David Whitlock helps young adults understand themselves better to make more informed choices in their lives. David spent over 20 years in marketing and advertising, but found his true passion in life was to work with young adults 15 to 25 discover their calling. As a life coach, David helps people discover their calling in life so they can be equipped to make better choices, set meaningful goals and manage their happiness. People then have a much greater sense of direction and have more confidence to face the challenges that lie ahead of them. David uses a quote from Aristotle to drive home his message. "Happiness is the moving and the purpose of life, the whole and and end of human existence." - See more at: http://wnrotary.org/Speakers#sthash.FW6SzhVE.dpuf
There were 29 members of our club in attendance on June 18. There were no guests other than the three persons who presented the day’s program.
President John Thomas presided over his first meeting. The announcements this week included a plug from Kristen Leahy for the WYO’s annual service trip. They will be volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Kristen is seeking contributions to defray some of the expenses for the trip. President John said one of the primary goals for the upcoming Rotary Year would be to expand the membership. He indicated that he is expecting Village Manager Rob Bahan to join our club soon. To that end David Birkenstein announced that there would be a membership meeting at 11:00 a.m. on June 25th. All are welcome to attend this meeting in the conference room on the 2nd floor with their ideas. Everyone is encouraged to bring guests (potential members) to our meetings. Our treasurer, Mark Kotz, thanked all the members who made an annual contribution to Rotary International’s “Every Rotarian-Every Year” campaign. There are a few more days to make a donation to our parent organization.
Happy Buck$ this week were courtesy of Patti Van Cleave, Heidi Sibert, Chuck Young and John Thomas.
Program Co-Chair Mark Kotz introduced the day’s speakers: Jill Young and Emily Raming, job coaches and David Wolf, the Executive Director of “TotalLink2 Community” (TL2C). David said TL2C is a 501c3 that is dedicated to creating customized jobs for people with developmental disabilities. The concept of this not for profit organization was developed by a group of Northbrook mothers who had children with developmental disabilities who were trying to figure a way to provide more meaning for the lives of their children when they entered adulthood. TL2C employees a number of ‘job coaches’ who seek companies who are willing to employ these adults. Then they look for ways to create part-time jobs in these companies that provide valid service to the company and an employment opportunity for their clients – adults with development disabilities. These job coaches work with young adults, age 18 and above to determine the skills they have to offer and the type of work they would like to do. Then the coaches work with their clients to prepare them for an interview and the job skills they will need.
The work is very personalized for both the clients and the employers. The jobs that are created from existing company needs are customized to the client’s personal skills and abilities so that the client is making a real contribution to the company. Most jobs start out as two to four hours per week. TL2C is always looking for new companies that are willing to consider hiring their clients. Their clients normally display the traits employers are looking for – reliability, loyalty, likability, focus, enthusiasm, and trustworthiness. TL2C has a 97% placement success rate and once their clients are employed the job coaches continue to follow up and provide support and coaching were needed. Their clients, once employed, become more self-confident, develop more friendships, expand their skills and abilities and have a sense of belonging that enriches their lives.
More information about this organization can be found on its website: www.TotalLink2.org
Please find a substitute if you are unable to fulfill your assignment; Just call or e-mail a fellow member and ask him/her to sub. Tom Evans - tom.evans527@gmail.com- who chairs the service committee, will confirm assignments. Sgt. at arms helps set up and store our stuff, please come 15 minutes early and be prepared to stay a few minutes after the meeting; Greeter greets and announces names of visiting Rotarians and guests; Thought of the Day can be spontaneous or read from a script; Dig 'n Grin can make us laugh or think seriously.
The 2014-15 Rotary Year is nearly over, and our club has accomplished much. Our members are engaged; our Operation Warm, Kids Against Hunger and Community Grants programs were all great successes. We supported many fine local and international non-profits and just held another successful and very fun fundraising dinner to support our Community Grants fund for next year. We have much to be proud about our club, and about being a part of the greater fellowship of Rotary.
One goal we have yet to reach is our contributions to the Annual Program Fund of The Rotary Foundation. Through June 18, 24 of 60 members of our club have contributed $7.065 to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Programs Fund, exceeding the goal set by President Bob and our board. We thank these 24 Rotarians for already making their annual contribution, especially those in bold who are Paul Harris Fellows:
Wes Baumann, Tom Evans, Dave Gotaas, David Grant*,Heather Higgins, Mark Kotz, Marie Kuipers+, Rich Lalley+, Denny Lauer, Robert Mardirossian, Mike Malloy+, Bernie Michna, Rodger Morris*, Chuck Norton, Lee Padgitt, Keith Reed, Randy Reeves, Mike Shelton, John Stone, John Thomas, Barb Tubekis, Dirk Tussing,Patti Van Cleave and Carl Yudell.
* 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 the water well project we helped fund for an orphanage in Kenya and the digital x-ray/community health clinic project organized by District 6440. This year, we received nearly $4,000 for our Kids Against Hunger project! But we must give to receive.
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 donate with a check or credit card at lunch; you can send a check to “WNRCF” (mark TRF in the memo line) to our club at 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka; 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, which you can set up on Rotary’s website.
If you have any questions about The Rotary Foundation or how to give, contact Rich Lalley.
