Sycamore High School Senior Cooper Bode is the December student of the month. Bode is a two-sport athlete serving as Captain on both the football and wrestling teams. At the same time, Bode has been recognized as an Academic all-star. Sycamore High School Assistant Principal Steve Balster noted that Bode is enrolled in the Engineering, Math and Science Academy at Kishwaukee College meaning he takes college-credit courses during the regular school day at the Kishwaukee campus. Bode has served on the school student council and as a class officer. outlined He volunteers time through his church and is part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bode says he plans topursue an engineering tract in college and continue with the sport of wrestling. He is considering attending Cornell College or Wabash College. He will be donating his Rotary check to the Spartan Food Pantry.
District 6420 Governor Melissa McCormick delivered a video message promoting recruitment and member engagement during this week’s meeting. McCormick outlined specificsteps to take to increase club membership and expand Rotary’s local impact.
This week’s Rotary speaker was District 6420 Governor Melissa McCormick who provided a video message encouraging increased membership and community impact. McCormick, who is a communication coach by occupation, outlined specific steps clubs can take to achieve these goals. McCormick said her message is prompted by the steadily declining membership trend in the District and the absence of clubs in some key towns within the District. She said she chose the use of a video to reach out to all clubs in a more timely manner since the large territory of District 6420 means she may not be personally able to visit each club until near the end of her Rotary year. Her goal is for each club in the District to add one net new member and for the District to add one net new club during her term as President.
McCormick called membership growth “Job One” for local clubs. She noted there is low-hanging fruit to work from. For starters, there are Rotary Youth Exchange participants who are already knowledgeable about Rotary and its worldwide footprint but may not currently be in a local club. The Rotary school programs, already a key part of the Sycamore Club activities, were singled out for developing long-standing relationships to build membership. College Rotaract Clubs were also mentioned as a resource for traditional club membership.
Besides attraction, McCormick spoke about the importance of member retention. She said the “networking” aspect of Rotary is as vital as formal meetings. McCormick stressed involvement in area activities is a way to bring your Rotary family and your personal family together in a special kind of fellowship. She noted the same thing is true for friends and business associates who can learn about a club through invitations to be part of community events where Rotary has a presence. McCormick added that she has a two-sided business card to help with Rotary awareness where one-side has her business contact information and the other side is all about Rotary.
The final part of McCormick’s message was about succession planning. New rules put a two-year term limit in place for Club Presidents. She noted how rotating leadership roles means new ideas are bound to come out. To help make transitions easier, a video modular training program is in place allowing a more gradual tutorial on club operations and responsibilities than previously possible.
November 30, 1835 – American author Samuel Clemons (Mark Twain) is born in Florida, Missouri.
November 30, 1874 – Renowned British politician and British Prime Minister during World War II, Sir Winston Churchill, is born in Oxfordshire, England.
December 1, 1761 – Marie Tussaud, founder of Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, is born in Strasbourg, France.
December 5, 1901 – Animator, voice actor, producer, entertainer, and the creator of Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney, is born in Chicago. During his storied career he wins a record 22 Motion Picture Oscars dominating the Best Animated Film category.
December 1, 1955 – Rosa Parks is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama after she refuses to go to the back of a municipal bus in the era of segregation ushering in the modern civil rights movement.
December 1, 1990 – England was connected to mainland Europe for the first time since the Ice Age as workers digging the railway tunnel under the English Channel broke through the last layer of rock.
December 2, 1942 – Physicists led by Enrico Fermi carried out the first successful nuclear reaction at the University of Chicago.
December 3. 1967 – The first successful heart transplant is performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard at Cape Town, South Africa.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2025-2026
President – Jonelle Bailey
President Elect – Becky Springer
Director (President Nominee) – Matt Nelson
Director (President Designee) -
Past President – Brandon Diviak
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Pat Shafer
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Keicher, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Phil Meyers
December: Larry Berke, Ray Dembinski, Riley Oncken
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Larry Berke, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Pat Shafer
Foundations:Paul Stromborg, Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Bob Hammon, Jeff Jacobson, Steve Kuhn, Phil Meyers, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Scholarships:Tim Neubert, Ray Dembinski, Phil Meyers, Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn
Service: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson
