Embarking on the official travel circuit across District 5580 offers an inspiring look at grassroots Rotary leadership, starting right in the rugged heart of western North Dakota. From Williston to Watford City and Bowman, local clubs are delivering high-impact community programs that embody Service Above Self. Whether funding youth leadership initiatives like RYLA, supporting food pantries, or spearheading park upgrades and local literacy efforts, these western North Dakota clubs showcase the vitality of rural Rotary fellowship. Meeting with members on their home turf highlights how dedicated local volunteers drive transformative service projects tailored to their towns' unique needs.
Submitted by: Jodi Phillips, District Awards Chair
On behalf of District Governor Peter Nelson and District Awards Chair Jodi Phillips, we are pleased to announce the refresh and relaunch of the District 5580 Rotary Excellence Awards.
Every day across District 5580, Rotarians quietly make a difference. You support families, mentor young people, strengthen communities, build partnerships, protect the environment, and live Rotary's motto of Service Above Self.
September EcoChallenge: Celebrate Rotary’s Environmental Stewardship at the District Conference!
Three cheers and thank you to all the environmental stewards in District 5580! We look forward to engaging Rotarians in a wide variety of ways at this year’s conference, starting with a hands-on new native plant garden project and tour of the fabulous Rotary Riverside Park on Friday afternoon. Join us for a sampling of club projects that have amplified their impact through partnerships at the Environment Committee breakout session on Saturday afternoon. Stop by our House of Friendship table anytime for inspiration, resources and conversation. Lastly, help us honor fellow Rotarians during a special presentation of the inaugural Environmental Champion Award. See you there!
If your club has been discussing a grant project, now is the time to move from ideas to action. District Grant applications are due September 30, and we'd love to see your club among this quarter's applicants.
Don't wait for the "perfect" project. Great Rotary projects start with a community need and dedicated volunteers—not perfection.
Need funding for: • Community improvements? • Youth programs? • Education initiatives? • Local nonprofits? • International humanitarian work?
A District Grant may be exactly what you're looking for.
Remember, the Grant Committee is here to help. If you have questions about eligibility, budgeting, or the application process, reach out before the deadline. We'd much rather answer questions today than have you miss an opportunity tomorrow.
Rotary District 5580 is now accepting applications for students interested in spending the 2027–28 school year abroad through Rotary Youth Exchange!
Rotary Youth Exchange gives high school students the opportunity to spend an academic year living with host families, attending school, learning a new language and culture, and building friendships with people from around the world.
School is in session and the annual District 5580 4-Way Test Essay Contest is now underway! Clubs are encouraged to begin contacting their schools and distributing materials as soon as possible.
Complete entries are due through the District 5580 Essay Contest portal by November 30, 2026. Each entry must include the student's essay and the completed Student Information Form. Late entries, paper copies and incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
On 10/24/26, World Polio Day at 10 a.m. CST, Rotary members across Region 36 – Zones 25 & 29 are coming together for something BIG — a bold, unified step toward a polio-free world.
We are calling on 36,620 Rotarians and 964 Rotaractors across 11 states and 2 countries to take part in the World’s Largest Polio Walk — a powerful, visible demonstration of our commitment to ending polio forever.
This is more than a walk. It’s a movement.
Every step taken helps raise awareness and support our collective goal of raising $1 million to end polio. Together, we are “This Close” to eradication—and this is our moment to push across the finish line.
Submitted by: Christi M. Stonecipher, Bismarck Rotary Club
The Rotary Youth Exchange program is alive and well at the Bismarck Rotary Club and members were lucky to have three participating students at their August 19 meeting:
Emma, who had just arrived from Germany to start her year as an Inbound,
Marit, who recently returned from her year in Germany and presented to the club about her experiences there, and
Laura, who was departing in two days for South Korea to start her year as an Outbound.
Congratulations to these young women who are willing to step out of their comfort zone, learn about a different culture, and broaden their horizons!
WE CAN ONLY SHARE YOUR CLUB'S NEWS, IF WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR CLUB'S NEWS!
The number one thing most clubs want to know is what is happening around the District, but we can't help spread the word if we don't know what your club is up to.
Please submit a summary of your club events, news and projects to Renae Ronquist and Gloria Mink by the 10th of each month. We can include information in our Monday Minutes and in our newsletter.
Time flies when you're serving!
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