The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into changed lives that are close to home and around the world. For more than 100 years, your Foundation has spent 3 billion USD on service projects. The PolioPlus and Annual Fund-SHARE contributions go to solve problems with solutions proposed by fellow Rotarians from the 35,633 Rotary Clubs worldwide. District Governor Nominee David Simmer shares his journey in Rotary learning about our Foundation. Along the way, David Simmer is reminded of the saying, “From those to whom much is given much is expected.”
I first met David at the Rotary District 5495 Club Leadership Academy in April 2017. Since that time, David and I spent time in fun and fellowship. In addition, we have talked on the phone about the future of our club, our district, and Rotary. Each time that I have an opportunity to spend time with him, I leave energized from his of passion has for Rotary.
David Simmer, JD, MSA, CPA grew up in Nebraska before heading east for his formal education. He followed a Bachelor’s Degree at Illinois Wesleyan University with a Master’s Degree in Accounting and a Law Degree from Northeastern University and Boston University respectively.
David’s professional career concentrated on guiding high and ultra-high net worth clients as they navigated all aspects of wealth management from his firm’s offices in Wellesley Massachusetts and Palo Alto California. David and his wife, Isabel, retired to Sedona, Arizona in 2010.
Shortly before retiring David was invited to join the Rotary Club of Sedona where he quickly was drawn into community service and leadership positions. Most notably he chaired the Imagination Library committee which brought Dolly Parton’s free-book-a-month for preschooler program to Sedona in 2012. Since inception the local club has distributed over 25,000 age-appropriate books to children in the Verde Valley to promote early childhood literacy.
David has also served as Secretary and President of the club and Assistant Governor for five clubs from Sedona to the Grand Canyon. He was named the club’s Rotarian of the Year in 2016. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, major donor, Bequest Society Member and Paul Harris Society Member. David has appeared before clubs across District 5490 on behalf of the Rotary Foundation as well as being invited to speak at the 2016 District Conference for the clubs of District 5490.
David served on three District 5495 merger task groups and was named chair of the newly formed Leadership Development Committee for the District. In that position he has received significant recognition in the Zone for his efforts to re-think and innovate in Rotary education including focusing on elective education, broad-based curriculum and distance learning.
A special thank you to the Rotary Club of Sedona, Arizona, US for recording a Facebook live session of David’s presentation to his home club on February 22, 2018.
Note: The audio is muted by default. You may need to adjust the volume control on the video.