Rotary of Macomb Meeting Highlights

The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.

July 14, 2026 President Nick Knowles called the Rotary Club’s 2nd meeting to order with the ringing of the Rotary Bell at the First Presbyterian Church in Macomb. Todd Rodeffer delivered the invocation, and Bob Baumann led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Steve Tibbitts reported attendance of 29 members who were in person and 2 via Zoom, representing 55% of the club’s membership.

With 1 guest in attendance, total participation reached 32 individuals. Our guest was our speaker, Victoria Livingston from Prairie Hills Conservation & Development.

Happy Money was next and there were 8 Rotarians who had a special happening in the past week to announce. During the 50/50 drawing, Dennis Iversen held the winning ticket and had the opportunity to claim the prize by drawing the 9 of Hearts from the remaining cards. Unfortunately, he drew the four of Spades, and did not win this week President Nick had a note to read and an announcement. The note was sent by Johnny Castro who was one of the scholarship recipients for WIU and it was a handwritten note thanking our club for selecting him for the scholarship. Johnny stated he “wanted to give my sincerest gratitude for giving me the scholarship” and “I’m sad I missed the ceremony, but I’m eternally grateful.”

Nick also announced that next week will be a special meeting with WIU Head Football Coach Joe Davis as our program.

John Bannon then introduced the guest speaker, Victoria Livingston Executive Director of the Prairie Hills Conservation and Development (PHC&D) office in Macomb. John began with saying Victoria graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science and biology from Culver Stockton, a master’s in biology from Western Illinois University, and a PhD in large river ecosystems in 2024.

She began work at PHC&D in 2023 and became the executive director in January 2024. She resided in Carthage, IL with her children and when not in the office can be found volunteering with the local Cub Scouts groups.

Victoria began by explaining that the PHC&D office has a staff of three: Herself, Executive Director; Kirsten Boesen, Stewardship Coordinator; and Jaime Webb, Program Coordinator. The organization was established in July 1976 through the USDA and is celebrating 50 years of service.

The mission of PHC&D is to conserve natural resources, support economic development, and enhance the quality of life for people in the community. The organization manages nearly 2,500 acres, including properties such as the Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary. Its initiatives include the Prairie Land Conservancy, fiscal sponsorships, business loans, and brownfield assessments.

Victoria noted that brownfield assessments—evaluations of vacant land where buildings or construction may currently exist or have previously existed—represent a significant portion of the organization’s work.

Victoria highlighted one project in particular: a $2.5 million grant related to the Haeger Pottery brownfield assessment and construction project in Macomb. PHC&D submitted a grant proposal this year but fell four points short of receiving the award. The organization plans to review the proposal and resubmit it in the near future.

Overall, the Rotary members were very impressed with all the projects, grants, loans, and help the PHC&D office accomplishes. They thank Victoria for giving a very detailed and enlightening program. The meeting concluded with the recitation of the “Four Way Test” and the sounding of the Rotary bell, encouraging all members to make Rotary Part Of Their Life – and to “Unite For Good”.