July 2023 bulletin (Sep 30, 2023)

4 volunt-Serve Lunch Cornerstone Rescue Mission
30 main street
Oct 03, 2023 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

Highway Cleanup
Old Macdonald Farm
Oct 07, 2023 10:00 AM

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September 5th Meeting

Great me

eting today with guest speaker, Jeff Biegler, Director Rapid City Parks and Recreation. They are busy with over 50 full time employees and 300 temporary workers. They have several project in the works: upgrades at Dinosaur Park, Sioux Park tennis facility, new pickleball courts and bocce ball courts. They are responsible for upkeep and maintenance at 40 parks (1700 acres of land), 40 miles of sidewalks, 2 cemeteries and much more. They are looking forward to 2024 and some additional projects using vision funds.

Congratulations to our member, Janet Kahler, who was selected as 2023 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by SD Association of Fundraising Professionals. Janet will be recognized September 25th.

Feeding South Dakota volunteers

Filled boxes of food at Feeding SD. Great opportunity to serve the community.

September 12, 2023 meeting

Great meeting today. Welcome new member John Cass, United Way and Mark Crosswait for his full membership. We welcomed Wiradjuri native visitors from Australia for the Wiradjuri/Oceti Sakowin cultural exchange. They will be traveling throughout South Dakota meeting Rotarians and the Native community.

New member John Cass

Meet our newest member, John Cass.
John has had the privilege of serving as the Executive Director for the United Way of the Black Hills. He is a native of South Dakota growing up in Pierre, SD. He went to Moorhead, St. Paul, and Minneapolis in Minnesota for both his BA and Masters. He has a diverse work background—14 years farming (WEST RIVER), almost 9 years in the Army and Army National Guard, College football coach, 26-years traveling the globe for ministry, 3 years working with Blue Cross Blue Shield and just for the heck of it, Interim museum director for the South Dakota National Guard Museum in Pierre. I has three grown children spread out across the US. He enjoys volunteering, riding his Harley—on road and off, biking and reading. Welcome John!

September 26, 2023 meeting

Our speaker today was Mary Zimmerman from the Norbeck Society. She gave a very interesting talk about forest management and natural disasters which affect the forest. She shared concerns that there is more logging being done in the Black Hills that may be sustainable. She encouraged us to engage in caring for our forest and to contact our representatives with concerns or comments.

2022-2023 Roger Kozak Award Winner

The 2022-2023 award was given to our own Carmen Hansen!

The award honors the memory of Roger Kozak, who distinguished himself as a servant leader in his home town of Vermillion, SD, where he served on the city council for seven years and as Mayor for three years. He died August 1, 2012.

In recognition of exceptional service to Rotarians in Rotary District 5610. This award honors the memory of Roger L. Kozak, long-time member of the Vermillion Rotary Club, who served as District Governor, 2009-10, and who distinguished himself as an exceptional servant leader.”

Carmen is a true servant leader. We are proud of her accomplishments and tireless work for our club and the district. We wish her a well deserved congratulations!