Keep the Rhythm. End Polio.

There is something special happening across District 6840!

Over the past few months, I’ve watched our Clubs come together in ways that remind me exactly why Rotary matters. Our Sleep in Heavenly Peace District-wide service project brought Rotarians from across our communities together to build 55 beds for children who need a safe place to sleep. And as I continue visiting Clubs, I’m seeing that same spirit of service in so many different ways.

October 24 is World Polio Day, a reminder of one of Rotary’s greatest commitments: a world free of polio. We've come incredibly far, but the work isn't finished. Every donation to PolioPlus, every conversation about eradication, and every Rotarian who shares our story helps move us closer to that goal.

So this month, I’m asking you to do two things: keep serving your community and look for opportunities to support one another. Visit another Club’s project. Invite someone new to join you. Celebrate the good work happening across our District. And let's make sure our communities know why ending polio still matters.

Whether we're building beds for children in our own neighborhoods or working to protect children around the world, we're part of something bigger than any one Club.

Different Clubs. Different communities. Different strengths. Our District. One Rotary Family.

Keep the Rhythm. Create Lasting Impact.

DG Emily

Meet Your New District Governor Nominee Designate!

Heather Philo Wagner

Heather Philo Wagner is an attorney, mediator, and dedicated community leader with a distinguished career in public service and a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

A graduate of Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi School of Law, Heather spent 28 years practicing governmental law, including leadership positions with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the Mississippi State Department of Health. Her work has focused extensively on domestic violence prevention, victim advocacy, and human trafficking. Today, she practices law through The Wagner Group, LLC, and continues supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting vulnerable individuals and families.

In 2026, Heather was appointed by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves to serve on the Children’s Justice Act Task Force, further reflecting her longstanding dedication to protecting children and advocating for vulnerable individuals and families. She remains actively involved in community organizations and nonprofit advocacy.

A Rotarian since 2020, Heather served two consecutive terms as President of the Rotary Club of Ocean Springs (2024–2026) and currently serves as Assistant Governor for the Beach Territory in District 6840. She previously chaired the club’s Scholarship Committee and served as Service Chair and President-Elect. A 2025 graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute, Heather also participated in the Emerging Rotary Leaders Program at the 2025 Heart of America Zone Institute. She is a member of the Paul Harris Society and a Paul Harris Fellow +6. Heather is committed to mentoring future Rotary leaders, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing Rotary’s mission of service.

Heather resides in Ocean Springs with her husband, Jeff, and their three dogs, Schatzie, Samantha, and Augie.

Why did Heather run for District Governor?

My decision to put myself in the running for DG was not taken lightly. I understand the obligations that surround this position - obligations to RI, obligations to District 6840, and most importantly the obligation to all our members. I want to continue the work that has been and is being done by my predecessors to grow our membership and to expand our reach with good works, and do it all while having fun!! This opportunity presented at the right time in my life, and I've got the passion and energy to carry District 6840 forward through 2030!!

In Our Clubs--October

Different Traditions, Shared Purpose

One of my favorite parts of serving as District Governor has been discovering what makes each of our Clubs unmistakably themselves.

In Carrollton, it's decades of turning Jazz Fest into meaningful community support. In McComb, it's a 90-year legacy that includes a $250,000 investment in a children's library. In Columbia, it's a youth soccer program reaching approximately 400 children each year.

October is a busy month as Covington has a Boys Town Louisiana Halloween Boo Bash on October 24, while Ocean Springs is lacing up for its Rotary R.A.C.E. 5K on October 17, bringing runners, families, and the community together for an evening of fun and fellowship. And we can't forget Bay St. Louis, bringing neighbors, nonprofits, and animal lovers together for PAW*FEST and its Volunteer & Resource Fair, proving that service comes in all shapes, sizes, and species! And Slidell and Slidell Northshore are challenging us to Paint the District Purple for PolioPlus, rallying Clubs across District 6840 to raise awareness and support Rotary's promise to end polio for good!

