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April 10th Meeting
High School Recognition
 
     A favorite event is coming up, our annual High School Recognition/Scholarship program on April 10th.  We will honor two seniors from area high schools who are service leaders at their schools, plus we will announce two winners of the $2,000 Burdette Anderson Scholarship Awards.
 
     If you are planning on attending the High School Recognition and having lunch, send an email to Becky Rundquist at runkymom@comcast.net so we can plan on the amount of food.
 
    We are also asking that members consider making a donation to help off-set the cost of the students, principals and parents.  Checks/cash can be given to Monica Glenny or you can use paypal @charitablerkfdrotary
 
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April 17th Meeting
Committee Meetings
 
     The April 17th meeting is set aside for Committee meetings.  Committee chairs will contact their members to remind them of the meeting.  If you are not assigned to a specific committee, feel free to join us for lunch a d sit in on a committee meeeting.
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April 3rd Meeting Recap
     On Thursday, April 3rd, our signature project, the Rockford Rotary Academy was featured.  Linda Johnson hosted the program and used her teacher persona to give us a Rotary Academy history lesson through a quiz.  Most of the answers were pretty straight forward except for "how long has the Academy been in operation".  Answers varied but the Academy started in 2002 which would make this the 23rd year.  But there was a year off due to COVID.  All that really matters is that the Academy started in 2002 and at the time some members felt is would be a success if it lasted 5 years.
 
A member of Camp Winnebago staff talks about the Academy activities run by the YMCA.
 
     The Academy students from Flinn Middle School.
 
     Lincoln Middle School Academy students.
 
     Rotary Academy students from West Middle School.
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New Member - Ron Moore
     
     On April 3rd, President Mike welcomed the newest member of Rockford Rotary, Ron Moore.
     Ron is a retired business owner who was President of Ron Moore and Associates, Inc.  We would encourage members to make an effort to meet Ron and welcome him to Rockford Rotary.  Ron was sponsored by Dick Lunde.
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New Member - Julie Bosma
 
     On March 27th, President Mike welcomed the newest member of Rockford Rotary, Julie Bosma.
     Julie is President and CEO of the United Way of Rock River Valley.  Julie has over 30 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector and desires to see the community work together for the good of everyone. She has her BA from Valparaiso University and her Master’s in Public Administration from NIU. Julie is a Midwest girl having lived in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana. She returned to Rockford in 1989 and is proud to call Northern Illinois her home (except in the winter when snow becomes a four-letter word for her). She is grateful for the opportunity to serve at United Way and started in June 2021.
     Julie was sponsored by Kathy Kwiat-Hess.  We would encourage our members to seek out Julie and welcome her to Rockford Rotary
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Rockford FC Player Excels
 
U23 Rockford FC player, Anthony Martinez receives a call up for the USMNT CP program 
 
     Rockford FC is proud to announce the call up of Anthony Martinez to a very prestigious select group of players, the USMNT CP camp. Read below an interview done with Anthony and what he had to say about the call up and the events that have transpired.

-Anthony, how do you feel to have been called up to the USMNT CP program?

A. I am truly grateful and honored for this call-up and feel prepared to seize the opportunity presented to me.

-What do you expect to accomplish with this call-up?

A. My goal is to attend this camp, demonstrate my abilities, and subsequently earn a spot to compete in the "2025 Copa America" this October in Uruguay. I aspire to continue receiving call-ups for future events while representing the U.S. Men's National Team CP.

-How has your family impacted this call-up?

A- My family has played a crucial role in this call-up. My mother has always been my strongest supporter, consistently urging me to pursue soccer. Additionally, my siblings, who have all played soccer, have pushed me to improve, ensuring that I remain challenged and motivated.

-Do you feel there is enough awareness with regards to programs that can help players such as yourself?

A- While significant progress has been made, there remains much work to be done.

Many children with CP face challenges in accessing youth programs, often needing to travel to cities with such offerings. Increasing awareness of these programs can facilitate the development of more accessible opportunities in various communities.

-If you could say something to the Rockford community, what would it be and why.

A- I would like to express my gratitude to the Rockford community, particularly the great soccer community here. We are fortunate to have excellent soccer programs and facilities, and I appreciate the consistent support in providing a space to play.

-How have programs such as Rockford FC helped you in your process.

A- Rockford FC has been instrumental in allowing me to train, enhance my skills, and engage in competitive play. Being part of a remarkable team, especially following our best season where we earned a State Championship Cup in the GCSL has been an enriching experience that has motivated me to strive for even greater in the upcoming season. Rockford FC sponsors have helped people like us behind the scene, they contribute to programs such as Rockford FC to have a team and represent our city across different areas. Companies like Lonnie's Carpet Max, Gambino, Eye Deal Optical, Atkins Electric, Retool, Quest7 and many more, they are the best help we players have.

-To close up, send a message to aspiring kids across the nation, kids that one day could potentially look up to you and say I too can do it!

A- I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams and dedicate themselves to their goals. When faced with doubt from others about your abilities, maintain confidence in yourself and the determination to prove them wrong.

 

 
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Meeting Responsibilities
 
April 10, 2025
Greeter - Mary Ann Norwood
Invocator - Lori Poppen
 
April 17, 2025
Greeter - Jim Coffey
Invocator - Pete Rundquist
 
April 24, 2025
Greeter - Sedrick Robinson
Invocator - Daniel Ross
 
April Rotary Happy Hour
 
 
Rotary Happy Hour
 
     Our April Rotary Happy Hour will be on April 24th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Carlyle Brewing Company at 215 E. State Street.
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Future Programs
Future Programs
       
04/10/25 - High School Recognition
               - Host - Helen Hill
 
04/17/25 - Committee Meetings
 
04/24/25 - Composting Your Own Backyard
               - Jessie Crow Mermel 
               - Host - Russ Johansson
 
05/01/25 - Uplifting Rockford with Art & Music
               - Victor "Vic" Rivera
               - Host - Samir Romero
 
05/08/25 - RYLA: Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
               - Speaker - TBD
               - Host - TBD
 
05/15/25 - Committee Meetings
 
05/22/25 - Rockford University Update
               - Dr. Patricia Lygott, RU President
               - Host - Mike Foreman
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Reminder to Pay for Lunch
 
Reminder to Pay for Lunch
 
     A gentle reminder that you please pay for your lunch, $200 for March, April, May, and June. 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 $200.00. 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 .
 
Thank you!
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Weekly RI Foundation Message
 
Each week we will be publishing a message from the Rotary International Foundation.  This week's message is:
 
WHAT IS A GLOBAL GRANT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING?
 
Vocational training teams are groups of professionals who travel to another country, either to learn more about their profession or to teach local professionals more about it.
 
The Rotary Foundation funds some vocational training teams in our areas of focus through global grants. This training is often carried out in conjunction with a humanitarian project.
 
A team should include at least three people. The team leader needs to be a Rotary member, while the other participants can be members or nonmembers who have experience in the area of focus.
 
Rotary previously had a program called Group Study Exchange, which promoted international understanding and offered person-to-person opportunities for participants to learn how their vocation was practiced in other countries. It was phased out when we updated our grant model and placed this activity within global grants.
 
Think about whether you could join a vocational training team, or know a nonmember who could participate. 
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Rotary Links
Rotary International
RI President Home
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Rotary History
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For New Members
Speakers
Apr 17, 2025
Committee Meetings
Apr 24, 2025
Composting Your Own Backyard
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Board Meetings
Apr. 15, 2025
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Tyler Smith
April 1
 
Eric Moe
April 4
 
Lori Gummow
April 5
 
Kent Mallquist
April 14
 
Michele Pankow
April 16
 
John Fridh
April 20
 
Michael Foreman
April 20
 
Tom owski
April 24
 
Join Date
Suzanne Berger
April 1, 1990
35 years
 
Dennis Horton
April 11, 2019
6 years
 
Teri Watts
April 11, 2013
12 years
 
Laura Eakman
April 18, 2024
1 year
 
Wray Howard
April 28, 1983
42 years
 
Meeting Responsibilities
Meeting Greeters
 
April 10, 2025
Norwood, Mary Ann
 
April 17, 2025
Coffey, Jim
 
April 24, 2025
Robinson, Sedrick
 
May 1, 2025
Noe, Denise
 
Meeting Invocators
 
April 10, 2025
Poppen, Lori
 
April 17, 2025
Rundquist, Pete
 
April 24, 2025
Ross, Daniel
 
May 1, 2025
Dickinson, Elizabeth
 
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