Mentoring Matters: Becoming a Community of Mentors

None of us can help everyone in this city, but each of us can help someone.

On Monday, March 16th, Mayor Paul TenHaken, Rich Merkouris, and Andy Patterson discuss a pilot program placing a dedicated mentor recruiter in elementary schools with the greatest need, along with our broader Sioux 52 initiative that has helped create hundreds of mentors across Sioux Falls. Mayor TenHaken, recently honored nationally with the 2026 Excellence in Mentoring Public Service Award, has partnered with Downtown Rotary for the past six years calling businesses, organizations, and individuals to step into mentoring relationships. The need still exists. Let’s consider how we can be part of the solution.

The buffet lunch will be available beginning at 11:30 am. The menu will be: Corned Beef and Cabbage with Carrots.

The presentation, at the club’s regular weekly meeting, will be held at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls and will begin at noon. All Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club programs are open only to Rotarians and their guests. All programs are subject to the club's Privacy Policy. Local media are invited to attend to record the session.

Rotary International is one of the premier service organizations in the world. The Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls is among the largest 15 clubs in the world. For more information on how to become a mentor or involve your organization in mentoring visit Sioux52.org.