Posted by John Halbleib on Jun 29, 2017
On June 29, 2017 Denis Buch (Owner of Boone Creek Cabinetry & Design) was inducted as President (2017-2018) of the Rotary Club of McHenry by Rotary District 6440 Governor Donald Brewer of the Algonquin Rotary Club.  District Governor Brewer also used the opportunity to induct other officers of the Rotary Club of McHenry.
 
Below from left to right are Rotary District 6440 Governor Donald Brewer, Denis Buch (Club President), Dawn Cassiday-Turner (Club Secretary, a Relationship Banker with American Community Bank & Trust, McHenry) and John Halbleib (Club President-Elect)
 
 
This Club meeting was presided over by Bill McLemore, then Club President (2016-2017) and now Club Past President.  Bill thanked members of the Club for achieving an excellent year and for building momentum as we go into the next year.  Bill issued more than a dozen certificates of “Presidential Commendation” expressing appreciation for their service in many capacities. 
 
Following Denis’ induction as President, Denis made a brief presentation (1) summarizing his recent trip to the June 10-14, 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta; (2) described the extraordinary global momentum garnered in Atlanta to fund the $1.5 Billion dollars needed to finally eradicate Polio; (3) outlined certain overall goals and objectives for the Club and the Rotary Club of McHenry Charitable Foundation, Inc.; and (4) made a $10,000 bequest to the Rotary Club of McHenry Charitable Foundation, Inc. honoring his father (a Founding Member of the Club) and mother, entitled the “Jerome & Ethel Buch Charitable Endowment of the Rotary Club of McHenry Charitable Foundation”.
 
As a team, Denis and his wife Michele attended the 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta.  There were numerous “breakout” sessions.  So as to experience as much as possible, each attended and participated in as many as “breakout” sessions they could – each taking notes to share with the other. 
 
Below from left to right are Denis Buch and Michele Buch while attending the 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta
 
 
Over 22,500 Rotarians were in attendance.  There were presentations by many famous individuals who shared their personal Rotary Stories.  The highlight was the initial main session at which Rotary International leaders outlined what it was going to take to completely eradicate Polio.  They estimated that it was going to require $1.5 Billion over the next three years to complete the eradication of Polio, a global campaign begun by Rotary International in 1985.  Within less than an hour and with the cooperation of numerous Rotary Groups in many Countries there were pledges of $1.25 Billion (including pledges from Rotary International, Canada, the U.S., the European World Health Organization, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (which pledged up to $300,000,000). 
 
Below from left to right are attendees of the 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, Michele Buch, Mr & Mrs. John F. Germ (a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA and 2016-2017 President of Rotary International), and Denis Buch (President of the Rotary Club of McHenry 2017-1028)
 
 
As an effective team, President Buch identified a number of shared goals designed to serve our shared community in an ever expanding and more effective manner.  This requires individuals dedicated to service above self, acceptance of responsibilities in various offices, and as much funding as possible. 
 
  • The first goal is to achieve 20% growth in membership.  It is well to note that one third of this goal has already been achieved.   
 
  • The second (and an essential) goal is to distribute responsibilities to those who accept them; more than 20 Club and Foundation positions have been accepted by various members.  
 
  • The third goal is to ensure growth and stability in funding the Club’s and the Foundation’s charitable service projects.  These include charitable service projects in four Avenues of Service – Community, International, Vocational, and Youth.  To that end, the endowment of the Foundation was recently tripled, and a $10,000 additional endowment was added.  In addition, the Club/Foundation seek to add 1 to 2 additional “one night” fundraisers to the already fun and highly successful Blues, Brews and Barbecue in Peterson Park from August 18-20, 2017.  If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact RotaryClubOfMcHenry@gMail.com
 
  • The fourth goal is to enhance the social aspect of our Club through Members and their significant others, as well as encourage those interested in becoming a Member to join us and get to know us better.   Five such fun events are being planned. 
 
This will be achieved through teamwork and cooperation focused on the best interests of our shared community.