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DG Scott and Adriane Shore would like to thank all who attended, all who presented and all who helped make this year's District Conference a gumbo of fun, learning, inspiration and ... MORE fun!
Those who braved the chill and the damp on Friday to golf proved toughest of all. Friday evening's Dixieland Jazz was a blast, followed by our Foundation Dinner and Foundation Project presentations. together filling and inspiring!
Saturday's Literacy Breakfast and Program provided us an opportunity to learn about Sammy Skunk -- and wildflowers too! Congratulations to all who received awards throughout the day.
Our Saturday Youth Leadership events included their own breakout session in the morning, discussing leadership styles and goals, and we all came together for the Youth Exchange Flag Parade and Lunch, followed by youth presenters who proved to us all that the future is in good and caring hands.
Saturday evening's Presidents' Dinner was a fine time to recognize club leaders and to thank those whose terms in district office, chairmanship or AG service are coming to an end -- opening gift boxes of opportunities to serve in new capacities! That night's Zydeco was fun for all concerned, too -- proving that your District Governor CANNOT dance but many others can!
Sunday's memorial service for past Rotarians was an inspiration that we will carry with us with the memories of friends and family members remembered, and our closing session gave vision and purpose to our commitment to meet the challenges ahead, to invite and engage young professionals into Rotary, and to ensure Rotary's bright future!
Special thanks to Rotary International President John Germ's Personal Representative, Larry and Lois Dimmitt; Rotary International Vice President Jennifer Jones and husband Nick Krayacich; Conference Registrar and Treasurer Brandy Sandberg; Convener and Emcee Randy Borio; the Putnam County Rotary Club and Conference Committee; and all donors and sponsors whose contributions made it all possible. Once the dollar-dust settles, we will share the sums we are able to donate to the Rotary Foundation and to Rotary post-flood relief efforts in Louisiana, too!
And thanks to all who bid, purchased and donated to add to that fund.
The COL determines changes to be made in bylaws and procedures governing the entire Rotary world.
The results:
PDG Robert Hammon (Sycamore), re-elected as representative;
PDG Elise Cadigan (Rockford), elected as first alternate;
PDG Shannon Scheffel (Loves Park), elected as second alternate.
Thanks to all. Congrats to Bob, Elise and Shannon!
Clubs may propose that new rules or amendments be adopted by the Council on Legislation. Rotary must receive proposed resolutions by June 30 and proposed enactments by Dec. 31. For more information on submitting enactments and resolutions, please read How to Propose Enactments and How to Propose Resolutions.
Rotarians who do outstanding work across our district, whether they be new or long-serving, were honored at the 2017 District Conference April 28-30 at Starved Rock Lodge in Utica.
General Excellence Awards:
Club Officer of the Year:
David McCully of Toluca
Honorable mention:
Brian Adams
Bob Swanson
Rotarian of the Year:
Mary Beach of Walnut
Outstanding Club Project (tie):
Rock Falls, End Polio Now Walk
Sycamore, Rotarians at Work
Public Image Awards:
Best Website:
Sycamore
Honorable mention:
Rock Island
Public Image in the Media:
Rock Falls
Honorable mention:
Henry
Moline
Best Newsletter:
Rock Island
Best Use of Social Media:
Sycamore
Literacy Awards:
Club Achievement Recognition:
Loves Park
Moline
Quad Cities - Illinois
River Cities
Rock Falls
Rock Island
Sustained Excellence Recognition:
Loves Park
Putnam County
Quad Cities - Illinois
River Cities
Rock Falls
Rock Island
Majiyagbe Innovative Project Award:
River Cities
Governor's Awards and Appreciation Gifts:
Governor's Citation Awards: Savanna and Toluca Rotary Clubs, for work toward accomplishing Presidential Citation goals (other clubs are still also eligible if they confirm they're working toward earning citation by June 30)
Appreciation Gifts, Officers and Chairs: For finishing their terms -- Anita Papich, Treasurer; Jennie Broecker, Public Image Chair; Linda Gerber, District Trainer; Shannon Scheffel, District Vice Governor; and Assistant Governors David Bills, Cathy Edwards, Jim MacMurdo and Peg Wilkerson.
Appreciation Gifts, Conference Participation: Jennifer Jones and Nick Krayacich; Larry and Lois Dimmitt; and Walking Stick Artisan Doug Gift.
Appreciation Gifts, Personal Aides: Elise Cadigan and Shannon Scheffel for assisting Rotary International President's Representative Larry and Lois Dimmitt, and Rotary International Vice President Jennifer Jones and her husband Nick Rrayachich, respectively.
Appreciation Gift, Events Assistance: Also presented by Host Club President Randy Borio, to fellow member Brandy Sandberg, for sevice above self as Registrar and Treasurer of DG Scott Shore's Installation Brunch last June and April's District Conference "with appreciation of the Putnam County Rotary Club."
