Every Rotary club has a spark. It could be an idea, the passion, the project, or the person who inspires others to take action. That concept became the foundation of the Spark of Service, Rotary District 5580's overhauled awards program introduced at the 2026 District Conference.
As District Public Image Chair (and owner of marketing agency), I was invited to work on the project, and my company staff and I developed program messaging and branding including the new name, online announcements and promotional materials including the design and development of new crystal awards, and resources to encourage recipients to share their accomplishments with local media.
With the conference approaching, Jodi Phillips and Sandy Swanson, co-chairs of the District Awards Committee, and I had a compressed timeline and a shared goal to create an awards experience that celebrates the spark of innovation, dedication, and impact of District 5580's clubs and members. Jodi and I presented the awards to both clubs and Rotarians who shared their stories and were recognized for their exceptional service. This collaboration demonstrated what can happen when people combine their knowledge, creativity, and commitment around a shared vision.
The Spark of Service celebrates accomplishments and the people who turn ideas into action. One spark can ignite positive changes in our communities and around the world.