Rotary District 6080 Governor Brad Martens challenged members of the Fayette Rotary Club to “Create a Lasting Impact” during a visit to the club’s July 8 meeting. Using Rotary International’s 2026-2027 theme as a guide, Martens encouraged the club to strengthen its impact by growing membership, supporting The Rotary Foundation and the End Polio Now campaign, participating in district conferences, workshops, and training events, and participating in service projects. He opened his talk by asking members to consider what brought them to their first Rotary meeting and why they said yes to Rotary membership.

Martens congratulated new Fayette Rotary Club President VC Alexander as she began her first term, welcomed the club’s newest member, Jim Denneny, and thanked all the members of the club for saying “yes” to Rotary.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition pins to several club members. Martens reminded recipients that each pin represents far more than a monetary contribution. It may provide clean water to a village, life-saving medical care for a child, educational opportunities for students, or other projects that improve lives around the world and make a lasting impact.

Named for Rotary founder Paul Harris, the Paul Harris Fellow recognizes an individual’s cumulative gifts of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Those contributions support Rotary’s humanitarian work in promoting peace, improving health, expanding access to quality education, protecting the environment, and reducing poverty. Additional contributions of $1,000 are recognized with Paul Harris Plus designations, from PHF+1 through PHF+8.

First-time Paul Harris Fellows included past president Eddie Campbell, Anne Robinson, and Brent Doolin. A PHF+1 was presented to O.A. (Berre) Robinson. Receiving PHF+2 pins were Erik Martinez and Greg Stidham. Linda Lembke, Debra Miller, Pat Roll, Bruce Addison, and J.B. Waggoner each received PHF+4 pins, and Larry Anderson received a PHF+6 pin. Not present at the meeting were Jackie Byland (PHF+3), Bruce Crutcher (PHF+1), Jamie Page (PHF+2), Jessica Quint (PHF+5), and Kurt Rohr (PHF+2). Glenn Ludtke (PHF+4), Gale Schafer (PHF+2), and Chuck Thompson (PHF+2) received their new pins in May.