Former Rotary Exchange Student Sebastian Colmenares (left) paid a visit to the club this week with his brother William, mother Milagros, and father William Sr. Sebastian and his family are visiting from Venezuela.
DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cortney Strohacker explains how the countywide economic development initiative “Opportunity Unbound” was developed. Strohacker chairs the “Opportunity Unbound” committee of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation.
Marketing Manager for the county economic development initiative “Opportunity Unbound”, Katelyn Lancaster, speaks before the Rotary Club of Sycamore. Lancaster says she is using stories of company successes and quality of life experiences to retain and attract businesses, workforce talent, and visitors into the area.
An ambitious marketing program touting the benefits of locating and growing your business in DeKalb County and enjoying its top quality of life experiences was shared with Sycamore Rotarians this week. It is named “Opportunity Unbound” and details were provided by DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cortney Strohacker and DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) Marketing Manager Katelyn Lancaster. Strohacker said a professional marketing consulting firm was hired by the DCEDC to develop a playbook on how to share recent successes with business expansions and attractions with a major focus being social media. This also included raising funds for a three-year commitment to pay the salary of a marketing manager to implement the plan. Sycamore High School graduate Katelyn Lancaster was recently chosen to fill that role.
Katelyn Lancaster says her original career path was in sports administration which she entered after earning a master’s degree from Valparaiso University. Starting a family brought her back to Sycamore for its quality of life and led to stints with the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, Kishwaukee Hospital, and the Illinois Math and Science Academy before joining the DCEDC. She said she is eager to share the good news about recent economic development success stories like attracting the Meta (Facebook) Data Center, Ferrara Candy Company, Amazon Distribution Center, Syngenta Seed Company, and the Local 196 IBEW training center to DeKalb County. Right now, Lancaster says the DCEDC counts 543 Facebook followers, plus 141 on Instagram, 152 on TikTok, 70 on LinkedIn, and 19 on Twitter. She also said the DCEDC website recorded 6,000 visitors in June and July. Lancaster says she will continue to promote the benefits of DeKalb County’s location, skilled workforce, and educational opportunities to new audiences ready to be part of this thriving region. Full details are at the website www.OpportunityUnbound.com.
As with Happy Dollars and fines, 50/50 raffle proceeds have long been earmarked for the scholarship fund for Sycamore High School seniors. In an effort to "spread the wealth" and support more causes, the members of your Rotary Board have determined that 50/50 raffle proceeds collected each month will benefit a different cause.
For the month of March, 50/50 raffle proceeds will help support DeKalb County Community Gardens to empower residents to choose healthy and sustainable foods through community education. The Board has committed that the total amount given to this cause will be no less than $250.
Thank you for your support of this important cause...and best of luck with the raffle!
We will be building every Saturday through 2022, so if this week doesn't work for you, there will be many more opportunities to get involved.
In addition, I am also looking for someone who would like a non-construction volunteer task. There are some Saturdays when we need someone on the build site to greet volunteers, get necessary forms completed, connect with our lunch providers, make sure people are staying hydrated, etc. It really isn't a difficult task, but an important one. If this sounds interesting to you, please let me know. I will work with you on that.
If you have never volunteered with us before, see the notes below for more information.
Thank you for your interest and support of Habitat for Humanity!
Construction Volunteer Information
Habitat for Humanity DeKalb County Illinois welcomes volunteers to our construction sites. Regardless of your skill level (first time you’ve held a hammer or skilled builder), we will provide opportunities to work alongside our partner family and other Habitat volunteers. Examples of volunteer jobs include: framing, siding, painting, insulating, flooring, trim work, landscaping, and cleaning. We will provide instruction throughout the day.
Build Day Schedule:
7:45a.m.- 8 a.m. Arrival and sign-in. (Please complete the required waiver formif this is your first day with Habitat). Volunteers between the ages of 16-18 years are required to have adult supervision and waiver completed before volunteering. The minimum age to volunteer with Habitat is 16 years old.
8:00 a.m. We begin with a Safety Talk and construction goals for the day.
12:00 p.m. Lunch is provided. Habitat provides lunch and water for volunteers.
2:30 p.m. Site clean-up begins
3:00 p.m. Workday complete. Thank you!
What to bring: Please wear clothing that you do not mind getting dirty or possibly damaged. Sturdy, hard-soled, closed-toed shoes are required. Sunscreen is advised when working outdoors.
Habitat provides tools for volunteers. However, if you have your own tools/toolbelt and wish to bring those, that is fine. You can check with the volunteer coordinator for a list of recommended tools. Please label all of your tools ahead of time.
Port-A-Potty: Yes, that’s right. Just want you to be aware that we do not have indoor plumbing or running water on site.
It's always a good idea to bring a "bag" chair if you have one.
Covid-19 Safety Precautions:
Habitat for Humanity prioritizes the health and safety of our staff and volunteers. Currently, we have the following guidelines in place (subject to change based on case levels, as well as CDC, state, and local guidelines):
We ask that if you aren't feeling well, to please stay home out of precaution.
Use hand sanitizer throughout the day, especially before/after using tools.
Masks are no longer required; however, we welcome and support anyone that chooses to wear a mask.
We encourage volunteers and staff to practice social distancing when possible.
August 30, 1797 – “Frankenstein“ author Mary Shelley is born in London, England.
September 1, 1875 – “Tarzan of the Apes” creator Edgar Rice Burroughs is born in Chicago.
September 1, 1923 – Boxing champ Rocky Marciano is born in Brockton, Massachusetts. He is the only heavyweight champion to finish his career undefeated.
September 2, 1850 – A. G. Spalding, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, manager, and executive and co-founder of the Spalding sporting goods company, is born in Byron, Illinois.
August 31, 1997 – Britain’s Princess Diana dies at age 36 from injuries suffered in a high-speed car chase in Paris while being pursued by photographers.
September 1, 1939 – At 5:30 AM, Adolph Hitler’s armies invade Poland marking the start of World War II in Europe.
September 2, 1945 – The Japanese formally surrender to allied forces in a signing ceremony aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay ending World War II.
September 3, 1783 – The Treaty of Paris is signed by John Adams, Ben Franklin, and John Jay formally ending the American Revolutionary War between Britain and the United States.
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