Rotary 101
A brief overview of the world’s largest non-denominational non-political service organization, presented by our District Membership Committee & young Rotarians.
Rotary 101 offers an overview and brief history of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. It will answer the attendee’s questions about What’s Rotary is? and Why Rotary? including a summary of district service projects that illustrates Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
Corrie Forsling moved to Utah in 1999 and fell in love with the mountains. She served with Park City Rotary as club president, served as an Assistant Membership Chair on the district’s membership committee, is an incoming Assistant Governor, and works as board treasurer with several other nonprofits in Park City. Corrie has served as Summit County Treasurer since 2011 while raising a blended family of six kids with her husband Scott.
Scott Florence has been a Rotarian for 24 years, first in Oregon (Lakeview club) and now in Utah (Red Rock club). He is a past president of the Red Rock club (2015-2016), and Assistant Governor (2016-2019), and is currently serving as the District Membership Chair (2020-2023). He retired from the Bureau of Land Management in 2014 after a 38-year career
Rachel Palmer attended Rocky Mountain RYLA in high school and returned to serve as a Counselor for 2 years and a Head Counselor for 2016. RYLA is what introduced her to Rotary, which connected her to Rotaract and now the Connecting Generations Rotary club. She currently serves as the District Polio Plus Chair.
Sam Sanders began his involvement with Rotary in high school, was involved in RYLA 5490, and was the founding governor of Rotaract District 5490 (now 5495) in Arizona. After completing his studies, Sam moved to Utah and began volunteering with the Salt Lake Rotaract club.
Utah Rotaract: Current Status and Future Directions
Learn about the current number, location, activities, and accomplishments of the Rotaract clubs throughout Utah. See how Rotaract is poised to change under Rotary International policy adjustments starting July 2022 and how Rotaract is the future of Rotary.
This presentation is an explanation of what Rotaract is in our District and what it will be. It includes information on where the Rotaract clubs are, what the clubs do regarding service, and who is their contact to join. Then, it will discuss the coming changes by RI starting July 1, including Rotaract dues, the closer association of Rotaractors to Rotarians, and new rights like qualification for District and Global grants. Lastly, we will discuss how Rotaractors can make the leap from Rotaract to Rotary.
Paul Cardon is the District Rotaract Representative. He has been a Rotaractor since 2018. He has served as Salt Lake Rotaract’s Bennion Center liaison, president-elect and club president. At school, he just graduated in May 2022 in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Utah.
Jasmine Masih has been involved with Rotary for 10 years. She is currently the President of the Westminster College Rotaract club. Professionally she is a research assistant for the University of Utah School of Medicine Pediatric Endocrinology Department. She will be graduating this May with a Bachelor of Neuroscience from Westminster College and is hoping to pursue a career as a physician specializing in pediatrics.
Justin Powell is the District Rotaract chair. He has been a Rotarian since 2015. He has served as his club’s international service chair, foundation chair, and club president. Professionally, he is the Executive Director of Youthlinc, a local nonprofit.
From Peace Fellows to Positive Peace: Rotary’s Vital Role in Creating a World that is More Peaceful and Fulfilling for the Majority of People on the Planet
From Rotary’s inception, peace has been a cornerstone of the work Rotarians do in the world. In this session, we will explore Rotary’s valuable role in creating more sustainable and fulfilling lives for individuals, communities and the world. Rotary and its members fill four roles in the peace process: as peace practitioners, educators, mediators, and advocates. Peace begins at home, with each of us as individuals and as club members. Learn more about our role in peace and how you may impact it if you choose to do so in this exploration of what comes next for Rotary.
Kris Swanson
Kahrin Sharp is a 10-year member of the Park City Sunrise Club. She is the Utah Rotary Youth Exchange Chair. Kahrin is an Associate Broker and CFO for her family’s commercial real estate firm
Youth Protection, Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention
Youth protection is a top issue for Rotary. Utah Rotary Youth Exchange Chair Kahrin Sharp will discuss ways Rotary protects youth participating in its programs. Jennifer Condon LCSW will discuss how understanding the developmental impact of abuse can help us prevent abuse and create safe spaces for those who have been victims.
Abuse has far-reaching physical, social, emotional and psychological effects on a child’s well-being. Jennifer will provide a brief overview of the trauma abuse causes and the powerful need for prevention. She will briefly discuss effective interventions, touching on developmental theory. Any efforts we make to increase understanding and prevent further abuse from impacting not only children, but the world in which we all live, is well worth the effort.
Jennifer Cowley Condon, LCSW has been practicing Individual and Family Therapy for the past 30 years. She also loves teaching in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah and UMASS Global. She is skilled in cognitive restructuring with brief solution interventions through a psycho-social model. Jennifer is passionate about child welfare and hopes to prevent and educate others about the developmental impact of child abuse.
Kahrin Sharp is a 10-year member of the Park City Sunrise Club. She is the Utah Rotary Youth Exchange Chair. Kahrin is an Associate Broker and CFO for her family commercial real estate firm
Working with Refugees – Panel Discussion
Four immigrant Americans who have founded or been instrumental in growing organizations that serve our refugee population will discuss sensitivities and strategies for those who want to serve the refugee communities in Utah.
Fiston, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a leader, advocate, and very involved in the refugee community in Utah. He is passionate about helping others thrive and is especially drawn to youth who have had to face challenges in life. He has worked with foster care youths and families as a family consultant at Ensign Peak Services, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. He is the founder and president of the nonprofit, Umoja Generation focused on providing academic and college preparation support for refugee high school students and assisting newly arrived refugee families with the Utah education system and integration. Fiston graduated from the University of Utah with an International Studies degree, has received social work and IT certifications, and speaks seven different languages. He is currently involved in peace talks and advocating for peace and justice of the victim of genocide in the Eastern Republic Democratic of Congo. He was featured on UNHCR, 2 KUTV, Forbes, KSL, CBS, and recognized and awarded by Youthlink and the University of Utah as a young humanitarian award winner in 2020 and a young leader by the United Nations in 2021.
Desange Kuenihira is a speaker, model, advocate for youth and women, and CEO/Founder of unDEfeated, a non-profit organization that provides education for underprivileged youth and women with extreme financial hardship in Uganda. The foundation also supports single mothers and the youth with entrepreneurial skills to own businesses to support their families. Desange believes that helping women and youth by giving them resources will help end child marriage and poverty in the Ntoroko district. Desange has supported single mothers and youth in Uganda. She has been given an opportunity for education and she wants to share it with those who she has left back home in Uganda. Desange started supporting people back home with her personal funds. Desange holds Bachelor’s degrees in Criminology, Health society, and policy. A minor in Entrepreneurship and pre-business from the University of Utah. She has won some awards from the Miss Democratic Republic of Congo – Represents her home country in pageants, speeches, community activities. Emerging Youth Leader Award 2019 – Nominated for the award based on my commitment to the refugee community.