September is Basic Education and Literacy Month across Rotary - a time to recognize the transformative power of education and the role Rotarians can play in helping people of all ages learn, grow, and build brighter futures.
Education creates opportunity. Literacy gives individuals the tools to participate more fully in their communities, pursue meaningful careers, make informed decisions, and help the next generation succeed. Around the world, Rotary supports projects that strengthen schools, equip educators, expand access to books and learning resources, provide scholarships, and improve literacy for children and adults.
Here in District 5750, September also provides an opportunity to strengthen our connections with local schools, educators, students, libraries, and community organizations. Whether through a major service project or a simple act of mentorship, every club can help make education more accessible and opportunity more attainable.
September: Basic Education & Literacy Month đź“š
Rotary believes education is one of the strongest foundations for lasting change. By improving access to learning and strengthening literacy, we help individuals develop the skills and confidence needed to create better futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Across District 5750, clubs may consider:
Partnering with local schools, libraries, and educational organizations
Organizing book, backpack, or school-supply drives
Supporting teachers and classroom initiatives
Providing scholarships or recognizing outstanding students
Volunteering as tutors, readers, mentors, or career speakers
Supporting adult literacy and workforce-readiness programs
Working with Interact, Rotaract, and other youth programs
Highlighting educators and students who are making a difference
Service does not always require a large project. Sometimes lasting impact begins with a donated book, an encouraging conversation, a scholarship, or a Rotarian willing to invest time in a young person.
Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.
Education and leadership are closely connected. When we help people develop knowledge, skills, confidence, and curiosity, we are also helping develop the community leaders of tomorrow.
September is a great time for every Rotary club to look beyond its regular meetings and ask:
Where can our club help someone learn, grow, or discover an opportunity they may not otherwise have?
Throughout District 5750, our clubs already have tremendous relationships with schools, educators, nonprofit organizations, youth programs, and community partners. By strengthening those connections and sharing successful ideas between clubs, we can multiply our impact.
As we continue through the 2026–2027 Rotary year, there is much to look forward to:
Building stronger partnerships with schools and community organizations
Creating meaningful opportunities for youth involvement
Supporting literacy and educational initiatives throughout our communities
Growing Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary leadership opportunities
Sharing successful service projects across District 5750
Welcoming new members who bring fresh ideas and perspectives
Continuing to strengthen collaboration between clubs throughout the district
Every student encouraged, every educator supported, every book placed into someone's hands, and every opportunity created represents another way Rotary can make a lasting difference.
Thank you to the Rotarians throughout District 5750 who continue giving their time, talents, resources, and leadership in service to others.
This September, let us celebrate those who teach, encourage those who learn, and continue creating opportunities for people throughout our communities to grow.
Best Regards,
Rotary District 5750 Comes Together at SWOSU
What a great day for Rotary District 5750! On Saturday, August 15, 2026, Rotarians from across the district gathered at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for our District Training Assembly in the beautiful Skyview Room.
The day also marked an exciting milestone as the new Rotaract Club at SWOSU officially became a reality. District Governor Mack Patel signed the club’s charter, formally welcoming the group into the Rotary family.
A special thank-you goes to the Weatherford Rotarians who worked diligently to help make this new club possible and to the Weatherford Rotary Club for hosting us and providing a wonderful after-party. Congratulations to SWOSU Rotaract and everyone who helped make the day such a success!
We also extend our appreciation to District Trainer Roy Wood; Foundation Chair Steve Shepelwich; Membership Chair Brittany Atauvich; Public Image Co-Chair Brian Triger; and District Governor Mukesh Patel for their leadership, support, and commitment to growing Rotary across our District.
Eastside OKC Rotary: Growing Service, Opportunity & Community
Since chartering in March, the Eastside OKC Rotary Club has already made a meaningful impact through service, partnership, and a commitment to investing in local youth. In April, club members joined Mitchell’s Shade at F.D. Moon Middle School to celebrate Seeds for Hope essay contest winner Ka’Mariyonna and help recognize her creativity, dedication, and courage to dream big.
Eastside Rotarians also volunteered at the Mitchell’s Shade Community Tree Giveaway at Scissortail Park, giving their time to help strengthen connections and create a more vibrant community. We’re proud to recognize Eastside OKC Rotary for continuing to show what Service Above Self looks like in action.
Districts 5750 & 5520 Explore Global Service Collaboration
On the evening of August 27, Rotarians from Districts 5750 and 5520 came together via Zoom to learn more about Christine Glidden’s work through Women To Be, Inc. and the Nepal Women’s Hygiene and Economic Development Projects. The conversation highlighted a sustainable model that combines menstrual hygiene support with sewing centers that create employment opportunities for women while producing reusable hygiene kits for communities in need.
