In no way was putting this list together a competition or comparison between people and/or clubs. It highlights those things that stood out in ways I’ll remember beyond my term. Thanks for your time and I hope you appreciate my points of view.
Most Amazing Rotary Club Story - Hot Springs Rotary’s “Potty on-the-Path” project dedication event which included a flyover with drones carrying rolls of toilet paper waving to music performed by the high school marching band as they progressed around the new facility.
Most Unique Format for a Rotary Club Presentation - Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls uses a hosted “Talk Show/Interview” approach which was hands down the most fun experience I had for giving any Rotary presentation.
Most Surprising Support of an Idea - Food-for-the Holiday’s Grant interest. I thought maybe 8 clubs would participate. There were 19 clubs who applied. I’m proud to say all 19 clubs were given something. I want to thank everyone involved and especially Brad Blaha and the Assistant Governors. What stood out was Brookings Rotary who leveraged a $250 grant to achieve $1,500 in food support.
Youth Activity Achievement - “High-Fives” to Rene Sorenson and everything she accomplished with our RYLA program. We never had more than 4 students participate in RYLA until this year when we met our goal of 16 students from all over our District! Congrats Rene and a huge thanks to the support from the clubs for such a wonderful youth opportunity.
Biggest Turnaround - As with most Rotary Districts in North America, our Rotary membership numbers have been on the decline. A huge applause needs to be given to our Membership Chairperson Carmen Hansen and the District Membership Committee. Our District grew by 31 people from July 1, 2023 to June 1, 2024! This is a major accomplishment and one not many Districts can brag about. Congrats to everyone involved with membership and the efforts all clubs put in to achieve such a positive gain in growth.
Communities Showing an active Rotary Presence - When preparing for a club presentation, I liked to visit community Social Media sites and then explore the area when we got into town. All clubs are very engaged in their communities however there are places where it’s hard to miss Rotary’s involvement such as Centerville and Custer South Dakota, and Marshall, Minnesota. Images of Rotary were almost everywhere you looked which is really amazing.
Most Amazing Fund Raisers - All clubs annually raise money for different and varied activities. This year Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary in 90 days raised over $290,000 for a Rotary Park with inclusive playground equipment. In Mapleton, Iowa their Rotary Club of 12 people raised over $23,000 to support multiple community projects by collecting and crushing aluminum cans for redemption.
Implementing Rotary’s 2024 Theme “Create Hope in the World” - Is something Hope Haven alongside multiple 5610 clubs and Rotarians who worked so tirelessly to do, by providing wheelchairs throughout the world.
My Most Appreciated (non-Rotary) Themed Meeting - Is the Pierre-Fort Pierre Rotary Club and the extra effort they put in to have Oregon State University proudly represented with memorabilia and fight songs during the entire meeting. Thank you PDG Ed Jacobson for making our visit such a wonderful “homecoming” experience.
Achievement in obtaining a Global Grant - It takes a lead club and a lot of work. The Rotary Club of Rapid City, along with volunteers from Rapid City-Rushmore Rotary, Districts 5280 of Greater Los Angeles, California, District 2620 of Greater Shizuoka, Japan and our District 5610 Foundation Team, all collaboratively worked for 3 years to achieve a $55,000 Global Grant for Ending Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention of Youth on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I am thrilled to say implementation of our Global Grant project will begin on June 12, 2024.
Most Challenging Assignment - Was accomplished by 15 members of the Yankton Rotary Club who with the guidance of PDG Steve Harrington, pulled off a very successful District Conference.
What I appreciate most about District 5610 - Is our people! We don’t quit and by working together, we really did “Create Hope in the World” and have stories to tell. There was always a warm welcome, laughter, stories, and wonderful meals shared at every meeting. Thanks to everyone for all you contributed to make my being District Governor such a wonderful experience.