In one of his final acts of his presidential year, Tim Neubert inducts the club's newest member, Tasha Sims (center). Joining Tasha is our membership sponsor, Becky Springer.
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Sycamore, Tasha! We are excited you have joined us!
The club hosted a presentation this week on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) from Jonelle Bailey, a member of the club and its board who works as Executive Director of the Sycamore Park District...and also Co-Creator of the Safe Zone Conversations.
To kick off her presentation, Jonelle asked club members to scan the QR code and submit one or more words that come to mind when they think about "diversity".
Equality = Sameness. It provides everyone the same thing. This only works if everyone starts from the same place.
Equity = Fairness. It is about making sure people get access to the same opportunities. Sometimes our history can create barriers to participation, so we must first ensure EQUITY before we can enjoy equality.
This week's club program focused on the topic of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and belonging. Club member Jonelle Bailey, who is very familiar with the topic and regularly involved in training others, led the discussion.
Jonelle explored with her fellow club members the definitions and examples involved with DEI, why it's important, and Rotary International's commitment to it. She helped us to remember that while some differences between people can be seen "above the water line", many more are likely to exist below it. It's important to realize that we can't really know someone just by looking at them.
People are diverse, and Jonelle enlightened us as to the many forms of diversity that we encounter, including gender, gender identity, ethnicity, age, generation, sexual orientation, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, appearance, socio-economic difference, mental health, disability, language and accent, physical health, education, political beliefs, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, thinking style, job role and function, and personality type.
Diversity is "the active practice of welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, orientations, and lived experiences into professional spaces."
Equity is "ensuring everyone has access to the same treatment, opportunities, and advancement."
Inclusion is "ensuring everyone in a workplace has a voice that is heard, considered, and valued when decisions are made and implemented."
Belonging is see when "an organization engages the full potential of the individual, where innovation thrives, and views, beliefs, and values are integrated."
Jonelle also enlightened us to the fact that, if people with disabilities were a formally recognized minority group, they would be the largest minority group (19%) in the United States."
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 June, 50/50 raffle proceeds will help support CASA DeKalb County, Inc. to advocate for and serve as the voice for children who have experienced abuse or neglect in DeKalb County. 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!
The Rotary Club of Sycamore is committed to supporting many great causes. Following are the causes we have support since July 2022:
$372.50 to Sycamore District 427 for School Supplies (50/50 raffle cause for August)
$300.00 to Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County (50/50 raffle cause for September)
$465.50 to Safe Passage (50/50 raffle cause for October)
$1,350.00 for Polio Plus (funds raised through Chicken Salad Tasting with Suter Company)
$2,761.00 for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County’s 2022 Home Build (w/ Dist. 6420 Matching Grant)
$400.00 to Usborne Books (during District conference) to provide reading materials to Ukrainian refugees attending two schools in Chicago's Ukrainian Village
$896.00 for Adopt-a-Family
$1,000.00 to Coats for Kids
$1,000.00 to Feed My Starving Children/Make a Difference DKC
$352.50 to Spartan Food Pantry (50/50 raffle cause for November)
$1,000.00 to Sycamore Public Library to fulfill District 6420 Governor's "Nothing Reads Like a Book" initiative
$292.50 to Sycamore Food Pantry (50/50 raffle cause for December)
$500.00 to Pay-It-Forward House (50/50 raffle cause for January)
$400.00 to Navajo Water Project (50/50 raffle cause for February)
$365.00 to DeKalb County Community Gardens (50/50 raffle cause for March)
$297.50 to Tails Humane Society (50/50 raffle cause for April)
$500.00 to South Prairie Elementary School (Rotary Reader)
June 12, 1924 – 41st U.S. President George H. W. Bush is born in Milton, Massachusetts. Prior to assuming the presidency in 1989, Bush served as Vice President under Ronald Reagan and the Director of the CIA under Gerald Ford.
June 13, 1903 – “The Galloping Ghost”, Harold “Red” Grange, is born in Forksville, Pennsylvania. The University of Illinois star earned his nickname after a memorable game against Michigan where he returned the opening kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown, scored three more touchdowns in the first 12 minutes, scored a fifth touchdown in the second half, threw a touchdown pass, and had two interceptions while playing defense. After college he played professionally for the Chicago Bears helping legitimize the National Football League.
June 14, 1906 – Photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White was born in New York City. She becomes one of four original staff photographers of LIFE Magazine in 1936 and later the first woman to be an accredited war correspondent during World War II.
June 16, 1890 – Film comedian Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame is born in Ulverston, England.
June 11, 1994 – After 49 years, the Soviet military occupation of East Germany ended.
June 14, 1834 – Isaac Fischer Jr., of Springfield, Vermont, is granted a patent for the mass production of sandpaper.
June 14, 1922 – Warren G. Harding becomes the first U. S. President to broadcast a message over the radio. The event was the dedication of the Francis Scott Key Memorial in Baltimore.
June 15, 1215 – King John set his seal to the Magna Carta guaranteeing certain rights of liberty. It becomes the foundation of modern democracies around the world.
Birthdays & Club Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
James Lehan
December 2
Larry Berke
December 4
Paul Callighan
December 10
Julie Sgarlata
December 13
Jeffrey Petersen
December 19
Join Date
Jeff Frank
December 31, 2007
16 years
Sue Emberson
December 31, 2002
21 years
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2023-2024
President – Brandon Diviak
President Elect – Steve Wilder
Director (President Nominee) – Jonelle Bailey
Director (President Designee) - Becky Springer
Past President – Tim Neubert
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Sally Bruch
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Jeff Keicher, Brandon Diviak, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Heidi Wright
December: Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke, Riley Oncken
January: Ray Dembinski, Joyce Klein, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Bob Hammon, Steve Kuhn, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt, Jeff Jacobson, Brandon Diviak, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Pat Shafer, Sally Bruch, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke
Service: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Brendan Wilson, Heidi Wright, Alicia Cosky, Tim Neubert
Foundations: Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard, Paul Stromborg
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer, Steve Wilder
Scholarships: Tim Neubert, Julie Sgarlata, Ray Dembinski, Steve Kuhn, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg
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