All Things Rotary: A CDS Podcast

In this episode, co-hosts Nick Taylor and Michael DeGrandis sit down to chat with Club President Cristiano Nicolucci from Weston, Florida and President Elect David Nygren from Cayucos, California. We discuss key takeaways they took from their experiences with President Elect Training Seminar and how incoming club presidents might better take advantage of the event. Both share some great information if you are ever considering taking on leadership roles with your club! Enjoy!Hosts:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support SupervisorMichael DeGrandis, Club and District Support Associate OfficerGuests: Cristiano Nicolucci: Club President of the Rotary Club of Weston, Florida. David Nygren: President Elect of the Rotary Club of Cayucos, California.Producer:Andrez Perez, Club and District Support Officer

In this episode, we change up the format just a bit. We sent out a survey to a handful of DGEs with the prompt, "Our research has shown that the most important part of Rotary is the club experience, If you had unlimited resources, what innovative changes would you introduce to elevate the club experience?"Co-hosts Nick Taylor and Michael DeGrandis sit down and discuss some of the ideas that the District Governor Elects sent in. We hope that you are able to walk away with some new ideas from this one!Hosts:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support SupervisorMichael DeGrandis, Club and District Support Associate OfficerProducer:Andrez Perez, Club and District Support Officer

In this episode, we have a great discussion with current District Governor Herbert Pfeiffer our of District 1910. Herbert is a young District Governor balancing work, life, family, and his DG responsibilities that span multiple countries. However, he has a great perspective on how one can achieve success. We know that you will enjoy this one!Guests:Herbert Pfeiffer, 2023/2024 District Governor in district 1910Hosts:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support SupervisorMichael DeGrandis, Club and District Support Associate OfficerProducer:Andrez Perez, Club and District Support Officer

In this episode, we explore two different club models with the Rotary Club of Mental Health Advocates out of New Jersey and the Rotary Satellite Club of Vail Impact in Colorado! Check out how these innovative clubs found models to fit the needs of their members!Guests:Ray Freaney: Club President - Rotary Club of Mental Health Advocates, NJ, USAPenny Wilson: Satellite Chair - Rotary Satellite Club of Vail (IMPACT), CO, USAMike Glass: Club President - Rotary Club of Vail, CO, USAHosts:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support SupervisorMichael DeGrandis, Club and District Support Associate OfficerProducer:Andrez Perez, Club and District Support Officer

In this episode, we are excited to share three amazing examples of how clubs and districts are working to be more inclusive and welcoming. Hopefully you can take some key takeaways from the episode that you can incorporate into your own club and district. Enjoy!Guests:Marilyn Sanderson, District 5330 DEI Inclusion ChairCasey Nall, President of the Rotary Club of Pflugerville, TXNicholas Goettsche, Incoming President of the Rotary Club of Pflugerville, TXJeff Coleman, Past President of the Rotary Club of Pflugerville, TXJulie Aubry, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Evanston Nouveau, IL Host:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support Supervisor Producer:Andrez Perez, Club and District Support OfficerSarah Afzal, Global Initiatives Specialist

In this episode, we are excited to have two amazing members from District 6000 join us as we discuss various district training opportunities. This episode has some great information for everyone! Tune in to learn and hopefully take away some ideas for your club and district!Guests:Gretchen Nollman, District Educator D6000, Rotary Club of West Liberty, Iowa, USAHeidi Drager, Rotary Club of Marshalltown, Iowa, USA Host:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support Officer Producer:Andrez Perez, Club and District Support OfficerSarah Afzal, Global Initiatives Specialist

In this episode, Nick sits down with his colleagues Sarah Steacy and John Hannes to discuss some of the important enchantments from this past COL. Enjoy!Hosts & ProducersNick Taylor, Club and District Support OfficerSarah Steacy, Club and District Support OfficerJohn Hannes, CDS Global Initiatives Supervisor

In this month’s episode, Nick sits down with two incoming leaders to talk about their experience with leadership and Rotary and why it is a great place to hone your leadership skills. Guests:Lizzy Martin, District Governor Nominee Designate, District 7150, New York, USADaniel Walker, Incoming Club President, Rotary Club of Tempe Downtown, Arizona, USAHost:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support OfficerProducer:Sarah Steacy, Club and District Support Officer

Rotary Clubs come in all shapes and sizes. In today’s episode, we feature two clubs out of Central New York: The Rotary Club of Honeoye Lake and the Rotary Club of Victor-Farmington. While both of these clubs might be smaller, they are quite mighty! Take a listen to learn more about their different management styles and how that leads to making an impact in their communities.In the episode, the idea of co-presidents come up. We love to see the creative problem solving, but please note that there would still only be one club president reported on my.rotary.org.Guests:Bruce Chapman, Club President, Rotary Club of Victor-Farmington, New York, USAJeanne Hamele, Club President, Rotary Club of Honeoye Lake, New York, USA Host:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support Officer Producer:Sarah Steacy, Club and District Support Officer

On this month's episode, Sarah and Nick sit down and answer some of the relevant questions from their email inboxes. They explain the policy that answers those questions and how it can be utilized to fit the needs of your club. Hosts & ProducersNick Taylor, Club and District Support OfficerSarah Steacy, Club and District Support Officer

Happy Holidays from your CDS Team! Enjoy today's short episode of a few reminders and well wishes from your CDS Team!Hosts:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support Associate OfficerSarah Steacy, Club and District Support Associate Officer

