We had a grand celebration of Rotary generosity at our annual Foundation Night on February 22. As Club Foundation Chair for the Rotary International Foundation, I had the honor of serving as the Master of Ceremonies for this special evening (image to left). Our five Rotary Giving Circles each recognized a new Paul Harris Fellow. Each circle member gives $200 a year resulting in a total annual donation of $1000 for each circle. In rotation, one circle member each year recognizes an individual of their choice as a Paul Harris Fellow. The individual selected receives a certificate, medallion, and pin, and we donate $1000 to Rotary International in their name.
Circle 1 (President’s Circle) includes Marty Michelson, Norm Megginson, Roger Randolph, Harry Mitchell, and Jim Theis. Marty Michelson recognized Club member Travis Magoulias (image to right) as a Paul Harris Fellow for his extraordinary contributions as the Chair of the Membership Committee and a member of the Flag Committee as well as for his great attitude and positive energy. 
Circle 2 (Friendship Circle) includes Sheila Mack, Vicki Megginson, Bonnie Styles, Bill Smith, and Joe Ludtke. Sheila Mack recognized Loretta Meeks (image to left) as the Circle’s Paul Harris Fellow for being a special person who is an amazing asset to our Club and for generously volunteering for community service projects and for her outstanding service as Club Secretary and a member of the Peace Builders Committee. 
Circle 3 (Fellowship Circle) includes Bill Kempiners, David Kromphardt, Chuck Hunt, Neal Miller, and Bill Sturm. Bill Kempiners recognized Club member Stacy Kelly (image to right) for exemplifying the principles of Rotary for her work for the Flag Service Committee (including developing flag routes), as a Youth Exchange Counselor and a member of the Bellatti Kincaid Youth Exchange Fund Implementation Committee, and for her work as Club Service Director.
Circle 4 (Director’s Circle) includes Bruce Strom, Bob Stuart, Rod Buffington, Barry Tobias, and Ross Hodel. Bruce Strom recognized Nate Clemmer (image to left) as a Paul Harris Fellow for his service to his country as an Air Force Officer before he joined Rotary and for his outstanding contributions to the Flag Program and as Sergeant at Arms.
Circle 5 (Chancellor's Circle) includes Naomi Lynn, John Loftus, Dan Milligan, Kathryn Harris, and a needed new member. Naomi Lynn recognized community member Michael Burlingame (image to right) as a Paul Harris Fellow for his outstanding accomplishments as the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Chair of Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, service to numerous community Boards and as President of the Abraham Lincoln Association, for his renowned books and edited works, for attracting outstanding Lincoln scholars and students to our community, and much more.
Rod presented Paul Harris Pins for extending giving to Marty Michelson (+2), Bruce Strom (+5), Sheila Mack (+2), Bill Kempiners (+2), Naomi Lynn (+3), Roger Randolph (+2), and Tony Williams (+6). Tony Williams received a special ruby-studded pin for his generous donations (image to left).I am retiring from the position of Club Foundation Chair for The Rotary International Foundation after 15 years of service. A total of 129 Paul Harris Fellows were honored over this 15 year time period, with our club providing over $300,000 to The Rotary International Foundation over this same 15 year time period. The club is nearing one million dollars in contributions to the Rotary International Foundation since the Foundation's beginning. Our club was honored as a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club by The Rotary international Foundation during our Centennial year 2012 - 2013. Harry Mitchell will be installed as the next Club Foundation Chair for The Rotary International Foundation on July 1, 2021.