Welcome to a new year Rotarians!! I am so looking forward to this year visiting Rotary Clubs and helping to lead Rotarians to successful fellowship, fundraising, public image, service projects and growth. I hope that all clubs have transitioned to new leadership and comfortably settling in to what the new year awaits. I encourage all club presidents get their club goals into Club Central. It is absolutely important to have goals so that you know what direction that you want to lead your club. District Leadership is standing by to help you in any way necessary.As I write this, I have completed four club visits. The have all been a rewarding experience and Carol and I are enjoying meeting new Rotarians and rekindling old friendships. PDG Doug Lind warned me that I need backups to my backups and that nearly came to fruition as the electricity went off at the beginning of my first presentation and did not return until after the meeting. Still ended up to be a great visit. I’ve have been so pleased with my meetings with club Boards of Directors as much of the discussion revolved around my presentation.
At the District Conference we will be recognizing Rotarians of Distinction. Please have Rotarians in mind if your Assistant Governor or Club President is looking for recommendation. There are no criteria other than what the AG may have; a Rotarian that has distinguished themselves in their club and/or community.
Speaking of the District Conference, it will be held in Sioux City, IA September 22-24. It will be here before you know it. Conference Chairman, PDG Steve Harrington, has put a lot of effort into publicizing the event, so I won’t go into a lot of details. Keynote speaker, is Navy Seal Legend Boyd Renner. We also will be hearing from past RI Vice-President and current Rotary Foundation Trustee Greg Podd, Immediate Past RI Director Suzie Howe, Rotaract fire cracker Clare Richards of St. Cloud MN and a RI President’s Representative to be named. Please check the District website for updates and registration information.
Again, I’m looking forward to my club visits and meeting so many great Rotarians. Please note my schedule here on the website and I’ll be calling club presidents a couple weeks before the visit to finalize details.
Yours in Rotary!!!
DG 5610 John Schneider
The District Governor Award for Rotarian of the Year is presented to Don Norton. He is a Rotarian who has gone above and beyond and has proven to be extraordinary in his service above self. This is a new award this Rotary year that will serve to honor one individual who has exhibited these attributes. Congratulations Don! 
s in education and communication. He taught more than 20 communication courses at the college and university level, and has received four Associated Press News Awards for broadcast journalism, including as a news anchor/reporter at WGN Radio in Chicago. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Communication from Western Illinois University, and is certified in Non-Profit Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a Maxwell Leadership certified trainer, speaker and coach.
Tahiry Razafimanjato has been presented Rotarian of the Quarter for his dedication to Rotary and District 5610. Tahiry started Sturgis Rotaract Club, and is past president of Northern Black Hills Rotary Club, and a member of the District Membership Committee. Tahiry joined Rotary in 2015 at Northern Black Hills Rotary. Rotary was not something new for him. He grew up in a Rotarian environment in Madagascar; his dad is a long time Rotarian. Her sister and brother are also all Rotarians. For Tahiry, Rotary means more than a service. He considers Rotary as a way of life.
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