Board Member (and Fine Master) Matt Nelson presents Brandon Diviak with his Paul Harris Fellow recognition. This recognition is awarded to donors who give $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved grant.
Matt Nelson presents Dr. Michele Jurkovic with her Paul Harris Fellow Plus One recognition. This recognition is awarded to donors who give an additional $2,000 (beyond the base amount of $1,000) to the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved grant. This recognition includes a pin with one sapphire.
President Steve Wilder and the Rotary Club of Sycamore was visited by District Governor John Hurley and Assistant District Governor Margaret Larson during this week's meeting.
Club member Sue Emberson was recognized by District Governor John Hurley for her long-time service as Assistant Governor, overseeing several clubs including Sycamore.
Sue Emberson's award for becoming a "Past District Assistant Governor".
Our club was honored to host District Governor John Hurley this week. John began his time at the podium by recognizing Sue Emberson for her many years of service as Assistant District Governor. He then introduced Margaret Larson from the Rotary Club of Pecatonica, the new Assistant District Governor for our area. John noted the high level of input, energy, and contributions of women as members of Rotary over the past 40 years (since membership for females was introduced in the 1980s). "Rotary is better with women in it," he said. "If it were not for introduction of women into our membership, Rotary would now be a shadow of itself."
Under 2024-2025 Rotary International President, the RI theme this year is "The Magic of Rotary". Therefore, during his club presentation tour, District Governor Hurley has been asking club members to consider: "What is the magic for you?"
For John, the magic of Rotary is that he feels like he is now a citizen of the world. He is more aware of the world, the people in it, and what goes on. While he hasn't always been able to travel to far off places, he knows personally many other Rotarians who have...and with whom he can speak and learn from.
As we seek to find, activate, and enhance our own version of the magic of Rotary, John encouraged us to get to know the true Rotarian within ourselves. He provided each member with a self-inventory sheet and asked us to mark down which of the following activities we have accomplished...and consider how many more we might accomplish during the next Rotary year:
I have a "My Rotary" account on the RI website.
I have a ClubRunner account.
I plan to attend the 2024 District Conference, November 8-9 in Rockford.
I have attended a Rotary International Conference.
I plan to attend the Rotary International Conference in Calgary in June 2025.
I have been to at least two previous District Conferences.
I am/have been a club officer/board member.
I am/have served on a District committee.
I am a Paul Harris Fellow.
I am a member of the PolioPlus Society.
I am a member of the Paul Harris Society.
I have hosted a Rotary Youth Exchange student in my home.
I have participated in a Rotary Friendship Exchange.
I have a spouse/partner who is also a Rotarian.
I have a child who is a Rotarian.
I have visited a club meeting other than my home club.
I have been a speaker at my home or other club.
I open and read the District newsletter, The Actuator.
I read articles in the Rotarian monthly magazine.
I wear my Rotary pin in public.
I have sponsored a new club member during the past year.
I have participated in a club fundraiser project during the past year.
I have participated in a home club community service project.
I have at least one Rotary branded item of clothing.
I have a Rotary "elevator speech" (short summary) I can share if asked about Rotary.
John also shared an update regarding the effort to end polio. The world has unfortunately experienced setbacks in places such as Gaza, Afghanistan, Pakistan, but polio eradication is still predicted to happen within 4-5 years (switching from injectables to drops will likely contribute to closing the gap). John predicts the Year 2030, when the Rotary International Conference takes places in Chicago. "How cool would that be?", he said. He also predicts that Rotary International MAY receive a Nobel Prize at that time for the decades of work toward eradication. Again, how cool would that be?
Speaking of the health of the world, John shared that a District Committee has been formed to focus on RI's Environment goal. For its inaugural initiative, John has asked the District Committee to oversee the creation or expansion of pollinator plots by each club in District 6420 to support. The minimum plot size would be 25 square feet. Keep in mind that, without pollinators (such as birds and bees), many of the foods, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines we use daily wouldn't be possible.
John also shared that District 6420 now contains 42 clubs instead of 43. Despite a strong effort by club members and the District, the Rotary Club of Byron ultimately gave up its charter on June 30, 2024. This unfortunate event has spurred John and the District to create a Club Vitality Task Force to help any clubs that are struggling.
John encouraged all club members to consider attending the upcoming District Conference at the Embassy Suites in Rockford, starting at 6:00 PM on Friday, November 8 and ending the evening of Saturday, November 9. The Saturday program will focus on Rotary Youth Exchange and attendees will meet and hear from six inbound students representing a number of different countries. For more information, please click here for the 2024 District 6420 Conference page.
Speaking of conferences, John reminded us that the 2024 Rotary International Conference was held in Singapore. He was able to attend (following a VERY long flight) and was among 14,000 Rotarians in attendance. This number represents a full one percent of Rotarians worldwide! The next RI Conference (in June 2025) will be held much closer to us, in Calgary. John encouraged club members to consider attending.
In closing, John reminded us that Rotary is non-political and non-religious. We should beware the risks of a "slippery slope" should we allow our club to become political or religious in any way, particularly during this very contentious election year.
October 20, 1882 – Hungarian born actor Bela Lugosi, best known for his portrayal of Count Dracula in the 1931 horror film ‘Dracula,” is born in the city of Lugos.
October 21, 1917 – The late modern jazz great Dizzy Gillespie is born in Cheraw, South Carolina. The trumpet virtuoso and improviser was also an accomplished composer and band leader entertaining audiences in a career that spanned more than five decades.
October 23 – 1869 – American football coach John Heisman of Heisman trophy fame is born in Cleveland, Ohio. He legalizes the forward pass and originates the center-snap during a career with multiple colleges achieving an overall coaching record of 186-70-18.
October 25, 1881 – Abstract artist Pablo Picasso is born in Malaga, Spain. His controversial sculpture in Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago was dedicated August 15, 1967.
October 21, 1879 – Thomas Edison successfully tests an electric incandescent lamp at his Menlo Park, New Jersey laboratory keeping it lit for 13 hours.
October 24, 1901 – 63-year-old school teacher Annie Edson Taylor become the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Strapped for cash and hoping for fame and fortune, she came up with her dramatic attention getting plan after reading about interest in the falls because of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. She survived, but only got fleeting fame for her efforts and no fortune.
October 25, 1983 – The Caribbean Island of Grenada is invaded by the U.S. to, in the words of President Ronald Reagan, “…restore order and democracy…” following a political coup and execution of their Prime Minister.
October 26, 1825 – The Erie Canal opens and becomes the first major man-made waterway in America. It links Lake Erie with the Hudson River and took eight years to complete.
THIS JUST IN
Just a few Pancake Breakfast photos to "whet the appetite". Next week's Spoke will include many more!
Club President Elect Jonelle Bailey was in high spirits this morning as the annual Pancake Breakfast got underway!
Club Member Pat Shafer awaits the onslaught of hungry Pumpkin Fest attendees.
Club Members Jeff Jacobsen and Becky Springer prepare to refills to Pancake Breakfast diners. Pat Shafer might well be thinking, "Well...don't keep 'em waiting!"
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2024-2025
President – Steve Wilder
President Elect – Jonelle Bailey
Director (President Nominee) – Becky Springer
Director (President Designee) - Matt Nelson
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 Meyer
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 Meyer, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer, Steve Wilder
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Scholarships:Tim Neubert, Don Clayberg, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn, Julie Sgarlata
Service: Brandon Diviak, Alicia Cosky, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson
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