Rotary Club of Lakeland South

10/02/2026

🎭 Bringing our community together through the arts!

Our club welcomed Lakeland Community Theatre to learn about the work they do to support arts, culture, and connection in Lakeland.

One highlight was their Out of the Box program, which gives youth and adults with disabilities an opportunity to express themselves, build confidence, and shine in the spotlight. It’s a wonderful example of how the arts can create opportunities for belonging.

Through live productions, youth theatre, classes, camps, and workshops, Lakeland Community Theatre gives people of all ages opportunities to discover and share their talents.

Thank you for visiting our club and sharing your passion for making theatre accessible to our community!

🎟️ Looking for a night at the theatre? Catch Misery, the psychological thriller based on Stephen King’s novel, with performances November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15 at Lake Mirror Theatre.

Tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lctfl

Service, fun, and fellowship!

09/22/2026

A little club history at today’s The Lakeland Club meeting!

Past President Mark Parker shared some fascinating stories about our club’s founding in 1968. We thought our historical records had been lost in the flooding at the Lakeland Country Club, so discovering some of that history was especially meaningful.

We also presented a annual club update book to the Lakeland Club in appreciation of our shared history and the club from which ours was formed. It’s important to remember where we came from!

Mark is always such an entertaining speaker, and we’re fortunate to have him as part of our club. Thank you, Mark, for bringing our history to life! ❤️

07/11/2026

Excited for this new Rotary year with Brian Dockery leading our club!

✈️ 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 Rotary Club of Lakeland South!

𝗔 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 and 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿, Brian has built a life around serving others. After serving his community in many roles, joining Rotary was a natural next step to continue making a difference.

Brian is especially passionate about 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗛𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲, knowing that access to clean water and proper sanitation has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities around the world. 💧🌍

To Brian, Rotary's message is simple and timeless:
"𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿-𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹. 𝗪𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱." 💙

When asked about his favorite Rotary experience, Brian doesn't point to a single project or event. Instead, it's the people who make Rotary special.
"𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱."

As we take flight into a new Rotary year focused on 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, we're honored to have Brian serving as part of our District 6890 Flight Crew.

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻! Here's to a year of service, fellowship, leadership, and creating a lasting impact - together. ✈️💙

07/10/2026

Today, we celebrated one of our favorite Rotary traditions—Passing of the Gavel.

We had the opportunity to thank our outgoing president, Jason Holm, for his leadership, dedication, and service over the past year, while officially welcoming Brian Dockery as our new club president.

We also recognized several outstanding members with awards for their commitment and service to our club and our community. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and thank you to everyone who helps make our club such a special place.

Here’s to another year of fellowship, service, and making a difference together. 💙💛

06/23/2026

Today we lost a community treasure. Brian West was a true friend to so many of us and our city. He was someone whose faith, kindness, and servant’s heart left a lasting impact on our community. I am so glad I was blessed enough to have met him.
Please keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched. I know Mr. George would be proud of Brian’s legacy.

Rest in peace my friend

06/19/2026

Today, our Rotary Club had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Florida Polytechnic University, and I left even more impressed by what is happening right here in Polk County. Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Poly continues to establish itself as a world class STEM university, attracting high-achieving students and building strong partnerships with industry leaders. The university is collaborating with organizations such as Citadel on cybersecurity initiatives, working closely with top employers, and preparing students for careers in some of the fastest-growing fields in the country.

One statistic that stood out was that 64% of Florida Poly students have secured employment before they even graduate. That speaks to both the quality of the students and the strong relationships the university has built with industry.

Dr. Stephenson also shared exciting developments in emerging technology, including advanced drone applications that could support public safety and law enforcement efforts. The university is expanding its focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and workforce development to meet the needs of the future.

Florida Poly is currently at housing capacity, a testament to the demand for its programs and the reputation it has built in a relatively short time.

As Rotarians, we care deeply about education, workforce development, and strengthening our community. It’s inspiring to see a university in our own backyard creating opportunities for students, attracting investment, and helping position Polk County as a center for innovation and economic growth.

Thank you, Dr. Stephenson, for sharing your vision and for the incredible work being done at Florida Poly.

05/26/2026

Today, we are celebrating our president, Jason Holm, on his 50th birthday! 🎉

We are so grateful for his leadership, dedication, and everything he has done for Lakeland South Rotary this year. His time and commitment to our club and community are truly appreciated.

Please join us in wishing him a very happy birthday and don’t forget the “50” part! 🎂🎈

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice made the freedoms we enjoy possible, and we are deeply grateful.

As we spend time with family and friends this Memorial Day, may we also take a moment to reflect on the meaning of the day and the heroes it honors.

From all of us at Lakeland South Rotary, thank you to our fallen heroes and the families who carry their legacy forward. 🇺🇸

04/27/2026

Friday was a great day for Lakeland South. We had the opportunity to hear from Hope Storter and Clayton Keene, who shared more about National FFA Organization and the impact it’s making in developing future leaders.

We also officially welcomed our newest member, Cara Vasquez. Excited to have you as part of the club and looking forward to all that’s ahead!

Interested in joining Lakeland South? Come visit a meeting or send us a message—we’d love to have you. 💙💛

04/07/2026

Today, our President, Jason Holm, had the honor of presenting the Officer of the Year award to Detective Joshua Dorofy of the Lakeland Police Department at the 57th Annual Presidents’ Roundtable Public Safety Awards Banquet.

We were proud to be part of a day recognizing so many outstanding individuals who are committed to keeping our community safe!