Gregory Saunders is a top-tier Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Signature in the Rockford, Illinois area and the energetic host and producer of The INCROWD815 Podcast.

     As a dedicated real estate investor and community champion, Greg specializes in helping clients secure their own "Equity Sanctuary" while maximizing their "Lifestyle Surplus" across the greater 815 region.

     Beyond real estate, he utilizes his podcast platform to amplify local non-profits, orchestrating major community events like the "INCROWD815 Masked Karaoke Trivia Contest" and the "Summer of Fun Fundraiser Series" to drive local engagement and philanthropy.

     Greg will talk about the history of INCROWD815 and how it morphed from a group called Incrowd in 2008 to its current form.  He will discuss how the podcast benefits local non-profits by focusing on what he likes to call "Virtual Encouragement" as opposed to "Virtue Signaling".

     This will be our first program about a Podcast so it will be informative and interesting and one to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.

     Lynn Momberger will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary Host. 

 

     The Board voted to make some small changes to the club's dues and invoices have been mailed out.  Please pay your dues prior to June 30, 2026 because our club will be billed by Rotary International and District 6420 based on the number of members we have on July 1, 2026.

     If anyone has any questions about the dues they can email President Paul at pvondriska@bergstrominc.com .

 

 

     On May 26th, 3 new members of the Satellite Club were installed by Chairman Lois Seijo.  Dave Peterson is the Resident Engagement Coordinator for Wesley Willows and was sponsored by Francis Salinas.  Dave is a former member of Rockford Rotary when they used to meet in the basement of the Faust Hotel which was before most of our members time in Rotary.  Natasha McNeal is the Interim Vice President for Advancement at Wesley Willows and was also sponsored by Frances Salinas.  The third new member is David Jones who is a retired Presbyterian minister who is a former member of the Des Plaines Rotary Club.

     After the installation, PDG Kathy Kwiat-Hess conducted a new member orientation for them.

     We welcome Dave, Natasha, and David to Rockford Rotary and hope that you will be active in not only the Satellite Club but also find time to join some of the regular club meetings and activities in addition to those at Wesley Willows. 

Academy Final Event Winner

 

     One of the highlights of the Rotary Academy Final Event was a drawing for an all-expense paid family vacation certificate for the Embassy Suites.

     Linda Johnson, Mary Maxted, and PDG Elise Cadigan joined with West's principal, Academy advisor, club liaisons, teachers and counselors to present the lucky student with the certificate.  Congratulations to the winning student and a big thank you to Embassy Suites for the donation and also for their cooperation in making the Final Celebration a success.

 

     The Rock River Valley Food Pantry is conducting their Annual Peanut Butter and Jelly drive through the end of June.

     There will be a collection barrel at the west end of Memorial Hall and Rockford Rotary will be taking donations through June 25th.  Peanut butter in plastic containers is preferred but there doesn't seem to be Grape Jelly in plastic containers so glass will have to do.  Just be careful when putting the jars in the barrel.

     Let's see how many barrels we can fill in the coming weeks.

 

     Our 2025-26 goal for the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund is $13,000.  So far, members have contributed $10,190.  In addition, members have contributed an additional $4,581 to the other six funds including Polio Plus.

     Our other goal is to have 100% participation.  To date, 34 members have contributed to the Foundation out of our total membership of 83 which is 41%.

     Congratulations to Larry Carlson who is our newest member to contribute to the Annual Fund.

     Congratulations and thank you to the following members who have contributed to this year's campaign.

 

 

 

 

     Rockford Rotary will be helping out at the Northern Illinois Food Bank at the following times:

 

     If you have any questions, contact Mary Maxted - marymaxted1@gmail.com or 815-985-5538

 

     Rockford Reads Reads has been the main focus of our Literacy Committee for a long time. We can be proud of having this program run for 24 years and we will continue to be the face of Rockford Reads.

     We would like to explore ways for our literacy impact to expand and grow. If you are interested in serving on the Literacy Committee, please contact Kathy Kwiat-Hess.

Rotary Lunches 

 

     We will continue to serve lunches for $12 each week.  We currently are having food from the Sandwich Shop.  Monica will be more than happy to take your money for lunch. 

 

Jim Coffey, Secretary