District 5610 Rotarians,

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your District Governor for the past year!  It has been a year of challenges, success, and growth as we pursue our goal of serving others.   A year of COVID-19 restrictions may have limited travel and personal interaction, but we have discovered creative solutions of staying connected electronically through Zoom and hybrid meetings.  These changes have offered opportunities to share speakers and topics with other Rotarians around the world without leaving the comfort of our home or office!

A special thank you to the organizers and participants of our 2nd Virtual District Conference!  Through the collaboration and commitment of many District Rotarians, we were able to present an information packed District Conference with special emphasis on our goal of Ending Human Trafficking.  It will be great to resume an “in person” District Conference in Deadwood this October!

The past year has certainly validated our theme of “Rotary Opens Opportunities”!  It has been exciting to see clubs grow and retain membership by offering meetings, training, and activities through online methods that have increased participation of Rotarians of all ages.  Thanks to the increased efforts of our Membership and Public Image teams and the guidance of Nicole, our District Administrator, we have continued to attract new members that share our ideals of Service Above Self!

The Foundation and Global Grants Committees have developed a strong foundation for a new District focus on Ending Human Trafficking.  Stay tuned for more information on how we can support this effort on a District level!  We also awarded a record number of high impact District matching grants, as well as as District grants to support Technology and Infrastructure!  We have also continued our support to eradicate Polio through contributions to End Polio Now.  Thank you to all Rotarians that so unselfishly support the Rotary Foundation and the many projects that are possible through TRF funding.

Rotary 2020-21 has been a growth year!  Like a rubber band that has been stretched, we will never to be able to go back to “how we always did things before”.  Enjoy the excitement of the new normal as we not only gather again for in person meetings, but we also continue to implement the new tools that we have discovered to engage Rotarians worldwide in our quest of Service Above Self!  District leadership has focused on expanding collaboration to provide a more cohesive leadership team to address the needs of the District.  District Governor Elect Doug Lind is well prepared and excited to continue with many of the strategies that have been initiated over the past year. 

Truly, Rotary Opens Opportunities!  Thanks again for the opportunity to serve District 5610 as your District Governor.

Yours in Rotary,

Dan