And the service continues in the New Year! The Franklinton and Bogalusa Rotarians show their mighty commitment to service with their Night of Giving next March. St. Bernard invests in young people through its beloved Spelling Bee on February 27. And Moss Point is inviting fellow Rotarians to roll up their sleeves for an Extra Table Packing Party in April, turning teamwork into thousands of meals for neighbors facing food insecurity!

Our District 6840 E-Club is reimagining how Rotarians connect and serve, while Hammond-Ponchatoula Sunrise demonstrates what engaged members can accomplish together.

Every Club has its own traditions, challenges, personalities, and priorities. And that's exactly what makes our District so special. There's no single formula for a successful Rotary Club, but there is something powerful about learning from one another, celebrating our differences, and finding opportunities to do more together.

Because Creating Lasting Impact isn't about every Club doing the same thing. It's about each Club doing what it does best, and all of us making a difference together.

(Have an event or service project you want to include in the Newsletter? Let us know!!)

RYLA Summit

RYLA SUMMIT

Do you love Rotary Youth? Do you have ideas for RYLA, want to learn more, or want to help? The RYLA Summit will bring Rotarians together to strengthen club participation in RYLA, share ideas, and prepare for the upcoming year. The Ponchatoula Rotary Club has graciously offered the use of the Rotary Hut for this summit, and they will be serving lunch. So come join us for a debrief on all things RYLA and lend your support to this amazing program!

There is no cost to attend, but we do need you to register in order to plan for food.

You can register here: RYLA Summit

Clubrunner Training

Want to Learn More about Rotary Software Applications?

Clubrunner offers an array of tools to make managing your club easier, from member management to communications, billing, events and donations. Rotary.org has a host of resources for learning and public relations. But how do you access these resources? How do you most effectively utilize and manage these applications?

You asked, so we are answering! We will be hosting in-depth training at the Rotary Hut in Ponchatoula on Saturday, November 7th from 8:30-10:30 a.m. (lunch will be served). We will begin with an overview of the systems and then break out into smaller groups for Secretaries, Treasurers, Website/Newsletter editors, and Club Presidents/Presidents Elect.

To register, click the desired link below: November 7-In Person

Northlake Mandeville Veterans Day Golf Tournament

Come join us for a special Veterans Day Golf Tournament honoring the men and women who have served our country!

Date: Thursday, November 12th
Time: 8:00 check-in, 9:00 tee time (we'll have lite bites & coffee)
Location: Beau Chene Country Club, Mandeville, LA
Food: lunch after tournament provided by Notorious P.I.G.

We invite golfers, supporters, and sponsors to be part of a memorable day filled with golf, great food, fellowship, and fun. Sponsors will also have the opportunity to help provide a local Veteran with the chance to enjoy a day on the course!
A portion of the net proceeds from this event will be donated to a veterans organization dedicated to supporting veterans living with mental health challenges and injuries.

Come play, sponsor, or simply support this meaningful event as we come together to honor and give back to our veterans!

Registration link here:
https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/NORTHLAKEMANDEVILLEROTARYGOLFTOURNAMENT26

Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/share/19ZDA4f288/

Any questions: email Chase Villeret at chase@villeretlaw.com

See you on the green!! 🏌️⛳

In Our Communities--October

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build: A Lasting Impact

What an incredible day of service and fellowship! Thanks to the generosity and dedication of Rotarians, family members, friends, and community supporters from across District 6840 and beyond, our Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build was an overwhelming success. More than 150 volunteers representing over 30 Rotary clubs came together to make a difference in the lives of children throughout Jackson County. Together, we raised more than $20,000 in cash and in-kind donations, collected over 80 mattresses, secured enough bedding for 50 beds, and built 55 beds, with the final total potentially even higher. While the numbers are impressive, the true impact cannot be measured. Each bed represents a child who will soon have a safe, comfortable place to sleep. Every board cut, drill pressed, and piece sanded contributed to providing hope, dignity, and a better night's rest for a child in need.

The work doesn't stop here. Financial contributions, bedding donations, volunteer opportunities, and bed deliveries are ongoing ways to support Sleep in Heavenly Peace and help ensure that no child sleeps on the floor in our community.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time, talent, and treasure to make this project possible. Together, we transformed a single day of service into years of opportunity for children who now have a place to dream.

