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620 Lincoln Avenue
Winnetka, IL 60093
United States of America

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Meeting Notes November 9

Posted by Keith Reed

The meeting was chaired by Bob Baker. There were 15 members present and 3 members

joining us on Zoom. Robert’s Guest was Bruce Seitzer and David’s guest was Paul Getzendanner; Al

Horner (Bill Leske’s guest); and Debra Campbell (a local therapist who was a recent Rotary

speaker).

The following invocation was a special Thanksgiving “thought for the day” composed and

presented by Robert Mardirossian: “Gracious God, during this season of Thanksgiving, we ask

that you keep us mindful of our responsibilities to family, friends, Rotary, our community, our

Country and all countries and all people. We give thanks for the blessings you have so

graciously and generously bestowed upon us. Let us strive to use these blessings to enhance the

lives of others throughout the world and to promote peace in whatever ways we can. Amen. “

Dig N Grin was handled by Fred Schwimmer who presented several questions raised many

years ago by his 1940 Crow Island classmate, Dan Leonard, demonstrating why our English

language is so difficult to understand!! For example—How can a slim chance and a fat chance be

the same? How does a house burn down when it burns up?

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Barb reminded everyone that our November 16th meeting is when we

continue our long standing Thanksgiving tradition of purchasing groceries in bulk and bagging

them to be given to families in transitional housing who are served by Good News Partners in

Chicago’s North of Howard neighborhood. We hope to provide over 150 bags of groceries and

have a fundraising goal of $4,000, so all checks and pledges are still welcome.

The New Trier Swing Choir, Nate Landes (conducting), is scheduled to perform for our

December 7th meeting at the WCH location. This is a great opportunity to invite family, friends

and potential Club members to hear outstanding seasonal music.

Rich welcomed help/participation from Club members to pass out coats and books to needy

Chicago youth at the Budlong Woods Library on Nov. 11th from 12:30-3:00 pm and at the

Uptown Library Branch on Nov. 26th from 12:30 to 3:00 pm. Contact Rich for

more details.

HAPPY BUCKS: Moha Bouacha was happy to announce that his Moroccon preschool project

raised $600. Bob Baker was happy due to his daughter’s recent career change which will benefit

her in the long run. Robert was happy to have his good friend, Bruce Seitzer, attend today’s

Rotary meeting.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: Tony had a birthday on Nov. 1; Jeanne Beckman

became a Club member 35 years ago, Lee Padgitt 30 years ago, Rich Lalley 19 years ago, and

Dave Birkenstein 14 years ago.

SPEAKER Susan Resko, CEO and President of the Josselyn Center (hereafter JC) was

introduced by David Grant who said that in recent years the JC has provided

about 50% of all not-for-profit mental health services in New Trier Township. Susan reported that JC has been providing such services on the North Shore for over 70 years. It’s main facility is in Northfield

(just north of Starbuck’s and the Northfield restaurant). It has similar facilities in Waukegan,

Highland Park, Northbrook, and has just recently taken over the Stepan Company office building

in Highwood. It’s clinical services are fully accredited and include therapy, Psychiatry, Supported

Employment and a walk-in clinic. It’s services are covered partially by Medicaid and Medicare

and it offers a sliding fee scale based on income eligibility. It also has a camp for specialized

adolescents and kids 7 to 16 years old.

40% of its patients are under 30 years of age. It has an “Intensive Outpatient Program” for

young people who require more than just weekly therapy. Depression, self-esteem and suicide

prevention are important treatment programs. The Northfield facility (also referred to as the

“living room”) is open daily from 7 am to midnight to serve young people. The Highwood

facility is also referred to as “The Illinois Trust Services of Highwood” and it appeals to many

migrant children who are trying to adjust to a new community and have language problems. JC

has approximately 40 bilingual staff members to help the communication process.

More information about JC can be found on the website “Josselyn Center.org” and click on

“About Us”.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 pm with the recitation of

the Rotary 4 Way Test.

Meeting Notes October 26

Posted by David Grant

President Bob led today’s meeting with 13 in-person Rotarians, and 1 guest: Ron Bernardi.

Announcements: Bob inducted a new member today: Ken Drummet. Ken has been a Rotarian for 27 years before joining our Club. He moved to the Mews in Winnetka recently. David Birkenstein is his sponsor.

