“Unite for Good” — A Message of Connection, Purpose, and Legacy
The Rotary Club of St. Marys was pleased to welcome District Governor Jeff Ferwada of District 6330 as guest speaker at this week’s meeting. Jeff, a long-time Rotarian from Michigan and an architect by profession, spoke passionately about Rotary’s power to amplify individual purpose into collective good.
Jeff congratulated the club on its 100th Anniversary, expressing admiration for the community spirit reflected in the recent centennial celebrations. He shared that his theme for the Rotary year — “Unite for Good” — reflects both Rotary International’s vision and his own commitment to strengthening bonds between Canadian and American clubs in our bi-national district.
Drawing on his own Rotary journey — from first attending a lunch meeting in 2001 to serving now as District Governor — Jeff illustrated how Rotary offers ordinary people the opportunity to accomplish extraordinary things. He emphasized that true engagement begins when Rotary moves from “our heads to our hearts.”
Key points from Jeff’s address included:
- Membership, Polio, and Peace remain Rotary International’s global priorities.
- Clubs are encouraged to focus on member experience — ensuring every Rotarian finds meaningful purpose and connection.
- Innovative club models, such as interest-based or profession-based satellite clubs, can help attract new members and serve diverse communities.
- Rotary thrives when we help each member discover their personal “why” — the reason they choose to serve.
To close, Jeff invited members to take a few minutes to write down their own “why” — the motivation that brings meaning to their Rotary journey. The exercise inspired thoughtful reflection and renewed appreciation for how Rotary unites people to create lasting change.