Longboat Rotary earns Governor's Award recognition

Local Rotarians are celebrating a new district-level recognition of their broad efforts to improve the Longboat Key community.

Rotary District 6960 bestowed the prestigious platinum Governor's Award to the Rotary Club of Longboat Key at the most recent district conference in June. 

This award takes into account six criteria central to the Rotary's core mission of service above self. These measures include maintaining membership, participating in unique service events, sponsoring youth leaders, and attending major district functions, among others.

Terri Driver, president of the local chapter, said she initially wasn't sure the club would meet all these standards. But, at the suggestion of district leaders, Longboat's club applied and brought home the award.

Driver, reflecting on what criteria she is perhaps most proud of meeting this year, said the club's focus on community service projects is worth noting, from Adopt-A-Highway cleanups to food packing events.

"That's true every year," she said of the members' volunteerism. "I feel really good about our projects. Sometimes, even if we only get two or three people together, that's all it takes. We can do amazing things that ripple through the community."

She pointed to the club's collaboration with the town of Longboat Key to install monofilament recycling receptacles at Overlook Park as one of her personal favorite projects from the past year.

This is the first time Longboat Key's organization has earned a Governor's Award with the updated criteria. Fellow award winners include chapters from Bonita Springs, Venice-Nokomis, Sanibel-Captiva, and Fort Myers South.

Sue McConnell, district governor-elect for 2028-29, said in an email she and District Governor 2025-26 Gerard Sola recently worked together to refine the measuring stick for this award.

"This year, approximately half of the clubs in the district earned the Governor's Award," she wrote. "Our goal is for the criteria to be both meaningful and attainable — challenging enough to encourage growth while remaining achievable for every club."

She applauded the Longboat Key chapter for its great work this year.

Looking ahead, one area Driver said she would like to expand is holding multi-club social events.