Almost one year ago, we sat down with charter club president Brian Rusch to learn how he and his fellow members chartered the Rotary Club of Global Action District 5150. This month, we sit back down with Brian and Club President-elect Sarah to see how their club is doing, one year after chartering.GuestsSarah Jewell, President-elect, Rotary Club of Global Action District 5150, California, USABrian Rusch, President, Rotary Club of Global Action District 5150, California, USAHostNick Taylor, Club and District Support Associate OfficerProducerSarah Steacy, Club and District Support Associate Officer

We can all agree that when members join Rotary, there are plenty of opportunities to serve their community and the world. However, did you know there is also an opportunity to lead your community and the world, too? In this month’s episode, we sit down with RI Vice President Valarie Wafer to discuss how Rotary and leadership go hand-in-hand, the leadership opportunities that are available to you, and what qualities define strong leadership.Guest:Valarie Wafer, RI Vice President, Rotary Club of Collingwood-South Georgian Bay, Ontario, CanadaHost:Nick Taylor, Club and District Support Associate OfficerProducer:Sarah Steacy, Club and District Support Associate OfficerContributor:John Hannes, Club and District Support Senior Officer

Policies are sometimes seen as a roadblock for clubs, but did you know that they can actually be a road map to change? Putting it in writing solidifies the current needs of Rotary members, and gives us a course for the future. On this month's episode, we discuss the Council on Legislation, the event where updates to our governance documents are made. Most exciting of all, we learn how you, as a member of Rotary, play a crucial part in creating these changes.Guests:Wyn Spiller, member of the Rotary Club of Grass Valley, California, USA and Council Trainer, COL 2022Sarah Christensen, RI Staff: Supervisor, Council ServicesHost: Nick Taylor, CDS Associate Officer Producer: Sarah Steacy, CDS Associate OfficerContributor: John Hannes, CDS Senior Officer

We can all agree that service is truly the heart of Rotary. In celebration of the new Rotary year and RI President Shekhar’s theme, Serve to Change Lives, we are kicking off Season 2 of All Things Rotary to hear about 3 service projects, organized in distinctly different ways. First, a district-wide project in Orange County, California, followed by a multi-club project from two clubs in Kent, Washington, and a single club project from the Rotary Club of Chilliwack. While all these projects utilized different leadership methods, one thing is clear—they were a success. We can’t wait for you to take a listen and feel inspired, too!Host: Nick Taylor - Club and District Support Associate OfficerGuests:District Project:Marc Aarons, PDG 5320, Rotary Club of Orange County Digital, CA, USA Two Club project: Kate Matos, Rotary Club of Kent, WA, USAAlex Brown, Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise, WA, USADavid Mitchell, Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise, WA, USASingle club project:Shelley MacDonell, Rotary Club of Chilliwack, BC, CanadaProducer: Sarah Steacy - Club and District Support Associate OfficerTranscription done by John Hannes - Club and District Senior Officer

When is the last time your club updated its bylaws? 1 year? 2 years? 5 years? No matter how long it has been, it is always a good idea to update them periodically to align with RI’s policy and what you are actually doing as a club. Join us for a conversation on how your club can update its bylaws to match the needs of your members. Host: Nick Taylor – Club and District Support Associate Officer Guests:Christian Rietzke – Member of the Rotary Club of Metro New York CityGregory Franks – Member of the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley and Senior Supervisor, Club and District Support  Producer: Sarah Steacy – Club and District Support Associate Officer

Ever wonder what CDS means and what our team does? Join us for our 5th episode for a conversation with two fellow CDS officers. You will learn more about what Club and District Support is, debunk some Rotary myths, and clarify how we can work with you! Host: Nick Taylor  Guests:  Alicia Pijal-Avila John Hannes Producer: Sarah Steacy

With so many different club models available, it is easy to forget the impact a satellite club can have. Join us for a conversation about how Satellite Clubs can be a foundation for accessibility and opportunity for new members to Rotary.Host: Nick Taylor, Club and District Support Associate OfficerGuests:Andile Songo, member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and founding member of the soon to be Rotary Satellite Club of Indianapolis WestJeff Lake, member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and Assistant GovernorAndrez Perez, Club and District Support Associate OfficerProducers:Sarah Steacy, Club and District Support Associate OfficerJohn Hannes, Club and District Support Senior Officer

Whether you've been a club leader, or are about to be one, you've probably been asked over and over to add and edit your goals and achievements in Rotary Club Central. But... what is the point of it all? In this month's episode, find out why entering goals on Rotary Club Central is more than just an administrative task for your club.Host: Nick Taylor, Club and District Support Associate Officer Guests:Linda Morris, Club Secretary of the Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek, Alberta, Canada Mary Turner, Governor of 5360 and member of the Rotary Club of Olds, Alberta, CanadaSophie Dangerfield, Club and District Support OfficerProducers: Sarah Steacy, Club and District Support Associate OfficerAndrez Perez, Club and District Support Associate OfficerJohn Hannes, Club and District Support Senior Officer

In this month’s episode, host Nick Taylor sits down with Giselle Holder, Club President of the Rotary Club of Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago, and Club and District Support (CDS) officer, Marni Nixon. They discuss how tracking club attendance might not be the soul indicator in determining member engagement.