There is STILL TIME for your Club to earn this year's PRESIDENTIAL CITATION! We have until June 30 to complete President John's easy-to-find goals.
Has your club made an effort to tell the community who you are and what you do? To invite and engage new members? To support our global work in polio eradication, literacy, clean water, vocational independence, peace and conflict resolution? Women's and children's health? Have any of your club members joined a Rotary Action Group or participated in an online conversation about Rotary projects? WELL .... Great if you have; still time if you haven't!
NOTE 1: Even though you may report that you have two members signed up for a Discussion Group, those two members have to participate in a discussion -- start your own thread in the group, or comment on an existing one.
NOTE 2: There are certain items that have an asterisk (*) next to them on the dashboard. These entries are self-reported through Rotary Club Central, under the Service tab -- and that’s also called out in italics on the citation pamphlet itself.
Remember -- CLOSE COUNTS to receive this year's GOVERNOR'S CITATION! If you have made every possible attempt to reach President John's goals but due to club size or tech issues or whatever, you can't get all the way there, let DG Scott know you're "THAT CLOSE!"
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Prerequisites:
Set at least 10 goals in Rotary Club Central
Pay Club dues on time!
Membership – Do two:
Achieve a net gain of 1-2 members (one if under 50 members, two if over 50 members).
Improve retention by 1%+
Induct 1-2 Members under age 40 (one if under 50 members, two if over 50 members).
(New members must create profiles on My Rotary)
Foundation – Do three:
Club Average $26.50 per capita
Club Average of $100 per capita to Annual Fund
Give $536 (current equivalent of $26.50)
Give $2,650+ to eradicate Polio
Add one Benefactor ($1000+) or Bequest Society Donor ($10,000+) by will or whole life policy
Rotary Serving Humanity! Do three:
Begin and certify a “Rotary Community Corps” of interested volunteers to assist in Club projects
Have a member Join a RAG – Rotary Action Group (www.rotary.org/actiongroups).
Participate in a Global or District Grant
Have a member attend a Grant Management Seminar (9/10/16-Moline, 11/12/16-Rockford, or 2/18/17-Malta!)
Do a project with an RI Partner (such as Shelter Box or others listed at www.rotary.org/ partners)
Do project with a local partner (such as a school, business or community agency)
Do a 5-Club project (such as participating with other Clubs in a Global Grant!)
New Generations …. Do three:
Sponsor or co-sponsor a Rotaract or Interact Club;
Have a Rotarian mentor a Rotaractor or an Interactor
Involve Interactors or Rotaractors in Club project or events
Sponsor or host a Long Term or Short Term Youth Exchange Student
Sponsor a RYLA participant – May 5-7, 2017 !
Public Image … Pick one!
Host a Community event supporting or informing others about our Foundation & its Centennial!
Get local media to cover an outstanding club project.
Get local media to cover at least one club event, project, or fundraiser.
Rotary Technology – Do two:
50% of members complete their My Rotary profile incl. skills & interests & “unlock” profile to be visible!
Post at least one initiative in Rotary Showcase.
Post or contribute to a project idea in Rotary Ideas
Have at least two members participate in Discussion Groups @ My Rotary.
During the January 2017 RI Board of Directors meeting, largely in response to a Club’s request to alter the Rotary logo by depiction of weapons for an upcoming event, the board voted and passed a clarification of Rotary’s past policies with respect to fundraisers, gun shows and firearm sporting activities. The revisions included these policy points:
1. Rotary clubs, districts, entities and events may not engage in transferring ownership of weapons or participate in activities where weapons are sold, exhibited, given away or raffled, and may not sponsor events or organizations or be sponsored by organizations whose primary business is the sale or manufacture of guns or weapons.
2. Rotary logos may not be used in conjunction with those organizations whose primary business is the sale or manufacture of guns or weapons, or in any visual that includes guns, weapons or other armaments.
The policies apply to all Clubs in all nations within the Rotary world, not just to Clubs within the United States, and may be met with support or opposition based upon diverse cultures, laws and traditions, which will vary nationally and even regionally within nations.
Those in favor see these policies as beneficial to protect the Rotary Brand, to maintain Rotary’s neutrality in weapons-related issues, and to protect Rotary Clubs from extraordinary liability associated with the sale and use of weapons.
Those opposed believe that these policies politicize Rotary contrary to its founding principles, and unnecessarily alienate those who strongly believe in gun rights or whose business or avocation would be at odds with these policies. It is also recognized that there are a number of Clubs who traditionally rely upon fundraisers involving gun auctions, gun shows, gun safety instruction and sporting events involving weapons.
