Thank you, Kelly Wismer, Legislative Affairs Director of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, for your presentation to the Vermillion Rotary Club on April 7. Broadband access in rural areas is a challenging issue and you helped us to understand many of the important issues related to the subject.
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Thank you, Dr. Shane Nordyke, for your wonderful presentation on Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was the perfect subject for St. Patrick's Day. We enjoyed your photo-filled presentation and the wonderful answers to the questions afterward, including the response about the Blarney Stone. 
If you would like to watch the presentation, simply click on the image below.
Even a pandemic couldn't stop the Vermillion Rotary Club from its annual project to help the Kindergarten students of Vermillion to celebrate Read Across America Day on Dr. Suess' birthday, March 2. Enjoy this quick video to see the reactions of the students as they selected their book, wrote their names in it, and then took some time to read and share their new treasure. You'll also get to hear the story, the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, so share it with others! Thank you, Lisa Swanson for helping us coordinate this at Austin Elementary (and for the photos!) and Carrie Roerig for organizing the distribution at St. Agnes.
Thank you, Dr. Marcus Long, President of Mount Marty in Yankton, for joining us for our meeting today. It was great to learn more about all the wonderful changes at Mount Marty.
The District Governor and the members of the COVID-19 Disaster Response Grant Taskforce are happy to announce that thirteen District 5610 clubs have been awarded funds to help with projects in their communities to lessen the impact of COVID-19. The projects are a testament to the work of Rotary clubs in District 5610 to help our communities in these unprecedented times. Vermillion Rotary will partner with the Community Connections Center in Vermillion to provide diapers that are in high demand as well as gift cards to local restaurants that have been severely hit by the pandemic.
These funds were allocated from a $25,000 Disaster Response Grant awarded to District 5610 this fall. The funds will be used by the clubs between now and April 2021 after which the clubs will report on their efforts to lessen the impact of the pandemic.
Whether you attended the virtual conference in November and want to review some of the materials, or would like the chance to take a first look, most of the conference materials are now available online. Use any of the links below to select the materials you would like, or go to the District website list of all the links.
District 5610 Virtual Conference Video, Speaker PowerPoints, and Presentations now available on the District website.
- District 5610 Conference Welcome - DG Dan Little - PowerPoint Slides and Video Segment
- Rotary International President Nominee Jennifer Jones - Video Segment
- Foundation - Presenter Tracy Dahl-Webb - PowerPoint Slides and Video Segment
- Grow Rotary - Presenter Kathryn Fahy - PowerPoint Slides and Video Segment
- Public Image - Presenter Chuck Lubbers - PowerPoint Slides and Video Segment
- Whiteclay Makerspace - Presenter Linda Peterson - PowerPoint Slides and Video Segment
- Rotary District 5610 Global Grant End Human Trafficking Initiative - Jennifer Rollins - PowerPoint Slides and Video Segment
- Rotary International Director Suzi Howe - Video Segment
- BridgeHope - Red Flags
- BridgeHope-Familial Trafficking
- BridgeHope-Commercial Sexual Exploitation
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Spotlight of Signature Projects by Clubs within our District
- Celebration of Life - Memorial Slides
Thank you Rotarian Damon Alvey for your wonderful update on the Vermillion School District.
The Vermillion Rotary Club is trying something new - live streaming on Facebook the programs for our meeting. By clicking on the link below you can watch Damon Alvey's presentation. Enjoy!
This video captures some of the activity and excitment associated with the "Great Duck Shoot" in August of 2020. Thanks to the members of the Vermillion Rotary Club for staffing the event and buying a duck. Thank you to all the community members in Vermillion who helped us to launch the ducks.
On Sunday, August 2, members of the Vermillion Rotary Club, members of the local community, friends and family converged on the DakotaDome for the great Rotary Duck Shoot. The fundraiser was a modification of last year's Great Duck Race at the Prentis Plunge, since the water park was not available this year. The real winner was the Patriots Plaza that is currently under construction on the USD campus. That project receives the the funds from the fundraiser, which when combined with the matching grant from Rotary District 5610 makes Rotary one of the largest donors to the project. You can CLICK HERE or on the image below to see Dave Lias' article about the event in the Vermillion Plain Talk.
