Buffalo Grove Rotary 2018-2019 Officers, Recognizes Members
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 District 6440 dignitaries, including outgoing District Governor Donald Brewer and District Governor Nominee, Lyle Staab.
Shawn Collins, a Village of Buffalo Grove Fire Department battalion chief, was sworn in as the incoming president of the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club for 2018-2019. Collins succeeds Immediate Past President Ryan Risinger, who is the Buffalo Grove Park District executive director.
"I promise to work tirelessly to serve this club well as your president," Collins said after being sworn in by Staab.
The newly installed executive board was also recognized, and included President-Elect Bill Donahue, President Nominee Melanie Santostefano, Secretary Cathy Splett, Treasurer Brian Shepard and Directors Steve Balinski, Shannon O'Connor and Dan Wolf.
Immediate Past President Risinger reflected on the club's accomplishments over the last year.
"I truly believe our club lived up to the Rotary slogan of 'Making a Difference'. Our members volunteered more than 1,000 hours of their time fundraising, and we donated more than $40,000 to the local community and for international efforts," Risinger said. "It has been an honor to serve."
Among the clubs' philanthropic efforts throughout 2017-2018 were the continuation of the Holiday Food Basket program over Thanksgiving, where dozens of in-need families are given baskets filled with all the fixings for a holiday meal. Other programs include the Youth Student Exchange where local students exchange with international students who are hosted by Buffalo Grove Rotary Club member(s), scholarships that are awarded to two students from either Buffalo Grove or Stevenson Highs Schools who will attend college, Community Grants awarded to local organizations making a difference in Buffalo Grove, a newly formed Outreach Committee that organized dozens of giving activities in the community, the yearly Guatemala trip taken by several members to support and assist residents of Ak' Tenamit, and more.
Club Service Recognition Award winners included:
• Dennis Gilbert Rotarian of the Year: Lisa Siwek
• Service Above Self Award: Debbie Smith
• Community Service Award: Nadine 'Deenie' Pomilia
• Distinguished Membership Award: Dennis Depcik
• International Service: Stephen Legge
• Youth Leadership Award: Dennis Snyder
Milestone Club Service Award recipients were also recognized, and include:
• Five Years of Service: Darren Boundy, Pete Panayiotou, Neil Zweiban and Adriane Johnson.
• 10 Years of Service: Jing O'Brien
• 15 Years of Service: Steve Koebernick
• 20 Years of Service: Debbie Smith
• 25 Years of Service: Dan Wolf
• 40 Years of Service: Glenn Meier
Perfect attendance Awards: Glenn Meier and Lisa Siwek.
The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove meets from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. each Thursday at Lou Malnati's, 85 S. Buffalo Grove Road, in Buffalo Grove. For information, please visit BGRotary.org.
ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF BUFFALO GROVE:
The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove (RCBG) 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 4th 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
• International clean water initiatives in partnership with the Engineers Without Borders program
• Volunteer and financial sponsorship of mission work though the Ak'Tenamit development project which provides healthcare, skill development and education services in Guatemala
• Financial/volunteer support of the Polio Plus program to provide worldwide eradication of Polio
The Club has more than 50 active members and has been in existence since 1975. To learn more, visit BGRotary.org.