At last month’s International Assembly, President-elect Olayinka “Yinka” Hakeem Babalola called on members of the Rotary world to live out our presidential message for the 2026-27 Rotary year: Create Lasting Impact.
This February, as we observe Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month, we have an opportunity to channel Yinka’s call to action into real change.
Peace is not simply the absence of war. A life free from conflict but marked by hunger, instability, or the inability to care for one’s family is not true peace. Peace requires liberty, opportunity, and respect for human dignity. Yet fear often blocks that path — fear of change, of cultural loss, of people we don’t understand.
Each February, Rotary International renews its commitment to promoting peace and understanding. This annual campaign highlights the organization's ongoing effort to foster dialogue, bridge cultural divides, and empower communities to resolve conflicts peacefully. As the world continues to navigate complex issues, Rotary International’s Peace Initiative stands as a powerful reminder that collective action and compassion can create lasting change as we Unite for Good to create a lasting impact.
The Peace Initiative is built on Rotary’s core values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. Throughout the month, can your Club organize an educational program, community outreach program, or collaborative project aimed at building trust and mutual respect? These activities emphasize the importance of listening, learning, and engaging with diverse perspectives, ensuring that peace-building is inclusive and sustainable.
Celebrate Rotary’s Birthday at our Minnesota Capitol. Join Rotarians and Youth Exchange Students from Districts 5950, 5960 & 5580 to speak up in favor of Rotary and our service projects.
To socialize, tell our Rotary story to legislators, and to hear from them about state efforts related to our programs and values. We have several Rotarian-legislators who will be greeting us. Know a Rotary member-legislator? Invite them, or schedule an office visit now.
IN PERSON EVENT MARCH 12-14, 2026 OMNI VIKING LAKES MINNEAPOLIS, MN
VIRTUAL EVENT DATES APR 7-9, 2026
District 5580 Clubs pay a portion of President Elect Training with their District Dues. To ensure there are no additional charges use the code below at checkout to bring the total due to $0.
Submitted by: Marg Woods, Rotary Club of Thunder Bay-Port Arthur
February is often framed around love and connection-so this month, our Eco-Challenge is all about showing a little extra love to the planet. Small intentional actions add up, especially when Rotarians act together.
Your February Eco-Challege:
Choose at least three of the actions below and commit to practicing them throughout February and into March until your next challenge arrives.
IB:Piotr Ilnicki - POLAND (Ely); OB:Lucy Filipczak - to INDONESIA (Ashland); IB:“Namo” Tharathep Inthirach – THAILAND (Park Rapids);OB:Laura Horning - to SOUTH KOREA (Bismarck); OB:”Emmi” Emery Rousch to SWEDEN (Ashland); IB: Ana de Souza Prata– BRAZIL (Moorhead); IB:Laly Parent - BELGIUM (Fergus Falls); IB:”Anthony” Bo-Yih Lai - TAIWAN (Bismarck)
YOUTH EXCHANGE UPDATE: It takes a lot of courage to spend a year of high school in Indonesia, South Korea, and Sweden. Likewise, to come to the United States from countries such as Thailand, Brazil, Poland, Belgium, and Taiwan requires bravery and a sense of adventure.
But courage was NOT in short supply on Saturday, January 25th, as our current inbound international students in District 5580, along with our upcoming U.S. outbound students, braved the -24 F temperatures to participate (with no complaints about the cold) in the annual Winter Rendezvous at Deep Portage Conservation Camp near Walker MN.
The Bismarck Rotary Club was pleased to host the 60th annual Rotary Wrestling Tournament in January. More than 30 teams from across the region participated in the event, which is held in high-esteem by the wrestling community. Rotarians sold t-shirts and presented awards to the winners in the various categories of both the Boys and Girls Divisions. Volunteering together also gave Rotarians a chance to chat and enjoy some fellowship.
After many guest appearances over the years, Mike Klein, CFO at ABLE Inc., decided to make it official and last month joined the Dickinson Rotary Club! Mike is sponsored for membership by ABLE Inc. CEO Janelle Stoneking. Mike received his membership materials from Club Secretary Kari Shea, center, and Club President Joy Schoch.
The Harbortown Rotary Club of Duluth welcomes Drew Stroberg as a new member of the Club. Drew is a supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service in northeastern Minnesota and is sponsored for membership by Rotarian and Membership Chair, Scott Soderberg. Drew was a previous member and former president of the Gunnison Rotary Club in Colorado as well as a member of the Rotary Club of Vernal (UT). Drew is pictured with sponsor, Scott Soderberg.
WE CAN ONLY SHARE YOUR CLUB'S NEWS, IF WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR CLUB'S NEWS!
The number one thing most clubs want to know is what is happening around the District, but we can't help spread the word if we don't know what your club is up to.
Please submit a summary of your club events, news and projects to Renae Ronquist and Gloria Mink by the 10th of each month. We can include information in our Monday Minutes and in our newsletter.
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