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1,200,000
MEMBERS


MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

With our growing community of 1.2 million members,
located around the world.

47,000,000
VOLUNTEER HOURS


WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES

Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them

$291,000,000
DOLLARS INVESTED


WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

$291 million awarded for global service initiatives in 2023-24


Join Us


Past Presidents

Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale

1922-23 John D. Sherwin

1923-24 Charles E. Fritz

1924-25 Reverend R.D. Tracy

1925-26 C.J. Joiner (½ year)

1926-27 J.S. Rickards (½ year)

1927-28 A.J. Beck

1928-29 Russell Snow

1929-30 William A. Glass

1930-31 J.A. Raymond

1931-32 Ulric Bennett

1932-33 Maxwell Baxter

1933-34 C.C. Freeman

1934-35 J.B. Fannin

1935-36 W.J. Eastman

1936-37 Dr. O.C. Brown

1937-38 August Burghard

1938-39 Jackson McDonald (½ year)

1939-41 Holt McPherson (1 ½ year)

1941-42 W.M. Ketchin

1942-43 Howard Pierce

1943-44 Dallas Swindle

1944-45 Carlyle Sweet

1945-46 Harry Randel

1946-47 Paul W. Myers, Sr.

1947-48 J.B. Patterson

1948-49 A.W. Putnam

1949-50 E. Thomas Wilburn

1950-51 C.I. Pierce

1951-52 Robert A. Childers

1952-53 Robert V. Roberts

1953-54 Richard W. Ward

1954-55 Harlow Davock

1955-56 E. Peter Clements

1956-57 Mark S. Bibson

1957-58 Grant I. Clarke

1958-59 Ernest N. Orr

1959-60 William B. Hulett

1960-61 Thomas A. Cook

1961-62 William J. Burke

1962-63 Thord M. Marshall

1963-64 Sam O. O’Bryan, Jr.

1964-65 A.W. Saarinen, Jr.

1965-66 Robert H. Six

1966-67 John C. Miller

1967-68 Ben A. Bolinger

1968-69 Clem E. Bininger

1969-70 Walter F. Dunn

1970-71 Robert E. Shepard

1971-72 Robert H. Pfeifer

1972-73 E. Birch Willey

1973-74 Clinton D. Hamilton

1974-75 Charles Creighton

1975-76 J.B. Richner

1976-77 Mitchell J. Alles

1977-78 Donald T. Glenn, Jr.

1978-79 Charles H. Bolton, III

1979-80 Ralph A. Marrinson

1980-81 Harvey E. Ramsey, III

1981-82 James E. Houston

1982-83 I. Fred Anderson

1983-84 R. William Weimer, Jr.

1984-85 Allan C. Sorensen

1985-86 William L. McGee, Jr.

1986-87 Romney C. Rogers

1987-88 Eugene M. Jones

1988-89 G. Wilkerson Gilbert

1989-90 John Dorner

1990-91 Ian C.R. Gail

1991-92 Thomas L. Tapp

1992-93 M. Scott Whiddon

1993-94 Roger Arndall

1994-95 R. Stephen Botkin

1995-96 Gene A. Whiddon, Jr.

1996-97 Walter L. Morgan

1997-98 Lloyd Rhodes

1998-99 John Siegle

1999-00 John Carroll

2000-01 Lynn Hayes

2001-02 Melissa Aiello 

2002-03 Dan Arnold III

2003-04 Steve Picha

2004-05 Michael Grimme

2005-06 Marvin Chaney

2006-07 Jon Erik Gundlach

2007-08 Marty Kurtz

2008-09 Ray Williams

2009-10 William Gundlach, III

2010-11 John Gustafson

2011-12 Robert M. Easton, Jr.

2012-13 Charles Felix

2013-14 Steve Leinicke

2014-15 Anthony J. Abbate

2015-16 Mike Sanchez

2016-17 Tom Powers

2017-18 Jonathan Keith

2018-19 David Kramer

2019-20 Pat McNamara

2020-21 Perry Monioudis

2021-22 Terry Robinson

2022-23 Jaye Abbate

2023-24 Rick Riccardi

2024-25 Dan Rizzi

2025-26 Jeffrey Shaffner

2026-27 Gabor Bodnar

Back to Stories List


Jeffrey Shaffner

2025-2026 Club President


Club President Letter 2025-26

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

 

It’s a true honor to begin this Rotary year as your President. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me—I’m genuinely excited to serve alongside such a passionate, generous, and thoughtful group. There’s a real sense of momentum building in our club, and I believe this is going to be a standout year.

 

Our Rotary International theme, Unite for Good, is more than a motto—it’s a mindset. In a world that can sometimes feel divided or disconnected, we have a unique opportunity to be the bridge. Through service, fellowship, and shared purpose, we can show what’s possible when people come together with open hearts and a commitment to doing good.

 

This year, we’ll build on the strong foundation already in place by:

 

  •  Deepening our partnerships in the community
  •  Strengthening engagement and belonging within our club
  •  Spreading awareness of the amazing work we do
  •  Empowering our committees with clear goals and purpose
  •  Celebrating the diversity of talents and perspectives among us
  •  Growing our collaboration with the Rotary Community Corps
  •  Getting a great start on our new expansive, all-hands-on-deck social media campaign to let our community know the great work we do.

 

And just look at what we’re already doing:

 

✅ The Rotary Connection, supporting our homeless neighbors
✅ Rotarians Honoring Rotarians, recognizing outstanding contributions
✅ Challenge Air, helping youth realize their potential
✅ Holiday drives, bell ringing, community meals, and more
✅ Honoring veterans, awarding scholarships, and uplifting lives

 

As we look ahead, one thing is clear—our future success depends on growth. That means growing our membership in size, diversity, and engagement.

 

We thrive when new voices, new perspectives, and new energy join our mission. Whether you’re deeply involved, just getting started, or somewhere in between—you matter to this club. Every member has something valuable to offer, and every step toward engagement helps strengthen the whole.

 

This year, I encourage each of us to bring our unique passion to the table—and if you know someone who shares our values, invite them in. Think about the possibilities if each of us brought in just one new member. Let’s grow not just in numbers, but in richness of culture, age, background, and ideas.

 

And while we’re doing this meaningful work, let’s not forget to enjoy ourselves. Rotary is about service, but it’s also about connection and camaraderie. Let’s make time for laughter, creativity, and fun—because people are drawn to the kind of joy and purpose that Rotary brings.

 

We are stewards of a 103-year legacy—and I truly believe our best days are still ahead. Let’s unite, serve, and grow—together.

 

With gratitude and enthusiasm,
Jeffrey Shaffner
President, 2025-2026, Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale

International Projects

Volunteer With Us

As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Jorg Hruschka.

  • Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
  • Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November
  • Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
  • Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2026

Rotarians In Action


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