The Rotary Action Plan: A New Vision for the Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive was founded on a simple but powerful belief: Rotary's greatest strength is its ability to evolve while remaining true to its core values of Service Above Self, fellowship, integrity, diversity, and leadership. As Rotary enters a new era, our club embraces the Rotary Action Plan as more than a strategic framework,it is the foundation of everything we do.
The Rotary Action Plan calls on every club to Increase Our Impact, Expand Our Reach, Enhance Participant Engagement, and Increase Our Ability to Adapt. These four priorities are not merely organizational goals; they are a blueprint for ensuring that Rotary continues to thrive for generations to come. At the Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive, we have chosen to build our club around these priorities from day one.
For many years, Rotary clubs across the United States have faced significant membership challenges. Demographic changes, evolving professional lifestyles, and changing expectations about volunteerism have made it increasingly difficult for many clubs to attract and retain new members. While many traditional clubs continue to make a tremendous impact in their communities, it is also clear that new approaches are needed to reach people who have never before considered becoming Rotarians.
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive represents one of those new approaches.
As one of the newest clubs in Rotary District 5950 and Rotary International, our mission is not to replace traditional Rotary but to complement it by reaching individuals who have historically been underrepresented or disconnected from Rotary. We believe that Rotary's future depends on welcoming people of every culture, race, ethnicity, age, profession, ability, religion, gender, and life experience. Inclusion is not simply about diversity, it is about creating a genuine sense of belonging where every member is valued, respected, and empowered to lead.
Our club is intentionally designed to remove barriers to participation. Through flexible meeting options, modern communication, digital engagement, and community partnerships, we are creating opportunities for busy professionals, young leaders, immigrants, multicultural communities, entrepreneurs, and first-time volunteers to experience the power of Rotary. These innovations reflect Rotary's Action Plan by expanding our reach to populations that have often been overlooked.
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive also demonstrates that meaningful service begins with listening. Rather than assuming community needs, we work alongside diverse communities to identify challenges and develop sustainable solutions. Whether supporting local initiatives in Minnesota or advancing international service projects, our commitment is to create lasting impact through collaboration and partnership.
Within Rotary District 5950, our club is helping demonstrate that innovation and inclusion can strengthen Rotary's future. By embracing Rotary's Action Plan, we are showing that clubs can honor Rotary's proud traditions while adapting to the realities of the twenty-first century. We believe that attracting new generations of leaders requires more than inviting people to meetings, it requires creating environments where people feel welcomed, represented, and inspired to serve.
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive is also redefining what membership means. Membership is not simply joining an organization; it is joining a movement of people committed to creating positive change in their communities and around the world. Every new member brings unique experiences, perspectives, languages, cultures, and professional expertise that make Rotary stronger.
Our vision extends beyond growing one club. We hope to inspire other Rotary clubs throughout District 5950 and across Rotary International to explore new ways of engaging their communities while remaining grounded in Rotary's enduring values. Innovation should never replace Rotary's traditions of service, ethics, and fellowship, it should strengthen them by making Rotary more accessible and relevant to future generations.
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive is proof that the Rotary Action Plan is not simply a document to be discussed; it is a call to action. By increasing our impact, expanding our reach, enhancing engagement, and embracing change, we are helping shape a Rotary that reflects the communities we serve today and the world we hope to build tomorrow.
The future of Rotary belongs to clubs that are willing to welcome new ideas, embrace diversity, build authentic belonging, and empower every member to serve. The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive is proud to be part of that future.
Samba Fall
2026-2027 Charter President
Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive
2025-2028 District 5950 Chair of Belonging
Membership Newsletter July 2 2026
Happy Birthday to Rotary International President Olayinka H. Babalola
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive proudly extends our warmest birthday wishes to Olayinka H. Babalola, President of Rotary International for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
President Babalola's election marks a historic milestone for Rotary. He is the second Rotarian from Nigeria and only the second Rotarian from the African continent to serve as President of Rotary International. His leadership reflects Rotary's enduring commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the power of service to transform communities across the globe.
As he leads our worldwide family of more than 1.2 million Rotarians, President Babalola has inspired us to create a lasting impact through meaningful service, stronger partnerships, and a renewed commitment to "Service Above Self." His vision reminds us that when people of all backgrounds come together with a common purpose, we can build stronger communities and a more peaceful world.