July 1 marks the start of the new Rotary year - 2020-2021. This video is part of a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to promote Rotary in the US. I have added the club identity to the video and also incorporated the 2020-21 theme - Rotary Opens Opportunities! Click on the image below to watch this short PSA or you can CLICK HERE to see it on our Club's YouTube channel.
Thank you, Debra Robertson, Director of USD's Student Counseling Services, for your wonderful presentation. It was great to learn more about your program's operations. If you were unable to join us for Vermillion Rotary's June 24 meeting (or if you want to relive the wondrous event again), you can CLICK HERE or on the image below. Debra Robertson's presentation begins 21 minutes into the meeting.
Thank you, Kevin Nelson, South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Director of the Early Learning Initiative, for joining us today. Your enthusiasm for the importance of early childhood learning is inspiring. If you would like to see the recording of the June 17, Vermillion Rotary meeting, including Mr. Nelson's presentation (starting 35 minutes into the meeting) click here or on the image below.
Our thanks to John Battern for his wonderful presentation on the SWIM program that produces small devices that can create a chlorine solution to sanitize water. These devices are helping to reduce illness and death rates from diseases spread by unsanitary water sources. Some estimates say that 10,000 people a day are dying because of diseases related to water. You can view the video of the meeting by CLICKING HERE or on the image below. The presentation begins 24 minutes into the video.
Thank you, Senator Art Rusch, for providing a detailed South Dakota Legislative update, including an analysis of the budgeting process in South Dakota. This recording of the meeting also includes announcements of what is happening in the community and with Rotary projects. The recording of Vermillion Rotary Club's June 3 online meeting is now available and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
Thank you, Tim Tracy, for your presentation to the Vermillion Rotary Club on May 20. We appreciate the update on COVID-19 in our area, as well as your honest expression of what still concerns you about the future in the new way of doing business. If you would like to see a recording of the Zoom meeting of the Vermillion Rotary Club, including Tim's presentation, please CLICK HERE or on the image below.
To see the Zoom recording of the Vermillion Rotary meeting, including Professor Gordon-Bland's presentation, please click on the image below.
Nate Welch, Vermillion Rotarian and Executive Director of the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company, was recently interviewed by WNAX radio about how small town downtowns can survive in the current tough economic times. You can listen to segments of the interview by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
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As you may already know, on Saturday, March 7 the Vermillion Rotary Club lost one of our most beloved members, Steve Walters.
Steve epitomized the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self”. He had been a very active member of our club, since moving to Vermillion, as was evidenced by his receipt of the Paul Harris award. For the Vermillion Club he served as a vice-president, president elect, president and past president, in addition to serving on the Club’s Board of Directors. Most recently, Steve spearheaded the Club’s efforts to launch the Vermillion Rotary’s Great Duck Race as a fundraiser for community projects. The Club will miss his calm, quiet leadership, his concern for everyone in the community, and his smile that could light up any room.
One day in July, of 1932, a Rotarian named Herbert J. Taylor, sat at his desk and prayed that God would give him a simple guide to help us to think, speak and do that which was right. He picked up a white card and wrote down what we Rotarians call The Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it Build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Rotarians around the world begin or end each meeting by reciting this to remind us all to live by these words in our daily, business and personal relations. I believe Steve lived by this 4-Way Test every day of his life, and because of that, we were all fortunate to have crossed his path during his lifetime. We wish to thank Terry and all of Steve's family for sharing him with us. At our Club's March 4, 2020 meeting, the membership voted unanimously to fund a new annual scholarship in Steve's name that will be given to a Vermillion High School senior.
You can read Steve's Obituary by CLICKING HERE.
