The Spoke -- April 7, 2016 (Apr 07, 2016)

The new president at Kishwaukee College has been on the job for just over three months, but intends to make the most of her time there – by bringing as many students from the area as possible to the institution, with emphasis on the wide range of courses they offer.

Dr. Laurie Borowicz comes to the area from Wausau, Wisconsin, where she had been Vice President of Student Services at Northcentral Technical College. She saw the potential that Kishwaukee College had for her career, as well as the potential it offers to students; since her arrival, Dr. Borowicz has spent time getting to know the staff and students, and seeing how an education at Kishwaukee can further a lot of students’ careers.

Borowicz says four-year institutions are becoming more expensive for students; a graduate from such an institution faces an average student loan debt of over $26,000, and some professions are facing a glut of graduates who are unable to find work. She says that once upon a time, getting any sort of degree meant that you were all but guaranteed employment upon graduation; now, there is too much competition in some areas, leaving students with a debt load they are having difficulty getting out from under.

She says going to a community college like Kishwaukee can get you the same opportunities at a lower cost; two years there can serve as a launching pad to a four-year institution, or can put you directly on track to a career.

Student of the Month: Lauren Leifheit

April’s Student of the Month is not only excelling in her education, but she’s interested in a future in the education field.

Lauren Leifheit is hoping to move on to study for a degree in teaching; she’s currently ranked 13th in her class at Sycamore High School, with a weighted GPA of 4.4. She has been on the High Honor Roll for four straight years, and is an Illinois State Scholar.

Outside activities include the Educator Academy, and working as a teacher’s assistant; she has alson been in the French and Outdoor Adventure clubs, as well as the track team. Lauren has also volunteered at Feed My Starving Children, and the Kids at Work event in downtown Sycamore.

In recognition of her achievements, the Sycamore Rotary Club has provided $100 for donation to the charity of her choice; she will be giving it to the Sycamore Education Foundation.

Sycamore Rotary Club photo directory nearly finished

Nearly every member of the Sycamore Rotary Club has been accounted for, in our efforts to get everyone’s picture into our official club photo directory.

Over the past few weeks, we have been updating our photo files by taking pictures of Rotarians during our regularly-scheduled meetings. For those who have not been available, or have not submitted shots of their own, we filled in the gaps by using social media; pictures selected from their individual Facebook or LinkedIn pages have been adapted for use in our on-line directory.

We encourage all members to consult the directory, available on the Sycamore Rotary Club website; if for any reason you are not satisfied with the picture we’re using, please let us know and we’ll arrange to have you pose for a new one. And if you happen to have a picture of one of the few Rotarians missing from the directory, please feel free to submit it to the Rotary Club.

Volunteers sought for Rotarians at Work Day

Volunteers are now being sought for Rotarians at Work Day, to be held on Saturday, May 7th at sites around Sycamore and DeKalb.

This annual project has Rotarians roll up their sleeves and help local not-for-profit agencies which have work that needs to be done. We will be joining forces with the other Rotary Clubs and New Generations Clubs, pitching in at the following locations:

Rotary Park, Sycamore -- Park Pride Day

Pay it Forward House, Sycamore -- Gardening and yard work

Joiner Cemetery, Sycamore -- clean-up and gardening for Memorial Day

Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association -- interactive garden, and office filing

Please sign up at any Rotary meeting between now and May 4th; all projects will run from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. (except for the Joiner Cemetery project, which will begin at 10 o'clock). Contact Brian Adams for further information.

Golf outing set for June 29th

The Sycamore Rotary Club's annual Golf Outing has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 29th at the Sycamore Golf Course. The four-person scramble begins at 1 o'clock, immediately following a make-up session at 12:00 p.m. inside the clubhouse.

In the evening, the annual Installation Dinner will feature the inauguration of Sue Emberson as the Club President for 2016-17...and the presentation of the John W. Ovitz, Jr. Rotarian of the Year Award.

