Shows
Rotary Community Heroes of HopeBreaking Borders: How Rotary's VTT Program Builds Global FamiliesSend us a textGenuine connection transcends language, borders, and cultural differences. This beautiful truth shines through in our conversation with Carissa and Pedro Camargo, whose story exemplifies how Rotary's Vocational Training Team (VTT) program creates lasting bonds while serving communities globally.When a team from District 5330 traveled to Maringá, Brazil to implement mental health resilience programming, they encountered Pedro – a remarkable 19-year-old Interact member who became their unofficial translator and cultural ambassador. What began as professional exchange transformed into family, with Carissa being "officially adopted" by the Camargo family during her stay.The...2025-04-2318 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeFinding Your Voice: How a Mountain Leadership Weekend Changed EverythingSend us a textWhat happens when a shy high schooler steps outside their comfort zone and discovers a world of leadership, service, and lifelong friendships? Eddie's remarkable journey from reluctant ROTC student to passionate Rotarian exemplifies the transformative power of Rotary's youth programs.Eddie's story begins with hesitation. Already busy with ROTC commitments, he initially questioned whether to attend a weekend leadership camp called Ryla in the mountains. That pivotal decision changed everything. Despite having leadership training through ROTC, Eddie found that Ryla provided something uniquely powerful—an environment that pushed him beyond social ba...2025-04-1624 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeEmpowering Youth Through Words: The Four-Way Test Speech ContestSend us a text"Take a chance on yourself and go for it!" These powerful words from past winner Jason Davalos capture the transformative spirit of Rotary District 5330's Four-Way Test Speech Contest. This youth-focused program has become a launching pad for confident communicators and ethical leaders across our communities.The contest invites high school students to craft speeches incorporating Rotary's Four-Way Test principles: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? What begins at the club level with...2025-04-0926 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeGreen Schools, Clean Water: Rotary's Impact in CozumelSend us a textA chance vacation encounter transformed into a life-changing initiative for thousands of students in Cozumel, Mexico. When Matt McElroy, President-Elect of Indio Sunrise Rotary, attended a Rotary meeting during his family vacation, he witnessed firsthand the stark reality facing island schoolchildren – no access to clean drinking water. This revelation sparked what would become an extraordinary cross-border Rotary partnership.The Green Schools Project tackles multiple critical challenges through a brilliantly simple solution: harvesting abundant tropical rainfall from school building domes, filtering it for drinking, and using additional collected water for on-site gardens. Th...2025-04-0227 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeMock Interviews: Preparing Students for Real-World SuccessSend us a textWhat happens when high school students face their first real job interview without ever having practiced? For thousands of young people, walking into that first interview means stumbling through an experience they've never been prepared for. That's the problem Mark is solving through his remarkably successful mock interview program.During this eye-opening conversation, Mark shares how a Rotary concept he encountered 35 years ago evolved into a comprehensive program that's changed countless young lives. "Every high school student should really have an opportunity to learn how to interview for a job," he...2025-03-2824 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeBeyond the Club: The Power of the Rotary InstituteSend us a textThe true power of Rotary extends far beyond our local clubs and districts — it's found in the connections we forge with each other across wider regions and the collaborative energy that creates. In this illuminating episode, we're joined by Zone Director Wynne Spiller and Rotary Institute Chair Bob Deering to explore one of Rotary's most valuable yet sometimes overlooked opportunities: the Rotary Institute.For many Rotarians, The Institute remains a mystery. Wynne breaks down how Rotary's 34 global zones function and why this annual gathering has evolved from a leadership update session to...2025-03-2030 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeBreaking Barriers: Mental Health Training in BrazilSend us a text2025-03-1234 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeLife-Saving Wheels: How Rotarians Fund Rural Emergency TransportSend us a text2025-03-0523 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeDiscover How Rotary is Changing the Future, One Youth at a TimeSend us a text2025-02-2717 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeEmpowering Young Leaders: Early Act's Transformative Impact at Crestline Rotary ClubSend us a text2025-02-1916 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeTransforming Healthcare in the Dominican Republic: Rotary's Mission with Somos AmigosSend us a textWhat if you could be part of a mission that truly transforms lives? Join us on Community Heroes of Hope as we welcome the inspiring Douglas McClellan, who is leading a humanitarian expedition to the heart of the Dominican Republic, and Frank, the visionary founder of Somos Amigos. Together, we explore the incredible journey of providing essential healthcare to remote communities. Discover the heartwarming stories of Rotarians and non-Rotarians uniting for a common cause, breaking down barriers, and making a real difference where it’s needed most. Learn about the exciting plans for ha...2025-01-2825 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeJourney to Leadership: Nyron McLean's Inspiring Rotary Impact