President Helen Oloroso called the meeting to order with a recitation of “Why We Are Rotarians.” Don Gwinn gave the first Thought for the Day, an apt poem by Edgar A. Guest, entitled Life: “. . . You’ll find that in service its beauty improves.” Neil Gambow followed with a second Thought, from President Teddy Roosevelt: “To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or to stand by the President right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.” And added, from the well known philosopher Anonymous: “If I waited until I had all my ducks in a row, I’d never get across the street. Sometimes you just have to gather up what you’ve got and make a run for it.”

 

 

President Helen announced that Kathy Tate-Bradish was scribing and that all announcements should be handed to her in writing. Marv Edelstein shared that Kate Collinson, Siessourby Soma, and Gui Isfer Garcia were joining us on our Zoom video livestream.

 

Mary Bak, District Assistant Governor: The annual District Conference will be April 24-25 and will be a joint conference with District 6420. Don Gwinn added that the speaker line-up is tremendous. There is a grant management training on Feb. 15; check the district calendar for details. The District is offering a new Public Image matching grant: $250 from the club matched with $250 from the District.

 

Susan Prout: Reprising her role as treasurer during meetings, she is taking credit cards for dues, with a $4 or $6 service fee, depending on which breakfast plan you are on.

 

Chris and Joy Joyce attended the 4^th Annual Officer and Gentlemen Academy Kickoff event on Jan. 18. Our club has an important ongoing relationship with the OGA, which aims to “educate, inspire, and empower young men to reach their full potential.” Several new participants were welcomed, having been identified by District 65 and the police department as young men who would benefit from the mentorship and other activities of the OGA.

 

 

Guests Patrick Hughes and Keith Glantz of “Evanston Loves Rotary” explained that their organization wants to show the importance of Rotary to Evanston, and to explain Rotary to Evanstonians. They appreciate the many ways that Rotary, from Rotary International to the two clubs, benefits the town. They propose 25 giant globes around town, six feet tall and four feet wide, highlighting four countries on each globe, and explaining Rotary’s work. They are also advocating that each time the City of Evanston uses its logo, it be edited to read “Home of Rotary International.” Helen attends the Friday meetings and will keep the club apprised of the ongoing plans.

 

 

Fran Caan’s youngest son turned 21!

 

We learned several things from Nick Powers, our Sergeant-at-Arms. In football, the 49ers were named after the gold rush prospectors of 1849. The Green Bay Packers were named after meat packers. And, interestingly, the list in descending order of the number of employees in Evanston: 1. Northwestern University, 2. NorthShore Hospital, 3. the school districts, 4. St. Francis Hospital, 5. City of Evanston, 6. Presbyterian Homes, 7. ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, 8. Jewel-Osco grocery store.

 

 

 

 

Rich is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, an Assistant Governor with other portfolios for District 6440, and was District 6440 Rotarian of the Year in 2012/13.

 

Rich opened his talk with a photo of the new RI logo – open doors signifying “Rotary Opens Opportunities,” which characterizes his Rotary journey. Rich went from closing his store in Winnetka during the economic downturn in 2008 to becoming a committed Rotarian and joining the Rotary-Club-founded non-profit Operation Warm as its Development Director.

 

Rotary clubs continue to be strong partners with Operation Warm, which donates warm, new, customized winter coats for kids who can’t afford them. More than 3 million kids have received coats through Operation Warm since its inception. The coats are designed by Abercrombie & Fitch/Hollister, with color input from Benjamin Moore paints, to be suited to the weather of the communities where the coats are donated, and to be of very high quality and pleasing to kids.

 

A particularly popular program, which many other Rotary clubs support, is “A Warm Welcome to the Library.” Children invited to participate get a new coat and a book, and they learn about the many benefits of library membership.

 

 

 

 

Rich Lalley, Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, speaker: Operation Warm

 

Viviane Forsberg, Rotary Club of Sundsvall-Vängåvan, Sweden, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar 2002-2003, prospective member

 

Mary Bak, Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise, Assistant Governor

 

 

Patrick Hughes, Byline Bank, “Evanston Loves Rotary”

 

Keith Glantz, Glantz Design, “Evanston Loves Rotary”

 

 

Miguel Hernandez, January 23

 

Nick Powers, January 25

 

 

Kristin Brown, 8 years