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Rotary Club of Florence Announces 2025 Citizen of the Year - Joe MeimanCelebrating Service of Making the Impossible Possible
The Rotary Club of Florence is proud to announce Joe Meiman as the 2025 Citizen of the Year. Joe has dedicated his life’s work, energy, and personal resources to changing lives across the globe through Project Sheluka (https://www.projectsheluka.org/), an initiative he founded to bring clean water and sustainable solutions to the people of Western Province, Zambia.
Joe’s leadership has transformed what many saw as an impossible vision into reality. Through his design and development of a sandpipe pump, Joe created a practical and durable system that allows villagers in remote communities to easily access clean drinking water. These pumps are not only life-changing, but are also designed so that local communities can maintain and repair them with ease—ensuring long-term sustainability.
His impact reaches far beyond technology. In partnership with the University of Zambia’s Integrated Water Resources Management Centre, Joe has supported academic exchanges, scientific fieldwork, and international collaborations that have enriched both American and Zambian students. He has also invested directly in local communities, including funding the construction of “The Joy House”—a nurse’s residence named in honor of his late mother—that enabled the opening of a much-needed clinic for a rural village.
Joe’s compassion and friendship have deeply touched those he serves. Families in Zambia affectionately call him “Uncle Joe,” and colleagues describe him as resourceful, courageous, and unrelenting in his mission to improve lives. As Professor Imasiku Nyambe notes, Joe has shown “the spirit to do what others may see as impossible.”
His work has already brought hope and health to countless families, with over 100 sandpipe wells planned across Zambia’s Western Province. Yet, beyond the numbers, Joe has built bonds of trust, friendship, and shared purpose that span continents.
For his innovation, his generosity, and his unwavering commitment to service, the Rotary Club of Florence is honored to present Joe Meiman with the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award.
Joe will be honored at the club’s October 6, 2025. Due to the expected larger crowd, RSVPs are required to make sure there is enough room and food for this event. Please RSVP at: https://tinyurl.com/rcofky-rsvp. Lunch buffet is $13/person.
Date: Monday, October 6th
Meeting Hosts: Team #4
Location: Florence Nature Event Center, 7200 Nature Park Drive, Florence, Kentucky 41042
11:45 am – Lunch Buffet $13/person
12:00 pm – Meeting Begins, Greeting, Prayer-Reflection-Inspiration, Pledge & 4-Way Test
12:15 pm – Program Begins
1:00 pm – Meeting Adjourned
To view a slide show of past recipients, please visit www.florencerotary.org/coy.
Established in 1945, the Rotary Club of Florence consists of over 50 business and community leaders from across Boone County. The Rotary Club of Florence is a civic club that is part of Rotary International, an organization of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world, focusing on “service above self”. Most of the club’s meetings are streamed live to the club’s YouTube Channel. Guests are always welcome. To learn more about upcoming speakers and events, please visit the club’s website at www.florencerotary.org or follow their Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn pages.
#ServiceAboveSelf #FloRo #PeopleofAction #ServeToChangeLives #COY #CitizenoftheYear #CelebrateOurCommunity #PeopleWhoMakeaDifference
Details: www.florencerotary.org/coy-meiman-1
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
City of Florence - Nature Park Event Center & Gathering House, 7200 Nature Park Drive,Florence, Kentucky, United States
