President Harold Bauer called the meeting to order.

 

 

Thanks to the organizing efforts of Bruce Baumberger, the attendees of the Zones 28 & 29 Regional Coordinators Workshop (March 22-24) were guests at our meeting.  (See names below.)   Zones, a global organizing structure within Rotary, provide support, leadership training, and general assistance to clubs and districts.  Approximately 15 Rotary districts form a zone. A Zone Director, who serves as a member of the RI Board of Directors, heads two zones.  District 6440 falls within Zone 29 under the leadership of current Director Mary Beth Growney Selene of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne Middleton (Wisconsin).

 

 

Director Mary Beth complimented our club on its friendliness, our greeter (President Harold!), our diversity and our prime location near RI.  Noting that “small things make a difference when you’re the stranger in a room”, she encouraged members to reach out and make others, including new member Lincoln Janus, feel welcome.   Jennifer Jones (Rotary Club of Windsor Roseland, Ontario), Director-Elect and self-described “hugger”, shared an anecdote about a community power broker/Rotarian who opposed female participation until exposed to the difference that women in his club -- and hugs -- could make.

 

 

 

Paul Brown noted the passing of Joan Barr Smith, the first female member of the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club and first female mayor of Evanston.   Joan died on Saturday after a long battle with leukemia.  Her memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave., Evanston.

 

President Harold then turned the meeting over to President-Elect Steve Goranson who encouraged members to attend the April 10-12 District 6440 Conference at the Westin Hotel in Itasca.  The conference is a great opportunity to learn about Rotary, while enjoying fellowship and compelling presentations.   The District Assembly portion of the Conference will take place on Saturday.  Kristin Brown noted that our Youth Exchange students – Irene & Livia – will be participating with their peers in the weekend’s events.  For more info, or to register, just Google “District 6440 Conference”.

 

Bruce Baumberger updated the membership on the status of the District’s Digital X-ray project in Guatemala.  The $2.5 million, 29-unit project is gaining momentum, with the fourth unit installed near Livingston (and Ak Tenamit) last week.  For additional information, please check out their brochure (on the tables) or the website www.healthrays.info.

 

 

Lincoln Janus was installed as a new member.  Linc’s sponsor is Harold Bauer.

 

 

 

 

Ann Searles, AKA The Sunshine Lady, announced that John Wold will be coming home from the Presbyterian Home/McGaw on Thursday.   The Wolds have sold their condo and are hoping to move north this summer.   Don Gwinn’s wife Joanna is also recovering at McGaw with a broken hip.  Please keep them in your thoughts, or consider a visit.

 

Zbig Skiba boasted himself.  Scheduled to serve as Greeter today, Zbig was fighting a cold and decided to sleep in  -- thoughtfully sparing us all a germy handshake.

 

Bruce Baumberger boasted the Zones 28 & 29 team and thanked them for the “happy dollars” collection that will go into our Foundation coffers.

 

Kristin Brown boasted the ETHS boys’ volleyball team that won its opener yesterday.  Kristin’s son, Xavi Ajamia, was featured in press coverage about the team. 

 

 

Don Gwinn introduced two special guests – Audrey Thompson (Ombudsman for the City of Evanston), at left in photo below, and Sharon Riley (Director, Rebuilding Together North Suburban Chicago Chapter). 

 

Sharon expressed her delight at speaking to our group and seeing so many familiar faces (John Searles, Steve Carlson, Steve Goranson, Bill Vernon, Don Gwinn, and others).   Citing the profound impact the ELRC has had on some of its neediest neighbors, Sharon thanked the club for the scope of its work and the caring nature of its service.

 

Started in Midland, TX as a “neighbors helping neighbors” effort, Rebuilding Together (formerly known as Christmas in April) began when a few interested volunteers lent a hand to low-income families hoping to remain in their homes.  The North Suburban Chicago Chapter of Rebuilding Together was incorporated in 1996.  Based in Glenview, the chapter receives approximately 80 applications from homeowners seeking assistance per year.  Social service providers, such as Ombudsman and guest Audrey Thompson, recommend projects which are then evaluated by the dedicated Board of Directors.  Roughly half of the applications are for skilled projects (electrical, plumbing, etc.) while the remaining half are Rebuilding Day projects.  Typically the last Saturday in April, Rebuilding Day involves work by 500-700 volunteers on approximately 25 homes.   All goods and services are provided free of charge to the homeowners, fostering dignity, improved living conditions, and positive interaction.

 

The mission of the North Suburban Chicago Chapter is to spread the spirit of volunteerism through home rehabilitation by helping low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and people with disabilities in communities of North Suburban Chicago.  Living the motto “Don’t judge; just love,” volunteers make it their priority to help each homeowner feel respected, loved, and proud of their home.   Rebuilding Together is a perfect partner for the ELRC.

 

Don Gwinn narrated – with accompanying photos -- ELRC’s history with Rebuilding Together.  For new members, it was a chance to become familiar with our work.  For veteran members, it was an opportunity to reminisce about past projects.  The ELRC has participated in Rebuilidng Together for 15 years, usually in partnership with the Rotary Club of Evanston. 

 

Clearing out basements and attics, upgrading kitchens and showers, repairing spongy floors, cleaning out sump pumps, painting and landscaping…  the ELRC has done it all!

 

This year’s Rebuilding Together project will take place on April 24-25 at 1817 Emerson (with limited work during the prior week).    We hope to accomplish the following:  clean out basement, clean up yard, remove carpet from stairs and hallway, install smoke detectors, deep clean kitchen cabinets, paint outside trim, and complete a number of minor repairs.   Please consider signing up to be a part of this effort!  Husbands, children and friends are also welcome!

 

 

 

  

 

Lisa Pinto, RC of Naperville Sunrise

Barry Rassen, Zone 34 (Bahamas), Presidential aide for incoming RI President

Zone Workshop Attendees:

Mary Beth Growney Selene, RI Director Zones 28 & 29

Jennifer Jones, Ri Director-Elect Zones 28 & 29

Tamie Koop

Chris Etienne

Pam Harkema

Patty Meehan

Newell Krogmann

Neil McBeth

Frank Goldberg

Karen Teichman

Debbie Stacey

Georgene Hildebrand

Bruce Baumberger

Steve Zabor

 

 

Mike Messini, guest of John Osterlund

 

 

Bill Glader:  “Follow your dreams unless it’s the one where you show up to work naked.”