Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Dear Rotarians,

This year, we embrace a simple but powerful idea: Creativity for Lasting Impact.

Rotary has never been defined merely by what we do, but by how we imagine what is possible. Service begins with compassion, but enduring service begins with creativity - the willingness to see familiar challenges through new eyes and to ask not only what is needed, but what has never been tried.

Every community possesses extraordinary gifts waiting to be shared. A photographer who can teach someone to see the world differently. A musician who can inspire confidence through song. A writer who can mentor the next generation of storytellers. An engineer, a chef, an entrepreneur, a gardener, an artist: each carries knowledge that can transform another person’s life.

Our question this year is simple: How will you show up for your community?

Perhaps you will mentor. Perhaps you will teach or create.

Together we will celebrate the remarkable creativity that already exists within South Pasadena through initiatives such as a photo exhibition, an AI filmmaking competition, a short story contest, the Dan Stover Music Competition, and new opportunities that invite people of every age to discover and share their talents.

These contests and competitions are invitations to learn, to inspire, to connect, and to leave something behind that continues to grow long after the applause has ended.

By combining imagination with practical service, by welcoming new voices and new partners, and by empowering people to contribute their unique gifts, we can create projects that do more than solve today’s problems. We can build a culture of creativity, generosity, and collaboration that becomes part of our community’s future.

Lasting impact is measured by the people we inspire, the talents we awaken, and the possibilities we help others discover.

That is the Rotary year we will build together.

‍Rotary Club of South Pasadena

Tom Camarda, President 2026–2027

“Creativity for Lasting Impact”