In recognition of the national "Read Across America" day, the Vermillion SD Rotary Club works with the local elementary schools to provide a free book for all Kindergarten and Jr. Kindergarten students in the community. Students get to select a book from those provided to each classroom and the extra books are left for the teacher's use. These photos represent a few taken by Lisa Swanson (Thank you, Lisa), and they try to capture the joy of the event. We hope that receiving these books is another small step to developing a passion for reading. You can watch the video on the Club's Youtube channel by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
Thank you, Vermillion Assistant Manager, James Purdy, for speaking to the Vermillion Rotary club about the 2020 Census. If you would like to watch his presentation you can CLICK HERE or on the image below.
Christine Lesher, USD TRIO Program Director, has just completed her first year leading the program. Today she was kind enough to share more about the TRIO program. We learned about the three programs that make up the TRIO program-Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and Student Support Services, as well as how the program operates at USD. To view her presentation on our YouTube channel you can CLICK HERE or on the image below.
Thank you, USD President Sheila Gestring, for providing a wonderful overview of upcoming facilities changes on the USD campus, especially the new Health Sciences building. We also appreciate your willingness to provide your insight into current issues on campus and the state legislature. If you would like to hear President Gestring's presentation on the Rotary Club's YouTube channel, simply click on the image below.
Thank you, Susan Heggestad, for your very informative presentation on the past and future of the Vermillion Area Farmers Market. If you would like to view her presentation on the Vermillion Rotary YouTube Channel, you can Click Here or on the image below.
Our thanks to Vemillion School Superintendent, Damon Alvey, for his wonderful presentation updating the Vermillion Rotary Club on the local schools. If you would like to watch the presentation on the Club's YouTube channel, you can CLICK HERE or on the image below.
Thank you, Professor Tim Schorn, for updating the members of the Vermillion Rotary Club about the three critical "hot" topics in the Persian Gulf region - the three I's - Iran, Israel and ISIS.
To view Professor Shorn's presentation on the Club's YouTube channel you can CLICK HERE or on the image below.
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We were thrilled to see Vermillion Rotary's own, Steve Walters, at the meeting today. Steve has been courageously battling cancer and we are so happy that he could join us for our meeting. The wonderful folks at Hillside Church have worked with Steve and Terry Walters to set up a go fund me page. We encourage you to go to www.gofundme.com/f/steve-walters or click on the image below to make a donation.
Our thanks to Vermillion area legislators, Art Rusch and Ray Ring, for their preview of what they expect to be some of the major issues in the 2020 SD Legislative session. You can watch their presentation by clicking on the image below, or watch it on the Vermillion Rotary YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE.
Our thanks to Kevin Earlywine and Megan Wiedner for their wonderful presentation on the activities of the South Dakota Playhouse. It was great to hear about the history of the Playhouse and the how the support of its partners, including Custer State Park and the University of South Dakota, helped the Playhouse to come into existence and to thrive for nearly 75 years. It was also fascinating to learn more about the statewide education programs conducted by the playhouse. To view their presentation on the Club's YouTube page CLICK HERE or on the image below.
Did you know that it took 60 years for South Dakota to return to the population that it had before the start of the Great Depression? Did you know that in 1933, the lowest point of the Great Depression, that South Dakota ranked last in the nation in annual income? The US unemployment rate before the depression was 3.2%, but by 1933 it was 25%. These interesting facts and so much more were part of Dr. Ralph Brown's presentation on the Great Depression in South Dakota. Thank you for your presentation, Dr. Brown. To view Dr. Brown's presentation on the Club's YouTube channel, you can CLICK HERE or on the image below.
Saturday's University of South Dakota football game featured wonderful tributes to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Vermillion Rotary Club's and Rotary District 5610's contribution to the new USD Veteran's Plaza was featured during the game.
At this week’s meeting we had the opportunity to hear from Dwight & Dari Carlblom, who worked in China for approximately 30 years. To view their interesting presentation, you can view it on the Club's YouTube page by CLICKING HERE or click on the image below.
