Stories

On July 25, Downtown Rotarians had a very special opportunity to learn about this fascinating project from the James Webb Space Telescope Project Manager, Bill Ochs. Bill is a friend and former colleague of Raven Aerostar President Jim Nelson, and graciously agreed to come present to our club in person. Bill shared an overview of the Webb Telescope, engineering challenges, the Webb Telescope launch, verifying Webb in space, and early science observations. In case you missed it, wanted to share it with others, or just wanted to watch the fascinating information again, here is the link: https://youtu.be/84AtKlW1qBE

You can also find ongoing published images here: https://webbtelescope.org/

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), released its first full-color images and spectroscopic data on July 12, 2022. You can view the images at: https://www.nasa.gov/webbfirstimages/

As the largest and most complex observatory ever launched into space, Webb has been going through a six-month period of preparation before it can begin science work, calibrating its instruments to its space environment and aligning its mirrors. This careful process, not to mention years of new technology development and mission planning, has built up to the first images and data: a demonstration of Webb at its full power, ready to begin its science mission and unfold the infrared universe.

Please join us on December 20th for the final meeting of 2021 and ring in the holidays with fellow Rotarians. The annual holiday party will feature holiday musical numbers by the Sioux Falls Chamber Music Collective string quartet. Rotarians and their significant others are invited to attend. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am. A plated lunch will be served to all who RSVP and is complimentary for Downtown Rotarians and their significant other.

RSVP is required. Please RSVP using this link: Rotary Holiday Celebration RSVP

• Expanded criteria for membership classification to include Thought Leader
• Increased female and ethnic membership
• Supported Harmony South Dakota, Sioux Empire Network of Care and Arc of Dreams
• Increased brand visibility with Facebook Live Streaming, new branding materials and refreshed website

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. 

What is the Rotary Foundation and why should you get involved?

Jay Weems, Vice President of Operations for Avera eCARE discussed how Avera eCARE is making a difference in the lives of millions, impacting the cost of care and patient outcomes. Avera eCARE is telemedicine through two-way video that provides remote delivery of health care service. The mission is "to care for people where they are."

Mr. Weems discussed how technology is saving lives, decreasing costs, and improving quality outcomes within rural and urban communities.  In addition, Avera eCARE impacts Sioux Falls by job creation, supporting economic growth, and bringing national and international leaders into the community.

Shawnie Rechtenbaugh is the Deputy Secretary for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and the State 9-1-1 Coordinator.

Shawnie was appointed deputy secretary in 2016. She works closely with Department Secretary Trevor Jones and the department’s 410 employees.  There are 11 different agencies that compose the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. A major priority for her is the development of long-term goals and strategies for the department.

Kristi was born, raised and still lives in northeastern South Dakota with her husband, Bryon, and their three children, Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker.

Kristi learned the value of hard work as she farmed with her dad to build an operation he could pass along to his kids one day. While Kristi was taking college classes, her father died unexpectedly in a farming accident. Kristi returned home shortly after to farm and ranch full-time. She stepped up, helped stabilize the operation, and provided leadership when it was needed most.

Kristi’s experience as a small business owner shaped her understanding of government. The way she sees it: the federal government too often gets in the way of hardworking South Dakotans trying to support their families, communities, and our country. That belief has been what's driven Kristi to try to make a difference through public service.

South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard discussed the “State of the State” in a presentation to the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, Monday, January 16. Daugaard, a Republican who is beginning the third year of his final term as South Dakota’s chief executive, elaborated on his proposed state budget and his agenda for the legislature’s current session in Pierre.

The Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls went on the road Monday, January 9, to the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science, to hear a presentation about the South Dakota foster care system.  Amanda Barton, committed to improving the lives of foster children and break the cycle of abuse and neglect, is founding director of Royal Family KIDS Camp/Sioux Empire.  Barton, mother of four sons, fitness instructor and active community volunteer, was awakened to the needs of the foster care community when she and her husband became foster parents in 2011.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley will discuss the impact, ramifications and status of Marsy's Law and Initiated Measure 22, controversial ballot issues recently approved by state voters, when he addresses Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary, Monday, Dec. 12. Marsy's Law, which protects crime victims' rights with an amendment to the state constitution, restricts the release of information that could be used to locate and harass them and their families. Initiated Measure 22, promoted as an anti-corruption referendum, regulates lobbyists and public officials, establishes a state ethics commission and creates “a publicly funded campaign finance program.” Both issues won statewide approval in the general election. on Nov. 8.

Co-directors of an after-school music program dedicated to transforming lives of socially and economically challenged children in Sioux Falls spoke about the goals and impact of the non-profit organization at the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls meeting, Monday, December 5. Composer/conductor Dan Goeller and music performer/educator Heidi Goeller founded Harmony South Dakota nearly three years ago.  In support of their mission, Rotary presented a $12,000 grant to Harmony South Dakota to help underwrite the cost of concerts and the purchase of instruments.

