http://www.brookingsrotary.org/

Brookings Rotary, Brookings, SD (2026)

06/01/2026

🦆Brookings Rotary’s Inaugural Pluck-A-Duck Drawing is almost here! 🦆

Join us on Thursday, June 18th at 5:30 pm at the Hillcrest Aquatic Center for a fun night supporting our community!
For just $10, you’ll help advance Rotary’s mission and get a chance to win the $1,000 Grand Prize!
Get your Lucky Duck ticket from:
• Any Rotary member
• Or buy instantly online here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2026-brookings-pluck-a-duck (For every $10 donated = 1 Lucky Duck number)

Your support makes a real difference. Thank you in advance for helping us make an impact!

05/20/2026

📣 ! ☕ Join Brookings Rotarians TODAY at 7:30am at KoolBeans coffee downtown for community & conversation! This month's donations will benefit The Harvest Table!

05/14/2026

This month's is May 20 at downtown KoolBeans, 7:30am. Join Rotarians on Wednesday for an early morning dose of caffeine and conversation! This month's donations will go to The Harvest Table. ☕

05/07/2026

REMINDER May's is tomorrow 5/7 at Cubbys after 5pm! Proceeds to benefit The Harvest Table. See you there! 🍻

05/06/2026

Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson addressed the Brookings Rotary Club on April 28, 2026, focusing on the challenges of prosecuting domestic violence cases and the importance of supporting victims. His presentation coincided with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which is observed each April to bring attention to victims’ rights and advocacy.

Nelson explained that domestic violence is one of the most difficult crimes to prosecute due to intimidation and coercion of victims. Drawing on a United States Supreme Court statement, he noted that such cases are “notoriously susceptible to intimidation or coercion of the victim to ensure she does not testify.” Nationally, about 80 percent of victims recant or decline to cooperate, a trend that he said is evident in Brookings County and across the country.

He described a typical sequence of events following a domestic assault. Law enforcement responds to a 911 call, collects statements, and documents injuries. Defendants, especially first-time offenders, are often released quickly, which allows many to violate no-contact orders through calls or social media. Such violations are difficult to monitor and frequently lead to manipulation of victims who then refuse to testify, forcing prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges.

Nelson discussed the cycle of power and control commonly used by abusers. Financial dependence, threats regarding children, and emotional manipulation leave victims trapped and afraid to lose their home, stability, or family relationships. Many victims internalize guilt, minimize assaults, or fear the stigma of being labeled a victim. The prospect of testifying publicly and reliving trauma further discourages cooperation.

To counter these barriers, Nelson emphasized empowerment as the cornerstone of effective victim support. Citing the idea that a survivor can become “stronger than she could have ever imagined,” he described his office’s approach centered on personal engagement and compassion. Early in-person meetings with victims are prioritized and include the county’s full-time victim advocate. Conversations confront self-blame directly and allow victims to review evidence such as photographs or body-camera recordings. The office then coordinates with local nonprofits to provide food, shelter, transportation, and counseling. Through connections with Brookings Behavioral Health and family networks, they strive to create emotional and financial stability for victims preparing to testify.

He shared a case example of a woman who had endured repeated abuse but ultimately agreed to testify after years of outreach and support, leading to a twenty-year prison sentence for her abuser. Nelson also described the constitutional limits prosecutors face, noting that a defendant has the right to confront their accuser in court. Recording or secondhand testimony is rarely admissible, which makes direct witness participation indispensable to achieving justice.

Nelson praised the Brookings community’s resources, including its domestic abuse shelter, which provides housing, food, and support services. When asked what resources would most strengthen victim services, he described an ideal model similar to the family justice center in San Diego, which offers comprehensive, wraparound assistance combining safe housing, education, job training, and therapy for victims and their children.

Thanks for sharing your message with us! ☸

05/05/2026

Thanks to these Rotarians and their young helpers for spending a portion of Earth Day removing trash from the Edgebrook golf course shelter belt! Together many hands make light work. ☸

05/01/2026

May's will be 5/7 at Cubbys after 5pm! Proceeds to benefit The Harvest Table. Join us Thursday! 🍻

04/28/2026

The Brookings Rotary Club heard from John and Vicki Folkerts about their February journey to Antarctica at the April 21 meeting. Their presentation, entitled “Journey to Antarctica,” chronicled a recent expedition to the frozen continent and offered insights into scientific research, wildlife, and international cooperation in one of the most remote locations on Earth.

The Folkerts described Antarctica as a land of extremes, where the ice averages 7,300 feet thick, reaching depths of more than 14,000 feet. If the ice were to melt entirely, global sea levels would rise by about 200 feet. Temperatures can swing from 20 degrees to 20 degrees below zero in minutes, and the continent has recorded the coldest temperature on Earth at minus 128 degrees Fahrenheit.

They explained that the Antarctic Treaty, first signed in 1959 by twelve nations and now supported by fifty-nine, prohibits military activity and commercial exploitation while encouraging open scientific exchange. Research stations are the only structures permitted, many built on stilts or skis to prevent burial beneath blowing snow. Studies focus on meteorites, ice cores, and glaciology, but any minerals discovered are used only for research and not for mining.

John and Vicki shared observations of abundant wildlife, including seven whale species, seals, and multiple penguin varieties. They noted that polar bears live only in the Arctic, while Antarctica’s largest land animal is the two-millimeter-long springtail insect. Photographs captured what John described as “a world of glass and light,” with colossal glaciers and icebergs, some as large as states, reflecting vivid blue colors in crystal-clear water.

