The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians works to strengthen both Rotary and Scouting worldwide by engaging our members in support of both new and existing Scout units and Rotary Clubs.
Greetings From Our Officers:
President
PDG Lane Calvert
1-714-906-0929
International Commissioner
PDG Mark Kriebel
1-607-727-2420
Wanted! Photos and stories of Scouting and Rotary working together.
Our newsletter will feature stories and photos of Scouts and Rotarians supporting one another or working toward shared goals in service to others. Sometimes this means collaborating directly on a project, and other times it may mean pursuing parallel efforts that strengthen the same cause. In either case, we want to highlight these connections, share inspiration, and encourage others with examples of what can be done. Both Scouting and Rotary are stronger when we support each other.
We invite you to share your story. Please email photos and stories to webmaster/editor Steve Henning at rhodyman@earthlink.net
Welcome to IFSR by World President PDG Lane Calvert
Shown in photo: Exec. Sec. Randy Seefeldt and Asia Pacific Chair Toby Suzuki with IFSR President PDG Lane Calvert (l to r)
As your IFSR President, I want to highlight
three opportunities to serve Scouting and
Guiding, promote IFSR, and enjoy fellowship with Scouting Rotarians around the
world.
1. Connect with IFSR Online: IFSR has truly entered the 21st century! Zoom has
made it possible for Scouting Rotarians
around the world to connect without traveling. This year we have hosted an open
membership meeting in May and virtual
opportunities related to the Rotary International Convention in Taiwan and the
Scouting America National Jamboree. Watch for future online events and join us
whenever you can.
2. Support Youth Career Exploration: In my Rotary District 5320, Rotarians recently
partnered with the Anaheim Fire Department's Search and Rescue Explorer Post to
educate children about bicycle safety during the Day of the Child celebration.
Scouting America's Explorer Posts introduce young people to potential careers while
they are still in high-school. Programs sponsored by fire departments, police departments, hospitals, businesses, chambers of commerce, and other organizations provide valuable hands-on experiences. Rotary clubs can play an important role by
partnering with these programs and supporting students, Scouts, Interactors, and
Rotaractors as they prepare to become tomorrow's leaders.
3. Promote Rotary and Scouting: Every Scouting event and every Rotary event provides an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between our two organizations.
I encourage our Cliff Dochterman Award recipients and all IFSR members to promote both Rotary and Scouting whenever possible.
In District 5320, for example, Brian Russell, California IFSR Chair, serves as Rotary
District Youth Chair, is a past Rotary club president, and is active with both the local
Scout council and YMCA. Aaron Saliba, District 5320 IFSR Chair, is also a past Rotary
club president and serves as a Scout leader in a Catholic troop. Their commitment
demonstrates the many ways Rotarians can make a difference through Scouting.
The photo shows, left to right, PDG Lane Calvert, Charlie Wilson, Aaron Saliba, and PDG Craig Livingston from the Anaheim Rotary club at an event with the fire explorer post that Anaheim Rotary Club sponsors where they shared bike safety precautions with youth and adults.
Whether online or in person, I encourage you to join IFSR this year as we work together in service to the youth of the world.
At the June 2026 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, 28 IFSR members from 8 countries met for the IFSR annual meeting.
Left: Randy Seefeldt addresses the IFSR Annual Meeting as Lane Calvert participates on Zoom. Right: Lee
Peters with IFSR delegate at IFSR Annual Meeting.
The IFSR Annual Meeting is held each year during the Rotary International Convention. This year's meeting took
place on June 15 in Taipei, Taiwan, with 28 members representing eight countries in attendance. The principal
business included approval of the revised IFSR Constitution and Bylaws and the 2026–2027 IFSR Leadership
Roster.
Additional business included plans for the IFSR Reception at the Scouting America National Jamboree, scheduled for July 25 at 3:00 p.m. Pat Curley, Ed.D., will coordinate the event, including the IFSR display, brochures,
and refreshments. He will also collect membership payments and Cliff Dochterman Award fees and forward
them to Randy Seefeldt so awards can be shipped promptly.
To maintain WOSM Consultative Status, IFSR must comply with youth protection requirements. Lee Peters and
Pat Curley will compare Rotary's Youth Protection Policy with WOSM's Safe from Harm safeguarding guidelines.
Randy Seefeldt will continue to keep members informed about booth planning and hotel accommodations for
the 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona as additional information becomes available.
During the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians
(IFSR) and the Scouts of China (Taiwan) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a
formal partnership to strengthen cooperation between Rotary and Scouting throughout Taiwan. The agreement
builds upon the worldwide relationship between the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and
IFSR while creating new opportunities for collaboration at the national level.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the headquarters of the Scouts of China (Taiwan) by Tsai WenHuang, Chair of the IFSR Taiwan Section, and Dr. Wu Chung-Jen, Chair of the Committee on Organizational Development and Membership Growth of the Taiwan Scout Association. The ceremony was witnessed by Randy Seefeldt, IFSR Executive Secretary, Toby Suzuki, IFSR Asia-Pacific Region Chair, and Professor Yang Yong-Ching, Secretary General of the Taiwan Scout Association.