Members for the Vermillion Rotary Club were honored to host the presentation of the annual historic preservation awards by the Clay County Historical Society. Our congratulations of the well-deserving recipients of the 2019 awards. Thank you for all that you do to preserve our history. You can watch the award presentation and the recipients' presentations on their preservation work on our Club's YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
Thank you, Reyna Hernandez and USD Professor Amber Hansen, for joining the Vermillion Rotary Club at our October 9 meeting to update the club on the wonderful mural project in downtown Vermillion. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for the project. To view their presentation on the Club's YouTube channel, click HERE or on the image below.
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Scott Pohlson, USD's VP of Enrollment, Marketing and University Relations, offered the members of the Vermillion Rotary Club an inside look into enrollment trends that are impacting USD, other regional universities and the nation's institutions of higher learning. Thank you for joining us today and sharing your insights into these trends that have so much impact on the major employer in Vermillion. If you wish to watch Scott Pohlson's presentation, simply click on the image below to go to the presentation on the Club's YouTube page.
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Thank you, Dr. Shane Nordyke, Director, Chiesman Center and Government Research Bureau at USD, for your very informative presentation on the work of both of these organizations. We look forward to seeing what the future brings to the Chiesman Center after it's recent move to USD. If you would like to see her presentation, you can CLICK HERE or simply click on the image below.
When District Governor Ina Winter envisioned her club visits, I doubt she thought she'd be posing with rubber ducks. 
The Vermillion Rotary Club took the opportunity of the DG's visit to celebrate raising $3,580 during the inaugural Vermillion Rotary Duck Race this past summer. The money was used to support Vermillion's Community Connection Center, and we look forward to supporting wonderful Vermillion organizations through this and other fundraising for many years to come.
The Vermillion Rotary Club took the opportunity of the DG's visit to celebrate raising $3,580 during the inaugural Vermillion Rotary Duck Race this past summer. The money was used to support Vermillion's Community Connection Center, and we look forward to supporting wonderful Vermillion organizations through this and other fundraising for many years to come.
Thank you, Rotary District 5610 Governor, Ina Winter, for joining the Vermillion Rotary Club on September 11. Your message helped to inspire our members, and we greatly appreciate your message of service to humanity. To view DG Winter's presentation you can CLICK HERE or on the image below to view it on the Vermillion Rotary YouTube channel.
Our thanks to the USD Fine Arts Gallery Director, Amy Fill, for her informative presentation of all that USD Fine Arts has to offer the Vermillion Community. Click on the image below to view her presentation on the Club's YouTube channel.
To say that the National Music Museum is growing, is a drastic understatement. The NMM new director, Matt Collinsworth, joined the Vermillion Rotary Club today to outline the wonderful expansion project underway. His presentation made us all anxious for the grand reopening of the new, expanded museum. To learn more about what has already been done and what will be next, you can watch the presentation on the Club's Youtube channel by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
The Vermillion Rotary Club was fortunate to hear a wonderful presentation on the blizzard of 1888 from Tim Waltner, an award-winning journalist and former publisher of the Freeman Courier. Waltner's presentation set the larger context by describing the immigration patterns into the northern plains, especially into South Dakota. Following that he provides an intriguing step-by-step retelling of events leading up to, during, and following the January 12, 1888 blizzard that struck the upper plains. His focus during the presentation was on what happened to the students and teacher at a small country school approximately five miles east of Freeman. If you would like to view his presentation, you can CLICK HERE or on the image below to see the video on the club's YouTube channel.
Members of the Vermillion Rotary Club were fortunate to hear more about the operations of the Southeast SD CASA organization. The staff and volunteers of this organization perform a vital service by serving as an objective advocate/voice for children in our area. Our thanks to Executive Director, Sherri Rodgers-Conti, for this wonderful update on the organization's activities. You can watch this fascinating presentation by clicking on the image below.
Our thanks to Lauren and Trevor Mandernach for joining us at our meeting today. They are pictured here with Rand Wergin, the club's past president and the president when Lauren was recruited. Lauren gave a short presentation on her experience. She thanked the club because the RYLA program forced her to step out of her comfort zone and to get a more complete understanding of what it means to be a leader.
