The Spoke -- September 29, 2015 (Sep 28, 2015)

Stories

Guest Speaker: Theodore Roosevelt (portrayed by Joe Wiegand)

Theodore Roosevelt is alive and well, and has plenty to say about his time in the White House...and those who aspire to become one of his successors.

The 26th President of the United States spoke to the Sycamore Rotary Club at its September 23rd meeting; he recounted his personal struggle to overcome poor health as a child, and his effort to use both his body and intelligence to serve his country and his fellow man to the best of his ability. He was a firm believer in giving opportunities to those willing to work for those opportunities, and in putting what the country needed above what politicians need.

Joe Wiegand has been traveling the country for years, devoting himself to educating the public and students across America about what President Roosevelt meant to his country during his time...and the lessons elected officials can learn from him today. He and his wife Jenny, a former Sycamore Rotarian, now live in San Diego -- but still think of their Midwest home often.

George Beasley to receive Wisconsin state award for volunteerism

Former Sycamore Rotary Club President George Beasley hasn’t slowed down in retirement; in fact, his efforts to help his new community have earned him a Wisconsin state award.

Beasley will be presented with the Modeling the Way award from Leadership Wisconsin; he will be honored for his work in founding the Portage (WI) Service Club Association, which brings together several local service organizations – including Rotary – to do joint community projects.

Beasley will be presented with the award during Leadership Wisconsin’s conference in Eau Claire on October 5. You can read the entire article at wiscnews.com

First-ever District 6420 service project in Rochelle on October 17th

For the first time, all of District 6420's youth organizations are invited to take part in a district-wide service project.

Participants will be asked to help plant trees at Skare Park in Rochelle on Saturday, October 17th. They will also have the chance to share written recaps of their club activities with representatives of the other New Generations clubs on hand

All Interact, Rotaract and EarlyAct Club members, along with their Rotary Club representatives, are invited to take part; they will gather by 9:00 a.m. at Rochelle Township High School, and then go by bus to Skare Park. Volunteers will be asked to wear long pants/jeans and closed toe shoes, and to bring shovels if available. The tree holes will already be dug.

Those wishing to participate should RSVP by October 9th to PDG Pat Burch, at (815) 262-1045.

Bishop challenges Kish Sunrise president in polio triathlon competition

The presidents of the Sycamore and Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Clubs decided to get creative in raising money for the organization’s signature effort of polio eradication.

Russell Bishop (above, left), president of the Sycamore Rotary Club, and David Dosier (above, right), president of the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club, challenged their club members to support them as they competed in the Ironman Wisconsin triathlon in Madison, Wis. on September 13th.

The race consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run. Each club was betting on their president to finish before the other one.

The winners would commit $5 each to Rotary’s Polio Plus Fund, and the losing club would commit $10 each. A few supportive Rotarians agreed to donate $100 if both presidents simply finished.

Both completed the course, and Dosier edged out Bishop for the victory for Kishwaukee. Together, the clubs have committed to donating a little over $1,200 to the Polio Plus fund.

The presidents of two local Rotary Clubs decided to get creative in raising money for the organization’s signature effort of polio eradication.

The race consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.

Each club was “betting” on their president to finish before the other one.

The club of the winner would commit $5 each to Rotary’s Polio Plus Fund, and the losing club would commit $10 each.

A few supportive Rotarians agreed to donate $100 if both presidents simply finished, to include District Governor, Jim Nelson.

Well, they finished! Dosier edged out Bishop for the victory for Kishwaukee.

In the end, though, it was the funds raised that both presidents were interested in. Together, the clubs have committed to donating a little over $1,200 to the Polio Plus fund due to the race.

For more information, contact David Dosier at (815) 901-8972 or at david.dosier@gmail.com.

- See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/50144/Stories/winner-of-a-friendly-(tough)-competition-polio-plus-fund#sthash.C1t5VPTT.R5TbZJij.dpuf