Richard Laible is an alumnus of Chicago’s world famous The Second City improvisational theater, founding member of The Annoyance Theater and on the House Team of Chicago’s iO Improv Theater. Richard takes what he’s studied and learned, the Rules of Improvisation (Presence, Active Listening & Yes…and) to share that knowledge to the business world in his talk entitled “Self IMPROVment.”
In this perception-changing, humorous and interactive exchange, Richard imparts his expertise in Being in the Moment, Paying Attention and Agreement to assist people in making both their work and home lives happier, more productive, exciting, all with less anxiety.
This week’s meeting was our annual installation dinner held in the Garden Room of the Winnetka Community House. For the first hour we enjoyed each other’s company made even more enjoyable with wine and beer. Tony Kambich started the meeting with everyone joining hands in a large circle around the room. He expressed his gratitude for Rotary and had everyone in the circle say a thank-you to the two persons they were holding hands with. After the Pledge of Allegiance, we all enjoyed a dinner of salmon, roasted potatoes and salad, topped off with chocolate cake for dessert.
Following dinner President Tom Nash had each table introduce their guests, starting with his wife, Sherry. President elect, Bill Leske brought his wife Teresa, daughter Cindy, son Matt and his girlfriend Barb (that is Matt’s girlfriend, not Bill’s). John Thomas’ wife - Ellen, Brooke Peppey’s husband - Chris, Sam Badger’s wife - Nancy, Peter Skalski’s wife - Betty, Fred Schwimmer’s wife - Ellie, Barb Tubekis’ husband - Tom, Marie Kuiper’s husband-Alan Zablocki, Tony Kambich’s wife - Carolyn and Todd Stephens brought his girlfriend - Connie Gutierrez. It was great to see Honorary Rotarian Alan Ramsay who joined our club in 1976. Guest of honor was District Governor Don Brewer from the Algonquin Club. We had a total of 35 Rotarians in attendance.
Paul Harris pins were presented to Fred Schwimmer, his 5th and Patti Van Cleave, her 3rd.
Wes Baumann was recognized for his 33rd Rotary anniversary, and we sang Happy Birthday to Don Brewer, our district governor. Happy Buck$ were contributed by Rich Lalley, Wes Baumann, Robert Mardirossian and David Birkenstein. Heather Higgins read a poem she wrote for Dig ‘n Grin.
Tom Nash gave his final thoughts of his year as president. He thanked the members for their support as he highlighted the year. He mentioned the successful Operation Warm project and Rich Lalley, where we raised money for new winter coats for kids and presented them to children at two Chicago public libraries. Once again, we had another great year with Kids Against Hunger, under Heidi Sibert, as the project that involved almost 400 people who packed 110,000 meals. Tom also thanked his brother, Joe, who organized several fundraisers for our projects. He was also proud of the fact that our club started the Trees that Feed, Breadfruit tree project for Haiti. Our club has raised over $20,000, which will make us eligible for $50,000 from Rotary International Global Grant Project. Brooke Peppey and her committee were thanked for their untiring efforts on behalf the club’s Foundation. This year the grants were handed out at our annual benefit that was capably run by President Elect Bill Leske. We had 80 in attendance. Tom was extremely proud that he had the privilege of installing seven new members into our club this past year. Tom then called on District Governor Don Brewer to install our new president and the 2018-19 Board of Directors.
Don thanked the Club for its great participation this past year and mentioned that our Club was one of his ‘favorite clubs.’ He asked that we support the new district governor, Julie Clark, in the same fashion. He told us that the new Rotary International president, Barry Rassin’s theme for 2018-19 was “Be the inspiration,” and asked that we work toward inspiring others.
Our new President then gave a few remarks of his own by thanking Tom Nash for his past year of service to our club. He presented Tom with a gift from the club. He thanked the Benefit Committee for their work in putting on a very successful benefit and mentioned that it was the first time our club used the Benefit to present our annual grants. He told the audience that the RI Foundation has been given a 100% rating by Charity Navigator and has had a 4-star rating, its highest rating, for the past 10 years. Bill also thanked Patti Van Cleave for organizing the installation dinner. He said that a few of his goals included brand recognition, increased media outreach, engaging the members in more service activities and increasing the membership to 61 by June 2019.
Remember we must “Be the Inspiration.”
P.S. Don’t forget that we are almost at the end of the Rotary year and our goal is to have every club member contribute to RI’s Foundation as part of the “Every Member, Every Year” program. See Rich Lalley next week with your check or a credit card!!!
As the 2017-18 Rotary Year nears its conclusion, 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 Programs Fund.
With three weeks to go, our club members have donated a total of $10,580 in the 2017-18 Rotary Year, reaching our goal of $10,000!
Please thank these 28 Rotarians for making their annual contribution, especially those in bold who are Paul Harris Fellows:
Sam Badger*+, Wes Baumann, Jean Beckman, Mary Lou Bilder Gold, David Birkenstein*+, Laura Cunningham, Joe Fell, David Grant*, Tony Kambich*, Mark Kotz, Marie Kuipers,Rich Lalley+, Bill Leske, Robert Mardirossian, Rodger Morris*, Tom Nash, Chuck Norton, Felicia O'Malley, Lee Padgitt, Brooke Peepey, Randy Reeves, Fred Schwimmer+, Heidi Sibert, Peter Skalski, John Thomas,Barb Tubekis, and Patti Van Cleave, 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 our breadfruit tree project in Haiti, the water and sanitation project we helped fund for school in Guatemala, 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 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.
We are pleased to announce our formal agreement with the Rotary Club of Les Cayes, District 7020, Haiti, to partner on a Global Grant project that will bring sustainable jobs and locally grown protein rich food to the Jeremie region of Haiti.
We are looking to raise approximately $20,000 for this project, which when matched $2.50 to $1 by The Rotary Foundation, will provide $70,000 in funding for this project. Rotary Clubs interested in participating should email info@wnrotary.org.
Areas of Focus
¨ Economic & Community Development
¨ Maternal & Child Health
¨ Bonus: Positive Environmental Impact
Project Objectives
¨ Restore and expand breadfruit production in Jeremie region of Haiti that was devastated by Hurricane Matthew
¨ Create a local, solar-powered breadfruit processing facility
¨ Provide vocational training to farmers, facility workers
¨ Develop the domestic and export market for breadfruit products
Planned Activities
¨ Propagate and grow 5,000 breadfruit saplings
¨ Provide ready-to-produce tress to small holder farmers and coop orchards
¨ Fund processing equipment for new facility (building funded by cooperating NGO)
¨ Provide packaged breadfruit breakfast meals to local schools
¨ Provide vocational training to farmers and workers
Expected Outcomes
¨ Produce 2.5 - 5 million lbs. of breadfruit annually
¨ Economic impact on region- $470,000 - $900,000 annually
¨ Good jobs and businesses for local population in poorest region of Haiti
¨ Provide nutritious meals to school children
¨ Develop an export industry for Haiti
Contribute to this project with the button below. Donations will be matched 2.5 to 1 by The Rotary Foundation.
Areas of Focus
