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See the USA in your Chevrolet…OOPS, A Mishap in Morrison

Travels with your District Governor

Last Wednesday, I was traveling to Morrison to share a Noon Rotary Meeting as part of my District duties. I was a little early, so I pulled into the McDonalds for a coffee, but did not quite make it. I managed to run over the highway divider curb, hitting an old stub from a street sign in the pavement. That tore out my oil pan, broke a gadget the holds the engine to the frame, bent the frame itself and spilled all the oil and air conditioning fluids out of my Chevy Traverse. 

Thank goodness I was in Morrison. I called President Mick Welding who called Rotarian Mark Schuler at Kunes County Chevrolet. They had a tow truck there in minutes then gave me a ride to The Club Meeting. We all had a great time. Assistant Governor Mary Beth Eggers joined us that day. She was kind enough to give me a ride back to Rochelle where we met my wife, who was kind enough to take me home. (I need Brownie Points there!)  So, thank you my fellow Rotarians and State Farm Auto Insurance.

Polio Month

Polio Day is October 24th!  I am incredibly happy to see so many of our Clubs have polio events and fundraisers scheduled this year. We have Polio Walks, “Pints for Polio” and many more. Thank you for your great effort. Although the world is down to two countries with the Polio virus, we still have work to do. That includes letting your local communities know that Rotary is a major part of the historical effort. Please wave your Rotary Banners proudly I public. Write your newspaper editors. Be “Rotarians of Action” in your own hometowns

You could be the next District Governor in three years

Now is the time for experienced Rotarians to consider serving their fellow Rotarians in the office of District Governor. This December, we will be choosing the District Governor for 2024-25. If chosen, you will spend time with the District Governor Chain preparing for your year. You will have plenty of support and your valued input will begin immediately.

You must be nominated by your club. There is a form for that. But you may want to begin with a quiet and confidential chat with me, Bobbie Burke, or Kathy Kwiat-Hess.  For that matter, any of the former DG’s would welcome your call. Call me, Tom Brooks at 815-608-6531.

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October is End Polio Month

October is End Polio Month!

As you all know, October 24th is World Polio Day every year and it is approaching fast.  End Polio Now is requesting every club plan some End Polio event before or on the 24th.   It can be fund raising or simply a publicity/awareness event.  Some clubs are hosting seminars, while others are planning fundraisers such as walks, bike rides, food events (now mostly carryout), raffles, t-shirt sales.  Once your club plans an event, enter the event in the End Polio website.  

The website, endpolio.org, has some great resources for clubs.  There are three central themes:

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Foundation News

We all recognize the importance of donating to The Rotary Foundation on an ongoing basis and have set up some type of payment plan for those donations.  But how many of us have set up our estate planning so that we continue to make the Foundation viable beyond our lifetimes?  There are simple ways to do this.   Your attorney can help you set up a provision for a donation to The Rotary Foundation, whether that is a fixed amount or a percentage of your estate.

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End Polio Now Walk
District Grants 2021/2022

 What are District Grants?  

District Grants are intended for small-scale, short-term activities that address humanitarian needs in your community.  All Clubs in District 6420 are encouraged to apply for a District Grant.  For the 2020-2021 Rotary year 33 of the 46 Clubs in District 6420 applied for a District Grant.  That was a record number of Clubs but we would like to see even more Clubs become involved for 2021-2022.

 How much money is available?

A maximum of $1000 will be available to each Club in District 6420 for the 2021-2022 Rotary year.  Matching club funds are expected.

 

 

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Two Major Donors to Rotary Foundation Awarded
Achieving the level of Major Donor in giving to The Rotary Foundation is no small task.  In order to achieve that status, one needs to have contributed cumulatively $10,000 or more.  This is usually achieved over a number of years and is the next step beyond achieving Paul Harris +8.  We just awarded two individuals in our district with that recognition.  Geneseo Rotarian Clarke Barnes and his wife, Gail, earned this recognition and Freeport Rotarian Joseph Graham did as well.  
 
We are gratified to have many Major Donors in District 6420 who serve as an inspiration to all of us.
 
 Congratulations and a huge thank you to Clarke and Gail Barnes and Joseph Graham!
 
Youth Exchange On Hold
SHORT TERM YOUTH EXCHANGE ON COVID HOLD
 
Members of the District Short Term Youth Exchange Committee met this week to determine the fate of our District's 2020-21 Program. Due to the increasing risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and keeping in mind that our students' safety is paramount, the Committee has placed the Program on hold for the coming year. "We hope to be back in full swing by next year" said STEP Chair PDG Scott Shore. 
 
The Short Term Youth Exchange Program offers students 15-19 years old the opportunity to be paired with a student from overseas for approximately 8 weeks during the summer months, spending 4 weeks together here, and 4 weeks together in the paired student's home. Those exchanges are generally with Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Another part of the Short Term Program is called Sisterhood of Schools, pairing students from Sycamore with students from Argentina, who typically travel here in our winter months (their summer). 
 
Seven students who were deferred last year, will again be deferred but may participate next year if still qualified. 
 
A decision has not yet been made regarding our District's participation in Long Term Youth Exchange. 
=====================
Scott A. Shore
Past District Governor 2016-17
District Youth Services Co-Chair
District Short Term Youth Exchange Chair
Rotary District 6420 - Illinois USA
H: 815-339-2398
C: 815-866-1975
Illinois Valley Rotary Supports Knights of Columbus
Over the weekend the Illinois Valley Rotary Club collected $1,500.00 for the Utica Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive and put in 20 hours of community service.
 
 
 
GREAT JOB ILLINOIS VALLEY ROTARY!
Rock Falls Rotary Donates to LIFE
At the recent drawing of three prizes for persons who donated at least $30 to support a student to receive a book/month for one year through the LIFE (Literacy Is Fun(damental) for Everyone) program in Whiteside County, in partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a donation check for $870 was presented to Pam Martinez ( far left) of United Way and to Jodi Perez (far right) of Power of Purse Committee for LIFE by Rock Falls Rotarians, Cheryl Faber (center left) and Gail Wright, President of Rock Falls Rotary ((center right). 
 
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Blood Drive on 9/11 A Success!
 
Putnam County Rotary / Interact 9-11 Blood Drive Success
     Co-hosted by Putnam County High School Interact and Putnam County Rotary, a Red Cross Blood Drive held on September 11 was a success -- on several levels. 
     The project was a fitting remembrance, honoring lives lost on 9-11-01,  and the heroism of first responders then, and now. The event provided students -- all born after the tragedies of that day -- a meaningful opportunity to learn and participate. The event also coincided with national "Blood Collectors Week" celebrating the compassion and commitment of front-line blood drive staff. 
      In all, 21 units of blood were collected. Donors included five PCHS students two of whom were first-time donors, and school staff, Rotarians, and community members. The numbers were particularly good considering that Putnam County schools had temporarily closed down that day due to COVID-19 issues.  
      Blood donations at school-sponsored drives help to earn scholarship grants provided by Red Cross each year. Recipients are selected based upon both volunteer and donor participation. 
 
 
Rotary volunteers prepare for donors at Blood Drive held on 9-11.PC 
Rotarian Deb Buffington rolls up her sleeve(s) for the cause!
Putnam County Road Apples "Left Its Mark!"
Thanks to all who bought squares on the PC Rotary Road Apple Bingo grid this year, with special mention to Pete the Pony! The annual "fun-raiser" was a socially distanced success! Congrats to Grand Prize Winner Karen Karczewski and $50 drawing winner Jim Petersen -- twice! 
BULLETIN EDITOR
 
 
Kathy Schmidt
keschmidt77@gmail.com
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