The Light for September 20, 2022
By Vaidehi Ravikumar
Bruce Baumberger started the meeting for President Kathy Tate-Bradish by ringing the bell and he noted that we were ringing the bell for the first time since we went into hybrid mode. Next, Steve Carlson read the “Why we are Rotarians” statement followed by the thought for the day, which was: “Your best teacher is your last mistake” by Ralph Nader. Next, Kathy read the statement concerning the indigenous people who lived on the land we occupy here.
New Member Installation: Jeff Snyder
Ann Searles introduced Jeff Snyder, who is a professor at Northwestern University in the Materials Science Department in the School of Engineering. Jeff mentors graduate students getting their PhDs.
He has worked in the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory developing technology for radio isotope power systems for deep space probes. He is also a volunteer and supporter of an international high school in Ethiopia, which his wife and her sister founded. Jeff goes there for extended lengths of time, helping with fixing and building things as needed using his engineering skills.
Ann then presented Jeff for membership in our club. Kathy added that Jeff will be mentored by Helen Oloroso.
Kathy formally inducted Jeff into the club and urged all members to extend their friendship and welcome him.
Next, Nick Powers, chair of the Membership Committee, presented Jeff with the Rotary-Welcome package. Jeff then said that he is looking forward to the instant supply of new friends in Evanston. He also mentioned that he was in Oslo, Norway, recently and shared an interesting fact that some 80% of new cars there are electric!
Announcements
Jose Lopez asked that the club think about how to help the victims of hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico by leveraging our club’s money along with the District grants.
Albert Menard announced that the final trash pickup for the year in the Golf Road Cleanup will be on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 8:30 a.m. and asked interested members to gather at the T.J. Maxx parking lot to participate.
Joan Borg announced that club meetings on Oct. 11 and 18 will be on Zoom only. Other calendar dates to remember, she said, include tours of the Rotary International building that will be available, particularly, for new members, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 9 a.m., which happens to follow our morning meetings. The club’s annual holiday party is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 11, at a time and place to be announced.
Ann Weatherhead announced that Connections for the Homeless will host a Margarita Inn listening and learning meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave.
Steve Goranson said that at the Beach Clean-up, Ann Searles and Nick Powers spread the “Gospel of Rotary” and almost recruited new members.
Joy Joyce announced that she just dropped off Chris Joyce at Evanston Township High School where he is meeting with Maria Gomez to begin the process of ,resurrecting the Interact Club at ETHS. Joy also mentioned that the Evanston Round Table had a nice article covering the Taste event featuring the Silent Auction with photos of Bryant, Helen, and Hillary.
Next, Kathy shared a few slides from Sunday’s Taste of Evanston gala. and mentioned that a more finished/polished presentation will be forthcoming.
Don Gwinn talked about the wooden boxes that he made that were auctioned. He made them out of left-over wood from “Rebuilding Together” projects, some of which was Douglas Fir, a very pretty wood. He said he will be happy to consider offering woodworking classes for our members in the future,
Bill Glader said that he would love to hear suggestions for improvement on the numerous components that make up Taste!
Program
Topic: Fundraising Ideas
We brainstormed ideas for fundraising to make up the deficit from the demise of the Holiday Sales fundraiser. We did this in breakout groups using a method Kristin Brown introduced to the group, which she labeled “Working Alone Together.”
Guests and Milestones
Birthday
Hillary Hufford-Tucker, Sept. 24
Club Anniversary
Chip Uchtman, 21 years; joined on Sept. 25, 2001
