As we go about our daily lives, we pause to recognize and thank the brave men and women serving in today’s wars and conflicts, standing watch far from home. Their courage, discipline, and sacrifice remind us of the heavy burden they carry on behalf of others. Even as they carry out their missions, our thoughts turn toward the hope for resolution, understanding, and lasting peace. May they be kept safe, supported, and strengthened until the day their service brings them home.
(This article originally printed in May 2025) I recently attended the Rotary Peace conference in Istanbul, Turkey at the same time the new Peace Center was being dedicated at Bahçeşehir University. Opening the seventh Peace Center is a big deal. There have been over 1800 graduates with a Masters or Certification in Peace and Conflict Resolution since this program was started.
Across our District and around the world, women in Rotary are making a powerful impact through service, leadership, and dedication to their communities. From organizing service projects and leading clubs to mentoring young leaders and strengthening local partnerships, Rotarian women play a vital role in advancing Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.
In Watertown, South Dakota on February 12 Amanda W. the founder of Rachel’s Hope came and spoke to Rotary as the program. Amanda has a sister who is in very poor health. She wanted to make something that would honor her sister when that time may come and the generous, kind spirit she holds.
There were no new confirmed cases of paralytic polio caused by Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) reported this week, meaning 2026 remains at zero cases so far. However, health officials expect four additional cases from Afghanistan from 2025 to be confirmed and reported soon.
The earth is losing fresh water at an alarming rate. This fact has not fallen silent on Rotary International. It’s why our organization has designated the month of March to support the Focus Area for Water and Sanitation initiatives, and is asking all Rotarians to step up to help bring an end the world’s fresh water crisis.
Rotary clubs across five districts are joining together for the Unite for Water initiative—an effort to protect and preserve one of our most vital resources. Projects from participating clubs will be featured on Zone and Regional Rotary websites, highlighting Rotary’s impact across a region that spans one-quarter of the United States and parts of Canada and Mexico.
The President-Elect Learning Seminar (PELS) is the key training event designed to prepare incoming club leaders for the 2026–27 Rotary year. While this training is essential for Presidents-Elect and incoming officers, all Rotarians are welcome to attend and learn more about how our District supports club success.
The program includes required pre-training modules along with a live training session on Saturday, April 18, 9 am - 4pm CENTRAL/ 8 am - 3 pm MOUNTAIN, offered in person at regional locations or virtually via Zoom. Click to Register.
The Watertown Rotary Club recently hosted its annual 6th Grade Rotary 4-Way Test Essay Contest, inviting students to write about how the Rotary 4-Way Test can be applied in their everyday lives.
Service Above Self was on full display as members of the Rotary Club of Sioux Falls-West teamed up with volunteers from Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children in the community who currently do not have a bed of their own.
Going to Taipei for the Rotary International Convention? We are excited to offer special Zoom sessions to help Rotarians feel prepared, confident, and culturally aware before arriving in Taipei for the convention. These sessions will cover helpful topics like transportation, cultural tips, places to visit, food to try, and practical advice to make your experience smooth and memorable.
Discover the transformative power of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)! As the 'RYLA Season' begins, high school sophomores and juniors in your community are invited to embark on a journey of leadership and service. The application period opens on February 15, 2026, offering students a unique opportunity to develop essential skills and values.
The Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club continues to demonstrate what it means to be #PeopleOfAction. Recently, club members partnered with Lunch Is Served, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to providing nutritious mid-day meals to the working poor in the Sioux Falls community.
At its February 25 meeting, the Vermillion Rotary Club welcomed representatives from the Vermillion Public Schools Foundation (VPSF) to receive a $500 donation in support of the Angel Fund. The Angel Fund plays a vital role in helping meet the basic needs of students within the Vermillion School District. Through this program, students and families receive assistance with essentials such as food, clothing, and transportation — ensuring that barriers outside the classroom do not stand in the way of academic success.
Marshal Rotary honors three middle school students as this year's 4-Way contest winners. Karen Van Overbeek won first place, Isabel Christian took second place, and Grant Nielsen was awarded 3rd place.
The Centerville Rotary Club recently partnered with students from Educators Rising at Centerville High School (CHS) to volunteer at the annual Sioux Empire Water Festival, continuing a meaningful tradition of service and education.
Saron Andat, a senior at Sioux City East High School, has been selected as the March 2026 Rotary Club of Sioux City Student of the Month. She was honored during the Rotary Club meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Take us with you - Did you know that the Rotary Voices podcast has audio versions of some of the magazine’s top articles read by professional storytellers? Find a readout for your playlist and listen on the go. We recently posted a moving story called “A bride too soon” about a woman pushing to end child marriages and forced marriages like the one she endured. Browse the episodes.
Rotary Magazine is a great tool to learn from other clubs as well as share with others! One such article we are sharing from this month's magazine is "It’s time for the monthly roundup of club projects." Please review it and see if your club could add one to your community or maybe you could share one of your projects with Rotary! Read on!
