Salina Rotary Celebrates Year of Service, Welcomes Jenni Jones as New President
The Rotary Club of Salina celebrated a year of community service and leadership transition as Amanda Otto concluded her term as president and Jenni Jones began serving as president for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
Otto reflected on the club’s accomplishments and the people behind them.
“Serving as your president has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Otto said. “This year has been about people, friendships strengthened, new members welcomed, and lives changed because this club chose to show up.”
During Otto’s leadership, the club completed a wide range of service initiatives throughout Salina and beyond. Those efforts included donating pens, pencils, and financial support to the Saline County Back-to-School Fair; raising funds and awareness for World Polio Day; organizing a hygiene goods drive for the Salina Public Library; providing Christmas gifts for children at the Martin Luther King Child Development Center; and assembling birthday cake kits for the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank.
The club also celebrated Rotaract Week through student reading projects, cleanup efforts, and the assembly of Monkey in My Chair kits. Rotary members also partnered in the KLC Transformation Grant to support leadership development opportunities.
Additional projects included completing a playground learning map at Heusner Elementary School, contributing to the 2026 Spring Spruce Up, volunteering at the Smoky Hill River Festival, sponsoring the Butterfly Garden at Rolling Hills Zoo, and continuing membership recruitment and engagement efforts.
The club also awarded $7,000 in scholarships to 11 students, achieved 14 of its 17 annual club goals, and developed a new three-year strategic plan focused on continued growth.
“When Rotarians work together, there is very little we cannot accomplish,” Otto said. “I pass the gavel with tremendous confidence in this club’s future.”
Incoming President Jenni Jones thanked Otto for her leadership and said the club is positioned to continue building on its momentum.
“Amanda’s leadership has made a lasting impact, and because of her, our club is strong and ready to do even more,” Jones said.
Jones said her vision for the year aligns with Rotary International’s theme, “Create Lasting Impact.”
“Every project, every volunteer hour, and every new member creates a ripple effect in our community,” Jones said. “My goal is to help others experience the same sense of purpose, belonging, and joy that Rotary has given me.”
Founded March 1, 1917, the Rotary Club of Salina has served the community for more than a century. The club continues its commitment to “Service Above Self” through local projects, youth development, leadership opportunities, and global outreach.
Community members interested in learning more or exploring membership may email [email protected], visit the Rotary Club of Salina Facebook page, connect with Rotary Club of Salina on LinkedIn, or visit www.salinarotary.org.
