February 23, 1905
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves."-
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February
Anniversaries
Brian Ford
14 years
Blake Lippi
10 years
Greg Ratliff
6 years
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Last month we reviewed what we had done in 2015. At our Club Assembly on January 13th, we introduced what we plan to do in 2016. For those who were unable to attend, here's a brief review:
Changes-
we are no longer giving the Rotary Mugs as our thank-you to our weekly program presenters. From now on, we will make a contribution to the Rotary Foundation in the name of our speakers. Our plan is to accumulate those names and then make an aggregate contribution once or twice a year.
Our Scholastic Awards Dinner will be changed to a "non-dinner" event. Eighth Grade students will still be honored but it will be followed by a reception. Logistically, this saves the space needed for a meal; families the cost of those meals; and our club around $2000 a year which helps in our grant funding. It also allows families to bring more guests thereby giving Rotary increased visibility in the community. To add to the event, Len Ealey is working toward bestowing an award to a deserving eighth grader whose volunteerism symbolizes "Service Above Self".
What's New?-
given the tremendous success of our weekly "Good News" jar ($3100)- and the completion of Polio Plus and the Schramm School efforts, our Spring-Summer efforts will be Read for a Ride- a partnership with the Pekin Library and an addition to their Summer Reading Program. Children have the opportunity to win a free bike and helmet-acquired through Little Ades-as recognition for their reading success. The library will target the 9-11 age group, a group who they feel need additional motivation to read during the summer months. All the administration and tabulation will be handled by the good folks at the library.
To provide tax-deductibility for financial support of specific club projects, we are working toward establishing a 501(c)3. Plans call for it to be referred to as Pekin Rotary Charities or Pekin Rotary Foundation. More information will be forthcoming
More Social Events and mixers are planned throughout the year. Our goal is to get to know each other more than just an hour during the week allows. A Friday evening, away from work duties and responsibilities that occur during the week, will help us become a closer, more tightly knit club. Our strength comes through our camaraderie and this is an attempt to increase it- and have a little fun.
Finally, Greg Ratliff and I attended a district session in Springfield on January 30th. He attended the President-Elect portion and I the President's. While it was impressive to hear of all the success being achieved at the district and RI level, I was proud of what our club has done, both locally and in the $2600 we raised for Polio Plus. Rotary is making a difference all over the globe but our impact is definitely felt right here at home. Take a moment to be proud of all you do make the world, and Pekin, a little bit better.
Gary Gillis
President
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Speakers Chair
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February 3 - Danielle Owens will host the meeting offsite at the Pekin Community High School Holman Center. The Culinary Arts students will prepare lunch and Joel Steger, the Department Chair of CTE, will give tours of the CTE Department and showcase the many electives and programs available to students.
February 10 - Andy Sparks will invites Leigh Ann Brown, the Director of Economic Development for the City of Pekin, to Rotary on February 10th. It will be a general update of projects that are ongoing and possibly ones that are coming in the future
February 17 - Drew Eilts will present on "March Madness - Playing in Peoria for 20 years."
February 24 - Dean Cooper invites two Pekinites, Sue Crowell and Pat Graf, to share their experience of hiking across England.
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When you want something done and want it done well, call Sue Woodruff. Assuming the role of Club Secretary last year, she brings new ideas and creativity to our club and the board. Because of that she has assumed the role of "Event Planner" and done an exceptional job with our Installation Banquet, Post-Marigold Festival Party, and other club social efforts.
Born and raised in Pekin, Sue went to Pekin High School where she met her future husband, Dave. They both attended the University of Illinois and were married in 1984. Armed with a degree in English and possessing a minor in Business, Sue took a position with the Chicago Board of Trade
with Collins Commodities
on the retail commodities side. Six months later she was recruited by Capital Institutional Services and got her commodities brokerage license. "I loved my job," Sue recalls. "We traded for some huge companies like Travelers Insurance and Harvard University." If you ever wondered what "pork bellies" are, I know Sue can give you an explanation.
Dave's dentistry career took them to Kankakee, IL which created a stressful commute for Sue. She was hired by the local Invest center
at Kankakee Federal Savings & Loan Association
and earned her stock broker and insurance licenses. But after the joy of the hustle and bustle of the commodities business, Sue found herself somewhat bored and desired to move her career in a new direction. She attended Governor's State University gaining the education hours that would allow her to teach at the high school level. She began as a substitute teacher;
filled a long-term maternity leave;
then taught three years at Kankakee High School
. She made the decision to become a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was born in 1991.
Sue and Dave moved to Pekin in 1992. Given her proven business background, Sue began helping in Dave's office in late 1998. This allowed her time to become dedicated to a new calling besides her young children. Sue commented, "While at home, and to this day, I have done tons of volunteer work." When I asked her to share some of the names with me, Sue began enumerating a long list of tasks, positions, and organizations she has worked with, including those in the dental industry. Most notable are her church, Good Shepherd Lutheran School, and the Pekin Hospital League where she currently serves as Vice President and will become President in 2017.
Sue confesses to a love of books, especially fine literature. Like me, she considers books an extension of herself and shares my weakness of a difficulty in getting rid of them. She joined Pekin Rotary in 2011. She will serve as Club Secretary for a second year allowing her to dedicate time to her role with the hospital league. On July 1, 2018, she is slated to become Club President.
I told Sue that when I contemplated stepping in as Rotary President, I knew we needed her on the Board. She has certainly proven the wisdom of that selection. Our club and its future is brighter because we all have the honor of referring to Sue Woodruff as "our fellow Rotarian."
Gary Gillis
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