Introducing our newest members Corey Davis and Kerry Lasseaux.
Corey grew up in the Salt Lake City, UT metro area, where he enjoyed all the benefits of growing up in an outdoor recreation wonderland. While pursuing a degree in Fish & Wildlife Management he met and married Elizabeth Romney(yes she is related to MIT). After college graduation from Utah State University, a home purchase, and two children, Corey had what is known as his quarter life crisis. This crisis brought his young family to South Dakota, specifically Pierre. The plan was to break into the fishery management career field. Corey was pursued by the Sioux Falls Boy Scouts of America, which operates The Boy Scouts program in the eastern 2/3rds of South Dakota. Corey took a full time job offer in Yankton to give a scouting career a try. A few years later and an additional child, he took a promotion and moved to Brandon, SD. Another internal promotion kept him there longer than planned. Corey’s job with the Scouts included managing Lewis and Clark Summer Camp and traveling South Dakota from Elk Point to Mobridge. After 13 years of service in the Sioux Council, it was time to move on, up and have a new adventure. Corey took a job offer as the COO for the Jayhawk Area Council, BSA in Topeka, Kansas in 2015. Kansas was one of those places Corey never thought he would live, nor was there any desire to do so. The move to Kansas proved to be good for the whole family. Many new friends were made, and both Corey and Liz grew in their careers. After 3 years Corey took the position of Scout Executive or CEO of the Black Hills Area Council. In 2018, with 2 kids in college, they moved to Rapid City with their youngest son Nathan. Nathan has enjoyed band at Stevens High School, Liz works for Ketel Thorstenson. Corey and his wife love theBlack Hills and just might retire here.
Kerry comes to Rushmore Rotary with 23 years of experience in development and fundraising. Her career began in 1999 as an event director for the American Heart Association. She has experience in the fundamental strategies of development, from grass roots events to high end galas, in-kind and monetary sponsorship, major gifts to planned giving, large corporate campaigns to wrap around events. As well as marketing, grant writing, advocacy and volunteer management. You name it, she does it. She loves the non profit field because she has the necessary skill set, learned and inherited, to make this work both fun and rewarding. Her personality naturally lends itself to building authentic relationships. She is thrilled to be part of Rushmore Rotary.
Help welcome Corey and Kerry, we are thrilled to have you!
We were honored to have District Governor (DG) John Schneider visit our club this week and share his background as a farmer and his Rotary story— transition from being a Rotary member for 37 years to a Rotarian after he became involved in service projects, serving as a Chairman for a District Conference, DG Nominee, DG Elect and officially District Governor. DG Schneider said his eyes were opened to what happens outside the club level.
He shared the RI President’s Rotary Action Plan, District Goals, Foundation Goals and Club Goals during his presentation. He presented our club with a banner depicting RI President Jennifer Jone’s theme “Imagine Rotary.” He also gave several of our members involved at the District level gifts: Bruce Nearhood, Carmen Hansen, Pat Sutliff, Willis Sutliff, Jean Cline (not pictured) and Jennifer Rollins. Jennifer Rollins presented DG Schneider and his wife, Carol gifts from our club as well.
During DG Schneider’s visit, Rushmore Rotary was delighted to showcase some of it’s club projects and tour the organizations for whom it fundraises. They visited the Black Hills Children’s Home, Child Advocacy Center, and Rapid City High School. They capped off the day with a dinner where DG Schneider and his wife Carol continued to engage many club members.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not corporate buzzwords. They’re important reminders that we need to understand and embrace our differences, provide equitable opportunities for success, and welcome one another exactly as we are.
For Rotary, DEI means ensuring that our clubs, meetings, and events are places where participants can speak openly and respectfully and where everyone feels welcome. It’s about removing barriers to entry and success and opening doors to inclusion.
How can you help? We want to reflect the communities in which we live and serve. Invite community and business leaders and influencers from groups that are underrepresented in your club to participate in a club activity. Encourage a new club member to take a leadership role. Remove obstacles that could prevent some people from joining your club, like a meeting time or place that isn’t accessible to everyone. Our ability to adapt is the key to strengthening Rotary’s future.
Putting members first
The main reason Rotarians and Rotaractors remain Rotary members is that they feel welcomed and supported in their clubs. Increasing our membership continues to be a priority, but giving our members experiences they value and reasons to stay is equally important.
How can you help? To serve our communities, we first need to serve our members. Talk to your club leaders and fellow members about what they want from their Rotary experience and work together to make it happen. Learning what keeps members engaged is a powerful tool for strengthening Rotary. These membership resources can help.
Empowering women and girls
All over the world, gender can still affect a person’s ability to get an education, funding for a small business, or proper health care. We know that projects that improve the health, well-being, education, and economic security of girls will have a positive impact on the next generation of empowered female leaders.
How can you help? Develop a club-based initiative or apply for a district grant or global grant to fund a project that promotes girls’ health, education, or economic independence. From supporting a local women’s shelter to improving girls’ access to water and sanitation, every project can make a big difference. Share your stories and learn what other clubs are doing to empower girls and women on Rotary Showcase.
Imagine impact
We’ve always proudly showcased the many ways Rotary drives change and makes an impact. This year, we’ll use a variety of storytelling approaches to highlight projects in each area of focus. Our goals are to raise the visibility of our work; engage new influencers, media, leaders, and potential partners; and share what we’ve learned about how clubs can make projects in their communities even more effective.
How can you help? Visit the Learning Center to learn more about Rotary’s focus on increasing impact. And download resources from Rotary’s newly updated Brand Center to tell your club’s story. By sharing your club’s successes, you’re showing people that Rotary is a service and leadership organization that makes a difference.
Rotary members have demonstrated that when we dream big — as with our fight to end polio — we can make our dreams a reality. This year, I’m asking you to Imagine Rotary — and to imagine a world where we each contribute to lasting positive change.
Sincerely, Jennifer Jones RI President, 2022-23
Learn about Jennifer and her presidential initiatives by visiting My Rotary or listening to her speech from the 2022 International Convention.
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.
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:
w 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:
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