Alex Kirchner has been the Chief Meteorologist at 13 WREX since August of 2014.
He produces and delivers the weather forecast on-air for the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. broadcasts (and develops new graphics on a nightly basis to help tell the story), in addition to recording short radio forecasts for our radio partners.
He also updates their website with a daily forecast article and writes longer-form web articles about weather/science as topics arise. He posts on the station's Facebook and Twitter accounts multiple times per shift about the forecast, weather topics and science topics, and delivers a Facebook Live forecast on a nightly basis (or as needed during severe weather or winter coverage).
Outside of the broadcast, Alex mentors the other meteorologists on staff. He writes, produces and delivers a sponsored weekly one-minute weather and science report called "Weather Wise". He also coordinates and leads an annual outreach project called "Project: Tornado". WREX meteorologists visit area elementary schools to teach the students about severe weather safety. This includes an assembly with a video we produce, interactive examples, and question/answer session.
In 2020, he helped put together a digital version of "Project: Tornado" for the station’s website as well as a 30-minute special report on tornado education and safety.
Alex loves tracking the weather, running, cooking, and eating (and repeat!). He also loves hiking, reading, and corgis.
This will be an interesting and informative program and one to invite a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.
We are still looking for a suitable member to act as Rotary host.
Our February 6th program will start at11:30 AM with lunch on the second floor of the new Rockford Public Library. After lunch and a short program from Lynn Stainbrook, the Executive Director, we will have a tour of the new library facility. You can park in our usual places and walk across the street, and we will have someone there to tell you where to go.
This will be an opportunity to see this new facility. We would encourage you to invite a guest or prospective member to join us in person.
Paul Logli who is also President of the Libratry Board will serve as Rotary host.
Samir Romero talking about his job and his football club (soccer) which helps young men and women adjust to life in Rockford.
Our Youth Exchange student Timeo will be attending a Bulls game along with Paul Von Driska and his wife Beth. To make sure that Timeo will be properly dressed, PDG Elise Cadigan presented him with a Bulls hoodie.
The Service Above Self Awards will be awarded on Thursday, March 13th. I am already receiving nominations, but if you have someone or an organization that you would like to nominate, please get it in to me by February 13th. We need time to review the nominations and to plan the ceremony.
Do you know someone who either has shown great volunteer leadership or who has given generously of their time to many organizations? Maybe they deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary volunteer contributions. The Service Above Self Award is designed to recognize individuals in the Rockford community who have gone "above and beyond" in serving Rockford in a volunteer capacity, people who are making a difference in our community.
We also recognize a nonprofit organization who has made an expecially great contribution to Rockford in the past year. Are you proud to associated with a special organization? You may want to shine a light on their achievements by nominating that organization for an award.
Nomination forms are available on the Rockford Rotary website, under the Membership tab. I am happy to help you with your nomination if you so desire. You can contact me at david.byrnes941@gmail.com, or you can call me at 815/670-1737.
A gentle reminder that you please pay for your lunch, $150 for December, January, and February. You can pay by credit card or send a check to our treasurer, Monica Glenny. If you bring your own lunch, you can opt out by not paying the $150.00. If you have any questions, or if you only want the lunches for a specific month, please tell Bob Canfield, 815-968-7200 or canfilaw@sbcglobal.net .
Our Club has a number of volunteer opportunities, but some very specific needs that have been identified are listed below, along with the contact information for the person leading the effort. Please let them know if you would be willing to help in any of these areas.
The Service Above Self Awards – Program Date, March 13, 2025
There are a number of parts of the whole. This may involve a few meetings to be determined by those who want to be involved.
First, we need a good pool of candidates. According to program rules, candidates must be nominated by a member of the Club. Only a few may be Rotarians themselves. The rest must be from the Rockford community. If you want to help, please talk to the nonprofit organizations with which you are familiar. Who are the outstanding volunteers in their organizations? Let’s see how wide we can cast this net. Try to include both large organizations along with smaller ones.
When we have compiled a good number of applications, there needs to be a committee to review the applications and select the winners. For those who nominate a successful candidate, they will do the introduction at the awards ceremony.
The applications for both individual candidates and the Mary Stuart Carruthers award are available on our website. Look under the Membership tool bar near the top of the home page.
Second, we need to involve the media, not only in covering the event, but also in announcing that the awards are available.
Third, we need volunteers to plan and run the lunch and program on March 13, 2025 which includes many individual elements such as:
Determining & Executing Program Elements. Like last year for the ceremony, Mayor McNamara was invited to attend, say a few words, and hand out the awards.
Getting flowers for each of the award recipients.
Order, proof, and ensure plaques for each recipient are on site the day of the event.
Track of reservations so we have enough food.
Ordering Food and arranging pick up or deliver on March 13, 2025.
Clean-up at the end of the program on March 13, 2025
CONTACT for more info or to take on one of these pieces of this event – Dave Byrnes, david.byrnes941@gmail.com
Each week we will be publishing a message from the Rotary International Foundation. This week's message is:
WHAT ARE THE ROTARY PEACE FELLOWSHIPS?
Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders to study at Rotary Peace Centers at universities around the world.
Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, these professionals develop their capacity to become effective catalysts for peace. Rotary Peace Fellows earn either master’s degrees or professional development certificates in subjects related to peace and development.
Since 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,500 fellows who work in over 115 countries in education, in government roles, and at international organizations.
Rotary members like you can shape the next generation of peace leaders by identifying and interviewing potential candidates.
Learn more about the Rotary Peace Fellowships and the Rotary Peace Centers.
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