Buffalo Grove Rotary installs new president, directors
The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove recently held its installation of new officers and club service recognition dinner at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center.
The event was attended by Rotary Club dignitaries, including newly installed District Governor Donald Brewer, Past District Governor Rick Rivkin and Assistant District Governor Lyle Staab.
Buffalo Grove Park District Executive Director Ryan Risinger was sworn in as the new president of the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club. Risinger succeeds Immediate Past President Dane Bragg, the Buffalo Grove village manager, as the 2017-2018 president.
"The power to make a difference comes with a lot of responsibility, but it also provides a lot satisfaction once you step back and see what has been accomplished," Risinger said.
The newly installed board includes President-Elect Shawn Collins, Secretary Andy Spetter, Treasurer Brian Shepard and Directors Steve Balinski, Nadine "Deenie" Pomilia and Dan Wolf.
Club Service Recognition Award winners were announced by Immediate Past President Bragg and included:
• Perfect Attendance: Glenn Meier
• Distinguished Member: Bill Donahue
• Happiest Member: Shannon O'Connor
• International Service: Dan Wolf
• Youth Leadership: Martha Weiss
• Service Above Self: Tom Kloepfer
• Rotarian of the Year: Melanie Santostefano
Milestone Club Service Award recipients were also recognized, and include:
• Five years of service: Aaron Appell, Dennis Depcik, Adriane Johnson, Deenie Pomilia, Ryan Risinger, Neil Zweiban
• Ten years of service: Stephen Legge, Jing O'Brien
• 25 years of service: Dan Wolf
• 30 years of service: Denny Snyder
The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove is a not-for-profit volunteer organization committed to local and international service projects. Some examples of projects sponsored by RCBG through its extensive fundraising efforts include: literacy programs in Buffalo Grove area elementary schools; local food bank assistance through Kingswood United Methodist Church; Rotary Village Green July Fourth Concert; International youth exchange programs and sponsorship for outbound Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High School students and inbound students from around the globe; holiday food baskets for in-need families in the Northwest suburbs; and international clean water initiatives, in partnership with the Engineers Without Borders program.
The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove meets Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. at Lou Malnati's, 85 S. Buffalo Grove Road, in Buffalo Grove. For information, visit www.BGRotary.org.