“In life’s journey, a bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you refuse to make the turn”. In 2018, Penny and I decided that I should embark on this “journey” of serving as this District’s 2021-2022 District Governor. I can honestly say that it was not without a certain degree of concern and trepidation (what am I getting myself into??) that I jumped into the commitment. It’s definitely been a ride, and one I will always look back on with (mostly) fond memories. I need to use that well-worn and somewhat trite phrase that “it seems like only yesterday” …because its so very true! There were certainly moments when I doubted my sanity (and so did my wife), but luckily, there has always been my amazing team of committed, kind and forgiving Rotarian leaders to support me, pick me up when I was down, gently correcting me when I started down the wrong path, and always, always cheering me on when things were going as planned and even when they weren’t.
My wife, Penny, has been my constant supporter, editor, strategist, tech advisor and head cheerleader throughout the past three years, and I will always be grateful for her support, her love, and the occasional “nudge” when I needed it!
Nicole Rawden has been there for me always and has such an amazing talent to remind me of things before I even know I’ve forgotten them, to pull out information that I could spend a week searching for in minutes, and to always be there, even late nights and early mornings, to help me do my job better than I could ever hope to do it myself.
We have an amazing “DG Track”. IPDG Dan has been a wealth of information and advice when I was facing difficult decisions, and DGE John has become a close friend, always there to laugh together and sometimes have those uncomfortable talks about difficult decisions. I’m confident that John will be an excellent DG and further advance our District in positive ways! DGN Rich and DGND Bruce are both in the midst of DG training, and I feel both possess the right stuff to be great DG’s.
Our Leadership team for the past year is one of the main reasons for the successes we’ve enjoyed as a district this year! We’ve grown, we’ve established broader and well-structured committees, we’ve developed new long-standing programs that will continue on for many years and we’ve definitely gotten the train back on the tracks after two long years of COVID pain. I’m so grateful for all the work, much of which has gone unseen by most, that District Chairs and their committees have performed. I could write a long essay on all the wonderful successes I’ve seen this year that have been performed with little fanfare, just because “it was the right thing to do”!
The other main reason for the successes our district has enjoyed this year is YOU! You are the club member that shows up to meetings, volunteers to chair projects, comes up with new innovative ideas, brings that friend or neighbor who becomes a great member, and who gives freely of his or her time and talents and treasures to make our District and our organization stronger! Never hesitate to take the next step… to chair the committee, to serve on the Board of Directors, to be an Assistant Governor, or to serve in a district leadership committee. Our success is due to people that our willing to take the next step. I know that I will never regret my decisions to do so!
Which brings me back to my opening quote…although I don’t know where I might land in my next Rotary adventure, I do know that this is definitely just a “bend in the road” and not “the end of the road”. I ask that as you thoughtfully consider the next step in your Rotary journey, and that you think and move forward boldly. I can promise that you won’t regret it! Thank you all for allowing me to serve as your District Governor. It’s been my honor and my privilege and given me many forever memories.
In Rotary, serving to change lives,
Doug Lind
District Governor 2021-2022
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
On July 1, John Schneider assumes the volunteer post of Rotary International District Governor for 2022-23. As Governor, he serves as a guide and resource along with his district leadership team for the clubs in District 5610 encompassing all of South Dakota, northwestern Iowa, and southwestern Minnesota. John will serve through June 30, 2023. Attached is a link to incoming District Governor John Schneider's club visit schedule. As incoming Presidents for 2022-23 please review the schedule and please confirm the scheduled date, time, and location with District Governor 2022-23 John Schneider at 1-712-540-4250 or by email at jsswine@midlands.net.
-Part of a Quarter Million Dollar Multi-District Effort; Other Donations Also Being Rushed to War-Torn Country
Rotary International is noted for its global healthcare response, especially as a major sponsor of polio eradication, clean water sources, and more. And now District 5610, which includes all Rotary clubs in South Dakota as well as portions of Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska, will send $25,000 toward emergency supplies to healthcare workers in Ukraine to assist with the urgent need in that war-torn country.
District 5610 was awarded $25,000 in disaster relief funding from The Rotary Foundation to provide "Shipping of Emergency and Healthcare Supplies for front-line emergency workers, hospitals, clinics, and physicians in Ukraine." The district is one of 10 working together on a joint project to support the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA). This multi-district Disaster Grant will provide $250,000 toward airlifting pallets of supplies into Ukraine.
