October 05, 2020
We had our first official meeting with our Rotary District 5320 Governor, Gianna Richards. Gianna joined Rotary Club of Anaheim Hills in 2009 and became president of that club for the 2012 – 13 year. She has been employed at Solari Enterprises for 27 years. She is an avid SCUBA diver, traveler, car driver, volunteer, and a self-described ‘fun-haver’. Gianna is also part of the first mother/daughter team to have been governors in the 115-year history of Rotary!
Gianna discussed the many amazing projects we do in Anaheim Rotary: the fishing and outdoor educational programming, the backpack school supplies project, adopt a neighborhood programs and dental clinic, as well as our support of the Braille Institute and supporting the Rotary Foundation.
As the governor of our district, Gianna discussed Rotary International’s Strategic Priorities and Objectives which are: to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt. To increase our impact, we are working to eradicate polio and leverage the legacy, focus on our programs and offerings, and improve our ability to achieve and measure impact. In expanding our reach, we hope to grow and diversify our membership and participation, create new channels into Rotary, increase Rotary’s openness and appeal, and build awareness of our impact and brand.
To enhance participant engagement, RI plans to support clubs to better engage their members, develop a participant centered approach to deliver value, offer new opportunities for personal and professional connection, and provide leadership development and skills training. Finally, to increase our ability to adapt, we need to build a culture of research and willingness to take risks, streamline governance, structure, and processes, and review governance to foster more diverse perspective on decision-making.
Gianna’s 2021 – 2021 District Goals include organic and sustainable growth of membership, increased member knowledge of My Rotary and Rotary District, Support of the Rotary Foundation, Youth Protection Training, Presidential Citation Recognition, inclusion of diversity and Equity. Also being flexible, taking advantage of opportunities, and staying connected during the pandemic.