Thank you, Vermillion School District Superintendent, Damon Alvey, for your wonderful update on the District. We enjoyed hearing about initiatives, facilities upgrades and partnerships that are making Vermillion Public Schools stronger every day. You can watch the presentation by simply clicking on the image below, or watch it on the Club's Youtube channel by Clicking Here.
Nate Welch, Executive Director of the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company, provided a detailed discussion of the impact of the first and second "Vermillion NOW" campaign, and previewed the goals for Vermillion NOW-3. Fundraising for the third campaign is currently under way even as the community benefits from the programs established from the first and second campaign. If you would like to watch his presentation you can CLICK HERE or on the image below to see the presentation in the Club's YouTube channel.
Congratulations to Peyton Krogman, VHS student, who's short story was recently awarded a gold medal and an American Voices award at the national Scholastic Writing Award Competition in Carnegie Hall in NY City. The Vermillion Rotary Club's YouTube channel has Peyton's reading of her short story and it can be accessed by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
We hope that you have a wonderful July 4th.
We will have no meeting on July 3. See you on July 10.
The threats of scamming and public/school violence were discussed at today's meeting of the Vermillion Rotary Club. Thank you Capt. Chad Passick for discussion the two issues and the proposed responses/programs of the Vermillion Police Department for both of these threats. If you would like to watch his presentation you can CLICK HERE or on the image below to see the presentation in the Club's YouTube channel.
At one point not that long ago, Sioux Falls, SD and Sioux City, IA had the same population and the cities had the same industries when founded. However, there are distinct differences today. In this presentation, Dr. Ralph Brown, Emeritus Professor of Economics from the University of South Dakota, outlines the economic realities of the two cities and how they have taken different paths from a pretty similar origin. Thank you for the fascinating presentation, Dr. Brown. The Vermillion Rotary Club's YouTube channel has Brown's presentation that can be accessed by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
Thank you, Stephanie Rissler, for joining the Vermillion Rotary Club on June 12 to offer us a preview of the upcoming documentary, Vanished South Dakota. If you would like to view her presentation, CLICK HERE or on the image below to see her presentation on the Club's YouTube channel. If you would like to learn more about this project, you can go to the SD Public Broadcasting project page.
Please join us on June 14 in Prentis Park for free hot dogs and hamburgers and the Rotary Duck Race. The Prentis Park concession stand will also be open for the purchase of other items. The BBQ begins at 6:00 p.m. and the races begin at 7:00. The ducks will run in three heats, with the top 20 ducks from each heat moving to the final championship race.
Ducks can be adopted for $5.00 each, with proceeds going to support the Community Connections Center. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Steve Walters at 402-320-047. Come and enjoy this inaugural duck race.
Read the Vermillion Plain Talk article here.
Thank you Professor Victor Huber for joining the Vermillion Rotary Club on June 5 so that we could learn more about vaccinations, how they work and how important they are to public health.
Huber's presentation can be viewed on our YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE or on the image below.
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At the May 29 meeting of the Vermillion Rotary, Club president, Rand Wergin, offered a fascinating analysis of the retail sales numbers in the state of South Dakota. In addition to looking at the retail sales figures for the entire state, Wergin discussed the retail sales by type of sales (building materials, restaurants, etc.). The discussion talks about how different communities have greater sales in some sectors. Additionally, Wergin compares retail sales data for different communities based on their population to determine which communities are doing well compared to others.
To view Rand Wergin's presentation on the Club's YouTube Channel, please CLICK HERE or on the image below.
James Goblirsch, Director of Vermillion Parks and Recreation, provides a review of the numerous activities of the Department. Thank you for joining us and for providing a wonderful review of the Department's activities.
To see his presentation on the Club's YouTube page, CLICK HERE or on the image below.