Crews are assembling medical supplies (tourniquets, gauze with blood clotting powder, etc), survival food supplies and emergency aid in a warehouse in Illinois, with 330 pallets already assembled. But this isn’t the only Rotarian response to the Ukrainian crisis.
“District 5610 Rotarians also have already contributed more than $20,000 to Ukrainian support through Hope Haven, an international ministry that provides wheelchairs to those in need,” said District 5610 Governor Doug Lind. And, noted District 5610 Foundation Chair Dan Little, the district also is working on a streamlined District grant of at least $10,000 to the Rotary Club of Barlad, Romania for humanitarian relief for Ukrainian refugees.
“This will bring current and anticipated District 5610 contributions to Ukrainian aid to more than $55,000,” said Little.
Any contributions to the Rotary Foundation Disaster Fund prior to April 30, 2022 will all be allocated to Ukrainian Aid. Rotarians may donate through their MyRotary account online, designating “Ukrainian Disaster Fund,” and others may give by logging in to https://my.rotary.org/en/donate and choosing “Disaster Response Fund.”
“Many people are watching the news and wondering, ‘What can I do to help?’ and feeling helpless,” said Little. “Making a donation to this effort is one way to make a direct difference in the life of someone who is suffering.” Added District Governor Lind, “The respected reputation of Rotary International and its Foundation for being able to penetrate boundaries and provide global assistance makes this donation opportunity a very good choice for anyone wishing to help.”
Questions may be directed to your local Rotary club, or by emailing 5610dlittle@delittledvm.com
During the recent District Assembly for District 5610, Rotarian Bruce Nearhood was elected to the position of District Governor Nominee (DGN) for the 2022-23 Rotary year. The following year, 2023-24, Bruce will serve as the District Governor Elect (DGE) and he will serve as the District Governor (DG) in 2024-25.
Bruce, a member of the Rapid City Rushmore Club since 1987, has served as Club President, and also has held club leadership roles as Foundation Chair and Membership Chair, successfully launching effective growth and retention campaigns for his club and personally sponsoring eight new members. As a proven District leader, Bruce served as 5610 Foundation Chair from 2011-15 and was most recently co-chair of the 2021-22 District Conference. He also was a facilitator for the Rotary Leadership Institutes from 2010-19.
Bruce’s service through Rotary has extended far beyond the boundaries of our District. He has participated in five Rotary-sponsored humanitarian trips, four to Haiti and one to Guatemala. He and his wife were part of Friendship Exchanges to Italy and Japan. A passionate supporter of The Rotary Foundation, Bruce is a member of the Paul Harris Society, is a major donor, and a Level 5 Bequest Society member. Bruce has continued to expand his well-rounded knowledge of Rotary International by attending three Rotary International Conventions.
The Trail of Governors Foundation wishes to thank the Rotary Clubs of District 5610 who generously supported the Sponsorship of the statue of former Governor and long time Rotarian, Dennis Daugaard, whose statue was added to the Trail in 2019. All Rotarians are invited to attend the unveiling of the statues of the final three of the 31 former governors who will join the Trail at 10:00AM on Friday, June 17, 2022 in the rotunda of the State Capitol.
The Club Donors are as follows: Sioux Falls Downtown, Pierre-Ft. Pierre, Mitchell, Mobridge, Winner, Centerville, and Hot Springs.
Also, received were individual contributions from Rotary members and Rotary friends in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Salem, Spearfish, Wagner, Winner, Vermillion, Yankton and Dell Rapids. All donors are recognized on the Foundation website: www.trailofgovernors.com and as a Sponsor, Rotary District 5610 is included on the bronze plaque that accompanies Governor Daugaard's statue.
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DG Club Visit and Pin Ceremony Le Mars
Willow Creek Golf CourseJun 28, 2022 6:00 PM
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Rotary Citation for Rotary Clubs Award RI-Deadline
Jun 30, 2022
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DG Club Visit - Mapleton
Beef and BrewJul 05, 2022 5:30 PM
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DG Club Visit - Vermillion
Al Neuharth Media CenterJul 06, 2022 12:00 PM
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DG Club Visit - Scotland
Recreation BarJul 07, 2022 12:00 PM
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DG Club Visit - Clark
Lookout Bar & GrillJul 12, 2022 12:00 PM
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DG Club Visit - Gettysburg
212 Mini MallJul 14, 2022 12:00 PM
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2022 Rotary District Conference in Sioux City, IA
Sep 22, 2022 3:00 PM –
Sep 24, 2022 11:30 AM
