Nearly 1,000 Rotary leaders from 15 nations gather for learning, fellowship and a celebration of “One Rotary”
It was Rotary on a truly international scale — nearly 1,000 Rotarians and Rotary leaders from 15 nations, four Rotary Zones, and diverse cultures coming together with one common purpose.
The 2026 One Rotary Cancun Summit, held September 16–19 at the Iberostar Selection Cancún in Mexico, brought together Rotary leaders from across North America, Central America, the Caribbean and beyond for several days of learning, inspiration, fellowship and celebration. For the first time, Zones 25, 28, 29 and 32 gathered together under the fitting banner “15 Nations — One Rotary.”
And for Rotary District 7230, the gathering ended on an especially proud note.
At the closing Gala Dinner, District 7230 was recognized for chartering the highest number of new Rotary clubs during the past three years across Zones 28 and 32. The award was presented by Rotary International President Olayinka “Yinka” Babalola, RI President-Elect Larry Lunsford and RI Director Marty Helman, with District Governor Dr. Maksud Chowdhury accepting the recognition on behalf of District 7230.
It was an appropriate conclusion to a summit in which membership, innovation and Rotary's future were recurring themes.
A Strong District 7230 Presence
District 7230 was well represented in Cancún by a sizable group of current and past District leaders. Joining DG Dr. Maksud Chowdhury and First Lady Dr. Shamim Begum were Vice Governor PDG Marty Schulman; District Governor-Nominee Abit Ragbeer; Immediate Past District Governor Garrett Capobianco; Deputy Governors PDG Mahbub Ahmad and PDG Syed Alirahi; District Rotary Foundation Chair PDG Eric Storberg; District Membership Chair PDG Mary Shackleton; District Executive Secretary Bina Ahmad; and Assistant Governor Shazia Alirahi.
For Sunshine NY Rotary, the gathering also had special significance. Our Club was represented by Deputy Governor PDG Mahbub Ahmad and District Executive Secretary Bina Ahmad, both of whom have been actively involved in new-club development and are founding members of Rotary's North American Club Creation Team. Sunshine Rotary has long supported the concept that expanding Rotary's reach requires not only attracting members to existing clubs, but also creating new and flexible Rotary opportunities for people whose interests, communities or schedules may not be served by traditional club models. The North American Club Creation Team has become an important part of that effort across the continent.
Learning From Rotary's Senior Leaders
The Summit provided participants with unusual access to some of Rotary's most senior leaders.
Among those participating were RI President Olayinka “Yinka” Babalola, RI President-Elect Larry Lunsford, RI Directors Marty Helman and Tom Gump, along with other Rotary International officers, Rotary Foundation leaders and senior staff.
The program went well beyond speeches. Plenary sessions addressed some of Rotary's most important priorities, including leadership, membership and The Rotary Foundation, while breakout and learning sessions explored Public Image, Rotary's Action Plan, youth engagement, membership development and the rapidly expanding role of Artificial Intelligence for Rotary leaders.
The format reflected one of the greatest benefits of Rotary gatherings at this level: participants did not simply listen. They shared experiences, compared successful ideas from their districts and clubs, built relationships across borders and returned home with practical ideas that can be adapted locally.
A Night to Remember Polio
Friday evening brought participants together for an End Polio Now Vigil, focusing attention on Rotary's historic commitment to the eradication of polio.
Against the festive backdrop of an international Rotary gathering, the vigil served as a reminder that fellowship, leadership development and organizational growth ultimately have a larger purpose: strengthening Rotary's ability to change lives.
A Celebration — and a Challenge for the Future
The presentation of the new-club award to District 7230 at Saturday's Gala Dinner was certainly a moment to celebrate. But perhaps its greater importance lies in what it represents.
New clubs extend Rotary into communities that may not previously have had a Rotary presence. They provide opportunities to experiment with cause-based, interest-based, satellite, hybrid and other flexible models. Most importantly, they introduce new people, new ideas and new energy into the Rotary family.
District 7230's recognition therefore belongs to the many Rotarians who, over several years, identified prospective leaders, nurtured emerging groups, advised new clubs and helped their members turn an interest in service into a lasting connection with Rotary.
As the District 7230 delegation joined Rotarians from 15 nations in Cancún, the words “One Rotary” became far more than the name of a summit.
Different countries. Different languages. Different clubs and communities.
But one organization — united by friendship, strengthened through learning, and committed to creating lasting impact through Service Above Self.