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Operation Warm Soles for Homeless Children
During the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, so many families are experiencing unprecedented turmoil. Food insecurity is a well known concern, and thankfully many citizens and organizations- including our club- are responding with generosity and compassion.
 
Families that cannot afford food can definitely not afford clothing. But children continue to grow- and outgrow their shoes. 
 
Between the ages of 4 to 14, children typically outgrow their shoe size ​every 4-8 months 
 
Our Rotary Club is partnering with Operation Warm on its Warm Soles pilot program to provide 300 pairs of new children's shoes to La Casa Norte, a Chicago agency that serves families confronting homelessness. 
 
We have $4,500 of the $6,000 needed to fund this program. 
 
Please empower children in need by sparking confidence, self-pride and hope for homeless children with your donation. 
 
Our goal is raise $1,500 by Friday June 12.
 
Donate here or email info@wnrotary.org with your pledge. 
 
Meeting Assignments
June 11
Thought Krysten Warnes
Dig-n-GrinBarb Tubekis
ScribeJohn Thomas
 
June 18
Thought Liz Taylor
Dig-n-GrinSam Badger
ScribePatti Van Cleave
 
June 25
Thought Connie Berman
Dig-n-GrinRick Boerjesson 
ScribeKeith Reed
 
Note:
If you are unable to fulfill your assignment, please find a substitute.
 
Board Meeting Minutes- June 4 2020
Attendees: President Marie, President Elect Chuck Norton, Secretary/Treasurer Rich Lalley, David Birkenstein, Eric Birkenstein, Rik Boerjesson, Laura Cunningham, David Grant, Bill Leske, Brooke Peppey, Peter Skalski, John Thomas, Barb Tubekis, Patti Van Cleave
 
Prepared by: Rich Lalley
 
The meeting was called to order. As no minutes were prepared for the previous meeting, none were reviewed.
Financial reports for the club and WNRCF were reviewed.
  • As of June 3, the club has just under $4,000 in cash. Fiscal year to date, the club is running a $3,600 deficit, with about $5,200 in dues yet to be paid by members.
  • As of June 3, WNRCF has over $38,000 in bank accounts, with $5,600 in funds reserved as prior year restricted donations. Fiscal year to date, the foundation is running a $21,000 surplus. At year end (June 30), donations made for Kids Against Hunger, the Peru school supplies project, RYLA and our Community Grants Fund will be placed in to prior year restricted donation accounts.
  • Motions we made and passed to accept the Treasurer’s reports.
President Marie announced she has formed a “Social Justice” committee which will meet for the first time June 8. She invited any interested board members to participate.
President Elect Chuck made the following comments during his minute:
  • Several club members have committed to make donations to our Community Grants fund to help make up for the postponed spring benefit. However, to fully fund the program, we need all members to donate what they would have spent on benefit ticket(s), raffle tickets, etc.
  • The club needs a President Elect for the next Rotary year. Without someone assuming this position, the club’s future is in jeopardy.
  • A rousing THANK YOU was made to President “Queen” Marie for her outstanding leadership this past year. All members seconded the sentiment.
Committee Reports:
Membership: John Peterson will be the new Park District head. Patti knows John well and will reach out to confirm he should assume the Park District’s membership.
 
Programs: John Thomas will continue book a combination of outside speakers and bios to be presented via Zoom through July. John proposed having one or two bios each week we have a speaker in response to the positive reception the bios have gotten from the members. Also, we discussed possibly using video (e.g. Ted Talks on You Tube) to provide interesting speakers.
 
Foundation: Brooke is preparing files to turn over WNRCF leadership to David Grant on July 1.
 
District Grant: A committee has been appointed. Based on club survey input, the foundation will use the District Grant to make donations to the New Trier Township Angel Fund and Infant, Inc. A final recommendation on donation amounts after reviewing a detailed financial report of COVID-19 donations and club meal revenue. Rich Lalley will make those donations and submit the District Grant application before the June 15 deadline. A press release will also be issued.
 
Community Service/COVID Relief: We continue to distribute weekly meals from Donna Goodman to Good News Partners and Lydia Foster Home. We will continue this practice until in person meetings resume. We provided weekly meals from Stormy’s to North Shore Hospital ERs for six weeks, ending May 23. We will not be continuing that program in June. Also, David Birkenstein expressed an interest in exploring a plan to secure naming rights for a Winnetka Park. David will  connect with the Park District and Rich will work to get a listing of District 6440 club who have named parks in their communities.
 
Communications/Bulletin: We will reinstate weekly assignments (Thought of the Day, Dig n Grin, scribe) and include these in the weekly bulletin. TO make scribing easier and promote briefer stories, a meeting notes template will be created. Also, meeting on Zoom will be reordered so those not attending can view them. Links will be included in the weekly bulletin.
 
International: Peru continues to be shut down, so the school supply program is on hold. The Ecuador grant application has been resubmitted to The Rotary Foundation.
Read more...
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 three most recent meetings:
Every Rotarian Every Year- Support The Rotary Foundation- Club Update 2020

As the 2019-20 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 Kids Against Hunger, our COVID-19 response, and our Ecuador "Farm to Table" Global Grant. 

To date, our club members have donated a total of $6,633 in the 2019-20 Rotary Year, 66% of our goal of $10,000. 

