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Are you interested in serving others and learning about your community while having fun and making new friends?

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Rotarians are people from all walks of life who want to make positive changes in their community and the world. Our Club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship, and also enjoy being a part of global initiatives like the eradication of polio, clean water resources, and education - local projects and a global impact. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group of folks who share your desire to give back.

Our motto is SERVICE ABOVE SELF!

ROTARIANS JOIN IN "CELEBRATE COMMUNITY!"

Representatives of the Brookings Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist and Lions Clubs gathered Monday morning to sort and distribute hundreds of food, household, hygiene and baby care items that were donated during the third annual “Celebrate Community!” Club members delivered donations to the Brookings Food Pantry, Salvation Army and Harvest Table. Organizers said plans already are in place for next year’s collaborative event.

DANISH FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE TEAM MEMBERS ENJOY THEIR TIME IN BROOKINGS

A 12-member Rotary Friendship Exchange spent a few fun days in Brookings during their recent trip to District 5610, and Brookings Rotarians were so happy to welcome them! Hosted by local families, the Danes toured local business and agricultural interests as well as enjoyed plenty of social time with local Rotarians. The visit culminated with a dinner at the Brookings Country Club and the traditional exchange of flags, along with their presentation about their homeland...and an open invitation from our new friends to visit Denmark! Come back soon, friends!

Group Study Exchange from Australia Visits Brookings

Members of the Rotary 2023 GSE from Australia visited Brookings during their whirlwind tour of South Dakota, touring the area and learning about the industry, education, and history of the area. Members of the Brookings Rotary Club helped host our guests from down under, and joined other Rotarians for a fun evening at Cubby's. We hope our new friends will come back very soon!

FULL HOUSE ENJOYS PRESENTATION FROM COACH AJ

A packed room filled with Rotarians and guests gathered to enjoy today's program presented by SDSU Head Women's Basketball Coach Aaron "A.J." Johnston. Coach AJ, who is in his 23rd year and has an impressive 75.2% winning record, outlined the team's strengths this year, as he continues to focus on providing resources for a positive student-athlete experience for his team. Thanks for visiting us, Coach...GO, JACKS!

WELCOME TO TWO NEW MEMBERS!

Brookings Rotary Club President Dr. Michael Gonda, center, officially welcomed two new members to the Club at a meeting earlier this month. At left is Lisa Roker, Academic Advisor for the SDSU Animal Science Department. "I am excited to be part of Rotary because it will allow me to meet others, learn about the community, and create a positive impact in the Brookings area,” said Roker. “Many people have supported me throughout my life, and Rotary is a great way to pay their support forward to others." At right is Devan Schaefer, Wealth Management Officer at First Bank & Trust. “I decided to join the Brookings Rotary Club to serve and integrate myself in the wonderful community of Brookings. I eagerly look forward to connecting with other individuals in Brookings and learning more about the community I call home.”

JEFF HOLM UPDATES CLUB ON SDSU FACILITIES

Our September programming focusing on SDSU Athletics continued this week with a great program presented by Jeff Holm, Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Services. Jeff updated the Club on the in-progress construction at the newly named First Bank & Trust Arena (originally Frost Arena). The renovated facility will be unveiled next fall and will seat approximately 5,000 enthusiastic fans. Thanks for a great program, Jeff! (And thanks to Mylo for scheduling another great speaker!)

COACH ROGERS ADDRESSES ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD AT ROTARY

SDSU Head Football Coach Jimmy Rogers addressed a full house crowd at Tuesday's Rotary Club meeting. Coach discussed the discipline and integrity that are part of the team's culture, reflected on the players' helmets with the words "LAST PLAY." He noted the entire university takes pride in the success of its student-athletes. "Our work ethic separates this football program from others," he said. Thanks for joining us, Coach, and GO JACKS!

MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH IS FIRST SPEAKER IN MONTH LONG PROGRAM SCHEDULE FEATURING SDSU ATHLETICS

SDSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Eric Henderson brought his message of positivity and confidence to the Brookings Rotary Club this week. Using the team’s core values of Honesty, Respect, Selflessness, Communication, and Competition, the student athletes learn more than just court skills. “We’re helping our young men learn not only to be better players, but better sons, husbands, fathers, and community members,” Coach Henderson told the group. Thanks for joining us, Coach, and thanks to September Program Chair Rotarian Mylo Hellickson for his great lineup of speakers! SHORT OR TALL, BIG OR SMALL, "SERVICE ABOVE SELF" IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL!

