Our Governor
Sandra (Sandy) Forster, currently retired, is the former owner of SunWest Activewear. SunWest Activewear was a commercial embroidery and promotional products company she owned and operated for over 14 years. SunWest specialized in safety award programs to the Trucking and Transportation industry.

 

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In 1999, Sandra married Bud Carmichael and together they share the joys of 12 grandchildren, a great grandchild and five grown children and their spouses. Their grandchildren have participated with them in various Rotary events and humanitarian projects. Sandra is active as a member of the Unity Church of Christianity – Dallas and serves on the Spiritual Social Action Committee and as a worship assistant.

In 1992, Sandra joined the Garland Rotary club and was the first female president to serve the club. The Garland Rotary club was established in 1927 and has been active in the city of Garland serving many aspects of the community from scholarships to deserving high school seniors, the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), Interact, English as a Second Language tutoring; and an annual Christmas party for under privileged children in the Garland Independent School District. Under Sandra’s leadership the club has participated in Matching Grants, Group Study Exchange, Youth Exchange, and the RI Teacher Exchange program.

During Sandra’s service in Rotary she has been privileged to serve as a counselor to RYLA for six years, helps with the Garland Rotary’s Interact club, served as an Assistant District Governor; District Secretary; District Chair for Water Projects; District International Service Co-Chair; District Grants Sub-Committee Chair and World Community Service Chair.  Sandra and her husband, Bud, have traveled to Europe, Africa, India, Mexico, and South America on various Rotary humanitarian projects including polio immunizations, water and sanitation projects and wheelchair distributions.

In 2009, then R.I. President, D. K. Lee and the R.I. Board of Directors honored her with the highest award that can be given to an individual Rotarian – the Rotary International Service Above Self. This award is given to Rotarians who embody Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” as a way of life. District 5810 has honored Sandra with Rotarian of the Year – 2008-09; The Rotary Foundation Advocacy Award – 2008-09 and the Service Above Self Award for 2007-08. In 2007-08, 2005-06 and 2004-05 District 5810 awarded her The Rotary Foundation District Service Award for promoting The Rotary Foundation and its goal of world understanding and peace. The Garland Rotary Club has honored Sandra with Rotarian of the Year; Distinguished Service Above Self; The Pioneer Award; and Humanitarian of the Year.

She is a member of the Paul Harris Society and is a Major Donor and Major Benefactor to The Rotary Foundation. Sandra has established the Forster New Generation Donor Advised Fund with The Rotary Foundation to award college scholarships to deserving students within District 5810. A believer in what Rotarians can do for others worldwide, she is a lifetime member of Water And Sanitation Rotary Action Group (WASRAG); Rotarians For Fighting AIDS; Rotarians Eliminating Malaria; Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit; the Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship and Rotary Travel & Host Fellowship. She currently serves on the Business Operations Committee for WASRAG.