The partnership focuses on five key areas of cooperation:
• Leadership development
• Joint community service projects
• Shared facilities and resources
• Career exploration and vocational development
Professor Yang noted that the two organizations share common values, observing that Scouting's commitment to
service closely parallels Rotary's motto, "Service Above Self." Randy Seefeldt emphasized that Rotary and
Scouting have worked together for more than a century in communities around the world. He noted that this
agreement will strengthen that relationship in Taiwan by combining Rotary's expertise in vocational service with
Scouting's leadership development programs to better prepare young people for lives of service.
The agreement represents another important step in expanding cooperation between Rotary and Scouting worldwide. By combining the strengths of both organizations, IFSR and the Scouts of China (Taiwan) will create new opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, explore careers, serve their communities, and become
engaged citizens
IFSR Asia-Pacific Region Chair and IFSR Executive Secretary Randy Seefeldt
On Saturday, July 25, Pat Curley and Lee Peters presented a program on the partnership between Scouting and Rotary International at the Scouting America National Jamboree. During the program, Rotary District 7730 presented the Cliff Dochterman Award to Dr. Mike Matzinger in recognition of his outstanding service to both Scouting America and the Rotary Club of The Friendship Knot.
Mike was recently honored with Scouting America's Silver Antelope Award, one of the organization's highest national honors for adult volunteers. During more than 30 years of service, he has founded seven Scouting units, guided hundreds of young people on their Scouting journeys—including 98 Eagle Scouts—and has been a champion for diversity, inclusion, and international outreach.
At the IFSR program at the Scouting America National Jamboree, Pat Curley presented Marcia French, Scouting America's Messengers of Peace Chair, with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
As Messengers of Peace Chair, Marcia helps young people understand their place in world Scouting by encouraging them to express themselves, build friendships across cultures, and recognize that they are part of a worldwide Scouting movement serving youth in 176 countries.
Riverside Sunrise Rotary Supports Scouting America
On behalf of the Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club of California, John Vineyard presents a check for $2,500 to Soul Ruiz of the California Inland Empire Council for the Community Friends of Scouting Campaign.
Scouts from Troop G Receive Support From Riverside Sunrise Rotary
John Vineyard, President of the Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club presenting a check for $2,000 to Scouts from Troop 5G in Riverside to assist with summer camp registration fees at Camp Emerson.
Scouts Help Rotary Lead Successful Beach Cleanup in Spain
The Rotary Club of Ferrol, Spain, led the "On the Beach, Only Sand" campaign, bringing together volunteers to remove more than 13,200 pounds of litter from Caranza Beach.
Among the many volunteers, Scout Group 19 Ferrol played a major role in the cleanup effort, demonstrating Scouting's commitment to community service and environmental stewardship. Working side by side with Rotarians and other volunteers, the Scouts helped restore the beach while promoting environmental awareness throughout the community.
The campaign also raised 1,800 euros for the Aperta Foundation, a local organization that supports vulnerable individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The project is an excellent example of how Rotary and Scouting can work together to improve their communities through hands-on service while making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Summit County Rotary's Scouting America Programs
The Summit Rotary Club of Breckenridge, Colorado, serves as the chartered organization for all Scouting units in Summit County. The club sponsors two Cub Scout Packs, three Scouts BSA Troops, one Venturing Crew, and supports an Exploring program.
Rotary Club members view these programs as a continuous pathway for youth development. Young people begin in Cub Scouting during elementary school, continue through Scouts BSA in middle and high school, participate in Venturing during their teen years, and can then enter Exploring, which introduces high school students to career fields such as fire and rescue, healthcare, law enforcement, engineering, and other professions.
The club also emphasizes the four basic paths available to graduating seniors:
1. Continue their education through college, university, or trade school.
2. Serve in the military.
3. Enter the workforce.
4. "Play video games while eating Cheetos in Mom and Dad's basement."
The humorous fourth option always gets a laugh, but it underscores the club's serious message: every young person should have a plan for the future.
In Colorado, Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a high priority, and the Exploring program provides an excellent way for students to explore careers, gain practical experience, and make informed decisions about their future.
In this county of 30,000 residents, Rotary brings the players together.
Rotary and Scouts Team Up for Lifesaving Skills Training, Siciy
The Rotary Club of Bivona Montagna delle Rose Magazzolo in Sicily, Italy, partnered with the local Scout group to provide a three-hour emergency first aid program for 40 young people, ranging from Cub Scouts to Explorers, Guides, Rovers, and Scouts.
Rotary members served as instructors, beginning with classroom sessions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the use of a semi-automatic external defibrillator (AED), and airway obstruction relief. The participants then put their new knowledge into practice by performing CPR, AED procedures, and airway clearance techniques on training mannequins.
The event demonstrated the powerful partnership between Rotary and Scouting. By combining Rotary's professional expertise with Scouting's commitment to preparing young people for life, the program equipped participants with practical skills that could one day help save a life.
Rotary Supports Scout Chess Competition in England
The Rotary Club of Salisbury, England, partnered with the Salisbury Scout District to host a chess competition for 55 Cub Scouts representing 12 Scout groups.