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE SEPTEMBER 2023

I hope all of you had a relaxing Labor Day Weekend! Thank you to everyone who participated in reorganizing our committees and developing goals and action plans for the upcoming year. You’ll hear more about these efforts in the coming months. One major change we’re proposing is the introduction of a corporate membership category. Don Norton spoke about the corporate membership idea at Club Assembly in August. We will soon ask the Board and membership for permission to amend our bylaws to allow for this membership category. I don’t want to steal Don’s thunder so I’ll let him share more details later. I would like to thank Don as well as Steve Carnes for their leadership in developing guidelines for the corporate membership category. I would also like to thank Don Goff for agreeing to help us recruit corporate members. Adding a corporate membership category should help us achieve our goal of increasing membership over the next several years. We hope you agree! Of course, we still need to recruit Rotarians the “old-fashioned” way as well. We recently added one new member (Mosharraf Hossain) and I have heard about four other potential members that are interested in joining Rotary. I am excited and energized seeing our club slowly grow!

Increasing membership is great but we need to continue to offer weekly programs, service projects, and other opportunities that engage our members. September is our “athletics” month; thanks to Mylo Hellickson, we are fortunate to have many of the SDSU coaches, players, and athletic staff present at our weekly meetings. This program is very popular among Rotarians and for good reason! It’s a perfect time to invite a friend or colleague who enjoys SDSU sports to one of our meetings. We also are hosting two international exchange groups in September from Australia and Denmark. We have excellent tours and events lined up for these international guests. I am sure none of them know anything about Brookings but when they leave, I am confident they’ll come away with great memories of their time here! Thanks to everyone who has agreed to host our international visitors. September is going to be a busy and fun month! I look forward to sharing in these activities with each and every one of you.

Yours in Rotary,

Michael Gonda

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER MOSHARRAF!

Club President Michael officially welcomes our newest member Mosharraf Hossain. Mosharraf, an instructor in the SDSU Department of Mathematics and Statistics, explained his reasons for wanting to join our club: "Brookings has always been a home away from home for me. I am passionate about volunteerism and I figured that if I join the Brookings Rotary Club, I will have the opportunity to make a greater impact and work toward something that will make a difference in the long run." We are so happy to have you with us, Mosharraf!

ELKTON SCHOOL PRINCIPALS SPEAK TO BROOKINGS ROTARY

Club President Michael Gonda welcomed Elkton School District Principals Kelly Neil (K-6) and Jenni Simmons (7-12) as speakers on August 22, concluding our month of presentations by area public school representatives. Principals Neil and Simmons explained how students, faculty and staff in Elkton know how to "Run With the Herd!" Thank you for your presentation!

SIOUX VALLEY SUPERINTENDENT NOTES THAT THE COSSACKS "EXPECT EXCELLENCE!"

Superintendent of the Sioux Valley School District Laura Schuster addressed the club on August 15 as part of our monthlong focus on local educational opportunities. Sioux Valley Schools serve students in Volga, Bruce, and Sinai, and also offer open enrollment as space permits. Junior Kindergarten through grade 12 enrollment this coming fall is expected to be around 740, with an attractive student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. Thank you for your presentation, Superintendent Laura, and please visit us again!

ROTARIANS RE-PAINT BORN LEARNING TRAILS AT McCLEMANS PARK

Rotarians got up bright and early on August 8 to re-paint the newly refurbished sidewalks at McClemans Park for the Born Learning Trails. The project was co-sponsored by the Brookings Rotary Club two years ago, but when the park underwent a major renovation, the upgraded sidewalks required a new paint job! Who does your "little eye spy" working diligently on this lovely summer morning?

FUN GATHERING AT EDGEBROOK GOLF COURSE FOR THIRSTY THURSDAY!

