Rich Burns, 2023-4 District Gov., Believes in Action

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Rich Burns, 2023-24 District Governor, believes in Action. This is the template with image at the left side and floating text on the right side. Double click on left side image to change it. Please, edit and modify your text as well using functions and menu of this Editor. Vis id dico vivendum, labitur utroque periculis no qui. Has in semper delenit temporibus. Purto quaestio assentior at eum, qui aliquip dolorum cu. Et vis zril definiebas, mei an viris tation soluta. Has no quas numquam nusquam, voluptua voluptaria at nec, modus perfecto elaboraret mea et. District Governor Rich Burns in Action This is the template with image at the left side and floating text on the right side. Double click on left side image to change it. Please, edit and modify your text as well using functions and menu of this Editor. Vis id dico vivendum, labitur utroque periculis no qui. Has in semper delenit temporibus. Purto quaestio assentior at eum, qui aliquip dolorum cu. Et vis zril definiebas, mei an viris tation soluta. Has no quas numquam nusquam, voluptua voluptaria at nec, modus perfecto elaboraret mea et. By Rich Burns “Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” A Story Worth Knowing On May 24, 2023, Typhoon Marwar slammed into the Mariana archipelago. Left in it’s wake was limited water, food supplies, power infrastructure, and access to and from the islands. Rotary’s International Conference started May 27th in Melbourne, Australia and Rotary began gearing up to provide aid to those affected by the typhoon. Food relief through the “FORaMEAL” project sponsored by the Rotary Club of Canterbury (Surrey Hills, Victoria) mobilized Rotarians to help assemble food packets. My wife Kelly and I were some of the “packet” volunteers. Each packet weighed approximately 430 grams (15 ounces); contained rice, oatmeal, red lentils, and a vitamin supplement; and when mixed with water would nourish 4 to 5 people per day. I know this because my assembly line role was to weigh and seal the packets. On Monday May 28th, Rotarian volunteers completed over 15,000 packets. A lot of sweat equity went into these packets and at the end of the shift, I was ready for a beer and something to eat. I couldn’t keep from thinking while eating dinner at the evening’s “Streets of Melbourne” event, my meal comparison to the 15-ounce food relief packets we assembled earlier in the day. It made me experience good, sad, and fortunate all at the same time. It also helped me find my answer of “Why as Rotarians we do what we do”. Your Impact is Recognized “Imagine Rotary” how through “Service Above Self” can “Create Hope in the World”. When connected together, our current themes and motto express a powerful image of a Rotary built by dedicated volunteers. As we gear up for the new Rotary year, I can’t say “thank you” enough to all Rotarians who volunteered invaluable experience and support as our District embraced “Imagine Rotary” beyond all expectations. I especially want to acknowledge PDG John Schneider for his direction and dedicated leadership. I also want to thank and recognize those Rotarians who are continuing in District leadership positions. These people are: John Schneider                        Nancy Moose                            Steve Sikorski                               Bruce Nearhood Carmen Hansen                       Steve Sewell                             Mark Siemonsma                          Wendy Fransen Heidi Bell-Gease                     Ed Jacobson                              Pat Sutliff                                      Jennifer Rollins Chuck Lubbers                        Jean Cline                                 Peg Wunder                                   Toby Wishard Don Norton                             Rick Bot                                    Bill Frei                                         Mary DeVany Tammy Lee I also want to thank and welcome our New District Leaders: Dr. Dan Cox                            Scott Sorenson                          Bill Spindle                                   Dr. Ashok Kumar Brad Blaha                              Kay Schallenkamp                    Tammy Loosbrock                        39 incoming Club Presidents Supporting Subcommittee Members                                         Area Governors The combined knowledge, expertise, and energy from everyone will make for a fantastic year ahead. I want to add a special thanks to Nicole Rawden for her six wonderful years of service.  And, I want to welcome our new District Administrator Linda Liddell of the Madison Rotary Club. Linda brings to the Executive Board a lot of administrative skills and Rotary experience.  She will be a huge asset to our entire District. Our Rotary International Stage has been Set Our incoming Rotary International President Gordon McInally has made it his priority to create lasting change through taking care of our mental health and wellness.   He’s encouraged each Rotary Zone to assemble a team whose mission is to find creative ways to improve our well being. I am happy to announce our District 5610 representative to the Zone 29 Mental Health and Wellness Team is Madeline (Maddie) Miller of the Yankton Rotary Club. Maddie currently serves as Program Director of Crisis Care with Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services. Her background, knowledge, and expertise will guide us as we build connections to comfortably ask the question “How are you doing really?” OUR District 5610 Goals “Create Hope in the World” is staying the course and continuing our support of past District goals set for youth initiatives, membership growth (so everyone feels included), and increasing our Foundation capacity. Tack on Rotary International’s continuing initiatives for Ending Polio, Empowering Women and Girls, and Ending Human Trafficking, it becomes pretty obvious we need to become not just a District with Clubs but a Village! Therefore, my District goal is strengthening the connection between the District and Clubs. My three-prong approach will be forward facing. 1.  I'll start my strategy this quarter by holding conversations with a number of Clubs to gather ideas, expectations, and visions for the future. During the second quarter, I’ll take what I gathered and build a synopsis of implementable actions, so by the third and fourth quarter, we have something to try. 2.  My next approach for strengthening connection is to move away from a written monthly e-bulletin. Creating hope requires storytelling and an engaged audience to tell it to. I’m not sure a written e-bulletin is taken in by much of an audience. Therefore, I would like to try implementing a two-to-four minute video which highlights a monthly story we want to tell. 3.  My last approach for connection is to provide District Assistance to Clubs needing help setting and entering goals. According to Rotary International, Clubs to receive Grant funding need to have taken Rotary’s grants training and have their goals for this Rotary Year identified in Rotary Club Central. I want to make sure every Club has an equal opportunity when it comes toaccomplishing their goals and Creating Hope in the World. Come Celebrate with US! Imagine Rotary by celebrating our accomplishments through attending the District Conference! It’s been 70 years since a DG has come out of Yankton Rotary and 40 years since the last Conference was held here. Our Conference will open the afternoon of Thursday September 28th by learning archery skillset the NFAA Easton Archery Center. Once we’ve pulled enough bow strings to earn an appetite, we will move onto the Mead Museum/Cultural, and Education Center for a tour, dinner, and presentation on the Dakota Territory given by South Dakota Life Magazine Founder, Editor, and Hall of Fame inductee Bernie Hunhoff. Our Conference continues Friday September 29th at the Hillcrest Golf and Country Club. Rotary International’s Convention Host for 2022 Jason Browne will start things off highlighting Rotary’s theme “Create Hope in the World”. Our lunch Keynote Speaker will be the Rotary District Governor of greater Los Angeles, CA Makiko Nakasone. She will share her stories about a young girl from Tokyo, Japan coming to Milbank, SD and how the experience made her a Rotarian. Jason Browne will reopen our afternoon sessions about building membership, public image, and foundation. During the afternoon, we will honor people and accomplishments of the past year. Our Dinner keynote speaker will be PDG David Forward who is from the Rotary Club of Medford Sunrise, New Jersey. David is an accomplished writer and public speaker who has won awards for his books and role as a Peacemaker. There is the agenda and hotel information available in Steve Harrington's email.   All-in-all, this is not going to be a District Conference to miss and we look forward to having you. Yours in Rotary, Rich
Posted by Chuck Lubbers
OUR District 5610 Goals
“Create Hope in the World” is staying the course and continuing our support of past District goals set for youth initiatives, membership growth (so everyone feels included), and increasing our Foundation capacity. Tack on Rotary International’s continuing initiatives for Ending Polio,
Empowering Women and Girls, and Ending Human Trafficking, it becomes pretty obvious we need to become not just a District with Clubs but a Village!
 
