Elise Hereth and Lili Dobert. They are partnering with Meditors Beyond Borders International for a Positive Peace Conversations training this fall and all who want to complete this mediator education will be invited to sign up soon!
Grants: Chair PDG Dave Hennel helped clubs complete 41 district grants, while Global Grants Chair PDG Lana and her team worked on two dozen global grants, including seven that were completed.
Locally, our clubs made a playground more accessible, supported local food pantries, provided protective equipment for firefighters, sponsored arts & music programs for elementary students, planted trees, built beds, beautified communities across the region, gave children books and coats, and gave out scholarships, with clubs matching the $66K given out in grant funds.
The global grants included everything from urban beekeeping, to clean water, to medical supplies and planting trees. We also finished a global grant started by the former D7170 to install Narcan boxes in the southern tier of our region. A great reminder that international projects like these can benefit our local communities too!
Foundation Giving: Members contributed $237,027.17 in 2024-25—152% of the annual fund goal, averaging $87 per capita.
Polio Plus: Efforts led by Randy Wilson raised $85,205.64, an impressive 189% of the campaign goal.
Building a Legacy: One of the most notable milestones highlighted was the organization’s long-term legacy of impact, which has now reached $1.145 million in collective contributions. These donations and bequests go to the Endowment Fund, where the principle will remain in the bank and the proceeds will go to Rotary causes in perpetuity. Every $25,000 raised for the Share Fund, is $1,000 per year towards our CNY Grants program, every single year, forever. This will have a big impact on our future!
Events: The inauguration also served as a moment to thank members who hosted Rotary birthday celebrations, Area Reps who planned fun and engaging visits for President Lizzy, members who volunteered to coordinate social events, and to acknowledge the broad support network that makes the district thrive. President Lizzy connected with 96 clubs at 13 area visit, and attended an additional 52 events to meet members, share in their passions, celebrate their milestones, learn something new, and just have fun together. She got to have lunch with santa, go fishing, clean books for reuse, welcome new members, shoot a golf cannon, interview YE students, race outhouses, learn about local history, pin Paul Harris Fellows, dress up for a gala, make new leaders official, pet dogs, present checks, share my Rotary story, visit a farm, have hibachi dinner, serve seniors a meal, honor veterans with a flag display, and make cotton candy.
Thank you to our retiring leaders Melissa Rathbun, Doug Larison, Tara Renner, Keila dos Santos, Elise Hereth, Jim Cook, Jim Eklund, Don Tuttle, Charlie Smith and Andrew Roth. Their commitment to our members and clubs is truly appreciated and we welcome them to find new ways to lead!
Looking Ahead
President Bob shared some food for thought (even though most were full of tacos and cake at that point!) for the coming year. He encouraged members to focus on service, fellowship and public image, with the first two being the core of why we're in Rotary and the latter being how we attract more people to join us. It's a recipe for a successful year where the RI President has encouraged us to Unite For Good.
He outlined some upcoming events so members could save the date and plan to attend:
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) - the first session will be held in Verona at VVS High School on Saturday, Sept 27th. You can click here to register now at just $25/person thanks to support from CNY Rotary. They are offering all three levels and the graduate course. Every member should attend this facilitated learning program to increase their Rotary IQ and make meaningful connections!
Foundation Event - watch for an invite to a special event to recognize and celebrate our region's giving this November.
Pre-PELS sessions are starting early this year, with the first one on September 10th. Check out the schedule and topics for learning sessions geared towards incoming Club Presidents, but open to all members to attend virtually! Click here for more details. President Elects should save March 14-15, 2026 to attend the in-person weekend in Syracuse. Every club should be represented at this event!
District Learning Assembly, a free educational event for all club leaders (not just presidents!), is still to be scheduled, with more details to come.
Our CNY Conference will be condensed to one day on Saturday, April 11th and held at the Syracuse Marriott Downtown (formerly known as Hotel Syracuse). The venue is a gorgeous, historic hotel with spacious guest rooms and delicious catering. All conference content will happen on Saturday, including a more substantial district business meeting and many opportunities to learn something new that will increase your impact through Rotary. Friday will feature a day of leadership meetings and then an option for members to come together the night before conference begins for a dine-around-town event across multiple restaurants in Syracuse. Members can also choose to participate in some hands-on service on Sunday after conference too. So the event will mainly be one day, but those who wish to make a weekend of it will have plenty to see and do, with lots of time for socializing and making new friends! Click here for details and to book your hotel stay. Registration will open later this fall. Contact Chair Sam Netzband if you have ideas for speakers, service projects, or want to help with putting on a fantastic weekend for your Rotary pals!
Please enjoy these photo memories from Past CNY President Lizzy's adventures this past year!