What can happen when one simple invitation opens the door to years of friendship, leadership, and service?

In this episode of The Rotary Spark Podcast, we sit down with Jamie Crowe, a longtime member of the South Oklahoma City Rotary Club, to talk about her 15-year journey in Rotary and the people, experiences, and service projects that have shaped it.

Jamie shares how a colleague first introduced her to Rotary and how that invitation grew into years of community involvement, leadership development, and lasting friendships. She reflects on serving as club president during the challenges of the COVID era, navigating uncertainty while helping keep members connected and focused on service.

As a first-generation Oklahoman and mother of eight, Jamie brings a strong commitment to education, youth development, and community engagement. Her story shows how Rotary can become much more than a service organization—it can become a network of friendships, leadership opportunities, and connections that reach far beyond a local club.

We also explore several of the South Oklahoma City Rotary Club’s signature programs and traditions. From recognizing students through Student of the Month and Pedal for Perfect Attendance to helping older adults through Socks for Seniors, the club continues to find practical ways to support people across generations.

Jamie also discusses the club’s annual pancake breakfast, a community favorite that brings members and families together, as well as the Wings of Rotary exchange program, which gives students the opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand and build international friendships.

These projects demonstrate one of Rotary’s greatest strengths: local service can have a much wider impact. A student recognized for hard work, a senior receiving a thoughtful gift, or a young person traveling abroad can all become part of a larger story of connection and opportunity.

In this episode:

• How Jamie Crowe joined Rotary
• 15 years of service and leadership
• Leading a Rotary club during COVID
• Building friendships through Rotary
• South Oklahoma City Rotary Club service projects
• Student of the Month recognition
• Pedal for Perfect Attendance
• Supporting students and education
• Socks for Seniors
• The annual Rotary pancake breakfast
• Wings of Rotary student exchanges
• Cultural exchange opportunities in Japan
• Leadership development through Rotary
• Community engagement and volunteerism
• How local service can create global connections

Whether you are already a Rotarian, interested in community service, looking for leadership opportunities, or simply curious about what Rotary does, Jamie’s story offers a powerful example of what can grow from saying yes to one invitation.

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How much difference can something as simple as a new pair of shoes make in a child’s life?

In this episode of The Rotary Spark Podcast, we sit down with Nick Timme, a dedicated Rotarian and member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, to talk about service, leadership, and the ripple effect that small acts of kindness can create in a community.

Nick shares how a friend first encouraged him to get involved with Rotary around 2015–2016 and how that introduction eventually led him to take an active role in service projects throughout Midwest City, Oklahoma. One of the projects closest to his heart has been helping provide shoes to local fourth-grade students, showing how a relatively simple investment can make a meaningful difference for children and families.

We also explore how Rotary club funding, local fundraising, employer support, and volunteer involvement can turn ideas into real community impact. From providing shoes to students to painting homes and helping neighbors in need, Nick explains how Rotary gives ordinary people the structure and resources to do extraordinary things together.

The conversation also touches on Nick’s service with the Oklahoma Army National Guard and his upcoming deployment to Germany. Even while serving overseas, Nick plans to stay connected with the spirit of service by visiting local Rotary clubs and engaging with military and civic organizations.

Nick also reflects on one of the most important lessons Rotary has taught him: meaningful community involvement does not always require an enormous amount of money or time. When people contribute what they can and work together, those individual efforts can multiply into something much larger.

In this episode:

• How Nick Timme became involved with Rotary
• Rotary service in Midwest City, Oklahoma
• Providing shoes to local fourth-grade students
• How small acts of service can impact children and families
• Rotary fundraising and community project funding
• Employer support for volunteer initiatives
• Painting homes and helping neighbors in need
• Balancing military service and community involvement
• Nick’s service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard
• His upcoming deployment to Germany
• Connecting with Rotary clubs while overseas
• Why community service does not have to require a huge commitment
• The power of collective action and volunteerism

Whether you are already involved with Rotary International, looking for volunteer opportunities, interested in civic leadership, or simply wondering how you can make a difference in your own community, Nick’s story is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person deciding to help.

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Kassandra Segura’s journey from Mexico to becoming a leader in the Edmond Summit Rotary Club shows how one connection can spark a lifetime of community service.

In the debut episode of The Rotary Spark Podcast, Kassandra shares how a chance meeting with fellow photographer Bob Donaldson introduced her to Rotary and opened the door to new friendships, leadership opportunities, and meaningful service.

We explore how Rotary International and local Rotary clubs create opportunities for members to make an impact through projects such as Mobile Meals, book donations to local schools, community service initiatives, and economic development efforts. Kassandra also discusses how clubs can increase member engagement by connecting service projects with the individual passions, skills, and interests of their members.

The conversation goes beyond volunteering. Kassandra shares how Rotary can help members develop leadership skills, professional relationships, community connections, and personal growth while giving them opportunities to serve locally and globally.

We also discuss how to join a Rotary club, what new members can expect, and why events such as the Mid-America President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) play an important role in preparing Rotary leaders for the future.

Whether you are a longtime Rotarian, a community leader, a young professional looking for ways to get involved, or simply wondering “What is Rotary?”, this episode offers a firsthand look at how Rotary membership can create friendships, develop leaders, and strengthen communities.

In this episode:

• Kassandra Segura’s journey from Mexico to Oklahoma
• How she discovered the Edmond Summit Rotary Club
• Why Rotary is about more than attending meetings
• Mobile Meals and local community service projects
• Supporting literacy through book donations
• Increasing engagement inside a Rotary club
• Leadership development through Rotary
• Economic development and community involvement
• How to find and join a local Rotary club
• Preparing future leaders through Rotary PETS
• The power of service, fellowship, and community connection

If you are interested in Rotary International, volunteer opportunities, civic leadership, community service, nonprofit leadership, professional networking, or making a difference in your community, this conversation is a great place to start.

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The Rotary Spark Podcast - District 5750’s pilot introduction is our inaugural episode designed to set the stage for what’s to come in this exciting new series. It's the initial test that will plant a seed for the foundation of the series.

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