Dr. Willis Sutliff, the Energizer bunny of the Polio Plus campaign in District 5610, receives a club banner from Rand Wergin, Vermillion Rotary Club President, after Dr. Sutliff's update to the Vermillion Club on Rotary's efforts to rid the world of Polio. To watch Dr. Sutliff's presentation to the club you can CLICK HERE or on the picture below to go to the Club's YouTube page.
Vermillion will host the South Dakota Special Olympics State Summer Games on May 16-18. Ross Dickenson spoke to the Vermillion Rotary Club about the Summer Games and the opportunities that are available for individuals in the area to volunteer. Thank you for joining us, Ross. If you would like to view his presentation, you can visit the Vermillion Rotary YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE or by clicking on the image below.
Rotarian Jim Perry pulled double-duty and offered the Club some information on the Clay County Fair Board. In addition to presenting the mission and recent accomplishments, Jim offered a preview of what is happening at this year's Clay County Fair. Thank you, Jim, for outlining opportunities for the members to be involved. To view his presentation, click on the image below to be redirected the Vermillion Rotary YouTube channel or go to: https://youtu.be/BjFRZsp6mb8
Rotary District 5610 will again partner with Rotary District 5630 (in Nebraska) and will send up to 24 students to Rotary Youth Leadership Camp. The camp will be held JULY 17 to JULY 21 at the Nebraska State 4-H Campgrounds near Halsey, NE. Last year our district sent 8 campers to RYLA and each camper indicated it was one of the best experiences of their lives.
The link provided will give you and interested students a better appreciation for RYLA. https://greatplainsryla.org/ You are also welcome to contact either Dave Lorenz or Nicole Rawden for information and assistance. Their contact information is below.
We invite your club to nominate a student. You may nominate more than one student in rank order of preference. The first 24 District 5610 Rotary clubs to submit their nominee to District Governor Dave Lorenz will be rewarded with a reserved spot at RYLA camp. Alternates will be selected to attend as availability permits.
Students who are currently high school sophomores or juniors are eligible to attend. The cost of sending a camper is divided between the club and District 5610. Your club nominations must be received no later than April 15, 2019.
We also have the following volunteer opportunities available.
Senior Counselors to learn more click link https://greatplainsryla.org/volunteers/volunteeropportunities/
Club RYLA Chairs to learn more click link https://greatplainsryla.org/rotaryclubs/responsibilities/
Dave Lorenz Nicole Rawden
Rotary District 5610 Governor Rotary District 5610 Administrator
Phone 712 899 3962 Phone 605 690 4829
Julie Overgaard, Executive Director of South Dakota Public Broadcasting, provided an excellent review of the organization's strategic planning process for the future of SDPB. Included in the presentation was information on the new studios in Rapid City and Sioux Falls. The strategic planning activities were conducted to enable SDPB to step in and fill the gaps being created by the changing media landscape.
At the March 27 meeting Vermillion Rotary Club, Lauren Hollenbeck provided some very informative information about 4-H.
You can see Lauren’s presentation on the Vermillion Rotary YouTube channel or by simply clicking on the image below.
Thank you, Nick Oyen, for your informative presentation on the operations at SESDAC and the critical topic of disability awareness. Also, thank you for supporting the USD Womens basketball team with the red tie!
Thank you, Rotarian Kelsey Collier-Wise for the informative update on the new Community Connection Center progress.
Steve Ward, Director of USD's Academic and Career Preparation Center (ACPC), come by the Vermillion Rotary noon luncheon to present some interesting information about graduation rates of USD as compared to other regional institutions, as well as to discuss the retention efforts of the University. Thank you for the informative presentation, Steve. You can watch the presentation below, or find it on the Vermillion Rotary Club YouTube Channel.
Thank you, Dr. Thomas Flesher, for joining the Vermillion Rotary Club today and sharing more information about Sanford Orthopedics.
Patrick Morrison, Assistant Director of International Student Services at USD, provides a wonderful report on the activities of his office and of his recent recruiting trip to Asia. Thank you, Rotarian Patrick, for sharing your experiences with the Vermillion Rotary Club.
