
- Liz Taylor announced she was giving a check to celebrate her anniversary and also brought a check to pay for the auctioned Cubs tickets Robert Mardirossian offered last week – her son enjoyed the game!
- June 3 is the next first Tuesday of the month, which is our day to pack meals for Connections for the Homeless. Patti and Barb went to Costco to meet with a member of the Wilmette Club to learn what is needed for the lunches so we can do the shopping on a rotating basis with Wilmette and Evanston Clubs. There will be a Sign-Up Genius to sign up to volunteer for our designated dates.
- Bob Baker shared the latest information about an upcoming fundraiser to support our Club Foundation. It will be held July 17, a Thursday night, at Valley-Lo in Glenview, the same location as the Operation Warm benefit. We will have a buffet dinner, trivia, raffle items, and a 50/50 raffle. Save the date!
- Thomas Applegate shared that the Garden is open at the Winnetka Thrift Shop today through the weekend! He also shared that their fundraiser is coming up next week; more information and tickets are available here.
- Patti Van Cleave shared that the Winnetka Congregational Church Rummage Sale opens tomorrow and runs through Saturday.
- David Grant shared that an American was elected Pope for the first time: Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago.
- The Hope Walk for the Homeless will be May 3 at Gillson Park, 10am. Please register or volunteer if you haven’t already and are able to do so. We are co-sponsoring this event. If you can’t walk or volunteer, you can donate.
- We still need people to sign up for next Tuesday, May 6 to pack lunches for the homeless. Someone will need to do the shopping each time we sponsor the food, and packing is limited to 15 volunteers. This is an ongoing project, the first Tuesday of the month, 6:00pm-7:30pm at St. Joseph Church in Wilmette. Contact Barb Tubekis for more information.
- Registration is open for the installation dinner for the incoming District Governor, Marlene Frisbie. More information and registration is available here.
- Other upcoming District events can be found on the District calendar.
- Fred Schwimmer shared his enthusiasm about the work our Club Foundation is doing.
- Robert offered Cubs tickets for next Tuesday night to anyone who makes a $60 donation to the Club Foundation. Liz Taylor was the lucky recipient!
- Samaracare providing care for anxiety and uncertainty
- North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic funding on-staff lawyers
- Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired education
- Family Promise Chicago North Shore Shelter for emergency homeless
- Our Place of New Trier Townshipadults with learning disabilities
- Pickles Group to help kids whose parents have cancer diagnosis
- The Record Community News Group journalism
- SaLT: Service and Learning Together student driven service opportunities
- Deerfield Free Store aid to 5-10 refugee families per week
- The Volunteer Center days of service & website matching service
- Special Gifts Theatre stage productions for kids with disabilities
- Counseling Center of the North Shore mental health services
- Trees That Feed Foundation plant breadfruit trees around the world
- Hunger Resource Network provide protein for other food pantries, shelters, etc.
Announcements:
-- The food packing project for Connections for the Homeless will be an ongoing monthly effort in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Wilmette and Evanston Lighthouse. We will meet on the first Tuesday of the month at St Joseph’s church in Wilmette. There is a signup genius on the website.
- Reminder that Rotary International is hosting a session called Rotary: Your Path to Purpose on April 4, 12pm-4pm. The afternoon includes a tour and overview of Rotary Action Plans. All are welcome!Click here for more info and to register.
- The District 6440 Club Leadership Summit is coming up on April 5. Visit the District calendar for more information on this and other upcoming District events.
- We will be joining the Wilmette Club’s ongoing project to pack lunches for the homeless, the first Tuesday of the month, 6:00pm-7:30pm at St. Joseph Church in Wilmette. Sign up sheets are available for April 1 at today’s meeting or just show up! Several participating Club members are going to dinner afterwards – all are welcome to join.
- There is an updated postcard about the Morocco project – see Moha or Debra if you need a copy. Rich shared that we are closing on our fundraising goals for the project.
- Barb brought compostable bags to the meeting for the compostable utensils. Barb will collect today’s utensils in bags and take them over to the community compost drop-off site at the Winnetka Congregational Church. Thanks, Barb!
- Bill Leske’s birthday was yesterday – happy birthday, Bill!