On this special day, we celebrate not only his birthday but also his extraordinary leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to Rotary's mission. We pray that God grants him continued wisdom, good health, strength, and abundant blessings as he guides Rotary International through another year of service and impact.
Happy Birthday, President Olayinka H. Babalola! May this new year bring you joy, peace, and continued success as you inspire Rotarians around the world to make a lasting difference.
From the members of the Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive
"Together, we create hope, build peace, and make a lasting impact."
You Belong in Rotary
An Invitation to Professionals Who Have Been Underserved, Underrepresented, and Overlooked
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive believes that leadership exists in every community, every culture, every profession, and every generation. Yet too many talented professionals have never been invited to experience Rotary, or have never seen themselves reflected in it.
We are changing that.
We intentionally invite professionals from communities that have historically been underserved, underrepresented, and overlooked. We believe that the strongest Rotary is one where every person has the opportunity not only to join but to belong, lead, and serve.
We are especially intentional in welcoming women professionals.
For much of Rotary's early history, membership was limited to men. That changed after a landmark legal victory in 1987, when the United States Supreme Court ruled that Rotary clubs could no longer exclude women from membership. The decision opened the doors for women throughout Rotary, and pioneers such as Sylvia Whitlock helped demonstrate the extraordinary leadership and service women bring to Rotary. Their courage transformed Rotary for the better and paved the way for future generations.
Today, the Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive proudly builds on that legacy by ensuring that women have not just a seat at the table, but opportunities to lead, inspire, and shape the future of Rotary.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, educator, healthcare professional, nonprofit leader, skilled tradesperson, public servant, student, retiree, immigrant, veteran, or emerging community leader, your experiences matter. Your voice matters. Your leadership matters.
Our club is committed to creating a culture where every member feels welcomed, respected, valued, and empowered to make a difference. We celebrate diversity of thought, culture, profession, age, and life experience because we know that our differences make us stronger.
Rotary is more than weekly meetings. It is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders working together to create lasting change in our communities and around the world.
If you've ever wanted to use your professional skills to serve others, build lifelong friendships, develop your leadership, and make a lasting impact, we invite you to join us.
The future of Rotary will be built by those who have the courage to open doors rather than guard them.
At the Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive, there is a place for you.
You are welcome. You are valued. You belong.
A Historic Welcome to Rotary
Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive Welcomes Its First New Member of the Rotary Year
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive is proud to celebrate a historic milestone as we welcomed Jason Donald, the first new Rotarian to be onboarded in Rotary District 5950 during the Rotary year of Rotary International President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola.
Jason's journey to Rotary is both inspiring and a reminder of why our club exists. As an African American born and raised in the United States, Jason shared that, despite years of serving his community, he had never been invited to become a Rotarian. That changed when the Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive intentionally reached out and extended an invitation.
Our club was founded on the belief that Rotary grows stronger when every person feels welcomed, valued, and invited to serve. By embracing the Rotary Action Plan, expanding our reach, increasing our impact, enhancing participant engagement, and improving our ability to adapt, we are creating opportunities for people from every background to discover Rotary and become People of Action.
Jason's decision to join demonstrates the power of a simple invitation. His membership is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of Rotary's commitment to building a more welcoming and inclusive organization.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations and a warm Rotary welcome to Jason Donald. We are honored to have you as part of our Rotary family and look forward to serving our communities together.
The Rotary Club of I-94 Inclusive invites anyone who is passionate about service, leadership, fellowship, and creating lasting change to learn more about our club. Together, we can continue to grow Rotary by reaching those who have never been asked to join and ensuring that everyone has a place to belong.
Welcome to Rotary, Jason Donald!
Samba Fall
2026-2027 Charter President
Rotary Club of I-94 inclusive
www.i94inclusiverotaryclub.org
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship.
By becoming a Rotarian, Jason Donald joins a proud global tradition that spans more than a century. He is now part of Rotary's 1.2 million-member network of leaders and volunteers inspired by the vision of Paul P. Harris, the Chicago attorney who founded the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905. Paul Harris envisioned a place where professionals from diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, build meaningful and lasting friendships, and unite in service to their communities. The name "Rotary" originated from the club's early tradition of rotating meetings among the offices of its members. By embracing these enduring values of fellowship, integrity, service, and inclusion, Jason Donald is helping carry forward Rotary's mission of creating positive and lasting change in communities across the world. His membership also reflects the continued growth of Rotary as an organization that welcomes people of every background who are committed to making a difference through Service Above Self.
You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.
