Dick Blewett sent out the first memo October 19, 1984, calling all serious birders to a meeting of the West Suburban Bird Club on Monday evening, November 12, 1984 at 7:30 p.m. in building J of the College of DuPage. The agenda was to discuss interest in organizing a birding group and program possibilities. There were 17 people on that first computer list but hopefully there would be more interested birders in DuPage County.
Another notice went out December 21, 1984 to once again meet at the College of DuPage on January 14, 1985. This time, by-laws were to be adopted and a vote was to be taken to select the club name. The program was a book review of the various field guides.
In the first official minutes of January 14, 1985, of the newly formed DuPage Birding Club the by-laws were adopted and dues were set at $10. The club's first officers were elected as follows:
| President: | Dick Blewett |
| President Elect: | Dick Young |
| Recording Secretary: | June Anderson |
| Corresponding Secretary: | Donna Desch |
| Treasurer: | Hal Cohen |
The club was to meet six times a year: January, March, May, July, September and November.
According to the January minutes, "The intent of the DuPage Birding Club is to provide fun and camaraderie between birders of all levels and ages while enjoying some serious birding experiences."
Members were to come to the March meeting prepared to list two or three birds on their "wanted list" that they were to be contacted on if found in the area. Also wanted was a brief description of favorite birding locations.
Following minutes showed meetings to be much the same as we currently hold. Interest was in field trips and seeing rare or unusual birds. Early programs were given by Ken Brock, Lee Johnson of Sand Bluff Banding Station, Jim Landing, Mark Spreyer, Joe Milosevich and other familiar names in the field of birding. Many rare birds have been seen since those first meetings, but we are still following the basic guidelines set down by the charter members.
| President | Term of Office |
|---|---|
| Dick Blewett | 1985-1986 |
| Dick Young | 1987 |
| Hal Cohen | 1988 |
| Sally Baumgardner | 1989 |
| Jerry Zamirowski | 1990 |
| Eric Walters | 1991 |
| Karen Rodemaker | 1992 |
| Charles Powell/Karen Rodemaker | 1993 |
| Peter Kasper | 1994 |
| Peggy Camden | 1995 |
| Joe Suchecki | 1996 |
| Noël Zak | 1997 |
| Jim Frazier | 1998 |
| Karen Fisher | 1999 |
| David Hodge | 2000 |
| Kate Frazier | 2001 |
| Carl Strang | 2002 |
| Jody Zamirowski | 2003 |
| Jack Pomatto | 2004 |
| Bob Fisher | 2005 |
| Susan Kaley | 2006 |
| Jeff Chapman | 2007 |
| Diann Bilderback | 2008 |
| Jeff Reiter | 2009 |
| Mary Bastrentaz | 2010 |
| Michael Marlow | 2011 |
The privilege of honorary life membership is given by the Executive Committee to long-term members who have made sustained significant contributions towards the club and birding in the west suburban Chicago area, as specified in Article 9 of the Bylaws.
The Distinguished Achievement (or Service) Award is given by the Executive Committee for outstanding service to the club in a specific function.
| Paul Mooring | November 10, 1986 |
| Hal Cohen | September 15, 1989 |
| Muriel Smith | September 13, 1991 |
| Dick Young | November 11, 1993 |
| Dick Blewett | December 4, 1995 |
| Bobbie Perkins | January 9, 1997 |
| Jim Frazier | September 8, 2005 |
| Denis Kania | April 6, 2006 |
| Urs Geiser | November 10, 2011 |