Get to Know Us
How we make a difference together
Rotary is more than an organization, it’s a worldwide movement of people who believe in turning compassion into action. Across the globe, Rotarians are fighting disease, bringing clean water to those who need it most, promoting peace, supporting education, and growing local economies. Together, we take on challenges too big for any one person to solve alone. With every project, every partnership, and every act of service, Rotary proves that when we work together, we can transform communities and change the world.
Rotarians live by a simple but powerful code of ethics that guides everything we do:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
That same spirit of service drives the Frankfort Rotary Club. Right here in our own community, we’re committed to making a difference through hands-on projects, partnerships, and programs that uplift our neighbors and invest in the next generation.
Chartered in 1922, the Frankfort Rotary Club has been a driving force for good in our community for more than a century. With 70 active members, we’re part of a global network of people united by a shared purpose: creating lasting change in our communities and beyond.
Here in Frankfort, our members combine fellowship with service, tackling local needs like education and scholarships while also contributing to international projects.
GET TO KNOW US
How We Make a Difference
Rotary Youth Fund
The Frankfort Rotary Youth Fund is where our commitment to service comes to life. Since 1993, the fund has been opening doors for local students who have the drive to succeed but need a helping hand to get there. Each scholarship is more than a check– it’s a spark of hope, a step toward a dream, and an investment in the future of our community. When we empower young people to pursue education, we don’t just change their lives; we strengthen families, uplift neighborhoods, and build a brighter tomorrow for everyone.
Queen of Hearts
It’s the game everyone’s talking about! Each week, players grab their tickets and take a shot at uncovering the Queen of Hearts on the big board at Miguel’s Restaurant on Versailles Road. Find her, and you take home the jackpot– our last one climbed to over $47,000! Every ticket helps fuel our Youth Fund, so you’re not just playing for fun… you’re playing for a purpose.
Rotary Speech Contest
Each year, local high school students put their voices to the test in the annual Rotary Speech Contest. Guided by a theme chosen by Rotary, students craft and deliver a three-minute speech for the chance to earn additional scholarship money from the Rotary Youth Fund. We proudly host the local contest every year– and every few years, the regional competition as well.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
RYLA is an immersive leadership experience designed by Rotary International to inspire and empower the next generation. Through hands-on activities, community projects, and mentorship from Rotarians and peers, students strengthen their confidence, communication, and problem-solving skills. Each year, the Rotary Youth Fund provides scholarships for local high school students to attend this transformative program and unlock their leadership potential.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Rotary isn’t just about meetings or service projects, it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about linking arms with people who care, rolling up your sleeves, and knowing that the time you give truly changes lives. When you become a Rotarian, you’re joining a worldwide family of problem-solvers and a local circle of friends, all united by one goal: to leave the world better than we found it.
GET TO KNOW US
Meet Our Board Members
Bill Scott was a member of the Rotary Club when the idea for the Rotary Youth Fund first emerged, and he participated in several of the initial planning discussions. Since the Fund’s formation, he has remained a dedicated supporter, helping many times with the golf scramble when it served as the primary fundraiser. For the past 10–12 years, Bill has served on the board, where he holds primary responsibility for fundraising.
Bill believes strongly that investing in youth is an investment in the future. Through its scholarship program, the Rotary Youth Fund provides young people in the community with opportunities to pursue their career goals and dreams—an investment that ultimately benefits the community, the state, and the nation.
Although he cannot point to one defining moment, Bill often encounters parents and relatives of scholarship recipients who express their gratitude for the support that helped their students achieve their aspirations. While the scholarships may be modest, recipients and their families continually remind the Fund of how meaningful this assistance is in advancing educational goals. Bill is especially gratified by the stories of students pursuing technical and vocational paths, who often have limited access to financial support.
Steve Dooley was a member of the Rotary Club when the idea for the Rotary Youth Fund first emerged, and he participated in several of the initial planning discussions. Since the Fund’s formation, he has remained a dedicated supporter, helping many times with the golf scramble when it served as the primary fundraiser. For the past 10–12 years, Steve has served on the board, where he holds primary responsibility for fundraising.
Steve believes strongly that investing in youth is an investment in the future. Through its scholarship program, the Rotary Youth Fund provides young people in the community with opportunities to pursue their career goals and dreams—an investment that ultimately benefits the community, the state, and the nation.
Although he cannot point to one defining moment, Steve often encounters parents and relatives of scholarship recipients who express their gratitude for the support that helped their students achieve their aspirations. While the scholarships may be modest, recipients and their families continually remind the Fund of how meaningful this assistance is in advancing educational goals. Steve is especially gratified by the stories of students pursuing technical and vocational paths, who often have limited access to financial support.
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Peter Smith is a retired Professor of English. In addition to his Youth Scholarship service, he is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), a community educator and support group leader for the Alzheimer’s Association, and a Meals on Wheels volunteer. He also directs and acts in plays for the Bluegrass Theatre Guild.
Diane Dehoney joined the Rotary Club of Frankfort in 2014. A Paul Harris Fellow, she served as Club President for the 2021-2022 Rotary year. Diane has served as Secretary of the Frankfort Rotary Youth Fund Board since 2022.
As a public librarian, Diane is dedicated to promoting literacy and ensuring that opportunities for lifelong learning are available to all. This passion naturally aligns with her involvement in the Frankfort Rotary Youth Fund and their commitment to making higher education more accessible through scholarships for local students.
Diane has been especially moved by the impact of Frankfort Rotary Youth Fund scholarships on students who choose to attend trade or technical schools. These students are now gaining access to financial assistance that may have previously been reserved for their peers pursuing four-year college degrees. Diane finds great joy in following their progress and celebrating their successes in their chosen fields. She is proud to be part of an organization that invests in the future of all students, regardless of the path they take.
RB Brown has been a dedicated Rotarian since 1982, serving as Club President in 1988. Shortly after his presidency, he played a key role in establishing the Frankfort Rotary Youth Fund, which provides scholarships to deserving students pursuing education beyond high school or a GED. In its early years, the fund was supported by individual donations and the Annual Rotary Golf Scramble, chaired by RB.
Beyond Rotary, RB has served the Frankfort community as a State Farm Insurance and Financial Services Agent since 1980. A Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 23 years of service, he is also active in numerous civic, community, and church organizations. He and his wife, Bobbye Dean Brown, have been married since 1972 and are the proud parents of two adult children.
RB’s passion for the Rotary Youth Fund is simple: “I enjoy kids. They keep me young. I’ve been blessed with incredible educational opportunities, and I want to share those blessings with others. Education opens doors like nothing else can, and I want to help make that possible.”
I’ve been proud to serve on the Rotary Youth Fund Board for the past four years, where I’ve helped read essays, judge speeches, and raise scholarship funds for local students. Supporting youth and giving them every chance to reach their full potential is at the heart of why I serve. As a college student, I once benefitted from a Rotary scholarship in my hometown, and now it’s deeply meaningful to pay that forward by helping today’s students achieve their dreams.
I first heard of the Rotary Youth Fund shortly after joining the Frankfort Rotary club two years ago. I was invited to a happy hour event where we met a young student who told us her story about how she used the money we gave her. She was studying to be a dental technician and used the money to buy her tools and books! I was impressed and thought to myself that I had been lucky in the past that I had the money in my college fund to go to radio school back when I was young. College and trade schools cost a great deal of money, and the money we give to these young people helps them tremendously with the many expenses involved. Besides generous donations from companies and families, Rotary gets the funds together from our various events and the weekly queen of hearts drawing. It’s a wonderful program supporting the futures of our young generation.