“I’ve learned to rely on the strength I inherited from all those who came before me — the grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and brothers who were tested with unimaginable hardships and still survived.”
Monday's meeting will feature MHS Principal Christopher Moore. He will introduce us to the Grow Your Own Teacher Program. The Grow Your Own Teacher classes provided by Moline High School hope to identify, train, and nurture high school students interested in a teaching career.
Last week's speaker was Lucas Molle, Moline Rotary's 2019 - 2020 Exchange Student from La Louviere, Belgium.
Lucas is visiting for 10 days, staying with his former host parents Angela & John Moody, Coal Valley. Lucas' exchange year was cut short due to the onset of COVID, with Exchange Students being sent back home in March 2020. Lucas narrated a great slide presentation depicting the highlights of his exchange year, and talked about his life since returning home, and he described his exciting 10 days back in the Quad Cities with the Moodys and Gary Francque. Lucas has been attending a local college back in his hometown area of La Louviere, and has decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. He will enter the Belgian Law Enforcement Academy in October and expects to be stationed near his home town.
His adventures during his return visit to the Quad Cities included:
Rock Island Labor Day Parade during which he met the Rock Island Rotary Club Inbound Exchange Student from France,
Attending a concert of the University of Illinois March Band at Rocky Stadium,
Visiting his alma mater Moline High School where Principal Chris Moore welcomed him back. Lucas toured the building and reconnected with his former soccer coaches and his French teacher, and he then attended a MHS home Soccer game at MHS, wearing his 2020 MHS Soccer Team shirt.
Savoring two "Double Butter Burgers" at his favorite American restaurant, Culvers.
Cycling the QC Mississippi River bike paths with host dad John Moody and Gary Francque
Law Enforcement Day - Lucas toured the Moline Police Department and the Q-Comm regional 911 center.
Beer tasting at Front Street Pub and a QC River Bandits game.
Tailgating at University of Iowa Hawkeyes football game
Visited Muscatine with host parents.
Farewell Pizza party at Happy Joes.
Club Presentation:Youth Exchange Officer Gary Francque and Vice President Eric VanWinkle presented Lucas Molle with a plaque recognizing his completion of his Rotary International Exchange in 2020. Lucas did not receive his plaque back then because the onset of the COVID in 2020 resulted in him being abruptly sent home for his safety. Lucas was also presented with a gift of $400.00 from Moline Rotary Club members, donated to help him defray the cost of his return visit to us. Thank you to a few Moline Rotarians who stepped up to help Lucas!
Gary had quite a slideshow of not only Lucas's recent visit and the myriad of things Gary had planned for him, but also highlights from his shortened Exchange back in 2019-20, and images from Belgium since returning home.
It was great to have Lucas back in Moline again! Best wishes Lucas!
Lucas Molle, La Louviere, Belgium. 2019-2020 Rotary Exchange Student in Moline.
Angela & John Moody, Coal Valley. Former host parents for Rotary Exchange Student Lucas Molle
Marcy O'Brien, Illinois Quad Cities Rotary Club
Christie Coverdill, President Illinois Quad Cities Rotary Club
Youth Exchange News:
Gary Francque recognized student Tyler Miller as being a friend and supporter of our 2023-24 Exchange Student Joao Miguel. Tyler, a member of the MHS Fishing Team, and his family, hosted Joao for a weekend fishing adventure on their farm during which Joao realized his dream of becoming a fisherman after being mentored by Tyler in fishing techniques, cleaning and preparing fish and frying and eating their catch. Thank you Miller family for supporting Rotary International Youth Exchange!
Student Rotarians:
The MHS Student Rotarian program has resumed with five new students introduced by MHS Principal Chris Moore. Students included: Karenna Zemek, Zach Paterson, Lauren Glessner, Tyler Miller, Rowan Smith. Students introduced themselves and summarized their various school and community involvements. Get to know these talented Student Rotarians!
A Wine Tasting event is being hosted by the Illinois Quad Cities Rotary Club on September 19, 2024 from 5:50 - 8:30pm at Old Oaks Winery. Proceeds to benefit the Rock Island County Children's Advocacy Center.
Rotary Member Announcements
Moline Rotarian and Moline Police Chief Darren Gault announced that he was seeking a position on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Board of Directors as 4th Vice President. The IACP is the premier law enforcement professional executive organization in the world, serving some 34,000 members in 170 countries. Chief Gault is currently serving with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police as Vice President at Large, Region 2. The ILACP has nominated Chief Gault for the International Association position. Chief Gault announced that running for an executive position in the IACP requires campaigning globally, and he must raise as much as $30,000 to compete for this position. Chief Gault invited Rotarians and local businesses to support his endeavor by contributing to his campaign. Chief Gault displayed a campaign card containing a scan code through which supporters can donate.
Former Moline Police Chief Gary Francque, still a lifetime IACP member, said “The IACP is the premier Law Enforcement professional organization in the world and is responsible for major law enforcement legislation and improvements in the U.S. and worldwide. The IACP is respected by lawmakers in every country. Serving on the IACP Board of Directors is a extraordinary honor and a profound opportunity for Chief Gault which will enable him to influence major improvements in law enforcement worldwide. I fully support his nomination and plan to support his campaign with a personal donation”.
Good luck Chief Gault!
You can't win if you don't play!!
Contact our esteemed Sergeant at Arms, Nicole Zook, for your entry tickets before each meeting!
Gary Francque invited Rotarians to attend the 2024 Fall Belgian Fest on Sunday September 15th from noon to 4:00pm at Stephens Park, Moline.
Features include food catered by Belgian Village Inn, Belgian beers, fresh baked Belgian Waffles, live music by Gray Wolf and the Happy Belgians, Belgian Horse Carriage Rides, a Rolle Bolle Tournament, and Kids Face Painting. Gary Francque will be the chief waffle chef for the event! (See slides for event sign)
Heather Calvert invited Rotarians to attend the Butterworth Center Porch Party also on Sunday September 15th noon to 5:00pm.
The Four-Way Test: Of the things we think, say, or do: Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
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