As part of the District Governor’s tour of Nebraska to introduce himself, District Governor Glenn Knuth of Kearney Sunrise’s Rotary Club, visited on September 7th. He is quite musical and motivational. He shared a video of our International President talking about a priority for him this year: mental health. Our RI President challenged us to take on the challenge of mental health. Knuth was treated to a lasagna and salad supper and then presented about the District goals he has for Rotary. He ate, he sang, he danced, he laughed, he promoted projects, and he informed.
Knuth was introduced to Rotary by his brother who had joined in Arizona. He joined the Grand Island Sunrise Rotary Club in 1995 and served as president in 1996. He attended RYLA as a counselor, then many years as activities director. He and Erik Karre and Loraine Lawler worked together to reconfigure RYLA into the co-ed program it is today.
In April of 2021 he retired and began his training to be the District Governor. “It was the perfect time to take on the challenge of becoming a future District Governor. I have enjoyed meeting everyone and serving this great organization.” Knuth will be the governor 2023-2024.
Knuth shared a brief program emphasizing all of the great programs Rotary supports including Polio Plus, the Rotary Foundation, grants available, and shared District funds.
“My hope is that we can involve more younger people to join Rotary, and take the Rotary on into the future.”
Knuth shared an 8-minute video by Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally revealing the International theme of “Create Hope in the World.” McInally hopes to focus on mental health issues and make them more acceptable to everyone. To see the video search “rotary international 2023” or type in https://rb.gy/dacty
Knuth is an open book. Knuth shared a bit of his life story beginning with the fact that he graduated from high school in 1973 and worked at Jerry’s Sheetmetal most of his life. When Knuth’s family gets together, they call it “’Big Top’ because it is always a huge circus.”
He enjoys working with his hands, and has served on the Red Cross board after giving 11 gallons of blood. He also served on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters board and meeting many “little brothers” over the years.
Mary Becker was in Gothenburg today. “High School kids were chalk drawing on the sidewalks in the downtown area. The drawing in front of Stories, the coffee shop, was ‘You are going to be okay.’ Can our Club start a conversation about some type of a mental health project during this Rotary year? Could it be this simple?”
Knuth presents “Creating Hope in the World” theme banner to Arnold Rotary President Ron Cool