Our speakers today were Lysann Zeller & Ria Hanson, City of Rapid City Sustainability Comittee. They are working on sustainability in public works through environmental, social and economic programs. The focus is sustainable growth & development, water, waste management, transportation, local and sustainable food supply, energy, education and outreach. To get more information please go to www.rapidcitysustainability.com.

 

 

Today was Rotary day. Scott Van Dam shared rocks that were found on the club excursion a few weeks ago.

 

We are also working on forming a companion club for people that can’t make a 7:00 am meeting. The initial meeting is September 30, 2024. Time and place TBD. We need 12-16 members to charter .  If you know of anyone who would be interested in joining this club please reach out to Tiffany Gikling.

 

 

 

We had classification talks from two members today. Shari West-Twitero has been a member since 1996 and the club treasurer for over 20 years. Jeff Meyer has been a member for 19 years and heads the golf committee. Both grew up here in Rapid City. 
 

 

 

We were also visited by Rapid City Alternative Academy. Sean Binder and new principal Jessica Canta told us about the exciting new programs this year. They will also be taking on middle schoolers. We look forward to our continued relationship with this great school. 

 

 

Our speakers today from South Dakota Public Broadcasting were Val Simpson, Donor Relations, and Julie Overgaard, Executive Director. Audiences are steadily growing every year as they bring us local sports, documentaries, SD stories. They live stream local high school sports free with 1.2 million watchers. Their radio streaming and broadcast has 915,000 listeners. More content is utilizing YouTube and soon all 4 channels will be offered there. Video viewing on social media platforms also continue to grow. SDPB is also the primary source for the Emergency Alert System. Check out SDPB at www.sdpb.org.

 

Welcome to our newest member,  Connie Olson! Connie has lived her entire life in the Rapid City area. She is married, has 4 children and 10 grandchildren ranging from 8 weeks to 22 years.

She has worked for Youth & Family Services for the past 32 years, currently serving as Chief Development Officer. She is passionate about helping to meet the needs of some of our community's most vulnerable children.

Prior to working at YFS, she worked in Labor & Delivery at Rapid City Regional Hospital and was Financial Aid Director for Rapid City Regional's School of Nursing until it closed.

Connie enjoys traveling with her husband who is a pilot, camping, cooking, crafting, and spending time with family. In her free time, she serves as a Trustee on Rapid Valley Water & Sanitary District's Board of Directors and also chairs the Festival of Lights Parade.

Connie's interest in Rotary was sparked when the club partnered with YFS in 2020 to help meet immediate, urgent needs of families impacted by COVID. To date, more than 140 families have been impacted through this partnership.

 

 

 

 

 

Several Rotarians and friends braved the heat to distribute food for Feeding South Dakota. Thanks for your hard work.

 

   

 

 

 

Prep work was completed over the last 2 weeks on a  District grant Rushmore Rotary was awarded for a bench project in Box Elder.    
We had a great turnout of Rotarians and friends.  A  special thanks to Grant Coordinator Carmen Hansen and site logistics Dana Foreman and Staff from City of Box Elder.   We look forward to seeing the benches installed soon.  WE ARE PEOPLE OF ACTION.  
 

  

Our volunteers had a great time all week ushering at the Central States fair. Thank you for all your hard work!