After countless years of static member dues, the Sycamore Rotary club is reconsidering the costs of membership. Michele Jurkovic, the club Treasurer, presented the fixed and variable costs of membership, highlighting the many increases in expenses paid on behalf of members, but couldn't recall when, if ever, during her membership of more than 20 years that the dues had been adjusted. In that time, dues to both Rotary International as well as the district have increased multiple times, often with small increases every year. Other costs have similarly risen either due to inflation or expanded member services. Items such as the cost of rental space and food have increase modestly over the years while newer costs, such as those of maintaining the club's website, have been added. Overall, the club was presented with a few options going forward, one where the the increased costs would be offset by fundraising at the expense of funding for service projects, the other where the dues would go up by $25/quarter to cover the difference. Club member feedback is requested.

The Sycamore Rotary Club took a few minutes on Wednesday to honor the many veterans from our club that have served in one of the armed services at some point in their lives. As Veteran's Day falls between two club meetings, President Ray Dembinski wanted to ensure that these members and their acts of service and sacrifices were acknowledged before the group. Our thanks go out to all in our club, community, and country who have served to protect the great freedoms that we enjoy.