Our Downtown Rockford Rotary Club is offering a buffet lunch before each Thursday meeting beginning at 11:30am, August 20. The choices reflect member requests from the menu of 15 options provided by ABC Catering. 

     Our presenters for the August 20th meeting will be our own Maliha Khan and Faten Abdallah, Co-Founders and Co-CEO's of the Institute of Languages, Mathematics and Sciences (ILMS), which was founded in 2019.  ILMS is a Rockford based tutoring and educational enrichment center dedicated to helping students of all ages through personalized instruction. Together, Maliha and Faten have built around the belief that education transforms lives by fostering confidence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

     Maliha holds Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Genetics with graduate studies in Biochemistry. She has taught Honors Chemistry and Biology for many years and is recognized for inspiring students to persevere, think critically, and achieve their full potential. A fun fact-Maliha just got back from Japan and visited a Rotary chapter.

     Faten holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science with graduate studies in Foundations of Education. An experienced educator and former college instructor, she emphasizes dialogue, problem-based learning, and helping students connect local experiences with a global perspective. A fun fact for Faten-she was named in the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce's inaugural 40 Over 40 honorees.

     As members of the Rockford community and Rotary, Maliha and Faten exemplify Rotary's commitment to Service Above Self through their dedication to education, youth development, and strengthening our community. Today they will share the importance of education and the impact it can have on individuals, families, and the future of Rockford. Maliha will also share her experience visiting Japan’s Rotary as a guest.

     This will be an interesting and "educational" program and one you will want to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.  Elise Cadigan will introduce our presenters and act as Rotary Host. 

     Now that school is back in session it is the time of year when we are looking for volunteers to read with 2nd and 3rd grade students in RPS 205.   How exciting that we are now in our 25th year of Rockford Reads!  This year we are going bilingual, so we are in need of bilingual volunteers as well.  If you have not participated in Rockford Reads before, please consider it now.  It is a very rewarding experience to help influence the lives of these students. 
     Volunteers do not need to be Rotarians.  If you know of someone who might be interested, let them know about this program. 

     If you are interested or know of someone, please reach out to Kathy Kwiat-Hess at kathykwiathess@gmail.com.

     Each year Rockford University presents an Outstanding Young Alumni Award which is "given to an alum who graduated within the last 15 years and has brought honor to Rockford University through purposeful endeavors, community service, or professional achievement".

     Rotary Direct is Rotary's recurring giving program.  It is an easy way to give to the Rotary Foundation either monthly, quarterly, or annually.

     Below you will find a file with all the information you will need to give on a recurring basis.