President Ken Drummet opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. David Birkenstein shared a thought for the day.
After lunch, the following announcements were shared:
- The next Rotary happy hour is set for next Tuesday at Guanajuato, 5:30-7pm. Please come and bring a new prospective member!
- Tony commented that perhaps former members of the now-defunct Glencoe Rotary Club could be invited.
- Robert encouraged people to invite staff from the local Fire Department, Police Department, and Village.
- Our Club Foundation Board will be meeting next Tuesday at 9:30am to begin to review community grant applications. We have 9 applications to consider this year. Any Rotarian can join the meeting.
- Patti shared that on December 29, she sent out dues notices for this quarter, which are due for payment by January 15.
- Bob noted we received a thank you note from the Barrington Rotary Club Foundation, thanking us for giving a memorial gift.
- Debra shared that the Trees that Feed Foundation is hosting an event with the Bookstall on Wednesday, January 14 at 6pm. Russell Fielding will be discussing his book, Breadfruit: Three Global Journeys of a Bountiful Tree.
- Thomas shared that the Counseling Center of the North Shore is starting a new mindfulness meditation group. Please consider joining this 8-week group starting soon.
- Jeanne Beckman, who shared a recent diagnosis and asked for check-in calls for support.
Thomas Applegate shared new year’s traditions from various countries and cultures for Dig-n-Grin.
Happy bucks were shared by Moha (highlights of his recent trip to Morocco, including a flag exchange with the local Rotary Club working with us on our global grant). He also reported that he is meeting with a grant officer from Rotary International and hopes to have good news about our Global Grant proposal soon.
Our speaker today, Evan Phifer, shared information about the history of the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government. It is presented by the President, in the name of Congress. The first medal was awarded in 1776 to George Washington. He also shared an overview of other military medals and awards that have been given over the years, including various incarnations (and recipients) of the Medal of Honor as it evolved over time.
The meeting concluded with our usual recitation of the Four-Way Test.