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Orem-Lindon, Utah – The Orem-Lindon Rotary Club hosted a lunch on September 10, 2025, that brought together club members, community partners, and student leaders for an engaging evening focused on leadership, service, and collaboration. The highlight of the lunch was a presentation by Savannah Bristol, Utah District Rotaract Chair, and Martha Valance, Partner of a Past District Governor.
The evening offered a unique opportunity to learn about the growth and impact of Rotaract, the youth-focused arm of Rotary International, and how students and young professionals can contribute to community service while developing leadership skills. Savannah Bristol shared her personal journey, from participating in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) to taking on leadership roles within Rotaract. She emphasized the importance of dual membership, allowing members to be both Rotaractors and Rotarians, and discussed the ways this structure fosters mentorship, professional growth, and access to district and global grants.
Savannah Bristol, Utah District Rotaract Chair, shares her experiences and insights on youth leadership, Rotaract initiatives, and community service during the Orem-London Rotary Club lunch.
Martha Valance complemented the presentation by sharing her extensive experience as a former District Rotaract Chair. She highlighted strategies for strengthening collaboration between Rotary and Rotaract clubs, noting how university-based and community-based clubs across Utah have grown and successfully contributed to district projects. She also emphasized the critical role of guidance, mentorship, and structured engagement in ensuring the success and sustainability of Rotaract programs.
The presentation featured examples of impactful service projects, including blanket donations to women’s shelters in Texas, community engagement initiatives, and opportunities for students to fulfill required service hours through Rotaract. Attendees also learned about the district’s leadership programs, including PETS (President Elect Training Seminar), Zone Institutes, and international conferences, which provide Rotaract members with hands-on leadership experience and networking opportunities with Rotary leaders.
Martha Velasco, Partner of a Past District Governor, engages attendees with a presentation on collaboration between Rotaract and Rotary, highlighting mentorship, leadership, and district-wide projects.
A special moment during the lunch was the presentation of Paul Harris Fellow Awards to longtime club supporters Jane and Spencer Mack. Both were honored for their generous contributions as donors to Rotary International, helping advance the organization’s humanitarian mission around the world. Their recognition reflects a deep commitment to the ideals of Rotary and their dedication to creating lasting change.
in recognition of their generous contributions to Rotary International.
The lunch also included a celebration of growth for the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club as a new member was formally inducted. Clark presented Curtis Turnbull with his membership papers and Rotary memorabilia, officially welcoming him into the Rotary family. The new RCOOL member expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for joining the club, marking the beginning of his Rotary journey.
Rotarian Clark Merkley presents new member Curtis Turnbull with his Rotary membership certificate and memorabilia, officially welcoming him into the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club family.
The lunch encouraged dialogue between club members and student leaders, fostering connections and generating ideas for future collaborative projects. Many participants noted that the event provided valuable insights into how Rotary and Rotaract can work together to support youth leadership, community service, and professional development.
Savannah Bristol and Martha Valance pose with Orem-Lindon Rotary Club members, capturing a moment of shared commitment to leadership, service, and collaboration.
By hosting this lunch, the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club reinforced its commitment to cultivating leadership, supporting young professionals, and promoting meaningful service within the community. The event also served as a reminder of the strong and growing partnership between Rotary and Rotaract, ensuring that these programs continue to make a lasting impact locally and globally.
Keywords: Rotary, Rotaract, Youth Leadership, RYLA, Utah District, Savannah Bristol, Martha Valance, Community Service, Mentorship, Collaboration, Grants, University Clubs, Paul Harris Fellow
Louyoko Nianza, originally from Africa (Republic of Congo), is currently pursuing his studies in political science in the United States. With a deep commitment to fostering transformative leadership, he is the proponent of “smart-africanism,” a concept he envisions as the cornerstone of a new era of authentic leadership in Africa. His academic pursuits and innovative ideas aim to inspire and cultivate a generation of leaders dedicated to advancing the prosperity and unity of the African continent.
Beyond academia, Louyoko has distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for mountain communities both in Utah (USA) and in Africa, particularly among women and girls, the most vulnerable and often the most overlooked. His tireless efforts to raise awareness about their struggles and highlight opportunities for empowerment led him to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations, where he represented their voices on the global stage.
A Visionary Rotaractor, Louyoko blends his leadership within Rotary youth programs with his advocacy for marginalized populations, working to bridge local realities with global solutions.
