January 2025 Newsletter
Stories
Rotarian New Year Resolution
Provided by our DG Bruce Nearhood.  "They say the second Friday is when most New Year’s resolutions have been broken.  Fortunately, being a Rotarian is not a resolution to be broken but an ideal to strive for. 
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Join Us in Supporting California Wildfire Relief
The devastating wildfires in California have left countless families and communities in urgent need of support. As Rotarians, we have the power to make a difference and extend a helping hand to those affected by this tragedy. Your contributions can provide essential relief such as:
  • Shelter for displaced families
  • Food and clean water
  • Resources for recovery and rebuilding efforts
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Time to find 6th Graders for The 4-Way Test Competition 
The Rotary District 5610 Four-Way Test Essay Contest begins at the Rotary Club level where each club can have their own contest with sixth graders in their community.
 
Find a sixth grade teacher who is willing to work with you and then have her students write essays using the following rules. The winner of each local contest must be to the District 5610 Chair Pat Sutliff (pmsutliff@gmail.com) by March 15 so that district winners can be announced at President Elect Learning Seminar (PELS).
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Rotary Exchange Student Recognized for Volleyball Achievement 
Maria Putzu, the inbound Rotary exchange student from Italy, received the Offensive MVP Award for the C team at the Madison Bulldogs volleyball banquet. She's being hosted by the Madison Rotary Club and staying with Tom and Kim Jones. Congratulations to Maria for this great achievement!
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Get Ready for the District 5610 Membership Olympics: Let the Games Begin!
The 5610 Membership Olympics have begun!!! Is your Club a TOP ATHLETE? Of course it is!
 
We already know your Club has what it takes to be a champion! This is the simplest competition you'll ever enter, and it's your Club's moment to shine and show off its Olympic spirit.
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January is Vocational Service Month
Did you know that the 4-Way Test Competition is part of the Vocational Service offerings from Rotary?  What a great segway into getting 6th graders in your community to write about their thoughts on the Four Way Test of the things you think, say, or do.  Help this district program get more participation this month!
 
Vocational service calls all Rotarians to encourage and foster:
  • high ethical standards in business and professions
  • the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations
  • the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society
Rotary recognizes the importance of all skills and occupations.  Check out the additional links.
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Rotary Invitation to Romania - March 19-29, 2025
On March 19-29, 2025, Hope Haven is celebrating our new wheelchair facility and 20 years of Rotary presence with a trip to Romania. We will celebrate the opening of this facility in Barlad and join Rotarians from Barlad, Focsani, Bucharest and Izmail, Ukraine. Costs for airfare, travel and touring, meals and lodging, will run around $2,500+ per person. Although we celebrate Rotary's involvement with Barlad over the years, we will not seat wheelchair recipients on this trip. We will do some extensive touring for 5 days through medieval villages, castles citadels and the mountains of Transylvania.  We will also celebrate with the local Rotarians from Romania. See attached for itinerary.
 
 
 
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Luverne Rotary Doubles Down to Help End Polio
Members of Luverne Rotary club are all smiles as they present a representative check for the 2024 Polio Plus campaign that was sent to Rotary District 5610 to help #EndPolioNow. All Happy Dollars given in the month of October were pledged to the Polio fight and the club treasury matched those dollars, up to $500. When the District receives the funds, the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation will match our $1371 donation 2:1.
Sibley's Rotary Sweetheart Dinner
Mark your calendar for the Sibley Rotary's Sweetheart Dinner on February 9th from 11AM-1PM. All proceeds go towards 100th Year Anniversary Project. Tickets in advance are $15, $20 day of the event.
Rushmore Rotary: Serving as #PeopleOfAction
In December, members of Rushmore Rotary braved the chilly weather to lend a hand to Feeding South Dakota. We were proud to be part of this effort, ensuring that families in need received essential food supplies.
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Sioux City Supports Red Cross
On December 17, Rotary Club of Sioux City held their first Red Cross blood drive. Rotarian Ashley Snyder is the Service Committee's liaison working with the Red Cross. Ashley greeted donors and checked them in. The next Rotary sponsored drive will be on February 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the MidAmerican Energy Community Room.
Round of Applause for the Centerville Rotary Club
A big shout-out to the Centerville Rotary Club for embodying what it means to be #PeopleOfAction! This incredible Club operates the Centerville Food Pantry, a vital resource for the community. The pantry opens its doors every Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with dedicated Rotary volunteers ensuring it runs smoothly.
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Rotary Rose Parade Float Wins Prestigious Award
Exciting news! The Rotary International float earned the coveted Tournament Volunteer Award for “Most Outstanding Floral Presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among Floats Under 35 Feet in Length” at this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade.
 
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Will You Be Rotary Poet of the Year 2025
The winners will be announced at the Calgary Rotary Convention in June by your President of Rotary, Stephanie Urchick but the actual awards will be handed over locally (unless the winner is in Calgary, as last year in Singapore) so we request that you be the host or arrange such a presentation at the winner’s club in your district.
 
There are only 2 categories this year including the theme The Magic of Rotary, the other being open, with the main award for Rotary Poet of the Year a beautiful handmade plaque. Enter at (www.rotarypoetry.org)
Motagua River Basin Project
Back in September, Yankton Rotarians Mike Villanueva and Rich Burns got together in Guatemala City, Guatemala with fellow Rotarians from California, Kansas, Mexico, Netherlands, Honduras, and Guatemala to gain an understanding of the issues surrounding the Motagua River and its associated watershed. The Motagua River Basin contributes 3% of all plastics entering the oceans worldwide.
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Rushmore Holds Annual Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) Workshop
On Saturday, January 11, Rushmore Rotary hosted its annual Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) workshop offered to all of the clubs in the Black Hills. A casual and interactive environment lead to a day of inspiration, creative ideas and fantastic fellowship while learning more about Rotary.
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Participate in the Rotary Leadership Institute
RLI is a grassroots coalition of Rotary districts implementing a leadership development program for "potential" leaders of Rotary CLUBS. Read a little bit more or go to Rotaryleadershipinstitute.org.
 
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Presidential Peace Conference
Join peacebuilders from around the world for the 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference, 20-22 February, in Istanbul, Türkiye, to explore ways to create environments that foster peace and understanding.   
 
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Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention
February is Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month.  Rotary also has its International Assembly in Orlando, FL held Feb. 9-13 and the Rotary's Anniversary being celebrated Feb.23rd. 
 
What is your club doing to elevate peace and conflict prevention knowledge within your club or in your community?  We would love to hear from you!  Please submit your stories through this link or send a note to district5610rotary@gmail.com.
 
If you are still in planning mode, you can find a lot of great information at Promoting Peace | Rotary International.
Upcoming Events
January Theme - Vocational Service
Jan 01, 2025 – Jan 31, 2025
 
Madison Food Pack
Madison Downtown City Armory
Jan 25, 2025
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
 
February Theme - Peace and Conflict Prevention
Feb 01, 2025 – Feb 28, 2025
 
Sibley's 100 Year Anniversary Sweetheart Dinner
Trinity Lutheran Church
Feb 09, 2025
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Rotary Presidential Peace Conference
Feb 20, 2025 – Feb 22, 2025
 
Rotary's 120th Birthday
Feb 23, 2025
 
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