Some have suggested a compromise, whereby Clubs may engage in gun raffles, gun shows and the like provided that: (1) a licensed weapons dealer handles all transactions; (2) the Rotary logo is not utilized on a weapon and is not covered or altered by depiction of a gun or weapon; and (3) Clubs heed liability issues by consulting with counsel and insurance professionals to assure they are adequately protected against foreseeable risks.
As a District we have taken no position on this issue.
If Rotary members individually or as a Club,b choose to take a stance on this issue, it is suggested that you do so by emailing individually, or petitioning as a Club (bearing Club President’s signature), to: Rotary International c/o Laurie S. McCarthy, Director of Member Support, Laurie.McCarthy@rotary.org.
It is further suggested that any petition or call for a change in the adopted policies include the specific changes being proposed, and that any such email be received by mid-May 2017 so that all can be presented to the RI Board of Directors by its June meeting.
Please contact DG Scott if you have any questions or further concerns.
Youth service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, involvement in community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.
What is YOUR club up to? Share your story -- and reach out for more ways in which we can "INTERACT" with next-generation leaders!
DEKALB -- The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club has announced it will offer a $10,000 grant to help children, youth and/or families in DeKalb County. Club members recently decided to devote their fundraising efforts toward a focus area where the need is great.
Club president John Jencks said, "Our club has made a respectable impact in many ways throughout our community over the past 25 years, but we felt we could have a larger impact if we focused our efforts in a specific area. We all agreed that helping children, youth and families would be our new direction.”
The club is now accepting applications through June 30 from eligible organizations, which includes 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and government agencies. Interested organizations can find the application and guidelines on the club’s website at www.kishwaukeerotary.com; questions concerning the grant can be sent to kishwaukeesunriserotary@gmail.com.
Anyone interested in helping with this important initiative is invited to come to a Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club meeting held every Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Lincoln Inn Restaurant in DeKalb; membership in Rotary is not required.
On May 20, the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru will present the 2nd annual TBM Avenger Reunion. This event, a Salute to Veterans, will feature at least 15 TBM Avengers, a magnificent aircraft.
A host of other aircraft, an exciting airshow, helicopter rides, food and beverages will be available. Thanks to the generosity of Marquis Energy, the event is free to the public. More than 10,000 spectators, pilots, crews and volunteers are expected to attend.
Gates open at 8 a.m.; an all-veteran photo will be taken at noon, and air activities will be ongoing until 4 p.m.
Rotarian volunteers are needed! Event planners are seeking more than 250 volunteers. On May 20, volunteers are needed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in four-hour shifts, for help with parking; assisting veterans; distributing water; crowd control; food service; and general miscellaneous duties, including set-up/clean-up activities before and after the event. Training meetings will be held at 10 a.m. May 6 and 13 at the Peru Airport.
All volunteers will receive a commemorative event shirt. Please consider donating your time and talent to this meaningful event to honor our military veterans. For more information, and/or to register as a volunteer, please contact Cary Miller at 815-830-0508.
Please also pass this request on to others. Your help is greatly needed and so appreciated! Our entire community will appreciate your support.
On April 25, the Flagg Rochelle Park District held a dedication ceremony honoring Districts 6420, 6440 and 6450 for their contribution to the rebuilding of Skare Park after the April 9, 2015, tornado in Rochelle.
These districts purchased and planted 75 trees to help replace the hundreds of trees lost during this Category 4 tornado. DGE Steve Kuhn was in attendance.
Henry Rotary Club donated a redbud tree to the City of Henry for the Arbor Day Celebration at Stoner Park.
The tree is dedicated to past, present and future Henry Rotarians. A tree charm was added to the donated tree marking it as a Rotarian tree.
Stoner Park in Henry has a wonderful walking path, and the local Boy Scouts put up over 200 flags along the path for the Fourth of July Celebration, Veterans Day and Memorial Day. If you ever pass through Henry during those times, walk along the path and check out the Rotary tree next to the playground.
Harlem High School senior Tanner Elliott (center left) and Jefferson High School senior Linda Mora (center right) each won a $2,000 Burdette Anderson Memorial Scholarship from Rockford Rotary. Presenting the scholarships were Linda Oshita (far left) and Sue Vetrono (far right), daughters of Rotarian Burdette Anderson.
ROCKFORD – Seniors from Harlem High School and Jefferson High School each won a $2,000 college scholarship from Rockford Rotary.
Tanner Elliott, Harlem, and Linda Mora, Jefferson, are the recipients of the 2017 Burdette Anderson Memorial Scholarships. The daughters of Rotarian Burdette Anderson, Linda Oshita and Sue Vetrono, awarded the scholarships at Memorial Hall. Elliott plans to attend Rockford University to study sociology and work in law enforcement. Mora will attend the University of Illinois Chicago.
In addition, seniors from nine area high schools were recognized for their exceptional community service at the annual High School Recognition event April 27.
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