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The Sinking of the Suchiate in San Carlos

SpeakerKevin Pitts
In briefAI summary — tap to read

Kevin Pitts, Past District Governor of District 5495, shares how the Rotary Clubs of Puebla Grande, Mexico and Prescott, Arizona partnered to create an artificial reef by sinking the Suchiate, improving coastal water health and community economies. The project demonstrates how international Rotary Global Grants can build sustained friendships and cooperation between clubs across borders while addressing environmental and community needs.

Key takeaways

  • Two Rotary clubs from the United States and Mexico overcame obstacles by creating strategic partnerships to implement a Global Grant project.
  • The sinking of the Suchiate created an artificial reef that improved the health of coastal waters and surrounding communities and economies.
  • Participating in a Global Grant process led to developed sustained relationships and regular annual conferences between the districts and clubs in both countries.
  • International friendship and cooperation helped cut through challenging requirements of developing and planning a Global Grant and achieving rotary approval.
  • This project demonstrates how a club's passion for environmental improvement can lead to meaningful international partnership and community impact.

About Kevin PittsKevin Pitts is the Past District Governor of District 5495 for 2023-24 and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Prescott, Arizona since 2004.

AI-generated from the meeting recording — AI can make mistakes, so check the recording for anything important.

MEETING FOR THE WEEK OF Nov. 18, 2024

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Program: The Sinking of the Suchiate in San Carlos

Speaker: Kevin Pitts

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Program: The Sinking of the Suchiate in San Carlos

Speaker: Kevin Pitts

We bring you a new program every week on innovation, entrepreneurship, and education and how they contribute to service to others.

How did two Rotary clubs come together to sink a Mexican Navy ship to create an artificial reef in the Sea of Cortez? The Rotary clubs of Puebla Gente de Accion and Prescott, Arizona overcame numerous obstacles, created a network of strategic partnerships and implemented a Rotary global grant to improve the health of this vital natural resource. The story is one that centers around friendship.

Kevin Pitts joined the Rotary Club of Prescott, Arizona, in 2004 and has been an active member since, both at the club and district levels. He served as Rotary International District 5495 Governor in 2023-2024.

His experience living in Mexico City over 12 years gives him ties to that country and he has followed that passion, serving as international service chair for his club and as the co-chair of the Mexico USA Friendship Conference and Global Grants Exchange.

Kevin and his wife, Elizabeth, are Rotary Foundation major donors and benefactors. His passion for the Rotary Foundation is focused mostly on global grants and he has participated in numerous projects, often as a technical advisor with his club serving as the international sponsor club. Kevin believes in active participation in grant projects and has visited various project sites in Mexico and Kenya.

Members and guests, please welcome PDG Kevin Pitts!

To learn more about this story, go to:
https://www.rotary5495.org/stories/rotary-club-of-prescott-participates-in-the-sinking-of-the-suchiate-near-guaymas


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