Home Page | District 5150

Welcome to Rotary District 5150

Rotary District 5150 stretches across Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties of the San Francisco Bay area. Our Rotary club members are people of action and inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities, both locally and globally. Rotary International forms a global network of business, professional, and community leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve communities and form strong, lasting friendships in the process. Join us!

Happy New Rotary Year from Governor Mitone Griffiths!

This year, our theme is simple but powerful: Every Piece Matters. Every person, every idea, every contribution matters. With a strong leadership team and a focus on member engagement we’ll work together to make sure every member feels valued, connected, and inspired to Unite For Good.

Rotarian of the Month - July 2025

Rotary District 5150 is proud to honor Orlando Arce, a charter member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Greater Mission, as Rotarian of the Month for July 2025.

Since the club’s founding in 1989, Orlando has been a cornerstone of leadership, service, and dedication. He has held every leadership position within the club and has been a longtime International Service Chair.

Governor's Message - July 2025

Hello fellow Rotarians:

As we begin this new Rotary year together, I want to share a simple but powerful message: Every Piece Matters. Every person, every idea, every contribution matters. Each of us is an important piece of the puzzle that is Rotary. And when we come together, bringing our unique strengths, passions, and perspectives, we Unite For Good, which also happens to be the Rotary International theme.

Rotarian of the Month - June 2025

Rotary District 5150 is proud to recognize Janis Jerman of the Rotary Club for Global Action (RCGA) as our Rotarian of the Month for June 2025. A Rotarian for more than 21 years, Janis exemplifies service, leadership, and a deep commitment to both Rotary and her local and global communities.

Janis began her Rotary journey in January 2003 with the Rotary Club of New Britain-Berlin in Connecticut. During her time there, she served in multiple leadership roles, including several terms on the club’s board, Foundation Chair, Speaker Chair, and as the organizer of a district conference and the club’s largest fundraising event at the time. Her impact was felt at every level of club service.

Governor's Message - June 2025

HOPE IN ACTION and THE MAGIC OF ROTARY

We started the year at the District Assembly last March 2024 with the D5150 and RI themes for the year of putting our Hope in Action and sharing The Magic of Rotary. Our Rotarians in this district have done exactly that. Through last week, we have been working on, in various stages, 21 Global Grants. We have produced 55 District Grants. With our Interact Clubs and our brand-new Rotaract Club of San Francisco we have tackled 36 environmental grants. And in new pledges alone, we have committed another $3,065,000 to The Rotary Foundation that will provide in the future for an additional approximate amount of $76,000 every year – every year – to our District Designated Funds.

Conference Recap: Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritoious Service

The Rotary Foundation’s programs are how members transform donations into sustainable projects that change people’s lives. Each year, a district can nominate one member to honor their commitment, enthusiasm, and passion for these ideals. This year, our nominee Keith Axtell was selected by the review committee as a recipient of this distinguished award.

Keith, a distinguished retired HUD executive, has been a Rotarian since 1996. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, Major Donor and A Service Above Self recipient 2008-2009. He has served as District 5150 Grants Chair, Rotary Microcredit Action Group member and trainer, and organizer of numerous community and international service projects.

Conference Recap: 2025 Cliff Dochterman Award Winner

The Cliff Dochterman Award honors and recognizes an individual Rotarian who acts as a role model and renders distinguished and dedicated service to Scouting through active service, leadership or other exemplary contribution. The Award is named in honor of Cliff Dochterman, a distinguished Rotarian, former RI President and dedicated Scouter. The honoree must also be a dedicated Rotarian and serve his or her club and district with distinction.

Jeff Lowenstein, of the Rotary Club of San Mateo, is our Rotary District 5150’s newest recipient of the Cliff Dochterman Award, given by the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians.

Conference Recap: 2025 Rotarian of the Year

Cyndy Simms began her journey with Rotary in 1987 as the first woman member and president of the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, then onward with Rotary Clubs in Placerville CA, Mercer Island WA, Walnut Valley CA, and finally alighting in Foster City Rotary in 2011 as she continued her Rotary involvement while pursuing her career in school district administration.

Her wide-ranging Rotary club involvements encompass serving as Club President Colorado Springs (1999 – 2000), Walnut Valley (2010-20110 and Foster City (2016-

2017) Rotaries; Community Services Director (2013-2015, 2022-2025); President Foster City Rotary Foundation (2017-2018); RYLA Camp Counselor/Facilitator (2017-

2019), and Avenues of Service Award (2019).

Conference Recap: 2025 Service Above Self Award

Service Above Self has long been a hallmark of Rotarians who devote their time and energy to helping their neighbors — near and far — in significant ways. Rotary created the Service Above Self Award to recognize members who fully embody our primary motto. While many Rotary members distinguish themselves through service, we want to especially recognize those who make it a way of life. Each year, each district governor can nominate only one member whose service activities have had an impact on humanity. From this pool of exceptional candidates, just 150 recipients are chosen, and this year, from the Rotary Club of San Mateo we recognize John Barrett.