As I continue traveling across our district and visiting Rotary clubs, I’m reminded again and again of what makes Rotary so special—the people. From large clubs to small clubs, every visit has given me an opportunity to meet dedicated Rotarians, hear inspiring stories, learn about meaningful community projects, and experience the fellowship that brings us together. Each club has its own personality and traditions, but everywhere I go, I see the same Rotary spirit: people coming together to make a difference.
A Rotary Foundation Global Grant is helping Native children in Rapid City and on the Pine Ridge Reservation strengthen reading skills while connecting learning to Indigenous culture, identity and storytelling. Friends of the Children–He Sapa recently launched its first summer Literacy Camp in Rapid City and Rockyford, serving children through culturally grounded reading, writing, storytelling and hands-on learning.
Join Rotary District 5610 October 22–24, 2026, at the spectacular Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota for a conference focused on inspiration, connection and service. Click to Register Don't forget to register for your hotel room as well! Messages have been sent about rooms reserved OR check the district website OR respond to this newsletter and we will get you the list. There are a couple of additional articles in this newsletter relating to the Conference. Don't miss them!
The District has made the decision to donate 20% of our initial District Designated Funds that come back to us each year and have done that for over 10 years. This recent donation was for money that was aging out of a 5 year plan that The Rotary Foundation implemented to reduce the large amounts of money that some Districts were holding on to instead of using the money to Do Good In the World.
Do you know a high school student interested in experiencing a new culture, making lifelong friendships, and seeing the world? Rotary Youth Exchange applications are now open for the 2027–2028 exchange year! Rotary Youth Exchange gives students the opportunity to live and study in another country while immersing themselves in a new culture and building connections that can last a lifetime.
The Brookings Rotary Club weekly meeting welcomed members, guests, and a visiting Rotarian from Canada. The meeting featured a presentation on the School of St. Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, delivered by club members Deb DeBates and Larry Janssen who recently traveled to the school as part of a Rotary-sponsored group.
Rushmore Rotary presented the Children's Home Society of South Dakota with a check for $120,000 during its July 27 meeting. The Club raised the funds through its annual golf tourney held in Rapid City.
District Governor Mike Gibson addressed the Brookings Rotary Club on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, delivering a warm and candid message centered on the value of personal connection, the shared challenges facing Rotary clubs, and the organization’s far-reaching impact on communities around the world.
Opening with characteristic humor about his long banking career and his modest use of business cards, Gibson quickly turned to what he described as the heart of his service: the relationships Rotary creates. “I love Rotary, and I love the connection that it makes,” he told members. “I love meeting people, especially if they’re involved in service.”
The Pierre-Fort Pierre Rotary Club is continuing its commitment to making a difference in the local community through its Community Grants program. The club recently awarded $1,000 grants to both CASA and Destination Imagination, providing valuable support for programs that benefit local families and young people.
Rushmore Rotarians were out in the community this week, volunteering their time as ushers at the Central States Fair Grandstand. Club members helped welcome fairgoers, assist guests with seating, and make sure visitors had a safe and enjoyable experience during the grandstand events. Their willingness to give their time is another great example of Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self.
The Augustana Rotaract Club is off to a great start as members begin the 2026–2027 school year. With a new year comes new opportunities for service, leadership, friendship, and making a positive impact on campus and in the community. Leading the club this year is Addison Soma, who has already been doing a great job bringing members together and helping set the stage for another successful year of Rotaract.
Madison welcomed two new members to its club on September 1st. Luba Blyshchik and Craig Walker were presented pins and certificates as well as a welcome kit by Membership Chair Floyd Rummel. Welcome to the Madison Rotary Club!
On October 24, World Polio Day, Rotary will join partners, health workers, survivors, and advocates to reaffirm our promise to the world’s children: polio eradication is possible—and it’s a promise we will keep. As your club begins planning its World Polio Day activities, be sure to our WORLD POLIO DAY EVENT page to get a wide variety of polio-related resources. And don’t forget to register your club’s participation!
Two RYLA campers from the Watertown SD Rotary Club, Mollie Raasch and Brooklynn Varilek, are putting their leadership experience into action through a project that will benefit their community for years to come.
You are invited to join a global online Rotary gathering on September 20, 2026, at 5:00 a.m., bringing together 100 Rotary leaders from around the world. Sign Up Here
The Rotary 100 Online International Mega Meeting – The People’s Assembly 2026 will unite peacebuilders, humanitarians, Rotaractors, and community changemakers from across the globe. Together, participants will engage in dialogue, build connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration and action toward creating a more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient world.
The gathering will take place on the United Nations International Day of Peace and during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, making it a meaningful opportunity for Rotary leaders worldwide to come together around the shared goal of building peace through service.
The Le Mars Rotary Club is celebrating the success of the Let There Be Light Beer Festival, an event that brought the community together for an evening of fun, fellowship, and local craft beer.
The Marshall Sunrise Rotary Club brought the community together on August 22 for a pancake breakfast fundraiser supporting an exciting addition to the Marshall, Minnesota community—the new bandshell. Members served up a delicious breakfast while raising funds that will help support the construction of the new bandshell, which will provide a gathering place for music, entertainment, and community events for years to come.
Barcelona is calling — and the Rotary world is getting ready. Registration for the 2027 Rotary International Convention, happening June 26–30, 2027, officially opens this month, and the EarlyBird registration window is your best opportunity to secure the lowest registration rate and the widest selection of hotel accommodations.
2025 Roger Kozak Award went to Nancy Moos of the Rotary club of Madison .
Each year the Roger L. Kozak Service Above Self Award is awarded to one Rotarian in District 5610. It was conceived in 2016 and has been awarded six times to date. It is given in recognition of exceptional service to Rotarians in Rotary District 5610. The award honors the memory of Roger L. Kozak, long-time member of the Vermillion Rotary Club, who served as District 5610 Governor, 2009-10. Roger Kozak distinguished himself as an exceptionally dedicated servant leader.
Roger Kozak’s wife Pat Kozak once wrote the following: “I think the Kozak Award should go to someone who lives the Rotary motto of Service Above Self, and applies the Four-Way Test to all aspects of life. The person should have rendered exceptional service to the community lived in, and to the Rotarians of District 5610.”
Application - Limit to one-page and 200 words. Deadline - September 21, 2026 Email To: - mgibson1803@gmail.com
As we prepare for the 2026 District Conference, we invite clubs to help us recognize and honor the Rotarians we have lost during the past Rotary year. The Celebration of Life is a special time to remember the dedicated men and women whose commitment to Service Above Self made a lasting impact on their clubs, communities, and Rotary.