Officers nominated for Sycamore Rotary Board

Jude Wilbers has been nominated to join the Sycamore Rotary Club's Board of Directors; if elected by the membership, he will begin serving on the Board beginning July 1st. He would serve as Club President in the 2019-2020 Rotary year.

Also nominated for new terms at the March 23rd Rotary Meeting are incumbent Secretary Sally Bruch, and current Treasurer Michele Jurkovic.

As required under our bylaws, each nomination will be posted for one month; a final vote on these nominees is scheduled to be taken at the April 20th club meeting.

Hula for Loota set for Thursday, April 21st

The Sycamore Rotary Club's annual Hula-for-Loota fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, April 21st; it will be from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Chapel in the Pines in Sycamore.

This annual Hawaiian-themed event is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club's scholarship fund; the featured event is a draw-down raffle, with numbers being removed one-by-one...and the last one drawn, wins the grand prize of $3,000. There will also be cash and prizes given away throughout the drawing, as well as a 50/50 drawing.

There are four tickets still remaining; if you are interested, please contact Tami Armstrong at Tami.Armstrong@firstmidwest.com

This week's second edition of The Spoke will be held for release until Friday, so that we may include information from Thursday night's Hula-for-Loota.

Sycamore exchange student Gracia Watson's Japan blog

This year's Outbound exchange student Gracia Watson is spending a year in Japan; to find out what she's up to, go to her blog at this link

Attendance -- April 6, 2016

Attendance: 56.58%

Guests of Rotarians: Kathleen Renault (Paulette Renault); Betty Chilton (Dave Miller); Matt Deland (Paul Borek)

Other Guests: Susan and Jeff Leifheit; Eric Walker (Outbound Exchange Student)

Apr 20, 2016
Stacy Shewey
Chicagoland Skydiving Center

Apr 27, 2016
PDG Bob Hammon
R.I. Council on Legislation Report

May 04, 2016
Student of the Month


May 11, 2016
PDG Bob Newlon
Also: Presentation to Sycamore Park District

May 18, 2016
Dan and Pat Stovall
Citizens of the Month

May 25, 2016
Meeting at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport


View entire list

Hula for Loota

Chapel in the Pines

Apr 21, 2016
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

District 6420 Conference

Clock Tower Resort

Apr 29, 2016 12:00 PM –
May 01, 2016 12:00 PM

Rotarians at Work Day

May 07, 2016
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Club Information

Welcome to our Club!

Service Above Self

We meet Wednesdays at 11:45 AM

Blumen Gardens Banquet Facility

403 Edward Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
United States

District Site

Venue Map

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-16

President -- Russell Bishop

President-Elect -- Sue Emberson

Past President -- Riley Oncken

Secretary -- Sally Bruch

Treasurer -- Michele Jurkovic

Assistant Treasurer -- Lavarre Uhlken

Director -- Eric Jones

Director -- Ray Dembinski

Sergeant at Arms -- Brian Adams

Monthly Program Committees

July

Sally Bruch, Gary Evans, Curt Lang, Jim Moris, Chip Houdek

August

Dave McCann, Barry Schrader, Ben Swedberg, Lloyd Larson, Jim Buck, Julenne Davey, Nicole Stuckert

September

Tim Carlson, Mario Fontana, Suzanne Anderson, Paul Michel, Rose Treml, Bert Gray, Jeff Jacobson

October

Don Clayberg, Jeff Frank, Marcy Buick, Dave Andrews, Jim Schwarzbach, Lavarre Uhlken, Dave Miller

November

Tami Armstrong, David Galica, Pete Johnson, Julie Sgarlata, Kreg Wesley, Kathy Countryman

December

Dan Gibble, Steve Balster, Zac Sheedy, Bob Wildenradt, Heidi Wright, Brad Waller, Eric Jones

January

Paul Barnaby, Michele Jurkovic, Pat Shafer, Tom Sparacino, Jesse Boelter, Keven Dahl

February

Larry Berke, Brian Gregory, Ahmed Kamel, Fred Peltz, Richard Willey, Jude Wilbers, Rose Henton

