The Rotary Club of Naperville has chosen Frank Slocumb to be the next Club President and will begin the term July 1.
Slocumb, who retired from BMO Harris Bank in 2008, is past chairman of the board of trustees of Edward Hospital and of the board of directors of the Naperville Development Partnership. He is a board member of the Rotary Club of Naperville Charities, St. Patrick’s Residence, The Edward Foundation, the Naperville Development Partnership, Naperville Bank & Trust and a founding board member of the Naperville Parks Foundation.
A Naperville resident for 20 years, Slocumb says he joined Rotary because it was the perfect blend of a business and service club. Rotary attracts people who have a belief in “service above self” and that has proven to be very aligned with his core beliefs.
“The Rotary Club has always provided a wonderful bridge between the business community and the social services needs of our area. Rotary may be unique in its ability to permit a person to make an impact in their local community and in places around the world. It’s a powerful combination,” said Slocumb.
Slocumb hopes to continue the club’s history of success which has stretched out over many years of service to Naperville. In each of the past four years the club’s signature fundraiser has raised increasing amounts for the benefit of charities focused on the fundamental necessities of food, clothing and shelter.
This past year, Soup’s On! raised $145,000 for distribution in equal parts to Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, Hesed House and DuPage PADS. In conjunction with Naperville Rotary Charities, the club also awards over $50,000 in annual scholarships to area high school students as well as students attending the College of DuPage.
“This club is unique,” notes Slocumb. ” It’s the first Rotary Club in Naperville and it has one of the largest memberships of any club in the Chicago area. Further, because of its unique relationship with Naperville Rotary Charities, and its very successful Soup’s On! event, it is able to provide funding to more local organizations and international projects than any Rotary Club in the Chicagoland area.” Slocumb added that “it’s a great club and I’m privileged to be a part of it.”
Slocumb has been married to Kay for almost 40 years and they have one son (Jack) who recently graduated from Holy Cross College. Both he and Kay have a history of service to the community and they’re both happy to serve Rotary during this coming year.
“By this time next year,” Slocumb said, ” I’d like people to say ‘this guy maintained the club’s activities at a high level, benefiting people in the Naperville community as well as various communities around the world, and he did it in the best tradition of Rotary – Service Above Self.”
Photo and story courtesy Jini Clare