To see the impact firsthand, view one of the event news reports here:

Rotary volunteers build 50 beds for children in Biloxi

Want to Keep Building with Sleep in Heavenly Peace?

The newly established St. Charles Parish SHP chapter is hosting a community bed build and needs volunteers! Grab your fellow Rotarians, family, and friends and sign up to help build beds for local children. No woodworking experience is necessary, just a willingness to lend a hand! Let's keep the momentum from our District-wide build going!

https://volunteer.shpbeds.org/opportunities/ake40i0LtT

In Our Communities--September

On July 2, 2026, tragedy struck in the quiet town of Lacombe, LA. Chris Rushing, a 38 year old man, jumped in the waters off of Lake Road to save an 8 year old family member. He was successful in saving the child, but ultimately drowned as a result of his heroic act.

That same evening, the Rotary Club of Lacombe had its regularly scheduled meeting and the members were discussing the tragic event. At some point the discussion turned to, "With all the people who frequent the area, there should have been life preservers out there to prevent that." That night, the People of Action sprung into action. The life preservers were bought before there was formal permission.

The Rotary Club worked with several entities to get permission and to honor Chris Rushing including: Big Branch Wildlife Refuge Authorities, Parish Councilman Joe Impastato, Design Doctor (Vinyl work) and the family of Chris Rushing. Ultimately, on July 10th, members of the Rotary Club of Lacombe, LA met with Chris Rushing's family to hang four life preservers at key locations along the popular recreational destination.

The fundamental element of Rotary is Service Above Self. Chris Rushing's selfless act not only saved his 8 year old relative, but ignited an initiative that can potentially save lives in the future as well. Furthermore, through Rotary's network, many other clubs have taken notice of and have started initiatives in their communities as well. The Rotary Club of Lacombe Louisiana is proud to have played a small role in bettering the community as a whole and remembering the legacy of a true hero.

St. John Halloween Bash 2026

Join The Rotary Club of St. John the Baptist for a spooktacular time while supporting many Rotary community projects!

Moss Point Extra Table Packing Party

In June, the Rotary Club of Moss Point hosted an Extra Table Packing Party to put together 2,500 packs (10,000 meals) of red beans and rice. The packs were then distributed to local food pantries and churches. We’re excited to begin planning another Extra Table Packing Party for Tuesday, April 13, 2027, and we would love for your club to join us in making this a larger, collaborative Rotary service project.

Extra Table was started by Chef Robert St. John. The packs of red beans and rice are fortified to include additional vitamins and minerals that those who are food insecure often lack. Each pack provides 4 meals.

Our last Packing Party was a wonderful example of what can happen when people come together for a common purpose. As we look toward next year, we know that the need for food assistance in our communities continues to grow. Local churches, food pantries, and other organizations are working hard to meet that need, and we believe Rotary has an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Our goal is to bring together the Rotary clubs of Moss Point, Lucedale, Pascagoula, Gautier, and Ocean Springs to pack meals that can be distributed to organizations serving families throughout our area. The packs would be distributed among the different communities.

The cost to provide 2,500 food packs is $6,841.60. However, for an additional $5,500, we can double our impact and provide 5,000 packs (20,000 meals), bringing the total project cost to $12,341.60. Because transportation and labor costs are already included, those additional funds go directly toward producing more food packs.

We are reaching out to community partners and potential sponsors to help with the financial cost of the project, but we also want this to be a true Rotary partnership. We are asking each club to consider participating in whatever way works best for its members, whether through volunteers for the Packing Party, a financial contribution toward the project, assistance securing sponsors, or a combination of these efforts.

Most importantly, we hope to have Rotarians from across our area working side by side on the day of the event. A project of this size gives us an opportunity not only to address food insecurity, but also to demonstrate the impact Rotary can have when our clubs work together.

We would be honored to have your club join us. If all five clubs come together, along with our community and corporate partners, we believe we can make the 2027 Extra Table Packing Party our largest and most impactful one yet.

Please let us know if your club would be interested in participating. We would be happy to discuss the project at an upcoming meeting and work together on the details as planning moves forward.

Thank you for all that your club does in service to our community. We hope you’ll join us next April as we put Service Above Self into action together.

