The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
June 10, 2025 Our 50th meeting of the Rotary year commenced with President Lynne Campbell ceremoniously ringing the Rotary bell. Todd Rodeffer delivered the invocation, and Kim McKee led the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Rotarian Dennis Danowski reported attendance, noting that 25 members were present in person and 2 were present via Zoom, representing 51% of the club’s total membership. With one guest, the total number of attendees reached 28. Our guest was District 6460 Governor Dan O’Brien.
President Lynne then acknowledged those celebrating birthdays, member anniversaries, and wedding anniversaries in June. Those having birthdays were Dennis Danowski, Todd Lester, Steve Tibbitts, Kelly Lucas, Brae Huston, Dan Voorhis, and Herb Strong.
Those with member anniversaries were Herb Strong 46 yrs., Steve Knowles with 30 yrs., Seth Minter with 4 yrs., Dana Moon with 8 yrs., and Melanie Brierton with 2 yrs. Wedding anniversaries were Mike Williams 46 yrs., Ron Peterson 59 yrs., Steve Hopper 53 yrs., and Patrick Osterman 24 yrs.
During the Happy Money segment, several members including Steve Hopper, Lynne Campbell, Tom Stites, Steve Knowles, Nick Knowles, and Jerry Brookhart contributed to the celebration of their happiness. Garry Johnson participated in the 50/50 drawing but did not win as he drew the Four of Clubs instead of the 7 of Clubs.
President Lynne provided an update on upcoming meetings and events:
• June 14, 2025: Rotary is the lead group on Flag Day and will help to put up and take down of the Flags of Love
• June 17, 2025: Meeting speaker is Emily Alden, Patient Advocate at McDonough District Hospital
• June 24, 2025: Meeting will be the Installation of New Officers for 2025-2026
• June 27, 2025: Rotary is helping out the Prairieland Barbershop Chorus with their Lemonade Shakeup stand.
• August 8, 2025: Rotary Day at the Ballpark in St.
Louis, MO – Cardinals & Cubs – Tickets forms were on the tables.
To commemorate Flag Day the club was lead in singing “You’re A Grant Old Flag” by Tom Stites and Mike Williams.
President Lynne then introduced our District Governor for District 6460, Dan O’Brien from Carlinville, IL. Dan’s term as District Governor is almost complete and he started with a story about why he joined Rotary.
It involved him attending a hearing in 1987 at the Supreme Court that had Rotary International and a California Rotary Club being heard with arguments on allowing women to be Rotary members. He was so taken on the proceedings and what was presented that Rotary stuck in his mind. Later one of his teachers at the SIU Law School sponsored him for membership into the Carbondale Club, and he has been a Rotary member since. Dan gave us the status of the District, our Club, and what each individual member can do to make Rotary a better organization. He said that he is very proud of the Rotary Club of Macomb with the giving by members, the dedication to projects, the scholarships to students, and the enthusiasm that is very apparent with the members.
He gave some examples of what other clubs have successfully done to get new members, to raise money, and to keep the fun part of being a Rotarian in their clubs. His suggestions were noted and the club thanked District Governor Dan for leading our District this past year.
The “Four Way Test”, followed by ringing the Rotary bell and encouraging everyone to make Rotary Part Of Their Life – and to embrace “The Magic of Rotary.”
Interested in speaking at Rotary or becoming a member, contact Tom Stites at [email protected].