March

Dave Hamilton, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Russell Bishop, Ray Dembinski, Phil Ruff

April

Bob Hammon, Paul Borek, Shelley Hendricks, Jim Bowers, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz

May

Cliff Bottigliero, Sue Emberson, Mark Spiegelhoff, Darryl Wolff, Eric Johnson, Mark Hilde

June

Jim Stoddard, Paul Stromborg, Michael Flora, Craig Mathey, Brian Adams, Jeff Keicher

New Generations

Chair—Julie Sgarlata

At-Large Committee Members – Kathy Countryman, Eric Jones, Don Clayberg, Julenne Davey, Nicole Stuckert, Darion Page

Sycamore H.S. Interact – Ben Swedberg

Sycamore M.S. Interact – Nicole Stuckert

South Prairie EarlyAct – Julie Sgarlata

North Grove EarlyAct – Mark Hilde

Long Term Youth Exchange – Chip Houdek

Short Term Youth Exchange – Tim Carlson

Group Study Exchange – Fred Peltz, Troy Oates

RYLA -- Ben Swedberg

Student of the Month – Steve Balster

Foundation & Grants

Chair – Paul Stromborg

At-Large Committee Members – Don Clayberg, Bob Hammon
Polio Plus – Paul Stromborg, Rose Henton, Curtis Lang, Bert Gray
Annual Giving – Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken, Jim Bowers
Foundation – Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken
Scholarships – Peter Johnson, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg, Darion Page, Julenne Davey

Service Above Self and Service Projects

Chair – Ray Dembinski

Multiple Club Project Coordination – Fred Peltz, Bob Hammon, Paul Stromborg

Water Project – Heidi Wright, Ahmed Kamel, Keven Dahl, Bob Wildenradt, Tami Armstrong, Julenne Davey, Lavarre Uhlken, Marijo Schwartz

Meals on Wheels (August) – Curt Lang, Bob Smith, Cliff Bottigliero

Dictionary Distribution (September) – Lavarre Uhlken, Brian Adams, Suzanne Anderson, Shelley Hendricks

Pancake Breakfast (October) – Marcy Buick, Michele Jurkovic, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Dave McCann, Jesse Boelter

Feed My Starving Children (November) – Heidi Wright, Jeff Frank, Eric Jones, Paul Stromborg, Paul Borek, Ed Eggers, Marijo Schwartz

Salvation Army Bell-Ringing (December) – Dave Andrews, Jim Moris, Kathy Countryman, Rose Treml

Adopt a Family (December) – Heidi Wright, Dave Miller, Brad Waller, Julenne Davey, Paul Callighan, Marijo Schwartz

Rotarians at Work Day (April) – Brian Adams, Pat Shafer, Bert Gray, Brandon Diviak, Sejal Patel, Mark Spiegelhoff, Rose Henton, Darion Page, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz

Public Image and Awareness

Chair – Brian Adams

Website – Eric Jones, Fred Peltz, Paul Barnaby

The Spoke – Barry Schrader, Paul Barnaby, Brian Adams, Shelley Hendricks

Public Image Campaign and Social Media – Brian Adams, Marijo Schwartz, Mark Hilde, David Galica, Jude Wilbers

Sergeant at Arms – Brian Adams, Lavarre Uhlken, Barry Schrader, Curt Lang

Club Fellowship

Chair – Jeff Keicher

Fines – Jeff Keicher, Marijo Schwartz, Darryl Wolff, Jeff Jacobson

Golf Outing – Dan Gibble, Brian Gregory, Steve Balster, Brad Waller, Jude Wilbers

100% Attendance Lunch (August) – Sally Bruch, Jim Buck, Robert Smith

Holiday Party (December) – Jeff Petersen, Zac Sheedy, Gary Evans, Dave Hamilton, Tami Armstrong, Paulette Renault, Craig Mathey