Therefore, my District goal is strengthening the connection between the District and Clubs. Click on the story link above to learn about my three-prong approach will be forward facing.
 
 
 
 
 
By Rich Burns
“Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting
change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

A Story Worth Knowing
On May 24, 2023, Typhoon Marwar slammed into the Mariana archipelago. Left in it’s wake was limited water, food supplies, power infrastructure, and access to and from the islands. Rotary’s International Conference started May 27th in Melbourne, Australia and Rotary began gearing
up to provide aid to those affected by the typhoon. Food relief through the “FORaMEAL” project sponsored by the Rotary Club of Canterbury (Surrey Hills, Victoria) mobilized Rotarians to help assemble food packets. My wife Kelly and I were some of the “packet” volunteers. Each packet
weighed approximately 430 grams (15 ounces); contained rice, oatmeal, red lentils, and a vitamin supplement; and when mixed with water would nourish 4 to 5 people per day. I know this because my assembly line role was to weigh and seal the packets. On Monday May 28th, Rotarian volunteers completed over 15,000 packets. A lot of sweat equity went into these packets and at the end of the shift, I was ready for a beer and something to eat. I couldn’t keep from thinking while eating dinner at the evening’s “Streets of Melbourne” event, my meal comparison to the 15-ounce food relief packets we assembled earlier in the day. It made me experience good, sad, and fortunate all at the same time. It also helped me find my answer of
“Why as Rotarians we do what we do”.
 
Your Impact is Recognized
“Imagine Rotary” how through “Service Above Self” can “Create Hope in the World”. When connected together, our current themes and motto express a powerful image of a Rotary built by dedicated volunteers. As we gear up for the new Rotary year, I can’t say “thank you” enough to all Rotarians who volunteered invaluable experience and support as our District embraced “Imagine Rotary” beyond all expectations. I especially want to acknowledge PDG John Schneider for his direction and dedicated leadership.
 
