WELCOME TO RUSHMORE ROTARY
 
Rushmore Rotary is a local club composed of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in our community. We were organized in March 1986 and currently have 91 members.  Rushmore Rotary Meetings are held every Tuesday morning at 7am at Elevation Inn & Suites, 950 North Street, Rapid City, SD.  Virtual Zoom meeting logins are available.
 
We also have an Impact Club, a service-oriented arm of Rushmore Rotary that meets every second and fourth Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Zymurcracy, 4624 Creek Drive #6, Rapid City, SD. This is a good option for anyone who can't make it to a morning meeting.
 
Press here to contact our President  or membership chairperson for a zoom invite or to find out how to join.
For information about Rotary International visit  Home | Rotary International
 

Lori has 40 years of experience working professionally in Leadership Development, Business Consulting and Civic/Community leadership engagement. Early in her career she served as the Executive Director of the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Lori served as Executive Director of the South Dakota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Foundation, a statewide leadership program providing professional leadership training & development to farmers, ranchers, and allied agriculture partners. 

In 2020, Lori assisted the newly formed Elevate Rapid City Organization as part of a team who“founded” the Elevate Leadership Institute.  She served as the Leadership Program Consultant for their inaugural Class and again for class two.  

In October 2022, Lori returned to school and in April 2023 – was awarded certification as a Leadership Life Mastery Coach through Brave Thinking Institute, Los Angeles, CA.    

She has three adult daughters:

• Zoe who live in Toronto Canada and is pursuing her Doctorate of Architecture from McGill University.
• Leslie is a Graphic Designer for the Agricultural division of Curious Plot in St. Paul, Minnesota.  She and her spouse Christian Custer are owners of “Owner Built”Construction Management Co and together they have a daughter Helen.
• Audrey, employed with Senator John Thune in Washington DC. Her spouse Jordan Beckis an Attorney for Husch Blackwell, Washington DC.

Of the titles that Lori has had over the years, she feels the most valuable to her are spouse of 37 years, mother, mother-in-law, friend and now grandma!

Fun fact:  Lori has gained some of her greatest inspirations and even aspirations from Dr. Suess.  Two quotes that inspire her:

“To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.”

“Sometimes you will never know the value of something, until it becomes a memory.”

   
A great meeting today for our Rotary Day.
 
We voted to accept the new bylaws. Thank you to Roger Heacock and Michael Steve for taking the time to review and revise them.
 
We welcomed our newest member, Lori Cope. She received her Rotary pin and 4-Way Test plaque. Be sure to give her a warm welcome!
 
Scott Van Dam received his Paul Harris Fellow +5 today. Congratulations and thank you for supporting the Rotary Foundation.
 
President Heidi Bell Gease gave us her 2024-2025 goals update. Most are met, but a few to go. If you haven’t donated $25 to the Every Rotation Every Year ( EREY) make sure you do. We are at about half the membership contributing. 
 
Carmen Hansen updated us on our district grants. We have 3 projects, with 2 almost complete. Thanks for all the hard work!
Thank you Jennifer and Rene for sporting your lovely Rotary scarfs.
  
Rushmore Rotarians have been volunteering at this year’s Black Hills Stock Show. The club receives a nice donation in exchange so we really appreciate our helpers!
 
 
 
We met today at the Black Hills Stock Show where we heard from the 2024 Miss Stock Show, Kayla Engwicht. She told us about the pageant process which involves a lot of study, horsemanship, interviews and impromptu speeches. The 2025 Miss Stock Show will be crowned this Saturday 2/8.
Thank you to our own Ron Jefferies for hosting us, and thank you to all the Rushmore Rotarians who have volunteered at this year’s stock show. 
  
 
On Saturday, January 11, Rushmore Rotary hosted its annual Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) workshop offered to all of the Rotary clubs in the Black Hills. A casual and interactive environment lead to a day of inspiration, creative ideas and fantastic fellowship while learning more about Rotary. The evaluations revealed all loved learning more about the Grants process, how DDF works, and that all would like to see more time given during the workshop to interact with each other. Congratulations RLI Class of 2025!!
 
 
 
Check out these hardy Rushmore Rotarians braving the cold to distribute food for Feeding South Dakota this afternoon. 
 
 

Mission Meal Serving: Our Rushmore Rotary crew was joined today by Staci and Jon from Ellsworth Air Force Base, colleagues of Jennifer Rollins. We had great fun getting to know them a bit. Thanks for joining us! Servers today, from the left—Steve Bareis, Kerry Lassaux, Jon and Staci from EAFB, Jennifer Rollins and Kim Nearhood. We serve the first Tuesday of each month from 12-1 pm at the Cornerstone Rescue Mission. If you have any questions please contact Kim Nearhood.

Every day, Rotary members respond to challenges big and small, emerging and ongoing. And when members like you participate through service or with a donation to our Foundation, we make an even bigger impact.
 
Please donate online or send your contribution by mail to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund-SHARE or one of our Annual Fund's areas of focus. Your gift will support projects like these and make Doing Good in the World possible.
 
 

What we say and how we behave matter. Although free expression is important, we must take responsibility for how our words and actions may affect others. The RI Board has approved a new DEI Code of Conduct to help Rotary members create and maintain an environment that is collaborative, positive, and healthy for everyone. Simply put, the DEI Code of Conduct asks you to:

  • Use respectful language
  • Be supportive
  • Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment
  • Celebrate diversity

Rotary Club of Rapid City Rushmore

PO Box 8125, Rapid CIty SD  57709

Rapid City Rushmore
We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
Elevation Inn & Suites
950 North St.
Rapid City, SD 57701
United States of America

Speakers

Hon. Robert Gusinsky Presiding Judge 7th Judicial
Feb 18, 2025
State of the Circuit
Diana Nielsen CEO Mt Rushmore Society
Feb 25, 2025
3year vision of the Society
Whitney Rencountre, CEO
Mar 04, 2025
Crazy Horse Memorial
TBD
Mar 11, 2025
ROTARY DAY
Michelle Thompson President CEO
Mar 18, 2025
Black Hills Badlands Tourism Association
Tentative. Patrick Dahm. Airport Director
Mar 25, 2025
Upcoming changes
TBD
Apr 08, 2025
ROTARY DAY
Amanda Mowry
Apr 22, 2025
Habitat for Humanity programs - Neighborhood Beautification
TBD
May 13, 2025
ROTARY DAY
TBD
Jun 10, 2025
ROTARY DAY

Upcoming Events

 

Club Executives & Directors

President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Public Image
Board Member
International Projects
Foundation Chair
Membership
Past President