Please thank these 17 Rotarians for already making their annual contribution, especially those in bold who are Paul Harris Fellows:

Wes Baumann, David Birkenstein*+, David Grant*, Heather Higgins, Marie Kuipers+, Rich Lalley+, Robert Mardirossian, Chuck Norton+, Lee Padgitt, Brooke Peppey, Keith Reed, Peter Skalski, Fred Schwimmer+, John Thomas, Barb Tubekis, Julie Tye, and Patty Van Cleave
* signifies a Major Donor signifies Paul Harris Society ($1,000 per year)

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 six areas of focus- Disease prevention and treatment, maternal & child health, education & literacy, water and sanitation, economic & community development 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 our coats for kids, 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 $2,400, and next year we will can receive $3,700. 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.  You can send a check to “WNRCF” (mark TRF in the memo line) to our club, c/o Bob Baker at Killian Plumbing at 933 Green Bay Rd, 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.

Club Addresses Food Insecurity & Honors Healthcare Heroes

Donation to New Trier Township Food Pantry; Meal Donations to Local Nonprofits and Hospital Workers

With COVID-19 upon us, the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield has once again answered the call of "Service Above Self."

Club members quickly determined that the most urgent need in the community during this pandemic is food insecurity. With this in mind---and thanks to a matching grant from The Rotary Foundation--- the club made a sizeable donation to the New Trier Township Food Pantry.

Donating money directly to the pantry allows them to acquire food at deep discounts through The Greater Chicago Food Depository, where every dollar buys about eight times more food than it would in traditional retail stores. "The New Trier Pantry typically serves 250 families each week. Township staff and volunteers have made big adjustments in how the Pantry operates to meet Covid19 safety requirements. Many families are experiencing higher levels of need due COVID's economic impact. The widespread layoffs and work closures are beginning to lead to more pantry users." said Rotarian and Township Trustee John Thomas.

The Winnetka-Northfield Rotary has also prioritized caring for our nearby seniors, women and children affected by domestic violence, and essential front-line health workers. The club is partnering with its regular caterer "Donna Goodman Events" of Wilmette to provide family-style meals to seniors, sheltered families, and other vulnerable citizens. The club will provide these meals to local nonprofits like Lydia HomeGood News Partners and Mary Lou's Place each week while it meets "virtually" during the current stay at home order.

To support local Healthcare Heroes, the club has partnered with Northfield restaurant Stormy's Tavern and Grille to provide hygienically prepared and packaged meals to NorthShore University HealthSystem hospitals. Dinner for twenty-five was delivered to Evanston hospital on April 19, and will be delivered to Highland Park Hospital on April 25. According to club President Marie Kuipers, "This is a small gesture of gratitude to those dedicated professionals who are fighting this pandemic with all they have."

Funding for the ongoing food deliveries come from club member fees that normally pay for lunch at the club's weekly meetings, and from donations from local citizens. Contributions to the club's COVID-19 Response fund can be made here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/winnetka-northfield-rotary-charitable-foundation/covid-response-fund

Read more...
Queen Marie is Selling Her Eggs for Good!

Our esteemed Rotary Club President, "Queen Marie", is selling her eggs for good!

Not those eggs. Fresh eggs from her chickens. 

Proceeds will support the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield's COVID-19 Community Support programs. We will be purchasing meals from local businesses and sending them to health care providers, first responders and/or local nonprofits serving people in need. 

Marie will arrange for delivery of 6 fresh, organic eggs for a $20 or more tax deductible donation.  

Note, you can make a donation without taking delivery of eggs. Just let Marie know you do not need her eggs. 
 
 
 
Zoom Security
Zoom has added new security features. Going forward, passwords will be required for all meetings. We will use the same password for all Thursday lunch and Monday cocktail hour meetings. The meeting link and passwords will be included in emails that go to all members 30 minutes before our meetings. Contact Rich if you need assistance joining meetings.  
Do you need help with Zoom?
If you would like to attend our Rotary meetings being held on Zoom, and are not sure how to do this, I can help. Let me know by return email or give me a call and we can schedule a time for me to walk you through the process and you can join a test meeting. After you do this the first time, it be much easier to join future meetings. 
 
Note, everyone can join a Zoom meeting. You can join via a computer, tablet, iPad or smartphone that has internet access, or you can join via a plain old fashion phone. 
 
I am confident that with a one on one session, we can get you onto Zoom so that you can continue to be a part of our club during these uncertain and trying times.
 
Let me know if you would like assistance. 
 
Rich Lalley
​Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield
​Club Secretary; WNRCF Treasurer
​224-305-3684
 
 
Bulletin Editor
David Grant
Speakers
Jun 11, 2020 12:15 PM
Wetlands in Today's World
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President's Message
Marie Kuipers
member photo
We welcome visitors to join us for lunch, to enjoy our great speakers and to learn about our club and our great service projects. Come join us!
Club Information
WELCOME TO OUR CLUB! CELEBRATING 95 YEARS OF SERVICE. COME JOIN US CONNECTING FOR GOOD.
Winnetka-Northfield
Service Above Self
We meet Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Meeting with Zoom during the health crisis. Email info@wnrotary for log-in info.
620 Lincoln Avenue
Winnetka, IL 60093
United States of America
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Connie Berman
June 7
 
Join Date
Patrick (Pat) O'Day
June 1, 1979
41 years
 
Rob Bahan
June 15, 2015
5 years
 
Keith Reed
June 20, 2013
7 years
 
William (Bill) Johnson
June 24, 1999
21 years
 
Wes Baumann
June 27, 1985
35 years
 
Kristen Jasinski
June 29, 2013
7 years