Rapid City Rotary

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Rapid City Rotary

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Rapid City Rotary, Community Service, 7201 Mt. Rushmore Rd, Rapid City, SD.

08/14/2026

Such a beautiful evening spent with Rotary friends in the Birthday House at Storybook Island 🏰 It was so nice to simply slow down, share some good food, catch up, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.

A big thank you to memebers Sue and Linda for helping bring everyone together, and to everyone who brought something delicious to share! These are great moments where we simply get to relax, connect, and enjoy the friendships that make our club so special. 💙💛

Also a great time to add some materials to our Little Free Library. If you have any children’s books you would like to share let us know! 📚

Wonder where we will share our next meal 😉
Serving with purpose, leading with friendship!

08/05/2026

🌍 More Than Just a Tour

Last week, our Rotary Club had the pleasure of hearing from Elsie Ficek, daughter of our very own Lisa Ficek, as she shared her incredible experience studying abroad in Cameroon while Lisa is currently working in Ethiopia.

A student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Elsie has already lived in India, Albania, Croatia, Finland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States—and most recently immersed herself in the culture, language, and daily life of Cameroon. 🌍🛅

Her stories were a powerful reminder that travel is about so much more than seeing new places. It is about building understanding, embracing different perspectives, and creating meaningful connections across cultures. And while we were captivated by her adventures, we’re pretty sure a few of us will be admiring Cameroon from a slightly safer distance after hearing about the bugs! 🪲😅

Experiences like these embody the heart of Rotary—fostering goodwill, inspiring service, and reminding us that we have far more in common than what sets us apart.

Thank you, Elsie, for inspiring us to keep learning, exploring, and building a more connected world. 🌍💙👑

For the next couple of weeks, instead of our traditional meetings, we’ll be out in the community on special field trips, learning firsthand about the people, places, and organizations that make Rapid City such an incredible place to live and serve.

If you’ve ever been curious about Rotary, this is the perfect time to check us out! 💎

Rotary is so much more than a weekly meeting—it’s about building friendships, discovering our community, and creating lasting impact together! Maybe you already know one of our Rotarians - this week’s challenge is to spot one of us out there in action. ⚙️🧢

07/28/2026

Some speakers share facts. Others share a story that stays with you. ❤️‍🔥

Last week, member Dr. Ashok Kumar shared his life journey, reminding us that perseverance, humility, and a servant’s heart can truly change lives!

Of all the time he’s been a Rotarian (the accomplishments, the places he’s been and people he has met) he says he “has never met a Rotarian he didn’t like.” It perfectly reflects the kind of person he is—someone who treasures friendships, values every opportunity to learn from others, and believes Rotary’s greatest strength is the people who form this remarkable worldwide fellowship.

Dr. Ashok Kumar is a board-certified pulmonary and critical care physician who has served the Rapid City community for nearly 50 years. Trained in India and the United States, he completed residencies in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary disease, and also graduated from the U.S. Army School of Aviation Flight Medicine. He has spent his career caring for critically ill patients while also teaching and mentoring future physicians. 🩺

Dr. Kumar also quietly helped leave an incredible legacy right here in our community. He has played a key role in two of District 5610’s three Global Grants over the past 15 years, including the Human Trafficking Awareness initiative and the ongoing Friends of the Children literacy project.
Beyond that, he has helped with numerous District Grants supporting projects like Storybook Island’s accessible Rotary Disc, the Black Hills Works Community Garden, pandemic relief efforts on Pine Ridge, Native American artists, and programs serving vulnerable mothers and children.

When asked what he has enjoyed most about Rotary, his answer wasn’t about recognition—it was about bringing people together. Whether organizing Friendship Exchanges to India, hosting international visitors, serving as our PolioPlus Chair, presenting at Rotary clubs, sponsoring children through St. Jude, or helping clubs turn ideas into reality through grants, his passion has always been connecting people through service. 🫶🏻

Thank you, Dr. Kumar, for reminding us that one person, guided by mentors, friendship, and a willingness to serve, can leave a lasting impact on a community—and on countless lives around the world.
You ARE what Rapid City Rotary stands for:
Serving with Purpose, Leading with Friendship.

We look forward to another wonderful program this Thursday as we welcome Elsie Ficek as our guest speaker, so please join us!

07/18/2026

Rapid City Rotarians welcomed Coy Sasse, Chief Financial and Operations Officer for the Rapid City Area Schools District, as our guest speaker this week. 📚

Coy shared valuable information about the upcoming November 2026 RCAS Bond Referendum, helping members better understand the district’s long-term plans, facility needs, and the potential impact on LOCAL schools.

As with all of our programs, this presentation encourages thoughtful discussion and we appreciate Coy’s willingness to answer our questions and help keep us informed.📓📙

If YOU are not a member but interested in attending to hear front line information about your community - which provides insight and ideas on how we can all contribute to a better future —reach out about our next or upcoming meetings.

We’re grateful for opportunities like this and to Coy and his colleagues (Katy, Jamie and Jade) to help us learn, connect, and grow together in and around Rapid City.