In January, the Vermillion Rotary Club recognized all the new members joining during the 2018 calendar year. While some were able to make it to a social in their honor earlier in the month, Kelsey Collier Wise (left) and Emily Merrigan are pictured below with Vermillion Rotary President, Rand Wergin, who presented them their membership certificates at the January 23 Rotary meeting. Our most sincere welcome to all the new Rotarians: Adam Chandler, Kelsey Collier-Wise, Michelle Cwach, Sheila Gestring, Matt Lavin, Emily Merrigan, Nick Oyen, Wess Pravecek and Dan Sundberg.
Michael Kruger, Dean of the USD College of Arts & Sciences, updated the Vermillion Rotary on the activities of the College, the largest in the University of South Dakota. Thank you, Dean Kruger for the interesting and informative presentation. You can watch Kruger's presentation using the embedded video below or by viewing it on the club's YouTube page.
Clay County State's Treasurer, Alexis Tracy, gave an update of her office's activities in the last year. Topics include the teen court, young-adult diversion program for underage alcohol offenses, digitizing files, case statistics and more. Thank you for the wonderful update.
Thank you, Vermillion School District Supt. Damon Alvey, for your thoughtful and thorough update on our schools.
Thank you Shannon Cole, Executive Director of the Vermillion Cultural Association, provides an excellent background on the Association, its history, recent activities, and goals for the future.
You can see Shannon’s presentation by clicking on the image below, or watch it on the Vermillion Rotary YouTube channel.
Thank you, Coach Dawn Plitzuweit, for sharing your birthday with the Vermillion Rotary Club. Your engaging story of the growth of the team on the court, in the classroom and in the future careers, offered a fascinating insight for our members. Click the image below to watch the presentation and to hear Rotarians sing "Happy Birthday" to the coach.
The Evan Project is providing diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene products and adult diapers for residents in and around Vermillion. Thank you, Ellie Pyles, for developing this important program that has helped so many in our community. We also want to thank you for joining us at our October 17 meeting to tell us about the Evan Project.
Thank you, USD Head Volleyball Coach, Leanne Williamson, for joining the Vermillion Rotary at our October 10 meeting. Your update on the USD volleyball team was interesting and informative. We wish you and the team all the best for the remainder of the season.
Major Dan Sundberg joined the Vermillion Rotary Club on October 3 and provided an informative presentation featuring updates on the University of South Dakota ROTC. You can watch the video by clicking on the image below, or watch this and other presentations on the Vermillion Rotary Youtube channel.
Former University of Nebraska-Lincoln football head coach Tom Osborne addresses a banquet audience at the Muenster University Center on the USD campus Friday night. He was keynote speaker at the Rotary District 5610 annual conference being held this weekend in Vermillion. Read the article.
VERMILLION, S.D. – The Vermillion Rotary Club will host the Rotary District 5610 annual conference and celebration, themed “Be the Inspiration,” Sept. 28-29 at the Muenster University Center in Vermillion.
The conference “Be the Inspiration” banquet being held on Friday evening will feature keynote speaker, Tom Osborne, former University of Nebraska-Lincoln head football coach and athletic director, sharing a message on leadership and service. Osborne excelled in every aspect of his professional career and consistently kept the focus on service. Read More in the Plain Talk Article.
The conference “Be the Inspiration” banquet being held on Friday evening will feature keynote speaker, Tom Osborne, former University of Nebraska-Lincoln head football coach and athletic director, sharing a message on leadership and service. Osborne excelled in every aspect of his professional career and consistently kept the focus on service. Read More in the Plain Talk Article.
Tim Schreiner joined the Vermillion Rotary Club today and provided a fascinating look back at his journalism career that began as a reporter for USD's Volante and took him to Sioux Falls TV stations KELO and KSFY, the Argus Leader, and then to out-of-state work for the USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle and Oakland Tribune. After 20 years in news he turned to magazines and served as the editor, publisher and editorial director of various magazines and websites. Schreiner ended his career as a Professional in Residence teaching at the Journalism School at Louisiana State University for two years before returning to Vermillion. To see his presentation click on the image below or go to the video on the Vermillion Rotary YouTube channel.
