Bruce Erickson is the CEO/Founder of the 17th Judicial Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers, Inc.  He and his 4-year-old golden retriever, Remi, make up on of the current 24 dog and handler teams of the organization.

     Bruce received an Associate Degree in Electrical Science from Rock Valley College and worked as a Construction Electrician in his former life before therapy dogs became his focus in life.

     He was an Army National Guard Lieutenant for 6 years; Bone Marrow Courier for MNDP for 18 years; CASA volunteer for over 15 years; has been a member of Alpine Kiwanis for over 10 years and served as President and as a Lieutenant Governor; a Youth Director at St. Mark Lutheran Church for 2 years; and has worked with the Blackhawk Area Council of the Boy Scouts for 48 years.

     Bruce and his wife have three children and 6 grandchildren.  In his spare time, he loves to travel with his wife, scuba dive, go camping and enjoys time with the grandkids.

     The reason he started the Therapy Dog Program is that he enjoys working with children and adults that might need assistance in the courts and other locations around our county during stressful times.

     As you will find out his organization is involved with more than the 17th Judicial Circuit Courts.  They are also involved with over 25 schools, the Family Peace Center, Rockford Police Department, the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, the Rockford 911 Center, and many other organizations.

     Bruce will talk about how an idea and his first dog Bella turned into the organization that exists today including the problems he encountered along the way. 

     This will be an interesting and informative program and one to invite a guest or prospective member top join us in person at Memorial Hall or via zoom.

     Jim Coffey will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.

 

 

 

     Our annual tradition of the "Order of the Shelf" will continue this year with Roast Master Paul Logli leading the festivities as we "welcome" Mike Forman as our 2024-25 President.  This should be a fun meeting because Paul and his gang will be using material that they dug up on the Internet.  Please join us for the fun in person at Memorial Hall or via zoom.

     Disclaimer:  The editor and staff of the COG have not verified that Paul Logli will be the Roast Master this year, because we are getting lazy in our old age, so we just copied last year's article.  

 

     At our June 13th meeting, Emily Hurd, who is the owner and operator of The Norwegian, a restaurant in Rockford's lower North End, gave us the story of her 10-year battle to try and open her restaurant.  This is the first time she has shared this story in public.  She has a very professional PowerPoint presentation which has all of us wondering why she didn't quit a dozen times during the ordeal.  But as her father told her, we are not quitters.  Basically, it was a story of "if it can go wrong, it did go wrong".  Thank you Emily for giving Rockford Rotary the chance to hear your story.  We think you should be out there telling it to anyone who will listen.

 

     PLEASE don’t forget to pay your Rotary Club dues invoice that came out on May 1, 2024. If you cannot find the email – please check your club runner account. You may pay half ($155.00) now and the other half in November if you would like. It is important that we collect the Dues invoice money before July and January each year so that we may pay our Rotary International dues.

 

     Summer "Save the Date" July 18th for a summer meeting/party at noon for Chama as she will be leaving to go back home on the 20th.

 

     Also, we will have a social event at the Rivets game that night (7/18) with other Rotary clubs from the area.

 

     We are also signed up to be greeters at City market on Aug 23rd so please save the date- we need 15-20 volunteers the day to greet people at the market.

 

     Pete Rundquist

     President 

     815-985-3976 

 

        

 

 

New Member Reception open to all Rotary Members and their Guest(s)

 

When: Thursday, June 27th Time: 5:30-7pm

Where: The University Club, 945 N. Main Street, Rockford

Enjoy Rotary fellowship and get to know our new members! Members are invited to attend for a $20 fee that includes appetizers and one drink ticket.

Payment can be made at each week’s Rotary meeting with a sign-in sheet, pay either by cash $20, check, credit card PayPal use “handle”: @CharitableRkfdRotary.

Make checks payable to: Rockford Rotary. Checks can be mailed to: Rockford Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1323, Rockford, IL 61105

 

 

 

 

 

06-20-24 - "What is a Therapy Dog"

                  Bruce Erickson, 17th Judicial Circuit Therapy Dogs

                  Host - Jim Coffey

 

06-27-24 - "Order of the Shelf"

                  "Vetting, Selecting, Electing Our President"

                  Host - Eric Moe

 

                  5:30 - 7:00 PM  New Member Reception

                   University Club - 945 N. Main St

                   Open to all members and their guest(s)

                    $20 to cover appetizers and 1 drink ticket

 

07-18-24 - 12:00 PM - Summer Meeting/Party

                   We will be having a party for Chama

                   who will be leaving to go back home on the 20th

 

 

07-18-24 - Rotary at the Rivets Game

                  Area Rotary Clubs will be seated in one section

                  More details to follow - Just a note that

                  Thirsty Thursdays are celebrated with $2 Domestic Beers          

 

08-23-24 - Greeters at the City Market

                  We will need 15 - 20 volunteers to greet people at the Market

                                 

 

 

     Starting with our September 7th meeting, we will be having lunches at our noon meetings.  We will be starting with a package from Beef-A-Roo.  It will consist of a Wrap, salad, chips, cookie, and a soda or water.  There will bea variety of meats in the wraps.  This is a work in progress and things may change.  Lunches will start on September 7, 2023 and will be available at 11:45 AM the day of the meeting.

     PLEASE.  If you plan to bring a guest, PLEASE let us know 3 days in advance so we can make arrangements for food.  It will be your responsibility to cover the cost at $12.50 per meal.

 

     Thanks

     Pete Rundquist - runky907@comcast.net

     President, Rockford Rotary