Tanner Elliott's presentation is entitled "Stepping into History: The World of Civil War Reenacting".  Without giving away too much Tanner will talk about assuming the identity of an actual Civil War soldier and participating in various Civil War Reenactments around the country like the one held at Midway Village each year.

     Tanner joined Rockford Rotary on February 26th of this year and has the distinction of being the youngest member of our club.

     He received a bachelor's degree from Rockford University in 2021 and an MBA in Organizational Leadership in 2023.  While attending RU he worked part time as a Delivery Specialist at Home Depot and as a Prairie Restoration Technician for the Rockford Park District.  During his time at RU, he was also a Resident Hall Director and Esports Director.  In July of 2024 he worked full time and the Senior Advancement Officer at Rockford University.  In October 0f 2025 he began work as the Development Manager at the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity.  In July of this year, he was offered a position "he couldn't turn down" and began working for Rockford Lutheran School as the Advancement Coordinator.

     We all heard about Tanner's Eagle Scout project which was to build a handicap accessible platform at Harlem High School football stadium for his friend who could not watch football or soccer because he was confined to a wheelchair.

     This will be an interesting and informative program about not only the history of the Civil War but an inside look at what goes into being a reenactor.  This will also be an opportunity to bring a guest or prospective to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.

     Dave Byrnes who has some experience as a historian will introduce our presenter and act at Rotary host.  

 

     President Paul will present the next steps in our 3-year strategic plan.  The strategic Plan will be further developed by work groups and standing committees in communication with the Strategic Planning Committee.  The 8 work groups will consist of: Programs/Meetings; Membership; Public Image/Branding & Marketing; Service Projects; International Engagement; Rotary Foundation & Fund Development; Club Member Responsibilities; and Strategic Plan Implementation.

     We will be asking members to consider which workgroups and committees they would like to be a member of and whether they would like to co-chair any of them.

     This is an important meeting to try and rebrand our club which has never really recovered from the COVID shutdown.  Please plan to attend and help move this club forward.  

    Rockford Rotary Club is offering a buffet lunch before each Thursday meeting at 11:30 AM.

 

 

 

     Our September 3rd Social will be held at 5:30 PM at the Chavez Restaurant.

     We will be celebrating the birthday of our Youth Exchange student Alejo Vazquez from Argentina.  Come and meet Alejo and welcome him to Rockford. Rotary.

      Alejo Vazquez our youth exchange student: Alejo is from a small rural town in Argentina. His hobbies are drawing, video games and Rubik’s cubes and his favorite class is math. He has the highest grade point average in his class.

     He has been vice president of his student council and has participated in the youth parliament with students from other schools so that their proposals reach the national congress.

     Alejo enjoys learning new things and taught himself English and looks forward to learning about the USA while on his exchange.

     Alejo is attending Harlem High School and is living with Leandro Tarragona & Maricel Colman, who also hosted Timeo, our youth exchange student in 24/25. Alejo will be making a presentation to our club in September or October.

     We will also be celebrating Alejo’s birthday with him at Chavez restaurant on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

     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.

     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.