The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
June 24, 2025 Our 52nd meeting of the Rotary year commenced with President Lynne Campbell ceremoniously ringing the Rotary bell. Todd Rodeffer delivered the invocation, and Jordan Pounders led the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Rotarian Dennis Danowski reported attendance, noting that 26 members were present in person and 1 via Zoom, representing 51% of the club’s total membership. We had 3 guests, making 30 in attendance. Our guests were John Maguire visiting Rotarian from the Macomb Centennial Morning club, Guilio Prestes our Rotary International Youth Exchange student from Brazil, and Abbey Thorman (a Prospective member).
Happy Money was collected from 5 Rotarians who were celebrating a happy occasion or event this week. Kim McKee participated in the 50/50 drawing but did not win as she drew the 2 of Diamonds instead of the 7 of Clubs.
President Lynne provided an update on upcoming meetings and events:
• June 27, 2025: Rotary is helping out the Prairieland Barbershop Chorus with their Lemonade Shakeup stand.
• June 29, 2025: Meeting - Fifth Tuesday Social with Scholarship winners being honored at the Macomb Country Club.
• August 9, 2025: Rotary Family Day at the Ballpark in St. Louis, MO – Cardinals & Cubs – Tickets forms were on the tables.
The Cubs and Cardinals had started a four-game series the previous night, and to get in the spirit of baseball the club sang “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” led by Tom Stites and Mike Williams.
President Lynne called upon Emily Gillett to give the club an update on the “Rotary Family Day at the Ballpark” tickets that our District is selling for a Cubs-Cardinal game 8/9/25. Emily said they need to have tickets sold and one way our club has been helping is members purchasing the tickets and donating them to Mosaic who arrange to take individuals to the game. She reminded Rotary Club members to do this.
Lynne recognized the offices and board members who had served under her presidency this Rotary year with a certificate and gift. Tom Stites, a District 6460 officer, conducted the Officer Installation of the new board for the 2025-2026 Rotary year. Seth Minter was installed and took the oath to serve as the club’s president. The officers and directors were installed and took the oath of their office and as directors: Nick Estes, Treasurer; Tom Stites, Secretary; Lynne Campbell, Immediate Past President; Nick Knowles, President Elect; Mark Pfleiger; Kim McKee; and Steve Tibbitts, Directors. Steve Knowles and Ryan Van Dolah, Directors, were not able to be present.
Outgoing President Lynne presented the highlights of her year and received applause of thanks from the club members. The ceremonial transfer of the gavel marked the change in presidents.
Newly installed President Seth outlined some actions he plans to implement for the year. He thanked Lynne for her contributions as President and stated that he will rely on the officers and directors to help continue strengthening the Rotary Club of Macomb.
The final meeting item was a discussion about our Fundraiser Raffle, ongoing for four years. Todd Lester, substituting for Ryan Van Dolah, who had a work conflict, presented the raffle’s history and proposed changes. Members decided to maintain current ticket prices, prize amounts, scholarship fund amounts, and each Rotary member’s responsibility to sell or buy one ticket. The only change was removing the car prize. The motion was made and seconded, with a hand vote showing approval.
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].
