Rotarian and retired Army Officer assigned to Ukraine during time with NATO, Brendan Wilson, talked communications and the war during this week’s Rotary meeting. Wilson said Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is using textbook master messaging to inspire the people of Ukraine to oppose the Russian invasion of their country and win global support for Ukraine’s plight on the world stage.
Brendan Wilson reiterates the theme of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's master messaging to Putin, highlighting the resolve of the Ukrainian president and the country's citizens. No matter what, Ukraine would rather be "without you [Putin]".
Sycamore Rotarian Brendan Wilson spent ten years of his army service (from 2004 – 2014) assigned to Ukraine as part of NATO, giving him a unique perspective about the current Russian invasion of that country. Wilson, a retired Lt. Colonel, says Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is successfully implementing a powerful leadership image enhanced through his communications to the Ukrainian public, other foreign countries, and his enemy Vladimir Putin. Wilson described Zelenskyy’s approach as “Master Messaging.” He said there are clear statements to inspire, repetition of the messages in multiple venues, and targeted political statements.
Wilson compared Zelenskyy’s role to that of Winston Churchill rebuilding British confidence after their military’s disastrous defeat at Dunkirk during the initial stages of World War II. Wilson used the example of Churchill’s need to boost morale at home, define Britain’s commitment to oppose Nazi Germany to the world, and deliver the ultimatum to Hitler that they would not surrender. Wilson said the same communications strategy is being played out by Zelenskyy against Putin.
Wilson showed maps of four stages of the Ukrainian War to demonstrate how Zelenskyy’s communications have translated into battlefield successes. Wilson noted that initial successes by the Russians in Ukraine’s north region have been turned back as Ukrainians united to take advantage of Russian equipment and supply problems. Wilson said Zelenskyy is successfully creating world awareness that their citizens oppose the Russian incursion and that they deserve support and supplies to fight back.
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)
March 19, 1869 – Flamboyant showman and theater producer, Florence Ziegfeld, is born in Chicago. His Ziegfeld Follies revue ran on Broadway from 1907 through 1931.
March 21, 1685 – Organist and prolific composer Johann Sebastian Bach is born in Eisenach, Germany.
March 22, 1948 – Composer and theatrical producer Andrew Lloyd Weber is born in Kensington, London, England.
March 24, 1874 – Magician and escape artist Harry Houdini is born in Budapest, Hungary.
March 23, 1775 – Patrick Henry helps ignite the American Revolution with a speech in Richmond, Virginia. He delivers these now famous words to those assembled, “…I know not what course others will take; but for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
March 24, 1934 – The Philippine Islands are granted independence by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after nearly 50 years of U.S. control.
March 24, 1989 – One of the largest oil spills in U.S. history occurs when the oil tanker Exxon Valdez runs aground in Prince William Sound off the coast of Alaska. More than 11 million gallons of oil leak into the water stretching along 45 miles of shoreline.
March 25, 1911 – A raging fire erupted inside the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City leading to the deaths of 123 women and 23 men. The tragedy spurred national attention to labor working conditions and resulted in legislation improving factory fire safety rules.
Birthdays & Club Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Alicia Cosky
September 1
Riley Oncken
September 1
Steven Kuhn
September 3
Larry Sill
September 10
Ray Dembinski
September 13
Join Date
Sejal Patel
September 2, 2015
8 years
Paul Barnaby
September 8, 1979
44 years
Ahmed Kamel
September 11, 2005
18 years
Robert Daniel
September 27, 2018
5 years
Brendan Wilson
September 29, 2021
2 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, Mark Spiegelhoff, Heidi Wright
December: Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke, Riley Oncken
January: Ray Dembinski, Joyce Klein, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert
June: Stephen Hansen, Steve Wilder, Paulette Renault
Standing Committees
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, Stephen Hansen, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Pat Shafer, Mark Spiegelhoff, Sally Bruch, Sue Emberson Dave Hamilton, Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke, Paul Loner
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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