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We're back meeting in person at the Washington Pavilion with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as our guest. Rotarian Jack Marsh will facilitate the conversation with the Governor. We will begin promptly at noon. Please arrive early to allow time for check-in and seating. All Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club programs are open only to Rotarians and their guests.
Alex Ramírez was honored at the Annual General Meeting as the Ritz Rotarian of the Year. The recipient should exhibit the award principles: "Emanates integrity, decency, and humility; is a servant leader; guides with dedication, outstanding leadership and tremendous motivation." Alex's nominators said, "Greetings fellow Rotarians: Rotary’s global ad campaign slogan "People of Action" brings to mind the many fellow Rotarians around the world and in our own Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls who embody this phrase. Alex is an outstanding member of the Sioux Falls community who is highly committed to service and humble is his approach to giving. As members of Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, we see Alex volunteering each week as a person of action in the front of the ballroom each meeting running the audio-visual equipment that broadcasts our meetings across the Internet. Some Downtown Rotarians who see Alex’s immense regularity in this service might wonder if he performs this role as a contract, but he, in fact, voluntarily commits two hours each week in service to our club, and has done so for more than two years. He also graciously brings in his own equipment to supplement the club’s technology, helps fellow Rotarians engage with our guest speakers by passing the microphone during Q &A and serves on the Board of Directors of Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls. Alex’s extensive service to the Sioux Falls community extends far beyond his role with the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls. Alex serves as treasurer and a member of the Executive Board of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Board of Trustees for Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center; a member of the Sioux Empire United Way Board of Directors; a servant on the American Cancer Society Board of Directors; a commissioner on the city human relations committee; and a member on the city’s affordable housing committee. Alex founded his own nonprofit organization, Pulso Hispano, dedicated to informing the Hispanic community. His TV Show, Al Dia, is dedicated to furthering that mission. Alex lives his life in a way that honors his faith, family and his community. Alex and his wife, Andrea, chose to move with their two boys to Sioux Falls, and he regularly demonstrates his love of the community through his service. It is clear why Alex is a Rotarian. He is a person of action and a man who serves with enthusiasm. He has embraced Sioux Falls and Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls and would be a fitting and honorable recipient of the Lawrence “Larry” Ritz award. Congratulations Alex!
On January 27th, Mayor Paul TenHaken announced a new mentoring initiative to a over-capacity crowd at the Washington Pavilion Belbas Theater. Nearly 350 business and non-profit leaders were in attendance. The Sioux 52 Mentoring Initiative seeks to unify Sioux Falls area non-profit, business, and faith communities in order to create a universal, significant and long-lasting commitment to mentoring in our city. The goal is to recruit 5,200 mentors by 2026 and for the City of Sioux Falls to become known as the City of Mentoring. Mentoring in our community truly makes a difference and changes lives for the better. Sioux 52 is a collaboration between the City of Sioux Falls, Helpline Center, the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, Lawrence & Schiller as well as business leaders and mentoring organizations in the Sioux Falls region. For more information to to become a mentor or business visit Sioux52.org.
In January, we received the results of our RFP with the Augustana Research Institute (ARI). The report in its entirety is available for download using this link: Rotary Mentoring Report. ARI 's Principal Investigator, Dr. Suzanne Smith, and her team created an extremely well executed report allowing us to put our club's next steps together. Here is an Executive Summary of the information.
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Rod Carlson was honored at the Annual General Meeting as the Ritz Rotarian of the Year. The recipient should exhibit the award principles: "Emanates integrity, decency, and humility; is a servant leader; guides with dedication, outstanding leadership and tremendous motivation." Mr. Carlson's nominators said, "Rod has been a positive force for Sioux Falls as a resident since 1973. He is married (49 years) and together have raised 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Rod served our nation with his commitment to the US Air Force (1967-71) and was awarded Bronze Star with Valor (Vietnam). In the business community, Rod worked 31 years at Midcontinent Communications/Sioux Falls Cable. In his tenure, he displayed his leadership for 25 years as a GM of Operations and 6 years in a Vice President role for Government Affairs and Community Relations. His assertiveness, professionalism and charisma were successfully channeled for lobbying efforts in South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota. Rod also worked as Vice President Business Development at First Premier Bank and was Sanford Health Director of Public Relations from 2007 - 2014. Rod's calm demeanor, sense of humor and tenacity to do what right continue to open doors for him and he continues to stay busy as the current Director Public Relations/Marketing at Active Generations. Staying busy has never been a problem for Rod. He has been active in the Sioux Falls community for 45 years through numerous organizations. This impressive resume is why I nominate Rod Carlson as Rotarian of the year. Rod exemplifies the Four Way Test: being true and fair, building goodwill and friendships and benefiting the community." Congratulations Rod!
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