District Address: Telephone: Email:
PO Box 445 641-330-3118 des@district5970.org
New Hampton, IA 50659
- Read about the Rotary Sunflower Discover Project in Decorah here.
- North Central President Elect Training will be held March 13-15, 2025 in Minneapolis.
- Student registration for RYLA 2025 is open. Register by completing the form at www.iowaryla.org/apply
- Registration for Virtual Presidents Elect training is open. Register at www.northcentralpets.org
- Grant Management training will be held virtually on two different dates - March 25 at 7:00 p.m. and April 19 at 8:00 a.m.
Seeking District Governor Candidates
Are you or a fellow Rotarian looking to grow in District 5970 and Rotary International? We’ve begun the search for the 2028-2029 Rotary Year District Governor. As District Governor, you’ll be charged with leading the district, serving as an officer of RI and most importantly inspiring our clubs to reach new heights . Get the complete position description.
To apply, you must meet the following qualifications include:
Be a current member in good standing
Completed 7 years of Rotary membership prior to taking office
Served a term as President of a Rotary Club,
Possess good leadership skills
Have strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with others
Able to speak in public
Desire to promote the good work of Rotary on a local and international level
If you’re ready to take on this Rotary leadership role please complete this Application. It requires your secretary's certification. Please send the completed form by April 6, 2025 to District Executive Secretary Suellen Kolbet at des@district5970.org
Note: If you are unable to attend the in-person event, virtual training will be held Tuesday and Thursday, April 22 and 24, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Register at www.northcentralpets.org.
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Michelle Bell, District Foundation Chair 
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A New Polio Banner is available for Club Events! See it here. Contact foundationchair@district5970.com to borrow it
Global Scholar Lela UdryMarch 1, 2025
This month, I have been working hard on my second semester of classes. I have worked on several interesting presentations and papers and am currently gearing up for finals season. At the same time, I am progressing in my research for my thesis. I have also been given the opportunity to begin a community collaboration project here in Barcelona. Cecilia, the president of the Rotary Millenium club here in Barcelona, mentioned that an organization, Noves Vies, that provides legal support to unaccompanied minors had reached out to them and might be an interesting source of collaboration. I met with them and discussed some options to do some volunteer work with them as-needed during the next few months. I am very excited for the opportunity and grateful to Cecilia for the direction!
At the same time, I have begun looking for jobs post-graduation. I have found a few interesting jobs at the intersection of human rights and immigration. While the job search is a bit of a tiring process, I am excited about the prospect of working in the field that I am passionate about with the expertise I’ve gained in this Master’s degree.
Thank you all for your continued support, I greatly appreciate it.
It's the holiday season in Edinburgh, and I’m convinced this is the best place to be to celebrate the holidays! I have loved exploring the Christmas markets and settling in to cozy cafés with my readings and seeing this beautiful town all lit up for the season. It is just enough to distract from the fact that the sun sets at 3:30 pm this time of year.
These first few months at the University of Edinburgh have been exhausting and exciting, and have pushed and fulfilled me in ways I could not have expected. This semester, I took the foundational classes in comparative education and education and international development, as well as a research methods class that will support me in writing my dissertation this summer. The classes were hard work, but work that I found to be deeply interesting and energizing.
Though I appreciate having a little break for the festive season, I am so looking forward to the new semester, getting back to class, and the opportunities for learning and growing that the new year will bring. Beyond the coursework, the best part of diving into this master's program has been connecting with my wonderful, community-minded faculty and cohort. I feel lucky to have formed deep friendships through this program, and to get to constantly learn from their experiences in so many different international contexts. A favorite memory from the semester was an international potluck that our cohort held for Thanksgiving, where we got to try delicious foods (I brought a pan of cheesy corn to represent the great state of Iowa) and hear about food traditions from all over the world.
Another favorite memory is a trip with friends in the cohort for a “writing retreat” at a cabin in the Trossachs, a stunning national park about two hours northwest of Edinburgh. The papers got done, as did a few games, misadventures, attempts to teach me to drive stick shift, and the most frigid cold plunge of my life in Loch Tay. My toes are going numb just thinking about it. As I wrap up this first semester of my program, I am so endlessly grateful for the ways Rotary has supported me in this journey. Connecting with the Rotary Club of Portobello and meeting the other Global Scholars has provided such an essential network of support as I navigate this new place and new challenges. Additionally, it has been so much fun to form new friendships with Edinburgh Rotarians and get to experience some of their events, like the annual International Night, where I tried haggis for the first time. (It wasn’t bad, actually!) Wishing you happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
Hallie
David Jenson of the Algna Rotary Club has been selected as the District Governor for the 2027-2028 Rotary year. Congratulations David!
Stephanie A. Urchick
President 2024-25
March 2025
March is here, and for Rotary International, that means celebrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month — a time to shine a spotlight on one of the most transformative areas of our work.
This month is an opportunity to reflect on The Magic of Rotary and the profound impact we create when we come together with determination and purpose.
Years ago, I experienced this magic firsthand in the Dominican Republic. When a group of members helped people install water filters, three children watched with amazement as dirty water entered one end of a filter and clean water emerged from the other. When we paused the demonstration, one child tugged at my sleeve and pleaded, “Show me the magic again.”
To them, it felt magical. It was also the result of countless hours of effort — planning, transporting, and installing the filters — alongside local partners who were dedicated to making clean water accessible. In that moment, I realized that what seemed like a small act could change residents’ lives. That is The Magic of Rotary.
This story is a testament to the incredible potential of our global family to create change. Water projects exemplify our reach, our partnerships, and our unwavering commitment to improving lives. Consider Rotary’s work with USAID. That partnership has enabled us to work with communities and governments to improve access to sustainable water and sanitation services for thousands of people in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, the Philippines, and Uganda.
Partnerships remind us that Rotary’s impact is amplified when we work together. Through our strategic alliance with the United Nations Environment Programme, we’re advancing the Community Action for Fresh Water initiative. This program equips Rotary members with the tools and resources to protect, restore, and sustain freshwater ecosystems.
When we make use of Rotary grants and advocate for clean water in our communities, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual projects.
As we embrace the spirit of the month, I encourage every Rotary member to seek out new partnerships. Collaboration multiplies our efforts and helps us reach more people in need.
Whether it’s joining forces with local organizations, forming alliances with international agencies, or mobilizing your community, every step we take together brings us closer to a world where everyone has access to clean water and safe sanitation.
The Magic of Rotary shines brightest when we work in harmony with others to create lasting good. Together, we can turn dreams into realities that transform lives and communities. The result may feel like magic at times, but we know it’s from the power of our collective commitment and compassion. Let’s harness this magic to make a difference this month and beyond.
At the Cedar Rapids West Rotary meeting on April 17, 2024, Peter Teahen of the Cedar Rapids West Rotary Club was awarded the prestigious "Service Above Self" award. He is pictured here with John Ockenfels, District Governor Carole Bernhard, and Past District Governor Jill Olsen.
2024-25: The Magic of Rotary
RI President-elect Stephanie Urchick celebrates the magic of Rotary. She says members create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.
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