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Speaker: Sycamore Public Library
A lot is happening beyond checking out books at the Sycamore Public Library according to Executive Director Monica Dombrowski. Traditional book circulation topped 123,000 this past year, but there were also approximately 45,000 DVDs checked out, along with about 5,000 CDs and 6000 audio books, plus hosted 9,000 data base sessions.  The library hosts about five special programs a week, staff attended 104 outreach events last year, and saw meeting rooms used for 133 gatherings.  Staff also handled about 11,500 reference questions in just a six-month period.  Recent upgrades to copying equipment even includes a photo restorer. 
Dombrowski presented an impressive list of special program offerings at the library.  They include technology demonstrations, armchair travelogues, musical performances, adult day trips, chair yoga, crafts, and a classic film series.  The library even offers a video streaming service called “HOOPLA” that features documentaries and limited-release movies.
 
Dombrowski said the library is now planning for the next generation of users. Based on user feedback, the library staff is working on space planning that would add quiet areas, more comfortable seating, more meeting space, study areas, special youth-teen-and indoor play areas, expanded book sale room, and a coffee bar.  Dombrowski encouraged Rotarians to not only use the library services but to seek out volunteer opportunities such as joining “Friends of the Sycamore Library”.
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Student of the Month 10/19
The Sycamore High School student of the month, Abby Krull, stressed collaboration while speaking to Rotarians about her school experiences and outlook on life.  Krull ranks second in her class, is a member of National Honor Society, participates in tennis and soccer, and is active in her church LIFE Missions program. While pointing out that with training it’s possible to run at 28 m.p.h., lift 1 ½ times your body weight, and jump 30 feet, Krull noted that teamwork can bring out even more impressive results.  She said she’s learned that the power of cooperation is incredible and that possibilities are endless when we work together.  Krull hopes to go to veterinary school after graduation.  She directed the Clubs check donation in her name to the Sycamore Food Pantry.
Speaker: Rotary Youth Exchange
Since 1959, the Rotary Youth Exchange program has promoted peace through cultural understanding by arranging for students to spend varying amounts of time immersed in a foreign country and culture. More than 8600 students pass through the program each year, and it's the job of the District Exchange Coordinator to make sure that each exchange is enjoyable for the students, the clubs, and the families that support it. For District 6420, that role has been filled by Tom Brooks, who recently had to step back from some of his obligations in order to take his place in line to be District Governor.
The Rotary Club of Sycamore has hosted many youth through the program, most recently playing host to Sebastian from Venezuela. But it's not just the club that benefits from the program. In fact, it is estimated that youth exchange program in our district alone impacts more than 500 members of the community, giving them a taste not only of another culture but of Rotary itself. The program is not, however, without its challenges. For years, the club has struggled to attract sufficient host families to participate in the program. Without those elements in place, it is difficult for the club to commit to hosting a student in the future.
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Upcoming Events
Oak Crest Satellite Club Meeting
Oak Crest Community Center
Sep 26, 2019 11:45 AM
 
Oak Crest Satellite Club Meeting
Oak Crest Retirement Center
Oct 10, 2019
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Oak Crest Satellite Club Meeting
Oak Crest Community Center
Oct 24, 2019 11:45 AM
 
Oak Crest Satellite Club Meeting
Oak Crest Retirement Center
Nov 14, 2019
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
 
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Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Paul Stromborg
October 3
 
Joyce Klein
October 21
 
Mario Fontana
October 27
 
Sally Bruch
October 29
 
Join Date
Eric Jones
October 10, 2012
7 years
 
Club Information
Rotary Club of Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore
We meet Wednesdays at 11:45 AM
Blumen Gardens
403 Edward Street
Sycamore, IL  60178
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2019-2020
President – Pat Shafer
President-Elect – Michael DeVito
Past President – Ray Dembinski
Secretary – Sally Bruch
Treasurer – Michele Jurkovic
Assistant Treasurer – Lavarre Uhlken
Director – Paulette Renault
Director – Tim Neubert
Sergeant-at-Arms – Monthly Committee
 