At today’s meeting, we had the opportunity to hear from Dan Daily, Dean of Libraries at USD, as he shared with us the vast wealth of support and information for USD students and staff.
You can see his presentation by clicking on the image below or by going to the Vermillion Rotary Youtube channel.
Thank you Jason Huska, Vermillion High School Athletic Director for a very informative update on student athletics at our meeting today!
You can see the presentation by clicking on the link https://youtu.be/nXMY7Ktgzd0 or by clicking image below.
University of South Dakota President, Sheila Gestring, joined the Vermillion Rotary Club for our August 22 meeting and provided a wonderful update on current events at the University. Learn more about student enrollment trends, building projects, student achievments and much more!
Click on the image below to watch her presentation or go to https://youtu.be/ZMhR9Cf-57g.
Today we had the opportunity of hearing from Vermillion City Manager, John Prescott as he updated us on the many projects that are in process throughout the city. John also shared with us some of the proposed budget items for next year.
By clicking on the image below, you can also enjoy his presentation! If you would rather go to the YouTube page click here: https://youtu.be/g3h5eO2nEYY
Thank you John!
Doug Peterson, Vermillion School Board member, delivered an informative an entertaining presentation discussing current issues in the school district, including funding levels, school spirit, community spirit and respect for educators. Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Dr. Peterson. Please click on the preview below to see the presentation. Click the image below to watch Dr. Peterson's presentation.
Thank you, Rotarian Nick Oyen, for helping us to learn more about the history and operations of SESDAC, Inc. Click on the image below to see Nick's informative presentation delivered to the Vermillion Rotary Club on July 24.
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Bobbi Lower of Vance Thompson Vision, provided a very informative presentation regarding cataracts! You can watch her presentation or going to the the Vermillion Rotary Club Youtube page (link on the left side of the home page).
Today, Rotary Club of Vermillion president Rand Wergin, welcomed District Governor, Steve Harrington, who was present to swear in our very own, David Lorenz, as the new District Governor for the 2018-2019 Rotary year! In addition to Steve Harrington (podium), past District Governor, Steve Sikorski (left), represented the District during Dave's induction as the District Governor.
David, in his very first message as District Governor spoke about the kindness, we as Rotarians share not only world wide, but also here in Vermillion.
At the July 3 meeting of the Vermillion Rotary Club, it was announced that Kathy Chandler was selected as Rotarian of the Year! A very deserved honor. Congratulations, Kathy!
As a lead into a trip in 2019, Vermillion High School teacher, Teramie Hill, talked with the Vermillion Rotary Club about educating the next generation about WWII and the Holocaust. Thank you, Ms. Hill, for sharing your knowledge on this topic and for putting together this wonderful tour for 2019 that will allow VHS students to see first-hand some of these critical locations related to WWII and the Holocaust.
James Goblirsch of the Vermillion Parks and Recreation Department provided an update on his Department's activities. The update included the recent changes to Rotary Park, as well as the announcement of a Rotary Duck Race to be held in August.
Rotarians from Vermillion and Yankton answered phones for South Dakota Public Broadcasting pledge drive on June 4. Thank you, Arvid Krueger, Stephen Yarbrough, Greg Huckabee, Dan Van Peursem, Chuck Lubbers and Rich Burns.
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11 eco-friendly service projects around the world
Through the years, Rotary has carried out thousands of projects to protect the environment.
How to talk to someone who is vaccine hesitant
Tips to have that talk
What is a vaccine cold chain?
The logistics of shipping and storing vaccines
$15.5 million gift will fund new Rotary Peace Center in Middle East or North Africa
The Otto and Fran Walter Foundation has pledged $15.5 million to The Rotary Foundation to start a Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East or North Africa.
Rotary and the U.S. Government support Italy's fight against COVID-19
Rotary and the U.S. Government support Italy’s fight against COVID-19 US$5
Rotary Serving Humanity
Vermillion, SD 57069
United States of America