We had good discussion at our March 5 club meeting reviewing the attached survey results but didn’t have enough time to complete the review. We will finish reviewing the results at this week’s club meeting on 3/26/26.

     We appreciate everyone’s input in identifying our club’s strengths and weaknesses and opportunities to improve. Through this process we will identify the significant issues that we need to address during our upcoming strategic planning sessions.

     If anyone is interested in participating in the strategic planning sessions, contact President Paul Von Driska (pvondrtiska@bergstrominc.com or 815-222-6748).

     We would encourage our members, especially those who are not attending our meetings to show up and talk about where you think this club should be heading in the future.

 

 

     Conor Brown is the CEO of NorthWest Illinois Alliance of REALTORS®, a 1,000+ Realtor and affiliate member regional association whose mission is “To be a Proactive Force for Real Estate. 

     He was hired in October of 2018 and immediately set out to accomplish many strategic initiatives set by the Board of Directors.  Recently, he successfully completed a merger between the Belvidere Board of REALTORS® and six months later with the REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Illinois. 

     Conor has almost 20 years’ experience in association management and government affairs. He was recently elected Treasurer of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, and he serves on Growth Dimensions Board of Directors. 

     Conor moved to Rockford in 1995 and graduated from Boylan Catholic High School.  He received his Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI. Conor resides in Rockford with his family.

     Conor will discuss the current real estate market in the Rockford area and what he thinks the future will hold.s

     This will be an interesting and informative meeting and one to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.

     Terri Watts will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.

 

     Mayor Tom McNamara was our speaker on March 19th.  He talked about how things were when he was elected as the 3rd Ward Alderman in 2011 and when he was elected mayor in 2017 and how those numbers compare to today.  He also talked about the capital improvements that will be started this year.  He also discussed the proposed data center in anticipation of a question.

     As usual his presentation was informative as well as entertaining.

 

 

President Paul presents the mayor with the Rotary mug.

     Our 2025-26 goal for the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund is $13,000.  So far, members have contributed $8,355.  In addition, members have contributed an additional $3,976 to the other six funds including Polio Plus.

     Our other goal is to have 100% participation.  To date, 31 members have contributed to the Foundation out of our total membership of 84 which is 36.9%.

     Congratulations to Patti Bigger who is our newest contributor to the Foundation.  We also want to thank Jim Nelson who transferred to us from Bristol, Tennessee because we are now getting credit for his contributions to the Foundation.  Congratulations and thank you to the following members who have contributed to this year's campaign.

 

 

 

 

     Hello all!
   

     This email is sent to our District Leadership team, and all active members of the Pecatonica, Loves Park, Belvidere, Roscoe/Rockton, Rockford Downtown, and Rockford East/Cherry Valley Rotary Clubs.
 
     Please mark your calendars for our next Local Rotary Social, which will be:
 
     DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH
     TIME: 5:00 - 7:00PM
     LOCATION: LUCHA CANTINA, 1641 N ALPINE RD, ROCKFORD (at Edgebrook Shopping Center)
 
     Our District Governor, Melissa McCormick will be present, so please bring your questions, ideas, and a warm welcome for her! This is an ideal time for your incoming presidents to meet in a more casual setting as they prepare for the year ahead. 
     As always, dress code is come as you are and spouses are always welcome. Bring your name tag and some business cards for swapping. We look forward to seeing you there for some wonderful conversation and sharing.
 
Happy March,
Beth Costa-Bland
Area 1 Assistant Governor
 

 

     At out March 12th meeting, President Paul inducted a new member to Rockford Rotary, Steve Smith.  Steve is President of Rosecrance Illinois and the following information was obtained from the Rosecrance website.

     Steve Smith is a committed servant leader with a history of passionately improving systems and care for the communities he serves. 

     Since his first role at Rosecrance as a primary counselor for the men’s unit at Rosecrance Harrison in Rockford, Illinois, in 2006, Smith has built a strong foundation at Rosecrance through progressive leadership roles, particularly in residential care and youth services.

     Through his direct and indirect leadership roles, Smith played a crucial part in launching several initiatives. He was involved in designing and implementing specialized services for young adults, supporting the integration of community mental health services into Rosecrance, and assisting in the establishment of mental health residential services for youth at the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus.

     Since leaving Rosecrance in 2020, he took on the role of CEO at a Federally Qualified Health Clinic, where he remained dedicated to eliminating barriers to quality and affordable care for underserved populations. Additionally, he served as President of Wisconsin Health Plus, a statewide value-based care collaborative, and has participated on various boards and committees throughout southern Wisconsin.

     We are honored to have Steve join Rockford Rotary and we would encourage all of our members to meet Steve and welcome him to Rockford Rotary.

 

Rotary Lunches 

 

     We will continue to serve lunches for $12 each week.  We currently are having food from the Sandwich Shop, but we will alternate each month between Beef-A-Roo and the Sandwich Shop.  Monica will be more than happy to take your money for lunch. 

 

Jim Coffey, Secretary