Remember, conversations like these help ROTARIANS- “strengthen the community through education, communication, appreciation, and celebration.” 📘📕📗😉

07/11/2026

Members of Rapid City Rotary were out bright and early this weekend harvesting cherries for an upcoming food preservation class! 🍒

This class is funded in part by a grant from Rotary District 5610 and is offered in partnership with the City of Rapid City as part of our shared commitment to improving food security with in our community.

Rotarians are People of Action—friends turning service into meaningful, lasting impact. 💙💛🍓

06/07/2026

The D1fference 1 Person Can Make
🤍💛❤️🖤

Last week, Rapid City Rotary had the privilege of hearing from Tyresha Grey Horse.
Tyresha is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. An educator, advocate, and community leader dedicated to strengthening opportunities for youth and families.

Tyresha’s passion for education and community engagement was evident throughout her presentation with us. 🔅

She shared the inspiring work of Friends of the Children - He Sapa a program providing children with a trained, paid professional mentor, one on one, from as early as age 4 staying with them through high school graduation.
(The d1fference 1person can make.)

This organization is not only serving youth in Rapid City but is also expanding its impact with a second location on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Tyresha highlighted how Friends of the Children – He Sapa incorporates Lakota culture while supporting youth and caregivers in the community, at home, and in school—building long-term relationships that help children thrive. 🤍💛❤️🖤

Tyresha, THANK YOU for sharing your story, for assisting us with our Rotary Global Grant and for the incredible work you are doing to create lasting impact for the next generation. 🚸
”The d1fference 1 person can make!”

You too can make a d1fference!
Please check out Friends of the Children’- He Sapa’s website www.friendshesapa.org

05/31/2026

💡QUICK QUESTION: What is PHILANTHROPY?

Last week, we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Matt Ehlman, who earned his PhD in philanthropy from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Since coming to South Dakota in 2006 to volunteer on the reservation, he has dedicated his work to understanding and sharing the recognizable data and unique needs, strengths, and stories of rural America with academics, practitioners, and policymakers.

He also introduced us to the incredible work of the Rural Philanthropy Institute, highlighting cohort programs, training opportunities, and resources designed to strengthen non-profit communities and empower local leaders to create lasting impact.

While he claimed he wasn’t much of a public speaker, our noon Rapid City Rotary Club would respectfully disagree.
His message was thoughtful, engaging, and a powerful reminder that philanthropy isn’t just about dollars—it’s about people, purpose, service, and creating a better future together.

A philanthropist is someone who loves humanity enough to invest in it and using whatever you have to improve life for others!

Thank you, Dr. Ehlman, for reminding us why what we do matters—not just as but as human beings.

💡ANSWER: PHILANTHROPY comes from the Greek words:

Philos = love & Anthropos = humankind

PHILANTHROPY is the love of humanity expressed through action 💙💛⚙️

05/25/2026

📰 Front page worthy conversation…

Last week, our Rapid City Rotary Club got the inside scoop 🗞️ from Chris Hornick on the ever-changing world of instant news, the role the Rapid City Post plays in keeping our community informed, and the impact The HomeSlice Group continues to have across the Black Hills— and it was anything but “breaking news” boring. 😉

From digital media to local journalism, Chris shared how the Rapid City Post was built on a passion for honest, timely, and impactful FREE local news for our community.

Beyond media, his heart for service shines through as a former foster parent and board chair for Rapid City CASA.

Our club learned more about Local news.
Local impact. Local leadership.
That’s a story worth sharing. 🖤

For more stories behind the stories talk to one of our very own “headline chasers/service reporters” ROTARY CLUB MEMBERS about how you too can become more involved in lasting community impact!! 👔

05/15/2026

If you don’t know why you’re here, then neither do we??

Yesterday’s meeting reminded us that every person in our club has a story, a path, a purpose, and a passion that brought them to Rotary. Member Classifications Talk is a valuable and fun (not scary) presentation and explanation of who you are and what brought you to Rotary.

From business leaders to caregivers, mentors, volunteers, parents, entrepreneurs, and community advocates - hearing members share a little about themselves is a powerful reminder that service starts with connection.

The more we know each other, the stronger we become together.

Thank you to everyone who opened up, shared your heart, your journey, and what drives you to create lasting impact in our community. ⚙️🌟

Mike Dinkel - Suzan Nolan - Tim TrueBlood - Julie Smorgagiewicz

Networking may open doors, but meaningful relationships built around service and purpose are what truly change communities. If you are interested in getting to know more and building with us, join us Thursdays, for lunch at The Rushmore Hotel & Suites 11:30 and meeting for one hour beginning at noon.

04/24/2026

“You can go here if you are young in years or young at heart…”

When she’s not coaching, chasing adventures outdoors, or keeping up with her four kids, our friend Mallory Hock is busy creating something truly special. ✨

As Executive Director of Storybook Island for the past two years (and a dedicated team member for four), she shared an inspiring update with our club—past, present, and what’s still to come for our own little slice of magic. 🏰

This place has touched so many of our lives—and the lives of children across our community—and the best part? It’s only getting better. 💛

Want to be part of the magic? Follow along here and Storybook Island check out their website www.storybookisland.org and come see it for yourself. 💫

And don’t forget—our Rotary Gazebo is going up this summer! There are so many ways to get involved… just ask us how.

Address

7201 Mt. Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD
57702

Website

http://www.rapidcityrotary.org/

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