The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
June 23, 2026 Rotary President Seth Minter called the club’s 50th meeting of the Rotary year to order June 23 by ringing the Rotary Bell at the First Presbyterian Church in Macomb. Steve Knowles reported attendance of 20 members and 6 guests. Larry Adams gave the invocation, and Boy Scout Troop 315 presented the flag and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rotarian Dennis Danowski introduced this week’s speaker, Harry Fillmer, Unit Servicing Executive of Scouting America for the Illowa Council.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 315 and district scouting officials presented to the Macomb Noonday Rotary Club, making the case for expanded community support as the program works to rebuild membership following pandemic- era setbacks.
Fillmer told Rotarians that COVID dealt a significant blow to recruitment. “You can’t do a Zoom call for a Cub Scout meeting,” he said. “It just doesn’t work that way for outdoor adventures.” He said recruitment nights are trending upward and scouts are returning, but the program urgently needs adult volunteers.
Fillmer framed scouting primarily as a job-skills pipeline, telling the business-connected audience that soft skills — eye contact, public speaking, teamwork — are increasingly rare. “Do you know how many kids or even cashiers at the store can’t look you in the eye anymore?” he said. “That’s a huge job skill.”
Citing a Harris Poll conducted in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, Fillmer said Eagle Scouts are more likely to volunteer, lead in civic settings and stay engaged as adults compared to their peers.
The Macomb Rotary Club serves as the charter organization for Troop 315, a relationship Filmer said gives members direct oversight of adult leaders who work with youth and helps fund the troop’s insurance costs.
Troop 315 was represented at the meeting by treasurer and assistant Scoutmaster Crystal, and Committee Chair Jeremy Merritt. Merritt, who said he will take over as Scoutmaster next year was joined by three scout members, including leaders, who displayed a wide array of badges, accomplishments and honors including Eagle Scout.
Fillmer said he met earlier that day with Principal Laura Cody to discuss restarting Pack 332 at the elementary level, which feeds into Troop 332 out of St. Paul. He said gaining better access to Macomb schools remains his biggest challenge and asked Rotarians to help open those doors.
Fillmer also highlighted Explorer Post 4044 at Western Illinois University, sponsored by the university’s police department. This post offers career-focused training including traffic stop simulations, emergency response scenarios and virtual reality decision-making exercises for participants interested in law enforcement.
Macomb has had an organized scouting presence since approximately 1910, Filmer said. The area’s first recorded Eagle Scout, Alan Yard, earned the rank in 1921.
Club announcements
Minter announced several upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
The Noonday Club will participate in the Heritage Days Parade this weekend. Members interested in walking in the parade on behalf of Rotary should contact Jeremy Robinette for details on meeting points and logistics.
Next week’s Fifth Tuesday Social will be held at the Country Club from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will honor scholarship recipients and board members and will include the induction of new club members. Minter invited members and their spouses to attend.
The club is also seeking volunteers for Lemonade Shake-Ups this weekend. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of the meeting room.
Also at the meeting, a club member reported that Jimmy Kohler’s recent golf outing for the Kicks for Kids fundraiser raised enough money that organizers believe the program can be expanded from its current scope to potentially serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
