This month’s special issue of Rotary magazine is all about happiness, that most elemental of human yearnings. More than a feeling, though, this state of positive well-being, and the conditions necessary to create and sustain it, should be considered a universal right.
December brings many responsibilities, emotions and stresses to our lives. It also brings a time of thought and reflection. The promotion of peace has long been a tenet of Rotary International. Did you know that Rotary International played a significant role 80 years ago, in 1945, in establishing the United Nations? The United Nations mission is to assist with maintaining international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among states, to promote international cooperation, and to serve as a center for harmonizing the actions of states in achieving those goals. Rotary International is the only organization that has an office within the UN headquarters. The RI United Nations Day was recently celebrated in San Francisco celebrating the RI role, our Global Grants and other RI programs and actions. Rotary is not a political organization but does champion good citizenship and promote service to change the world – that includes the world around you. What can you do to promote peace in your world? When wrapped up with the stresses of the season, let us stop and think of Rotary’s role, and our own role, in the promotion of peace. May the Holiday you celebrate give you a few moments of peace and reflection as we prepare for the New Year!
Congratulations and welcome to the 28 charter members of the new Rotaract Club of Superior, Wisconsin, USA. Thanks to your efforts, along with the support and guidance of DG Elaine, Adviser Ephraim, and many others, we’re proud to welcome you to our global community of more than 1.4 million people of action dedicated to building a better world!
Our District’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program is gearing up for another impactful year! We’re excited to share that the new RYLA website is live, making it easier than ever to find program details, key dates, and resources for clubs, students, and families (and Rotarians!).
Rotarians are also invited to join a RYLA Rotarian Roundtable this Thursday, December 18, where we’ll walk through what’s new for this year, answer questions, and brainstorm how clubs can best recruit for and support RYLA in their communities.
Finally, a reminder that important deadlines are already around the corner. Student applications and the payment deadline for Rotary Clubs is March 31, with final camper selections due at the end of April.
Tracking volunteer hours isn’t just paperwork—it’s a strategic tool that strengthens your club’s sustainability, celebrates volunteers, and proves the club’s value to the community. Without it, your club members may risk underestimating their impact and missing opportunities for growth.
Recognition & Retention – Members and community volunteers feel valued when their time is acknowledged. Accurate records allow clubs to celebrate milestones, anniversaries, and achievements. Recognition boosts morale and increases retention by keeping members engaged long-term. Knowing they are contributing to something that has a major impact on the community makes members feel proud to be a Rotarian!
Accountability & Transparency - Tracking hours shows volunteers that their contributions matter and are officially recorded. It also demonstrates transparency to members, the community, partners, and other organizations.
Resource Allocation & Planning - Data helps clubs identify which roles or projects require the most support. Trends in volunteer engagement guide recruitment strategies and event planning.
Community Support Evidence - A high number of logged hours demonstrates strong member commitment, which can attract sponsors, partners and potential new members.
Measure Impact & ROI - Each volunteer hour has a monetary value (estimated at $33.49 per hour in the U.S.). Clubs can put their impact into financial terms.
Secure Funding & Grants - Some grant applications require proof of member involvement. Logged hours count as in-kind donations, strengthening applications and donor confidence.
Keep track of your club’s volunteer hours ~ it just might surprise and excite your club members… and you!
Have you reflected much about how our natural environment is changing? Does it matter to you? Do you wish your voice could be heard? Well, we’ve got an opportunity for you (and as many Rotarians of District 5580 as possible)!
Tim LeClair, D5580 Treasurer and former Foundation Chair, asked Lucia Wyland to provide us an update on her activities since she completed her studies funded by our Global Scholar Grant GG2466118. The global grant funded Lucia’s studies at Tilburg University in Tilburg, Netherlands to complete her second year of Global Law with the objective of practicing human rights law to address systemic legal issues contributing to the disenfranchisement and exploitation of vulnerable adults. We are pleased that Lucia is continuing to engage with Rotary as a Rotaract member in the Netherlands as she pursues her Masters degree at Tilburg University.
Our district and global grants, such as this global scholar grant, are possible because of the contributions we D5580 Rotarians make to our annual fund. The dollars you contribute to the annual fund now come back to our district in three years to fund our District and Global grants. Please consider a contribution to The Rotary Foundation when considering your annual giving.
Have you visited the Rotary District 5580 Facebook page yet? Don't miss out on all the fun and important things going on in the District. Go take a look now here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578463066496
The Dickinson Rotary Club welcomes Cherie Roshau, center, as a new member. Cherie is an artist, retired teacher and vice president of the SW Art Gallery & Science Center board of directors. Cherie received her Rotary membership materials from club president Joy Schoch, far right, and club secretary Kari Shea, near right. She is sponsored for membership by Shirley Dukart, to Cherie's right, and encouraged by Irene Schafer, far left.
Front row: Ayush Singh; Doanh Tran; Brooklyn Jensen, and Alina Ivashchenko
Back row: Crookston Rotary President Brandon Lee; UMC Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause, Student of the Semester Chairperson and Music professor at UMC George French
Crookston Rotary honors University of MN, Crookston Students of the Semester on November 11, 2025 at the Crookston Inn
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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