Impact Tour Districts 6290, 6310, 6360, 6380, 6400 August 14, 2026 RI Director Marty Helman spent 13 days on the third leg of her Impact Tour visiting five districts in Michigan, three which are international districts with clubs in both Michigan and Ontario. Her route ran from Windsor and Chatham, Ontario, through the Michigan cities of Plymouth, Lansing, Midland, Kalamazoo, South Haven, Muskegon and Traverse City.
District 6290 (NW Michigan & Algoma Region of Ontario)
Helman's visit to District 6290 highlighted Rotary's local impact, with stops at two of the district's largest clubs: Muskegon (264 members) and Traverse City (159).
Helman toured two Rotary micro forests — dense urban plantings that mature up to ten times faster than conventional forests, cooling cities, absorbing stormwater, and restoring wildlife — and planted a tree at one site. She also visited outdoor musical parks, a Rotary Club of Muskegon project that raised nearly $100,000 to install interactive instruments at eight locations. As keynote speaker at the club's luncheon, she addressed 150 Rotarians, emphasizing The Rotary Foundation's impact and the principle that local clubs decide how Foundation funds are used. She met with major TRF donors, had dinner with a dozen Rotarians, and took a sunset cruise on Muskegon Lake.
Helman toured the former Traverse City State Hospital, an 1883 asylum redeveloped into a mixeduse community by local Rotarian Marsha Minervini and her husband Ray. Minervini guided Helman and District Governor Julie Schumaker through the building, followed by dinner at a wine bar with club members.
The next day opened with breakfast at Rotary Charities of Traverse City, founded in 1977 after the club discovered oil and gas on its camp property. Since then, the organization has invested more than $80 million in the Grand Traverse region, now holding $50+ million in assets and distributing over $2 million in grants annually.
Helman spoke to 85 Rotarians at the club's luncheon and met major donors at the Hagerty Center, whose Rotary Hall entrance was funded by a major gift from Rotary Charities.
She toured several Rotary Charities-funded projects: Discovery Pier, a former coal dock turned waterfront community space; the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center, supporting Blue Tech growth; and Rotary Square, a downtown civic and green space. She also visited Fish Pass, a high-tech project reconnecting the Boardman River to Lake Michigan while blocking invasive species like sea lamprey.
On a day off, Helman visited Grand Haven — designated "Coast Guard City, USA" by Congress in 1998. Hosted by PDG Gernot Runschke, she attended the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and had dinner with the festival's Executive Director, Rotarian and former US Coast Guard Commander Tracy Riley.
District 6310 (Central Michigan)
District Governor Jon Catlin hosted Helman for an evening at Dow Diamond which turned into more than a ballgame when Helman joined fans at a Great Lakes Loons game. Before the first pitch, Interactor President Addison Duling threw out the ceremonial first pitch to applause from 3,000 fans. Helman spent the game meeting attendees, discussing service initiatives, and celebrating the volunteers and organizations serving Midland and the surrounding region. She was also interviewed by the Loons' radio broadcast team about the value of community engagement and what happens when civic groups, businesses, and residents work together. The evening gave Rotary and Interact extra visibility while showcasing the community spirit that has become a hallmark of Loons events.
District 6360 (Southwestern Michigan)
Helman spent an afternoon sailing Lake Michigan with PDG Wayne Titus. She was the honored guest at District 6360's Arch Klump Society and Legacy Society dinner hosted by PDG Mark and LaRae Odland, an evening full of emotional stories about the Foundation's lasting impact — and a few newly cultivated Legacy donors. At the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, District Governor Tim Lee and Rotarians from across the district celebrated their successful Launch Your Legacy campaign, which raised an impressive $6,800,000, with Helman as keynote presenter. She also keynoted the Lansing Rotary Club luncheon challenging members to grow membership, engage their community, and keep serving the world.
Helman spent an afternoon sailing Lake Michigan with PDG Wayne Titus. She was the honored guest at District 6360's Arch Klump Society and Legacy Society dinner hosted by PDG Mark and LaRae Odland, an evening full of emotional stories about the Foundation's lasting impact — and a few newly cultivated Legacy donors. At the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, District Governor Tim Lee and Rotarians from across the district celebrated their successful Launch Your Legacy campaign, which raised an impressive $6,800,000, with Helman as keynote presenter. She also keynoted the Lansing Rotary Club luncheon challenging members to grow membership, engage their community, and keep serving the world.
District 6380 (Southeast Michigan and Southwestern Ontario)
Helman’s visit to District 6380 included stops in both Michigan and Ontario. In Michigan, 27 clubs joined together to donate funds and non-perishable food to 18 local food pantries, totaling an estimated 5,000 pounds of food and $20,000 for food-insecure families, seniors, and veterans with Helman visiting several food pantries.
Helman’s visit to District 6380 included stops in both Michigan and Ontario. In Michigan, 27 clubs joined together to donate funds and non-perishable food to 18 local food pantries, totaling an estimated 5,000 pounds of food and $20,000 for food-insecure families, seniors, and veterans with Helman visiting several food pantries.
She met with the district’s newest Rotaract Club, Livingston Golden Hearts, made up entirely of special-needs adults at the Torch 180 café and gift store where members learn culinary and retail skills. She visited a new peace pole installed at the Milford YMCA and took part in the rededication of a peace pole in Troy. The day ended with a banquet with 50 Rotarians who marked Helman’s and District Governor Lee Halsted’s visit with an original song, "8 Days of August," set to "The 12 Days of Christmas". Her message about taking chances on new ideas resonated throughout the district.
Helman then traveled to Ontario to visit six clubs in Chatham-Kent crossing the new Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor. She joined a peace pole installation hosted by the Tilbury Interact Club, a tree planting and dedication, and spoke at a luncheon.
District 6400 (Metro Detroit and Windsor)
Helman's visit opened with a luncheon in Plymouth, Michigan drawing 85 Rotarians. Introduced by Past RI Director Michael McCullough and welcomed by District Governor Kim Spirou, Helman reminded the room of the Foundation's reach and noted landmark Rotary achievements, including PolioPlus, all began with one Rotarian's idea.
Helman then crossed into Windsor, Ontario, for a peace pole dedication at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. The pole, inscribed with "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in four languages, drew praise from College President Michael Silvaggi as a reflection of the campus's inclusive spirit. DG Kim noted that peace is built on differences, not threatened by them. Helman called the pole a reminder that words matter as much as actions. The day ended with an intimate dinner for a dozen Rotarians at an Italian restaurant in Windsor — a fitting close to a visit that, from a packed Plymouth luncheon to a Windsor peace pole, showed how Rotary's impact travels one relationship at a time.
