This month, as we come together for the International Assembly and the Presidential Peace Conference, we celebrate The Magic of Rotary — a unique blend of global connection, vision, and action that empowers us to create lasting change.
One of the most inspiring examples is our Rotary Peace Fellowship program, a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission to build a more peaceful and just world.
For more than 23 years, Rotary Peace Fellowships have been transforming communities. Our Rotary Peace Centers, hosted at leading universities around the globe, have educated over 1,800 fellows who now work in more than 140 countries.
Kay Parries (bio) pictured with her husband Dan Parries
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROTARY!
On February 23, we mark a momentous occasion—Rotary International's 120th anniversary! It's a time to reflect on the incredible journey that began on this day, almost a century and two decades ago, when the seeds of a global movement for positive change was sown.
As we celebrate this significant milestone, I invite each member of our Rotary family to reflect on your journey within this remarkable organization. What inspired you to join Rotary? What moments of service have left an indelible mark on your heart?
District Governor Elect Elaine Hansen recently attended the International Assembly; Rotary's annual learning event which gives incoming district governors the chance to share ideas for strengthening clubs and improving communities with Rotary leaders from around the world.
District Governor Elect Elaine Hansen pictured with Incoming RI President Mário César Martins de Camargo and his wife Denise da Silva de Camargo, also a Rotarian.
Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo asked members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection as he outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.”
Submitted by: Gloria Mink, District 5580 Administrator
The North Central President-Elect Training Seminar (NCPETS) is an annual training event for incoming Presidents and Presidents-Nominee in Districts 5580 (MN/ND/WI/Canada), 5950 (MN), 5960 (MN/WI), and 5970 (IA).
Register today for the 2025 NCPETS, giving you the opportunity to Collaborate, Network and Be Inspired by an incredible group of Rotarians!
Don't forget to use the coupon code!
For In-Person Attendance/Registration use Code: 2025PETS5580
For Virtual Attendance/Registration use Code: VIRTUALPETS5580
District 5580 Clubs pay a portion of PETS when submitting payment for their District dues. To ensure that no additional charges are incurred, use the coupon code during registration checkout.
Submitted by: Paul Burnett, District 5580 Youth Service Chair
It is my esteemed honor to present the names of the 2024-2025 Rotary 4-Way Test Essay Contest Winners. With a judging group of six (nurses, educators and business professionals), I am proud to mention that the contest scores displayed close races, that all topics were well conceived and that judges gave excellent thought and consideration to their scoring duties. It is in that light that I congratulate the following young men and women:
From Region #1, Hope Hauck from the Minot Noon Club with her topic, The Ripple Effect of Volunteering, wins the Region!
From Region #2, Isabella Wimmer from the Perham Club with her topic, Addressing Homophobia: A Path Towards Truth, Goodwill and Benefit for All, wins the Region!
From Region #3, Jagger Klecatsky from the Brainerd Noon Club with his topic, AI in Schools, wins the Region!
From Region #4 (Adjusted), Alexandria Vittone from the Ashland Club with her topic, Renewable Energy, wins the Region!
From Region #5, Ava Simonson from the Moorhead Club with her topic, Should Animals Be Used For Entertainment, wins the Region!
From Region #6, Sam Breuer from the Cloquet Club with his topic, Procrastination: The Easy Trap, wins the Region!
All Regional Winners Receive $150 in District prize money!
And from this group of essayists, it is my delight to state that our overall District 5580 Winner is Alexandria Vittone from the Ashland Club with her topic, Renewable Energy.
Her essay can be viewed HERE. The District Winner receives $1100 in District prize money (in addition to her Regional prize)!
Submitted by Marg Woods, Thunder Bay-PA Rotary, District Environmental Committee
February ECO Challenge-Reduce Food Waste
“One-third of the fruits and vegetables, meat, and other food the world produces never gets eaten. Instead, it rots unharvested in fields, spoils in storage, or sits forgotten in the back of the refrigerator, only to end up in the garbage” and then in our landfill sites. There it generates methane, a greenhouse gas released in our atmosphere.
An example of a Rotary community that challenged this problem was Urbana/Sugarloaf elementary students, who with the help of a district grant, diverted lunch waste from landfills through their Lunch out of Landfills school program.
We can meet that challenge with a few simple tips to reduce food waste at home:
Nurta is a 30-year-old mother – determined to build a better future for her children. A three-year drought in Somalia forced Nurta and her family to leave everything they knew behind. But Nurta wasn’t deterred. https://youtu.be/g1a0bXpsdLI?si=u4U-fU5HL452NDbE
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.
Submitted by: Christi M. Stonecipher, Bismarck Rotary Club
The Bismarck Rotary Club was honored to host Governor Kelly Armstrong and the Northern Lights Council as they presented the 103rd Scouting Report to the State on Wednesday, February 5th. Over 4,000 merit badges earned, over 15,000 pounds of food collected and donated to local food pantries, and over 50,000 hours of community service performed in the last year by Scouts. Kudos to these kids!
Submitted by: Nancy Lundon, Devils Lake Rotary Club Secretary
Lake Toyota - Devils Lake Cars had the opportunity to present a check for over $10,000 to the Rotary Club of Devils Lake in support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program. 📗
Devils Lake Rotary Club has been sponsoring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in Ramsey, Benson, Eddy, and Nelson counties since May 2012. Since then, they have registered 2300+ children to the book club. 📝 Approximately 1700 kids have graduated from the program and 667 children currently receive books each month. About 15-20 new children are added to the program each month, so it's not losing steam! 🚂💨
Fargo’s Farmer of the Year and 4H club awards- Rotary Club of Fargo
On January 15, 2025, the Rotary Club of Fargo presented 4 Cass County 4 H clubs with $100 awards of excellence and presented its Farmer of the Year Award to a farming family from Absaraka, North Dakota.
The 4-H club awards are given to those clubs that have exceptional community service and club excellence. The 4-H club winners were: Golden Clovers, Golden Kids, Rainbow Kids, and the Wheatland Pioneers.
Mike and Ann Faught received this year’s Farmer of the Year Award. They farm close to 1800 acres near Absaraka, North Dakota, and are the backbone of the small community there.
The Faught farm specializes in no-till agriculture. In addition, until recently Mike and Ann ran the Absaraka Telephone Cooperative, and they are both involved in 4H at different levels.The awards are adjudicated by a committee of the Fargo club in cooperation with NDSU Cass County Agricultural Extension Office.
The awards have been made by the Fargo Rotary Club since 1968, and represent one of the long-standing traditions of that club.
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