Yours in Rotary,

Donna Stewart
President
Rotary Club of Moss Point

In Ourselves-August

By David McLaughlin, Rotary Club of Slidell Northshore, as interviewed by Assistant Governor Linda Larkin, Lake East Territory:

Rotary is something I was introduced to by Linda Larkin years ago when an impromptu "Lunch?" text from me turned into an invitation to attend a Rotary Club meeting. At the time, I did not know much about Rotary, but I sort of had it in my head that I should join a civic organization where I could become more involved in the community. When I learned that Rotary International's motto is "Service Above Self," I leaned in a little more. It still took some time and a few gentle reminders from Linda to finally open that email about Rotary, but eventually I joined the club.

At a recent Rotary meeting, I arrived just as it was starting which is, well, typical for me. Unless I wanted to sit alone, the only open seat was at a table with three other members who work in the same industry I do. A fourth joined us moments later. Picture it: Slidell, 2026, five competitors from the real estate world sitting at the same table. "So much for networking," I thought.

In Our Community - August

Create Lasting Impact: Making a Difference, One Bed at a Time

A Message from Walt Perez, District Family Fun & Service Day Chair

This September, Rotarians across District 6840 will have the opportunity to Create Lasting Impact in the lives of local children through a special partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), an organization dedicated to ensuring that no child sleeps on the floor.

A bed is more than a piece of furniture. It provides comfort, security, dignity, and a place for a child to rest, dream, and grow. Together, we can help provide that essential foundation by building and delivering handmade beds to children in need throughout our communities.

To make this project a success, we have planned two important workdays:

Pre-Build Day | September 12

Twenty volunteers will gather to precut lumber and train as station leaders, ensuring the district-wide build operates efficiently and safely.

District Build Day | September 19

More than 120 volunteers from across District 6840 will come together to sand, drill, assemble, and stain wood, transforming raw materials into sturdy, welcoming beds for children who need them most.

In Our Clubs-August

AN EXCITING NEW CLUB IN OUR DISTRICT!

A brand-new Rotary Cub – the District 6840 E-Club – has formed with the intentions of growing Rotary by meeting the needs of non-traditional Rotarians who may travel a lot, live in a community that has no resident club, and especially to bring people formerly involved in Rotary back to the organization.

“We hope the E-Club will be regarded as as bridge, entry point, or exit membership option for people not able to participate in the traditional formats," said District Governor Emily Leitzinger. "I am especially excited about bringing people back to Rotary.".

If you know someone who was a participant Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Exchange, Group Study Exchanges, Ambassadorial Scholarships, Peace-building Centers and others, but who have not joined a Rotary Club due to any number of impediments, please let them know about this exciting opportunity and that they can email Jamie Haeuser at jamiehaeuser@gmail.com.

The District 6840 E-Club will meet twice monthly via Zoom, with one business meeting and one educational or speaker-focused meeting. Dues will be $200 annually.

Educational meetings will be designed to provide members with valuable skill-building for life, work and service, provided by experts in leadership, interpersonal skills, negotiation, mentoring and others. These sessions will be open to any Rotarian at no cost.

Because the E-Club will meet remotely, service opportunities can be individual or done in conjunction with other service organization.

An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30 PM -Click HERE to register.

Others are to be announced. The first organizational club meeting will be on Tuesday, August 18 at 7:30 PM. We hope you can join us!

McComb Rotary Feeds Camp Sunshine

The Rotary Club of McComb served dinner to 180 campers and staff at Camp Sunshine on Thursday night.

The camp is a week-long retreat for special needs adults and children held at Percy Quin State Park.

The program is just one of the events McComb Rotary Club members do to put Service Above Self!

Poplarville Blueberry Festival 2026

The Rotary Club of Poplarville hosted the 42^nd Annual Blueberry Jubilee 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on June 13th. The event helped over 200 runners have a healthy run through downtown Poplarville, which is known as the Blueberry Capitol of Mississippi. Money raised from the event funded Rotary projects such as Brothers Keepers Food Pantry, Backpack Buddies of Poplarville, and Pearl River Community College scholarships. Runners can mark their calendars for Saturday, June 12^th, for the 2027 race.