The meeting also opened the door to future collaboration between clubs and districts, with discussion around strengthening impact data, increasing awareness, exploring grant opportunities, and building broader Rotary partnerships. It was a strong example of how Rotary connections can bring people, resources, and ideas together around meaningful, long-term service.
For more information or to learn how you can get involved, connect with our District Leadership Team or visit www.women2be.org.
Celebrating Club Excellence in Rotary District 5750
We are proud to celebrate these outstanding clubs and the Rotarians whose dedication continues to make a lasting difference across our district. Their commitment to Service Above Self helps strengthen their communities and serves as an inspiring example of Rotary in action throughout District 5750.
Rotary District 5750 Remembers Dolly Parton: A Legacy of Literacy, Kindness & Hope
Farewell, Dolly. Thank you for the music, the laughter, the kindness, and the extraordinary generosity you shared with the world. Through the Imagination Library alone, Dolly Parton helped put hundreds of millions of books into the hands of children, opening doors to literacy, imagination, and opportunity for generations.
Your legacy reaches far beyond the stage. You showed that success could be paired with compassion, humility, and a genuine commitment to lifting others. Thank you for making the world a little brighter, a little kinder, and a lot more hopeful.
Strengthening Rotary’s Public Image: Tools, Resources & Connection
Rotary’s public image is strongest when our clubs are consistent, recognizable, and telling their stories well. The Rotary Brand Center is one of the best places to start, offering official logos, templates, messaging guidance, campaign materials, and other resources that help clubs present Rotary clearly and professionally. Taking a few minutes to explore the Brand Center can make a big difference in how our communities see and understand the work we do.
Explore official Rotary logos, templates, campaign materials, and brand guidance anytime at the Rotary Brand Center: https://brandcenter.rotary.org/en-us/
Staying connected to public image efforts across District 5750 is just as important. Our monthly Public Image Roundtable gives Rotarians a place to share ideas, ask questions, learn what is working in other clubs, and stay current on tools and best practices. Join us each month and help strengthen the way Rotary is seen, heard, and understood across our district: https://tinyurl.com/prmonthlyrotary5750
Celebrating Austin Fisher: Paul Harris Fellow +4
Congratulations to Austin Fisher of the Midwest City Rotary Club on achieving Paul Harris Fellow +4! This meaningful recognition reflects Austin’s continued generosity, dedication to Rotary, and commitment to creating lasting impact through Service Above Self. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and grateful for the example he sets through his support of Rotary’s mission both locally and beyond.
The Midtown Rotary Clubputs service into action by volunteering our time and energy to at least one community service project each month. In August, our members were proud to lend a hand at ReMerge Inc.’s Back to School Bash, an event that helps ReMerge families get the resources they need to begin the school year with confidence.
Together, volunteers helped distribute backpacks to more than 220 kids and helped make the day a little brighter for local families. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside ReMerge and support the important work they’re doing in our community. After all, it’s kinda chic to volunteer!
School Supplies Delivered to Townsend Elementary
The Rotary Club of the Original Mile recently wrapped up its school supply initiative with a delivery of supplies and financial support to Julie Glisson at Townsend Elementary, part of Mid-Del Schools. Club members, fellow Rotarians throughout Rotary District 5750, and community supporters all played a role in helping provide classroom resources for a strong start to the school year.
A special thank-you goes to Willow Boswell of Sovereign Bank Oklahoma for joining the effort and supporting the delivery. It was a great example of what happens when Rotary and the community come together around a shared goal - taking action locally and helping students and educators right here at home.
District 5750 Shines at Zones 30 & 31 Institute
Rotary District 5750 was shining in New Orleans at the Rotary Zones 30 & 31 Institute! Our district came ready to learn, connect, and celebrate, and we’re proud to return home with some incredible recognition, including the Member Retention Award, New Club Development Award, District Impact Award, and Excellence in Public Image.
Special congratulations to George Davis and the Ponca City Trailblazers Rotary Club for their District Impact recognition, as well as District Governor Mukesh Patel, Midwest City Rotary, 2025–26 Public Image Chair Jeanean Yanish Jones, current Public Image Co-Chair Brian Triger, and the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City for their work helping strengthen Rotary’s public image across District 5750.
District Governor-Elect Jamie Murphy-Crowe and District Governor Nominee James Richard McQuillar were also hard at work in their respective training sessions, preparing to lead District 5750 into the future. We’re proud of what our clubs and leaders continue to accomplish and even more excited about what comes next!
The EOC Rotary Club had a fantastic turnout for its annual Golf Fundraiser! Many teams have supported the event year after year, while each tournament also brings new golfers who get to experience the fun of night golf for the first time. Thank you to every returning team, first-time participant, sponsor, and supporter who helped make the evening a success and contributed to the club’s service efforts. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing everyone back on the course next year!
