A message from our president

A Vision for Our Rotary Year

This year's Rotary International theme, "Unite for Good," perfectly captures what I believe makes our club special – our ability to come together with diverse passions and perspectives, all working toward the common goal of making our community a better place.

I'm honored to be the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary President and to work alongside an outstanding Board of Directors who bring unique strengths and enthusiasm to their roles. Together, we are ready to unite our different passions for the good.

My overarching goal this year is to strengthen our connection to what it means to be a Rotarian – as individuals and collectively as a club. I want to encourage each member to explore how Rotary can support personal service goals, whether that means taking our current projects in new directions or creating entirely new initiatives in support of our community.

We will invite prospective members to participate with us in service projects before they officially join. This hands-on approach will demonstrate the true essence of our club – not just what we do, but who we are.

As we unite for good this year, we'll reflect on our current projects to ensure everything we do truly aligns with our values and mission. Rotary is an amazing organization that merits a place in our community and beyond. 

This is our year to unite – our diverse talents, our shared commitment to service, and our passion for making a difference. Together, we'll strengthen not only our club but our entire community.

Here's to a year of uniting for good!

Megan Bittinger

Sunrise Rotary Club Board for 2025-2026

Bozeman Rotary is looking forward to once again collaborating with our sister club, Bozeman Sunrise Rotary by sponsoring a home for the Fix Up Festival this year. We have had the opportunity to assist in the past several times, and this year will be the first time in a few years.

Since 1992 when Bozeman Sunrise Rotary started as a newly formed club sponsored by Bozeman Rotary, we have worked together on numerous projects, including the Centennial Pavilion at Glen Lake Rotary Park in 2020 for the 100th anniversary of Bozeman Rotary's founding, Rotary Express in the 1990's (delivering mail by horse between Bozeman and Livingston), and collaborated on Humanity In Motion, a Rotary publication. Before Gallatin High School opened in 2020, our two clubs shared sponsoring an Interact Club at Bozeman High School.

We will explore future collaborations, including a Global Grant, future Fix Up Festivals, and perhaps a special project to benefit our community to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Rotary's founding - 1905-2030.

From the Rotary International 2025 Convention floor with Vicki Saab...

Our Planet Needs Our Help

The 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, was inspiring and energizing. I had the privilege of meeting Rotarians from around the world and deepening my understanding of Rotary’s global humanitarian efforts. One highlight was learning about Rotary’s seventh Area of Focus - supporting the environment. This important focus area complements Rotary’s longstanding efforts in disease prevention, clean water, education, economic development, maternal and child health, and peace. The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) is leading activities and initiatives on the environment for Rotary International. 

Environmental sustainability validates many of our Bozeman’s Sunrise club projects, from planting trees at Glen Lake Park, to installing solar panels, planting native vegetation, building school gardens and cleaning local waterways. One example ongoing in this new focus area supports habitat restoration and education through a network of pollinator gardens across the United States to improve sustainability for insects that are necessary for our food production. This initiative is known as Operation Pollination and we have potential partners such as the Sacajawea Audubon Society and Montana Native Plant Society to establish a pollinator garden in Bozeman. With the environment now an official focus, such projects are ongoing and encouraged by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation for Global Grants.

We love all the Montana seasons, but they can create hardship for those that live in homes that are not maintained to deal with extreme cold or heat or updated to be energy efficient.  Poor energy efficiency can lead to frozen pipes and water damage, unbearable living and sleeping conditions, and/or heating and cooling costs that just are not affordable. Whether it is single pane windows or windows that are not airtight, or doors that do not seal properly, roofs that leak, or mobile homes that do not have good insulation, many families in Gallatin Valley need help to improve their living conditions. 

With the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Fix Up Festival, 11 homeowners on the weekend of October 4th and 5th will receive assistance to both save money on utilities and create more comfortable living situations. The home improvements completed during this event can be life-changing for families and they truly are grateful.

If you know someone that could benefit from energy-efficiency improvements, or to learn more about Fix Up Festival. 

KENYA: Empowering Women Through Economic Opportunities and Water Access

In Turkana County women face cultural and environmental barriers that impact their livelihoods and the future of their children. Through Bozeman Sunrise Rotary’s partnership with Blessed Community Empowerment and South North Nexus, women can now access water, receive business development support, and practice sustainable farming.  Women are now growing nutritious food, earning their own income, and supporting their families. Over 300 women have benefited from activities that equip them to grow nutritious food in environmentally sustainable ways. Through initiatives like the revolving fund, women can access credit and participate in financial literacy trainings. Women are able to start and sustain businesses, even in difficult times, and keep their children in school.

Join us and visit the project in October 2026. See firsthand how women our agents of change for their families and communities. Learn and share in this inspiring journey of empowerment and change. View the Kenya trip itinerary.

Unite for Good

The Power of Human Connection

“Unite for Good” is this year’s theme of Rotary International.  Rotary is a service organization with over a million members in over 40,000 clubs spanning over 120 countries with $57 million dollars in grants last year. 

In a world that can feel increasingly divided, the chance to join a local, active, and apolitical group united by service is worth a second look. 

The Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club is one such group — over 120 members strong, made up of early and mid-career professionals, retirees, women and men, all dedicated to service and fellowship. For over 30 years, this club has brought people together to make a positive impact in our community — and around the world.

With the City of Bozeman, the club helped transform Glen Lake Rotary Park — “Bozeman Beach”— into a beloved summer destination for local families. It supports education in Bozeman and Belgrade through annual book giveaways, scholarships, clothing donations, and partnerships with student service groups. Every year, local businesses join forces for the Fix-Up Festival, helping neighbors in need. And internationally, club members support projects in Nepal and Kenya.

Everyone has something to contribute, and our members prove this every day. Whether it's a willing pair of hands or a spark of insight, your talents matter. Come join us and Unite for Good.

As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”