Upon arrival, and as had been announced the previous week, members were immediately engulfed in packing Thanksgiving food in boxes for for the needy. Once a zillion boxes were done, the meeting itself in the Community House was opened at 12:20 by President Marie Kuipers. This was followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Rick Boerjesson. Lunch was served at 12:25 and the meeting was re-opened at 12:50 with 26 members present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Tom Nash noted there was to be a party this evening at Little Ricky’s to celebrate the huge, almost surreal, success of the Operation Warm benefit several weeks ago at the Kenilworth Club. He noted its very favorable outcome was due in large part by W/N Rotary member participation.
Barb Tubekis thanked folks for set-up last night of those Thanksgiving food items in the hall and asked we help take the packed boxes out to waiting trucks after the meeting.
President Marie then asked we all “cross talk” by telling the person across the table what is their most likable characteristic. After a stunned silence (as is often the case) there was muted chatter to be heard.
HAPPY BUCKS: The call for “Happy Bucks” was met by an almost unheard of deafening silence by the assembly.
DIG & GRIN: Wes Baumann favored us with several mildly humorous anecdotes for which he received several mild huzzahs.
SPEAKER- David Birkenstein introduced our speaker, Chuck Dowding. Dr. Dowding is an Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University’s School of Engineering and deeply engaged in issues of sustainability. He exercises this as Chair of the Winnetka Environmental and Forestry Commission.
He had a well organized presentation on his computer that started with noting that the Village of Winnetka has “used up” their 2020 Plan and has now adopted a 2040 Plan. The new Plan was adopted just two weeks earlier by the Village Council. It will soon be seen on the Village website. He also referred us to the Greenest Region Compact which is a key to efforts locally on sustainability. The Compact addresses ten areas: climate, economy, leadership, mobility, municipal operations, sustainable communities, water, and waste & recycling. The GRC guides the more than 70 participating municipalities towards sustainable goals and actions and encourages communities to work together to create a sustainable region. In Winnetka, the GRC2 was adopted by municipal resolution R-23-2018 in April, 2018.
Unfortunately there was no time for Q&A and the meeting closed at 1:31 after the lottery drawing and 4-Way pledge recitation.