Rapid City Rotary

10/08/2026

Rotarians/Advocates in Action, volunteering with Feeding South Dakota. Grateful for the hands and hearts that show up where our community needs it.

09/23/2026

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Make the most of your Rotary membership.

Whether you're new to Rotary or want a refresher, our Welcome to Rotary webinar on 14 October will help you discover ways to get involved, build connections, and find opportunities that match your interests.

Register today: on.rotary.org/4jhjfnQ

08/27/2026

🏛️ HOW WELL DO YOU REALLY KNOW RAPID CITY? 👀

Last week at Noon Rotary, we took a little trip through Rapid City’s past with Jennifer Bergstrom from the Rapid City Historic Preservation Commission and discovered there’s a lot more history behind our community than most of us probably realize!

A Black Hills native who grew up outside Sturgis, Jennifer has spent the past 15 years working in local planning and the last two years serving as City Staff Liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission. And when it comes to Rapid City’s historic architecture, she’s definitely found her passion! ❤️‍🔥

There are seven citizen volunteers who make up the Rapid City Historic Preservation Commission and work to identify, protect and share the stories behind these incredible structures and places that help shape our community. Their work isn’t just about preserving old buildings—it’s about understanding where we came from while helping shape where Rapid City goes next.

Would YOU like to guess WHERE these old photos might be located in Rapid City?

One of the best parts about coming to Noon Rotary each week is that you really never know where the meetings might take you.

One week we’re exploring Rapid City’s past…
Where do you think we’re headed next? 👀

🤫 Guess the photo locations in the comments and don’t bothering guessing what we’re exploring this week - just come to a meeting and find out. Guess what building? 😉

Thursdays at Noon.
Come curious.
Leave knowing something you didn’t before!

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 💙💛⚙️