Dr. Vance Thompson, an internationally recognized specialist in refractive and cataract surgery, will discuss his career in ophthalmology and related research when he addresses Downtown Rotary, Monday, Nov. 28. Thompson and his team have conducted more than 100,000 eye procedures in the past 25 years and have been involved in about 80 FDA-monitored clinical trials involving the latest advancements in eye surgery techniques and the use of highly-specialized laser technology.

Chris Semrau, who is responsible for booking all touring events at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, spoke at the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, Monday, November 21. He discussed the process for securing events and shared his insights about the volatile entertainment touring industry. As the assistant general manager, Semrau oversees various departments including event services, ticketing, marketing, public relations and premium seating.

Principal Tracy Vik and a few of her 599 students enrolled in the highly-acclaimed Sioux Falls K-5 Spanish immersion school presented at the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, Monday, November 14. They explained a typical day at the Sioux Falls School District’s newest school, Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, named for the first US Supreme Court justice with Hispanic heritage. The presentation explored the nine-year history of the innovative program, plus the benefits and relevancy of bilingual education to equip children to live and thrive in a multicultural society.

Democrat Billie Sutton and Republican Mark Mickelson in the South Dakota state legislature argued for voter support of their respective party tickets in a moderated discussion at the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls meeting Monday, November 7, the day before the general election.

Former USA TODAY media columnist and editor-at-large Rem Rieder, who’s been a prominent watchdog over American journalism for the past 25 years, spoke about the media’s role, responsibility and controversial performance in covering the 2016 presidential election when he addressed the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls on Monday, Oct. 31.  Rieder has devoted much of his distinguished career to scrutinizing the media and advocating for integrity in journalism.

Ed Jacobson of Pierre, District Governor for Rotary District 5610, shared his assessment of and vision for the 43 clubs in the four-state region when he made his official annual visit to the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls on Monday, October 17. His presentation focused on the things that make Rotary unique, how and why Rotary’s 4-Way Test was written and the Rotary Foundation’s 100-year history.

Democrat Paula Hawks and Republican incumbent Kristi Noem, the two major party candidates for South Dakota’s lone seat in the US House of Representatives, faced off in a forum and debate during an extended meeting of the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls on Monday, October 10.

Veteran South Dakota editor Maricarrol Kueter, joined professional journalists Jonathan Ellis of Argus Leader Media, Stephanie Rissler of South Dakota Public Broadcasting and Beth Fuller Jensen of KELOland News, at the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, Monday, October 3 meeting, and examined what’s at stake with 10 ballot issues that will be decided by the state’s voters on November 8. Presentations covered: Explanations of state constitutional amendments, initiated measures and referred laws; origin and background of each; effect and impact; pros and cons.

With only three weeks left until City Council votes on a 2017 budget, the veteran Sioux Falls public works director will addressed the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls Monday, Aug. 29, about his department’s priorities for streets, water, wastewater and other municipal systems and infrastructure. “Public Works is responsible to manage the transportation and utility systems for the 76 square miles of our great city,” said Mark Cotter. “Public Works plays an active role in your daily lives from your regular commute to the cold glass of water that flows from your faucet. More than 52,000 water and wastewater customers depend on us for life’s basic services.” Mayor Mike Huether’s 2017-2021 capital plan would commit $589.2 million over the next five years for the city infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and other improvements. The plan involves projects tied to Public Works and 11other city departments.  Only the first year of the capital plan is incorporated into the 2017 budget, which will be considered September 20^th by the city councilr the next five years for the city’s infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and other improvements. The plan involves projects tied to Public Works and 11 other city departments. Only the first year of the capital plan is incorporated into the 2017 budget, which will be considered Sept. 20 by the City Council. The Aug. 29th Rotary meeting at the Holiday Inn City Centre is open to all Rotarians, their guests and the media. Lunch costs $11; the buffet.r the next five years for the city’s infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and other improvements. The plan involves projects tied to Public Works and 11 other city departments. Only the first year of the capital plan is incorporated into the 2017 budget, which will be considered Sept. 20 by the City Council. r the next five years for the city’s infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and other improvements. The plan involves projects tied to Public Works and 11 other city departments. Only the first year of the capital plan is incorporated into the 2017 budget, which will be considered Sept. 20 by the City Council.

Faced with a ratio of one school nurse for about every 1,000 students, the Sioux Falls School District is partnering with Avera McKennan to develop an eCare initiative in select schools. Molly Satter, health services supervisor for the school district, addressed the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls on Monday, Aug. 22, about the importance of the pilot project... for the state’s largest district, with about 24,000 students and more than 30 schools. The eCare School Nurse program increases school nurse access for students who need medical care during the school day. With clerical support, student health needs can be assessed by a school nurse via computer when the assigned school nurse is not available on site.

Business and civic leaders Dave Rozenboom and Mark Shlanta, co-chairs of Forward Sioux Falls 2021, addressed the Downtown Rotary Club of Sioux Falls, Monday, May 2, on the topic “The MOMENTUM of Forward Sioux Falls.” They reviewed Forward Sioux Falls accomplishments, gave an update on the current $15.5 million campaign and presented an overview of program priorities for the next five years.