A crowd of about 50 Rotarians and guests filled the Sycamore Park District Golf Clubhouse for the annual installation dinner as outgoing President Paulette Renault summarized the past year and incoming President Tim Neubert was sworn in as president for 2022-2023. About 20 of the attendees had earlier enjoyed the annual golf outing. Officers for the coming year were also sworn in. Vice President Brandon Diviak, Director Steve Wilder, Director Jonelle Bailey, Past President Paulette Renault, and Treasurer Michele Jurkovic were in attendance, while Secretary Sally Bruch (who is continuing her service in the role) was unable to be at the event.
In her remarks, Paulette Renault made a special point of going beyond the traditional Rotary four-way-test and adding the fifth test, “Is It Fun?”. She celebrated numerous events and projects which made her year as President special and gave a thank-you to club members for “making a difference.” Among the highlights were social events like movie night at the Egyptian Theatre, after-hours gatherings, and two Hula for Lootas during her tenure; resuming the Rotary Readers program, granting scholarships to graduating high school students, and sending a team to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards); supporting good causes like the local food pantries, Salvation Army bell ringing, and most recently raising money for Shelter Box supplies for the Ukraine from the club’s drive-thru dinner; and adding five new club members (plus a regular visitor from another club), bestowing permanent ”Honorary President” status on long-time member Bob Wildenradt, and seeing the successful transition to St. Mary’s Parish Activities Center for regular meetings. Renault received a standing ovation when given a thank-you gift from incoming President Neubert.
New President Tim Neubert also drew attention to the four-way test as a guide for the coming Rotary year. He said he was humbled and thankful for those who put faith in him to take on his leadership role. He expressed hope that the year will be filled with those exemplifying service above self. He noted multiple projects of interest to club members from a recent volunteer survey and also noted Rotary International’s commitment to step up efforts this year to finally “End Polio Now.” Neubert mentioned the history-making International Presidency of Jennifer Jones as the first woman in that role and then concluded his remarks reciting the lyrics from the John Lennon song “Imagine” which is the theme for Jones’ impact tour to share Rotary’s story: "You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.”