- Rotary International is hosting an online discussion for International Women’s Day: Advancing Women, Building Peace. Click here to register and see more information about the international panelists. If you can’t attend, register anyway and you will receive the full recording of the session.
- Rotary International is hosting a new member orientation session (Rotary: Your Path to Purpose) on April 4, 12pm-4pm. You don’t have to be a new Rotarian to attend, all are welcome!Click here for more info and to register.
- Scholarships for vocational training are available through the District, more information is available here. The deadline for application is March 22.
- Our Club will be participating in the District’s collaborative grant program – the Wilmette Club has submitted the grant application. We will be joining the Wilmette Club’s ongoing project to pack lunches for the homeless, the first Tuesday of the month, 6:00pm-7:30pm at St. Joseph Church in Wilmette. Further details will follow.
- Tom Applegate shared that the Counseling Center of the North Shore’s thrift shop is open for the spring season!
- Tom also shared that he and Moha Bouacha attended a meeting of the Northbrook Rotary Club recently, where Moha gave a presentation about the Global Grant our Club is sponsoring. Moha and Tom participated in the 50/50 raffle held that day and Moha won – and promptly donated the proceeds to the Morocco Global Grant project.
- Amy Skalinder shared two opportunities for Rotarian socializing are coming up at the Community House: Rock the House on March 8 (with two local bands) and the Village Follies, a variety show starting March 14.
- Robert Mardirossian shared that Cubs opening day at Wrigley Field is April 4. He predicts they will make the playoffs this year.
- Arlynn Presser shared that her new book, Your Book of Days is out, offering a story for each day. She shared a brief story about Oreo cookies, originally considered a “health food” meant to stimulate appetite – and brought Oreos to share in celebration.
- All are encouraged to read the District 411 email that comes out regularly.
- The District is holding mental health lectures the first Monday of each month – information about this and other events are available through the District calendar
- There is a “Spring Training” event being planned for April 5, information on the District calendar
- Create a revenue-generating cooperative run by stakeholders of village women/girls;
- Empower women to run and manage a long-term sustainable and profitable business operation.
Announcements:
-- Rotary International Conference – Calgary, June 21-25
- Wes salutes Robert for his PH+8!
- Moha is busy making presentations about our Club’s global grant project in Morocco.He is scheduled to be the speaker at 5 Clubs!
- The greatest gift you can give to someone is your time.
- Living a life of purpose is the truest form of success.
- Happiness lies in the joy of giving.
- We rise by lifting others.
- Success is not measured by wealth, but by the positive impact we have on others.
- Two Rotary Districts in California have established disaster relief funds to address urgent needs for those impacted by the fires in southern California. Rotarians can learn more and contribute through the links below:
- Operation Warm has also committed to sending 10,000 pairs of shoes to southern California; more information will be forthcoming. We will likely provide some funding to this effort from existing Operation Warm funds already available in our Club Foundation.
The meeting was called to order at 12:15 by Co-President Rich.
Greeter David Birkenstein led us in the Pledge.
Bob Baker shared A Thought of the Day, asking us to hold those in the midst of crisis in California and other areas in turmoil in our hearts.
Announcements:
-- Patti reminded members that January dues notices have been sent. She also let everyone know that Barb had knee replacement surgery.
--Debra offered free golf towels from her business!
--Wes fined himself $10 for missing DigNGrin last week.
--Rich inducted Thomas Applegate, Executive Director of Counseling Center of the North Shore, into our club. Rich also awarded Ken Drummitt with a Paul Harris Fellowship, times two!
Dig N Grin: Debra shared quotes from Former President Jimmy Carter, in honor of his death this week.
Program: Moha presented information about the Global Grant that our Club is sponsoring in his home town of Timoulilt Morocco. Donations can be made directly to The Rotary Foundation using Global Grant # GG2571461 or to our Club’s foundation noting Morocco in memo line.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 by Rich, with all of us reciting the Four Way Test.
Announcements:
-- Moha thanked all who assisted with our Holiday Lunch on December 5.
Announcements:
-- Rich inducted our newest member, Michael Ambrose into our Club.
PEOPLE OF ACTION
Winnetka, IL 60093
United States of America