Brookings Rotarians and guests joined for a fun social gathering at Edgebrook Golf Clubhouse for the August Thirsty Thursday, and raised $140 for the Brookings Area Youth Mentoring Program. Haven't yet made it to a Thirsty Thursday? Come join the fun in September! Details to come.

DEUBROOK ADMINISTRATORS SHARE GOOD NEWS FROM THEIR DISTRICT

Dr. Kimberly Kludt, Deubrook Superintendent and Jr/Sr High School Principal, and Brad DeBeer, Dean of Students and Activities Director, shared with the club on August 8 their district's success in academics and extracurricular activities. Thank you for visiting, and please come back soon!

THIRSTY THURSDAY IS TONIGHT!

ROTARIANS AND GUESTS will meet at 5 p.m. this evening for Thirsty Thursday! This month's location is Edgebrook Golf Course. Come take a break from the heat and enjoy a beverage and fellowship with friends. We'll "pass the hat" to benefit the Brookings Area Youth Mentoring Program. JOIN US!

NEW BROOKINGS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SPEAK TO CLUB

Wonderful program today at the Brookings Rotary Club, as we welcomed as speakers new Brookings High School Principal Heather Miller-Cink and new Activities Director Jeff Dvorak. Thanks for a great presentation! Pictured from left are Deb DeBates, a member of the Brookings School Board and also a member of the Brookings Rotary Club Board of Directors; Rotary Club President Michael Gonda; Principal Miller-Cink; and AD Dvorak.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE AUGUST 2023

It’s hard to believe August is here! It seems like summer has flown by. Before we know it, kids will be returning to school, fruits and vegetables from our gardens will be harvested, and we’ll be watching football again. The month of July seemed to fly by quickly for the Brookings Rotary Club too! We’ve accomplished much this month. We raised money for the United Way, installed a new President and Board, approved a new strategic plan, and had three terrific Tuesday meetings and a fun “Thirsty Thursday”. It’s now time to start implementing the strategic plan, which we will start in earnest in August.

One of the goals in our strategic plan is to reorganize our committee structure. I am excited about what this reorganization means for our club. In August, I will pass along a list of committees (and subcommittees) in need of members. I hope you will consider joining one of these committees or subcommittees. I am reminded about an old quote that says if you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu. I think this quote applies in the sense that our club’s direction will be set by the members who participate. I hope all of you decide it’s worth your time to chip in your time, talent, and ideas.

We have an exciting August program planned, focusing primarily on the theme of education. We also have at least one service project upcoming (painting the Born Learning Trails). This service project is scheduled for the morning of August 3^rd, the same day as Thirsty Thursday! I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention two very important Rotary exchange groups that will be visiting Brookings in September. One group is coming from Denmark and the other group is coming from Australia. We are looking for Rotarians who are willing to host our guests. Please consider hosting! Tiffany and I hosted a couple from Sweden this fall and, despite my trepidation about inviting guests into our home who we did not know, it was a wonderful experience for us! We’d do it again in a heartbeat and plan to host visitors from both Denmark and Australia. Please also consider hosting our guests.

Make no mistake about it: the Rotary Club of Brookings makes a difference in people’s lives. Never forget that. I am a proud Rotarian today. Together let’s continue to make an impact in people’s lives through Rotary!

Michael Gonda

PAUL HARRIS PLUS PINS AWARDED

Club President Michael Gonda was honored to present two Paul Harris-Plus pins to fellow club members - and his in-laws! - at a recent meeting. Larry Janssen was awarded his PH-Plus 5 pin and Marcia Janssen was awarded her PH-Plus 2 pin.

President Michael Addresses Club with Goals for 2023-24

President Michael Gonda addressed the Brookings Rotary Club today, sharing his vision and goals for the coming year and congratulating members on their service last year. We look forward to your leadership, President Michael!

Welcome to our Club!

We meet In Person & Online

Tuesdays at 12:00 PM

Brookings Activity Center

320 Fifth Ave
Brookings, SD
United States of America

RSVP by emailing Club President Michael Gonda at michael.gonda@sdstate.edu. Our meetings and programs are currently being conducted via a hybrid system in person and via Zoom. Access opens 15 minutes early for a social time of sharing.

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