What is Death with Dignity, also known as Aid in Dying? Even with the best palliative care, suffering at life’s end is sometimes extreme. That’s when the most rational choice can be to hasten one’s death - to avoid needlessly suffering through the final, agonizing stages of dying. Mentally competent adults, suffering intolerably at end of life, have a basic human right to choose a peaceful, dignified, humane, and pain-free death. Physicians and loved ones should have the legal right to help the dying patient. Ed believes we need legal change to secure these rights everywhere, and in particular, in Illinois we need to pass a law similar to the ones on the books in Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Montana, and soon, we hope, California.
Ed Gogol has been the president of Final Options Illinois since April, 2013. The group was formed in 1984 as Hemlock of Illinois. He calls himself an “accidental activist” in this cause. Aid-in-dying was something he believed in, but was not heavily involved in, until about ten years ago. At that time a dear friend of his, who had had Parkinson’s disease for more than twenty years and was in very bad shape, decided that she wanted to hasten her death.
There were 27 members in attendance at this week’s meeting. Our lone guest was regular visitor Penny Fields from the Highland Park club. John Thomas began the meeting by inducting a new member, Rhonda Miller, a third generation Winnetkan. John also announced that Patti Van Cleave’s Visioning Committee would be meeting on Monday, October 19th from 5 – 9 p.m. at the Community House. All Club members have been encouraged to attend this meeting and contribute to the forward thinking for our Club. A representative from Rotary International will moderate the session.
Operation Warm has three weeks remaining in its current drive to raise funds for coats for those in need of warm winter coats. Please consider a generous gift to this Rotary project under the leadership of Rich Lalley. Currently we are trying to provide coats for 6 – 12 month olds being served by the Crisis Nursery at Maryville Academy.
President Thomas announced that he plans to have the two groups of candidates for three openings on the Village of Winnetka Council come to Club meeting in January to present their case. There are three persons proposed by the Caucus and three persons running as independents. They will be invited to separate meetings, but given the same set of questions to respond to. John is looking for volunteers to prepare the questions. At this week’s meeting Tony Kambich, Keith Reed and Rhonda Miller agreed to be added to the committee.
This week’s speaker was Robert Beezat, a former city manager and city management consultant who recently wrote a book “Knowing and Loving: The Keys to Real Happiness.” While not a Rotarian, he has spoken to over 75 Rotary Clubs. He effectively used Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self’ and “The Four Way Test” in illustrating his ideas expressed in his book. He emphasized that he always tries to learn from people and that one of the very influential persons in his life was his Polish grandmother. She had a tough life but always had a good outlook on life. He remembers her telling him that the only difference between a Polish wedding and a Polish funeral is that there is one less person dancing at the Polish funeral.
Robert began by using the first question of the Four Way Test – Is it the Truth? He said this is one of the most important questions in life. How we answer this question will say a lot about how we approach problems and problem solving in life. In order to solve the many problems we face in business or our personal lives we have to gain an understanding of the real underlying causes of the issue. Our speaker said that the closer we can come to the truth the better our chances of making good decisions and choices for our families, our communities and ourselves.
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.
This October, the Winnetka Northfield Rotary Club is working with the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to help veterans at the Lovell Federal Health Care Center. Each of these veterans has been honorably discharged, but due to a variety of circumstances they are in need of our help. These men and women recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries or are in the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program and are dealing with lives that are hard for us to fathom. They receive support with housing and food, but cleaning supplies and other household items are not able to be purchased with their food cards.
The following items are of great need to these veterans:
Laundry detergent
Garbage bags
Garbage cans
Laundry basket
Shampoo
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Cleaning products
Brooms/dust pans
Cooking pans and utensils
Games
Puzzles
Movie theater tickets
Restaurant gift cards
Items can be brought to our Thursday meetings or dropped off at the Winnetka Youth Organization (lower level of the Community House) during their open hours. Cash donations are also accepted.
Your contribution will help us provide new winter coats to needy children in Chicago and on the North Shore.
Again this year, we ill be bringing the happiness and warmth of new Operation Warm winter coats to children living in need in the Chicago metro area. In 2014, our club provided new coats to over 600 children. This year, our plans are to provide coats to children served by several local organizations:
Maryville Crisis Nursery, provides short-term care for children of families who are experiencing a severe disruptive crisis,
When children have a new coat, their self-esteem gets a boost and they are empowered to attend school and partake in outdoor play on cold winter days. This simple and inexpensive gift does so much for a child.
Only through the generosity of our members and their network can we accomplish our goal for providing new coats to 700 or more area children. Please donate generously; each $20 gift allows another child to receive the gift of warmth.
You may donate online via PayPal or by check made payable to Winnetka Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation (WNRCF) sent to 620 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka IL 60093.
Again this year, we ill be bringing the happiness and warmth of new