New Rotary District Governor raising the bar on goals and vision during her term
Melissa McCormick was previously president of the Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Club.
Rockton-Roscoe Rotary member Melissa McCormick is now District Governor of Rotary District 6420 for 2025-2026 where she will serve a one year term. This is an expansion of an already impressive volunteer record.
Her responsibilities are to support the clubs and the committees as well as reach membership goals. There are 42 clubs in this district – mid-Illinois - from Harvard to the Quad Cities and down to Toluca,
McCormick shares, “In addition, I’ll be visiting each area in the district with the Rotary Connect Tour where we’ll have three to four clubs get-together at a local pub, restaurant, or location to connect. Not only connecting with me but with each other... Collaborating with each other on service projects and fundraising efforts benefiting the Rotary Foundation goes much further than clubs conducting these projects on their own.”
McCormick was officially installed on Sunday, June 29 in a simple ceremony held at North Pointe Wellness. Showing up in support of McCormick was Gus Larson, Executive Director of NorthPointe who is a Rotarian, fellow Rotary members, friends and family.
John Hurley, District Governor 2024-2025, installed McCormick as the District Governor after he said a few words about the previous year and recognized a few individuals who helped him throughout his year.
After McCormick's installation, she then installed Tina Curtis (Rotary Club of Walnut) as District Governor-Elect and Dr Kris Tumilowicz (Rotary Club of Loves Park) as District Governor Nominee.
McCormick addressed the attendees with her goals for the coming year and thanked those who helped support and encouraged her throughout the District Governor journey. After McCormick made remarks, there was a celebration complete with food, cake, and fellowship.
To be considered to be the District Governor, McCormick went through an application process for the position in 2022 and she was approved in December of 2023.
McCormick became the District Governor-Nominee Designate. There is a three year onboarding process of succession planning. In July of 2023, McCormick was the District Governor Nominee, July 2024, the District Governor-Elect and as of July 2025, District Governor.
“Rotary International ensures that each District governor is prepared to lead the Rotary clubs in the district and is prepared,” McCormick said.
McCormick has held several important roles during her time in the Rotary and beyond. These include President of Rotary Club of Rockton Roscoe: 2019 – 2021, District 6420 Secretary: 2021, District 6420 Public Image Committee Chair: 2022 – 2024, District Governor Nominee Designate: Jan – July 2023, District Governor Nominee: 2023-2024, District Governor Elect: 2024-2025, District Governor: 2025-2026.
She has also been Rock Valley Credit Board Member 2022-2025 (March), Rockford Chamber of Commerce Ambassador 2019 – Present, and Northeast Christian Church Mission Committee Member 2016 – Present. She is also an author and speaker.
McCormick said, “My life and business revolve around developing leaders at all levels. Developing leaders starting at day one of employment drives organizations too. Having said that, I’ve asked each club to support my program called Level Up: Leadership Initiative where we help high school students with workplace readiness. Examples of this would be mock interviews, or Finance 101.”
McCormick outlined her vision as Governor, “My next goal is to focus on adding members. More hands equals more help and more help equals more impact locally and globally. The district will be focused on adding a new club by June 30, 2026."
"We are researching communities within the district where a Rotary club would benefit the community and its members, as well as establishing a possible Rotary Youth Exchange e-club for alumni of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.”
McCormick adds, "Fifteen members are required to charter a new club so we’re determining the best avenue to go before we dig in too deep. In addition, each club will add one new member throughout the year."
“Launch a Rotary Means Business fellowship. There are seven chapters in the Chicagoland area and we’ll be adding at least one in the Rockford-area in 2025. This fellowship is a business networking group where Rotarian's and non-Rotarian's get-together to understand each other’s businesses to grow our businesses and give back to the local community through service projects,” McCormick said.
Rotary was started in 1905 by Paul Harris, a lawyer from Chicago. He and several other business men decided to create a networking group to grow their businesses. They rotated the meeting location each meeting between the businesses, therefore, calling it Rotary. Several years later, they decided to join forces and their money to create The Rotary Foundation. The intent behind the Rotary Means Business fellowship is to connect Rotarians and grow business together.
McCormick definitively lives by the Rotary's motto of “Service Above Self,” placing that in the forefront with every venture.
“After my term is finished, I’ll continue to support the District Leadership and Clubs in one of the District committees where my skills and knowledge will benefit,” McCormick said.