The presentation also highlighted the history of Antarctic exploration, recounting Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Endurance expedition of 1914–1916. The audience was intrigued to learn that Shackleton’s original recruitment notice openly warned of “hazardous journey, bitter cold, and safe return doubtful,” yet thousands volunteered.

Their route began in Buenos Aires and continued along both coasts of Patagonia, then through the Falkland Islands before reaching the Antarctic Peninsula. The couple described navigating variable conditions that forced them through several “Plan A to D” route changes due to moving ice. The return trip across the Drake Passage—often notorious for rough seas—was calm, earning the nickname “the Drake Lake.”

One unique moment of the voyage was mailing a postcard from Port Lockroy, the southernmost post office in the world. The postcard cost one dollar, the stamp eight dollars, and it took two months to arrive back in the United States.

John credited the ship’s captain and crew for expert seamanship in navigating 20-foot seas and ice-choked waters, emphasizing safety and wonder throughout the journey. Looking ahead, the Folkerts plan future travels, including a Norway–Iceland–Greenland expedition and, in 2028, a 22-day trip deep into the Amazon River basin.

During the question period, Rotarians asked about the protection of Antarctica’s minerals and the sharing of scientific discoveries. The presenters explained that under the Antarctic Treaty, all research data is shared openly among member nations, preserving the continent for science and peace.

Thanks for sharing about your voyage with us! ☸

04/21/2026

The Brookings Rotary Club welcomed Brookings County Register of Deeds Bev Chapman to the April 14 meeting, who shared insights about the operations of her office and explained the relatively new Transfer on Death Deed option available to South Dakota property owners.

Chapman has served in the Register of Deeds Office for 28 years, including 20 years as the elected Register of Deeds. She began by describing the wide range of records maintained by her office, including land records dating back to 1872, as well as birth, marriage, and death records from 1905 to the present. Certified copies of these vital records are available for $15 with proper identification, and marriage licenses can be issued at any Register of Deeds office in the state.

The office also records military discharges (DD-214s) for veterans at no charge, ensuring that certified copies are available for benefits or family use.
Turning to real estate, Chapman explained that her office records deeds, mortgages, easements, satisfactions, and plats. Every document must include a “Prepared by” statement, a legal description, and either a transfer fee or an exemption code. A Certificate of Value accompanies each deed to ensure that the Equalization Office updates tax records.

Chapman noted that Brookings County still maintains traditional index books, continuing a process that dates back to the 1800s.

She then discussed the Transfer on Death Deed, legislation enacted in 2014 that allows property owners to name beneficiaries who will receive property upon the owner’s death without going through probate. The deed is revocable, and the grantor may change or cancel it at any time. Beneficiaries must survive the grantor by 120 hours, and the deed must be notarized and recorded.

If the grantor later sells or changes the property, a Revocation of Transfer on Death Deed can be recorded to cancel the previous document. After the grantor’s death, beneficiaries must file an Affidavit of Confirmation and Survivorship along with a certified death certificate to complete the transfer.

Thanks for sharing your expertise with us! ☸

Chapman emphasized that while her office can explain available options, individuals should consult an attorney for legal advice, as each situation is unique.

The Register of Deeds Office is located in the City-County Building on 3rd Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office charges $30 per document for recording and remains one of the busiest in the county, with recent weekly deposits exceeding $17,000. Chapman announced that she plans to retire at the end of her current term.

04/14/2026

Brookings Rotary Club heard from District 07 Senator Tim Reed at the April 7 meeting. Reed, who has served ten years in the legislature and currently chairs the Local Government Committee, reflected on the volume of bills, the political climate, and the importance of maintaining focus on practical governance despite election-year pressures.

Senator Reed explained that the session began with the governor proposing no raises for state employees, teachers, or Medicaid reimbursements. Ultimately, a 1.4 percent increase was approved, tied to the Consumer Price Index. He noted that while the increase was modest, it was preferable to no adjustment at all. The legislature also approved several one-time investments, including five million dollars for county roads and bridges, five million dollars for fire departments to replace PFAS-contaminated bunker gear, and five hundred thousand dollars for the Jobs for America’s Graduates program. Additional funding of more than five million dollars was allocated to victim services such as domestic abuse shelters and children’s homes to offset federal funding cuts.

Addressing property tax relief, Reed discussed two major bills that shift part of the tax burden toward sales tax. Senate Bill 96 allows counties to add up to a half-percent sales tax to reduce owner-occupied property taxes, while Senate Bill 245 redirects a 0.3 percent sales tax holiday toward statewide property tax relief. He also noted that House Bill 1245 enables cities to save sales tax revenue for specific projects instead of bonding, provided that 60 percent of voters approve.

Reed devoted part of his remarks to the growing challenges facing emergency medical services, particularly in rural areas. He explained that volunteer shortages are not due to a lack of civic spirit but to the increasing demands on people’s time and finances. Some rural areas now face response times exceeding thirty minutes each way. The legislature clarified laws to allow nurses to assist in ambulances and removed redundant driver training requirements for certified emergency personnel. A new task force will study how to classify EMS as an essential service and identify sustainable funding sources.

On economic development, Reed emphasized the need to grow South Dakota’s economy to expand the tax base. He noted that the legislature tightened rules for tax increment financing and codified clearer guidelines for the governor’s use of the Future Fund to ensure transparency. Reed also introduced a bill to extend the “cooling-off period” for state employees moving to private companies that benefited from state contracts, but the bill was tabled after political amendments removed key provisions.

Reed concluded by stressing that South Dakota must focus on economic growth to sustain revenue and fund essential services. He thanked the Rotary Club for the opportunity to speak and announced his intention to seek re-election, marking twenty-five years of public service.

Thank you, Senator Reed, for your service to District 07 and the greater Brookings community!

Brookings Rotary

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