Meeting Notes from December 1, 2015
President Steve Goranson convened the meeting. The Thought for the Day was offered by Linda Gerber.
Announcements
Steve Goranson wished everyone a Happy Hanukkah who celebrates the holiday.
Elizabeth Newton asked us to give to the Rotary Foundation – “Let your arms be full today as it is Giving Day.”
New members Raissa Eirich and Marisa Naujokas received their coveted blue badges today, signifying that each has obtained the signatures of all regular members, has attended a club board meeting, and has attended a meeting of another Rotary club.
Gary Peterson announced there will be a pot-luck supper for the International Committee tomorrow evening, December 2, at Ilana Seligman’s house.
Kristin Brown announced that Rotary raised nearly $4 million from the bike marathon: $900,000 for bikers, $2 million for DDF (DDF stands for District Designated Funds. The Rotary Foundation asks member districts to "designate" how some funds are used to accomplish Rotary goals and aims around the world), $1 million for the World fund Match.
Kristin said the ride itself was a wonderful experience, not only for the money it raised, "but riding 104 miles with more than 100 Rotarians and 9,000 other cyclists, surrounded by Tucson’s spectacular scenery on a beautiful sunny day, was hard work but getting to the top of some of those hills was pure joy. On the hardest part of the climbs I would remind myself of the Ride to End Polio motto: Rotarians cycling so that others may walk."
Kristin said the ride itself was a wonderful experience, not only for the money it raised, "but riding 104 miles with more than 100 Rotarians and 9,000 other cyclists, surrounded by Tucson’s spectacular scenery on a beautiful sunny day, was hard work but getting to the top of some of those hills was pure joy. On the hardest part of the climbs I would remind myself of the Ride to End Polio motto: Rotarians cycling so that others may walk."
Kristin also mentioned that John Osterland finished the race early. He got back to the hotel and changed, and joined the race before all bikers completed it to everyone’s surprise.
Don Gwinn announced that tickets are still available for Twist Your Dickens for $20. The performance is a matinee, and dinner will be afterwards at Lou Malnati’s.
Bruce Baumberger announced that on Friday evening there is a performance of the Lakeside Singers. Dinner will be at Tommy Nevins at 6 p.m. before the performance.
Bruce Baumberger announced that on Friday evening there is a performance of the Lakeside Singers. Dinner will be at Tommy Nevins at 6 p.m. before the performance.
Ken Green discussed the holiday ham sales. We have many more ordered than have been sold. If you can sell more, we have them available.
Steve Carlson told us that two-thirds of our goal for fund raising has been reached. Right now, we have 49 members who have contributed orders. Bruce Baumburger said there is no excuse for any member not to at least order something for his or her own family.
Flower pickup is December 5 at Anton’s in Evanston. Food pickup is on December 1 at Subaru in Evanston.
To date, we have sold 75 cases of oranges, 61 cases of grapefruit, 8 cases of mixed fruit, 87 half hams, and 6 whole hams.
Kate Collinson tells us we have 20 extra boxes of citrus fruit available. Steve told us he sold 112 boxes of trail mix.
Marv Edelstein announced that the New Generations meeting that was to meet tomorrow will be postponed. Information will be forthcoming for the new date.
Jim McGuire tells us he has office space available in his building at Dempster and Sherman avenues in Evanston. The space is approximately 600 square feet, with hardwood floors. It is available as of January.
Bill Glader tells us Streetwise would love to accept any coats, scarves, gloves, hats, boots, etc. that we might have to offer. If you have something warm you're not using any more, please bring it to the next meeting and he'll deliver it later on that day.
Horton Kellogg has a customer assigned to him whose name is Simon Morris. He is not Horton’s customer, and is looking for the person who has Mr. Morris. Please contact Horton.
Horton also has two free Northwestern basketball tickets for December 21 if anyone would like to have them.
Steve Goranson tells us a Greeter’s badge is missing. Also, he has a Paul Harris pin for a one-year recipient. If it belongs to anyone, please let him know.
Roasts and Boasts
Harold Bauer boasted he ordered holiday sale items on-line. He tells us, if he can do it, anyone can do it.
Neil Gambow boasted his wife, who was elected President of the North Shore Hospital Auxiliary. He also boasted Rotary International for checking with every one of its Exchange students after the Paris terrorist attacks to ensure they were safe.
Lesley Peters boasted Ken Green and the great service he gave bringing holiday hams downstairs from his home and putting them in her car.
Bill Glader boasted Harold Bauer for participating in the Golf Road cleanup with his knee brace on.
Zbig Skiba boasted that he now has his Polish passport.
Program
John Osterlund introduced our speaker, John Morrison, who has lived in Evanston for 51 years. He has three daughters who attended school in Evanston. He came here from Sheboygan, Wis. He is a retired partner from the law firm Kirkland and Ellis. He was educated at Harvard Law School. He was also a Rhodes Scholar and received a B.A. /M.A. in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford. He has a B.B.A. in Finance, from the University of New Mexico. For more than 35 years he has arbitrated commercial law cases.
Morrison shared with us his two international experiences teaching arbitration in both Mongolia and Lesotho.
Morrison shared with us his two international experiences teaching arbitration in both Mongolia and Lesotho.
In the fall of 2004, he taught international arbitration and mediation to judges and advocates (both young and old) in Mongolia under contract funded by USAID. Mongolia is an enormous land-locked country about the size of Europe. Both Russia and China have a strong influence on this country. Mongolia is a democracy. In the last 10 years, it has become a mineral rich country with a great deal of copper and coal. Most people live in large cities there. The Rotary club there is filled with expatriates.
He also had an opportunity to travel through Mongolia and did hiking there. He also visited the Gobi Desert.
John also mentioned that arbitration decisions can be reversed in court. This is unusual, and is not done in very many other places.
He was also invited to teach arbitration in Lesotho in 2014. Lesotho is s an enclaved, land-locked country in South Africa, completely surrounded by South Africa. They export water and diamonds. The country is beautiful and mountainous.
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy. While he was there, he taught arbitration to lawyers and policemen. The Chief Justice attended three of his classes.
John Morrison and Steve Goranson
Guests and Milestones
Guest
Peter Beale-Del Vecchio, Boys Hope Girls Hope, guest of Neil Gambow
Birthday
Nancy Phillips
Anniversary
Steve Goranson, December 2008
Next Week’s Assignments
Meeting Set up: Ira Graham and Nick Powers
Greeters: Bruce Baumberger and Mike Merdinger
Thought for the Day: Ken Green
Scribe: Yves Lassere
Break down: Bob Teska and Chip Uchtman