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.
- 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.
This year’s “Duck Drop” will take place on May 3, 2025. The winning ducks will be dropped from an aerial fire truck at our District Conference in Decorah!
Here’s how it works:
- Each club (including individuals from that club) will be represented by a single duck in the race.
- The first three ducks to be dropped will be the winners. Once the winning three clubs have been determined a computer pick at random will occur to choose one winner of a Paul Harris Fellow designation for each of the three winning clubs.
- Each club participating in the race will receive Foundation Paul Harris Fellow points for the full amount of dollars contributed by the club through the purchase of ducks.
Ducks are $5 each.
Checks can be made payable to: The Rotary Foundation
and mailed to (must be mailed to arrive by April 23, 2025):
David Manning
227 Lake Avenue
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Phone: 701-238-4845
Email: davidbrianmanning@gmail.com
They can be purchased online at this link. If you choose to purchase ducks online we kindly request you pay for the credit card fees therefore ducks are $5.42 each.
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 UdryApril, 2025
This past month, I finished up my second trimester of classes. Although I haven’t gotten all of my grades back yet, the ones that I have gotten back have been good! I’m slowly but surely progressing on my thesis, and my third trimester of classes started this past week.
I have continued collaborating with the organization that Cecilia told me about, Noves Vies. This month, I assisted in the preparation of country reports for several asylum clients of the organization. I researched country conditions in the Gambia and prepared a document for one of their attorneys to help them prepare for the meeting with their client. I am very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate!
Arabic is also going well–even though the course is challenging, I can tell that I am progressing slowly but surely. In the break between classes, I took a brief trip to Morocco, where I saw Tangier and Chefchaouen. It was an incredible opportunity to put what I am learning in class into practice! I am attaching some pictures.
I am still looking for post-graduation jobs. The search is progressing slowly but surely, and I am optimistic that I will be able to find something soon. 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
April 2025
As the chill of winter gives way to the warmth of spring, we have an opportunity to rejuvenate our commitments to each other and to the communities we serve.
A shining example is the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland in Ontario, whose members support a program providing hot meals to people facing homelessness and food insecurity. On any given evening, the Soup Shack run by Feed Windsor-Essex serves up to 130 people, offering nourishment and a sense of community and care.
Club member and Past District Governor Aruna Koushik got the club involved after seeing a news segment about the Soup Shack.
Koushik collaborated with club members to quickly approve the purchase of a stove, pots, and pans for its new permanent space. Soon after, club members met with the Soup Shack team, toured the new location, and presented a check for 3,000 Canadian dollars (about US$2,000) to support its efforts. They also committed to volunteering their time to prepare and serve meals once the facility is operational.
This exemplifies how Rotary members can come together to address community needs, foster engagement, and make a tangible impact. By identifying opportunities for service and mobilizing resources, we not only support those in need but also strengthen our bonds with each other and with the communities we serve.
As we embrace the renewal that spring offers, let’s take inspiration from the Windsor-Roseland club. Consider these ways to reinvigorate engagement within your club:
Identify emerging needs: Stay attuned to the evolving challenges in your communities. Engage with local organizations to understand where your club’s support can make the most difference.
Mobilize resources quickly: When opportunities arise, act swiftly. Leverage the skills and networks within your club to gather resources, from financial contributions to equipment to volunteer time.
Foster collaboration: Encourage members to take initiative and collaborate on projects. Empowering individuals to lead and contribute their unique talents enhances engagement and drives success.
Commit to ongoing involvement: Beyond initial contributions, pledge continued support.
Regular service keeps members connected and reinforces the club’s commitment to sustained impact.
By embracing these approaches, we can harness the energy of spring to renew our dedication to service and engagement. Let’s seize this season as an opportunity to revitalize our efforts, strengthen our connections, and continue making a positive difference in the world.
This is The Magic of Rotary — transforming lives, inspiring hope, and creating lasting change for the communities we serve.
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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