I also want to thank and recognize those Rotarians who are continuing in District leadership positions. These people are:
John Schneider, Nancy Moose, Steve Sikorski, Bruce Nearhood, Carmen Hansen,                      Steve Sewell, Mark Siemonsma, Wendy Fransen, Heidi Bell-Gease, Ed Jacobson,                          Pat Sutliff, Jennifer Rollins, Chuck Lubbers, Jean Cline, Peg Wunder, Toby Wishard,
Don Norton, Rick Bot, Bill Frei, Mary DeVany, and Tammy Lee.
 
I also want to thank and welcome our New District Leaders:
Dr. Dan Cox, Scott Sorenson, Bill Spindle,  Dr. Ashok Kumar, Brad Blaha,                               Kay Schallenkamp, Tammy Loosbrock,  39 incoming Club Presidents,
Supporting Subcommittee Members , and Area Governors.
 
The combined knowledge, expertise, and energy from everyone will make for a fantastic year ahead. I want to add a special thanks to Nicole Rawden for her six wonderful years of service.  And, I want to welcome our new District Administrator Linda Liddell of the Madison Rotary Club. Linda brings to the Executive Board a lot of administrative skills and Rotary experience.  She will be a huge asset to our entire District.
 
Our Rotary International Stage has been Set
Our incoming Rotary International President Gordon McInally has made it his priority to create lasting change through taking care of our mental health and wellness.   He’s encouraged each Rotary Zone to assemble a team whose mission is to find creative ways to improve our well being. I am happy to announce our District 5610 representative to the Zone 29 Mental Health and Wellness Team is Madeline (Maddie) Miller of the Yankton Rotary Club. Maddie currently serves as Program Director of Crisis Care with Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services. Her background, knowledge, and expertise will guide us as we build connections to comfortably ask the question “How are you doing really?”

OUR District 5610 Goals
“Create Hope in the World” is staying the course and continuing our support of past District goals set for youth initiatives, membership growth (so everyone feels included), and increasing our Foundation capacity. Tack on Rotary International’s continuing initiatives for Ending Polio,
Empowering Women and Girls, and Ending Human Trafficking, it becomes pretty obvious we need to become not just a District with Clubs but a Village!
 
Therefore, my District goal is strengthening the connection between the District and Clubs. My three-prong approach will be forward facing.
 
1.  I'll start my strategy this quarter by holding conversations with a number of Clubs to gather ideas, expectations, and visions for the future. During the second quarter, I’ll take what I gathered and build a synopsis of implementable actions, so by the third and fourth quarter, we
have something to try.
2.  My next approach for strengthening connection is to move away from a written monthly e-bulletin. Creating hope requires storytelling and an engaged audience to tell it to. I’m not sure a written e-bulletin is taken in by much of an audience. Therefore, I would like to try implementing a two-to-four minute video which highlights a monthly story we want to tell.
3.  My last approach for connection is to provide District Assistance to Clubs needing help setting and entering goals. According to Rotary International, Clubs to receive Grant funding need to have taken Rotary’s grants training and have their goals for this Rotary Year identified in Rotary Club Central. I want to make sure every Club has an equal opportunity when it comes to accomplishing their goals and Creating Hope in the World.
 
Come Celebrate with US!
Imagine Rotary by celebrating our accomplishments through attending the District Conference!
It’s been 70 years since a DG has come out of Yankton Rotary and 40 years since the last
Conference was held here.
 
  • Our Conference will open the afternoon of Thursday September 28th by learning archery skillset the NFAA Easton Archery Center. Once we’ve pulled enough bow strings to earn an appetite, we will move onto the Mead Museum/Cultural, and Education Center for a tour, dinner, and presentation on the Dakota Territory given by South Dakota Life Magazine Founder, Editor, and Hall of Fame inductee Bernie Hunhoff.
  • Our Conference continues Friday September 29th at the Hillcrest Golf and Country Club.
    • Rotary International’s Convention Host for 2022 Jason Browne will start things off highlighting Rotary’s theme “Create Hope in the World”.
    • Our lunch Keynote Speaker will be the Rotary District Governor of greater Los Angeles, CA Makiko Nakasone. She will share her stories about a young girl from Tokyo, Japan coming to Milbank, SD and how the experience made her a Rotarian.
    • Jason Browne will reopen our afternoon sessions about building membership, public image, and foundation.
    • During the afternoon, we will honor people and accomplishments of the past year.
    • Our Dinner keynote speaker will be PDG David Forward who is from the Rotary Club of Medford Sunrise, New Jersey. David is an accomplished writer and public speaker who has won awards for his books and role as a Peacemaker.
There is the agenda and hotel information available in Steve Harrington's email.   All-in-all, this is not going to be a District Conference to miss and we look forward to having you.
 
Yours in Rotary,
Rich