Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club President Eric Erickson, left, discusses political discourse with David Wiltse, a South Dakota State University political science professor, during a public Q&A session on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
SIOUX FALLS — A 340-member club of business and professional leaders in South Dakota’s largest city hopes its public Q&A events will counteract what club members call a growing breakdown in communication and trust among Americans.
Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club President Eric Erickson told South Dakota Searchlight that the service club’s members are concerned about polarization and violence. He hopes to make peacebuilding and conflict prevention a theme of some of the club’s regularly scheduled public Q&A sessions with local and state leaders.
“We’re not expecting everyone to ultimately agree, but we’re saying that when you do disagree, here’s the civil way to do it,” he said.
The first themed discussion on Monday brought together a political science professor, a civil discourse advocate and educator, and a counselor. Moderated by Erickson, the foundational discussion explored topics ranging from empathy and identity politics to the importance of maintaining civic norms.
Erickson said future events in the series may bring together people who stand on opposite sides of issues.
“It takes courage to stand up and say, ‘This is what I believe in,’ but it also takes an equal amount of courage to say, ‘I understand you believe something differently, and I’m willing to sit here and listen,’” Erickson said.
Monday’s political science professor panelist, David Wiltse with South Dakota State University, warned that declining participation in civic institutions — like churches and political parties — has weakened the “social fabric” that once connected Americans. He called groups like Rotary essential in helping bridge differences and rebuild trust.
Erickson said the club’s role is to lead by example and show that civility and disagreement can coexist.
“We want to create a space where these conversations don’t break down into finger-pointing and shouting,” Erickson said. “It’s about understanding, not winning.”
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