Tappe completes busy year as Rotatry District Commander

Monday, April 28, 2014
Duane Tappe has served as District Governor for District 5630 of Rotary International for the past year. Other local Rotarians who have served as District Governor include Cloyd Clark (2006-07), Cliff Lord (1988-89), Emmett Jones (1987-88), Elmer Kuntz (1979-80), Ben Hormel (1965-66), and Frank Morrison (1949-50). (Courtesy Photo)

McCOOK, Neb. -- The past year has been a whirlwind of activity for Duane Tappe. That is because he has spent the last year serving as District Governor for District 5630 of Rotary International.

Rotary International is a service organization with clubs across the globe and more than 1.2 million members who gather weekly with their local organizations. District 5630 encompasses 35 clubs, from Grand Island and most of western Nebraska. As part of Duane's duties, he has visited each of those clubs during the past year.

Duane said he was surprised by the differences in each of the clubs in the district. "They each have their own flavor, their own way of doing things." The volume of projects that some of the clubs accomplish impressed him.

Humanities Nebraska Speaker Darrel Draper will appear at the Rotary District 5630 convention on Friday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Republican River Valley Event Center. The public is invited to this free presentation. (Courtesy Photo)

The theme for Rotary International during Duane's tenure was "Engage Rotary -- Change Lives". As he traveled the district, Duane was fond of telling club members, "All I want is your time, your money, and your blood." As District Governor, he encouraged clubs to take on community service projects and get involved in humanitarian services in their local communities; he encouraged them to either donate blood or time to their local blood bank; and he encouraged them to give to the Rotary Foundation.

His year as District Governor is wrapping up this weekend with a District Conference held here in McCook. Rotarians from throughout the district will come together at the Republican Valley Event Center for a full agenda of seminars, fellowship, and fun.

The public is invited to hear Nebraska Humanities Speaker Darrel Draper at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night, May 2nd. Draper will present a program, "History of Nebraska As Told by Peter Sarpy," at the Republican River Valley Event Center. There is no charge for the presentation.

Draper, a fifth generation Nebraskan, uses his talents as storyteller and actor to educate and entertain, specializing in costumed portrayals of historical figures that played major roles in the events that shaped our state and nation. In his program, Draper will be dressed in period costume as Peter Sarpy, using humor, interactive audience participation and factual historical anecdotes to captivate youth and adult audiences alike.

Following Draper's program, local Rotarians will present a skit, "History of Rotary," a funny and musical story led by Walt Sehnert.

The public is also invited to listen and dance to some old time rock and roll starting at 8:00 p.m. at RRVEC with the music of Silver Creek Band. A $5 per person cover charge will be collected for the dance.

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