WELCOME TO RUSHMORE ROTARY
 
Rushmore Rotary is a local club composed of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in our community. We were organized in March 1986 and currently have 91 members. (including the Impact Club).  Rushmore Rotary Meetings are held every Tuesday morning at 7am at Elevation Inn & Suites, 950 North Street, Rapid City, SD.  Virtual Zoom meeting logins are available.   
 
Press here to contact our President  or membership chairperson for a zoom invite or to find out how to join.
For information about Rotary International visit  Home | Rotary International
  
Rushmore Rotarians have been volunteering at this year’s Black Hills Stock Show. The club receives a nice donation in exchange so we really appreciate our helpers!
 
 
 
We met today at the Black Hills Stock Show where we heard from the 2024 Miss Stock Show, Kayla Engwicht. She told us about the pageant process which involves a lot of study, horsemanship, interviews and impromptu speeches. The 2025 Miss Stock Show will be crowned this Saturday 2/8.
Thank you to our own Ron Jefferies for hosting us, and thank you to all the Rushmore Rotarians who have volunteered at this year’s stock show. 
We had 3 Paul Harris Fellow recipients receive pins today for their support of the Rotary Foundation.
Congratulations to  Kyle Bargman, Kim Nearhood +2, and Jeff Kingsbury +4. Your support helps Rotary projects continue around the world.

 
Our speaker today was Beth Walz Davis. She is a certified End of Life Doula.  She assists clients and their loved ones by planning and coordinating end-of-life care and grief groups.  Beth shared some personal experiences with death and grief.  She emphasized that while death is part of a natural cycle, our culture is "death phobic", afraid to think about or plan for death; and have what she calls an aversion to grief. We have the capacity to choose when we leave and our bodies know how to leave.  She encourages her clients to plan, to help them have those conversations on how "end of life" should look.  For example, does the person like to be touched, read to, sang to, or they may just want you Present.
She provided some insight on dealing with grief -- honoring grief no matter when it shows up. It is  important to find a way to talk about your loss and to tell stories.  
For more information on Beth go to: 
https://bethwalzdavis.com/end-of-life-doula/
 
 
 
Our speaker today was Doug Bates from Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a non-profit organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need. SHP is a national organization that was brought to Rapid City by Doug and his wife in 2019. So far they have made and given away 675 beds here. They do 2-3 build days through out the year and receive great donations from Forest Products and Lowe’s. The beds are for kids ages 3-17, and those in need can apply at their website www.shpbeds.org. You can also donate here and get more information on volunteering.
 
Today was Rotary Day. 
 
We welcomed the Rapid City Alternative Academy Students of Distinction for the 1st semester of 2024-2025 along with their families. Each was presented with a $50 Walmart gift card from Rushmore Rotary. Congratulations, and keep up the great work!
 
 
 
This morning we heard a terrific presentation from our own Kibbe Brown and Tianna Yellow Hair who shared their experiences on the Rotary Group Study Exchange Cultural Exchange. This was the first Rotary exchange involving indigenous peoples from District 5610 Lakota tribe members and District 9705 Wiradjuri tribe members in Australia. This was a 3 week district wide tour through Australia where they exchanged and compared experiences, enjoyed cultural foods and programs and spoke at the District 9705 Conference, receiving huge accolades. For more information on Rotary’s GSE program visit www.rotary.org.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Our speaker today was Anita Deranleau, the McKinney-Vento homeless coordinator for the Rapid City School District. This federal law protects houseless students and requires a liaison in every school district to eliminate barriers to education. She makes sure these students are identified and provided basic needs like food and transportation to school. Annually we have about 600-700 houseless students who are helped by this program and are able to get an equal education. For more information please go to: http://doe.sd.gov/title/mckinneyvento.aspx.
  
 
On Saturday, January 11, Rushmore Rotary hosted its annual Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) workshop offered to all of the Rotary clubs in the Black Hills. A casual and interactive environment lead to a day of inspiration, creative ideas and fantastic fellowship while learning more about Rotary. The evaluations revealed all loved learning more about the Grants process, how DDF works, and that all would like to see more time given during the workshop to interact with each other. Congratulations RLI Class of 2025!!
 
 
 
Check out these hardy Rushmore Rotarians braving the cold to distribute food for Feeding South Dakota this afternoon. 
 
 

Mission Meal Serving: Our Rushmore Rotary crew was joined today by Staci and Jon from Ellsworth Air Force Base, colleagues of Jennifer Rollins. We had great fun getting to know them a bit. Thanks for joining us! Servers today, from the left—Steve Bareis, Kerry Lassaux, Jon and Staci from EAFB, Jennifer Rollins and Kim Nearhood. We serve the first Tuesday of each month from 12-1 pm at the Cornerstone Rescue Mission. If you have any questions please contact Kim Nearhood.

Every day, Rotary members respond to challenges big and small, emerging and ongoing. And when members like you participate through service or with a donation to our Foundation, we make an even bigger impact.
 
Please donate online or send your contribution by mail to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund-SHARE or one of our Annual Fund's areas of focus. Your gift will support projects like these and make Doing Good in the World possible.
 
 

What we say and how we behave matter. Although free expression is important, we must take responsibility for how our words and actions may affect others. The RI Board has approved a new DEI Code of Conduct to help Rotary members create and maintain an environment that is collaborative, positive, and healthy for everyone. Simply put, the DEI Code of Conduct asks you to:

  • Use respectful language
  • Be supportive
  • Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment
  • Celebrate diversity

Rotary Club of Rapid City Rushmore

PO Box 8125, Rapid CIty SD  57709

Rapid City Rushmore
We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
Elevation Inn & Suites
950 North St.
Rapid City, SD 57701
United States of America

Speakers

Hon. Robert Gusinsky Presiding Judge 7th Judicial
Feb 18, 2025
State of the Circuit
Jeff McGough SDSM&T
Feb 25, 2025
SDSM&T AI program
Whitney Rencountre, CEO
Mar 04, 2025
Crazy Horse Memorial
TBD
Mar 11, 2025
ROTARY DAY
Michelle Thompson President CEO
Mar 18, 2025
Black Hills Badlands Tourism Association
Tentative. Patrick Dahm. Airport Director
Mar 25, 2025
Upcoming changes
TBD
Apr 08, 2025
ROTARY DAY
Amanda Mowry
Apr 22, 2025
Habitat for Humanity programs - Neighborhood Beautification
TBD
May 13, 2025
ROTARY DAY
TBD
Jun 10, 2025
ROTARY DAY

Upcoming Events

 

Club Executives & Directors

President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Public Image
Board Member
International Projects
Foundation Chair
Membership
Past President