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Jim Buck, Dave McCann, Ben Swedberg, Bob Wildenradt, Don Clayberg, Lloyd Larson
September: Paul Michel, Jeff Jacobson, Mario Fontana, Brandon Diviak
October: Dave Andrews, Beata Palasiewicz, Curtis Lang, Marcy Buick, Jim Schwarzbach
November: Kathy Countryman, Julie Sgarlata, Fred Peltz, Chip Houdek, Troy Oates
December: Dan Gibble, Steve Balster, Paul Loner, Dan O’Connell, Joyce Klein
January: Paul Barnaby, Jim Bowers, Gary Evans, Heidi Wright, Chad Jewitt
February: Riley Oncken, Ahmed Kamel, Larry Berke, Nicole Stuckert, Tim Carlson
March: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Petersen, Doug Johnson, Mark Hilde, Nick Brooks
April: Bob Hammon, Suzanne Anderson, Sejal Patel, Chase Goodeill, Paul Callighan
May: Mark Speigelhoff, Jeff Frank, Cliff Bottigliero, Renae Wilkinson
June: Marijo Schwartz, Paul Stromborg, Jeff Keicher, Steve Kuhn, Tom Mangan, Jim Stoddard
 
New Generations
Chair: Julie Sgarlata
At-Large Committee Members: Kathy Countryman, Eric Jones, Don Clayberg, Nichole Stuckert, Tim Neubert
Sycamore H.S. Interact: Ben Swedberg
Sycamore M.S. Interact: Julie Sgarlata
South Prairie EarlyAct: Julie Sgarlata
North Grove EarlyAct:  Michael DeVito
Long/Short Term Youth Exchange: Chip Houdek, Tim Carlson, Jeff Jacobson, Fred Peltz, Mark Spiegelhoff
Group Study Exchange: Jim Stoddard, Mary Alexis
RYLA: Ben Swedberg
Student of the Month: Steve Balster
 
Foundations & Grants
Chair: Paul Stromborg
At-Large Committee Members: Don Clayberg, Bob Hammon
Polio Plus: Paul Stromborg, Curtis Lang
Annual Giving/Foundation: Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Jim Bowers, Riley Oncken, Paul Callighan
Scholarships: Pete Johnson, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg, Steve Kuhn, Tim Neubert
 
Service Above Self and Service Projects
Chair: Michael DeVito
Multiple Club Project Coordination: Bob Hammon, Paul Stromborg, Dave Hamilton
Meals on Wheels (August): Curtis Lang, Sejal Patel, Mark Spiegelhoff
Dictionary Distribution (September): Lavarre Uhlken
Pancake Breakfast (October): Dave McCann, Marcy Buick, Marijo Schwartz, Michele Jurkovic, Fred Peltz, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Michael DeVito, Brandon Diviak
Feed My Starving Children (November): Heidi Wright, Jeff Frank, Eric Jones, Paul Stromborg, Marijo Schwartz
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing (December): Dave Andrews, Kathy Countryman
Operation Warm (December):  Michael DeVito
Adopt a Family (December): Heidi Wright, Kathy Countryman, Sue Emberson, Riley Oncken, Marijo Schwartz
Spartan Food Pantry (April):  Beata Palasiewicz
Rotarians at Work Day (May): Mary Alexis Low
Rotary Reader: Mark Spiegelhoff
 
Public Image and Awareness
Chair: Eric Jones
Website: Eric Jones, Paul Barnaby
The Spoke: Eric Jones, Tim Neubert
Public Image Campaign & Social Media: Tim Neubert, Paulette Renault, Paul Callighan
Sergeant at Arms: Monthly Program Committee
IT/Audio-Visual: Eric Jones
 
Club Fellowship
Chair: Paulette Renault
Fines: Riley Oncken, Paul Callighan, Marijo Schwartz, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Bowers
100% Attendance (August): Sally Bruch, Jim Buck
Holiday Party (December): Jeff Petersen, Gary Evans, Dave Hamilton, Paulette Renault, Julie Sgarlata, Tim Neubert, Renae Wilkinson
Rural-Urban Day (February): Bob Wildenradt, Larry Berke
Hoola-for-Loota (April): Jeff Jacobson, Julie Sgarlata, Jim Bowers, Eric Jones, Riley Oncken
Golf Outing (June): Sue Emberson, Dan O’Connell, Joyce Klein
Steak Fry (October):  Paulette Renault, Paul Callighan, Paul Loner
 
Membership
Recruitment: All members are expected to bring at least one prospective member as a guest
New Member Orientation: Bob Hammon, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Tim Neubert
Member Retention: Jim Stoddard, Bob Wildenradt, Larry Berke, Nicole Stuckert
Russell Hampton
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