Held at Salisbury Methodist Church, the event encouraged young people to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, patience, and confidence through friendly competition. Players competed in timed matches while Scout leaders and volunteers provided guidance and encouragement throughout the afternoon.
Rotary members helped create a welcoming atmosphere by providing refreshments and certificates for all participants. At the conclusion of the event, Rotary Club President Alan Corkill presented the prestigious John Naish Chess Trophy to the winner.
The competition demonstrated that Scouting offers much more than outdoor adventure, helping young people develop valuable life skills through activities ranging from strategy games and coding to cooking and the arts.
Membership in the
International
Fellowship of
Scouting Rotarians is
open to any Rotarian,
in any country, who
was formerly or is
presently a member
or supporter of any
(girl or boy) Scout or
Guide Association.
Spouses of members and Rotaractors may become
members.
Download and print the Membership ApplicationHERE and mail to the
address indicated.
The IFSR Brochure explains the IFSR and has a
membership application included. It can be downloaded HERE and printed. A version in Spanish can be downloaded HERE and printed. (Newsletters) (Supplies for Members)
Certificates Rotarians can Present for Scouting's
Highest Award
IFSR has full color recognition
certificates for your Rotary Club or
District to present to US and Canadian
Scouts and Guides that achieve their
association's highest award. This is a
great opportunity to not only recognize
a young man or woman for his/her
Outstanding Achievement, but to make
these prospective future Rotarians
aware of Rotary and its programs.
BSA: certificates for recipients of Eagle
Scout Award and the Sea Scout
Quartermaster Award
Girl Scouts USA: for recipients of the
Girl Scout Gold Award.
Scouts and Guides in Canada: for
recipients of the Chief Scout's Award
and the Queen's Venturer Award.
Girl Guides of Canada: for recipients of the Chief Commissioner's Gold Award.
Other Organizations: for any organization there is a certificate for recipients of
their highest award, the Outstanding Achievement Certificate. It can be used for
the Summit Award in Venturing, the Spurgeon Award in Exploring, and the
highest Awards in other Scout and Guide Associations. The IFSR encourages
Scouts and Girl Guides be recognized for outstanding achievement. These
certificates may be given to any Scout or Girl Guide who has attained one of the
pinnacles of Scouting. (Certificates)
Cliff Dochterman Award - Honoring Service To Scouting
This award for
Rotarians serving
Scouting is available
through the IFSR,
Executive Secretary.
The Award honors
former RI President
Cliff Dochterman, a
devoted scouter from
Moraga, California,
USA.
Cliff Dochterman
served as the President
of Rotary International
during 1992-93. His professional career in higher education administration
included 20 years at the University of California in Berkeley and 20 years at the
University of the Pacific.
The Cliff Dochterman Award, a bronze medallion hung from a gold and blue
ribbon, may be awarded by a local Rotary Club or District Governor to an active
Rotarian who has rendered exemplary service to scouting.
Information and a nomination form are available HERE as a PDF document
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader), or from the IFSR-IAR Secretary at P.O. Box
19982, San Diego, CA 92159-0982, USA.
The Boy Scouts of America Relationships Committee has approved the wearing
of the BSA Community Service Knot by Dochterman Award recipients who are
members of the B.S.A.
It is with great pride and appreciation that the IFSR awards this recognition to
exemplary Rotarians and Scouters in the name of Dr. Clifford L. Dochterman.
The IFSR Community Service Award may be awarded by any Rotary Club to a Scout or Guide unit of their choice they wish to recognize for performing community service. The award may be given annually to any Scout or Guide unit by any Rotary Club. Recipients are selected by the Rotary Club.
This is not a Scouting award nor a Rotary award, but an IFSR award and is intended to permit Rotary Clubs to recognize Community Service performed by local Scout and/or Guide units.
To help Rotary Clubs create and print the award locally, this website has a fillable PDF version of the certificate which is easy to fill out:
Compatibility & Webmaster information: These pages were created in Adobe GoLive, Adobe DreamWeaver, and BBEdit by Steve Henning rhodyman @ earthlink.net
President
International Commissioner
Executive Secretary
As your IFSR President, I want to highlight
three opportunities to serve Scouting and
Guiding, promote IFSR, and enjoy fellowship with Scouting Rotarians around the
world.
IFSR Brochure and Membership Application 
IFSR has full color recognition
certificates for your Rotary Club or
District to present to US and Canadian
Scouts and Guides that achieve their
association's highest award. This is a
great opportunity to not only recognize
a young man or woman for his/her
Outstanding Achievement, but to make
these prospective future Rotarians
aware of Rotary and its programs.
This award for
Rotarians serving
Scouting is available
through the IFSR,
Executive Secretary.
The Award honors
former RI President
Cliff Dochterman, a
devoted scouter from
Moraga, California,
USA.
The IFSR Community Service Award may be awarded by any Rotary Club to a Scout or Guide unit of their choice they wish to recognize for performing community service. The award may be given annually to any Scout or Guide unit by any Rotary Club. Recipients are selected by the Rotary Club.