Happy Bucks:

Bill is happy that he saw Rich on TV recently being interviewed about Operation Warm.

Ron: Is happy to shake the hand of the world’s newest Rotarian!

Fred: Is happy for the best showing of leaves on the trees in Winnetka this fall that he can remember. He is also happy about the stellar community contributions that Terry Dason makes for the Chamber of Commerce and particularly the farmers market, and for all that Barb Tubekis does for the Volunteer Center.

Speaker: Steve Anderson is the New Trier Township Community Partnerships Coordinator. The township donates more than $1.5 million to 34 agencies that reach a population of 57,000 township residents. More than 2,000 of those residents live under the poverty line and require services.

Share Your Bounty 2023

Posted by Barb Tubekis on Oct 26, 2023

Continuing our club's long standing Thanksgiving tradition, we will once again partner with the Volunteer Center to provide post-holiday groceries for families in transitional housing who are served by Good News Partners in Chicago's North of Howard neighborhood. We will purchase groceries in bulk at Costco and club members will bag the groceries at our November 16th meeting.

Please donateto help us provide post-holiday groceries to these families in need. You can bring a check or cash to a lunch meeting, make a pledge by emailing your pledge to info@wnrotary.org, or donate online by clicking here: DONATE NOW. We hope to provide over 150 bags of groceries, and have a fundraising goal of $4,000. We already have a matching grant from The Rotary Foundation for $1,760. This will be easy if everyone contributes.

Please donate by November 12.

Meeting Notes October 5

Posted by Patti Van Cleave

There were 12 Rotarians present, and one on Zoom. One guest: previous speaker Debra Campbell, who is considering membership.

President Bob called the meeting to order at 12:20. He shared a thought on behalf of David Birkenstein that every day we wake up is a gift, and we ought to dedicate a portion of each day to helping others. Greeter Wes led us in the Pledge.

Announcements:

Next week we will meet at the Glencoe Community Garden to assist them with year-end cleanup. Wear casual clothes, and sign up for a box lunch with Barb if you’d like to eat!
The following week our Board Meeting will take place during lunch, in lieu of a speaker. All are welcome to attend the meeting. A memorial service for Rodger Morris will be held by his family at the Community House beginning at 2:30. Obituary for Rodger is here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/rodger-morris-obituary?id=53154839
The Moroccan relief fund link is now live on our website. https://secure.givelively.org/donate/winnetka-northfield-rotary-charitable-foundation/morocco-earthquake-relief
The Operation Warm benefit is next Friday! If you cannot attend, bid on silent auction items here: https://event.gives/opwarm23&main=0/items

Birthday: Brooke Peppey

Rotary Anniversaries: Bob Baker, Denise Dubravec. Felicia O’Malley

No Happy Bucks

Dig N Grin: Bob filled in for Barb with some “This Day in History” facts.

David Grant introduced our speaker, Siim Soot, a Winnetka resident who is Honorary Vice Consul of Estonia. He shared his personal history as a native Estonian and many interesting facts about Estonia, past and present.

The meeting adjourned with reciting the 4-Way Test at 1:30.

Morocco Earthquake Relief

Around 11 pm on Friday September 8th, the strongest earthquake in more than a century struck Morocco. Moha Bouacha grew up in Timoulilt, a small village at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Moha says that while his village suffered some damage, villages higher and deeper in the mountains were devastated. Over 3,000 people died and 5,500 injured. Some villages were reduced to rubble and 80% of their population perished. According to a UN report, 50,000 homes were destroyed and 300,000 people were affected in the three regions close to the epicenter, including the historical cities of Marrakech and Taroudant.

While Moha was President of the Belvidere, IL Rotary Club, he began a relationship between the club and Timoulilt Association for Development (ATD), an NGO in Timoulilt, Morocco. ATD is focused on the socio-economic development of Timoulilt and its region. They have partnered on projects with The Rotary Foundation on a Global Grant administered by the Rotary Clubs of Casablanca and Belvidere; USAID and the European Union and many other International aid organizations.

Here is a video recapping early earthquake relief efforts conducted by ATD shortly after the quake.

