|
HISTORY OF DISTRICT 5960
1982-2006
The District was formed in 1982-83 by dividing
District 595 into District 595 and District 596. With the computer
age the 0 was added in 1991 and the District became 5960.
The boundaries of District 596 were established by
Rotary International in 1982-83 and stretched from Northwestern
Wisconsin along the western edge of Wisconsin and encompassing much
of southeastern Minnesota. This area includes some of the richest
farmland in Minnesota and Wisconsin. A minor adjustment was made in
1993-94 with the northeastern corner expanding to include Rice Lake
and Hayward, Wisconsin.
Among the clubs of the District is the Rotary Club of
St. Paul, Club #10 in the Rotary World. St. Paul is the capital of
Minnesota.
The District started with 38 clubs. Ed Frederick
served as the first District Governor.
The District Governors include: 1982-83, Edward C.
Frederick, Waseca; 1983-84, James R. Olin, St. Paul; 1984-85, O.
Walter Johnson, Stillwater; 1985-86, Harley J. Otto, Roseville;
1986-87, Robert L. Johnson, St. Paul; 1987-88, W.G. “Gus” Doty,
Fridley/Columbia Heights; 1988-89, Robert R. Miller, Belle Plaine;
1989-90, Eugene F. Driessen, Waseca; 1990-91, Robert L. Haynes,
Woodbury; 1991-92, Eugene L. Dickinson, Stillwater; 1992-93, Jerry
Showalter, Roseville; 1993-94, Gerald A. Meigs, St. Paul (R.I.
Director 2001-03); 1994-95, John A. Votca, Mankato; 1995-96, Jon C.
Stillman, Stillwater Sunrise; 1996-97, Thomas E. Yuzer, Roseville;
1997-98, James R. Bradshaw, Stillwater; 1998-99, William E. Salesses,
St. Paul; 1999-2000, Steve J. Wilcox, Hudson Daybreak; 2000-01,
Allen R. DeBoer, Rochester; 2001-02, Douglas W. Johnson, Mankato;
2002-03, William E. Rust, White Bear Lake; 2003-04, Cathy Smith,
Fridley/Columbia Heights; 2004-05, Kenneth W. Crabb, St. Paul
(Centennial District Governor); 2005-06, Lee Finholm, Red Wing.
District 5960 has been a very active District in the
Rotary world. The District and its Rotarians have contributed much
to the Rotary Foundation and for eradication of polio. A high
percentage of the Rotarians are Paul Harris Fellows. The District
has had one or two group study exchanges in-bound and out-bound each
year. It has also participated in the Ambassador Scholarship
Program. The District has also been very active in Matching Grant
Programs and has had three Peace Scholars chosen from its
nominations.
The District has been very progressive with the use
of computer technology starting in the mid 1990’s and the use of
Assistant Governors for working with the clubs of the District.
Since forming District 5960 by splitting District
595, the two Districts have continued to work together for the good
of Rotary. They jointly conduct a very successful youth exchange
program annually, hosting about 60 in-bound students and about 40
out-bound students. The Districts have held several joint District
conferences and recently their first joint PETS. (Presidents-Elect
Training Session)
During the Centennial Rotary Year (2004-05), the
clubs of the District have been very involved under the direction of
D. G. Ken Crabb. All clubs completed service projects in their
community, developed club histories and posted them on the District
website and held a Centennial celebration in their community.
In 2005-06, the District has 66 clubs, one active and
one provisional Rotaract club and five Interact clubs. Currently,
Lee Finholm serves as District Governor.
Ed Frederick
District Historian, 2003-06
PDG, 1982-83
|
Subscribe
to RGHF's weekly email features free: