The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
October 21, 2025 The 15th meeting of the Rotary year commenced with President Seth Minter officially opening the session by ringing the Rotary bell. Todd Rodeffer gave the invocation, followed by Dennis Danowski’s leadership of the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Attendance was reported by Dennis Danowski, noting that 25 members were present in person and one attended via Zoom, constituting 50% of the club. Six guests were welcomed: District Governor Bill Knake from Havana, IL; Assistant Governor John Vigezzi from the Macomb Centennial Morning Rotary Club; prospective member Wayne Laramie, who was to be inducted; Junior Rotarians Emmett Beck and Elise Sullivan for October; and Rotary Exchange Student Thea Granheim from Norway. Total attendance reached 32.
Eleven Rotarians contributed “Happy Money” in recognition of recent noteworthy occasions. Todd Lester participated in the 50/50 drawing, selecting the winning card—the Seven of Clubs—and received $195!!
President Seth invited Junior Rotarian Emmett Beck to present his report on school experiences, personal background, and post-graduation plans. Emmett, a senior at Macomb High School and son of Ben and Jill Beck, moved to Macomb at age two. He has played baseball throughout all his four years of high school and enjoys golf, pickleball, and riding four-wheelers. His post-secondary plans include attending Monmouth College, continuing to play baseball, and studying business.
Next, Dennis Danowski and Nick Knowles accompanied Rotary Exchange Student Thea Granheim to the podium. Dennis presented Thea with a non-expiring Illinois Library card, and Nick offered her a YMCA membership card.
Wayne Laramie was then introduced for his induction into Rotary. President Seth read Wayne’s biography before District Governor Bill Knake conducted the official induction ceremony, formally welcoming Wayne as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Macomb.
President Seth announced that the final collection for World Polio Day (October 24, 2025) was being held, and the Board had voted to allocate $214 to Polio Plus in light of two previously cancelled meetings.
Assistant Governor John Vigezzi formally introduced District Governor Bill Knake, who addressed members about developments within District 6460 and shared insights from his first four months in office. DG Bill, a 1987 graduate of WIU’s Department of Agriculture, operates Tracer Industries in Havana, IL, serves as a District Commissioner for Boy Scouts of America, and has held numerous Rotary positions. He resides in Havana with his wife Barb and their two adult children, Kelsey and Carter.
DG Bill presented the club with a theme banner reading “Unite For Good,” emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving Rotary’s service goals. He encouraged local partnerships to maximize community impact, highlighting the value of club members contributing to the Rotary Annual Fund. Fifty percent of district donations to the Annual Fund are returned to support local projects after three years. The amount returned is then split between clubs who applied for grants. This year, the Rotary Club of Macomb will use their portion of these funds to construct a Pollinator Garden.
He also provided information regarding next year’s International President, Larry Lumsford of Kansas City, MO, underscoring the unique opportunity this presents for districts and clubs to have an International President close to this area.
Bill wanted to let members know that he and over 50 people who are on district committees are willing to assist clubs that need help with any matters.
DG Bill concluded by acknowledging ongoing changes within Rotary and challenged the club’s future leaders to embrace and adapt to these advancements.
The club recited the “Four Way Test”, which was followed by ringing the Rotary bell and encouraging everyone to make Rotary Part Of Their Life – and to “Unite For Good”.
Interested in speaking at Rotary or becoming a member, contact Tom Stites at [email protected].
Nick Knowles and Dennis Danowski presented Rotary Foreign Exchange student, Thea Granheim, with a membership to the YMCA and a state-wide Library Card, respectively.
Emmett Beck, Junior Rotarian gave a short presentation to the group on his background, school activities and future plans.