In Ourselves-July

Interview with Meagan Gear, Rotary Club of Mid-City New Orleans
Current Treasurer
Member since May, 2025

What first brought you to Rotary and what keeps you involved today?

Friends talked about the club and I came to check it out. Members were super nice and super dedicated to the community and I wanted to be a part of it.

What keeps you involved today?

Seeing the results of what we do in the community with all the other nonprofits and organizations we support.

What’s been your favorite Rotary event?

My first Spoker Poker fundraiser. It was a lot of fun, raised a lot of money, everyone came together, and we had an awesome day!

Outside of Rotary, what’s something people in the district might be surprised to learn about you?

My creative side, especially all of my Mardi Gras and holiday costuming because of the different Krewes I'm in. A few of the New Orleans krewes are Krewe of Krampus and Krewe of Themis.

In our Community-July

More Than Meals, Building Community Connections

When Rotarians come together, good things happen. When they bring the entire community with them, the impact is even greater.

The Rotary Club of Moss Point recently partnered with Extra Table to host a community-wide packing party that brought together more than 100 volunteers. Rotarians from Moss Point, Lucedale, Ocean Springs, Gautier, and Pascagoula worked alongside volunteers from Chevron, Mississippi Power, United Way, Jackson County Drug Court, Community Action of South Mississippi, and many other local organizations.

In just one hour, volunteers packed 2,500 red beans and rice meal kits, providing 10,000 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity.

But the event accomplished something even bigger. It created new relationships between people and organizations united by a common purpose.

"This event wasn't just about packing meals. It was about bringing people together. When Rotarians, businesses, nonprofits, and community volunteers work side by side, we strengthen relationships that continue serving our community long after the boxes are packed."

Donna Stewart, President, Rotary Club of Moss Point

Extra Table later shared that this was one of their favorite community packing events because it fulfilled the organization's vision of bringing together every part of the community. Those new connections will continue creating impact long after the final meal is shared.

This is Rotary at its best. We don't just serve our communities. We bring people together to create lasting impact.

In Our Clubs-July

It's the Little Things That Make a Club Great

Every Rotary club has its traditions. Some are formal. Others are a little more... fashionable.

When the Rotary Club of Slidell North Shore's longtime secretary, Mike Rich, missed a recent meeting, his fellow Rotarians decided they couldn't let his signature style be absent too. Two members arrived wearing bow ties, suspenders, and even light-up bow ties in tribute to the club's resident fashion icon.

It was a lighthearted gesture, but it reflects something important.

Rotary isn't just about projects and meetings. It's about people. The friendships we build, the traditions we create, and the joy we bring to one another are what keep members coming back year after year.

As one club member put it, "We may have survived the meeting without him, but we definitely missed the original bow tie icon himself."

Here's hoping Mike is back in his usual seat soon. Until then, it's good to know the bow tie tradition is in capable hands.

Sometimes, the strongest clubs are the ones that never miss an opportunity to make each other smile.

In Our World-July

The Rare Good News Story

It's easy to believe the world is standing still when we hear the daily headlines.

But Rotary reminds us that progress is possible.

When Rotary committed to eradicating polio in 1985, an estimated 350,000 children were paralyzed by the disease every year. It was an audacious goal, and many believed it couldn't be done.

Nearly forty years later, the world is on the verge of accomplishing exactly that. Today, wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and cases have declined by more than 99.9 percent. At the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, global health leaders shared a message of optimism, calling the fight against polio "the rare good news story" in a world often dominated by bad news.

‘The rare good news story’ | Rotary International

Think about that for a moment.

Millions of children are walking today because generations of Rotarians refused to give up.

That is what Rotary does. We tackle problems that are bigger than any one person, any one club, or even any one generation. We stay the course. We build partnerships. We invest in solutions that outlast us.

Whether you're mentoring a student in Louisiana, packing meals in Mississippi, building beds in Biloxi, or helping bring clean water to families in Haiti, your service is part of the same story. Lasting impact isn't created by one project or one Rotary year. It's created by ordinary people who continue showing up, year after year, until extraordinary things happen.

The headlines often remind us what's broken.

Rotary reminds us what's possible.