Rural-Urban Day (February) – Bob Wildenradt, Troy Oates, Eric Johnson, Lavarre Uhlken

Hula-for-Loota (April) – Paul Michel, Rose Henton, Tami Armstrong, Darryl Wolff, Jim Bowers

Membership

Chair – Sue Emberson
Recruitment – All members are expected to bring at least one prospective member as a guest
New Member Orientation – Bob Hammon, Ray Dembinski
Member Retention – Jim Stoddard, Bob Wildenradt, Larry Berke, Nicole Stuckert, Kathleen Merner

- See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/5772/Stories/committee-assignments-2015-2016#sthash.x7dtgs3j.dpuf

Monthly Program Committees

January -- Paul Barnaby, Michele Jurkovic, Pat Shafer, Tom Sparacino, Jesse Boelter, Keven Dahl

February -- Larry Berke, Brian Gregory, Ahmed Kamel, Fred Peltz, Richard Willey, Jude Wilbers, Rose Henton

March --Dave Hamilton, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Russell Bishop, Ray Dembinski, Phil Ruff

April --Bob Hammon, Paul Borek, Shelley Hendricks, Jim Bowers, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz

May --Cliff Bottigliero, Sue Emberson, Mark Spiegelhoff, Darryl Wolff, Eric Johnson, Mark Hilde

June --Jim Stoddard, Paul Stromborg, Michael Flora, Craig Mathey, Brian Adams, Jeff Keicher

New Generations

Chair—Julie Sgarlata

At-Large Committee Members – Kathy Countryman, Eric Jones, Don Clayberg, Julenne Davey, Nicole Stuckert, Darion Page

Sycamore H.S. Interact – Ben Swedberg

Sycamore M.S. Interact – Nicole Stuckert

South Prairie EarlyAct – Julie Sgarlata

North Grove EarlyAct – Mark Hilde

Long Term Youth Exchange – Chip Houdek

Short Term Youth Exchange – Tim Carlson

Group Study Exchange – Fred Peltz, Troy Oates

RYLA -- Ben Swedberg

Student of the Month – Steve Balster

Foundation & Grants

Chair – Paul Stromborg

At-Large Committee Members – Don Clayberg, Bob Hammon
Polio Plus – Paul Stromborg, Rose Henton, Curtis Lang, Bert Gray
Annual Giving – Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken, Jim Bowers
Foundation – Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken
Scholarships – Peter Johnson, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg, Darion Page, Julenne Davey

Service Above Self and Service Projects

Chair – Ray Dembinski

Multiple Club Project Coordination – Fred Peltz, Bob Hammon, Paul Stromborg

Water Project – Heidi Wright, Ahmed Kamel, Keven Dahl, Bob Wildenradt, Tami Armstrong, Julenne Davey, Lavarre Uhlken, Marijo Schwartz

Rotarians at Work Day (May) – Brian Adams, Pat Shafer, Bert Gray, Brandon Diviak, Sejal Patel, Mark Spiegelhoff, Rose Henton, Darion Page, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz

Public Image and Awareness

Chair – Brian Adams

Website – Eric Jones, Fred Peltz, Paul Barnaby

The Spoke – Barry Schrader, Paul Barnaby, Brian Adams, Shelley Hendricks

Public Image Campaign and Social Media – Brian Adams, Marijo Schwartz, Mark Hilde, David Galica, Jude Wilbers

Sergeant at Arms – Brian Adams, Lavarre Uhlken, Barry Schrader, Curt Lang

Club Fellowship

Chair – Jeff Keicher

Fines – Jeff Keicher, Marijo Schwartz, Darryl Wolff, Jeff Jacobson

Golf Outing – Dan Gibble, Brian Gregory, Steve Balster, Brad Waller, Jude Wilbers

Rural-Urban Day (February) – Bob Wildenradt, Troy Oates, Eric Johnson, Lavarre Uhlken

Hula-for-Loota (April) – Paul Michel, Rose Henton, Tami Armstrong, Darryl Wolff, Jim Bowers

Membership