President Brad Weiss presided at the meeting. Stephi Brooks presented the thought for the day: “Try to see the world through the eyes of a child…. “

 

 

Helen Oloroso announced that the next fellowship dinner will be in January, with no dinners taking place this month or next. She also announced that Dave Simons will be putting the dates of committee meetings on the calendar. She also reminded everyone present that Dec. 11 is the date for the holiday party. 

 

Steve Steiber made a brief presentation concerning the holiday party. Saturday, Nov. 19, is the date of the Thanksgiving pickup.  Tuesday, Nov. 29, is the deadline for ordering food. Saturday, Dec. 3, is the date for picking up floral orders at Anton’s. Saturday, Dec. 10, is the date for picking up food orders.

 

Bruce Baumberger provided an update on RI’s progress eradicating polio from the world. Thirty-two cases have now been identified in 2016.  The club’s goal is to donate $2,650 towards the 2016 eradication effort. Thus far the club has donated $2,400. He also reminded the club that Kristin Brown is riding 104 miles in Tuscon to raise money towards the eradication goal. So far she has raised $3,400, exceeding her goal. Bruce urged members to donate more.

 

Brad announced that we can save $75 attending the RI annual convention in Atlanta by registering on or before Dec. 15.

 

Ann Searles circulated a best-wishes card for Nancy Franzon, who is expected back after Thanksgiving.

 

Elaine Clemens announced that the next Vocational Service Committee meeting will take place at her house on Nov. 10.  Kristin Brown urged those present to consider attending the meeting and those of other committees.

 

Ken Green announced that we can still buy and donate a ham for Streetwise.  Next week, we will have the opportunity to buy and donate hams for the benefit of Family Focus.

 

Steve Steiber announced an upcoming performance of the Joseph Gif Christmas Chamber Opera.

 

Marisa Naujodas announced a coat drive on behalf of the Evanston School Children’s Clothing Association (“ESCCA”). ESCCA is seeking youth sizes 8 and up.  Adult-sized clothing is also welcome. Rotarians can also make a cash donation; checks should be made out to the “Rotary Club of Evanston Charitable Fund.”

 

Kristin Brown announced that the District had approved the outbound international exchange student for 2017.

 

Eric Schmelling announced that Nov. 15 is National Philanthropic Day, an event sponsored by the National Association of Fundraising Professionals. NAFP has named the Rotary Foundation the outstanding foundation of 2016.

 

Harold Bauer announced that Gary Peterson and his wife Katherine are currently volunteering in Haiti. 

 

Brad announced that there is an opportunity to travel to India from March 24 to April 4, 2017. The purpose of the trip is to participate in the March 2017 Polio National Immunization Days. 

 

 

Neil Gambow boasted the admission of his granddaughter to Belmont College.

John Osterlund boasted the admission of his son to Tulane University.

Chip Uchtman boasted the admission of his daughter to the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Harold Bauer boasted Ken Green for his help with the holiday sale processes.

 

 

Governor Rick Rivkin gave a certificate of appreciation to past president Steve Goranson honoring the club’s efforts last year supporting community service projects in Evanston and worldwide.

 

 

 

 

Brad introduced our speaker, John Germ, the president of Rotary International and a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tenn.  John began his presentation by recounting how RI started.  Initially RI was a fellowship organization; it only later became involved in service to others. Today, John argued that RI is both a service and a civic organization.

 

John said that RI is in the people business.  He focused his presentation on what each of the letters in “people” could be said to stand for when it comes to RI.  “P” stands for pride in being reliable and trustworthy.  He suggested we think of the lives Rotary has changed in our communities.

 

“E” stands for empathy.  He spoke of Rotary celebrating the 100th year of the Rotary Foundation and recounted an RI project in Guatemala that brought x-ray equipment to the poor together with the ability to send digital images from the equipment to any hospital in the world for diagnostic purposes.

 

“O” stands for opportunity and obligation—the opportunity of being a member who has the obligation to encourage greater diversity in Rotary. The second “P” stands for perseverance. John cited the RI’s perseverance in nearly eradicating polio. 

 

“L” stands for leadership, particularly in helping to secure our future by helping the youth of the world.  He cited Rotary youth-oriented programs such as RYLA.

 

Finally, “E” stands for enthusiasm; if you want to be successful, you have to be enthusiastic and work hard.

 

John closed by quoting a prayer by a former chaplain of the U.S. Senate: “I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

 

Brad thanked President Germ and said that the club was donating “Paul Harris and the Birth of Rotary” by Fred Carvin to the Evanston Public Library in his honor.

 

RI President John Germ and Brad Weiss

 

 

 

 

John Germ, Rotary International President

Rick Rivkin, District 6440 Governor

Maneechit Suwanssilapa, Bangkok

 

 

Luis Abrev, Rotary International inbound exchange student

Nancy Baumberger and Chris Joyce, guests of Bruce Baumberger

Mark Kleire, Rich Green, and Chris Gragg, guests of Brad Weiss and members of Brad’s dentists’ group celebrating their 10th anniversary of being together

Paul Weber and Martin Braack, guests of Malu Simon

Katie Petzir, Beacon Academy, guest of Gary Peterson

Amy Rizzo, CDW Corporation, guest of Kea Gordon

Tibor Pakotdi and Abbie Vie, guests of Kristin Brown

Amy Claver, Rotary International, guest of Ann Searles

Marcia Kazurinsky, guest of Charlotta Koppanyi

 

 

 

 

Keith Sarpolis, 11 years

 

 

Set Up: Horton Kellogg and Charlotta Koppanyi

Greeters: John Searles and Dave Simmons

Break Down: Chip Uchtman and Randy Usen