and MentorshipSend us a textHave you ever wondered how a career in humanitarian aid could lead to a prominent leadership role in a global organization? Welcome to an inspiring conversation with Nyron McLean, Rotary District Governor-Elect, whose impactful journey from leading medical teams in post-earthquake Haiti to becoming a pivotal figure in Rotary is nothing short of remarkable. From a speaking engagement at the Rotary Club of Covina to his integration into the Riverside Sunrise Club, Nyron's story is a testament to the power of mentorship and the supportive environment within Rotary. Listen as Nyron reflects on...2025-01-1623 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeParading Hope: Rotary's Artistic Collaboration at the Iconic Rose ParadeSend us a textJoin us on the Rotary Heroes of Hope podcast as we unlock the secrets behind the Rotary Rose Parade Float with none other than Gene Hernandez, the President of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee. Prepare to be enchanted by the meticulous artistry and logistics that go into crafting this floral wonder. From selecting top-notch designers and builders to sourcing vibrant blooms from Southern California, Mexico, and South America, Gene unveils the year-long journey behind the scenes. Discover the partnership with Phoenix Decorator and the sophisticated choreography involved in getting the float to...2024-11-1821 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeEmpowering Communities with Clean Water: Rotary's Mission in AfricaSend us a textDiscover how a simple mission can transform entire communities as we sit down with Dep Thuani, a relentless missionary worker bringing clean drinking water to South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya. Join us as Dep recounts his inspiring journey, which began in 2009, and continues with his ambitious goal to purchase a drilling rig by 2025. Through engaging with churches and businesses, Dep is on a path to revolutionize the efficiency of his clean water projects, and we discuss the potential role of Rotary in bolstering his mission. As Dep shares his experiences, we uncover the...2024-11-1122 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeHeroes of Service: Rotary's Transformative Impact on Mumbai's HealthcareSend us a textJoin us on a heartwarming journey as we spotlight incredible community heroes like Biren Shukla and Tina Runter. Hear firsthand from Biren, a past president of the City of Corona Rotary Club, and Tina, the pioneering first lady president of the Rotary Club of Mumbai Royals, as they share the moving story of their global grant project in Mumbai. Discover how their collaboration led to the donation of critical orthopedic equipment, transforming a local government hospital's ability to perform over 100 surgeries in just 20 days. Tina’s poignant recollections of witnessing the life-saving impacts of...2024-11-0419 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeUniting for Life: Rotary's Role in Boosting Blood Donations and Vital Community SupportSend us a textWhat happens when a community unites to support life-saving initiatives? Join us as we explore this compelling question with Kevin Taylor from the Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club, alongside Kim Bollinger from Lifestream Blood Bank and Yvonne Moreno of Hanson House. Discover the importance of local blood donations, particularly in the holiday season when supplies run low, and how you can participate in the upcoming blood drive on November 9th at the Doubletree by Hilton in Cathedral City. Gain insider knowledge from Kim on the donation process, from the mini physical to health...2024-10-2824 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeHeroes of Hope: Rotary's United Response to Southern California's Devastating FiresSend us a textDiscover the heroic efforts of Rotarians in Southern California as they tackle the challenges posed by the devastating Lion and Airport fires. Join us, Jamie Zinn and Judy Zolfakar, along with our community service director, Chuck Weisbart, as we promise to reveal how Rotary District 5330 mobilized swiftly to provide rooms for evacuees and essential supplies to firefighters. You'll learn about the power of community collaboration and the unwavering service-minded spirit of Rotarians who have made remarkable impacts during this crisis. With insights into their partnerships with organizations like United Way and local fire...2024-10-2120 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeIlluminating Hope: Rotary's Solar-Powered Support for Ukraine's ResilienceSend us a textWhat if a simple device could be a beacon of hope in times of despair? Today, we have the privilege of sharing Andy Lennick's extraordinary journey—a story rooted in personal history and a commitment to making a difference. As a child of Ukrainian political refugees, Andy's life has been deeply intertwined with Ukraine. Through Rotary, he has led remarkable humanitarian efforts, including distributing solar panel-powered USB chargers to bring light and connection to communities affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Andy's story is a testament to the power of Rotary's global ne...2024-10-1439 minRotary Community Heroes of HopeUniting for Change: Rotary's Global Efforts in Supporting Honduras CommunitiesSend us a textCan the spirit of collaboration and service truly transcend borders and transform lives? On this episode of Rotary Heroes of Hope, we share the awe-inspiring stories of Rotarians like Rafael Larios, Jim Weaver, and Melvin Tejada, who have united their local clubs across continents to bring crucial aid to Honduras. Hear how a devastating personal experience with hurricanes inspired Rafael to join Rotary, leading to powerful international partnerships that deliver vital supplies and services to communities in need. Together, these dedicated individuals show us the remarkable impact of compassion and teamwork, addressing essential...2024-10-0828 min