Greetings, fellow Rotarians! I want you to know how thrilled I am to be your district governor. I am really looking forward to visiting your clubs and hearing about all the amazing projects that you have been doing and will do in and around your communities. I do want to thank Bruce Nearhood, PDG, for giving me great leadership and getting the district into a place of looking to the future.
Rapid City Rushmore lit up the evening on June 30, 2026, as they hosted a vibrant Leadership Transition Dinner for their own club leadership changeover as well as the District Governor transition. The celebration honored their outgoing president and cheered in their new one—setting the tone for a powerful year ahead.
During the DG Transition, District Governor Bruce Nearhood recognized the past District Governors in attendance, each sharing the theme from their year of service. Hearing five years of vision, passion, and purpose in one room made the night feel truly historic.
Rushmore Rotary held its annual President Transition Dinner on June 30. We said goodbye to outgoing President Roger Heacock and welcomed incoming President Rene Sorenson. Outgoing District President Bruce Nearhood also welcomed new District President Mike Gibson to his new role.
On July 7, eight members of the Spearfish-Northern Black Hills Rotary Club came together to make a lasting impact by helping provide mobility to people around the world. Partnering with the VA Ft. Meade Medical Center Purchasing Department and Spearfish Karl's TV & Audio Appliance, the Rotarians collected more than 20 wheelchairs and 20 walkers for donation to Hope Haven International.
Madison Rotary shined a little brighter on July 13 as Joanna Molascon joined us with her family and friends to share her award‑winning Four‑Way Test Essay. Her thoughtful, heartfelt message captivated the room—and soon it will inspire an even larger audience. Joanna has been selected to present her essay at the District Meeting this October at Crazy Horse in the Black Hills, a tremendous honor for both her and our club.
A special thank‑you goes to Madison Rotarian Val Parsley for arranging this meaningful moment and helping showcase the incredible talent of our local students.
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.
Brookings Rotary Club members met on June 6th, the 82nd anniversary of D’Day, to support the Brookings American Legion by cleaning and replanting its flower beds. Under the supervision of Lynn Hublou, members dug up thistles, bindweed, and other weeds that they replanted with native perennial choices such as little bluestem, coneflower, and milkweed.
Members of the Rotary Club of Sioux Falls West recently volunteered at LifeScape's Patriotic Celebration in Sioux Falls, helping create a fun and meaningful experience for children and their families.
The Rotary Club of Mobridge joined the community in celebrating Independence Day by participating in the annual 4th of July Parade. Club members showcased their Rotary pride with a festive float and shared the spirit of the holiday by passing out candy to children along the parade route.
In August, we celebrate our members during Membership Month and recognize their contributions while engaging with prospective members. Here are 10 ideas we hope will inspire an exciting August for you and your club:
Print “What is Rotary?” business cards for each member of your club and have a contest to see who can hand out the most in six months.
Watershed School Festival 04/30/2026 - Aimed at teaching middle school students the important role played by the Missouri River to their communities, over 460 students attended a half day educational event held at Riverside Park in Yankton, SD. Rotarians who volunteered to assist with the event included Brittany Trimble, Shane Bertsch, Bob Foley, and Barbra Yelverton.
Members of the Rapid City Rotary Club recently came together for a pantry packing party, turning fellowship into meaningful service for families in need. During the project, Rotarians assembled 45 meal kits and 60 snack bags for children to donate to the Lakota Homes Food Pantry.
Brookings Rotary Club conducted its first annual pluck-a-duck raffle on June 18, 2026. Over $5,000.00 was raised for Foundation Activities. The grand prize was a check for $1,000.00, and five other individuals won prize baskets.
A new Rotary year is the perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at how your club is presented to your members, prospective members, and your community. Your club's website and social media channels are often the first impression someone has of Rotary. Are they current? Are they welcoming? Do they tell your club's story?
The Rotary New Year Checklist was created to help clubs conduct a simple Public Image Audit and ensure their communication tools are working for them—not against them.
Members of the Winner Rotary Club joined together on June 17th for a social to celebrate ninety years of service. The club was chartered in 1936. Historical items were on display and it was a wonderful opportunity to remember the founders and events covering most of a century.
I am delighted to share an exciting update on the continued impact of your generous support of sports and arts at St Jude's. In 2022, your club came together to support the purchase of sports uniforms and equipment for our students. This year, those same resources helped our students proudly represent St Jude's at (UMISSETA - Umoja wa Michezo ya Shule za Sekondari Tanzania), Tanzania's national secondary school sports and arts competition.
The updated Rotary Youth Exchange is now available. This Guide for Students offers a program overview along with guidance on how to prepare for an exchange, what to expect while abroad, and how to reflect on the experience after returning home.
On June 24, Spearfish-Northern Black Hills Rotarians toured "Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ," the ethnobotanical garden at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), which highlights the connections between past and present. The garden honors the complicated history of the Black Hills, encourages learning across generations, and supports dialogue and reflection.
ClubRunner has released Version 4.5.0 of its mobile app, bringing several new features, security enhancements, and usability improvements designed to make it easier than ever for members to stay connected and engaged.
What's New
Share Your Profile with a QR Code Networking just got easier! Members can now generate and share a personalized QR code containing their profile information, making it simple to exchange contact details at meetings, conferences, and events.
Looking for fresh, high-quality Club apparel that feels current, personalized, and easy to order? Club Swag Locker is now live, and it is already transforming how clubs show off their identity. Built by Rotarians who understand what clubs actually want, this new platform delivers simple ordering, fast shipping, and thousands of custom products your members will love.