Donations to support long term recovery efforts organized by ATD can be made here.
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/winnetka-northfield-rotary-charitable-foundation/morocco-earthquake-relief

Community Service

Posted by Patti Van Cleave

The Community House is collecting non-perishable foods and household goods for the New Trier Township Food Pantry. Club members and visitors to the Community House are encouraged to bring items on Thursday or whenever you are visiting the Community House. A large bin for drop offs is located at the front desk. Club members are asked to monitor the bin and take items to the Food Pantry when full.

This new service project collaboration will be ongoing, with a new recipient identified quarterly.

Every Rotarian, Every Year- Contribute to The Rotary Foundation

As the 2021-22 Rotary Year concludes, please join the millions of beneficiaries of projects funded by The Rotary Foundation in thanking our members who have honored their commitment of Every Rotarian, Every Year, contribute to The Rotary Foundation's Annual SHARE Fund.

These gifts support the local and international work of Rotary Clubs and Districts through District and Global Grants. A significant portion of these gifts support projects of our club like our recent contribution to Shelter Box, our annual Operation Warm coats and shoes for children projects, local COVID-19 relief efforts, Kids Against Hunger, and our Ecuador "Farm to Table" Global Grant.

Year to date, we are 57% of the way to Presidents Bill and Greg's goal of $12,000 for the 2021-22 Rotary year.

Please thank these 20 Rotarians (plus our good friend Donna Goodman) for already making their annual contribution, especially those in bold who are Paul Harris Fellows:

Sam Badger*⁺, Wes Baumann, Connie Berman, David Birkenstein*⁺, Eric Birkenstein, Moha Bouacha, Donna Goodman, David Grant*, Tony Kambich*, Marie Kuipers, Rich Lalley*^{+^}, Bill Leske, Robert Mardirossian, Lee Padgitt, Bob Sanfilippo, Heidi Sibert, Peter Skalski, Todd Stephens, Liz Taylor, Barb Tubekis, and Patti Van Cleave.
* signifies a Major Donor ⁺signifies Paul Harris Society ($1,000 per year) ^Bequest Society

There are many reasons to give to the The Rotary Foundation:

Contributions support humanitarian and educational projects initiated and run by Rotary Clubs and Districts in seven areas of focus- Disease prevention and treatment, maternal & child health, education & literacy, water and sanitation, economic & community development, protecting our environment, and peace & conflict resolution. Learn more by reviewing the Foundation’s annual report.
Contributions come back to support projects of our club's projects, like Operation Warm Soles, support for ShelterBox, last year's COVID-19 Response efforts, Kids Against Hunger and International grants projects like our Farm to Table eco-agribusiness project in Ecuador, the water and sanitation projects we helped fund for schools in Guatemala and Kenya, and the digital x-ray/community health clinic project organized by District 6440. This year, we received $3,671, and next year we will can receive $4,876. But we must give to receive.
Charity Navigator gives The Rotary Foundation its highest “Four Star” rating, giving it a score 100 out of 100.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals named The Rotary Foundation the World's Outstanding Foundation of 2016!
Giving to The Rotary Foundation is an easy way for you to participate in Rotary’s service work beyond our club, providing you a personal connection to this great organization and the good it does throughout the world.

It’s easy to give. Bring a check to made payable to “WNRCF” (mark TRF in the memo line) to our club, (or mail it to our club at 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, 60093); you can donate via PayPal by clicking here, or you can donate directly to The Rotary Foundation at www.rotary.org or by calling 866-976-8279. One very convenient way to give is by making a recurring monthly gift on your credit card or from your checking account, which you can set up on Rotary’s website.

If you have not already supported The Rotary Foundation this year, please do so now.

If you have any questions about The Rotary Foundation or how to give, contact Rich Lalley.

Got Questions about Rotary or our club? We've got answers.

Posted by Richard (Rich) Lalley on Mar 11, 2013

Are you thinking about joining our club, but have some questions? Or have you recently joined and want to know more about how things work? Check our our new FAQs:

Still have questions? Send them to info@wnrotary.org and we'll send you an answer and update our FAQs.

Meeting Recordings

One of the nice features of meeting virtually is that our meetings can be recorded. This of course depends on your meeting host (me) remembering to start the recording (sometimes I'm a bit late in starting it).

Here are links to view our recent meetings: