Chuck – opened meeting, 22 in attendance.

 

Thought of the Day: Eric – Focus on another part of the world: Africa

Birthday: Felicia O’Malley

Rich – Operation Warm fundraising underway – donate by check to our foundation or online on our website

Barb – community needs committee is meeting with local clubs and connecting with local organizations.

Tony – Uganda – so many have benefitted from Rotary’s efforts in Uganda.

 

Dig N Grin: Tony shared several anecdotes on contemporary life

 

Program: DG Lyle Staab –

Spoke to RI President and this year’s theme: Rotary Opens Opportunity. Theme is debuted in January at International Conference.

Once COVID hit in March, leadership had to evaluate how to proceed. Presidents training in our district ended March 8. On the 12^th, at a monthly meeting of district leadership, they cancelled RYLA. They told clubs to cancel in-person events. Many events cancelled, including District Conference and Lyle’s Installation. Also the Annual Convention in Honolulu.

Enacted a travel ban through December; Rotary employees are all working remotely.

District paid for Zoom for each club; clubs were up and running shortly.

RI gave $25K to be given for COVID relief – they gave to two food banks.

Now, we are still adapting – and finding opportunities. Here are some things to embrace:

District is being creative in ways to grow membership and fundraising. They are helping clubs to network and share ideas. Also helping clubs to find new ways to serve the community and engage families. And grow clubs through new clubs or satellite clubs.

 

Holger’s requests:

Lyle’s Challenge to Clubs: AIM

Questions followed.   The meeting was adjourned at 1:22PM.

 

The Winnetka Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation annually provides monetary grants to organizations that further Rotary’s mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace.

 

Applications are accepted each year from October 15th until December 25th. Grant awards are announced in March by our board. Grants range in size from $500 to $5,000, averaging between $1,000 and $2,000. Recipients are eligible for only two awards within a three year period. 

 

Areas of Focus: Our board is open to reviewing grant applications from any 501(c)(3) organization that has a club member sponsor. Preference will be given to organizations that meet one or more of the following criteria:

·       Support people living in need in Chicagoland

·       Have operating budgets under $1 million

·       Request funding for programs, not general operating expenses

 

While these areas of focus will guide the board’s decision making, the board may award grants to organizations that meet none of this criteria but have a strong club sponsor and compelling case for support.

 

Our grant application can be found here. 

 

Over the last two years, our community's generosity made it possible for over 2,300 children living in need to receive a new winter coat from our club. Member contributions and our Operation Warm Benefit Concert gave Chicago area children brand new coats. Here is a list of the organizations that received these coats, because of you.

The public health crisis prevents us from holding a live benefit concert this year. It also has resulted in the COVID recession and more families in need.  Our program matters now more than ever.

 

We're asking members and friends of the club to make tax-deductible donations to support our club’s Operation Warm program. We’ve already committed to sponsoring one Chicago library program this year, and hope to support two. And the nonprofits listed above rely on our support for the children they serve.

 

Make your contribution now at www.operationwarm.org/wnrotary. Checks should be made payable to WNRCF and mailed to Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, IL 60093.